Wednesday-Saturday, December 4, 2024 - December 7, 2024 | Polsky Theatre

School shows: Wednesday 12:30 p.m., Thursday 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Friday 10 a.m.
Public shows: Friday 6 p.m. and Saturday 10 a.m.

School show tickets start at $5.
Public show tickets start at $10.

10 a.m. (school show) and 7:30 p.m. (public show) Friday, January 24, 2025 | Yardley Hall

School show tickets start at $5.
Public show tickets start at $25.

The only company in the world to perform the signature trademark style, Hiplet Ballerinas of Chicago fuses classical pointe technique with African, Latin, hip-hop, and urban dance styles rooted in communities of color.

They incorporate the rhythms of African drums with Tchaikovsky, arabesques, and beatboxing – all while showcasing Hiplet's trademark sass, hip movements and struts against music from Black Violin to Beyonce. Promoting inclusivity in both their cast and audience, Hiplet features true-toned tights, modern music, and dancers of all shapes, sizes, and colors.

10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. Wednesday, February 19, 2025 | Yardley Hall

Tickets start at $5.

Jayden is stuck in detention with a book about Congressman John Lewis, but he thinks that history has nothing to teach him.

As a boy, Lewis dreamed of being a preacher who helps others. While he doesn’t yet have a congregation, he does have a loyal group of singing chickens that listen to him as he finds his voice. On a harrowing road trip through the South, Lewis’ eyes and mind are opened to the injustices of segregation and racism, inspiring him to take action. As Lewis meets Rosa Parks and Dr. King and ultimately becomes a leader and American hero, Jayden learns how he, too, can take a stand.

Thursday-Sunday, March 27, 2025 - March 30, 2025 | Polsky Theatre

School shows: Thursday 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m., and Friday 10 a.m.
Public shows: Saturday 2 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m.

School show tickets start at $5.
Public show tickets start at $10.

Be careful what you wish for! An opera for families with music by Lori Laitman and libretto by Dana Gioia.

Maya and her grandmother are living an ordinary day in their ordinary living room. As Maya works on her homework, her grandmother prepares to go shopping. As she leaves, she cautions Maya to lock the door and let no one in. Bored, Maya looks for something to do. In her grandmother’s cedar chest, she discovers an enormous dazzling ruby ring. Noticing the ring is a bit dusty, Maya rubs the jewel with her scarf. What happens next is anything but ordinary—a large genie appears!

The genie announces he was trapped in the ring for 50 years because the last owner failed to make their three wishes. The genie informs Maya she may make three wishes but sets a timer to ensure he won’t be trapped again. As Maya contemplates her wishes, the genie ominously warns, “Be careful what you wish for.”

Madcap chaos ensues as Maya first wishes her cat could talk and then wishes her toy unicorn to life. As the cat loudly complains and the unicorn only admires his own beauty, Maya works against time as she feverishly ponders her third wish. In desperation, she cries out, “I wish my grandma were here!” Maya’s grandmother instantly appears.

She recognizes the genie, and it becomes clear she was the previous owner of the magic ring. Maya’s grandmother sets the genie free, completing her series of wishes. Maya asks, “Why did you only make one wish?” “Because I only needed one wish to get what I wanted,” Maya’s grandmother replies. Maya asks, “What did you wish for that was so wonderful?” “I wished for you,” Maya’s grandmother replies.

Friday and Saturday, April 25, 2025 - April 26, 2025 | Yardley Hall

School shows: Friday 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Public show: Saturday 2 p.m.

School show tickets start at $5.
Public show tickets start at $10.

Follow a family with multiple generations of salt farmers on Kauai, mix in ancient stories, hula, live music, original songs, and plenty of audience participation into a tasty potluck of performance, joyously served up with aloha.

This original production introduces audiences to the Native Hawaiian relationship to pa‘akai (salt). Traditionally, pa‘akai is food, medicine, sacrament, and treasured gift. Created in partnership with the Bishop Museum and cultural elders and leaders, the performance is intended for a multi-generational audience so audience members young and old can have this restorative experience together.

Honolulu Theatre for Youth (HTY) produces professional theatre and drama education programs that make a difference in the lives of young people, families and educators in the state of Hawaii.

HTY believes drama education and theatre are unique, socially-based education and art forms that help their participants and audiences walk in the shoes of others, allowing them to expand their imaginations, enrich their lives, and discover the infinite possibilities in the world. HTY works towards a future for Hawaii in which people are culturally literate and imaginative, critical thinkers, and inventive problem solvers, with a respect for history and a sense of place in a complex world.

11 a.m.
Saturday, October 26, 2024
Polsky Theatre

Free - no tickets required

The MTC Kids Jam concert series is specially designed with families in mind! Join us in the MTC lobby at 10 a.m. for art activities led by the Nerman Museum of Contemporary Art, followed by a 60-minute concert with an acclaimed children’s musician.

Sonia De Los Santos was born with a smile on her face (that's what her mom says) in Monterrey, Mexico, and has been singing in Spanish and English for audiences of all ages since 2007, when she joined the Grammy Award-winning group, Dan Zanes and Friends.

As a solo artist, she has released three family music albums: “Mi Viaje: De Nuevo León to the New York Island,” “¡Alegría!” and “Esperanza.” It’s hard not to smile when she’s sharing some of her favorite things – migrating birds, friendship, chocolate, and anecdotes about growing up in Mexico and realizing her childhood dream of moving to New York. Her songs are inspired by various Latin American rhythms like huapango, cumbia, salsa, and festejo, as well as North American folk traditions from the United States.

De Los Santos has been nominated for a Latin Grammy and hailed by Billboard as “one of the Latin children’s music artists you should know” and "Best Latin Children's Music.” She has earned special recognition with her band, performing at renowned venues and festivals such as Carnegie Hall, Lincoln Center, Austin City Limits, Lollapalooza, The Getty Museum, The National Gallery of Art, The Smithsonian Folklife Festival, and many more. In 2020, De Los Santos launched “En Casa con Sonia,” an online musical series recorded from her home, and in 2021, she debuted “¿Qué Pasa, Sonia?” a radio segment featuring some of her favorite songs at Sirius XM’s “Kids Place Live.”

In the last couple of years, De Los Santos has performing alongside Grammy Award-winning Americana folk duo The Okee Dokee Brothers in “Somos Amigos,” a bilingual show that illustrates the collective power of singing together and learning from each other.

De Los Santos is now debuting “Música,” a new live show that salutes women who make music and who inspired her (and her all-female bandmates) to become a musician—or “una música” en español. The show premiered at the legendary New Victory Theater in New York City in March 2024, during Women’s History Month.

11 a.m. Saturday, March 8, 2025 | Polsky Theatre

Free; reservations recommended

The MTC Kids Jam concert series is specially designed with families in mind! Join us in the MTC lobby at 10 a.m. for art activities, followed by an hour-long concert with an acclaimed children's musician.

Two-time Grammy-nominated Pierce Freelon’s joyful music blends hip-hop, electronic jazz, and soul. His modern and dynamic sound is inspired by his journey as a millennial dad and is carefully crafted for today’s modern families. Through honest and playful lyrics, rich melodies, and fresh beats, he shares his story and welcomes kids and adults into his world.

Freelon’s critically acclaimed work has been featured on the “Today” Show, NPR, Billboard, Rolling Stone, Parents Magazine, and the PBS Kids’ animated series “Alma’s Way” and “Work it Out Wombats!” He is also the cocreator and talent of the PBS Kids’ podcast “Jamming on the Job,” and has written two children's picture books with Little Brown.

11 a.m. Saturday, May 3, 2025 | Polsky Theatre

Free; reservations recommended

The MTC Kids Jam concert series is specially designed with families in mind! Join us in the MTC lobby at 10 a.m. for art activities, followed by an hour-long concert with an acclaimed children's musician.

Mister G (Ben Gundersheimer) is a Latin Grammy Award-winning artist, author, and educator. Hailed as “a bilingual rock star” by The Washington Post, and “irresistible” by People magazine, he tours internationally, playing everywhere from Lollapalooza and Lincoln Center to climate change rallies on Capitol Hill.

An official partner of the United States Forest Service and the author of four multicultural picture books published by Penguin Random House, Mister G’s stories and songs aim to help children see each other across borders and foster cross-cultural connections.

11 a.m. Saturday, January 18, 2025 | Polsky Theatre

Free; reservations recommended

The MTC Kids Jam concert series is specially designed with families in mind! Join us in the MTC lobby at 10 a.m. for art activities, followed by an hour-long concert with an acclaimed children's musician.

Funky Mama (Krista Tatschl Eyler), who has been creating original rock ‘n’ roll for kids and families for 20 years, was long ago dubbed “Kansas City’s favorite singing mama.” Beloved by families across the metro, Funky Mama scored national recognition when she performed at the 2007 White House Easter Egg Roll in Washington, D.C. Her fun and funky music covers many genres and styles and has been played in hundreds of cars and kitchens across the country.

Eyler’s powerful, blues-drenched voice sounds like she would be right at home anywhere – harmonizing with any of the great soul singers of the ’60s, belting out rock ’n’ roll, taking the stage at the Grand Ole Opry, singing folksy jug band standards, joining in with the best of Louisiana’s Zydeco bands, or soaring over the top of a mesmerizing up-tempo gospel group. Mostly though, Funky Mama’s music is just plain fun.

10 a.m. (school show) and 7 p.m. (public show) Friday, April 11, 2025 | Yardley Hall

School show tickets start at $5. (All ticket subsidy requests for the 10 a.m. school show have been granted. Please call the MTC Box Office to purchase tickets.)

Public show tickets start at $10.

Thursday and Friday, May 1, 2025 - May 2, 2025 | Polsky Theatre

School show: Thursday 10 a.m. (Recommended for ages 13 and up.)
Public show: Friday 7:30 p.m.

School show tickets start at $5.
Public show tickets start at $25.

Brought to you by Silverback Films and Producer esk in association with Netflix, “Our Planet Live” is a new and immersive live show featuring behind-the-scenes stories from the explorers, filmmakers, scientists, and adventurers that created some of the most eye-catching footage of our planet.

Four billion years. Millions of species. Five mass extinction events (and counting). It’s the story of ‘Life on Our Planet.’ From the Emmy® Award-winning team behind Netflix’s 'Our Planet' series, comes a new natural history speaker series event: ‘Our Planet Live.’ Brought to you by Silverback Films and Producer esk in association with Netflix, ‘Our Planet Live’ is a new and immersive live show featuring behind-the-scenes stories from the explorers, filmmakers, scientists, and adventurers that created some of the most eye-catching footage of our planet. Join us live on stage as we bring to life these stories from the natural world. With a focus on climate fragility and climate migration, ‘Our Planet Live’ tells an unprecedented story about overcoming obstacles on a global scale and explores the messages at the heart of these action-packed, emotional, and unforgettable sequences.

Dan Tapster

An 8-time Emmy-nominated showrunner, Dan Tapster started out at the BBC Natural History Unit in the 1990s where he worked on series including ‘Sir David Attenborough’s Life of Mammals.’ Following a varied career which included being kidnapped by Quichua Indians in Ecuador and firing cannonballs through houses by mistake, he became the showrunner for a TV show that went on to become the second most-watched factual TV series in history: the phenomenon that is ‘MythBusters.’ After leading the show to 12 series renewals and over 18 billion views of content, Dan left ‘MythBusters’ in 2016 and after more pop-science shows, he joined Silverback films in 2018. Combining visual flair with strong storytelling, Dan was the showrunner for the epic that is ‘Life on Our Planet’ (Netflix). Executive produced by Steven Spielberg, ‘Life on Our Planet’ uses stunning natural history and world-class visual effects to reveal the story of life in a way that has never been attempted before.