STAGES OF DISCOVERY

A Tell-Tale Tale: The Stories and Poems of Edgar Allan Poe

Bright Star Touring Company – Morrisville, NC

Tuesday, October 14

The baby grand / Best for Grades: 3rd – 8th

No one tells a story quite like the Great Edgar Allan Poe! In A Tell-Tale Tale these spooky and clever stories and poems come to life before your very eyes. With a mastery of language that few can match, Edgar Allan Poe’s stories and poems are as impactful today as they were in the 19th century when they were written. This show blends rich language with expert storytelling to produce a rich language arts experience for middle grades. Stories include “The Tell-Tale Heart,” “The Raven,” “The Bells” and more!

Learning Connections: Language Arts, Literature, Poetry, Creative Writing, American History, Theater Arts, Critical Thinking

SEL: Creativity, Communication, Empathy, Emotional Awareness, Critical Thinking, Collaboration, Imagination, Resilience

RESERVATION FORM

STUDY GUIDE - Coming Soon

PINKALICIOUS, The Musical

Vital Theatre Company – New York, NY

Tuesday, October 20

The Playhouse on Rodney Square/ Best for Grades PK-3rd

Book by Elizabeth Kann & Victoria Kann
Music by John Gregor
Lyrics by John Gregor, Elizabeth Kann & Victoria Kann
Based on the book "Pinkalicious" by Victoria Kann & Elizabeth Kann

Pinkalicious can't stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor's office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe - a dream come true for this pink loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out how to get out of this predicament.

Learning Connections: Language Arts, Literacy, Music, Theater Arts, Healthy Choices, Creative Expression

SEL Connections: Self-Awareness, Self-Control, Decision-Making, Confidence, Friendship, Family, Kindness

RESERVATION FORM

STUDY GUIDE - Coming Soon

Belton, Bulah and Brown (DE 250)

Pieces of a Dream, Inc. – Wilmington, DE

Thursday, November 19

The baby grand / Best for Grades 6-12

Celebrate Wilmington and Delaware's 250th anniversary through the power of dance and storytelling. Presented by Pieces of a Dream, Inc., Belton, Bulah and Brown (DE 250) honors three remarkable Delaware trailblazers whose courage, determination, and leadership helped shape their communities and inspire future generations. Through dynamic choreography, music, and theatrical performance, students will explore themes of perseverance, civic engagement, and social change while gaining a deeper appreciation for Delaware's rich history and cultural heritage. This engaging production encourages audiences to reflect on the lasting impact of individuals who challenged barriers and paved the way for progress.

Learning Connections:  Women’s History, African American History, Social Studies, Civil Rights, Discrimination, Equality, Language Arts

Supports the learning requirements of DE HB 198

RESERVATION FORM

STUDY GUIDE - Coming Soon

THE NUTCRACKER | 25TH ANNIVERSARY

First State Ballet Theatre – Wilmington, DE

Thursday, December 10

Copeland Hall at The Grand / Best for Grades: K – 12

Delaware’s Holiday Tradition at The Grand

Celebrate the season with Delaware’s professional ballet company! Share in Marie’s holiday dream and experience a magical journey through a swirling snowstorm to the Land of Sweets in this lavish production.  Established in 1999 by Artistic Director Pasha Kambalov and Executive Director Kristina Kambalov, First State Ballet Theatre is Delaware's only professional ballet company. FSBT employs a talented roster of dancers from around the world to present classical and contemporary ballet, including new works from local and internationally-recognized choreographers, on stages across the state of Delaware and beyond.

*Please note – this is an intentionally abbreviated version of The Nutcracker for Stages of Discovery.

Learning Connections: Wilmington, DE History, Delaware History, Holiday, Dance, Storytelling

RESERVATION FORM

STUDY GUIDE - Coming Soon

Pigfoot Mary’s Harlem Renaissance

First Woman LLC  – New York, NY

Tuesday, February 16

Copeland Hall at the Grand/ Best for Grades: 4 - 8

PigFoot Mary, secretly wealthy from her popular food stand, awaits news on a property sale that could mark her departure from Harlem. She shares stories about her life and the customers who left a lasting impact on her. Who are Hot Fingers The Piano Player, The Garveyite, Crispus The Number’s Runner, and WWI Veteran General Wilson? What do they have in common with Langston Hughes, Countee Cullen, Marcus Garvey, and Zora Neale Hurston? Inspired by Lillian Harris Dean, one of Harlem's most successful early entrepreneurs in the 1920s, this lively play with only two actors bursts with jazz, vibrant characters, and dances of the Harlem Renaissance, connecting the past to today in a fun, poignant, and educational way.

Learning Connections:  Women’s History, African American History, Social Studies, Civil Rights, Discrimination, Equality, Language Arts

Supports the learning requirements of DE HB 198

RESERVATION FORM

STUDY GUIDE - Coming Soon

123 Andrés

123 Andrés – Washington, DC

Tuesday, March 2

Copeland Hall at The Grand / Best for Grades: PK-3

This high-energy bilingual performance introduces young audiences to musical styles, instruments, geography, social studies, and Spanish language through interactive music and storytelling. Featuring the GRAMMY and Latin GRAMMY Award-winning duo 123 Andrés, students will sing, dance, and learn through engaging songs that celebrate culture, community, and language exploration.

This performance highlights musical traditions from Central and South America while supporting curriculum connections in music, social studies, and Spanish language learning. The duo has also created multiple bilingual books published by Scholastic, including Hello, Friend (Hola, Amigo) and Ten Little Birds (Diez Pajaritos), extending the experience into reading and writing activities for younger learners.

Learning Connections: Music, Spanish Language Learning, Geography, Social Studies, World Cultures, Language Arts, Literacy, Storytelling

SEL Connections: Cultural Awareness, Communication, Community, Creativity, Inclusion, Confidence, Collaboration

RESERVATION FORM

STUDY GUIDE - Coming Soon

Explorer Concert: The Story of Peter Pan

Delaware Symphony Orchestra – Wilmington, DE

Tuesday, March 23

Copeland Hall at The Grand / Best for Grades: K - 6

Join the Delaware Symphony Orchestra for The Story of Peter Pan! Fly off to Neverland with the DSO and Peter, Wendy, John, and Michael as they leave London behind for magical (and musical) adventures filled with pirates, Lost Boys, mermaids, and fairies. Perfect for school-age children, their educators and families, this lively concert brings the beloved story to life through music and imagination!

Learning Connections: Music, Orchestra & Instrument Families, Symphonic Performance, Literature, Storytelling, Theater Arts, Creative Writing, Listening Skills

SEL Connections: Creativity, Collaboration, Confidence, Active Listening, Friendship, Imagination

RESERVATION FORM

STUDY GUIDE

The Magic School Bus: Lost in the Solar System

TheaterWorks USA – New York, NY

Tuesday, April 6

The Playhouse at Rodney Square / Best for Grades PK – 5

When the class gets lost on the way to the planetarium, Ms. Frizzle saves the day by blasting into outer space for an epic interplanetary field trip!  But when rivalries both old and new threaten to tear the students apart, our young heroes must learn to pull together or risk getting forever lost in the solar system. Hop on the Magic School Bus for a ride in this new musical adaptation based on the original book series published by Scholastic.

Learning Connections: Science, Astronomy, Space Exploration, STEM, Literature, Music, Theater Arts, Problem Solving

SEL Connections: Teamwork, Cooperation, Friendship, Communication, Curiosity, Resilience, Inclusion, Conflict Resolution

RESERVATION FORM

STUDY GUIDE - Coming Soon

Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo -  Live!

ERTH VISUAL & PHYSICAL, INC.  – Sydney, Australia

Tuesday, April 27

Copeland Hall at The Grand / Best for Grades PK – 5th

Take your students on an unforgettable journey back in time with Erth’s Dinosaur Zoo Live! This interactive theatrical experience brings amazingly life-like dinosaurs to the stage through innovative puppetry, storytelling, and audience engagement. Created by the internationally acclaimed Erth Visual & Physical company of Sydney, Australia, the production combines science, theater, and imagination to spark curiosity and inspire young learners.

Perfect for elementary and middle school audiences, the performance supports curriculum connections in science, natural history, STEM, and the performing arts while creating a fun and memorable live theater experience.

Learning Connections: Science, Paleontology, Natural History, STEM, Geography, Theater Arts, Puppetry, Creative Storytelling

SEL Connections: Curiosity, Imagination, Collaboration, Communication, Creativity, Problem Solving, Confidence, Exploration

RESERVATION FORM

STUDY GUIDE - Coming Soon

Harold and the Purple Crayon

Enchantment Theatre Company – Philadelphia, PA

Tuesday, May 4

Copeland Hall at The Grand / Best for Grades: PK – 3

“One evening, after thinking it over for some time, Harold decided to go for a walk in the moonlight.” So begins Harold and the Purple Crayon, the first of seven delightful picture books by Crockett Johnson, following the zany adventures of an inventive young boy. As it turned out, there wasn’t any moon that night nor was there a path to walk on, so Harold simply drew them. And thus his journey began. Resourceful and brave, Harold creates the world he wants to explore, using nothing more than a big purple crayon and his sky’s-the-limit imagination.

Learning Connections: Language Arts, Literacy, Creative Writing, Visual Arts, Theater Arts, Storytelling, Imagination, Problem Solving

SEL Connections: Creativity, Confidence, Curiosity, Resilience, Independence, Self-Expression, Imagination, Critical Thinking

RESERVATION FORM

STUDY GUIDE - Coming Soon

The Rainbow Fish

Walnut Street Theatre Touring Outreach – Philadelphia, PA

Tuesday, May 11

The baby grand / Best for Grades: PK – 3

With shiny, multi-colored scales, Rainbow Fish is the most beautiful fish in all of the ocean, and the only one of their kind. When Rainbow Fish refuses to share their vibrant, shimmering scales, the whole ocean seems to turn against the vain creature. Unhappy that no one adores them anymore, the Rainbow Fish seeks out the wise Octopus, who helps them learn that it's far better to be admired for being kind than for being beautiful. This exciting show is based off the book of the same name!

Learning Connections: Language Arts, Literacy, Theater Arts, Storytelling, Creative Expression

SEL Connections: Kindness, Sharing, Empathy, Friendship, Self-Awareness, Inclusion, Cooperation, Compassion

Learning Connections: TBD

RESERVATION FORM

STUDY GUIDE - Coming Soon

TICKETS are $11 per person. Groups get one ticket free with every 15 reserved. Discounts for Title I schools are subject to availability and must be verifiable by the Department of Education.

No deposit is necessary for school groups; invoices will be provided. The final payment for schools is due four weeks prior to the performance. Full payment is required for general admission or small groups (less than 10) at the time of reservation.

Reservations are required for all performances. You may estimate the number of tickets needed with your initial reservation. Please include all students, teachers, and chaperones. Final counts (and payments) are due four weeks before performance dates (additional seats subject to availability). No adjustments may be made after this deadline.

CANCELLATION POLICY: Reservations may be canceled without penalty by contacting The Grand’s Box Office at (302) 652-5577 at least 30 days prior to the performance date. Cancellations received fewer than 30 days before the performance date are not eligible for refunds, and the full invoice amount will remain due.

RESERVATIONS: Educators interested in attending a Stages of Discovery performance should complete the online Reservation Request Form. Once submitted, a member of the Grand's Box Office team will review the request and follow up with an estimated invoice if availability allows. Questions regarding Stages of Discovery programming or other educational programming may be directed to Discovery@grandopera.org.

GENERAL ADMISSION TICKETS:

Individual tickets for select performances may be purchased for this program. All reservations require completion of the Reservation Request Form. For assistance with the reservation process or Box Office inquiries, please call (302) 652-5577 or visit The Grand at 818 N. Market Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.

SHOW TIMES are 9:30 AM and 12:00 PM. Performances will begin as close to these times as possible, and no later than 10 minutes after the scheduled time. Large groups should make every effort to arrive within the half-hour prior to show times to allow ample time for seating. The running time for all shows is approximately one hour. Please allow extra time for dismissal; street access is limited and groups will be called as their buses are ready for departure.

NO LUNCHES: The Grand will not be able to accommodate requests for indoor lunch spaces during our 2026-2027 season.

CLASSROOM VISITS: Extend the learning experience beyond the stage with a customized classroom visit from The Grand's Community Engagement team. Visits can be tailored to support your educational goals and may include topics such as the content and themes of a performance, theatre etiquette, arts integration, career pathways in the performing arts, and the history of The Grand and The Playhouse. Classroom visits are available by request and can be adapted for a variety of grade levels and learning environments. Fees may apply.

For more information or to discuss a customized classroom visit, please contact The Grand's Community Engagement team at Discovery@grandopera.org.

STUDY GUIDES: specific to each show include lessons and activities for use in the classroom before and after your visit. Please see study guides available for download along the right sidebar of this page.

TEACHING ARTIST (TA) RESIDENCIES: by Delaware Institute for the Arts in Education (DiAE) are available for selected shows, to be announced prior to 2026-2027 school year.

Trained TAs will design a series of workshops that allow students to explore subject matter and have a deeper, more personal connection with the art form. DiAE service fees will apply. Please email DiAE's Artistic Director, Ashley SK Davis.

TRANSPORTATION SUBSIDIES: are available for schools that demonstrate financial need. Applications should be submitted using our online form and are accepted throughout the year. Awards are distributed on a first-come, first-served basis, as long as funds are available.