If you are interested in signing your scholar up for one of these shows, please go to our shop page.
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Black Violin at The Coronado Theater in Rockford, IL. Oct. 11, 2025. (Grades 4th-8th)
Black Violin is an American hip hop duo from Fort Lauderdale, Florida comprising two classically trained string instrumentalists, Kevin Sylvester and Wilner Baptiste, who go by the stage names Kev Marcus and Wil B. Kev Marcus plays the violin, and Wil B. plays the viola.
(Meet at the Lower Academy at 6:45pm on Saturday Oct. 11.)
Visit our shop page to sign-up.
During the 2025-26 school year, this program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.
Hell’s Kitchen at the James M. Nederlander Theatre in Chicago, IL on Sunday, Nov 16, 2025 (grades 5th-8th).
An exciting Galapagos on Broadway addition, HELL’S KITCHEN, the hit musical from 17-time Grammy® Award winning Alicia Keys—inspired by her life, her music, and her community.
The journey begins with Ali, a 17-year-old girl full of fire, searching for freedom, passion, and her place in the world. Along the way, she’ll meet the musical mentor who changes her life, her dynamic family, and the neighborhood that helps her grow. Relatable, raw, and refreshingly fun, HELL’S KITCHEN is a celebration of finding yourself, your purpose, and the people who lift you up.
We will leave the Lower Academy at 9:15am and expect to return around 6:00pm.
Visit our shop page to sign-up.
During the 2025-26 school year, this program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.
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Elf- The Musical at the Chicago Auditorium in Chicago, IL. Dec 7, 2025. (Grades 4th-8th)
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The Outsiders- Cadillac Palace, Chicago, IL – February 22, 2026 (Grades 5th-8th)
The winner of four 2024 Tony Awards®, including Best Musical, is THE OUTSIDERS.
Adapted from S.E. HINTON’s seminal novel and FRANCIS FORD COPPOLA’s iconic film, “It has the power to inspire an entire generation.”
In Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1967, Ponyboy Curtis, his best friend Johnny Cade and their Greaser family of ‘outsiders’ battle with their affluent rivals, the Socs. THE OUTSIDERS navigates the complexities of self-discovery as the Greasers dream about who they want to become in a world that may never accept them. With a dynamic original score, THE OUTSIDERS is a story of friendship, family, belonging…and the realization that there is still “lots of good in the world.”
Visit our shop page to sign-up.
Meet at the Lower Academy on February 22 at 9am.
During the 2025-26 school year, this program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.
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Alvin Ailey dancers at The Coronado Theater in Rockford, IL. – Feb 26, 2026, 10 am performance.
(All third graders and all UA scholars in the Wednesday dance program.) No fee but permission slip is required.
Returning to their Chicago home, the illustrious 65-year strong company brings incredible show-stopping performances. Experience the latest premieres, contemporary favorites, and beloved masterpieces that are both “timely and timeless” (Chicago Tribune). On March 30, 1958, Alvin Ailey led a group of young African-American modern dancers in a now-fabled performance at the 92nd Street Y in New York City that forever changed the perception of American dance. Mr. Ailey was a pioneer in establishing a multi-racial repertory company that presented important works by both dance masters and emerging choreographers. Through the remarkable artistry of extraordinary dancers, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater continues to celebrate the African-American cultural experience and to preserve and enrich the American modern dance tradition. With a repertory of over 235 works by more than 90 choreographers and a permanent home at The Joan Weill Center for Dance in New York City—the largest building dedicated to dance in New York City, the dance capital of the world—the Ailey legacy flourishes, using the universal language of dance as a medium for honoring the past, celebrating the present and fearlessly reaching into the future.
We will leave the from both capuses around 9;00am and will return in time for lunch at school.
Step Afrika!’s The Migration at The Hemmens Cultural Center in Elgin, IL. Mar 27. 2026. (Grades 4th-8th)
A very special Galapagos on Broadway addition, Step Afrika!’s The Migration.
Watch as the energy of percussive dance, African traditions and contemporary movement collide. With powerful rhythms, storytelling and audience participation, this celebration of African culture and artistry will leave your heart pounding.
“The Migration” is a performance that draws from the imagery and themes of Jacob Lawrence’s iconic painting series to tell the story of the Great Migration of African Americans from the South to the North.
Step Afrika! is the first professional company dedicated to the African-American art of stepping, which it blends with traditional African and contemporary dance styles to create a unique performance experience.
Scholars will leave from school. They will have dinner before we go the show. Scholars should be picked up at the Lower Academy parking lot at 10:3opm.
Visit our shop page to sign-up.
Hamilton: An American Musical at the CIBC Theatre in Chicago, IL. Mar 29. 2026. (Grades 5th-8th)
This will be our third trip to see Hamilton.
Hamilton: An American Musical is the history-inspired story of the life and political career of Alexander Hamilton, one of the key players in the American Revolutionary War and in the shaping the government, policies, and Constitution of the newly born United States of America.
Scholars should meet at the Lower Academy parking lot at 2:45pm on Sunday, March 29.
We will have an early dinner, in Chicago, before the show. We expect to be back at the Lower Academy parking lot at 11:15pm.
Visit our shop page to enter our lottery to attend.
Dog Man the Musical – North Shore Center for the Performing Arts in Skokie, IL May 2, 2026 (Grades 1st-3rd)
A Hilarious, Heartfelt Family Adventure!
Based on the worldwide bestselling hit series by Dav Pilkey, Dog Man: The Musical is a hilarious and heartwarming production following the chronicles of Dog Man, who, with the head of a dog and the body of a policeman, loves to fight crime and chew on the furniture. But while trying his best to be a good boy, can he save the city from Flippy the cyborg fish and his army of Beasty Buildings? Can he catch Petey, the world’s most evil cat, who has cloned himself to exact revenge on the doggy do-gooder? And will George and Harold finish their show before lunchtime?? Find out in this epic musical adventure featuring the hilarity and heart of beloved characters from Dav Pilkey, the creator of Captain Underpants and Cat Kid Comic Club.
On Saturday, May 2, 2026, we will meet at Lower Academy at 11:15am and have a special lunch before going to see the show. We will return to the Lower Academy at approximately 6:30pm.
Visit our shop page to sign-up.
During the 2025-26 school year, this program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.
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Riverdance at The Coronado Theater in Rockford, IL. June. 2, 2026. (Grades 4th-8th)
Since Riverdance first emerged onto the world stage, its fusion of Irish and international dance and music has captured the hearts of millions worldwide. The Grammy award-winning music and the infectious energy of its mesmerizing choreography and breathtaking performances has left audiences in awe and established Riverdance as a global cultural sensation. To celebrate this incredible 30th year milestone, Riverdance will embark on a special anniversary tour, bringing its magic to audiences around the world. This spectacular production rejuvenates the much-loved original show with new innovative choreography and costumes and state of the art lighting, projection and motion graphics. And for the first time Riverdance welcomes “The New Generation” of performers, all of whom were not born when show began 30 years ago.
This high energy dance performance is open to 3rd-8th graders. The show is at the Coronado Theater in Rockford on June 2, 2026. We will leave the Lower Academy at 6:45 pm. We should be back at the Lower Academy by 9:45pm.
Visit our shop page to sign-up.
During the 2025-26 school year, this program is partially supported by a grant from the Illinois Arts Council.
performances.
