Tower Theatre Foundation announces 2024-25 LessonPLAN Education Series

The nonprofit Tower Theatre Foundation announced their LessonPLAN (Performing Live Arts Now) Education Series for the 2024-25 school year. The annual series brings public, private and home-schooled students to the Tower Theatre and performers into schools. 

The program offers low-cost matinees at the historic theatre or in-school workshops to inspire students’ creativity and enhance performing arts curriculum for teachers.

“We are excited to offer educators and K-12 students the largest LessonPLAN Education Series in the program’s history. Our goal for the 2024-25 school year is to deliver programming to more students than ever before. We’ve increased our season from 12 to 20 performances to meet the increased demand from Central Oregon educators,” said the Tower’s Education Coordinator, Becca Swain.

“We are committed to delivering diverse programming that meets the needs of our ever-evolving landscape of students and families in Central Oregon. Our goal is to ensure that every participant feels valued and represented, and that our educational offerings reflect the rich diversity of our community,” adds Swain.

The 2024-25 LessonPLAN Education Series includes the following events:

October 15, 2024: Maddog and Me-Bullying and the Power of Kindness (two in-school performances) This entertaining mix of world tales and personal stories addresses the universal experience of standing up for yourself in the face of adversity and bullying. Through fables, myths, and stories from his own life growing up in a rough neighborhood, David Gonzalez offers insights and strategies for cultivating compassionate relationships and communities.

October 28, 2024, February 13, 2025, March 6, 2025, May 8, 2025: Music and Mindfulness with Paula Dreyer (four in-school performances) Music and Mindfulness offers a unique and immersive experience for children to explore the power of creativity through live piano music. Led by professional pianist Paula Dreyer, the sessions combine beautiful music with contemplative activities, fostering a sense of relaxation and connection. During the sessions, students engage in various activities, including gentle movement, walking meditation and imaginative storylines. The use of wireless headphones ensures a deep and meaningful musical experience, while still fostering a shared sense of connection among the students.

November 5, 2024: Alex Zerbe - The Zaniac: (one in-school performance) This two-time Guinness World Record holder captivates audiences as he explains the physics behind some seriously impressive tricks. Alex has appeared on three national television shows and has sung over 12,000 songs. 

November 14th, 2024: Living Voices – Klondike Gold Rush (two in-school performances) Hunt for gold in the Klondike with one independent young woman who risks everything for the promise of wealth and a fresh start during a time of global turmoil.

January 7, 2025: Warm Springs Tribal Member, Scott Kalama (Blue Flamez) (one Tower matinee) Blue Flamez is the hip-hop musical persona of Scott Kalama, an enrolled member of the Confederated Tribes of Warm Springs who works by day as a certified prevention specialist to mentor youth and raise awareness about the risks of drugs and alcohol. In January 2024, Scott was awarded a Fields Artist Fellowship from Oregon Humanities and Oregon Community Foundation. 

January 13, 2025: Villalobos Brothers (one Tower matinee) The Villalobos Brothers, a Grammy-winning family band, captivate audiences across the world with their virtuosic violin performances, original compositions, and fiery vocals. Rooted in the native Veracruz traditions, their music showcased a vibrant blend of Son Jarocho, Son Huasteco, Latin Jazz, and Classical Music, pushing boundaries of musical exploration while paying homage to Mexican folklore.

January 21, 2025: Aluminum Show (one Tower matinee) A unique and energetic experience for the entire family, is a stimulating tour de force which combines movement, dance, visual theater and plenty of humor.

January 23, 2025: Pack Drumline (one Tower matinee) The Pack started out as an afterschool program in the Chicago area, teaching percussion and dance to at-risk youth. Now the official drumline of the Chicago Sky, their semi-final finish in season 17 of America's Got Talent brought the group new opportunities including a Las Vegas Residency with AGT Super Stars Live at the Luxor, a guest drumline appearance with the Lakers and a North American tour for the 2023-2024 Season.

January 30, 2025: 123 Andres (one Tower matinee) Grammy award-winning husband-and-wife duo that creates children's music in both English and Spanish. They also teach geography and sign language.

March 11, 2025: Living Voices - Hear My Voice: (two in-school performances) Discover the 72-year struggle that finally won half of America's citizens a voice in their own government, through the campaign of one young activist dedicated to women's suffrage.

March 17, 2025: International Guitar Night (one in-school workshop/performance) International Guitar Night is the world’s premier touring guitar festival, each show bringing together the most interesting and innovative acoustic guitarists to exchange musical ideas in a public concert setting.

April 11, 2025: Edna Vasquez (one in-school performance/workshop) Edna Vazquez is a fearless singer, songwriter, composer, and guitarist whose powerful voice and musical talent transcend the boundaries of language to engage and uplift her audience. Edna's passion for music and performance grew from her bicultural roots, and she has traveled far and wide spreading her message of light, love, and cultural healing. 

April 15, 2025: String Queens (one Tower matinee) Praised for its authentic, soulful, and orchestral sound, The String Queens is a dynamic trio that creates stimulating musical experiences that inspire diverse audiences to love, hope, feel, and imagine! With an array of repertoire spanning from the Baroque era to the Jazz Age to today’s Billboard Hot 100 Chart, The String Queens performs versatile programs that take listeners on a rousing musical journey through time and a multitude of musical genres.

Registration opens Monday, August 26 at 10:00 AM for all performances. Central Oregon educators are encouraged to register at the on-sale time. Last year, most of the series sold out within a day. More information about the LessonPLAN Educational Program and Series is available at towertheatre.org/community/community-lessonplan-series.

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About Tower Theatre Foundation

The historic 460-seat Tower Theatre is owned and operated by the nonprofit Tower Theatre Foundation. Our mission is to be Central Oregon's leading performing arts organization, providing cultural and educational programs that make essential contributions to the region's lifestyle and strength of community. For additional information about the foundation, education programs and performing arts events, please visit towertheatre.org.