Dear Educators: Make OUR stage YOUR classroom by connecting a GREAT Field Trip with educational activities that link directly to your curriculum! Choose from six wonderful theatre productions for students in Pre-School all the way through High School. Your reservation includes a Free Education Guide available for download this fall! Guide includes: Information on Transportation, Detailed plot description, Classroom activities, Craft projects, Writing exercises, Theatre etiquette and more! Thank you for making theatre a vital part of your student’s education!
– Dennis Whipple, Artistic Executive Director
2011-2012 School Performances
Winnie-The-Pooh
Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, Saint John’s University
CLICK HERE FOR EDUCATION GUIDES AND BUSSING INFORMATION
Friday January 20, 2012 9:30am & Noon
Tuesday January 24, 2012 9:30am & Noon
Wednesday January 25, 2012 9:30am & Noon
Thursday January 26, 2012 9:30am & Noon
Friday January 27, 2012 9:30am & Noon 
This School Performance is for Pre-School through Fourth Grade students.
Estimated Show Length: 65 Minutes
From the classic, endearing stories of A.A. Milne comes this magical musical production of Winnie-The-Pooh. That willy, nilly, silly old bear and all his friends – Piglet, Rabbit, Eeyore, Owl, Kanga, Roo, Christopher Robin and Tigger are all ready for grand adventures. From the arrival of Roo and Kanga’s bathtub, to the search for Eeyore’s missing tail, the Heffalump hunt and especially Eeyore’s Birthday, these friends see each other through thick and thin.
Follow your tummy to the Hundred Acre Woods for a musical celebration of friendship, sharing and caring!
Themes Curriculum Guide Will Explore: Friendship, Overcoming Obstacles, Working Together, Music, Movement and Honey.
West-Side-Story
Paramount Theatre
Wednesday May 9, 2012 9:00am*Note Special Time & Noon
This School Performance is for Fifth Grade through Twelfth Grade students.
Estimated Show Length: Two Hours
The world's greatest love story takes to the streets in this landmark Broadway musical that is one of the theatre's finest accomplishments. Shakespeare's "Romeo and Juliet" is transported to modern-day New York City, as two young idealistic lovers find themselves caught between warring street gangs, the "American" Jets and the Puerto Rican Sharks. Their struggle to survive in a world of hate, violence and prejudice is one of the most innovative, heart-wrenching and relevant musical dramas of our time. Fall in love at first sight with this passionate musical adaptation of Romeo and Juliet.
Themes Curriculum Guide Will Explore: Racial Issues, Gangs, Music, Choreography, Shakespeare, Stage Combat and Love.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Stephen B Humphrey Theater, Saint John’s University
Friday May 18, 2012 9:30am & Noon
This School Performance is for Fourth Grade through Ninth Grade students.
Estimated Show Length: 90 Minutes
One of William Shakespeare's most hilarious and enchanting works comes to the stage in a production created especially for students. Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night's Dream is a whimsical story of love, mischief, matchmaking and magic as four young lovers enter the woods on a midsummer's night and get caught up in a lover's quarrel between the king and queen of faeries. Expect the unexpected with our fanciful, glimmering vision of laughter and mayhem in this classic turned modern comedic fantasy.
Themes Curriculum Guide Will Explore: Shakespeare Sonnets, Comedic Timing, Literature, Stage Magic and Storytelling.
The Wiz! - This show has already been performed
Paramount Theatre
Wednesday October 19, 2011 9:30am & Noon
Wednesday October 26, 2011 9:30am & Noon
Thursday October 27, 2011 9:30am & Noon
This School Performance is for Pre-School through Twelfth Grade students.
Estimated Show Length: 90 Minutes
The Wiz is based on "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum, and is one of Broadway's most popular contemporary musicals (who could forget the movie starring Michael Jackson & Diana Ross!) A cultural journey that follows this well-known and beloved story of courage, brains, heart and home, Dorothy's adventures in the Land of Oz are set to music in a dazzling, lively mixture of rock, gospel and soul music. This soulful and technicolor fantasy musical telling of THE WIZARD OF OZ explodes from the stage with brains, heart and courage you’ve got to see.
Themes Curriculum Guide Will Explore: Diversity, Friendship, Team-Work, Music, Movement and Plot.
A Christmas Carol - This Show has already been performed.
Paramount Theatre
Thursday December 1, 2011 9:30am
Estimated Show Length: 90 Minutes
Wednesday November 30, 2011 9:30am & Noon
This School Performance is for Fifth Grade through Twelfth Grade students. Since this show is appropriate for all ages, we will release any unreserved seats on October 17th for other grades to attend, if available. Please check back.
GREAT Theatre is proud to present, for the first time in our history, a brand new tradition for your entire family. Charles Dickens A CHRISTMAS CAROL adapted by Barbara Field. Journey with your family through the beloved Dickens tale, and witness Ebenezer Scrooge’s discovery of the true meaning of Christmas over the course of one fateful evening. Join Scrooge, Tiny Tim and all the ghostly apparitions in Dickens musical tale of redemption and hope.
Themes Curriculum Guide Will Explore: Class Issues, Poverty, Literature, Holiday Traditions and Storytelling
ASL Interpreted Performance
Public & Parochial School Groups may reserve online. Homeschool Groups must call to reserve seats. Reservations should include total numbers of students, teachers, assistants and expected chaperones. Additional parent chaperones MUST be booked through your school group. GREAT does not sell individual seats for school matinees. Reserve Your Group Online OR Call the GREAT Office at 320-258-ARTS (2787) between 9:00am and 4:00pm, Monday through Friday
Seating Reservations are on a first-come, first-served basis. Performance seating is based on the following factors: special needs or disabilities, age of the students and order of reservation. Please alert us to any special needs when booking. School Group Rate School Matinee Rates are available to all public, parochial and home schools registered with a local school district (homeschool groups may be asked to provide a copy of your Non-Public Education Compulsory Instructions Report). Seats are $6.00 per student with one free teacher ticket for every 15 paid seats. Adult tickets are $10.
Confirmation
Final Confirmation of your group's reservation and busing directions will be E-MAILED to you approximately 5 weeks before the show. If you must change any of your group's reservation information, please call our office (258-2787) or e-mail Mary@greattheatre.org
Payment: Final group numbers are required three weeks before the performance. Any paid absentees (student illness, etc.) will be issued a voucher to attend a public performance of the show. There are no refunds available. Public/Parochial Schools: Final check payment is due at our office THREE WEEKS prior to your performance. Make check out and mail your payment to: GREAT Theatre 919 W St. Germain St. St. Cloud, MN 56301
Homeschool Groups: Pre-payment for your group is due with your reservation. Please have your Visa/Mastercard/Discover ready when you reserve.
Performance Locations:
The Historic Paramount Theater - 913 West St. Germain, St. Cloud, MN Historic 700-seat theatre located in downtown St. Cloud
Stephen B. Humphrey Theater, Saint John’s University Church Street Collegeville, MN 56321 Intimate 500-seat theatre located on the beautiful Saint John’s University Campus