In partnership with our Premiere Performance Partner, the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts at James Madison University, 3rd graders from Rockingham County Public Schools attended a performance and workshop highlighting JMU Dance. This annual workshop explores contemporary dance, movement, and choreography, performed by members of the Virginia Repertory Dance Company (VRDC). As JMU’s pre-professional dance ensemble, VRDC consists of talented student dancers who are interested in pursuing a career in the professional dance field.

Hosted by JMU Dance Program faculty, company dancers performed modern choreographic works from their upcoming show and talked with the 3rd grade audience about elements of dance and movement to watch for during the performance. The students also had an opportunity to learn a short choreographed dance in their seat. The program shared how art, creative practice, dance and movement can be used in various and exciting ways.

Photo credit: Tall + Small Photography

In partnership with Court Square Theater, over 1,500 2nd grade students from Harrisonburg City and Rockingham County Public Schools attended “Galapagos George,” presented by Barefoot Puppet Theatre. During this 4-day teaching artist residency, students adventured to Pinta Island and learned about the true story of "Lonesome George." Hailing from Richmond, Virginia, Heidi Rugg of Barefoot Puppet Theatre engaged students in an educational and fun show highlighting the art and craft of puppeteering, puppet-making, set-design, theatre techniques, and storytelling. 

We're grateful to the Virginia Commission for the Arts and Arts Council of the Valley for grant monies that helped make this residency possible and for making the arts come alive for our students. Photos by the incredible Tall and Small Photography.  ​

Kicking off our 2025-2026 Live Arts Experience Season, Harrisonburg City and Rockingham County Public School 1st grade students had a blast at the Forbes Center for the Performing Arts at JMU with Jamie Adkins and his unforgettable circus comedy show. Channeling vaudeville legend Charlie Chaplin, Jamie Adkins put on a hilarious and highly engaging one-man show filled with physical comedy, acrobatics, and audience participation. Students were equally in awe of his incredible talent while laughing out loud at the silliness of his performance. Our friends, Tall and Small Photography captured the joy beautifully; check out the images below to see the magic.

In collaboration with our partners in the EMU Music Department, nearly 1,200 5th and 6th grade students from Rockingham County and Harrisonburg City Public Schools experienced Mexilachian y Appalachiano music, a new style of traditional music inspired the sounds and songs of Mexico and Appalachia. In their words, Lua Project is "a cultural pollinator, bridging together musical styles from different continents and cultures." Writing about contemporary themes, families and communities, work and loss, Lua Project has created a repertoire inspired by the musical traditions of their varied cultural past and narrative storytelling approaches. They performed original music and included students in call and response song and rhythm at EMU Lehman Auditorium. 

Many thanks to Tall and Small Photography for the images below. 

Cahoots NI, based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, aims to "inspire a sense of wonder, unlock imagination and nurture a love of the arts in children." Last week, 3rd graders from Harrisonburg City Public Schools experienced this sense of wonder through storytelling and dazzling illusions at The Forbes Center for the Performing Arts. 

Inspired by true events,  The Vanishing Elephant, an incredible story of resilience and friendship, comes to life through large-scale puppetry, illusion, and theatrical magic. Jenny, a young elephant in India, is full of curiosity and wonder. Sadly, one day, her life changes when she is captured, separated from her family, and eventually taken to America to join a circus. She must learn the ways of humans who can be cruel, but she befriends a young boy named Opu. Her special bond with Opu is the first step on an adventure so huge, it spans decades and continents, but despite the time and distance, Jenny never forgets her forever friend. Years later when Opu is an old man, their paths cross once again in an unexpected encounter with the world-famous magician Harry Houdini in New York City. Their life-long friendship is rekindled in a magical way when Jenny makes history as The Vanishing Elephant.

Many thanks to our Premiere Performance Partner,  The Forbes Center for the Performing Arts at JMU for making the arts come alive for our students. Photos by the incredible Tall and Small Photography.

Last week, After Jack, an all-female trio from the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, had 3rd graders from Harrisonburg City Public Schools and Rockingham County Public Schools clapping their hands, tapping their feet, and singing along at EMU Lehman Auditorium. The group offered a fun and educational performance featuring a repertoire of bluegrass, old-time, gospel, and country music.

Thanks to Tall and Small Photography for the photos and to the EMU Music Department for their partnership to bring this live arts experience to our local students.