Each season, we welcome teachers and students in grades Pre-K–12 to our Arts for Young America (AYA) School Series performances. Students have the opportunity to attend musicals and plays based on popular children's literature, biographical/historical plays, multicultural titles, and STEAM-related presentations.
Registration Link Coming Wednesday, May 1.
APPLICATION PERIOD TO OPEN WEDNESDAY, MAY 1, 2024
Teachers can apply for financial aid to help offset the costs of tickets for Viterbo Fine Arts Center's Arts for Young America School Series performances. The mini grant is only for schools who have an assigned principal or administrator and must serve at least 10 students to apply. We will consider up to one application per grade, per school. Applications will be reviewed based on financial need and testimony.
Applications due: Tuesday, Oct. 1 by 5 p.m.
Mini grants awarded: Week of Oct. 7–11
Award(s) will be applied to invoice(s).
Teachers must make ticket reservations for performance(s) PRIOR to submitting the Mini Grant application. The reservation form reserves seats and creates your invoice specific to your choices. The name of the teacher who reserves seats on the reservation form must match the contact on the Mini Grant application.
As part of the grant, you will need:
- A short narrative that demonstrates your school's financial need and why you're applying for the grant
- Information about your school’s percentage of free/reduced meals. For more information about that program, visit your state's government website:
Wis. Dept. of Public Instruction–Free and Reduced Meal Eligibility
Minn. Dept of Education–Student Meal Applications
Iowa Department of Education–School Meal Programs Eligibility
2024–25 Season (Oct.–May)
Jack and the Beanstalk
presented by Virginia Repertory Theatre
Tuesday, Oct. 22, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre
$8 | 60 minutes
Grades: K–5
Curriculum Connections: language arts, history, music, character development
This musical adaptation is a rollicking retelling of the classic fairy tale. Join our modern-day young hero as he uses his imagination to become the famous Jack from the book he is reading. As he spins the tale of trading the family cow for three magic beans, we watch the giant beanstalk grow and let our imaginations soar as our hero climbs through the clouds to meet an ill-tempered giant, find fabulous treasures, and more adventures than you can shake a stalk at.
Reservations must be booked by Tuesday, Oct. 8. Full payment is due by Friday, Oct. 18.
Artrageous
presented by Artrageous Experience
Tuesday, Nov. 5, 2024 at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre
$8 | 60 minutes
Grades K–12
Curriculum Connections: art, diversity and inclusion, team work, public speaking
Witness the creativity of an artist creating a masterpiece before your eyes in mere moments. Combined with captivating vocals, intricate choreography, and exciting music, Artrageous takes you on a visual journey and a high energy ride of inspiration, creativity, and engagement. Video Preview.
Reservations must be booked by Tuesday, Oct. 22. Full payment is due by Friday, Nov. 1.
Nutcracker Ballet
presented by La Crosse Dance Centre
Friday, Dec. 13, 2024 at 10 a.m.
Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre
$8 | 60 minutes
Grades K–12
Curriculum Connections: dance, art, theatrical storytelling, classical music
This timeless tale tells the adventure of self-discovery for Maria, who receives a Nutcracker doll from her Godparent Drosselmeyer on Christmas Eve. Join Maria on her journey as she defeats the evil Rat Queen, travels through a beautiful snow-covered land, and revels in the colorful Land of Sweets.
Reservations must be booked by Tuesday, Nov. 26. Full payment is due by Wednesday, Dec. 11.
MLK Day Presentation
in partnership with Viterbo University D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership
Tuesday, Jan. 21, 2025 at 9:30 a.m.
Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre
FREE | 60 minutes
Grades 6–12
Curriculum Connections: multicultural, character development, history, ethics
Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. with a guest speaker who will share cultural and historical moments of the American Civil Rights Movement and explore contemporary context.
Reservations must be booked by Tuesday, Jan. 7.
Good Night Moon & The Runaway Bunny
presented by Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia
Wednesday, Jan. 29, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre
$8 | 60 minutes
Grades Pre-K–3
Curriculum Connections: Visual arts, literature, rhythmic patterns, passage of time
This performance tells two stories based on the beloved books written by Margaret Wise Brown and illustrated by Clement Hurd. Performers use puppets and visual illusions. The production uses pre-recorded narration by the books’ author and original music. Learn More
Reservations must be booked by Wednesday, Jan. 15. Full payment is due Friday, Jan. 24.
Dragons and Mythical Beasts
Wednesday, Feb. 12, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre
$9 | 60 minutes
Grades Pre-K–8
Curriculum Connections: art, language arts, multicultural social studies/mythology
Calling all brave heroes! Enter into a magical world of myths and legends in this fantastical interactive family show. Unveil a myriad of dark secrets and come face to face with some of the most magnificent monsters and terrifying beasts ever to walk the earth. Video Preview
Reservations must be booked by Thursday, Jan. 30. Full payment is due by Tuesday, Feb. 11.
Bill Blagg’s The Science of Magic
Friday, March 14, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre
$8 | 60 minutes
Grades 1–5
Curriculum Connections: scientific method, problem solving, states of matter
Illusionist Bill Blagg takes students on a rare journey behind-the-scenes of the magic world. Students will discover firsthand how magicians use science to create the impossible! Bill’s comedy-filled, action-packed, presentation is highly interactive and makes science fun and exciting. Video Preview
Reservations must be booked by Friday, Feb. 28. Full payment is due by Wednesday, March 12.
Holocaust Survivor Presentation
in partnership with Viterbo University’s D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership
Thursday, March 20, 2025 at 10 a.m.
Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre
FREE | 60 minutes
Grades 6–12
Curriculum Connections: Multicultural, character development, history, biography, oral tradition
Due to high demand, this event will only be available to educators who enroll in Viterbo’s D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership’s annual Teaching the Holocaust Workshop, based on availability. Look for updates at www.viterbo.edu/holocaust-workshop.
Ukulele Orchestra of Great Britain
Wednesday, March 26, 2025 at 12:30 p.m.
Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre
$8 | 60 minutes
Grades K–12
Curriculum Connections: Music, Multicultural, rhythm, classical music
Group of all-singing, all-strumming ukulele players. Their concert is a funny, virtuosic, twanging, awesome, foot-stomping obituary of rock-n-roll and melodious light entertainment featuring only the "bonsai guitar" and a menagerie of voices. Video Preview
Reservations must be booked by Wednesday, March 12. Full payment is due by Friday, March 21.
Stepping with Step Afrika!
Monday, April 28, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre
$8 | 70 minutes
Grades PK–12
Curriculum Connections: Music, multicultural, oral storytelling, social studies
Step Afrika! blends percussive dance styles practiced by historically African American fraternities and sororities; traditional West and Southern African dances; and an array of contemporary dance and art forms into a cohesive, compelling artistic experience. Performances are much more than dance shows; they integrate songs, storytelling, humor, and audience participation. Video Preview.
Reservations must be booked by Monday, April 14. Full payment is due by Thursday, April 24.
iLuminate
Wednesday, May 7, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre
$9 | 60 minutes
Grades PK–12
Curriculum Connections: Technology, dance, movement, art
This distinct intermix will reawaken your senses and imagination! See dancers in electrified glow-in-the-dark suits perform dynamic routines and illusions on a darkened stage. iLuminate is a company based on the fusion of technology and dance. The company was called “The best new act in America” during their run on America’s Got Talent in 2011. Video Preview
Reservations must be booked by Wednesday April 23. Full payment is due by Friday, May 2.
Viterbo University Fine Arts Center’s Arts for Young America (AYA) series was designed specifically for school audiences, selects its high-quality programming-based on Wisconsin State curriculum standards, and has been serving students and educators in our community since 1996. As part of our commitment to our schools, and within IRS guidelines, we gladly honor nonprofit tax-exempt status for organizations who can show documentation of their 501(c)(3) designation.
This will apply to most educational nonprofits whose mission is to inform and educate individuals or the general public, including preschools, public, and private schools. As individuals cannot be a nonprofit organization, most homeschoolers’ ticket purchases will include tax.
We appreciate your compliance and please enjoy our educational programming!
To Reserve Tickets
Tickets are $8 for students and chaperones unless otherwise noted. Click the Reserve Tickets button at the top of this page. You must fill out a separate order form for each performance you wish to attend.
Seating Assignments
Seating location is determined by three criteria: 1) a group’s accessibility requests, 2) the date the initial reservation is made, and 3) if payment is received by the due date stated on the invoice. We cannot guarantee that we will be able to accommodate every seating request but will do our best to honor requests in the order in which they are received.
Payment Information
Each performance has its own reservation and payment deadlines to observe. You will receive a confirmation email with an invoice within five business days of your order. Cash, credit cards, and checks accepted. Checks should be made out to: Viterbo University Fine Arts Center. Any payment mailed to us must arrive on or before the payment deadline. Our mailing address is 900 Viterbo Drive La Crosse, WI 54601.
For questions about payment information, contact Caitilin McCoy, patron services manager, at boxoffice@viterbo.edu or 608-796-3738.
Refund Policy
All sales are final. If you experience a significant reduction in the number of seats needed and notify us of the change two weeks prior to the performance, we will review requests for refunds on a case-by-case basis. You may revise your numbers up to one week prior to the performance. Programs, artists, and dates are subject to change.
Inclement Weather
If a performance is cancelled by Viterbo University due to inclement weather, we will do our best to reschedule it. If you are unable to attend the rescheduled date, a refund will be given. If you need to reduce the number of seats for the new date, we will refund the difference. If you are unable to attend a performance due to your school’s delay or cancellation, we will make every attempt to exchange your order for another age-appropriate performance. If your group is unable to attend another performance, we will review requests for refunds on a case-by-case basis.
Accessibility Requests
Upon your order, communicate any accessibility requests your students have (wheelchairs, walkers, no stairs, visual or hearing impairments, etc.) so we can seat your group appropriately. Because of limited ability to accommodate these needs, we must have this information upon order, or at least two weeks prior to the performance.
Performance Locations
Viterbo University Fine Arts Center
900 Viterbo Drive
La Crosse, WI 54601
Weber Center for the Performing Arts
428 Front Street South
La Crosse, WI 54601
Questions? Contact:
Rachel Frisby, programming coordinator
608-796-3735
aya@viterbo.edu