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. Educators must fill out a separate reservation request form for each performance. (Click image to right to see season brochure.)
AYA 2026-27 SHOW LISTING
Fraggle Rock
Back to the Rock Live
Friday, Sept. 18, 2026, at 10 a.m.
Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre
$10/ticket | 1 hour 38 minutes (full length production)
Grades Pre-K–12
Reservations must be booked by Tuesday, Sept. 1. Payment due by Tuesday, Sept. 8
*The Mini Grant cannot be used on this production-no discounts
Curriculum Connections: empathy and identity, art, music and movement, puppetry, conflict resolution
Gobo, Red, Mokey, Wembley, and Boober Fraggle discover the legend of the Celebration Stone. Featuring gorgeous new walk-around versions of the Fraggles, puppet sized and mechanized Doozers, an appearance from the giant Gorgs, and exclusive new puppet creatures all from the acclaimed Jim Henson’s Creature Shop. Welcome to the incredible world of the iconic and beloved Fraggle Rock in a whole new way!
Steve Trash: Science Live!
Tuesday, Oct. 27, 2026, at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre
$8/ticket | 60 minutes
Grades 2–6
Reservations must be booked by Friday, Oct. 9. Payment due by Tuesday, Oct. 20.
Curriculum Connections: STEAM (science & technology), critical thinking, questioning & investigating
Steve Trash Science Live! blends real science, magic tricks, music, and comedy to help students understand how the natural world works—and how scientists figure things out. Through playful demonstrations (like making water “disappear”), students learn that while magic and science can look similar, they are very different. Magic creates illusions. Science discovers the truth. The show makes STEAM exciting, approachable, and memorable.
Nutcracker Ballet
presented by La Crosse Dance Centre
Friday, Dec. 11, 2026, at 10 a.m.
Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre
$8/ticket | 90 minutes (full-length production)
Grades K–12
Reservations must be booked by Wednesday, Nov. 11. Payment due by Wednesday, Dec. 2
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. Join us for the magic of the 37th Season of the Nutcracker Ballet!
MLK Day Presentation
in partnership with Viterbo University’s D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership
Tuesday, Jan. 19, 2027, at 9:30 a.m.
Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre
FREE | 60 minutes
Grades 6–12
Reservations must be booked by Tuesday, Jan. 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.
Ocean Blue
presented by Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia
Thursday, Feb. 11, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre
$8/tickets | 60 minutes
Grades Pre-K–5
Reservation must be booked by Friday, Jan. 22. Payment due by Friday, Jan. 29.
Curriculum Connections: Puppetry, visual arts, theatre, marine ecosystems
Ocean Blue is a breathtaking theatrical journey through the wonders of our planet’s oceans. This epic underwater world is brought to life through spectacular puppetry, digital projection, and captivating original music. Join Charlie, the crab, as we celebrate marine ecosystems and spark curiosity, imagination, and awe.
The Peking Acrobats
Thursday, Feb. 18, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre
Reservations must be booked by Friday, Jan. 29. Payment is due by Friday, Feb. 5.
$9/tickets | 60 minutes
Grades Pre-K–12
Curriculum Connections: multicultural, dance, music, teamwork
The Peking Acrobats push the limits of human ability, wowing audiences with spellbinding trick-cycling, precision tumbling, juggling, somersaulting, and gymnastics. With a three-decade legacy of elite talent, this world-record-setting troupe takes ancient Chinese traditions to new heights, pairing artful athleticism with live music and festive pageantry.
The Guffalo
presented by Tall Stories
Thursday, March 18 at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Viterbo University Fine Arts Center Main Theatre
$8/tickets | 60 minutes
Grades Pre-K–3
Reservations must be booked by Wednesday, March 3. Payment due by Tuesday, March 9.
Curriculum Connections: language arts (repetition of rhymes), literature (reading), community values (courage, self-esteem)
Join Mouse on a daring adventure through the deep, dark wood in Tall Stories’ magical, musical adaptation of the classic picture book by Julia Donaldson and Axel Scheffler.
Holocaust Survivor Presentation
in partnership with Viterbo University’s D.B. Reinhart Institute for Ethics in Leadership
Wednesday, April 21, 2027, at 10 a.m.
Viterbo 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. You will register through the Institute starting Oct. 1.
Look for updates at viterbo.edu/holocaust-workshop.
The Giver
presented by GreatWorks Theatre Company
Tuesday, April 27, 2027, at 9:30 a.m. and 12:30 p.m.
Viterbo Fine Arts Center Main Theatre
$8/tickets | 60 minutes
Grades 4–8
Reservation must be booked by Friday, April 9. Payment due by Friday, April 16.
Curriculum Connections: Social studies, character development, history, ethics, literature-based
A stage adaptation of Lois Lowry’s award-winning novel. In the near future, 12-year-old Jonas lives in a society of Sameness. “The Giver” is the only person who holds the memories of real pain and real joy. Now Jonas will learn the truth about life—and the hypocrisy of his utopian world.
Outreach Programs: In-School Workshops
Can’t go on a field trip? The Missoula Children’s Theatre (MCT) can come to your school or classroom for a workshop in January 2027. MCT is the nation’s largest touring children’s theatre.
2027 Workshops (45 minutes each)
Flexible times between 8 a.m.–2:15 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 12, Wednesday, Jan. 13, or Thursday, Jan. 14
The first three schools to register and receive confirmation are FREE!
Or the modest price below applies:
- $50/workshop for regular class of up to 30 students
- $100/assembly-style option for 30–60 students
- Grades 1-2 (up to 30 students)
- Drama Quest: Adventures in the Jungle, Acting, Mine, Improve, or Playwriting
- Grades 3-12 (up to 60 students
- Acting, Mime, Improve, or Playwriting
- Grades 1-2 (up to 30 students)
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 boxoffice@viterbo.edu or 608-796-3100.
Cancellation Policy
Cancellations made within one week of the performance date will be subject to the entire invoice fee. Cancellations made more than one week in advance of the performance will not owe any fee.
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