Education Performances

Sensory-friendly performance: 

• The house lights will remain dimmed during the performance, not completely off
• Smaller audience size
• Social stories provided before performance 
• Intense lighting and loud sound effects reduced
• Adjustments will be made to the script and acting to maximize comprehension of the story
• A quiet area is available for patrons who need to take a break 
• The performance hall is relaxed and inclusive, where patrons feel comfortable during the performance, freely enter or exit the theater during the performance, and speak openly.
• Ushers/house managers will be on hand to assist with patron needs
• Tablets/phones are permitted to assist non-verbal patrons
• Headphones are welcome and available upon request
• Assisted Listening Devices (ALD’s) available
• American Sign Language is available and must be pre-arranged by contacting slancaster@gaillardcenter.org no less than two weeks before the performance.
• KultureCity sensory-inclusive bags available upon request

All educational performances: 

• A quiet area is available for patrons who need to take a break
• The performance hall is relaxed and inclusive, where patrons feel comfortable during the performance, freely enter or exit the theater during the performance, and speak openly.
• Ushers/house managers will be on hand to assist with patron needs
• Tablets/phones are permitted to assist non-verbal patrons
• American Sign Language is available and must be pre-arranged by contacting slancaster@gaillardcenter.org no less than two weeks before the performance
• Headphones are welcome and also available upon request
• Assisted Listening Devices (ALD’s) available upon request
• KultureCity sensory-inclusive bags available upon request

The Charleston Gaillard Center is proud to present its first ever produced theatrical work. Based on the awe-inspiring life of South Carolina’s own Robert Smalls, FINDING FREEDOM: THE JOURNEY OF ROBERT SMALLS, original story by Teralyn Reiter, script developed by JaMeeka Holloway, Celeste Jennings, Caroline Randall Williams and Teralyn Reiter, celebrates and chronicles the remarkable story and legacy of a great American hero.

Born enslaved on the McKee Plantation in Beaufort, SC a young Robert Smalls is sent off to Charleston to work on the docks of the Charleston Harbor during the Civil War.  Trusted by his family, and crewmates and determined beyond his circumstances, on a foggy night, in the early hours of May 13, 1862, Robert changes the course of his destiny and history when he seized the Confederate’s USS Planter and steered it into the Union Blockade off the coast of Charleston Harbor. 

Infusing music, media, and movement, FINDING FREEDOM paints the early years of a bright-eyed Robert Smalls enslaved in Beaufort; learning the land, waters, and Gullah traditions of his mother, his daring and heroic commandeering of the USS Planter through the Charleston Harbor during the Civil War, to his later life of advocacy in the US House of Representatives. 

Featuring original music composed by Charleston native, Charlton Singleton, FINDING FREEDOM: The Journey of Robert Small is Directed by JaMeeka Holloway with a Creative Design team of Artists all hailing from the South.  

Join us for an unforgettable storytelling and cultural experience where a young Robert Small is sent from Beaufort to Charleston on a journey that transforms him from man to Hero.

Artwork by Corentin Sauvage

Drumfolk is a rhythmic storytelling of the development of African-American percussive dance and movement traditions. Inspired by the Stono Rebellion of 1739, the production explores this little-known event in history that would forever transform African-American life and culture.

Founded in 1994 by C. Brian Williams, Step Afrika! is the first professional company dedicated to the tradition of stepping—a polyrhythmic, percussive dance form that uses the body as an instrument. Under Mr. Williams’ leadership, stepping has evolved into one of America’s cultural exports, touring more than 50 countries across the globe. Step Afrika! is one of the top 10 African American dance companies in the world.  Step Afrika! promotes stepping as a contemporary dance genre through critically acclaimed performances and arts education programs. Creatively engaging audiences in this nascent art form, the Company creates full-length productions that expand on stepping’s unique American history. 

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. The blend of technique, agility, and pure energy makes each performance unique and leaves the audience with their hearts pounding.

Support for this program is made possible by generous donors who have committed time and resources to the Charleston Gaillard Center’s Dance Initiative.

Schools may register for a field trip to Caw Caw Interpretive Center, one of the sites of the freedom movement known as the Stono Rebellion.

These programs will be available for registration starting the last week in November and teachers may contact Heidi Champion at heidi.champion@ccprc.com to arrange a field trip. ( These programs are free to CCSD Title I schools and funding for transportation is available on a first come, first served basis.)

Plants for Primary Grades – Focus on Rice Cultivation
Grades 1-3
Program Length 45 minutes
Understand the characteristics of plants through hands-on investigation and learn about the conditions that allow plants to thrive in specific habitats. Students will use microscopes to examine plant parts, walk trails that contain former rice fields, and understand how human communities depend on plants for the essential components of our lives.

Carolina Gold
Grades 4-8
Program Length 45 minutes
Walk the landscape that contains former rice fields and learn about the various steps required for the cultivation of rice. Examine the roles and influences of enslaved Africans and African Americans on the process, and discuss events associated with the Stono Rebellion that occurred, in part, at the Caw Caw Interpretive Center. 

Rice and Rebellion
Grades 9-12
Program Length 60 minutes
Walk the landscape that contains former rice fields and examine the roles and influences of enslaved Africans and African Americans on the process of growing rice. We will discuss the Stono Rebellion and examine why individuals made the decisions they made and how these choices influenced communities throughout South Carolina and beyond.

Tomás loves stories. As the young son of migrant farm workers, he spends the summer with his family following the crops north from Texas to Iowa, passing long days in the fields listening to his grandfather tell stories. Before long, Tomás knows all of Papa Grande’s tales by heart….

When a chance encounter brings him to the local Carnegie Library, he meets the “Library Lady” who recognizes his thirst for knowledge and encourages him to read. His delight in books is equaled by his pride in teaching Spanish to the Library Lady, trading knowledge and respect between generations and cultures. By the end of the summer, Tomás has great pride in becoming his family’s new storyteller, the guidance of a colorful mentor, and a lifelong love of reading.

A bilingual musical, based on the beloved book about the true story of the Mexican-American author and educator Tomás Rivera, who became the first minority Chancellor in the University of California system. This inspirational production shows how reading and education — and self esteem– can make anything possible.

Join our guide Herr Drosselmeyer on a 60-minute journey through a captivating abridged version of this winter classic designed to engage audiences of all ages. Whether a cherished holiday tradition or first introduction to ballet, there’s something for everyone in this exciting production performed by a full cast of local students to Tchaikovsky’s iconic score.

The Nutcracker performance features a full cast of Dance Conservatory of Charleston dancers ages 5-18. Performing is the essence of dance and a key part of the student-centered approach, and as such, DCC is thrilled to present a production in which a student dances every role.

Support for this program is made possible by generous donors who have committed time and resources to the Charleston Gaillard Center’s Dance Initiative.

Ten-year-old Belinda loves to tell stories, but when she’s in the basement preparing for a party upstairs, she’ll have to get creative. Using everyday objects like teapots and napkins, Belinda recreates the classic tale of Cinderella. Glass Half Full Theatre from Austin, Texas, presents its award-winning “story within a story” using puppetry, Spanish, and English. As Belinda confronts her stepmother and stepsisters, she’ll learn to embrace her love of poetry and stand up for herself. This captivating Cinderella for all ages tackles cultural heritage, family, and the power of language. Most enjoyed by 5+.

The Charleston Jazz Orchestra in partnership with the Gaillard Center’s Education and Community Program present Jazz Day for Kids, featuring the Charleston Jazz Orchestra led by Robert Lewis and Charlton Singleton, Gaillard Center Artist-in-Residence Emeritus. Jazz Day for Kids is a big band concert designed for Kindergarten through middle school students.

The nearly 3,000 Lowcountry students participating in the Link Up program will have the opportunity to study the curriculum in their classrooms and then attend a highly engaging culminating concert where they sing and play recorders with the orchestra from their seats.

Last season, both performances were sold out with 3,000 students from 27 schools attending this rich musical performance. All registered teachers have participated in a district-accredited professional development workshop led by CSO Director of Education and Business Operations, Mitsuko Flynn, to dive into the Orchestra Rocks curriculum!

Mandatory Teacher Curriculum Workshop
Friday, October 27, 2023, 6:00-7:00pm at the Gaillard Center
All participating teachers are offered a ticket to attend the CSO’s Masterworks performance “An Evening with Zukerman” after the workshop, starting at 7:30pm. 

TWEET TWEET is the story of 2 birds who’ve just hatched and start to discover the outside world. This magical journey takes place in a tree with 2 nests and 2 wood swings that hang from the branches. The birds explore moving from the nests, up into the aerial tree canopy, through the rope tree trunk, and finally onto the floor.

The wonder is captured by the audience sitting on a large forest floor carpet, and soon everyone is involved in the adventure!

A 30-minute contemporary circus performance experience for our youngest audience, age 0-5 years and their caregivers.

Tweet Tweet was commissioned and developed with the support of The WeeFestival of Arts and Culture for Early Years.

Fresh from a 2023 GRAMMY Award for Best Regional Roots Music Album, Ranky Tanky are celebrating their second GRAMMY win in a four-year span. Celebrating the music of their West African-rooted Gullah community, Ranky Tanky were honored in 2023 for their first-ever live album ‘Live at the 2022 New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Festival’- which was captured during their debut at the iconic festival last year. Ranky Tanky previously took home Best Regional Roots Music Album in 2020 for their studio album ‘Good Time,’ marking the first-ever GRAMMY Award win for an album of Gullah music. The five-piece have now won Best Regional Roots Album for two consecutive releases and become the most awarded group in the history of the category.

“Live performance is at the heart of what we do as Ranky Tanky and to be recognized for our inaugural set on the historic New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival stage is a high honor,” the band said during their acceptance speech. “Once again, it is an honor to be able to stand on the shoulders of our Gullah Ancestry and continue to bring this music and message to the world!”

The 2023 GRAMMY win is just the latest accolade in a long line of ‘firsts’ that Ranky Tanky has achieved for the music of the Gullah community. The five-piece also reached #1 on each of the Billboard, Amazon and iTunes jazz charts, brought their songs and stories to national television on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, The TODAY Show and PBS Newshour – and even performed during President Joe Biden’s 2020 inauguration festivities.

Created by Kennedy Center Theater for Young Audiences on Tour, Washington, DC
Follow the stitches of a family’s lineage.

Soonie’s great-grandma was just seven years old when she was sold to a big plantation without her ma and pa, with only some fabric and needles to call her own. She began to stitch a Show Way, a quilt with secret meanings to show enslaved people the way to freedom. As each generation passes, the Show Way shines a light on the past and paves a road to the future, stitching together possibility and promise.

Kennedy Center Education Artist-in-Residence Jacqueline Woodson’s award-winning story of history, love, and resilience becomes a world premiere stage adaptation directed by Schele Williams with new music by Tyrone L. Robinson. This moving, lyrical account pays tribute to women in Woodson’s own family whose strength and knowledge illuminate their daughters’ lives over seven generations.

By Jacqueline Woodson
Adapted from her book Show Way, illustrated by Hudson Talbott
Music and Lyrics by Tyrone L. Robinson
Choreographed by Tiffany Quinn
Music Directed by Tiffany Underwood Holmes
Original Direction by Schele Williams

Treehouse Shakers’ Flutter, a new play for babies ages 6-18 months and their caregivers, is a stunning new discovery play that introduces the very young to the four seasons. Conceived and written by Mara McEwin, with choreography by Emily Bunning, the piece is performed by three performers, who are the dancers, puppeteers and play-makers. Flutter explores the seasons through a sensory experiential journey of visuals, sounds, objects, some language, and an open concept of play.

Using a non-traditional theatrical set-up, the audience is immediately transformed into a nurturing and welcoming space created by the feeling and ambience of the piece. Caregivers and babies are seated in the round, with the performance in the center. Using original music creates the seasons’ tone, and ambience; music being the first language for the very young mind. Babies and toddlers will have the freedom to crawl, walk, and move within the space, investigate hands-on textures, crawl and climb while experiencing the language/sounds/music and engaging visuals. Join Treehouse Shakers’ for this delightful new performance for babies and their grownups, that will be sure to create lasting memories.

ABOUT SHAKESPEARE’S TRUTH TO POWER | FALL 2023
Characters from Shakespeare’s Hamlet, Macbeth, Romeo and Juliet, Julius Caesar, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Richard III, and The Tempest are all perfectly suited to explore the rich landscape of power and the ways that we both use and abuse it. Told through the staging of multiple scenes, monologues, and sonnets, Shakespeare’s Truth to Power is a dynamic, exciting, and provocative exploration of what it means to be powerful and how the world can change when we use our power for good. This 60-minute, stand-alone production can also be the perfect companion piece to PURE’s new production, Shakespeare’s Lovers and Fools. A 15-minute post-show conversation between students, teachers, and PURE artists follows each performance.

Run time: 60 minute production, 15 minute talkback
Cast size: 3 cast members and a production manager
Cost: $5 per student (please reach out directly if this fee is a barrier)
Sign up by emailing sdevries@gaillardcenter.org.

ABOUT SHAKESPEARE’S LOVERS AND FOOLS | SPRING 2023
Shakespeare’s Lovers and Fools is a fun romp filled with some of Shakespeare’s most notorious jesters, comic characters, and star-crossed lovers. Told through iconic scenes and monologues from plays like King Lear, Romeo and Juliet, Taming of the Shrew, and A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Shakespeare’s Lovers and Fools is a stand-alone 60-minute performance featuring PURE’s acclaimed ensemble of actors and can also be the perfect companion to PURE’s highly entertaining Shakespeare’s Truth to Power. A 15-minute post-show conversation between students, teachers, and PURE artists follows each performance.

Run time: 60 minute production, 15 minute talkback
Cast size: 3 cast members and a production manager
Cost: $5 per student (please reach out directly if this fee is a barrier)
For more information email sdevries@gaillardcenter.org