• FOR EDUCATORS
• FOR STUDENTS
• FOR YOUNG ADULTS
• FOR ALL

FOR STUDENTS

The California Center for the Arts, Escondido has received a Level 3 Seal of Approval from AERO San Diego.

VISITS TO THE CENTER

Bring your students and explore different arts opportunities! Each visit will be specially designed for your group. Please see the sections below for details.

Museum Tours

All ages

Enjoy 50-minute interactive tours of Center Museum exhibitions led by docents trained in Visual Thinking Strategies. Visitors will engage in discussions as they explore the artwork on display. Tours are available Tuesdays-Fridays, $15 per group of 30 K-12th grade students (larger groups pay a slightly higher fee). One adult admitted free per ten students. Additional adults pay $5 per person. College student groups are $3 per student.

Museum exhibition dates: August 15-December 31, 2009 and February 13-July 4, 2010. For specific information about exhibitions, click here

Studio Art

Grades K-12

Give your students a one hour hands-on experience in the Center’s art studio. Students will work on a grade-appropriate art project that addresses specific California VAPA standards and is based on currently exhibited artwork in the Center Museum. Available Tuesdays-Fridays. $2 per student. A perfect activity to pair with a Museum Tour.

Music for Youth

Grades K-5

This one hour program introduces your students to the art, elements, and history of music in the United States. Using their voices as their principle instrument, students will discover traditional American folk songs while learning to read music. Presented in conjunction with Ubiquitous Music. Available Tuesdays-Fridays. $25 per group of 35 students.

Museum Adventures at Grape Day Park

Grades K-6

Bring your group for a multi-venue program that is educational, exciting, and value-packed. In one fieldtrip for one low price, you can visit the California Center for the Arts, Escondido (explore art and create an art project) the Escondido Children’s Museum (engage in interactive exhibit play and learn about science and social science through recycling, astronomy, puppetry, woodworking, bubble making, etc.) and the Escondido History Center (learn about local history through a tour and activity). $9 per student. 1 adult chaperone per 7 students admitted free. Additional adults pay $5 each.

Behind the Scenes: Technical Demonstrations

Grades 6-12

Experience how professional theater (lighting, audio, scene changes, etc.) happens behind the scenes in the Center’s world-class theaters. The technical staff also travels to schools to present information about technical theater, stage management, or theater life in general. For more information, contact the Technical Director at (760) 839-4142 or

CENTER STAGE: Performances for Youth

Introduce your students to the world of live theater through our weekday matinee performances. These entertaining performances will engage your students and connect to a variety of curriculum areas such as history, literature and music. A standards-based Educators’ Guide is provided to you at no charge for each performance and includes pre- and post- show activities, historical content, and other resources to explore with your students.

Tickets and Reservations

Advance reservation with payment is required. Contact the Center Ticket Office at (800) 988-4253, Tuesday through Saturday, 12–6p.m. All Center Stage tickets are $2 per person (students, teachers, and all other adults attending). Please be sure to give the ticket representative your email address to receive the Educators’ Guide with pre- and post- show performance information.

Special Offer!

Add a self-guided museum tour on the same day of a performance for only $5 per class.

The Playwrights Project Presents: Writers in the Next Stage

Tuesday, November 17, 2009, 9:30 and 11:30a.m., Center Theater
Grades 4-8

This year the Playwrights Project presents two plays by young playwrights from San Diego. Idaho Lament (by Ben Kelly, age 13) includes clever dialogue and hilarious Broadway-inspired songs to tell the tale of a teenager’s battle with high school bullies. If I Were Your Superhero (by Laignee Barron, age 16) is a play about a young teenager saddled with an alcoholic mother who befriends a curious and talkative boy with autism. Includes a post show performance discussion with the audience.

The Platt Brothers

Tuesday, December 8, 2009, 9:30 and 11:30a.m., Center Theater
Grades K-5

As seen on America’s Got Talent, this entertaining trio of three talented brothers performs hilarious and energetic skits based on their childhood without TV. The show includes music, dancing, acrobatics, singing and comedy! A meet and greet follows their performance.

Fire and Mist: Stories of Old Town

Wednesday, January 27, 2010, 9:30 and 11:30a.m., Center Theater / Tuesday, January 26, 2010, 9:30a.m., Center Theater
Grades K-6

Back for its fourth year by popular demand! Journey through San Diego’s history with actors from San Diego State University’s Theater Department. This musical explores history through the eyes of the animals living at the time of San Diego’s first settlements. Meet figures like Gaspar de Portolá, Father Junipero Serra, and Yankee Jim. A great way to enhance state history standards. A question and answer session follows the performance.

Classics 4 Kids Presents Rhythm, Rhyme and Ragtime

Friday, February 26, 2010, 11a.m., Concert Hall
Grades K–5

The Classics Philharmonic Orchestra and Music Director Dana Mambourg Zimbric take students into the wonderful world of jazz-influenced classical music. With the adaptation of Stravinsky’s “L’Histoire du Soldat” and James Woodward’s “When Rebecca Woogie Came to Town.” This fun presentation of the ways rhythm, rhyme, and ragtime have influenced symphonic music will have you swingin’ in your seats!

Culture Shock

Wednesday, March 24, 2010, 9:30 and 11:30a.m., Concert Hall
Grades 6-12

Get ready to be invigorated by the young talented dancers from San Diego’s Culture Shock: a troupe of individuals who, through the power of music and dance, cultivate self-worth, dignity, and respect for all people. The performance addresses the history and social context of the hip-hop movement as well as demonstrates different dance moves. Students will meet the dancers and have a chance to ask questions after the performance.

Marine Band

Thursday, April 22, 2010, 11a.m., Concert Hall
Grades K–6

Catch the upbeat music of the 1st Marine Division Band. Fifty marines from Camp Pendleton will perform popular tunes and interact with the audience. Students will learn about a variety of musical styles as they enjoy lively patriotic songs. Greet the musicians after the performance.

A Mid Summer Night’s Dream

Wednesday, May 26, 2010, 9:30 and 11:30a.m., Center Theater
Grade 6-12

Enjoy one of Shakespeare’s most beloved stories. With a full orchestra and choir, this performance by the talented students from San Diego’s School of Creative and Performing Arts will bring literature to life and inspire youth to engage in the arts. A great way to enhance state language arts standards. A question and answer session will follow the performance.

OUTREACH PROGRAMS

Get Art

Grades K-5

A new classroom outreach program for member educators. The Education Department will develop a one- to two-hour session based on your specific needs and visit your classroom to engage students in one of the arts: visual, music, or performing. $3 per student. Mileage charges may apply.

My Story: Literacy through the Arts

Grades 4-5

This innovative school outreach program engages fourth and fifth grade students in lessons that combine the arts with academic learning. Fifth Grade Students work with digital photography and sharpen their language arts skills as they create individual books about an important event in their lives. Fourth Grade Students practice various drama techniques as they deepen their understanding of California History. Final presentation and exhibition opening reception in the Center Theater on March 20, 2010. For more information, call (760) 839-4179.