Free student matinees

More than 6,000 precollege students from the local and surrounding schools are bused to McCain Auditorium each year to see a live arts educational performance. Teachers receive in-depth study guides to connect curriculum to these free student matinees.

If you or your class is interested in attending, please call 785-532-6425 for more information.

Sugar Skull! A Dia De Muertos Musical Adventure

October 23, 2025 at 9:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Recommended for grades 1-5.

SUGAR SKULL! A Día de Muertos Musical Adventure is a touring bilingual/bicultural musical for young audiences and families that uses traditional regional music and dance from Mexico to tell the story of twelve-year-old Vita Flores. Vita thinks her family has gone loco planning a celebration for deceased loved ones. Why throw a party for the dead? But when a spirited candy skeleton suddenly springs to life, Vita finds herself on a magical, musical journey to unravel the true meaning of Día de Muertos.

Meet Sugar Skull, a charismatic skeleton with a secret or two. With her skeletal new friend, Vita dances with ancient ancestors, sings with a sorrowful sorceress, escapes the trickster Chaneques, and even meets the famous Catrina Calavera. But can this clever youth gather the missing pieces needed for her family ofrenda before sit’s too late?

Bubble Trouble

April 13, 2026 at 9:30 a.m. and 12 p.m.
Recommended for grades K-6.

A bubble volcano. Bubble roller coaster. A kid in a bubble? Jeff Boyer takes bubbles to the max in this one-man bubble extravaganza. It’s the craziest, most creative bubble show around. Jeff juggles bubbles, sculpts and builds with bubbles, makes fog-filled bubbles and more. Mixing comedy, music and interactive bubble-magic, he engages and delights audiences of all ages. A hit anywhere there’s air! Meets Common Core Standards for The Arts and Science.