Field Trips

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Friday, Sept. 25 at 11 a.m. 

I Didn’t Come to Stay 

Run Time: Approximately 60 min. 

Age Range: Recommended for grades 3–8  

Venue: Center for the Arts Concert Hall

Vibrant tap dance and live music company Music From The Sole “breaks down walls between music and movement” (The Boston Globe). Led by Brazilian choreographer Leonardo Sandoval and composer Gregory Richardson, the ensemble embraces tap’s unique blend of sound and movement, incorporating a spectrum of influences like samba, passinho (Brazilian funk), Afro-Cuban, jazz, and house. As a Mason Artist-in-Residence, Music From The Sole will also bring its “jolt of good energy” (New York Times) directly to the community through classes and workshops in conjunction with its performance. 

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Wednesday, Oct. 14 at 11 a.m. 

George Mason University School of Music

Venue: Center for the Arts Concert Hall

Run Time: Approximately 60 min. 

Age Range: TBD

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Friday, November 6 at 11 a.m. 

George Mason University School of Dance 

Venue: Center for the Arts Concert Hall 

Run time: TBD

Age range: Recommended for grades 6–12 

George Mason University School of Dance students perform diverse and innovative choreography. 

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Friday, Jan. 22 at 11 a.m. 

Aquila Theatre  

Venue: Center for the Arts Concert Hall

Run Time: Approximately 60 minutes 

Age Range: Recommended for grades 6–12 

Aquila Theatre returns with a compelling new adaptation of Robert Louis Stevenson’s timeless tale The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde. This New York-based company, with origins in London, is one of the foremost producers of classical theater in the U.S. Recognized by the National Endowment for the Humanities as a company of distinctive cultural significance in traditional British performance, Aquila brings to life recognized and beloved stories of the past for today’s audiences. In this gothic horror tale, audiences will be exposed to the treacherous and terrifying nature of a fractured self. “Aquila’s productions are beautifully spoken, dramatically revealing and crystalline in effect” (The New Yorker). 

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Monday, Jan. 25 at 11 a.m.   

Venue: Harris Theatre

Run Time: Approximately 60 min. 

Age Range: Recommended for grades 3–6

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Tuesday, Feb. 2 at 11 a.m.  

Think Outside the Drum

Venue: Center for the Arts Concert Hall

Run Time: Approximately 60 min. 

Age Range: Recommended for grades 6–12 

This fun program from the Grammy Award-winning quartet Third Coast Percussion engages students in exploring the extraordinary range of percussion instruments that can be found in cultures around the world, as well as in their own kitchen cabinets. Along the way, they will learn about the building blocks of music (rhythm, melody, and timbre) through interactive activities including listening games, singing, and clapping, and excerpts from works such as Andrea Venet’s Bulldog, Steve Reich’s Music for Pieces of Wood, Ivan Treviño’s 2+1, Jlin’s Derivative, and Alexis Lamb’s Matters/Mind.

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Friday, Feb. 12 at 11 a.m. 

George Mason School of Theater 

Venue: Center for the Arts Concert Hall

Run Time: Approximately 80 min. 

Age Range: Recommended for grades 6–12 

As George Mason University musical theater ambassadors, The Mason Cabaret showcases stellar student vocalists in a program of ballads, duets, and showstoppers. Co-directed by George Mason School of Theater Professors Erin Gardiner and James Gardiner, with musical direction by Joe Walsh. 

REGISTER FOR WAITLIST

Monday, March 1 at 11 a.m. 

Mermaid Theater of Nova Scotia  

Venue: Harris Theatre

Run Time: Approximately 60 min. 

Age Range:  Recommended for Pre-K–Grade 2 

Three beloved storybook favorites combine seamlessly in this charming, puppetry-filled adventure. Weaving together Goldilocks and the Three Bears, The Three Little Pigs, and The Three Billy Goats Gruff, this fresh and engaging reimagining follows a brave raccoon and a clever mouse on a treasure-seeking journey, as they unknowingly—yet heroically—help the bears, pigs, and goats avoid disaster. Filled with humor and gentle lessons of friendship and courage, this delightful production is perfect for young audiences. 
 

Please note: Since this event takes place in the intimate Harris Theatre, seating is more limited than other field trip performances. Please fill out this waitlist form, and requests will be fielded on a first-come, first served basis. A ticket office representative will be in touch about your submission.

1. NO FOOD, DRINKS OR SNACKS OF ANY KIND are permitted in the theater; this includes bagged lunches and coolers. (See our FAQs for additional lunchtime guidance.)
    
2. NO CAMERAS or recording equipment of any kind are permitted inside the theater.
    
3. For many students, this performance may be their first experience with live theater. Instead of talking and whispering during the performance, please wait until after the show to discuss or comment about it. Also, no running, shouting or disruptive behavior at any time before, during, or after the show. Ushers may ask chaperones to remove disruptive students.
    
4. Restroom and drinking fountain privileges during the performance must be reserved for absolute emergencies only. Please wait until after your group has been initially seated to make trips to the restroom. Then as always, children must be accompanied by an adult.
    
5. Seating is at the discretion of the House Manager. Please follow the instructions of the house staff at all times. Your group will not be seated until the entire group has arrived. Please make sure that you fill every seat, not leaving any empty.
    
6. All patrons, regardless of age, must have a valid ticket to enter the theater.
    
7. Teachers and chaperones, please take an active role in watching over the students in your care and assisting them in maintaining appropriate behavior. We hope you enjoy the show!

Please contact us at least three weeks in advance of the performance if someone in your party has an accessibility need. We will be in contact to discuss details, accommodations, and other instructions for your visit. Learn more about our accessible options.

• Hearing Impaired Audience Members Who Use a Listening Device: Please note Center for the Arts is FM compatible. We do have Assistive Listening Devices: FM, 72 megahertz (mhz) with headphones or loop option. Patrons are welcome to bring their own earphones to use with the devices. For further assistance please see a venue staff member or House Manager.
• If you have a child/chaperone with limited mobility arriving on a bus, we can arrange for the bus to pull up to the front and drop off those individuals plus an adult escort as needed. Again, for all special accommodations, please contact us at least three weeks in advance so we can discuss your needs.

Your performance location: 
Center for the Arts at George Mason University, Concert Hall 

OR

Harris Theatre at George Mason University (for Papermoon Puppet Theatre) 

(Both venues are located on the Fairfax Campus, six miles west of the Beltway exit 54.)

Please plan to arrive at least 30 minutes before the start of the performance. Doors open approximately 30 minutes before start time.
 

For Those Arriving in Buses

Bus Drivers: Parking for buses will only be allowed in the back of Lot K on the Mason Fairfax Campus. Please utilize only the Braddock Road -> Roanoke River Road entrance to access this lot. When entering campus on Roanoke River Road, the entrance to Lot K will be the first left-hand turn. Please use only this entrance. Drivers are asked to stay with the buses or to enter the Concert Hall Lobby to wait. View a parking map and directions to campus (again, follow directions only for the Braddock Road/Roanoke River Road entrance).

Once parked, students and chaperones will then exit the bus and walk to the Concert Hall utilizing marked pedestrian walk ways. The pedestrian cross walk for Patriot Circle will be supervised by Mason Police to ensure the safety of the performance attendees during heavy traffic times on campus. The same directions in reverse apply to departure.

IMPORTANT: If your party is arriving in multiple buses, please have everyone stay on their bus until all buses in your party have arrived. Then make your way over to the Concert Hall as a complete group. This helps to keep the school seated together and minimizes any confusion.

In the event of extreme inclement weather, the Center may decide to have drop off and pick up at the front of the Concert Hall. This is at the discretion of the venue. In this case, buses will be directed upon arrival to go to the front of the Concert Hall on Mason Pond Drive by the police and Center staff. After the performance, schools would then be dismissed by Center staff one by one for pick up in the same location.

Special Accommodations: In certain cases of accessibility need, it is possible for the bus to pull up to the front of the Concert Hall and drop off those individuals (plus one adult escort) before proceeding to Lot K. Please contact us as soon as possible to discuss this process if this applies to your group.

For Those Arriving in Cars

Cars can park either:

At the uncovered Lot K surface lot for $11.50. Pay using the Pay Mobile app or kiosk at the Lot K entrance (fees are subject to change). Learn more about visitor parking. Patrons will then walk to the Concert Hall utilizing marked pedestrian walk ways. The pedestrian cross walk for Patriot Circle will be supervised by Mason Police to ensure the safety of the performance attendees during heavy traffic times on campus.

View a parking map and directions to campus.

OR

In the Mason Pond Parking Deck, adjacent to the Center for the Arts (4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax, VA, 22030). Paid, covered parking at Mason Pond Parking Deck is $9 for two hours; the rate then increases per additional hour (fees are subject to change). Learn more about visitor parking. This deck offers the closest parking to the venue. Exit the Mason Pond Parking Deck on the 1st floor to access the Center.

What is the address of the Center for the Arts?

Our physical address is 4373 Mason Pond Drive, Fairfax, VA, 22030. If you are arriving in a bus or parking in Lot K, please do not enter this address into your GPS! It will not take you to the correct parking location. Instead, you can search “Lot K.” Please refer to the above for further information on the correct parking lot entrances and directions.

What if it’s raining – do we still have to walk from Lot K?

Yes! Please make sure you dress appropriately for the weather. Drop off and dismissal procedures are only altered in extreme weather situations.

Can we eat lunch on campus before/after the performance?

We do not allow any school groups to eat lunch inside the Center for the Arts. Weather permitting, there are several outdoor options adjacent to our building including Holton Plaza and Mason Pond Lawn that can be great lunch spots. (See a campus map As there is no food or drink allowed inside the theater, please plan to leave all lunches on your bus to retrieve after the performance. Alternatively, you can leave bins or coolers in the main lobby during the performance. However, Center for the Arts staff is not responsible for any lost or missing property. If you do plan to eat lunch on site, please bring trash bags to pack and take all trash with you. Garbage can space is limited in these areas. 

One of our buses got lost/went to the wrong spot. What do we do?

Typically, we ask groups to wait until everyone in their party has arrived before they enter for seating. This is the only way we can ensure groups are seated together. You can wait on your bus or out on the lawn in front of the Center.

If it is getting close to show time and the lost bus still hasn’t arrived, you can choose to seat the part of your group that is present so they don’t miss the show. However, you choose to do so with the understanding that the part of your group that is arriving late will very likely be seated in a different location. If this scenario happens to you, please remain in constant communication with your other group leaders and ask to speak with a Center supervisor or manager to ensure everyone is on the same page regarding your party’s seating.

I am chaperoning my student’s field trip but I am arriving separately from their bus. How do I make sure I am seated with the group?

Please communicate with your student’s teacher or group leader about where to meet up with the group before they enter the Center for seating. Once the group has entered for seating, we cannot guarantee anyone separate from the party will be seated in the same spot.

I am chaperoning a field trip for high schoolers. Do I really need to escort them to the bathroom?

Per Center for the Arts policy, all children Grade 6 and under must have a chaperone with them at all times. Please refer to your child’s institution for chaperoning best practices.

We look forward to having you join us!