SMITHSONIAN ASSOCIATES DISCOVERY THEATER

artist website: https://discoverytheater.org

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Discovery Theater has been presenting DC-area children with live educational performances for more than 30 years. As a program of the Smithsonian Associates, Discovery Theater serves as a child’s gateway to the exhibitions, collections, and cultures contained in the museums on the National Mall and beyond. There’s so much to explore at the Smithsonian!

Each year, Discovery Theater offers some performances on tour that can travel to schools, libraries, and community centers throughout the greater DC area. These interactive performances offer audiences the opportunity to experience heritage, science, and culture in a memorable way and are great for school-wide assemblies, family nights, and library family series.

EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR SCHOOLS & COMMUNITIES

Discovery Theater’s performances tap into the vast resources of the Smithsonian Institution and celebrate the rich diversity of our region and our world. Tours each season bring the Smithsonian to schools and communities throughout DC, Maryland, and northern Virginia.

PERFORMANCES

Fábulas Fairytales (Hispanic Heritage Month – October 11-27, 2025)

Three’s the charm in the newest version of this interactive Discovery Theater original. Start with three bears, three pigs, three little kittens, and three billy goats gruff. Add two languages, and what do you get? The perfect combination for a fresh and fun introduction to Spanish, literacy through storytelling, math, music, and more—and a fábulas new take on a quartet of familiar stories. Best for grades preK-3.

Going The Distance (Black History Month – February 7-28, 2026)

Race to the finish line with two Black Olympians who changed history! Soaring music and the exhilaration of world-class sorts inspire us all to greatness in this vivid portrayal of the lives of Jesse Owens and Wilma Rudolph. Watch them overcome childhood illness, infirmity, and poverty to become the world’s fastest man and fastest woman, winning the greatest honor in athletics: the Olympic Gold medal. The score by John Cornelius II speaks to the heart and soul of the winner in all of us. Best for grades K-6.

Powerful Pollinators (Earth Day/Earth Month – April 4-25, 2026)

Bats, butterflies, and bees—Oh, my! Set off on a journey to learn about the world of our planet’s powerful pantheon of pollinators. During the adventure, meet pollinators big and small as they do their part to keep the biodiversity of all our ecosystems thriving. Get ready to dance like a honeybee, leap like a lemur, and beat those hummingbird wings in this new Discovery Theater original. Best for grades preK-2. Can be paired on the same day with Mother Earth & Me.

Mother Earth & Me (Earth Day/Earth Month – April 4-25, 2026)

The magic of earth science takes center stage in this fun, interactive Discovery Theater original as audiences explore the origins of our planet and the systems that shape it, from powerful plate tectonics to the ever-present water cycle, and even the impact of life itself. They also learn about peoples’ important roles in protecting earth’s ecosystems, as well as folklore about the “big blue marble” we call home. Best for grades 2-6, but can be scheduled for grades preK-6. Can be paired on the same day with Powerful Pollinators.

Once Upon a Moon (May 9-23, 2026)

Let’s go to the moon! This Discovery Theater original celebrates the spirit of the Apollo landing in an exciting, interactive show for the youngest audiences. Performers and exquisite puppets spin new and old stories about the moon’s magic, create a “living exhibit” of its phases, and introduce the amazing science that brought us to its surface. You might even get the chance to be a moonwalking astronaut. Best for grades preK-2.