Celebrations! - Sponsored by Sentara Health Plans
We've opened the book to reading fun! And some Virginia locations get the program at no cost!
Rainbow Puppet Productions introduces a whole new dimension to learning. The award-winning team has created a new musical review that shares the joy of reading through music, dance, puppetry, and storytelling. It's a traveling, early reading program designed around our new children's books.
And thanks to a very generous grant from Sentara Health Plans, some schools and youth centers will be getting the show at no cost.
Not Just a Show!
"Open a Book" doesn't end with the show. There's a book, created especially for each production that re-tells many of the highlights of the program. Students can relive and re-tell the stories to their families.
Produced by Award-Winning Experts...
Rainbow Puppet Productions have long been recognized for their ability to excite and entertain young audiences. In fact, they are the Young Audiences of Virginia Sunburst Award winner for their performance excellence. This fast-paced program will keep even the youngest of audiences entertained.
An all-new show!
"Getting There" tells the story of Americans getting from one place to another throughout our 250-year history. We'll meet Powhatan and Pocahontas as they travel in a dug-out canoe. We'll meet Collis P. Huntington who will build ships that will take American goods around the world. We will join the Wright Brothers in their workshop as they build the first flying machine. We will then explore the quest to fly to the moon and Mars. Along the way we will also meet Abraham Lincoln, educator Mary Peake, and many others. The highlight is our own special version of THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD which teaches the value of hard work and never giving up.
The Books! The Tour! The Grant!
The Books
Toddlers through third graders will receive our all-new version of THE LITTLE ENGINE THAT COULD. The book focuses on the importance of self-confidence and never giving up. Older students will receive GETTING THERE which explores the many modes of travel that have shaped the last 250 years of American history. We'll see dug-out canoes, steam engines, massive aircraft carriers, and outrageous flying machines.
The Tour!
The show will be on tour throughout the state of Virginia in 2025-2026.
The Grant!
We have received a grant for 150 shows. Just fill out the form above or call us at 757 851-3266.
Frequently asked questions
- SHOW LENGTH: The show lasts under one hour from the moment students are seated until they are dismissed.
- NO-COST! The cost of books and the performance are absolutely free to your organization. While it's free to you, it is fully grant supported. Last minute changes or substantial changes in the number of students at the show are subject to a change / cancellation fee based on our current programming rates.
- SETUP TIME: We need one hour to set up. We need parking as close to the performance space as possible due to the amount of equipment we bring: LIGHTS, SOUND, SETS, PUPPETS. This is a huge, professional production.
- PERFORMANCE SPACE: We can perform in a gym, auditorium, or other large space. We prefer 15 x 15 feet of space. Please have the area cleared and ready for our setup.
- LOAD IN: For the safety of children, we recommend that you have staff member by the entry door as we load in and load out. We need the doors open to allow us to quickly set up and be ready on time.
- INTRODUCTION BY A SCHOOL OFFICIAL: This is a great time to remind students and teachers of theater manners. No conversations with neighbors, no cell phones, no texting, etc. This may be a first theater experience for some students so modeling great theater manners is part of the learning process.
- The program is grant--sponsored. If for any reason, grants are not renewed, we will offer an option to pay for a performance or cancel.