Boxtales Theatre Company in collaboration with the Lobero Theatre, AHA! and Children’s Creative Project will be working with 13 elementary schools, and four middle schools through cost-free access to high-quality performances.

Two actors wearing white tunics and loose white pants and one with a gold mask on stand a few feet apart on a darkened stage.(Courtesy photo)
Boxtales show features a collection of multicultural folktales and myths. (Courtesy photo)

Performances will be held at the Lobero Theatre in March, with pre- and post-show assemblies in February and April at each school site.

Some 1,700 students in fourth-eighth grades from Goleta, Santa Barbara and Carpinteria school districts will have an opportunity to participate in arts enrichment through theater, experience social emotional learning (SEL), and learn from local community partners.

As it celebrates its 30th anniversary this year, Boxtales Theatre Company has been touring the western U.S. with many of its original theater pieces inspired by world myths and folklore.

Locally, the company provides students with performing arts exposure at historic Santa Barbara venues, such as The Lobero Theatre, where five separate staged productions will take place to bring a unique experience to the Central Coast’s youth.

Participating in a three-part program will be students from Ellwood, El Camino, Isla Vista, La Patera, Santa Barbara Charter, Goleta Valley Junior High, Adams, Cleveland, McKinley, Monroe, Santa Barbara Community Academy, Waldorf School, La Cumbre Junior High, Santa Barbara Junior High, Aliso, Canalino & Carpinteria Family School, and Carpinteria Middle School.

A pre-show school assembly will introduce them to the nature of mythology and folktales, while providing tools for interpreting meaning in stories and how to adapt lessons in life.

Next, the students will enjoy a field trip to the Lobero Theatre for a fully staged production of “Stand Up Stories – Multicultural Tales to Live By,” followed by an audience-artist Q&A.

A follow-up assembly will then contextualize the social-emotional content of the show they experienced at the theater.

The Arts Impact Collaboration Program will also foster social and emotional skills that help children cope, process, and manage their emotions while supporting and enhancing core curriculum in the schools.