Learning For Everyone

Everyone can get involved at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts through performances, pre- and post-show artist engagements and artist-led community events.
Schaefer Center Presents series

The Schaefer Center Presents offers a diverse array of music, dance, and theatre programming for audiences of all ages. This dynamic series provides a “window on the world” through the artistry of nationally and internationally renowned artists, and showcases some of the finest artists of our nation and our region. Fine arts experiences that introduce new audiences to art forms such as ballet, opera, theatre classics, and musical traditions from around the world are an important component of this academic year series.

Taj Mahal and Keb Mo perform for a full house at the Schaefer Center for the Performing Arts.

The audience is on their feet during a performance by Black Violin, which featured local students from the public school orchestra.
Upcoming Events
Pre/Post-Performance Lectures, Q&As
and Audience Talkbacks
Memorable educational and outreach activities designed to promote the power and excitement of the live performance experience are often open to the public. Audiences gather early, or stay late, to hear directly from the visiting artists on their practice, their artistic journey, or to ask questions.
Past engagements have included audience talkbacks, Q&A sessions and pre-performance lectures with esteemed dance and theatre companies such as American Shakespeare Center, River North Dance Chicago, and Dance Theatre of Harlem.

Virginia Johnson of Dance Theatre of Harlem and Ray Miller, professor of Dance Studies and Theatre Arts at App State, join in a pre-show talk and Q&A with audience members.

An informal Q&A session was arranged in a post-show meet-and-greet format with Broadway superstar Kristen Chenoweth.
Artist-Led Community Events and Programs
Occasionally, artists are available to lead workshops and other experiences leading up to or following a performance. The community is encouraged to attend these programs and glean a different perspective on our visiting artists and their projects and practice.

Contra Tiempo “Rueda Community Dance” at the Schaefer Center, 2016

Members of The Nile Project share music and stories with the congregation of the Boone Unitarian Universalist Fellowship during a multi-day residency.