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      Discovery Theater

      Foundational Reading Skills, Earth and Space Sciences, Literature, Cultures, Music, Nonfiction Informational Reading, Life Sciences, Performing Arts, Speaking and Listening, Geography, Visual Arts, Writing, US History, World Languages, World History :
      Smithsonian Staff

      MISSION

      Mission of the Smithsonian Institution: “The increase and diffusion of knowledge.” 

      Smithsonian Associates advances the Institution’s mission to “increase and diffuse knowledge” through life-enriching educational and cultural experiences inspired by the Smithsonian’s research and collections for DC-region students, families, and adults, and for learning communities nationwide.

      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!

      HISTORY

      Founded in 1964 as The Smithsonian Puppet Theater, performing in a room in the NMAH on the third floor.

      *Interesting fact: an electrical fire two weeks before the theatre opened destroyed all of Bob Brown’s Marionette puppets, and delayed the opening by two months while new puppets were constructed.

      In 1979, the theater moved into the historic Arts and Industries Building and rechristened as Discovery Theater. The theater continued to feature puppets and began to include other traditional arts such as storytelling, acoustic music from around the globe, mime and commedia clowning; retelling of classical Greek and Roman fables and myths and ensemble performance in the manner of festival or street performers. The theater’s inclusion as part of the Smithsonian Associates defined its mission as serving primarily the Metropolitan area’s children and their teachers and families.

      *Interesting fact: Harold Closter, now Director of Smithsonian Affiliations, as a program assistant helped lay the original carpet and stage and remembers the excitement of the theater’s opening well!

      By 1995, Discovery Theater had broadened its reach to present the heritage and cultural arts, and accessible science and math; reflecting the larger collections and making it a ‘gateway’ to the Smithsonian for local children. Its affordable ticket price and community of educational artists, teachers, parents, children who had grown up with Discovery Theater and the Smithsonian make this a destination in our nation’s capital, and most area schools children’s first visit to both a theater and a museum.

      *Interesting fact: Dinorock, award winning puppet and music artists, premiered every one of their 7 shows right in Discovery Theater before heading out on their National tours—(you see it first at Discovery Theater!)

      In 2004, the Arts and Industries (one of the two oldest buildings at the Smithsonian, built in 1882) closed its doors to the public to await a much needed renovation. Discovery Theater, its 300+ annual shows and programs, 50,000 children and adult audience members, (and the puppets!) moved into a beautiful new boutique performing space designed for them by Sachs Morgan Studios, one of the leading designers of theaters in the country.

      *Interesting fact: In this same year, Discovery Theater began the first tour of its blockbuster Black History piece, Black Diamond: Satchel Paige and the Negro Leagues; written by Raquis Petree with music by Marion Johnson. The program, part of a series entitled The Greatest Stories Never Told, stills tours today, now with two other pieces from the series Going the Distance: Wilma Rudolph and Jesse Owens; and How Old is a Hero? Young People of the Civil Rights Movement

      Discovery Theater's collections

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      ¡Cuentos!

      <p>Discovery Theater is a pan-institutional museum theater dedicated to bringing theatre to young audiences and general visitors on and off the Mall since 1969. Recommended for children between the ages of 3 and 7, this delightful Discovery Theater original offers a fresh take on three classic tales . The Little Red Hen asks the question “Who will help?” Jack and the Beanstalk proves that small is mighty. And The Gingerbread Man… well, he’s just one bad cookie. Filled with delightful songs, puppets, and audience participation, this bilingual story-time spectacular is not to be missed! </p> <p>Themes:</p> <p><em>Jack and the Beanstalk:</em> Our version of this classic story teaches kids about overcoming adversity and intervening on behalf of those with less power than you.</p> <p><em>The Little Red Hen</em>: This story teaches kids about the important of helping others!<br /></p> <p><em>The Gingerbread Man</em>: This fun tale also serves as an example of not trusting someone without carefully considering what their motives might be.<br /></p> <p><br /></p>
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      Retratos: My people, Myself

      <p>Discovery Theater is a pan-institutional museum theater dedicated to bringing theatre to young audiences and general visitors on and off the Mall since 1969. Originally created for with the Smithsonian’s National Portrait Gallery and Young Playwright’s Theater, this joyous theatrical portrait of the many faces of Latin America was written by children from D.C. schools who responded to paintings from the exhibition, Retratos: 2,000 Years of Latin American Portraits.  Student’s monologues create this warm and interactive play about how our lives are magnificent reflections of our ancestry and America’s future.  This joyous theatrical portrait of the many faces of Latin America asks students the question, "How can we ‘portray’ the richness of our heritage and still be an American child... and how are we, in our lives, a portrait of today’s world?"</p>
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      Hoop of Life with Ty Defoe

      <p>With his vivid presence as a performer, Ty Defoe recounts an eloquent story of life though movement, music, and words rooted in his Oneida and Ojibwe heritage. He uses the sacred Hoop Dance to explore Native American stories framed by traditional and contemporary culture, history, and values. As the colorful interlinked hoops move, they speak of the unity and interdependence of all living things—and offer lessons for our everyday lives. Presented by Discovery Theater--a pan-institutional museum theater dedicated to bringing theatre to young audiences and general visitors on and off the Mall since 1969. <br /></p>
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      Here We Go Team!

      <p>This Discovery Theatre original scores big in a musical play about sharing and taking turns, the importance of personal space, and the awesome power of teamwork.  Five-year-olds Mika and Casey are aspiring soccer stars and best friends—but they’ve ended up on separate teams! Through a mishap on the field, they discover that helping people is cool, thanks to another kind of 'team'-- of medical stars who make everyone feel great.  </p>
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      ABC’s of Percussion with Uncle Devin

      <p></p> <p>Uncle Devin uses different musical instruments, along with his award-winning book, “The ABC’s of Percussion with Music CD,” to help students construct and demonstrate an understanding of how the sounds made from percussion instruments were used to communicate long before the telephone, computer, email, and other modern forms of communication.  Ausiwnces connect the sounds and rhythm of percussion instruments with the three “r”s—with Uncle Devin as the guide. Presented by Discovery Theater--a pan-institutional museum theater dedicated to bringing theatre to young audiences and general visitors on and off the Mall since 1969. </p> <p></p>
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      Into the Great Unknown: African American Adventurers and Explorers

      <p></p> <p>Discovery Theater is a pan-institutional museum theater dedicated to bringing theatre to young audiences and general visitors on and off the Mall since 1969. Leadership, courage, and adventure take center stage in this inspiring Discovery Theater original. Meet Matthew Henson, co-discoverer of the North Pole, and Barbara Hillary, the first African American women to reach that summit nearly 100 years later. Thrill to the frontier exploits of the hard-riding mail carrier “Stagecoach Mary” Fields and Nate Love, the former slave who became the legendary cowboy nicknamed Deadwood Dick. Journey with modern mountaineer Sophia Danenberg to the summit of Mount Everest. And learn how astronauts and aerospace pioneers Guion Bluford and Mae Jemison are charting a whole new frontier today. From the Pole to the prairies to outer space, the histories and heroism of these African American women and men attest that true grit and personal power can push us toward greatness.<br /></p> <p></p>
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      St. Paddy’s Day w/Pete Moss & The Bog Band

      <p>Discovery Theater is a pan-institutional museum theater dedicated to bringing theatre to young audiences and general visitors on and off the Mall since 1969. The Bog Band is a group of young musicians who are “mad” for traditional Irish music and dance. Led by Pete Moss (a/k/a Mitch Fanning), they raise the roof to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day with live Irish music and throw ion some lively step dancing. Add in a little cultural background and “Sure and it’ll be a rattlin’ good time!”  A Music in our schools Month program.</p>
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      Kinobe’s Dance of Hope from Uganda

      <p>Discovery Theater is a pan-institutional museum theater dedicated to bringing theatre to young audiences and general visitors on and off the Mall since 1969. Cultural ambassador Kinobe and his troupe of teen Ugandan performers share the stories of their lives and their homeland with the world through a dance performance in partnership with the National Museum of African Art! Music, costumes, and dance showcase a generation of young Africans who are meeting--and shaping--their futures with resilience and creativity. </p>
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      Science of Spring

      <p>Discovery Theater is a pan-institutional museum theater dedicated to bringing theatre to young audiences and general visitors on and off the Mall since 1969.  The magic of earth science takes center stage in this fun, interactive Discovery Theater original as we explore the indigenous and modern science behind the greening of the year.  Using science, culture and history, we examine humanity’s relationship to the natural ‘new year’ – a time when the earth and its creatures experience the rebirth, regeneration and new growth. Seed germination pairs with the story of Persephone returning from underground; the science and mystery of a simple egg link with new birth and lambs, birds and bunnies tales; the earth science of warming spring weather create a great atmosphere for learning and fun.  </p>
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