Education
FIM is proud to offer a variety of in-person and virtual education and engagement activities to students, teachers and community groups. We believe in the power of the performing arts to bring us together as a community, inspire the next generation, and engage us with important issues and each other.
We’re thankful for the generous support of Goyette Mechanical, the Charles Stewart Mott Foundation, several foundations and trusts, national granting organizations and our donors, which allows us to offer many of these programs free of charge.
For more information on educational opportunities, please contact:
Dakotah James
Manager, Education and Community Engagement
(810) 237 - 7349
Troubadours’ Harambee: Let’s Come Together!
K – 6th | Coming Soon | Virtual access coming soon
The Troubadours became a community engagement initiative of FIM more than 20 years ago to support music and arts education was diminishing in schools. This traveling troupe – made up of a string quartet of FIM Flint Symphony Orchestra members and a storyteller – integrates character education and core curriculum lessons in a fun, music-filled performance.
Beloved by teachers and students alike, this dynamic program gives students an all-too-rare opportunity to experience performances by professional musicians, encouraging them to confidently recognize and pursue creative interests. Each year, children are introduced to a variety of instruments and are invited to take part in a hands-on musical instrument session. Each year, students enjoy a new, thought-provoking story.
Sponsored by
Daniel and Carole Harrett
Richard and Cinda Weiermiller
FIM 2022-23 Season Sponsor
The Whiting Foundation
Danny Carmo’s Mathematical Mysteries
3rd – 6th | Feb 21 2023 @ 12pm | LIVE at FIM Capitol Theatre
Cahoots presents
Danny Carmo’s Mathematical Mysteries
Prepare to be amazed, dazzled & bewildered by Cahoots’ mind-blowing production Danny Carmo’s Mathematical Mysteries
- a spectacular show where math, theatre and digital technology collide to create a fun and interactive performance proving that understanding math can be fun!
Meet Danny Carmo. It’s not so long ago that he thought school and, in particular, math wasn’t for him. He was more interested in dreaming about a future on the stage and perhaps the big screen...all he ever wanted to be was a famous magician! But, when Danny knuckled down to learn all the tricks of the trade he realised that math was not only essential, but was the SECRET to a whole load of magic!
Danny Carmo’s Mathematical Mysteries has been developed with schools and features key curriculum connections for an elementary school audience, from Cahoots, the award-winning makers of The University of Wonder & Imagination, Lights! Camera! Math! and Secrets of Space.
Duration: Approx 1 hour
Suitable for family audiences & Grades 3rd - 6th.
Audience Reviews:
‘It was a nail-biting, heart pumping, feet stamping show!’
‘It was brilliant because it combined math and magic and was really amazing.’
‘The show was quite simply outstanding and relevant!’
‘The pupils were mesmerised. Not only do they want to know how to do the magic tricks, they want to know how the math works. Success! A fantastic addition to the school’s math programme.’
‘I have to say this was one of the best, if not the best show ever to have been presented to us.’
‘Many of the activities consolidated work across this year. It has encouraged the students to use their thinking skills in problem solving investigations. It has made math fun!’
‘The content was very relevant to the curriculum and its great to see math presented in such an innovative and exciting way.’
Literature to Life presents The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao by Junot Diaz
9th – 12th | Mar 9, 2023 @ 10am & 12pm | LIVE at FIM MacArthur Recital Hall
Based on the novel by Junot Diaz
Adaptation and Direction: Elise Thoron
Performed by Kelvin Grullon
This thrilling adaptation of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel chronicles the life of Oscar, an overweight science-fiction enthusiast who dreams of becoming the Dominican J. R. R. Tolkien. Growing up in Paterson, he obsesses over fantasy novels, falling in love, and the curse that has plagued his family for generations. Despite the endless taunting from friends, family, and foes, Oscar remains true to himself, as the family curse declares its power and the violence of Oscar's family history collides with his present. Encapsulating magical realism and Dominican-American history, The Brief Wondrous Life of Oscar Wao presents audiences with an astonishing vision of the contemporary American experience, and through this 60-minute exploration of brotherhood, fantasy stories, and what it means to be a “Dominican man”, we come to understand the culture of fear and violence that resulted from Trujillo's 30+ years dictatorship of the Dominican Republic, and the importance of facing fear with love.
Access study guide here
Meeting Mozart
K – 3rd | Mar 23 2023 @ 10am & 12pm | LIVE at FIM Whiting Auditorium
Produced by CDP Theatre Producers
From Sydney, Australia
‘Sydney Opera House’s MEETING MOZART is a 40-minute theatre work that instils a love and appreciation of classical music in young children aged 2-10 years old and their families. Through live music, stories and song the show takes us on an interactive journey to explore and learn about the instruments, scores and themes that inspired Mozart to compose his greatest works, from variations on 'Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star' through to his great orchestral pieces. The production explores the instruments, scores and themes behind the music and life of one of the worlds most celebrated musicians, through an atmosphere that is fun, participatory and inclusive.
Watch with delight as a talented Australian concert pianist assumes the persona of the mischievous musical wunderkind himself, Wolfgang Amadeus, accompanied by his wife, Constanze. Audiences will meet all the instruments in the ensemble along the way and discover some of Mozart’s best-known and beloved classical music. Musical directed and co-created by world-renowned pianist Simon Tedeschi and directed by Eva Di Cesare (Monkey Baa’s Diary of a Wombat), MEETING MOZART has played two sold out runs at Sydney Opera House, toured to Abu Dhabi International Arts Festival and four times to China, and returned to Sydney Opera House in 2019.
FSO Live: Reinecke & Rachmaninoff
5th – 12th | March 12 - April 11, 2023 | Virtual access coming soon
Enrique Diemecke, Music Director & Conductor
Danielle Kim, flute
CARL REINEKE Flute Concerto in D Major
SERGEI RACHMANINOFF Symphony #2, op.27, E minor
Reinecke’s Flute Concerto in D Major features William C. Byrd Competition winner Danielle Kim. This lyrical and virtuosic display of the flute was the last piece Reinecke wrote before he passed away. The balance of melody and technical fluency makes this concerto a delight for listeners—much more than just a hurried showcase of technique. The movements progress from leisurely and dreamy, to melancholy and lamenting, finally arriving in an energetic dash to the end of the piece.
Symphony No. 2 was written while Rachmaninoff and his family lived in Dresden, Germany to escape political tumult in Russia—the moodiness and turmoil ofthe composer’s personal life can be felt in the lush, impassioned movements of this symphony. The piece was not well-received by critics at the time, making Rachmaninoff doubt his talent. However, portions of this piece made their way into modern culture, including 2014 film Birdman, and it is now one of Rachmaninoff’s most well-known works.
The Magnificent Seven
6th – 12th | Apr 5 & 12 2023 @ 10am | LIVE at FIM Flint Repertory Theatre
Book & Lyrics by Gordon Leary
Music by Julia Meinwald
What does it take to win Olympic gold? If you win, how is your life changed?
With the weight of the hopes and dreams of a nation on their shoulders, seven female rivals and friends were chosen to represent the United States at the 1996 Olympics. Through innovative musical storytelling, writer Gordon Leary and composer Julia Meinwald explore the inner lives of the first female gymnastics team to win gold for the United States. This world premiere musical celebrates the real-life Magnificent Seven—Amanda Borden, Amy Chow, Dominique Dawes, Shannon Miller, Dominique Moceanu, Jaycie Phelps and Kerri Strug, the gymnast who bravely completed the vault heard ‘round the world.
Pinkalicious: The Musical
K – 5th | Apr 7 2023 @ 7pm | LIVE @ FIM Whiting Auditorium
Based on the best-selling children's book and fun for the entire family, Pinkalicious, The Musical tells the story of Pinkalicious, who can't stop eating pink cupcakes despite warnings from her parents. Her pink indulgence lands her at the doctor's office with Pinkititis, an affliction that turns her pink from head to toe - a dream come true for this pink loving enthusiast. But when her hue goes too far, only Pinkalicious can figure out a way to get out of this predicament.
Peter and the Wolf
K – 12th | April 14 2023 @ 7pm | LIVE at Whiting Auditorium
Featuring Flint Youth Ballet, Flint Youth Theatre, and Flint Youth Symphony Orchestra
The entire family will delight in this classic story of the unsuspecting hero, Peter, and how he outwits the menacing wolf to save his animal friends. The tale unfolds in a magical toy box, with the familiar characters represented in dance, theatre, and music.
The Flint Youth Ballet, Flint Youth Theatre, and Flint Youth Symphony Orchestra will each perform a short solo selection as well.
HOCUS FOCUS
Dr. Kevin Spencer’ Hocus Focus™ Residency is a child-centered, arts-based program that combines education with imagination. It uses magic tricks and an interactive curriculum to open up a world of wonder for special-needs students and improve their cognition, motor skills, communication and social skills. They learn resilience, perseverance, problem solving and critical thinking.
Hocus Focus™ taps into the innate curiosity of students, motivating them to become more engaged in the learning process. Its lessons have been designed, implemented and evaluated by educators, occupational therapists and speech language pathologists across the country. The results are incredible.
MUSIC AROUND TOWN
For more than 30 years, FIM’s Music Around Town series has ushered in summer for the Flint community. Having evolved to include a greater variety of locations during a year-round schedule, Music Around Town gives everyone in the Greater Flint area an opportunity to experience live performing arts.
Featuring musicians and artists from the FIM Flint Symphony Orchestra, FIM Flint School of Performing Arts and FIM Flint Repertory Theatre, alongside a broad range of local and national performing arts talent, Music Around Town’s diverse performances celebrate the roots of our community’s multicultural heritage.
KIDSTIX
KidsTix is a new program designed to open the door to the power of live performing arts for everyone through FIM’s exceptional venues, inspirational programs and across its community. KidsTix helps cover the cost of tickets for economically challenged kids who need access to educational programs and performances that offer unique, valuable opportunities to engage with arts and culture.
FIM believes art should be accessible for everyone, regardless of income. We are incredibly thankful to our KidsTix donors. They know that one of the best ways to educate and inspire anyone is to take them to a performance, enroll them in a class or let them experience the arts in a unique way.
VIRTUAL FIELD TRIPS
FIM is excited to provide lifelong learning in the areas of music, culture, language and theatre through virtual field trips. Educators can register for musical performances by the Troubadours, documentaries about FIM Flint School of Performing Arts or theatrical productions of timeless stories geared toward budding minds in grades K-6.
ENTERTAINMENT EXPRESS
Entertainment Express connects Genesee County’s senior population with the performing arts. Each season, FIM Whiting Auditorium tours artists and small productions around Genesee County to visit and perform for our local Senior community.
LEARNING THROUGH THEATRE
FIM Flint School of Performing Arts works with educators to build a bridge between the formal classroom experience and live theatre, in order to capitalize on the unique skill-building potential of the arts. Learning Through Theatre brings the excitement of live theatre to the core curriculum, providing teachers and students with the opportunity to explore acting techniques as a way to deepen and enrich literacy and the learning process.
Supported by:
