This offering is for Performing Arts Series for Students events only.
 
About Montalvo Arts Center
Located in Saratoga, California, Montalvo Arts Center brings students into the world of live performance through its Performing Arts Series for Students. Designed for school groups and homeschool students, the series introduces young audiences to music, dance, theatre, and storytelling in an educational setting.
 
Historical Overview
Montalvo’s historic Villa was built in 1912, and the property opened as a public arts center in 1939. Today, its gardens, performance spaces, and artist residency programs provide a setting where creativity, learning, and community come together.

Key Performances and Experiences
Live Performing Arts
Experience artists sharing their work through music, theatre, dance, poetry, or storytelling. The art forms and themes vary by the selected performance.

Cultural Connections
Discover how artists express traditions, experiences, and perspectives through performance. Students can consider how the arts connect people across communities and generations.
 
Artist Questions and Answers
The series includes a post-performance artist Q&A, giving students an opportunity to learn about the performers’ work and creative process.
 
An Intimate Theatre Setting
Performances take place in Montalvo’s historic Carriage House Theatre, providing students with an engaging introduction to attending live theatre.
 
What Students Will Learn
Performing Arts Appreciation
Observe how performers use sound, movement, expression, and storytelling to communicate ideas and emotions.
Language Arts and Storytelling
Identify themes, characters, sequencing, and perspective. Discuss how a story or message can be communicated through different art forms.
Music and Movement
Depending on the performance, explore rhythm, tempo, melody, choreography, and the relationship between music and movement.
Cultural Understanding
Reflect on the traditions and perspectives presented in the selected show, encouraging curiosity and respectful discussion.
Audience Etiquette
Practice attentive listening, appropriate applause, and respectful participation during a live performance.
 
Real-World Applications
Communication and Expression
Discuss how voice, gesture, movement, and artistic choices help communicate meaning.
Collaboration
Consider how performers and production teams work together to create a shared experience for an audience.
Critical Thinking
Compare interpretations, support observations with examples, and discuss how artistic choices shape a performance.
Creative Exploration
Extend the experience with a short story, drawing, musical activity, or movement project inspired by the show.
 
Visiting Tips for Families
Choose Your Performance Carefully
Review the event description and recommended grade levels before requesting tickets. Each performance offers different themes and learning opportunities.
Plan Ahead
Confirm your performance date, time, arrival instructions, and parking details before your visit.
Share Accessibility Needs Early
Please let us know about accessibility needs when submitting your request so we can coordinate with the venue. Montalvo asks that accommodation needs be shared at least two weeks before the performance.
Prepare and Reflect
Before attending, introduce the performance topic and discuss theatre etiquette. Afterward, invite students to share what they noticed, enjoyed, and would like to explore further.
Educational Benefits
A Performing Arts Series for Students visit can support arts appreciation, literacy, cultural understanding, and thoughtful discussion. Paired with pre- and post-visit activities, the performance gives students a meaningful starting point for connecting creative expression with their own learning.
 
Student Package: Includes engaging pre- and post-visit educational activities, trip organization, and one student ticket.
 
Educator Package: Includes educational resources, interactive project ideas, trip organization, guidance for connecting the performance to student learning, and one complimentary chaperone ticket. Does not include a student ticket.