Educational Outreach

The RHCPA Education Program provides opportunities for people of all ages to engage in the performing art, taking its theatre programs off the stage and into your classroom. Educators, Teachers, and Students can attend a number of educational and entertaining shows specifically programmed to meet curriculum needs throughout the school year. Pre- and Post- Show workshops are available.

Have a Teaching Artist visit your classroom, camp program, or after school activity for a fun Intensive workshop in Intro to Drama, Intro to Musical Theatre, Hip Hop Dance, Improv, or Stage Combat. We'll be happy to work with you to find a program that best suits your needs. Participate in a number of our daytime, after-school, and weekend programs. From Tots to 55+, there is a performing arts program for everyone. Looking for summer fun? The RHCPA has theatre camp options from 4 years old to 16 years old. All participants get a chance to shine under the spotlight.

Education Series 2022-2023

For the 2022-23 Educational Series at the Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts, we have thoughtfully chosen 10 shows to reflect the stories and experiences of our community and from around the world, each with an Ontario Curriculum connection for students from Pre-K through Grade 12.

Available shows:
Yasama Picture

Once upon a time in the not so distant past, somewhere in a village in a land far away there lived a young girl named Yassama.” Yassama and the Beaded Calabash is the story of a young girl who, with the help of the old Baobab tree, saves her village from drought and delivers a powerful lesson about the importance of respecting and honouring Mother Earth. Rooted in African oral tradition and created especially for very young audiences, acclaimed artist Lua Shayenne invites children into storytelling as active participants through rhythmic language, lively song, engaging movement and dance accompanied by live drumming and a rich percussive score

Head A Tete Picture

A story of two strangers who overcome the barriers of language and mistrust to find friendship. Set in a barren, cold and windy land that was once a beautiful garden, Head à Tête unfolds with the arrival of a strange cage-like object. As if triggered by the presence of life, a magical tree bearing “fruit” begins to grow. When two strangers, one French-speaking and one English-speaking, appear from opposite directions and discover the tree and the sanctuary it provides, a standoff begins. Frustration and conflict grows with each word spoken, but it is through the loss and re-birth of the tree that they find peace in each other’s company.

Louis Riel comic picture

Infinithéâtre brings audiences a live-action puppet version of Chester Brown’s seminal work, Louis Riel: A Comic-Strip Biography. A salute to Brown’s artistry, The puppets jump right off the page – eerily naïve but remarkably evocative. This epic tale steams through early Canadian history, revealing a rugged and treacherous landscape both in life and politics. In this intrepid and irreverent look at some of our nation’s founders, Louis Riel: A Comic-Strip Stage Play is part adventure story, part history lesson, and a completely fascinating theatrical event.

Paddington picture

Watch Paddington, the famous, accident prone bear, as he takes to the stage in this fun filled comedy. Paddington is making his favorite marmalade jam with the help of the Brown’s housekeeper Mrs. Bird, but they run out of sugar, so Paddington heads next door to borrow some from Mr. Curry. The usually grumpy Mr. Curry is even more short tempered than ever as he prepares for a visit from his great aunt who is a stickler for tidiness. Paddington, feeling sorry for Mr. Curry, volunteers to help him with his chores. Unfortunately for Paddington his good intentions end up leading to chaos, as one by one each of his jobs starts to have an unexpected outcome! Will Paddington be able to fix everything before Mr. Curry and his great aunt arrive home.

Africville cast image

This is the story of Canada’s oldest black community, Africville, which was destroyed for ’urban improvement’ in the 1960s. Within the tragedy of this event comes stories of the people of this community shared through music. Based on Joe Sealy’s Juno winning jazz recording, Africville Suite, Africville Stories will feature Joe Sealy, Jackie Richardson and Paul Novotny together in a fusion of song, narration and music spanning jazz, R&B and gospel.

Cirque Kalabante acrobatic picture

Afrique En Cirque by Cirque Kalabanté symbolizes the strength, agility and joy of life found in African youth. A handful of amazing acrobats, accompanied by their musicians, perform to the pulsating rhythm of the djembes of Guinea with their authentic and original choreography and acrobatics. With the melodious sound of the Kora, Yamoussa Bangoura transports us to a place where the diversity of traditional African arts are illuminated, and combined with the virtuosity of a modern North American Circus performance.

The Ugly Duckling neon frame picture

This classic tale comes to the modern stage in an unforgettable theatrical experience. Lined with electroluminescent wire, the beloved story of The Ugly Duckling plays out on stage through a cutting-edge blend of puppetry, technology, and dance. With dazzling visuals, poignant choreography, and the creative use of music ranging from classical to pop, this production brings this story into a new and brilliant light.

Mary Jane cast picture

In this story of a misfit searching for her place in the world, Mary Jane is a mosquito who doesn’t have wings. At home in Petit Petit Le Paw she is teased by the other mosquitos, who won’t be friends with her. She is sent off to school, and then to live with her auntie in the city, as she searches for a place where she can fit in and make friends. After many adventures, Mary Jane learns to make friends sharing her language, her kind heart, and her songs with the world.

Pricing: $15 per student. Each school receives two complimentary adult tickets for every 10 students booked. There is a $5 handling fee on all orders.

To Book:

Visit our ONLINE BOOKING FORM to request tickets.
This form is for requests and does not guarantee tickets. Tickets are only confirmed once an invoice is sent.


RHCPA Summer Camps

Summer Camps are back at the RHCPA. Programs start July 4 and run until August 26.

Register now for one of the following summer camp programs:

  • Broadway Bound Senior (10-15 years)
  • Broadway Bound Junior (8-11 years)
  • Glee Club Camp (8-11 years)
  • Musical Theatre 101 @ Langstaff Community Centre (6-10 years)
  • Kinder Musical Theatre @ Langstaff Community Centre (4-5 years)

Visit Richmondhill.ca/ActiveRH for more information and to register.

Weekend and After School Programs

Look for more information about Fall 2022 programs coming soon.


For more information on the RHCPA Education Programs, contact:

Ashley Van Eysinga
Education Coordinator
905-787-6569
ashley.vaneysinga@richmondhill.ca