.png)
Educational SHows
Sears Studio Performing Arts Educational Show Program helps provide Pinellas County Schools an opportunity to experience the arts. Each show is selected with teachers in mind and comes paired with a Teacher Curriculum Guide with pre and post activities for students to engage with the show. You can find our shows a performance hall near you, or request a performance at your school.
Mad Libs Live! is a new, interactive musical based on the most popular word game of all time. The show follows four teenagers, Virtuosa, Gogo, Geyser and Merrily, as they band together to win a singing competition. When they realize their songs have some holes, its up to the audience to help them out!
Our story begins at the finals of Teen Superstars, the live TV show that will determine the most popular singing group at Blankville Central High. Virtuosa, Gogo, Geyser, and Merrily seem to have nothing in common – until just before airtime, when they realize that their songs are missing words! In the spirit of the “World’s Greatest Word Game,” our gang fills in the blanks with words from the audience! This truly interactive musical changes at every performance – thanks to you! Will GoGo get the girl? Will Geyser make new friends? Will Merrily come out of her shell? Will Virtuosa get out of the spotlight? And who will be the next Teen Superstars?? There is only one way to find out: Mad Libs Live!
Curriculum Connection:
English, Grammar, Spelling, Music, Improvisation
​
Themes:
Friendship, Perseverance, Bullying, Teamwork
​
Run Time:
60 Minutes
​
Recommended Ages:
All Ages
January 27
at Mahaffey Theater
.jpg)
Curriculum Connection:
Literature, Theater, Greek Mythology
​
Themes:
School, Collaboration, Creativity, Imagination
​
Run Time:
75 Minutes
​
Recommended Ages:
4th - 12th Grade
April 6 & 7
at Mahaffey Theater
“The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (TYA)” is an electrifying production created for our children’s educational theater series, bringing Rick Riordan’s beloved Percy Jackson and the Olympians novel to life on stage. This high-energy musical follows Percy, a modern-day middle schooler who discovers he is the son of a Greek god and embarks on an epic quest filled with monsters, myths, and music. With a contemporary rock-inspired score, imaginative staging, and dynamic performances, the production captures the excitement and humor of Percy’s journey in a way that resonates with young audiences.
Designed to inspire a love of theater while supporting literacy and learning, The Lightning Thief introduces students to classical mythology through a fresh, accessible lens. The show encourages young viewers to engage with literature, explore storytelling across mediums, and see themselves reflected in a hero who struggles with identity, self-confidence, and belonging. Educational themes are woven throughout the performance, including perseverance, teamwork, loyalty, and embracing one’s unique strengths.
By combining ancient myths with modern storytelling, The Lightning Thief: The Percy Jackson Musical (TYA) creates an immersive theatrical experience that sparks imagination and curiosity. It serves as an exciting entry point into both the performing arts and literary exploration, offering young theatergoers a powerful blend of adventure, humor, heart, and heroism—making it a standout and meaningful addition to our educational programming.
Nancy Sears
​
Life Time Achievement Award for Outstanding Contribution to
Theatre in Florida’s Secondary Schools
Pinellas County Teacher of the Year- finalist in two categories
Inspiring Students to Performance at a Higher Level
Commitment to Children and Families
Sears works with and teaches theater students of all ages. She has created several community theater projects with artists as young as four years of age through senior adults working together in a curriculum designed to bridge creative learning opportunities with no age limitations. She presents various workshops for both students and educators throughout the state of Florida.
_edited_edited.png)
Katrina Young
Vice President, Arts Education and Entertainment
Bill Edwards Foundation for the Arts - Mahaffey Theater
​
MahaffeyClassActs.org
Young has worked alongside Ms. Sears for over 10 years and loves working with students of all ages. She has participated in community theater in Pinellas County for many years and enjoys performing as well as choreographing and directing Mahaffey Theater's Summer Camps. Young a former math and science teacher understands the importance of creative learning and strives to help select thought provoking and stimulating material for the Sears Studio's Educational Show Program.