Theatre for Young Audiences

About the program:
Each spring, Fresno State students enroll in a course to bring children's theatre productions to elementary and middle schools throughout the San Joaquin Valley. This touring company of student actors has been a tradition at Fresno State for over 50 years, and have toured more than 40 schools and over 16,000 children in a single season.

Androcles and the Lion

Written by Aurand Harris | Directed by J. Daniel Herring

About The Play

One of the most popular children's plays ever written, "Androcles and the Lion", has been produced in 20 countries. Adapted from Aesop's fable this refreshingly antic, irreverent version is written in the style of Italian commedia dell'arte. In commedia tradition, a group of strolling players set up their stage and give a performance. Using authentic staging and stock characters of commedia—the miserly Pantalone, the bragging Captain, the romantic lovers, the trickster Arlequin, plus an endearing lion—this fable becomes a colorful theatrical experience. The play skyrockets with zany comedy. It also glows with the warmth of friendship. Androcles and the Lion is a prize-winning play, applauded around the world again and again!

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Dates

Our performances are available Tuesday and Thursday mornings starting March 7th with our final performances on May 9th.  Not available April 4, 6, and 13, 2023.

How to bring Theatre for Young Audiences to your school

Please fill out the Theatre for Young Audiences Tour Request Form to begin the process of having our Spring 2023 tour visit your campus. 

COVID-19 Safety Protocols

All performers are Fresno State students and will be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. Performers will wear masks during the duration of their visit- excluding when they are performing on-stage. 

On-Campus (Fresno State) Performances

We are pleased to offer on campus performances of "Androcles and the Lion." Perfromance dates are Thursday, April 13th and Friday, April 14th with performance times TBA. The capacity for Each performance is 145. Reservations can be made by filling our Theatre for Young Audiences On-Campus Performance Request Form.

Performance Costs

Tour Cost:
$300.00 for 1 performance.
$200 for each additional performance on the same day.

Maximum audience size for a performance is 300 people. If the maximum number is exceeded, the school will be billed for additional performances.

On-capmus Performance Cost:
$3 per attending student.
$5 per attending adult.

Adopt-A-School Program (Financial Assistance)

The Adopt-A-School Program offers $300 and $150 awards to bring this year's touring production to your school.  A $300 award funds one performance for up to 300 students.  A $150 award will require matching funds of $150 from your school for one performance for up to 300 students.

The Adopt-A-School Theatre Arts Committee will award performances based on free and reduced lunch percentages as well as on a first-come, first-served basis.

Funding is limited.  Award recipients will be notified at the start of the Spring 2023 semester.