A Letter From Lea
Dear Educators,
We are thrilled to welcome you back for our second year of On School Time experiences at the Kenan Center! Our community spaces across our campus can inspire curiosity, creativity, and connection, and we love sharing these spaces to help students and teachers grow together outside the classroom.
The aim of this series is to enrich the learning experience through classroo ps, and art remain in educa We look your cla
Meet OurTeam
Lea
Heather Tyler Kevin Chief Operating Officer Director of Arts & Engagement Director of Sports & Recreation
Taylor Theatre Artistic Director
Why Choose Kenan Center ForYour Next FieldTrip?
Stress-Free Planning
We make it easy for teachers and chaperones. With ample parking, easy bus access, and clear coordination, all you need to do is show up - we’ll take care of the rest.
Room to Roam
Before or after your experience, students can enjoy our open green spaces to stretch, play, and burn off energy. We even have designated areas for lunchtime picnics or indoor dining.
Engaging, Educational Content
Our experiences are crafted with New York State learning standards in mind. Whether it’s arts, literature, or history, we integrate curriculum-based content into every offering.
Memorable Experiences
From professional theater performances to interactive gallery exhibitions, each visit to the Kenan Center offers a unique opportunity for discovery and excitement. Additionally, performing Arts include an actor talkback after.
That means students, teachers, chaperones, etc.
VisualArts
Black Doll Exhibit
Step into a world of artistry and heritage with this immersive program, centering on an exquisite collection of 20–25 dolls displayed across our gallery, featuring pivotal moments in Black history. Your field trip includes:
Gallery Tour: Explore the exhibit featuring curated dolls, historical accessories, and educational posters detailing the evolution of doll-making.
Cinema & Story: A private screening in our theatre of the Shindana Toy Company documentary, exploring Black history and representation.
Dialogue & Discovery: An interactive Q&A "Talk Back" session and a special Show-and-Tell where students are invited to bring their own dolls to share.
Creative Play: Hands-on activities including doll-themed crafts, puzzles, and "Barbie Bingo."
This elegant and educational event offers students a unique look at history through the lens of play and identity. It spans Black History Month & Women’s History Month.
Afro-Caribbean Rhythms
During this participatory program, students and participants will experience a hands-on demonstration of Afro-Caribbean rhythms including the mambo, cha-cha, guaguanco, samba, merengue, bolero, bomba, and plena. The program will cover in detail history, drumming, dancing, singing and performance. Following the educational portion, Wendell Rivera's Latin Jazz Band will play a set followed by a question and answer session.
*Time of day & duration are flexible
PerformingArts
Journey to the Center of the Earth
The REV Theatre’s world-premiere adaptation of the classic Jules Verne novel. This immersive show takes audiences deep below the planet’s surface as they follow the fearless Professor Lidenbrock, his eager nephew Axel, and an overachieving student named Hannah as they unlock the mysteries of this timeless story. Along the way, the characters will need the student’s help to break codes, explore the depths, and escape the dangers of the underground world.
A Christmas Carol
A family-friendly adaptation of the story of Scrooge - the wealthy miser who learns the true value of compassion through visits from the ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Future. In this adaptation by Neil and Sasha Wechsler, a meta vaudevillian family brings the story to life, playing all the roles while grappling with their own eternal relationships. A holiday favorite!
TheTrue Story of the 3 Little Pigs
The hit children’s book LIVE onstage! There are two sides to every story, and when the Big, Bad Wolf takes the stand in Piggsylvania’s Trial of the Century, he finally gets his say. But whether he’ll get a fair trial in a corrupt piggy court is anyone’s guess. Is it all just razzle-dazzle or will Justice finally be served? Enter the jury box and decide the fate of Big ‘n’ Bad in this delightfully funny and over-the-top family musical!
PerformingArts
Aesop’s Fables
The REV Theatre Company brings Aesop’s famous fables to life in this upbeat performance, using rap, rhyme, and masks to give them a modern twist. Students will be entertained as they learn the moral for each tale, such as “Don’t count your chickens before they hatch,” “Honesty is the best policy,” and as the wise tortoise says, “That’s one small step for ‘Torty,’ one giant leap for tortoise kind” (or “Slow and steady wins the race”).
Hamlet
Suspense. Tragedy. Revenge. In a special adaptation for Kenan’s Taylor Theatre, six actors play all the roles in Shakespeare’s greatest play. Denmark’s King suddenly dies and his brother takes the throne and the Queen as his wife. But something isn’t right. Theatre’s deepest and most complex character emerges in this rich and famous story.
Who Took the Cookies From the Cookie Jar?
Wonderspark Puppets brings this classic children's song to life in this hilarious mystery show. Join detective Mystery Max as he searches for clues to find whodunit. The audience will sing songs and call out to help Max find the missing cookies and solve the case! Themes in this story include resolving conflict, persisting through challenges, engaging in conversation and identifying and expressing emotions appropriately.
Field Day
The Kenan Center offers a structured, affordable option for schools looking to host their Field Day off-site.
At $9.00 per student, we provide access to a wide range of facilities, equipment, and support services to make planning and execution as easy as possible for educators.
Facilities and Amenities:
25 acres of green space large-group outdoor activities
Flexible indoor space in the new Kenan Civic Arena
available in case of inclement weather or for indoor stations
On-site parking for buses and personal vehicles
Access to concession facilities for lunch or snacks
Available Activities and Equipment:
Inflatables: bounce house & blow-up soccer dart board
Full use of our sports and recreation equipment
Team-building games facilitated by Tyler and Lea, with experience leading student groups
Optional use of our physical activity curriculum to align with your school’s educational goals
Support and Customization:
We can design and set up activity stations based on your group size and schedule
Staff support is available to assist throughout the day
Programs can be tailored to meet specific age groups or activity preferences
This option is ideal for educators seeking a well-organized, engaging field experience without the need for extensive onsite planning or resources.For more details or to schedule your Field Day, please contact us directly.
located in Lockport, NY, has been a cultural hub in Western New York since 1966. Set on a scenic 25-acre campus, we serve children, families, and educators through arts, culture, recreation, and education.
As educators and lifelong learners ourselves, we understand the classroom and partner with schools to offer meaningful, enriching experiences. From workshops and performances to exhibitions and school programs, we support whole-child learning and make it easy for teachers to create lasting educational moments.
When you work with us, you're joining a community that values and supports educators and their students.
