Outreach into the Community
2011-2012 calendar is full. Please feel free to register for 2012-2013 (October - May).
The Zoological Society and Kohl’s Cares have partnered to bring you Kohl’s Wild Theater, which provides conservation-themed theater performances using drama, songs, and puppetry. Performances, which may be scheduled within a one-hour radius of the Milwaukee County Zoo, are free of charge.
Festivals, community events and school assemblies make great venues for Kohl’s Wild Theater performances which are family friendly and age appropriate for grade-school children.
Requirements:
- Kohl’s Wild Theater is a completely contained performance group. We provide our own sound equipment and the necessary materials for the show. All we need is a working electrical outlet and stage space of at least 18 x 20 feet.
- Outdoor stage space needs to have flooring or pavement. We cannot perform on grass or dirt.
- Performances can be booked, free of charge, within a one-hour radius of the Milwaukee County Zoo.
- Performances are typically 45 minutes in length with time included for questions from the audience.
- Minimum audience of 100 is suggested for school performances. (Or all-school assembly for schools with fewer than 100 students).
- The actors require approximately one-hour before and after the performance for set-up and tear-down
Questions? Review our frequently asked questions (FAQ).
Click here to view performance descriptions.
Performance Series
The Reach of the Rain Forest
- Travel to rain forests around the equator with two short plays wrapped together in a 40-minute presentation. It starts with a wild chase through a South American jungle in “The Spot of the Jaguar.” Next, audiences journey across the globe to the rain forests of Borneo to protect orangutans in “A Climb Through Time With Clues and Rhyme.” Concepts presented include rain forest habitats, predator-prey relationships, benefits of the rain forest, and what kids can do from home to conserve these natural treasures. Most appropriate for grades 1-5 and families with children of all ages.
Request a performance
Vampires vs. Aliens: A Wisconsin Wildlife Double Feature
- Vampires, aliens, and more! This back-to-back blockbuster includes short plays featuring Wisconsin animals. Join Detective Appletree in exploring Wisconsin’s forests and waters in “The Strange Case of the Alien Invasion.” During “intermission,” audiences learn about choosing an appropriate pet in the game show “The Bachelor-pette.” Then for the finale, join Jonathan Batfield in “The Legend of Hibernacula,” a musical about the benefits of bats. Concepts presented include Wisconsin habitats, invasive species, adaptations, and actions children can take to protect Wisconsin’s wildlife. Most appropriate for grades 1-5 and families with children of all ages.
Request a performance
Bullies and Bonobos
- Meet Molly, a 4th-grade “conservation agent,” in a show about caring - developed in response to teacher requests. When Molly is confronted by a bully before a trip to the Zoo, she is unsure of what to do. Luckily, she’s helped by an amiable ape who shows her the importance of empathy and cooperation. Join Molly and her classmates for this 40-minute play about friendship and one of the most fascinating primates in the world. Information in this full-length play is meant to supplement class conversations about inter-personal relationships and care for the natural world. Most appropriate for grades 2-6 in a school setting.
Request a performance
K-W-T Jamboree!
- Join the KWT actors in this 30-minute mix of short skits about animals and conservation. Learn about easy actions children can take from home to help animals and their habitats. Children will experience fun turtle puppets, songs sung by an otter and salamander, the “trashmonster” and so much more. This shorter show is designed for younger audiences and smaller performance venues. Most appropriate for grades Pre-K through 2 and families with children of all ages.
Request a performance
Performances are booked on a first-come-first-served basis. Please contact Lisa B. at (414) 258-2333 or KWT@zoosociety.org to check available dates. Request a performance.
If you would like to attend a performance at a festival or public event near you, check out the calendar of public performance bookings here.
Teachers: The Zoological Society offers several school programs that complement Kohl's Wild Theater show themes.
