Alley Transported brings the magic of live theatre directly to your school!
Our touring productions transform cafeterias, libraries, community spaces, gyms, and auditoriums into dynamic performance spaces—no buses or field trips required. This season, we’re offering two exciting shows designed especially for young audiences. These professional performances spark imagination, support curriculum goals, and make theatre an unforgettable part of the school day.
- Grades K-5: The Brainstormers & Their Cosmic Mission – A fast-paced, interactive adventure that blends STEM learning with outer space exploration – touring FALL 2025
- Grades 6-12: A fun fast introduction to Shakespeare – touring SPRING 2026
Questions about registration?
- Elena Villadolid-Rivera
- Manager of Emerging Audiences
- (713) 315-5424
- ElenaVR@alleytheatre.org
2025-2026 Alley Transported Offerings
The Brainstormers & Their Cosmic Mission
For Grades K-12
Touring from October 13 - November 21, 2025
By Elizabeth A.M. Keel
Directed by Chaney Tullos
Associate Director Jen Onopa
STEM Consultant Dr. Joy Kelly
Meet The Brainstormers: Naomi, Ferguson and Willa – a Space City trio bound by their love of all things SCIENCE! In this brand-new action-packed play, the mission crew takes on their biggest challenge yet: a group project. When ideas collide, these young thinkers must work together to solve their cosmic dilemma. Boosting STEM TEKS and executive functioning skills, this adventure is as thrilling as it is educational.
Alley Theatre supports educators with an interactive study guide filled with TEKS-aligned activities that extend the learning experience to reinforce critical thinking, collaboration, and curiosity.
Coming Soon: Shakespeare Tour
For Grades 6-12
Touring from May 4 - June 12, 2026
Experience Shakespeare like never before in this fast-paced, 45-minute touring show designed for middle and high schools. Performed by a dynamic cast of four, this engaging introduction (or refresher!) brings scenes from multiple plays to life—proving that Shakespeare is not only a genius, but also wildly fun, accessible, and still relevant today.
Program Details
Pricing
Contact us for multi-tour package pricing and extra discounts.
What's included:
- Access to Alley Re-Sourced, our online interactive guide to use before and after the show.
- A high-energy, interactive and participatory experience between The Brainstormers cast and the audience.
- A 10-minute talk-back after the show reviewing important concepts and vocabulary.
Know before you book:
- Appropriate audience age is Kindergarten through Fifth grade at schools, community centers, libraries, and more.
- Audience limit for a single show is 550 students.
- We suggest back-to-back performances (2) splitting the audience into K-2 and 3-5.
- Run time for a single show is 55 minutes, which includes a built-in 10-minute talk-back after the show.
- If booking back-to-back performances, there will be a 30-minute reset period between shows.
- Additional fees may be added for tours exceeding a 50-mile radius from the Alley Theatre in downtown Houston.
Know before you book:
Before Alley actors/staff arrive:
Please review the Touring Performance Agreement (sent to booking contact upon confirmation of date/time)
Be sure that the performance space is clean and accessible.
Please ask teachers to respect the privacy of our performers and refrain from entering the backstage space once we have loaded in for the performance.
You will be given a projected timetable for the day, see load-in/load-out times below.
Times may vary due to parking issues, obstructions during load-in and load-out, presence of pedestrians and automotive traffic on school property, and other situations.
If you have any concerns with this schedule, please alert the Stage Manager promptly so we can make adjustments.
- 75-90-minute load-in
- 55-minute performance (includes 10-minute talkback)
- 30-minute reset (if back-to-back performances)
- 45-minute load-out
Before the show begins:
Prior to seating students, do not forget to check-in with the Stage Manager to make sure we are “Clear” for the students to enter performance space.
After the show ends:
You will receive an email with a link to submit feedback on the show. We would love to hear from all administrators and teachers whose students attended the performance.
Don’t forget to share and utilize our digital interactive resource: Alley Re-Sourced!
FAQ
What times can I schedule the performance(s)?
Yes! Contact us at 713-315-5424 or elenavr@alleytheatre.org to find a date and time that works best for an in-person meeting.
How can my school pay for the Brainstormers?
Historically, schools have used a variety of funding sources to pay for The Brainstormers:
- Title 1 Fund
- Activity Fund
- PTO/PTA Fund
- Fundraising event
- School District Funding
- Grant funding:
Was your school severely affected by damage from Hurricane Harvey? See if you’re eligible for the Texas PTA’s Natural Disaster Relief Fund HERE.
We are now part of the Texas Touring Roster – this means you can apply for a grant that could potentially fund up to half of the cost of a performance of Oskar if awarded. The grant application For more information on deadlines and application process, please visit Texas Commission on the Arts.
When is payment due?
Payment is due no later than 30 days after the performance occurs via check, direct deposit, debit/credit card or purchase order. It is recommended that you plan for your The Brainstormers purchase out of funding that is already awarded versus a pending award or grant.
What will I receive when I book?
Upon booking, you will receive an email from DocuSign containing two important documents.
- Invoice: This document states your school’s performance date/time, payment instructions, and due date.
- Touring Performance Agreement: This document is required to help The Brainstormers team prepare your performance(s), including: contact phone numbers/emails, load in/out schedule, school bus/performance space conflicts, etc. Please sign it via DocuSign.
What if I need to reschedule or cancel?
Deadlines to cancel or reschedule performances are typically a month before the first day of the tour. Please refer to the Touring Shows page tour dates. Rescheduling performances after the deadline will be at the discretion of Alley Theatre and based on availability. Further information about cancellations will be covered in your Touring Performance Agreement and Invoice.
How many students can come to each performance?
Appropriate ages are K-5. A single performance can hold a maximum of 550 students, therefore we suggest back-to-back performances splitting K-2 and 3-5.
How long is The Brainstormers show?
The performance run-time is 55 minutes. There is a built-in 10-minute talk-back after the show. If your school is hosting back-to-back shows please allow for a 30-minute break between shows.
What times can I schedule the performance(s)?
Times for performances will be based on availability. For schools, we typically schedule performances before or after the lunch period. The load in/load out schedule is tailored to any unique situations like bus arrival, breakfast/lunch, class period changes, performance space conflicts, etc. After-school and weekend performances may be arranged on a case-by-case basis.
What does the performance space provide for the performance(s)?
We require a private dressing area, bathrooms, water fountain and a clean performance space.
How does load-in/load-out work?
The Alley requires the schedule below for load-in and out. When you complete your Touring Performance Agreement, you will describe the situations that will be present during the load-in/load-out process, such as parking issues, student arrival to and dismissal from performance space, presence of pedestrian and automotive traffic on property, or obstructions during load-in and load-out, etc. The times below will vary depending on your school’s unique situations.
- Load-in & Setup – 75 minutes
- Performance Run Time – 55 minutes
- Reset (if back-to-back performance) – 15 minutes
- Strike & Load-out – 45 minutes
How many actors are present for the performance(s)?
There are four (4) actors and one (1) stage manager present for the day of the performance.
Can my school get proof of insurance from the Alley?
Is the Alley an approved vendor for my district?
The Alley is an approved vendor for most districts. If you need us to be an approved vendor, please let us know as soon as possible. The Alley will complete the remaining steps to become vendor. If you have any other required district forms, please send those to us promptly to Elena Valladolid-Rivera.
What additional resources do you offer for booking The Brainstormers?
Your performance includes access to our digital online resource called Alley Re-Sourced. Use it before and after your Brainstormers shows to extend the learning experience and encourage classroom discussion. Download Brainstormers directly to your SMART Board, and continue the lessons he learns with Alley Re-Sourced! Online you will find:
- A sequencing map of the play
- Special worksheets and activities for grades K-5
- Links to resources for teaching students about bullying and empathy
- Stage Craft page with videos of the actors explaining the show and how it was created
The Brainstormers is generously sponsored by:
H-E-B Tournament of Champions Charitable Trust
George and Mary Josephine Hamman Foundation
W.T. and Louise J. Moran Foundation
Contact Us
Questions about registration?
- Elena Villadolid-Rivera
- Manager of Emerging Audiences
- (713) 315-5424
- ElenaVR@alleytheatre.org
