Art in Education

The Townsend Center strives to bring programming to the stage that not only entertains, but also teaches, inspires, and fosters growth within the audience and the community. During the 2025-2026 season, we have three different options for students to experience live entertainment. This October, the UWG Theatre Company will produce the classic gothic story Frankenstein.  Following Frankenstein, the UWG Theatre Company will be producing Tiny Tim’s Christmas Carol. In January 2026, we have Dr. Kevin Spencer doing a residency to educate the teachers and health care professionals of today and tomorrow, and also available for visits to your school for interactive sessions for special education classrooms. Details on Dr. Spencer’s experiences can be found below.

Dr. Kevin Spencer is the globally recognized authority on the academic and therapeutic applications of simple magic tricks in educational and clinical settings. His programs, Magic Therapy™ and Hocus Focus™, have earned international acclaim for their innovative approaches and impactful results.

January 15-16, 2026, Dr. Spencer will be in residency at the Townsend Center, culminating with two autism-friendly magic shows on Jan 17, 2026 at 11:00 AM and 2:00 PM. Tickets and more information for these two shows can be found here. 

HOCUS FOCUS
Dr. Spencer offers engaging 45-minute interactive sessions for special education classrooms (including alternative, behavior, and emotional impairments), catering to upper elementary, middle, and lower secondary levels. Multiple classroom visits can be scheduled within a single school day, with the ability to extend to multiple days for broader reach.

Each session begins with a captivating magic performance, followed by hands-on activities where students learn simple magic tricks. These activities are carefully designed to enhance cognitive, motor, communication, and social skills while fostering creativity. Sessions can also be tailored to align with academic content, seamlessly integrating into the classroom curriculum.

These dynamic experiences are highly engaging and motivating, providing students with meaningful opportunities to actively participate in activities that support their personal growth and learning objectives.

This is the multi-award winning and critically acclaimed show that has over 150 performances under its belt.  This 80-minute show is designed for a general audience and has played in many Performing Art Centers around the country.   Einstein comes back from the beyond. Frustrated that no one has heard the real science history behind General Relativity, Albert takes us back to Berlin in 1914 where he is sent sideways in a world crumbling around him due to The Great War, a science establishment that doesn’t believe him, those that do try to wrestle the theory away from him.  He is being isolated for his pacifist views, has a wife who won’t give him a divorce, faces a huge scientific backlash, anti-Semitism, a 10-year old son fighting for his affections, and finally a nervous breakdown that lay him bed ridden for two months.  Told with humor, 3D graphics that help give us an insight to his brilliant mind,  Albert Einstein comes to life as Jack Fry revitalizes one of the most intriguing icons of all time.

EINSTEIN! Study Guide Based on State of Georgia Standards