Schools & Education
A Live Multimedia Hip-Hop Musical for Students
Once Upon a Rhyme: The Legend of DJ Magic Mirror & The Wicked is a live, curriculum-aligned theatrical experience that blends classic fairy tales, hip-hop music, and storytelling to inspire students through imagination, literacy, culture, and critical thinking.
Grades 6–12 • Curriculum-Aligned • Performed Live
More Than a Field Trip — An Educational Experience
🎭 Live theatrical storytelling with professional performers
🎤 Hip-hop music as a literacy and narrative tool
📖 Explores identity, choices, consequences, and voice
🎶 Original music, choreography, and cinematic visuals
🧠 Encourages critical thinking and creative expression
Once Upon a Rhyme engages students where they are—blending fairy-tale structure with
contemporary culture to create a meaningful, memorable learning experience.
Perfect For
Middle & High School Students
Language Arts & Literacy Programs
Arts Integration & Cultural Enrichment
Social Studies & History Classes
After-School & Youth Organizations
School Performances
Dates: Thursday–Friday, April 9–10, 2026
Time: Morning performances (10:00 AM)
Location: Chicago, IL
Group Rates Available
Advance booking required
Curriculum-Aligned Learning Experience
Once Upon a Rhyme is more than a performance — it is a fully supported educational experience designed to extend learning beyond the stage and into the classroom.
This live multimedia hip-hop musical aligns with Illinois Learning Standards and Common Core and supports instruction across English Language Arts, Social Studies, Music, and Arts Integration for Grades 6–12.
Learning Focus Areas
Literacy & Storytelling
Narrative structure, character development, theme, symbolism, and point of view explored through live performance and hip-hop lyrics.Hip-Hop History & Cultural Studies
Students examine the origins of hip-hop as a form of storytelling, resistance, and self-expression, connecting music history to contemporary culture.Indigenous Black History in America
The production introduces students to Indigenous Black tribes and communities that existed in the Americas prior to Columbus, encouraging inquiry, discussion, and historical reflection.Women in Music & Performance
Inspired by legendary female vocal groups and star performers from the 1960s–1990s, students explore artistic influence, representation, and legacy.Critical Thinking & Student Voice
Students analyze choices, consequences, identity, and voice while engaging in creative reflection and discussion.
Standards Alignment
This program supports instruction aligned with:
Illinois Learning Standards
Common Core State Standards (ELA)
Social Studies Inquiry & Historical Analysis
Fine Arts & Arts Integration Frameworks
Grade-level adaptations are provided for Middle School (6–8) and High School (9–12) classrooms.
Educator & Student Resources
Schools receive access to downloadable, classroom-ready materials, including:
📘 Educator Curriculum Guide
📝 Student Workbooks & Reflection Pages
✔️ Answer Keys & Assessment Rubrics
📦 Complete Resource Bundle (ZIP)
Built for Teachers. Approved by Administrators. Loved by Students.
Whether used as a standalone cultural experience or integrated into existing units of study, Once Upon a Rhyme provides schools with a meaningful, standards-aligned learning opportunity that blends performance, history, music, and literacy.
Illinois Learning Standards & Common Core aligned
Grades 6–12 • Curriculum included with booking
Request a School Field Trip
Tell us about your school or organization and we’ll follow up with availability, pricing, and next steps.