A Half-Million Reasons to Celebrate: 500,000 Students Have Attended Amcor Education Series Programming

March 19, 2026

During the lively March 19th performance of Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!, a milestone was reached that has been more than two decades in the making: we officially welcomed our 500,000th student to your Fox Cities Performing Arts Center through the Amcor Education Series.

Since 2002, this series has been dedicated to bringing classroom lessons to life through the live performing arts. For many of these half-million students, their visit to the Center was their very first encounter with the transformative power of live performance.

A Half-Million Moments of Wonder

The Amcor Education Series is designed to spark curiosity and foster a deeper sense of community. By hosting world-class daytime performances, we ensure that young people, no matter their background or learning style, have a seat at the table. It’s about more than just entertainment; it’s about providing a space where the next generation can see their studies come to life in real-time.

Education is a cornerstone of the work we do at your Fox Cities Performing Arts Center. Through the Amcor Education Series, the next generation of engaged citizens and lifelong learners is able to learn, grow, and connect with one another through the live performing arts.
- Maria Van Laanen, President and CEO

Partners in Inspiration

This achievement is a true community effort, and we couldn’t have reached it without the incredible support of Amcor, our title sponsor. Their commitment is the reason this program continues to evolve and remain accessible to schools across Northeast Wisconsin.

The Fox Cities Performing Arts Center does something truly special for our community’s students. By bringing the performing arts into education, the Fox Cities P.A.C. creates moments that spark imagination, curiosity, and confidence in young people. Reaching 500,000 students is an extraordinary milestone, and Amcor Cares is proud to support a program that helps inspire the next generation through the power of live performance and storytelling.
-Ethan Haas, Senior Vice President - Growth, Amcor Flexibles North America

Impact Beyond the Stage

The real magic happens when a performance sparks a new idea back in the classroom. These shows serve as a catalyst for conversations and creative projects that last long after the curtain falls. For local educators, the series offers a unique way to deepen their students’ connection to their own work.

Collaborating with the Center has been an amazing experience. The cross-curricular connections of the shows add another layer of learning to the artwork we produce. How special is it to have a venue in our community that puts on such amazing shows for our students, but also provides an opportunity for our students to collaborate with performers and take their artwork to the next level?
- Elyse L., Appleton Art Educator

500,000 students is more than just a number – it’s a half-million moments of inspiration that have shaped the fabric of our community. As we look toward the future, we aren’t just counting the next 500,000 seats; we’re ready to welcome the next half-million artists, thinkers, and leaders to the stage.

LEARN MORE ABOUT THE AMCOR EDUCATION SERIES