Hero: The Boy from Troy

Student Matinee Series

Hero: The Boy from Troy

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Date
February 6
Ticket Prices
$12
Location
Krasnoff Theater
Availability
On Sale Now

Event Details

Jayden is stuck in detention with a book about Congressman John Lewis, but he thinks that history has nothing to teach him. Together we go on a musical journey through the decades that shows how the heroes in the Civil Rights movement inspired young John Lewis to protest injustice and get into ‘good trouble.’ As a boy, John dreams of being a preacher who can help others. While he doesn’t have a congregation yet, he does have a loyal group of singing chickens that listen to him as he finds his voice. As John meets Rosa Parks and Dr. King and ultimately becomes a leader and American hero himself, Jayden learns how he too can take a stand.

Written by Nambi E. Kelley, Produced by First Woman

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Jovia 2024/25 Curtains Up! Series Sponsor

Recommended Age

Recommended for grades 3 - 6

Download the Study Guide

Click Here to Download the Hero: The Boy From Troy Study Guide

May 2025

🚌🐦 Buckle up for laughter and fun—Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical! is pulling into Tilles Center this Saturday, May 10 at 11 AM & 1 PM! (Relaxed Performance for ages 4 and up) Based on the beloved book by Mo Willems, this high-energy show features catchy songs, hilarious hijinks, and one very determined bird. When the Bus Driver faces a big problem, will the Pigeon finally get his chance behind the wheel? 🎶 Feathers will fly and little ones will soar with joy—perfect for kids and families! Join us before or after the show for a free Family Workshop from 11:45 am – 12:45 pm! Workshops are unique opportunities for families to play and explore the arts together. Activities include crafts, games, story-theater and more! This event is complimentary for all ticket buyers and take place in the Herbert and Dolores Goldsmith Atrium. Tilles Center presents relaxed performances with modified sound and light levels, specially adapted pre-performance materials, and quiet lobby areas with sensory toys for patrons who wish to move around. These performances are “non-shushing” and provide a comfortable environment for individuals on the autism spectrum and those who may have limited movement, sensory and/or complex communication needs. Relaxed performances are open to all neurodivergent and neurotypical audiences and take place throughout the season as part of our Family Fun! series of performances. Produced by Theaterworks USA Based on the book written and illustrated by Mo Willems Sensory Friendly Initiatives are made possible, in part, by The Fay J. Lindner Foundation and New York Community Trust – Long Island Sponsored by Northville Industries Season Sponsor: Catholic Health #DontLetThePigeonDriveTheBus #TillesCenter #FamilyFun #KidsTheatre #LongIslandEvents #ChildrensTheatre #TheatreForYoungAudiences #CatholicHealthLI #LongLiveLongIsland

🎷 Happy International Jazz Day! 🎶 At Tilles Center, we’re proud to celebrate the power and legacy of jazz—not just today, but all season long. Through our ongoing collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center, we’ve welcomed some of the world’s finest jazz artists to our stage, including Wynton Marsalis, Samara Joy, Branford Marsalis, Brandee Younger, Matt Wilson, Etienne Charles, Alexa Tarantino, and more. And the music doesn’t stop there... 🎺 Join us for our upcoming Jazz Fest, where we continue to honor this rich tradition with unforgettable performances by artists like Arturo Sandoval and John Pizzarelli that celebrate the soul, rhythm, and innovation of jazz. Here’s to the artists who inspire, the music that moves us, and the audiences who make it all possible. 💛 Jazz Fest Sponsors: Sandy & Eric Krasnoff Dime Bank Additional support provided by McLaughlin & Stern Season Sponsor: Catholic Health #InternationalJazzDay #JazzAtTilles #JazzAtLincolnCenter #JazzFest #TillesCenter #LiveJazz #LongIslandEvents #CelebrateJazz #JazzLegend

Just a few days away - Join us for A Musical Tribute to Zakir Hussain – Uniting Traditions, Celebrating a Legend on Sunday, May 4 at 6 PM at the Krasnoff Theater. Co-presented by the Indo-American Arts Council and Tilles Center, this special evening honors the legendary Zakir Hussain with a stunning fusion of Hindustani and Carnatic classical music. Featuring a world-class lineup: 🎵 Rakesh Chaurasia and Shashank Subramanyam on flute 🎵 Anubrata Chatterjee on tabla 🎵 Parupalli Phalgun on mridangam Celebrate the life, music, and legacy of a true maestro. ✨For tickets and more information, visit TillesCenter.org or click the link in our bio. Presented in collaboration with the Indo-American Arts Council Sponsored by Guru Krupa Foundation Inc Sponsored by TD Bank Season Sponsor: Catholic Health #TillesCenter #ZakirHussain #IndoAmericanArtsCouncil #LiveMusic #KrasnoffTheater

The Imagine Awards are just a few days away! Join us for the Long Island Imagine Awards, where we celebrate the incredible impact of our region’s top nonprofits. ✨ Don’t wait—only a limited number of tickets remain! Secure your spot today and be there for a night of inspiration, recognition, and community. 📅 Tuesday, April 29, 2025 📍 Crest Hollow Country Club, Woodbury, NY 🍸 Cocktail Reception: 5:30 PM 🍽️ Dinner & Awards: 6:30 PM – 9:30 PM 🎟️ Tickets: $200 | Nonprofit Rate: $125 For over a decade, the Long Island Imagine Awards has honored the innovation, leadership, and community impact of local nonprofits. Now in its 13th year, the tradition continues—bigger, bolder, and more inspiring than ever. We hope to see you there! #ImagineAwards #LongIsland #nonprofit #TillesCenter

NOW ON SALE Introducing the second annual Tilles Jazz Fest Saturday, July 19. Produced by Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center, this one-day event will take place on four indoor and outdoor stages across the beautiful Long Island University Post campus, with performances starting at 1pm and swinging into the night! Confirmed artists to include: Co-headliners Arturo Sandoval and John Pizzarelli Big Band in Dear Mr. Sinatra Pedrito Martínez Group The Gotham Kings Summer Camargo Quintet Vanisha Gould Student Ensembles More Artists to Be Announced Grab your picnic blanket and enjoy food trucks, local artisans and vendors and more, for a fun-for-the-whole-family day! More info at link in bio or tillescenter.org/jazzfest Season Sponsor: Catholic Health Jazz Fest Sponsors: Sandy & Eric Krasnoff Dime Bank Additional support provided by McLaughlin & Stern #TillesCenter #LongIslandUniversity #JALC #Jazz #TillesJazzFest #CatholicHealth #LongLiveLongIsland

JUST ADDED! Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton: “Radio Soul!: The Early Songs of Elvis Costello,” Performed by Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton, Sunday, September 21 at 8 pm. Co-presented with Live Nation Gain early access! Tickets on sale to this special event to Members and Subscribers only starting Thursday, April 24. Become a member TODAY and gain exclusive early access to see Elvis Costello & The Imposters with Charlie Sexton before tickets go on sale to the public on April 25! Membership starts at just $100. Visit TillesCenter.org/Membership Subscribers also gain early access starting Thursday! Not a subscriber yet? Learn more about becoming a subscriber at TillesCenter.org/Subscribe Season Sponsor: Catholic Health #TillesCenter #LongIslandUniversity #CatholicHealthLI #LongLiveLongIsland #ElvisCostello #ElvisCostelloAndTheImposters

Meet the Artist: Yo-Yo Ma Music and conversation, a perfect pairing that can tell a story in a multitude of different ways. On Sunday, April 27th at 3 pm, we are proud to host cellist Yo-Yo Ma, in Conversation with PBS NewsHour host Jeffrey Brown, in an afternoon that will use this pairing to take the audience on the journey of Yo-Yo Ma’s fascinating life and how he became the force that he is today. An Afternoon with Yo-Yo Ma, in Conversation with Jeffrey Brown will be about a 50/50 split between musical performances by Ma and conversation about Ma’s personal music journey. With Brown’s interview expertise and Ma’s talent and dedication to advocacy, this performance is one you definitely will not want to miss. Yo-Yo Ma was born to Chinese parents in Paris in 1955. He began to play music at just four years old and at the age of seven, his family moved to New York City which provided the opportunity for his music career to flourish. Ma attended The Juilliard School to continue his cello training and he later attended Harvard where he received a Liberal Arts degree. Since then, Ma has released more than 120 albums, 19 of which are Grammy Award winners. Ma’s lifelong mission has been to use music to create a stronger society that leads the future with humanity. ✨ Get to know more about Yo-Yo Ma on our blog - link in our bio! Sponsored, in part, by The Cosmo H. Guarriello & Lissa V. DeAngelis Happiness Fund. The Great Music series is supported, in part, by Ruth Stober and The Stober Lafer Family Foundation and Sandra L. and Steven P. Harris. Classical music performances are made possible, in part, by the Classical Music Fund in honor of Dr. Elliott Sroka. Classical Music Partner: WSHU Public Radio Season Sponsor: Catholic Health #MeetTheArtist #YoYoMa #Music #Cellist #LongIsland #CatholicHealthLI #LongLiveLongIsland

🐰 Hoppy Easter from all of us at Tilles Center! 🌷🥚Let’s celebrate this egg-cellent day with music, laughter and lots of chocolate! ⁠✨🍫 ⁠ #HappyEaster #EasterBunny #EasterEgg #TillesCenter #LIUPost #LongIsland

ONE WEEK AWAY Ballet Icon Takes on Tilles 🩰 The iconic and beyond talented Misty Copeland will be coming to Tilles Center on Saturday, April 26th. The audience can expect a night of enriching conversation moderated by screenwriter, author and producer Susan Fales-Hill, complete with graceful dancing from American Ballet Theatre Studio Company and students from Misty’s BE BOLD program. Misty Copeland is best known for being the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre in 2015. She’s known worldwide not only for her incredible strength and technique, but also for everything she has done to give back to the dance community and inspire younger generations. Copeland’s journey to success is truly inspiring – her natural talent and determination made her rise to stardom. Proceeds from this special event will benefit the Misty Copeland Foundation (MCF), which provides opportunities for children in under-resourced communities to engage their bodies, hearts and minds in learning through dance and Tilles Center’s world class dance programming and educational activities. For tickets and more information, visit TillesCenter.org or click the link in our bio! Season Sponsor: Catholic Health #MeetTheArtist #MistyCopeland #Ballet #TillesCenter #ABT #LongIsland

ONE WEEK AWAY! Wynton Marsalis returns to the Tilles Center stage on Thursday, April 24 at 7:30pm with the phenomenal Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, presented in collaboration with our friends at Jazz at Lincoln Center. From his roots in New Orleans to performing over 5,000 concerts worldwide, Marsalis uses jazz not only as an art form, but as a powerful vehicle for freedom, education, and community. 🎷 This performance, Contemporary Jazz Masterpieces, will spotlight thrilling new works from today’s leading big band composers — an evening of bold, modern jazz you won’t want to miss. For ticket and more information, TillesCenter.org or click the link in our bio! Jazz programming sponsored by Sandy and Eric Krasnoff Sponsored by DIME Media Partner: WBGO Season Sponsor: Catholic Health #MeetTheArtist #WyntonMarsalis #JazzAtLincolnCenter #TillesCenter #JazzLegend #LiveJazz #NYJazz #ContemporaryJazz

NOW ON SALE FOR MEMBERS AND SUBSCRIBERS ONLY! Introducing the second annual Tilles Jazz Fest Saturday, July 19. Produced by Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center, this one-day event will take place on four indoor and outdoor stages across the beautiful Long Island University Post campus, with performances starting at 1pm and swinging into the night! Confirmed artists to include: Co-headliners Arturo Sandoval and John Pizzarelli Big Band in Dear Mr. Sinatra Pedrito Martínez Group The Gotham Kings Summer Camargo Quintet Vanisha Gould Student Ensembles More Artists to Be Announced Grab your picnic blanket and enjoy food trucks, local artisans and vendors and more, for a fun-for-the-whole-family day! More info at link in bio or tillescenter.org/jazzfest Members and subscribers get 20% OFF THROUGH 4/23! Become a member TODAY and gain exclusive early access to see Tilles Jazz Fest 25 before tickets go on sale to the public on April 24! Membership starts at just $100. See link in bio to become a Member or visit tillescenter.org/membership Not a subscriber yet? Learn more about becoming a subscriber at tillescenter.org/subscribe Season Sponsor: Catholic Health Jazz Fest Sponsors: Sandy & Eric Krasnoff Dime Bank Additional support provided by McLaughlin & Stern #TillesCenter #LongIslandUniversity #JALC #Jazz #TillesJazzFest #CatholicHealth #LongLiveLongIsland

Meet the Artist: Misty Copeland Ballet Icon Takes on Tilles 🩰 The iconic and beyond talented Misty Copeland will be coming to Tilles Center on Saturday, April 26th. The audience can expect a night of enriching conversation moderated by screenwriter, author and producer Susan Fales-Hill, complete with graceful dancing from American Ballet Theatre Studio Company and students from Misty’s BE BOLD program. Misty Copeland is best known for being the first African American woman to be promoted to principal dancer at American Ballet Theatre in 2015. She’s known worldwide not only for her incredible strength and technique, but also for everything she has done to give back to the dance community and inspire younger generations. Copeland’s journey to success is truly inspiring – her natural talent and determination made her rise to stardom. ✨ Get to know more about Misty Copeland on our blog - link in our bio! Proceeds from this special event will benefit the Misty Copeland Foundation (MCF), which provides opportunities for children in under-resourced communities to engage their bodies, hearts and minds in learning through dance and Tilles Center’s world class dance programming and educational activities. Season Sponsor: Catholic Health #MeetTheArtist #MistyCopeland #Ballet #TillesCenter #ABT #LongIsland

✨ Last week, members of The New York Community Trust – Long Island Board presented Tilles Center with a generous donation in support of our sensory-friendly programming, This occurred at one of the performances of Branching Out, our original immersive theater experience for individuals on the autism spectrum and those with sensory or complex communication needs. This support helps us continue creating inclusive, multi-sensory productions that invite audiences of all abilities to experience the wonder of live performance in a safe and welcoming environment. Thank you to The New York Community Trust for helping us make the arts more accessible for every member of our community! 💙 Tilles Center’s Sensory Friendly Programming is sponsored, in part, by The New York Community Trust – Long Island. #TillesCenter #BranchingOut #SensoryFriendlyTheatre #AutismAwarenessMonth #NYCT #ArtsForAll #LongIsland

🎺 Meet the Artist: Wynton Marsalis  Pulitzer Prize and Grammy Award-winner. Master of swing. Advocate, educator, and jazz revolutionary. 🎶 Wynton Marsalis returns to the Tilles Center stage on Thursday, April 24 at 7:30pm with the phenomenal Jazz at Lincoln Center Orchestra, presented in collaboration with our friends at Jazz at Lincoln Center. From his roots in New Orleans to performing over 5,000 concerts worldwide, Marsalis uses jazz not only as an art form, but as a powerful vehicle for freedom, education, and community. 🎷 This performance, Contemporary Jazz Masterpieces, will spotlight thrilling new works from today’s leading big band composers — an evening of bold, modern jazz you won’t want to miss. ✨ Get to know the “Doctor of Swing” and read more about his incredible journey and impact on our blog - link in our bio! Jazz programming sponsored by Sandy and Eric Krasnoff Sponsored by DIME Media Partner: WBGO Season Sponsor: Catholic Health #MeetTheArtist #WyntonMarsalis #JazzAtLincolnCenter #TillesCenter #JazzLegend #LiveJazz #NYJazz #ContemporaryJazz

🎉 March Usher of the Month: Riley Webster! 🎉 Meet Riley — a standout usher and current senior BFA Musical Theatre student at LIU Post! Originally from Gray, Maine, Riley joined the Tilles Center team in September 2023, and we’ve been lucky to have her ever since. Thanks for everything you do, Riley! 💚 Season Sponsor: Catholic Health #UsherOfTheMonth #TillesCenter #TeamTilles #LiveEntertainment

Mark your calendars! Introducing the second annual Tilles Jazz Fest Saturday, July 19. Produced by Tilles Center for the Performing Arts in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center, this one-day event will take place on four indoor and outdoor stages across the beautiful Long Island University Post campus, with performances starting at 1pm and swinging into the night! Confirmed artists to include: Co-headliners Arturo Sandoval and John Pizzarelli Big Band in Dear Mr. Sinatra Pedrito Martínez Group The Gotham Kings Summer Camargo Quintet Vanisha Gould Student Ensembles More Artists to Be Announced Grab your picnic blanket and enjoy food trucks, local artisans and vendors and more, for a fun-for-the-whole-family day! More info at link in bio or tillescenter.org/jazzfest GAIN EARLY ACCESS! Tickets on sale to this special event to Members only TODAY and to Subscribers only starting Tuesday April 15. Become a member TODAY and gain exclusive early access to see Tilles Jazz Fest 25 before tickets go on sale to the public on April 24! Membership starts at just $100. See link in bio to become a Member or visit tillescenter.org/membership Not a subscriber yet? Learn more about becoming a subscriber at tillescenter.org/subscribe Season Sponsor: Catholic Health Jazz Fest Sponsors: Sandy & Eric Krasnoff Dime Bank Additional support provided by McLaughlin & Stern #TillesCenter #LongIslandUniversity #JALC #Jazz #TillesJazzFest #CatholicHealth #LongLiveLongIsland

🎭 Ambassador Spotlight: Victoria Shand! 🎭 Meet Victoria, one of our incredible Tilles Center Ambassadors! ✨ 💡 Fun Fact: She has been playing piano since the age of 4! 🎟 Favorite Tilles Center Show: Stomp ❤️ Why Victoria Loves the Arts: She loves the arts because they let her express herself and feel connected to those around her in ways nothing else can! We’re so grateful to have passionate ambassadors like Victoria who help share the magic of live performances! Stay tuned each Sunday as we introduce more of our fantastic team! Are you interested in becoming a Tilles Center Ambassador? DM us and we will send you more information! Season Sponsor: Catholic Health #TillesCenter #TillesAmbassadors #Spotlight #Ambassadors #AmbassadorProgram #CatholicHealthLI #LongLiveLongIsland

🚨 Takeover time!🚨 Tomorrow, one of the cast members of Come From Away, Hannah-Kathryn Wall, is taking over our Instagram stories! Follow along as she takes you behind the scenes and shares her day preparing for the show! Head over to our stories for exclusive sneak peeks into her day! Season Sponsor: Catholic Health #TillesCenter #LiveAtTilles #InstagramTakeover #BehindTheScenes #ComeFromAway

🌿✨ THIS WEEK! ✨🌿 Experience the magic of Branching Out, an original immersive theater production created by Tilles Center, designed for audiences on the autism spectrum and those with sensory or complex communication needs. 💙 💙 April is Autism Awareness Month! We are honored to present this inclusive production, fostering accessibility, creativity, and meaningful engagement for all audiences. 🌸❄️🍂☀️ Celebrate the wonder of the four seasons through interactive storytelling, music, dance, and sensory experiences—feel the chill of winter, smell the flowers of spring, and catch summer fireflies! Participation is optional and customized for each guest. 🎭 Branching Out is a paid, professional experience for LIU theater students and recent alumni, offering hands-on training in sensory immersion theater—a unique and invaluable skill in the world of inclusive performance. School performances begin April 2nd, and public performances start April 5th! Space is extremely limited (only 20 participants per show), so reserve your spot now! Check out our website for dates, times, and ticket details. Check out this video for a sneak peek into rehearsals! Sensory Friendly Programming sponsored, in part, by The Fay J. Lindner Foundation. Additional funding provided by the New York Community Trust – Long Island. Season Sponsor: Catholic Health #BranchingOut #SensoryTheater #AutismAwarenessMonth #TillesCenter #InclusiveTheater #ImmersiveExperience #TheaterForAll

🚨 Takeover time!🚨 Tomorrow, one of the cast members of Branching Out, Delaney Grider, is taking over our Instagram stories! Follow along as she takes you behind the scenes and shares her day preparing for Branching Out’s Invited Dress Rehearsal. Head over to our stories for exclusive sneak peeks into their day! Sensory Friendly Programming sponsored, in part, by The Fay J. Lindner Foundation. Additional funding provided by the New York Community Trust – Long Island. Season Sponsor: Catholic Health #TillesCenter #LiveAtTilles #InstagramTakeover #BehindTheScenes #BranchingOut

🎭 Ambassador Spotlight: Kristine Thomas! 🎭 Meet Kristine, one of our incredible Tilles Center Ambassadors! ✨ 💡 Fun Fact: A few years ago, she was a contestant on The Match Game! 🎟 Favorite Tilles Center Show: Criss Angel ❤️ Why Kristine Loves the Arts: She LOVES the arts and believes in living life to the fullest. She tries to embrace as many experiences as possible and believes every day is an opportunity to make a memory! We’re so grateful to have passionate ambassadors like Kristine who help share the magic of live performances! Stay tuned each Sunday as we introduce more of our fantastic team! Are you interested in becoming a Tilles Center Ambassador? DM us and we will send you more information! Season Sponsor: Catholic Health #TillesCenter #TillesAmbassadors #Spotlight #Ambassadors #AmbassadorProgram #CatholicHealthLI #LongLiveLongIsland

🎸 ONE WEEK AWAY! 🎤 Get ready for an electrifying night of classic rock anthems as The Lead Singers of Classic Rock take the stage on Saturday, April 5th at 8PM! 🤘✨ 🎶 Jason Scheff (longtime lead singer of CHICAGO) and Tommy DeCarlo (former lead singer of BOSTON) are teaming up to bring you the iconic hits of the ‘70s, ‘80s, and ‘90s—from power ballads to guitar-driven rock favorites. 🎵 Come early for the pre-show vibes! Starting at 6:45 PM, enjoy live music in the Goldsmith Atrium with Star Harbor, plus light snacks, drinks, and great tunes. 🔥 Don’t miss this legendary night—secure your seats now at TillesCenter.org or at the link in our bio! Season Sponsor: Catholic Health #TillesCenter #OneWeekAway #ClassicRock #ChicagoTheBand #BostonTheBand #LiveMusic