Baobab

Student Matinee Series

Baobab

Buy Tickets

Date
November 15 - 16
Location
Krasnoff Theater
Availability
On Sale Now

Event Details

In a region of Africa where drought has raged for years, stands a baobab tree. One day, from this baobab, an egg is born and, from this egg, a little boy! The villagers discover that the boy is the only one capable of freeing the water source. Then begins a great quest where only the courage of a child can change the history of the world. In this magical universe, watch African drums transform into animals as puppets, genies and witches come to life!

Baobab is a co-production of Théâtre Motus, Quebec, Canada, and the SÔ Company, Mali, West Africa.

Age recommendations

Recommended for grades K-5

Study Guide

Download the Study Guide

May 2025

May is National Speech-Language-Hearing Month, a time to celebrate the importance of communication, accessibility, and making sure everyone’s voice is heard! It’s also the perfect moment to shine a spotlight on one of our incredible sponsors, @lispeech. We’re lucky to have Long Island Speech as our sponsor! Their support helps us continue to present inclusive, multi-sensory events and performances that invite audiences of all abilities to experience the wonder of live performance in a safe and welcoming environment. Thank you to Long Island Speech for making the arts more accessible to our valuable community! Tilles Center’s Sensory Friendly Programming and Arts & Aging events are sponsored, in part, by Long Island Speech. Season Sponsor: Catholic Health #TillesCenter #LongIslandEvents #PerformingArts #LivePerformances #nationalspeechlanguagehearingmonth #accessibility #speechpathology #longisland #LongLiveLongIsland #CatholicHealthLI

Brookville! Ben is heading out on the road this fall on his Ben Folds & A Piano Tour and will be coming to Tilles Center on October 23! Tickets on sale Wednesday! Gain early access! Tickets on sale to Members and Subscribers only starting tomorrow, May 20. Become a member TODAY and gain exclusive early access to see Ben Folds before tickets go on sale to the public on May 21! Membership starts at just $100. Subscribers also gain early access! Not a subscriber yet? Learn more about becoming a subscriber. #TillesCenter #LongIsland #LongIslandUniversity #BenFolds #CatholicHealthLI #LongLiveLongIsland

ONE DAY AWAY! Don’t miss this incredible afternoon of music, tomorrow, May 18 at 3 pm, in partnership with our friends at the Chamber Music Society of Lincoln Center. With Wu Han on piano, Chad Hoopes on violin, and David Finckel on cello, get ready for an unforgettable afternoon of top-tier music by Mozart, Mendelssohn and more! To view the full program, head to Tilles Center’s website linked in our bio, and reserve your tickets for An Afternoon with David Finckel, Wu Han, and Chad Hoopes! Chamber music is sponsored by the Honorable Roger Tilles.

🎉 April Ushers of the Month: Lacey Minihan and Kimora Simpson! 🎉 Meet Lacey and Kimora— standout students and ushers. They’ve both ventured up the east coast to pursue what they love at LIU, and we’re so glad that their journeys have led them here! We are lucky to have both of these wonderful ushers on our team. Thanks for everything you do, Lacey and Kimora! 💙💛 Season Sponsor: Catholic Health #UsherOfTheMonth #TillesCenter #TeamTilles #LiveEntertainment

ON SALE NOW: Foreigner: The Hits Unplugged Friday, September 5 at 8 pm! Tilles Center for the Performing Arts is proud to announce a groundbreaking collaboration with legendary rock band FOREIGNER, Tilles Center, and Long Island University’s Post Theatre Company to develop and stage the world premiere production of “Feels Like The First Time – The Foreigner Musical.” To support the production, FOREIGNER will appear at an exclusive benefit concert hosted by original lead singer Lou Gramm at Tilles Center. For more information on how you can support the benefit, and view the Donor packages, visit tillescenter.org/ForeignerBenefit The multi-platinum band and 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee will perform all of their hits unplugged, including “Feels Like the First Time,” “Cold As Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” “Double Vision,” “Urgent,” “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” “Juke Box Hero,” and the worldwide #1 hit, “I Want to Know What Love Is.” FOREIGNER is universally hailed as one of the most popular rock acts in the world, with a formidable musical arsenal that continues to propel sold-out tours, so don’t miss out! Proceeds from this concert will benefit the April 2026 world premiere of “Feels Like the First Time - the Foreigner Musical,” and the LIU Tilles Center New Works Initiative. #TillesCenter #LongIslandUniversity #Foreigner #ForeignerBand #CatholicHealthLI #LongLiveLongIsland #Benefit #FeelsLikeTheFirstTime

WE WON! Last night, some members of Tilles Center’s team attended the 2025 Herald Long Island Choice Awards, presented by PSEG Long Island, where Tilles Center won in the category of Best Performing Arts Venue! We couldn’t be more honored to win this special award. Thanks to everyone that voted, and congratulations to all of our fellow nominees. 👏 #TillesCenter #LongIslandUniversity #LIHerald #LIChoiceAwards #PSEGLI #CatholicHealthLI #LongLiveLI

The Domo Branch Trio with special guest, saxophonist Abdias Armenteros, this Thursday, May 15 at 7:30 pm in the Jazz Lounge at the Goldsmith Atrium. Presented in collaboration with Jazz at Lincoln Center. Domo Branch is a Portland-raised New Yorker, known for his musical talent, especially in relation to the modern jazz movement. Branch combines rhythm, emotion, and sophistication, creating his own groundbreaking twist on the jazz genre which explores themes such as identity, community, and the human experience. When he is not making music, Branch is a motivational speaker and educator, sharing his passion and positivity with the next generation of people. Prepare for a night of incredible musical talent, electric energy, and a retelling of the jazz tradition, in the jazz club atmosphere of the Goldsmith Atrium! Tickets are on sale already, so check out the Tilles Center’s website, and get out your jazziest attire for The Domo Branch Trio on Thursday, May 15th at 7:30 pm. Jazz programming sponsored by Sandy and Eric Krasnoff. Sponsored by DIME Bank. Season Sponsor: Catholic Health #TillesCenter #LongIslandUniversity #CatholicHealthLI #LongLiveLongIsland #JazzAtLincolnCenter #Jazz

JUST ADDED: Foreigner: The Hits Unplugged Friday, September 5 at 8 pm! Tilles Center for the Performing Arts is proud to announce a groundbreaking collaboration with legendary rock band FOREIGNER, Tilles Center, and Long Island University’s Post Theatre Company to develop and stage the world premiere production of “Feels Like The First Time – The Foreigner Musical.” To support the production, FOREIGNER will appear at an exclusive benefit concert hosted by original lead singer Lou Gramm at Tilles Center. For more information on how you can support the benefit, and view the Donor packages, visit tillescenter.org/ForeignerBenefit The multi-platinum band and 2024 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Inductee will perform all of their hits unplugged, including “Feels Like the First Time,” “Cold As Ice,” “Hot Blooded,” “Double Vision,” “Urgent,” “Waiting for a Girl Like You,” “Juke Box Hero,” and the worldwide #1 hit, “I Want to Know What Love Is.” FOREIGNER is universally hailed as one of the most popular rock acts in the world, with a formidable musical arsenal that continues to propel sold-out tours, so don’t miss out! Proceeds from this concert will benefit the April 2026 world premiere of “Feels Like the First Time - the Foreigner Musical,” and the LIU Tilles Center New Works Initiative. Gain early access! Tickets on sale to this special event to Members Subscribers only starting today, May 12, and Subscribers on May 13. Become a member TODAY and gain exclusive early access to see FOREIGNER: The Hits Unplugged before tickets go on sale to the public on May 16! Membership starts at just $100. More info at tillescenter.org/Membership Subscribers also gain early access! Not a subscriber yet? Learn more about becoming a subscriber at tillescenter.org/Subscribe #TillesCenter #LongIslandUniversity #Foreigner #ForeignerBand #CatholicHealthLI #LongLiveLongIsland #Benefit #FeelsLikeTheFirstTime

The wait is over—Tilles Center’s 2025/26 season is here! This landmark lineup features powerhouse performances across every genre, including Foreigner, Malcolm Gladwell, Isaac Mizrahi, Arturo O’Farrill, Dianne Reeves, Adam Pascal, The Avett Brothers, Elvis Costello & The Imposters, TINA – The Tina Turner Musical, RENT in Concert, Royal Philharmonic Orchestra, Rhiannon Giddens, Riverdance, Ballet Hispánico, Peppa Pig, and many, many more. We’re also thrilled to launch two bold new programs: A New Works Initiative debuting with the world premiere of Feels Like the First Time – The Foreigner Musical Our first Artist-in-Residence, Broadway’s Adam Pascal, performing and directing throughout the season. When Can I Buy? Members presale begins Monday, June 2 Subscribers presale begins Wednesday, June 4 General public on sale starts Wednesday, June 11 Subscribe or become a Member today to unlock early access, exclusive benefits, and up to 25% savings across six themed series. With so many must-see events, now is the time to secure your seats! Become a Member and gain exclusive first access to our exciting 2025/26 Season, before tickets go on sale to the public on June 11, plus other exciting benefits! Membership starts at just $100. More information at TillesCenter.org/Membership Become a Subscriber to save up to 25% on series events, and get early access to the 2025/26 Season before the public, waived fees, exchange privileges, and more! Season Sponsor: Catholic Health Elvis Costello 📷: Mark Selige #TillesCenter #LongIslandUniversity #CatholicHealthLI #LongLiveLongIsland #LongIsland

🚌🐦 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