Mobile Unit
Continuing ACA’s mission to ensure accessibility of live arts programming to diverse audiences, the Mobile Unit tours innovative and sophisticated works for families into the community.
ACA’s short format touring plays are available for booking year-round for schools, childcare facilities, birthday parties, and other special events for the young.
- Meant to be enjoyed by all ages, and are designed in accordance with NCSCS and with a licensed early childhood specialist to be targeted to learning needs for ages birth to 7-years old, and 5-11 years-old
- Roughly 30-minutes, performed live and virtually, and are multi-lingual (English and Spanish)
- Pre-or-post show workshops available with activities that may address literacy, community building, and give participants the opportunity to work with arts & crafts, fine motor skills, and writing and other media
- Ideal for in-class and after-school arts enrichment programming or for birthday parties and other gatherings
Presenting fees and rates vary depending on the show. Inquire now.
Slug & Snail (ages 5-9)
Next Public Performance: January 2026
Originally created in response to Hurricane Katrina, this show has been adapted under the guidance of child psychologists to help littles in WNC process the impacts of Helene. This is a charming and uplifting puppet performance about a snail that loses it’s shell, and how a whole community binds together to help it find safety in a new home.
Este espectáculo, creado originalmente en respuesta al huracán Katrina, ha sido adaptado bajo la guía de psicólogos infantiles para ayudar a los más pequeños de WNC a procesar los impactos de Helene. Se trata de una actuación de títeres encantadora y alentadora sobre un caracol que pierde su caparazón y cómo toda una comunidad se une para ayudarlo a encontrar seguridad en un nuevo hogar.
Created by Abby Felder, adapted by Edwin Salas and Federica Collina, and performed by Edwin Salas Acosta or Federica Collina. Can be performed indoors or out.
Praise from educators at West Asheville Playschool / Elogio de las educadoras en West Asheville Playschool:
Slug and Snail is an extraordinary show made amazing by Fede’s brilliant performance! It hit all the notes that we have been feeling these past few months with poignant humor and a surprising depth that the kids were readily responding to. It is a serious and hard topic made beautiful and inspiring by acts of companionship and bravery just like in real life. Ant, a character in the show, says it best, “never alone baby, never alone!” I laughed, I cried and I was inspired! This show is a must for any age group!
¡Slug and Snail es un espectáculo extraordinario que se volvió asombroso gracias a la brillante actuación de Fede! Tocó todas las notas que hemos estado sintiendo estos últimos meses con un humor conmovedor y una profundidad sorprendente a la que los niños respondieron fácilmente. Es un tema serio y difícil que se vuelve hermoso e inspirador por actos de compañerismo y valentía, tal como en la vida real. Ant, un personaje del programa, lo dice mejor: “¡nunca solo bebé, nunca solo!” ¡Me reí, lloré y me sentí inspirada! ¡Este programa es imprescindible para cualquier grupo de edad!
We also offer a Pre-Recorded Option, that includes:
- 25-minute solo performance pre-recorded and available for download
- pre-or post-show workshop activity available as text or pre-recorded video
Theatre for the Very Young: Petit Mondrian (ages 0-6)
A 30-minute interactive multilingual and multimedia performance installation for ages 0-6 and their caretakers. PETIT MONDRIAN includes projections, movement, puppetry and play.
Inspired by the shapes and colors of painter Piet Mondrian, this piece invites audiences to explore circle, square and triangle in an entertaining way that also supports literacy and self-regulation.
Inspirada en las formas y colores del pintor Piet Mondrian, esta pieza invita al público a explorar el círculo, el cuadrado y el triángulo de una manera entretenida que también apoya la alfabetización y la autorregulación.
Created by contributing artist Edwin Salas Acosta, and performed by 2 actors and a technician. Requires 20×20 space and ability to make performance venue dimly lit.
Download PETIT MONDRIAN’s Educational Guide Created by Danny Gomez, LCSW, and a What to Expect guide created with partners Happy Chaos.
Inspiring Civic Engagement: BUILDERS (ages 6-11)
A 45-minute interactive multilingual and multimedia performance installation for ages 6-11 and their caretakers.
Created by ACA contributing artist Fede Collina, with fabrication support from Gregory Corbino and dramaturgical support from Abby Felder and Ethan Schultz. Performed by 3 artists. Requires 20×20 space and ability to support small group work.
What would the world look like if kids were in charge of building it? In this joyful, interactive puppet show, children in Kindergarten and first grade will be invited to dream big. At key moments in the performance, they’ll help the show’s animal protagonists to make choices that shape the world they want to see. BUILDERS is more than just a show—it’s a CELEBRATION of the powerful ideas children bring when given the chance to lead.
¿Cómo sería el mundo si los niños estuvieran a cargo de construirlo? En este alegre espectáculo interactivo de marionetas, los niños de preescolar y primer grado serán invitados a soñar en grande. En momentos clave de la función, ayudarán a los protagonistas animales a tomar decisiones que darán forma al mundo que desean ver. BUILDERS es más que un simple espectáculo: es una celebración de las poderosas ideas que aportan los niños cuando se les da la oportunidad de liderar.