CEDAR FALLS, Iowa – The Gallagher Bluedorn Performing Arts Center will host the Iowa premiere of “Dot Dot Dot: The Musical” as part of its Kaleidoscope series for youth. 

Performances of “Dot Dot Dot: The Musical'' will be held Feb. 12 at 10 a.m., and Feb. 13 at 10 a.m. and 12:30 p.m. at the Gallagher Bluedorn. The performance on Feb. 12 is designated as ARTcessible, meaning audio description and sign language interpretation will be available. 

Based on the award-winning “The Dot Book” by Peter H. Reynolds, this show celebrates the power of originality, self-expression and opening our eyes to look beyond the expected.

UNI will welcome the author, Peter H. Reynolds, to campus to celebrate this two-day performance with a series of related activities for youth, families and educators. This unique collaborative effort between the Gallagher Bluedorn, the Richard O. Jacobson Center for Comprehensive Literacy and the UNI College of Education uplifts the connection between literacy, creativity and the arts. UNI students will have the opportunity to participate in all of the activities. 

The event will kick off on Feb. 12 with a 10 a.m. performance of “Dot Dot Dot” at the Gallagher Bluedorn. Before the show, Reynolds will present a special recognition for the late Terry Shay, former teacher in the North Tama School District and founder of International Dot Day. Shay will receive a posthumous honor for his efforts to encourage creativity and artistic and academic courage in youth around the world. 

Educators and university students are invited to attend a free professional learning session after the 10 a.m. “Dot Dot Dot” performance that day. Reynolds and his team will lead teachers, preservice educators and other university students in workshops and conversations to further develop the creative spark in both their students and themselves. Pre-registration is required; contact communitygbpac@uni.edu for more information or register here.

On the evening of Feb. 12 from 6 to 8 p.m., area families are invited to attend a free community night at the Gallagher Bluedorn. Animated films of Reynolds’ books “The Dot Book,” “Ish” and “Sky Color” will be shown, and activities in the lobby will allow youth to explore their creativity in a variety of engaging activities. No registration is required.

On Feb. 13, a select number of elementary students who attend “Dot Dot Dot: The Musical” will have the opportunity to work with Reynolds and his team to create their own One Minute Book. 

All activities are made possible by the generous support of sponsors: The McElroy Trust, the Guernsey Foundation, John Deere, West Music, the Jacobson Center for Comprehensive Literacy, UNI College of Education, Friends of the Gallagher Bluedorn and the Veda Rasmussen Fund at the UNI Foundation.

Tickets to all Kaleidoscope performances are still just A Buck A Kid and may be purchased at gbpac.com.