Creators Club experiences, free student tickets and high school assemblies connect audiences of all ages with National Geographic explorers throughout the season
Photo courtesy of TOArts.
THOUSAND OAKS — TOArts is bringing National Geographic Live back to the Bank of America Performing Arts Center for the 2026–27 season, with four acclaimed explorers whose work spans wildlife filmmaking, ecology, photography and the science of sound. This year, with support from Bank of America, TOArts is adding on to the on the onstage experience with creative programming and expanded student access designed to bring audiences even closer to the ideas, stories and people behind each presentation.
Returning after a successful pilot last season, TOArts Creators Club, supported in part by Bank of America, invites audiences to start each National Geographic evening by making something of their own. Inspired by the theme of that night’s program and led by local artists and creatives, this season’s lineup includes a Paint and Sip with TOArts Artist Incubator alum Adonna Ebrahimi before Wild Cats Revealed; a Creative Writing Experience with author, poet and Artist Incubator alum Tamara Nowlin before Incredible Animal Athletes; Pastry and Paint with abstract artist and TOArts Artist Incubator Fellow Rima Muna before Social by Nature; and a Drum Circle and Music Exploration with TOArts Board Member Matthew Burke before Saving Nature’s Symphony. Each experience includes a glass of wine, with an optional meal box available for an additional fee, plus a special hello from that evening’s National Geographic speaker. No previous creative experience is required—just a little curiosity.
“Creators Club gives audiences a chance to step into the spirit of the evening before the presentation even begins,” said Niki Chopra Richardson, executive director of TOArts. “These experiences are designed to be welcoming, creative and a little unexpected—an opportunity to make something, meet local artists and perhaps connect more deeply with the ideas explored onstage.”
For nine years, TOArts has brought National Geographic explorers directly into local schools, and this season is no exception. Bank of America’s support also helps make these student experiences possible, allowing each of the four speakers to visit Conejo Valley area high schools for student assemblies, giving young people the opportunity to hear firsthand from explorers, scientists, filmmakers and storytellers.
“For many students, opportunities to hear directly from National Geographic explorers simply wouldn’t be accessible without programs like this, ” said Brian Mercer, principal at Conejo Valley High School. “Bringing these speakers onto campus—and then giving the students the chance to attend the evening programs at no cost—opens doors to new ideas, careers and experiences that can stay with them long after the assembly ends.”
Together, the programs reflect TOArts’ broader commitment to making arts and culture more participatory, accessible and connected to the community, creating opportunities not only to watch and listen, but to make, explore and engage.
2026–27 National Geographic Live Season
- November 20, 2026 — Wild Cats Revealed with filmmaker Sandesh Kadur
- January 29, 2027 — Incredible Animal Athletes with ecologist Lucy Hawkes
- February 26, 2027— Social by Nature with photographer Ronan Donovan
- April 16, 2027 — Saving Nature’s Symphony with acoustic biologist Ben Mirin
TOArts Creators Club Lineup
- November 20, 2026 — Paint and Sip with Adonna Ebrahimi
- January 29, 2027 — Creative Writing Experience with Tamara Nowlin
- February 26, 2027 — Pastry and Paint with Rima Muna
- April 16, 2027 — Drum Circle and Music Exploration with Matthew Burke
To purchase tickets for National Geographic Live and Creators Club events, visit BAPACThousandOaks.com
A limited number of complimentary student tickets, up to 25 per show, are available at TOArts.org/programs/nat-geo-live-for-students
To learn more about TOArts and its programs and initiatives, visit TOArts.org
About TOArts
TOArts is the nonprofit fundraising and presenting partner of the Bank of America Performing Arts Center, Thousand Oaks with a vision to support our community to be a place Where the Arts Thrive for All. TOArts delivers high-quality arts exposure and education to youth and world-class performances to the region, and provides vital support for local artists and nonprofit