TOArts’ National Geographic Speakers for Students
The TOArts National Geographic Live! Series brings world-class speakers who inspire change into the BAPAC Theatres and into local High Schools, with free tickets available to students.
TOArts provides the opportunity for students to see National Geographic Live! speakers free of charge through student assemblies at local high schools, and by providing tickets to attend presentations at the Kavli Theatre.
Free tickets for the following shows are available for students in Ventura County and the Greater Conejo Valley with limited guests.
Wild Cats Revealed
Sandesh Kadur, Filmmaker
Friday, Nov 20, 2026 – 7pm
Lions and tigers around the world are easily recognizable and thoroughly documented, but filmmaker and National Geographic Explorer Sandesh Kadur is on a mission to highlight his home country’s lesser-known felines to help protect their future. An unmatched diversity of wild cats live in India, from the towering Himalaya mountains to arid plains to dense jungles. Discover the tiny, grumpy-faced Pallas’s cat, the fishing cat that jumps into water to catch its prey, and the elusive clouded leopard.
Incredible Animal Athletes
Lucy Hawkes, Ecologist
Friday, Jan 29, 2027
Every year, billions of animals migrate in search of food, water, or a mate. We go on assignment with ecologist and National Geographic Explorer Lucy Hawkes as she investigates some of the most astonishing stories of animal perseverance. Along the way, meet the unexpected mammals, fish, and birds that qualify as the most incredible animal athletes, and trace their massive migrations across the globe.
Social by Nature
Ronan Donovan, Photographer
Friday, Feb 26, 2027 – 7pm
We are, at our core, social mammals. We build relationships, communicate, reproduce, establish territories, and adapt to shrinking resources. In these ways, we’re no different than other social mammals. Chimpanzees, wolves, gorillas, and bears are among the most charismatic of the social mammals we know. We identify with them as species, groups, and even as named individuals. Join biologist-turned-photographer Ronan Donovan as he talks about his work in documenting these animals and what we, as fellow social mammals, can learn from them.
Saving Nature’s Symphony
Ben Mirin, Acoustic Biologist
Friday, Apr 16, 2027 – 7pm
The world is alive with sound, and acoustic biologist and National Geographic Explorer Ben Mirin makes sure we never miss a beat. From the sweet songs of morning birds to the chatter of howling lemurs to the conversation of whales, we’ll go on assignment on an auditory adventure. We’ll tune in to wildlife symphonies, discover what those voices tell us about our planet, and transform that science into music.
For any inquires about larger groups, reach out to ethan@toarts.org