TOArts Trailblazers for Students
The TOArts Trailblazers Series brings world-class speakers who inspire change into the BAPAC and into local High Schools, with free tickets available to students.
TOArts provides the opportunity for students to see Trailblazers 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 surrounding area with limited guests. Apply through the form linked below.
TOArts Trailblazers 2025-26 Season Speakers
70 Years of Everest – Peter Hillary, Adventurer
Friday, September 26, 2025 @ 8PM
Peter Hillary is a high achiever from one of the great families of mountaineering. Like his father, the late Sir Edmund Hillary—who made the first ascent of Mount Everest 70 years ago in 1953—Peter summited Everest and reached the South Pole on skis. In this captivating talk, Peter reveals what it takes to travel to the ends of the earth.
Chasing Monarchs – Jaime Rojo, Photographer
Friday, November 21, 2025 @ 8PM
Fifty years after the startling discovery that monarch butterflies spend winters in the forests of Mexico, photographer and National Geographic Explorer Jaime Rojo reveals this winged wonder of the insect world in new ways with never-before-seen visuals. Tag along with conservationists and citizen scientists who are helping this species avoid catastrophic threats, all through Jaime’s beautiful photos and videos.
Uncovering our Concrete Jungles – Chris Schell, Urban Ecologist
Friday, February 27, 2026 @ 8PM
Thinking that wildlife lives “somewhere else” is an easy mistake. Chris Schell has dedicated his work to understanding and celebrating the surprising wildlife in our backyards. But this show isn’t only an exploration of animal behavior. We go on assignment with Chris to discover the unexpected story of how American history has shaped urban wildlife.
Engineering Life in Space – Cody Paige, Engineer
Friday, April 17, 2026 @ 8PM
Take an adventure to places on Earth that mimic the moon: from a zero-gravity aircraft making parabolic loops to remote islands that serve as testing grounds for next-gen technologies.
We get a behind-the-scenes look at the newest robotics as engineer and National Geographic Explorer Cody Paige builds the technologies that might allow humans to create a lasting presence beyond Earth.
Request tickets to these speakers through the form below. Tickets will be distributed shortly before the show.
For any inquires about larger groups, reach out to ethan@toarts.org