No Capes Required: Arlington Students Learn the Power of Every Drop

Published on March 24, 2026

By Alyssa Burlison, Arlington Water Utilities

A unique cast of superheroes recently taught Arlington students how to save the day by saving water. Through a partnership with The National Theatre for Children (NTC) and Tarrant Regional Water District (TRWD), a conservation-themed theater performance educated students in 11 Arlington schools this past fall and winter. The program taught almost 4,000 students about the value of water, our water supply system, and ways to conserve and protect our water resources. TRWD is the raw water provider for Arlington Water Utilities and collaborates with the City in providing youth conservation programs.  

The Aqua League of Tarrant County is an original NTC production, written in collaboration with TRWD, to educate elementary school-age children on four main themes: the many ways we use water, where we get our drinking water, how to protect water, and how to save water. The story follows Misty Dewdrop, an aspiring superhero on her journey to join the Aqua League, a team of heroes who protect drinking water across North Texas. When a supervillain devoted to wasting water comes to town, Misty gets help from students to educate the villain on the value of water and save the day.  As the story unfolds, students are invited to share how they use and save water. They even chant, “Do your part, be water smart!” to stop the villain from wasting water. The fun performance seeks to educate and inspire the next generation to take care of Texas and its natural resources.

The show was performed during two tours this past fall and winter at the following Arlington ISD schools:  Corey Academy of Fine Arts & Dual Language, Burgin Elementary School, Moore Elementary School, Adams Elementary School, and Amos Elementary School. Two Mansfield ISD schools located in Arlington, Martha Reid Leadership Academy and Glenn Harmon Elementary School, also hosted performances. Other schools that were part of the program were: International Leadership of Texas Arlington, Great Hearts Arlington, Saint Maria Goretti Catholic School and Burton Adventist Academy.

Local educators praised the performance. A first-grade teacher from Glenn Harmon Elementary said "Very well done! ... I was so excited that we were having the presentation at my school. The presentation was both fun and engaging! Two days after the program, we were reading about lakes and rivers. My students remembered where we get our water from. We also have a sink in our classroom, and a few students reminded others to turn off the water while they were scrubbing their hands. I love it!"

A kindergarten teacher from Corey Academy of Language and Fine Arts remarked, “I loved the presentation. The presenters had great behavior management skills and kept the kids engaged. Great show.”

TRWD has sponsored NTC water conservation-themed performances for Arlington schools since 2020. Last year, the National Theatre for Children performed a western-themed program about a water shortage in the fictional Dodge Ball City. Students are surely eager to see whatever water-saving story comes to their school next. Although this past performance showcased larger than life superheroes, the takeaway is simple: everyone can be a hero by saving water.

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