2009-10 PERFORMANCES FOR SCHOOLS

Stellaluna
Recommended Grade Level: Pre-K - 3
October 20-23, 2009
60 minutes

Baby bat Stellaluna's life is flitting along right on schedule--until an owl attacks her mother one night, knocking the bewildered batlet out of her loving grasp. The tiny bat is lucky enough to land in a nest of baby birds, but her whole world has just turned upside down. Literally. Stellaluna's adoptive mom accepts her into her nest, but only on the condition that Stellaluna will act like a bird, not a bat. Soon Stellaluna has learned to behave like a good bird should--she quits hanging by her feet and starts eating bugs. But when she finally has an opportunity to show her bird siblings what life as a bat is like, all of them are confounded. Anyone who has ever been asked to be someone they're not will understand the conflicts--and possibilities--Stellaluna faces.
King Cole Theatricals

The Very Hungry Caterpillar and Other Eric Carle Favorites
Recommended Grade Level: Pre-K - 3
January 12-15, 2010
45 minutes followed by 10 minute Q&A

Eric Carle’s Very Hungry Caterpillar, Little Cloud and Mixed-Up Chameleon spring to life on stage through the colorful black light puppetry of the Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia. The Very Hungry Caterpillar munches his way through an amazing variety of food toward his eventual metamorphosis into a butterfly. High up in a beautiful blue sky, a Little Cloud changes into various shapes of things he has seen. The Mixed-Up Chameleon learns the importance of being true to oneself during an adventurous trip to the zoo where he changes into different animals. This show, with its imaginative language and memorable imagery, is not to be missed.
Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia

Black Violin
Recommended Grade Level: 2 and up
March 2-5, 2010
60 minutes

Kev Marcus and Wil b are Black Violin, two classically trained musicians who, along with DJ TK, have created the ultimate synergy between classical and hip-hop music and with it an incredible opportunity to reach children. In 2005 the group was awarded the prestigious title of "Apollo Legends." Kev Marcus and Wil b, both graduates of Dillard Performing Arts High School, used their musical talents to earn full scholarships to college. Now they want to make sure that North America's young people get the same exposure to the arts, and therefore, the same opportunity that they did. Performing and touring with Alica Keyes, P Diddy and Akon, to name a few, Black Violin has committed to giving back and teaching children that classical music is cool!
Black Violin

INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN'S FESTIVAL SHOWS

CORBIAN Visual Arts and Dance
Recommended Grade Level: 2 - 6
May 3-5, 2010
45 minutes

Through a unique theatrical experience that combines electroluminescent puppetry, dance and storytelling, we meet Darwin - a wild and primitive dinosaur. Darwin is brought to life by a magical scientist, Professor Harlow. When Darwin’s natural instincts take over and he begins acting on his dangerous, dinosaur instincts, Professor Harlow gives Darwin a heart. Follow Darwin’s journey as he is faced with the final test of love and compassion when Professor Harlow faces danger.
CORBIAN Visual Arts and Dance

TAIKOPROJECT
Recommended Grade Level: 3 and up
May 5-7, 2010
60 minutes

Founded in 2000, the TAIKOPROJECT is an ensemble of America’s premiere, emerging taiko drummers dedicated to the preserving and disseminating American taiko drumming through educational activities and public performances. This is a state-of-the-art theatrical production blends taiko with storytelling, spoken word, music, hip hop choreography, video multi-media and dance.
Asano Taiko Company, Ltd.

Farfalle
Recommended Grade Level: Pre-K - 3
May 5-7, 2010
45 minutes

In a unique experience that combines theater and interactive technologies, the audience is immersed in a world made of music, digital images and butterflies. During the performance, your students are invited to take part, to enter the scene, to move among images which react to their gestures and movement. Each experience is limited to an intimate audience of 100.
Teatro Di Piazza D'Occassione (Italy)

The Man Who Planted Trees
Recommended Grade Level: 2 - 8
May 4-7, 2010
55 minutes

Based on the beloved fable and book by Jean Gione, this amazingly entertaining adaptation blends puppetry and comedy to tell the inspiring story of Elzéard Bouffier, a French shepherd. Bouffier sets out—with his very lively dog—to plant a forest and transform a baron wasteland and restore a ruined ecosystem. When war rages across Europe and this “natural” forest phenomenon is discovered and protected, more than 10,000 people move to this restored valley, never knowing their happiness is due to the one, selfless shepherd—and his dog.
Puppet State Theatre Company (Scotland)