Literary Arts Program Artistic Discipline

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Poetic Paintings (Grades 6-12)

Students will get inspired by artists who combine words and paint then build their own multi-layered paintings. A free-flow writing activity will inspire final works that integrate poetry, symbols, vivid colors and expressive gestural strokes. Students will express their emotions, make statements and/or tell personal stories in their original paintings. A classroom set of canvases will be provided for this program.

Professional Development:Using Puppets and Storytelling to Build Literacy and Communication Skills

Professional Development

Learn how to use puppets to increase literacy in multiple areas and develop language skills. Learn proper puppet manipulation of several types of puppets and how to help students to imporve development of fine motor skills. Learn to use movement and voice to communicate feelings and ideas and build confidence in public speaking. Those taking part in this workshop will use several types of puppets. Each type of puppet can be easily obtained by teachers. Examples of type of puppets will be big mouth puppets, hand puppets and puppets that can be made by teachers or students using simple materals such as paper plates, cereal boxes, socks, etc. There will also be examples of simple staging ideas that take only a few seconds to assemble and are easy to store. There will lso be a question and answer tie as well as a brainstorming time to help participants address the specific needs and concerns in their classrooms.

Romeo & Juliet

Assembly/Performance

Two actors play all the roles in this fresh and exciting hour-long version of Shakespeare’s thrilling tragedy. Star-crossed lovers Romeo and Juliet try to cling to their love as conflict rages around them. Middle and high school students will see the play in a new light as the text comes to life as a funny and heartbreaking tale before their eyes.

School Poetry Club

Assembly/Performance ; Out-of-School-Time ; Residency ; Workshop

BreatheINK will assist with implementation and running of a poetry club at the middle and high school levels. The poetry club will be provided workshops, writing prompts, a YouTube video resource, team t-shirts, and BreatheINK flag in designated school colors. A BreatheINK Teaching Artist will also be assigned to each club as a resource for the club and club advisor. High school poetry clubs will be automatically entered into the BreatheINK Poetry Slam League.

Shakespeare Workshops & Residencies

Residency ; Workshop

1 day or 1 week, whatever meets your school’s needs. We can enhance the Shakespeare segment in your English class, work with your theatre teacher collaboratively, provide text coaching for your production of one of Shakespeare’s plays, or come prepared with our own curriculum tailored to fit your goals. The opportunities are endless!

Slam Poetry Workshops

Assembly/Performance ; Residency ; Workshop

1 Day – Introduction to Poetry Slam and Spoken Word BreatheINK Teaching Artist will provide a detailed introduction to the concepts of Poetry Slam and Spoken Word. Students will view performances and briefly analyze poems from youth poets. 3 Day – Intro/Group Poetry Writing and Performance In addition to the 1 Day Workshop, BreatheINK Teaching Artists will break the class into groups of 2-3 students. Groups will be introduced to the concepts of group writing, editing and performance. The final workshop will end with in-class performances by all groups. 5 Day Intro/Group Poetry/Slam History/Writing and Performance Analysis/Haiku Slam In addition to the 3 Day Workshop, BreatheINK Teaching Artists will provide a detailed history of the modern Poetry Slam and Performance Poetry movement. Students will observe, analyze, interpret, and evaluate written and performance poems from youth poets. The final workshop will focus on the poetic artform of Haiku and will conclude with an in-class ceremonial Haiku Slam.

Songwriting Residency

Opera Carolina’s Songwriting residencies use song analysis and lyric writing to support classroom learning in the English Language Arts while increasing students’ mindfulness by allowing them time to write introspectively and turn their lived or imagined experiences into creative work. Students will analyze how the parts of a song fit together to communicate an idea (craft and structure) theme in a variety of songs and styles point of view of songs and how it affects overall meaning how the music behind the lyrics communicates an idea (craft and structure) Students will learn the basic parts of a song write independently in every session revise their lyrics and become comfortable with that process write at least one verse and a chorus for their own song

Stories in Motion Residency

Residency

Stories in Motion is a dance residency that supports creative thinking and collaboration. Students will create short narratives inspired by their writing samples and also write a story based on movement. Teaching artists facilitate the process with students as they express their creativity through the written word and physical movement. Teaching artists will also incorporate social emotional learning concepts as they help students to write and create their stories. Available Dance Styles: Contemporary Dance, Hip-hop and Breakdancing

Storytime: The Gift Way Up in the Closet

Assembly/Performance ; Residency ; Workshop

Author and performer, Dawn Anthony shares the story of young Melody who loves to sing constantly! When Melody isn’t singing, she’s humming! If she could, she would rather sing than speak her conversations! One day, Melody’s grandmother tells her that she has a gift, and she sets off to find it. After searching high and low, she discovers the gift in a place she never imagined! This is the ideal story to encourage children to discover their gifts and talents! Note:*While no specific religious affiliation is denoted, there is a thread of faith in the story. The book is available for preview and is also available through the Charlotte Mecklenburg Public library and Amazon.

Student Performances with Hobey Ford's Golden Rod Puppets

Assembly/Performance ; Virtual/Online Program

Hobey Ford tours a repertoire of performances for preschool to upper elementary students based on stories adapted from various cultures as well as nature and incorporating a variety of puppetry styles: Bunraku, rod, marionettes, “Foamies” and shadow puppetry. SEA SONG (K-5th; Audience Max 250) – SEA SONG is the story of a boy’s discovery of the natural world at the seaside. This production follows the life cycle of the sea turtle and the fragile interwoven environment of animals living at the edge of the land and the sea. Sea Song is performed in the style of Ford’s Animalia series featuring his beautiful carved foam animals performed in full view of the audience as well as Hobey’s creative shadow puppets. ANIMALIA (PreK-5th; Audience Max 500) – ANIMALIA explores the world of animals through movement, music and visually stunning puppetry. Breaking out of the traditional puppet theater booth, Hobey turns the whole theater into his performance stage. The performance includes a magnified look at butterfly and frog metamorphosis, the world of birds and a classic undersea ballet of whales, frolicking dolphins and otters. Students will witness the magic of beautiful, animated, carved foam puppets, each one a work of art. In creating these “Foamies,” Hobey carefully studies each animal’s characteristic movements and designs control mechanisms to make the puppets move in a life-like manner. MIGRATION (K-5th; Audience Max 250-300) – MIGRATION is the story of Beatriz, a girl who journeys with her family from her home near Mexico City to the United States. In this production, Hobey Ford turns to the natural world of animals to explore the wonders of the migration of a variety of animals and birds as they are learned through the eyes of a child making her own migratory journey. Hobey’s “Foamies” are performed behind a projection of original animated scenes, taking the audience along with Beatriz on the journey of these incredible creatures. Hobey performs in full view as storyteller, puppeteer & animator in a seamless and almost hypnotic dance between the puppeteer, puppets & original artistic scenery. WORLD TALES (K-5th; Audience Max 300) – A collection of stories and puppetry techniques from around the world including an Aesop fable, a Native American story and an African story. The puppetry techniques include Bunraku from Japan, shadow puppetry from Asia, rod puppetry from Indonesia, and Hobey’s own Foamies puppets and Peepers puppets. During the show Hobey takes time to explore and explain his unique process of puppet craftsmanship through the hilarious antics of “Chester the Dog.” The performance comes to a finale with Hobey’s famous carved foam creatures, “The Foamies”. THE RAINBOW BRIDGE AND OTHER TALES – 2010 UNIMA Citation of Excellence (K-5th; Audience Max 300) – Hobey brings to life with shadow puppetry three folktales from different cultures: “The Rainbow Bridge,” “El Coqui” and “The Three Billy Goats Gruff”, with a finale of his Peepers Puppet, which turn the bare hand into a myriad of creatures and his famous beautifully carved foam animal creatures he calls the Foamies. “The Rainbow Bridge” is a Native American folktale of the Chumash, a tribe who inhabited the southern coastal regions of California. “El Coqui” is a Puerto Rican folktale about how the little tree frog got his song. ‘The Three Billy Goats’ revisits this classic Nordic tale with humor and issues of the day.

Studio Time ELA with Mr. B

Assembly/Performance

MUSIC! MOVEMENT! TECHNOLOGY! In this energetic and unique program, students will ALL experience what it’s like to record an original song in a real studio setting! Every student will participate in the song creation, rehearsal, and performance within one fast-paced and exciting 60 minute collaborative workshop-style session. During their time together, students will be introduced to the basics of multitrack recording, create lyrics to an ELA-themed song using words and characters from their school, as well as learning about and offering suggestions for parts of speech to complete each storyline. Lyrics provided by students will be unscripted, unplanned, and uniquely hilarious to each school experience. Even though everyone will be dancing, singing, smiling, and having fun – remember that every word written is designed to help them learn grade-level appropriate ELA skills that their teachers really want them to remember. All students will receive a fully produced YouTube video of their performance upon completion that can be listened to or watched back for test review, during brain breaks, or at home.

The Circus King (Reading Language Arts)

Out-of-School-Time

“The Circus King” (Reading & Language Arts) A young boy is lost at sea and found by a baboon on a far away island. He is raised by a circus of misfits. The audience and cast of characters help the boy overcome personal challenges and discover his destiny. With a little magic, characters come right out of the screen as puppets! There is Ella the elephant with bad allergies. There’s a lazy lion with curlers in his hair and crossed eyed acrobats swinging through the air. The show combines hilarious puppets, beautiful animation, spellbinding magic, wonderful music with tremendous audience interaction. The set has big screen animation, lots of magical props and musical instruments. There is a digital companion book that the teachers can download and read to the students before the show. The students test out on grammar, reading comprehension and spelling. For ages: Pre-K – 5th Grade Duration: 50 Minutes (Shorter versions of the show are available.) Setup: 30 minutes to 1 and 1/2 hours depending upon site. Tech Requirements: Two Chairs, One Table 6’X2′ and one Electrical Outlet (We bring the rest!)

The Power of Positive Murals (Grades 5-12)

Professional Development ; Residency

Let’s make a mural to enhance your school! As a class, students will develop a concept for a mural that integrates a positive quote and unique symbols. Once a design is selected, students will work collaboratively to bring it to life! This project can also be completed with school staff as a professional development and team building experience.

The Tempest

Assembly/Performance

A fast and fun romp through the love, magic, and forgiveness of Shakespeare’s adventure on the mystical Isle of Sycorax. One performer, a trunk full of surprises, and a lot of audience interaction make this an experience you don’t want to miss. It’s Shakespeare like you’ve never seen it before!

The Wonder of It All (Science Through Musical Stories)

Assembly/Performance ; Virtual/Online Program

Zak Morgan’s science show is designed to generate excitement about science and encourage students to think about how we all use science in our daily lives. His original science songs are interactive and full of his trademark wit and wordplay. Zak points out all of the ways he uses science in his show, from sound waves, to electricity, to magnetism. Students will see electrons in action with Zak’s hilarious Van de Graaff ball and Plasma Globe demonstrations. And watch Zak change the pitch of a sound wave simply by bending his musical saw. As in all Zak Morgan’s shows, students will be encouraged to be kind, curious and confident in this fun and memorable musical storied program about science!

Third Grade Reading with Applied Improv

Assembly/Performance ; Professional Development ; Residency ; Workshop

The adaptability and critical thinking practiced with Applied Improvisation can assist in increasing these and other 3rd grade reading skills: *Decoding *Reading with expression *Self-correcting *Grouping related information *Characters, events and sequencing *Following rules for discussion Students will participate in a multitude of warm-ups, short form improvisational games, long form improv formats in addition to feedback and safe, trusting role-playing sessions.

Wall Quotes & Poems (All Levels)

Residency ; Workshop

Students will come up a quote or poem that describes their public art message they want to display on campus. Letters can be created and mounted in a variety of ways to make a professional display that highlights each student’s creative contribution. This project can be completed as a class or in small groups. It is a great way to get students excited about reading and writing. Each letter will be enhanced using mixed media art and/or painting techniques. ASC Community Goals: Professional Development, Middle School Transition, High School Graduation

WE ARE: CHILDREN OF... Series

Residency ; Virtual/Online Program ; Workshop

ACT’s ‘WE ARE: Children of…’ Series is a program designed to educate, enlighten, empower, activate curiosity and involve fourth to eighth grade students in a theatre arts experience as they concurrently learn and write about children in history. For example: Children of the Civil Rights Movement, Children of the Revolutionary War, Children of Famous Presidents, Children of the French Revolution, Children of the Roman Empire, ‘Children of Kindness’ etc. Activities involving voice, movement, concentration, ensemblizing, character creation and improvisation are used as well as historical research, reading, writing and problem solving. Students immerse themselves into the lives of children in history through exposure to relevant historical information, stories, visuals and then use their experiences to write short monologues, dialogues, poems or scenes to perform for their classmates. We will design a ‘WE ARE: Children of…’ curriculum specifically for a residency in your school. “The very nature of theatre arts addresses all of the 4 C’s. Critical thinking, Creativity, Collaboration and Communication are natural partners in theatre education. Additionally, the (SEL), social emotional learning categories of self-awareness, self-management, social awareness, relationship and responsible decision making skills are ever present in theatre education. I have always used the Socratic Method when teaching (and directing) theatre classes as I involve the participants in questioning the ‘why’ we do the activities we do and after each class I ask the group ‘What went well today?’ ‘What could have gone better?’ I ask them what my most important rule is in class? (Kindness). Theatre arts involves trust, innocence, courage, imagination, give/take, listening & responding and working together.” Please look at the final evaluation from a class during my Project Lift residency. https://actartisticdir1.wixsite.com/my-site-1 on the Education/Playwright page. Dr. Wrenn Goodrum, ACT Artistic Director Five day residencies may culminate with a presentation provided the school has a sound system. WEBSITE for Activate Community Through Theatre www.activatecommunitythroughtheatre.com

Welcome to Zakland! (Adventures in Language Arts & Music)

Assembly/Performance ; Residency ; Workshop

Zak Morgan’s assembly programs are focused on students PreK-5th grade, offering two study guides with activities for both music education and arts integration with other subjects. Teachers can access thirteen interactive lessons for classroom use at a variety of grade levels. Students use their voices, creativity and body movements to join in the fun. Concerts for Pre-K through 2nd grade focus on confidence building, reading, listening and imagination. Concerts for 3rd to 5th grades teach life science facts through music including life cycles and environments. Older elementary students will explore literary devices and elements of a good story. All concerts teach basic music lessons including simple rhythmic, melodic and chordal patterns. Creative writing workshops and story/song residencies are offered for grades K-5th. They involve students in examining the elements of a good story, delving into rhyme schemes and literary devices and exploring the power of the imagination using music and storytelling. The creative writing residency uses music and storytelling to exercise the imagination and encourage reading with the students. Over the course of the sessions, students learn the basic elements of a good story, create their own story and turn their story into a joint classroom song. The residency week usually concludes with an all-school Zak Morgan performance and an evening performance for families, where the each class performs their own song onstage.

Zitkála-Šá (Gertrude Simmons Bonnin)

Assembly/Performance

This program focuses on the life and works of Zitkála-Šá, one of my distant cousins. At 8 years old she was taken from her native home to live and learn in a government sponsored boarding school. She eventually became one of the most influential Native American activists of the 20th century. Through storytelling students will learn about the forced assimilation of this young girl into the white man’s culture, the challenges she faced in being bicultural, and her amazing achievements. Intertwined will be Native Legends Zitkala-Sa translated and wrote in English making these stories available to everyone.

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