Storytelling Program Artistic Discipline

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THE GIFT WAY UP IN THE CLOSET: STORYTELLING

Author, 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 sing rather 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 for encouraging 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 it’s also available at the Charlotte Mecklenburg Public library, Amazon, and from the author’s website: DawnAnthonysings.com

The Immigrant

Assembly/Performance

The Immigrant- How following my dream of becoming a mime, landed me with a higher education in the USA. I am a performer of stories with over 30 years’ experience in premier venues in the US and around the world. I am also a Latino immigrant with Afro and European descent with an American Citizenship since four days after 9/11. Now, that is a story all in itself. My performance goes deep on what the pursuit of happiness really means to someone’s life and the kind (double meaning here) world we can create for ourselves. My presentation for Middle and High schools is a well crafted motivational speech using the power of stories, both fiction and non-fiction to inspire kids to live their full potential. The reason why they are here on Earth. I grasp students’ attention right at the start, as I lure them in with extremely precise mime moves that I have been doing for 35 years. Then I tell them of my childhood dream of becoming a mime back in Brazil in the early 1980s, and my parents’ reaction to it which was: “We don’t care what you become as long as you are happy and kind to others”. The whole show is based on that opening line. By the time the show is over, the kids walk away with tools on how to better manage their anxiety about life and their pursuit of happiness while carving a kind life for themselves and the ones who surround them. My immigration story also touches on healthy living through following ones dream while being kind. If you do what you don’t love you become unhappy and unkind, thus creating great amounts of anxiety and depression, and, a life of looking forward to a Friday, complaining of a short weekend, and dreading Monday mornings. What if you could live a life where there was no difference between weekdays and weekends all the while having a fulfilling career. The secret for a successful adult living is not only what you are going to do, but rather on how you will feel while doing it. As Confucius once said: “ Do what you love and you don’t have to work a day in your life”. So, when asking what you want to be when you grow up, the answer should be simply: Happy! Kids in MS are anxious about how in HS will be. Kids in HS are anxious about what life after HS will be. The fear of the unknown is the source of many mental disorders. No, forget about the unknown and start being happy now. Focus on what brings you join. Yes, we have to do a lot of things that are not joyful: taxes, study for finals, papers, take out the trash….the list is long. But, if you see those tasks as a “ticket” for a good and happy living, they do not become so problematic. If you do what you love, paying taxes is not such a big problem, because you are not so connected to the money, but rather with what you do. Studying for a final, becomes less problematic if you see a connection of the subject to be studied with the simple fact that it is a ticket for your graduation. The above statements have a lot to do with a Healthy Behavior. How you see life has a direct correlation with how healthy your behavior is. Life can be dreadful if we focus on the unknowns of tomorrow or a tremendous and beautiful adventure if we would focus more on the presents of today. After all, that is why today it is called a “Present”.

The Secret Life of Walter Manny

Assembly/Performance

“The Secret Life of Walter Manny” is a heart-warming tale that touches on themes of self-esteem, bullying, and respect for others. Walter Manny is a lonely, ten-year-old boy whose fantasy life is more exciting than his real one. Parents and peers are perplexed as Walter transforms by turns into a cowboy, secret agent, firefighter, race car driver, pilot and rock star. But when confronted by a real crisis, Walter proves himself and discovers that his imagination works best when he uses it in a focused manner.

The Storytellers' Fire

Workshop

For thousands of years, our ancestors gathered to tell stories beside the fire. Today, we can get a feeling for the long traditions of storytelling by creating a Storytellers’ Fire. David draws from an extensive repertory to suit Grade level, season, and situation. Requests will be honored. Your students will… • experience the original virtual reality • hear stories from many traditions • experience animated language • have A Telling Experience!

The Wand Of Dreams (Math Show)

Assembly/Performance

“The Wand Of Dreams” (A Mathematical Fairy Tale) The land of “Happily Ever After” is in big trouble. The Wand Of Dreams has been stolen and everything is falling apart! Fairy Godmother or Godfather and the audience have to round up the usual suspects to solve the mystery. Each suspect offers an interesting mathematical problem to solve as the mystery unfolds. You’ll meet a Magic Mirror with a messy cold, a Dirty Rat with some pretty shady friends, a Troll that has traffic backed up for hours, a narcoleptic Sheriff that can’t stay awake long enough to figure anything out, Five Little Piggies with some really big problems, and a Dragon that loves bacon! 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. This is our best show yet! Duration: 50 Minute Show For Ages: Pre-K – 5th Grade Setup: 30 minutes to 1 and 1/2 hours depending upon the performance space. Tech Requirements: One Chair, One Table 6’X2′ and one Electrical Outlet (We bring the rest!)

The Wonderful World of Storytelling

Professional Development ; Workshop

Participants hear traditional American Indian legends and stories and understand that Indian people have been using stories to teach their children for hundreds of years. While listening to stories handed down from generation to generation, students can identify appropriate behavior as well as that which is unacceptable as exhibited by the characters depicted in the stories. In addition students learn that storytelling is the oldest form of entertainment, the oldest teaching tool and the oldest and best communicator. While learning the power of words, students are expanding vocabulary, learning to add detail and elaboration as they write, revise and rewrite stories of their own.

Theatre Arts and Music Classes with Applied Improv...

Assembly/Performance ; Day Trip ; Out-of-School-Time ; Professional Development ; Residency ; Workshop

There is no better art form from which to introduce or deepen students appreciation and expansion of theatre and musical education than applied improv. Through theatre games and warm-ups, short form improv and long form improve, we build the following skills at all ages and grade levels: Character work; mime and pantomime; movement; improv comedy; sketch comedy; yes-anding; thinking quickly on their feet; stage presence; getting over stage fright; enhancing communication and listening skills; being a good cast member/cast mate; being more creative; using imagination and preparing for your cast for your yearly/semi-yearly scripted show or musical. Do you have students who are funny? Who don’t like to learn lines? Are ultra communicative? Who are quick-witted? Who are imaginative? Who are creative? Or more importantly, who are not, but want to be or you want them to learn these skills? Applied improv for theatre and/or music classes are perfect for all of them. And best of all, it is always fun, engaging, highly interactive and smile and laughter inducing.

Think Bigg

Assembly/Performance

It’s comical storytelling, masterful mime, compelling music and hilarious puppetry. Quite simply, Think Bigg is something kids love — and adults won’t want to miss. By turns, Arterberry fills the stage with a collection of intriguing characters. Roboman discovers the limits — and extraordinary reaches — of his own body. The diminutive dance star, Mr. Bigg, performs to a dizzying medley of musical styles from rap to Russian folklore. Students participate both onstage in their seats, learning about physical theatre, gesture and body language. There’s drama, comedy, subtle lessons and outrageous fun in Trent Arterberry’s Think Bigg.

Third Grade Reading with Applied Improv

Assembly/Performance ; Day Trip ; Out-of-School-Time ; 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.

Tiny Talon Tales

Assembly/Performance ; Day Trip

Let your students’ imaginations soar! Children will spread their wings as they listen to stories of raptors and see them come alive. Meet 2 feathered friends, hear a raptor-themed book, and explore a touch table full of feathers and fur.

Turtles, Stories, Science, Music, and Dance

Residency

In this lesson students enjoy and examine various musical instruments that have been used by American Indian people for many years, they also learn how they were made and materials used to make them. Students study turtle anatomy and learn their value and symbolic significance in American Indian culture. This lesson teaches that the Turtle’s shell has thirteen scales and in traditional Indian cultures each represent a cycle of the moon. In addition we understand that Indian people so revere this little creature. We understand that many traditional Native people believe the Turtle represent truth, strength, perseverance, durability, determination, fertility, longevity and happiness and reminds us that all creation is a teacher. Along with our study of the Turtle students also learn there are many other ways the Native Peoples use the turtle, including food and embellishment of their clothing and utilitarian items. In addition to learning the symbolic meaning and use of the Turtle students are improving their detail, elaboration and sequencing skills. We use a variety of synthetic and natural materials and make a Turtle Shell rattle of our own and learn a traditional song and dance and make the music with our rattle. NOTE This lesson can stand alone or be combined with Artifact and History presentation. (Recommended) By combining the presentation the students learn history and gain a better understanding of American Indian culture there-for a greater appreciation of the art form.

WE ARE: CHILDREN OF THE HOLOCAUST

Residency ; Virtual/Online Program ; Workshop

‘WE ARE: Children of the Holocaust’ is a program designed to educate, activate curiosity and involve fourth to eighth grade students in a theatre arts experience as they concurrently learn and write about children of the Holocaust. Activities involving voice, movement, concentration, ensemblizing, character creation and improvisation are used as well as historical research, reading, writing and problem solving. Students will write and perform poems and monologues using the biography of a child from the Holocaust for their classmates. Five day residencies will culminate with a presentation for the school provided school has a sound system for the presentation.

WE ARE: CHILDREN WHO WORKED IN THE MILLS

Residency ; Virtual/Online Program ; Workshop

WE ARE: CHILDREN WHO WORKED IN THE MILLS (From Farm to Factory) is a program designed to educate, enlighten, empower, activate curiosity and involve students in a hands-on theatre arts experience while concurrently learning and writing about roles children played in the North Carolina cotton mill industry. Activities involving voice, movement, concentration, ensemblizing, character creation and improvisation are used as well as historical research, reading, writing and problem solving. Five day residencies culminate with a presentation for the school provided the school has a sound system.

Welcome to Zakland! (Performances/Workshops/Reside...

Out-of-School-Time

Concerts are focused on students PreK-5th grade. Educational concerts offer two study guides with activities for both music education and arts integration with other subjects. In addition, teachers can access thirteen interactie lessons for classroom use at a variety of grade levels. Creative writing workshops and residency (story and song) are offered for grades PreK-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. Zak will record the students’ songs and make them available to the school and students via a link, so they can be posted on the school website/Facebook page and so each student will have access to them at home to share with their families. The residendy 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.

What Were They Thinking? Figures From History Spea...

Residency

This residency can take place in a classroom or online. Before the residency, students in groups research a figure from history and outline what made this person important–the who, what, where, when, and why. When the residency begins, students in class learn how to move in the classroom with focus, respect, safety, and control. Students in class or at home, with guidance from Sheila, explore imaginatively, dramatically, and physically their character’s context and circumstances. For example, for Revolutionary War figures, they learn about and mime how lamps were lit; they mime starting a fire in a fireplace and cooking over it, imagining the smell of smoke and the kinds of foods people ate; they imagine how it would feel to wear clothing made with 18th century methods and materials. They then write in the voice of their character, including sensory details. Depending on the learning goals, they might write his or her opinion or an argument, supported with reasons, or they might write an autobiography, or a letter from the figure. They read their writing to their group and collaborate to revise it. They collaborate to create a small, real-time or on-line performance in which they read aloud their writing in the voice and character of their historical figure. They perform their work for their classmates, and receive peer critical response based on the residency’s goals. Ms. Kerrigan provides the teacher with an assessment rubric.

Wit, Whimsy & Word Play with Musician Roger Day (P...

Out-of-School-Time

Educational concerts of Roger’s original children’s music for PreK-6th grade students feature original songs from Roger’s CDs. Students learn new languages from songs that tour the world & join in the concert with body motions & supporting vocals while touring through Tibet, the Congo, the Tropics, & even their own backyard. INVINCIBLE! encourages and empowers young super heroes everywhere to solve the problem and save the day by using the greatest super powers of all – reading and imagination! DREAM BIG! encourages students to set goals, us their creativity and imagination and strive toward BIG dreams. In Roger’s concert SHAKE UP YOUR BRAIN!, Roger’s songs encourage students that they have all the answers they need – right now – inside their brains. They’ll learn which side of the brain loves to “do the math” to what foods make us smarter. Roger Day’s songs are rich in facts, new language, locales, and experiences for families and preschool and elementary children. In his concert MARSH MUD MADNESS Roger takes the audience on an original, highly interactive musical journey up and down the amazing seacoast of the southeastern U.S. With Roger’s assistance, the audience will step knee deep in oozy marsh mud; marvel at the mysterious journey of the loggerhead turtle; learn the secretive ways of the ghost crab; and be on the watch for vulture vomit! Roger will introduce some very colorful characters who live in and around the barrier islands, and in the process the audience will learn about the important role each of them play in maintaining a healthy coastal ecosystem. Roger’s concerts are action-filled adventures that exercise both mind AND muscle; both body AND brain. Roger Day keeps his young audiences involved and captivated. His infectiously-fun concerts inspire each child to discover his and her own talents, give flight to the imagination, to DREAM BIG! and SHAKE UP YOUR BRAIN!

Write the Story Only You Can Tell

Assembly/Performance

In this multimedia assembly, students learn that the best stories come from the treasure you hold inside. Kelly shares how everyday moments, enduring memories and history inspire her books for kids. Then, she takes students on an eye-opening tour of her writing process from story idea to publication. She gives them a peek at her drafts, engages them in discussing why particular editorial decisions were made and offers tips on making stories shine. The session includes reading and Q&A.

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