Africa Alive
By Milton Gray
This performance of African culture and storytelling teaches the importance of oral communication in traditional African life. It focuses on the storytelling tradition of the Ashanti people of West Africa, home of Anansi the Spider. This is an especially effective performance when paired with the dance workshop, Anansi the Spider.
Grades:
1–6
Fee:
$259; $518 double performance
Availability:
Limited, please inquire
Special Requirements:
n/a
Addresses Standards(download standards here):
1.6, 14.4
Asia Fantasia
By Robert Kikuchi-Yngojo
A nationally renowned storyteller, Kikuchi-Yngojo encourages audience participation and creates a rapport that draws students and teachers alike to discover Asian and Asian-American culture. His captivating program combines stories, music, and movement reflecting the rich, diverse folklore from Southeast Asia, India, China, Japan, and the Philippines.
Grades:
K–2, 3- 5, 6–8
Fee:
$525; $1,050 double performance
Availability:
One week in spring 2010; please inquire
Special Requirements:
Large performing area; dressing room clean and clear; PA system
Addresses Standards(download standards here):
1.1, 14.1, 14.2, 14.3
Character, Bullying, and Happiness
By Fax Gilbert
In this dynamic program, masks, magic, mime illusions, characters, skits, and visual aids introduce qualities of trust, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship—character qualities that will make us happier in life. A seasoned performer with more than 15 years experience presenting for students, Fax communicates in terms that students can relate to and understand. Specialized assemblies for both elementary and junior high schools are available.
Grades:
K–2, 3–5, 6–8
Fee:
$436, $550 double performance
Availability:
September 28 - October 2, 2009 and
April 26-30, 2010
Special Requirements:
n/a
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
1.5, 1.6, 1.7, 7.1
Colonial Legacy
By Dianne Moran
Imagine what our land looked like over 200 years ago as a beautiful wilderness. Even then, there wee early people who journeyed here to live...they were called colonists! Learn what reasons brought the first colonials to Jamestown and eventually on to Missouri and Kansas. Two volunteers will dress in period colonial clothing and share the reproductions item within their bags. A colonial story will be told and a live creature from the story will be shown.
Grades:
3–5, 6–8
Fee:
$472, $630 double performance
Availability:
Limited, please inquire
Special Requirements:
Large cleared space; long table for display items
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
4.2, 5.1, 5.7, 14.3
The Emperor Penquin's New Clothes
By StoneLion Puppet Theatre
The Emperor has nothing new to wear so a contest is announced. Tailors from all over the frozen land come to bring him their latest creations along with two shifty polar bears intent on duping the kingdom out of all their riches. These wily bears concoct a fantastical tale of a magical cloth that only the very intelligent can see...so of course the Emperor demands they make a fabulous costume out of it for only him. Just what does he end up wearing? Come join StoneLion Puppet Theatre and find out, but please: clothing is required. Vanity and greed never pay off as demonstrated by StoneLion Puppet Theatre’s newest production, The Emperor’s New Clothes, loosely based on Hans Christian Andersen’s tale. This rendition is a zany musical full of singing penguins, wise walrus and lots of charm.
Grades: PK-1, 2-4, 5-6
Fee: $490 per performance
Availability: Year round
Requirements: 16 X 16 flat space with two 110 electrical outlets, One hour before and after for set up and tear down
New! Health and Happiness: A Wellness Program for Kids
By Fax Giblert
An ideal way to jumpstart your school’s student health initiative, or supplement an existing program, “Health and Happiness” teaches students the value of creating healthy habits in six areas: rest, exercise, diet, character, attitude and pride/perseverance. Fax uses his considerable skills to connect with students using visual aids, interactive skits, mime and instructional songs.
Grades: K-2, 3-5 & 6-8
Fee: $456; $575 double performance
Availability: September 28-October 2, 2009 & April 26-April 30, 2010
Requirements: Two 6’ tables; several folding chairs; electrical outlet nearby
Curricular Standards: 1.6, 7.1 & 14.7
The Holocaust and the Heroes Among Us
By Dianne Moran
Dressed in period clothing, Dianne Moran's character transports students back to 1942 a she speaks of the unbelievable treatments of Nazi Germany's Jewish people. Several student volunteers will be dressed in period clothing as U.S. soldier and Jewish students. Dianne will lead the volunteers and audience to join her in an improvisational scenario of how anti-Semitism could slowly cause the deaths of six million souls. Highlighted are true stories of bravery by the resistance fighters, all who gave their lives to fight against hatred and racism. A Holocaust timeline will be included and, most importantly, how today's students can fight against racism with their own sense of right and wrong.
Grades:
9-12
Fee:
$472, $630 double performance
Availability:
Limited, please inquire.
Special Requirements:
Large cleared space; long table for display items
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 5.7, 14.3
How Freedom Works
By Jay & Leslie's Laughing Matters
American government takes center stage in this funny and lively combination workshop and performance. A workshop is conducted with students an hour or two before the show. Then students become cast members to represent the Congress, the Supreme Court, and a series of ill-fated presidents during the performance. Topics include how a bill becomes a law, the Electoral College, and presidential succession.
Grades:
3–5
Fee:
$415, $724 double performance
Availability: Year-round
Size: 30 students maximum for workshop; 250 maximum for performance
Special Requirements:
Two 6' or 8' table
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
1.9, 2.1, 2.3, 14.3
Juggling the Earth's Resources
By Jay & Leslie's Laughing Matters
Earth Science comes to life in this hilarious and informative show. Leslie and Jay Cady of Laughing Matters use juggling balls as atoms and molecules to explain global warming, ozone depletion, and the carbon dioxide cycle. Audience volunteers help demonstrate the water cycle and the program concludes with a lively and humorous introduction to recycling.
Grades:
1-4
Fee:
$341, $577 double performance
Availability:
Year-round
Special Requirements:
One 6' or 8' table
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
1.9, 9.4, 14.3
Kachina Drums
Written by Phil (Blue Owl) Hooser & Heather Nisbett-Loewenstein; musical arrangements by Shawn Sorrell
A mischievous Coyote, silly Koshare, Father Sky, and Mother Earth dance and sing to the beat of Southwestern Native American Indian drums. These stories of communication focus on the importance of being true to yourself and thinking of others. Masks, direct manipulation mouth puppets, and Kachinas will delight all in this wonderful performance. Kachina Drums companion workshop also available.
Grades:
Pre K–2, 3–6
Fee:
$490 per performance
Size: 600 students maximum
Availability:
Year-round
Special Requirements:
20' x 20' minimum space requirement, stage preferred; access to electrical outlet; space available one hour before and after performance for set up and load out
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
1.1, 1.6, 1.7, 4.3, 14.3, 14.4
Kansas City - Our Home
By Chris Best, Diane Bulan, and Milton Gray
What makes Kansas City our home? How do communities grow and thrive? These questions are answered in a fun, fast-paced show of song, dance, and interactive theatre that brings to life the colorful history of our own Kansas City.
Grades:
3–5
Fee:
$353, $527 double performance
Availability:
Limited, please inquire
Special Requirements:
12' x 12' space with an electrical outlet nearby; students sit on the floor with aisle down the middle
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
5.2, 14.3
Letters, Numbers, Shapes, and Colors
By Jay & Leslie's Laughing Matters
Leslie and Jay Cady use mime and juggling to help little nippers learn basic concepts they need for kindergarten. Students are led through a mime alphabet acting out mime illusions from A to Z. Jay and Leslie juggle props of different shapes and colors and challenge the students to count them, recognize repeating patterns, and complete sets in accordance with math standards for pre-kindergarten through first grade set by the national Council of Teachers of Mathematics.
Grades:
Pre K-K
Fee:
$228, $385 double performance
Size: 100 students maximum
Availability:
Year-round
Special Requirements:
One 6' table and two chairs.
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
1.9, 7.3, 8.4
The Living Abe Lincoln
By Larry Greer
Few Americans have had a more profound effect on American society than our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln. Abe is brought to life in this riveting account of his life and times.
Grades:
4–5, 6–8
Fee:
$249, $350 double performance
Availability:
Year-round
Special Requirements:
Open floor space
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
1.2, 2.1, 2.2, 2.3, 5.4, 14.1
Mission Possible: Solving the Crime of Bullying
By Second Chance Foundation
This entertaining, theatrical assembly explores what bullying is and how to put a stop to it! Psychological, physical, and emotional abuse are addressed through humorous characters and skits. Children learn to identify and respond to a bully, target, and witness.
Grades:
3–5
Fee:
$450; $900 double performance
Availability:
Limited, please inquire
Special Requirements:
Large, cleared space; two microphones on stands; two 6' or 8' tables with two chairs; one boy and one girl student volunteers to meet with duo before show time; two volunteer teachers
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
1.6, 7.1, 7.2
Miss Nelson is Missing
By Andi Meyer
Teaching Artist Andi Meyer brings to life the longtime favorite characters of the "Miss Nelson Is Missing" series. This hilarious reading of this classic tale of wayward students learning to appreciate their demure instructor provides an opportunity for young students to see storytelling come to life. This story follows the outrageous actions that poor Miss Nelson must take when she has the most horribly behaved class in the school. Miss Nelson becomes missing and her substitute is the scary, strict Miss Viola Swamp! No one misbehaves for "The Swamp!"
Grades: K-2
Fee:
$237 single; $388 double performance
Availability:
Year-round
Special Requirements:
Maximum audience size is 100. Preferred performance space is a classroom, pod area, or library.
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
1.5, 6.2, 7.1 & 14.2
Missouri Cultural History - Literature Comes Alive
By Susansylvia Scott
A high-energy, dramatic performance brings to life famous Missouri writers such as Eugene Field, Ida Chittum, Langston Hughes, and Mark Twain. Well-known Missouri folk tales and Native American legends are recreated with the help of the student audience.
Grades:
4
Fee:
$237, $388 double performance
Availability:
Monday–Friday from 9am–12pm
Special Requirements:
Large, cleared space (library or empty room); space up front must have room for student participation
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
1.6, 6.2
My Name is Junie B. Jones
By Kim Ratliff
Let your imagination and love of reading soar with My Name is Junie B. Jones. Kim Ratliff, veteran kindergarten teacher and performer, interprets the character of Junie B. Jones and young students laugh and learn through her adventures. Student participation and character education are vital parts of this hilarious storytelling event. This program is perfect for book fairs, PTA reading nights, and extended day/after school care.
Grades:
K–2
Fee:
$237, $388 double performance
Availability:
After-school, evenings, and weekends only
Size: 100 students maximum
Special Requirements:
Preferred performance space is a classroom, pod area, or library
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
1.5, 6.2, 7.1, 14.2
Native American Legends and Their Importance
By Dianne Moran
Listen to the stories of our elders; they teach us much in the way of living a good life. Our country's first people, the Native Americans, taught their children with legends filled with the beauties of nature. Two students participate by dressing in deer hides; others will volunteer to identify the many cultural items from the display table. Three tribal stories will be shared, and two students will hold live animals which appeared in the stories.
Grades:
K-2, 3–5, 6-8, 9-12
Fee:
$472, $630 double performance
Availability:
Limited, please inquire
Special Requirements:
Large cleared space; long table for display items
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
1.1, 5.6, 7.3
Peter and the Wolf
This classic production is based on the orchestral score of Sergei Prokofiev. Prokofiev wrote this orchestral fairy tale to teach children about music, and in this version, puppets bring it to life. Peter, the duck, the fast flying bird, the tricky cat, and the comical wolf all help tell the story of a boy named Peter who tricks the Big Bad Wolf.
Grades:
K-3
Fee:
$386, $772 double performance
Availability:
Monday - Friday, 9:00am - 2:00pm
Special Requirements:
Minimum 16' x 16' performance space; must be a hard surface; two nearby electrical outlets; custodian to unload and reload equipment; performance space available one hour prior to and 30 minutes after the performance.
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
14.1, 15.1
Read it Right Now!
By Jay & Leslie's Laughing Matters
Mime, magic, and improvisation are used to explore the nuts and bolts of reading. Mime illusions feature the letters A–Z. Leslie and Jay Cady combine letters to make words in a clever box manipulation routine. See a magic trick involving rhymes, synonyms, antonyms, and homophones as well as improvised stories based on nouns, verbs, and adjectives suggested by the students.
Grades:
2–5
Fee:
$341, $577 double performance
Availability:
Year-round
Special Requirements:
One 6' or 8' table
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
1.9, 6.8, 14.3
The REcycle Show
By Richard Renner
REduce, REuse, and REcycle in a REdiculous way! Our goofy garbage man describes the wonderful world of trash with wacky inventions, circus arts, music, and interactive games. The REcycle Show focuses on the REasons for conserving our REsources—overpopulation, wasted energy, and consumer market demands. Through juggling and magic tricks, students will learn that they CAN make a difference by REducing, REusing, and REcycling.
Grades:
2–5
Fee:
$239, $429 double performance
Availability:
Limited, please inquire
Special Requirements:
Open floor space; four 3rd grade or older student volunteers
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
9.3, 9.4
Respect
By Second Chance Foundation
Designed to educate elementary students on the issues of bullying and anti-violence, this theatrical, interactive assembly has proven effective in schools throughout Missouri and Kansas. Through fairytales, dance, skits, and audience participation, children learn to respect each other’s feelings in a format that is entertaining and memorable.
Grades:
K–2, 3–5 (Can accommodate grades K-5 in same performance)
Fee:
$450, $900 double performance
Availability:
Limited, please inquire
Special Requirements:
Large, cleared space; two microphones on stands; two 6' or 8' tables with two chairs; five boy and seven girl student volunteers to meet with duo before show time, two volunteer teachers
Addresses Standards (download standards here): 1.6, 7.1
Sacagawea and Images of the Last Frontier
By Dianne Moran
Float back in time and feel an ancient song, the beating of a deer hide drum. Sacagawea leads us back 200 years to share her personal story as an interpreter for the Lewis and Clark Expedition. Sacagawea calls upon students to identify cultural items from her collection, dress in period clothing, and touch the live bull snake mentioned in the soldier’s journals. The program emphasizes Missouri’s importance before, during, and after the expedition.
Grades:
3–5, 6–8, 9–12
Fee:
$472, $630 double performance
Availability:
Limited, please inquire
Special Requirements:
Large cleared space; long table for display items
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
4.2, 5.1, 5.2, 5.7, 14.3
Slapstick Circus
By Richard Renner
Richard Renner, as the VodVill Klown, entertains students with circus skills, pantomime techniques, physical comedy, prat falls, and juggling. Objects attack and machines refuse to work as the VodVill Klown explores the possibilities of circus skills and humor. Unicycling with motors, balancing with cleaning equipment, and playing band music with hardware supplies are some of the surprises you will see in Slapstick Circus!
Grades:
K–2, 3–5
Fee:
$239, $429 double performance
Availability:
Limited, please inquire
Special Requirements:
Open floor space
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
1.9, 7.4, 14.3
Snow
A charming new marionette and mouth puppet show set in a snow drift of fun. Ice skating mice, Frosty, chilly penguins and of course SNOW ring in the holidays!
Grades: PK-1, 2-4, 5-6
Fee: $490 per performance
Availability: Seasonal
Length: Please note that this performance is a 25 minute program
Requirements: 16 X 16 raised stage with one 110 electrical outlet. One hour before and after for set up and tear down.
Stellaluna
This new show by StoneLion Puppet Theatre is not just for the birds. Stellaluna is an amazing high flying adventure. Crash...the little bat Stellaluna is separated from her mother during a night of foraging and lands in a nest full of birds. Mama bird happily adopts her, but Stellaluna just can’t change her ‘batty’ ways. Students will love this great tale of acceptance based on the book by Janelle Canon.
Grades: Pre K - 3
Fee: $490 per performance
Availability: Year-round
Requirements: 20' x 20' minimum space requirement; access to electrical outlet; space available one hour before and after performance for set up and load out.
Addresses Standards (download standards here): 1.1, 1.6, 1.7, 4.3, 14.3, & 14.4
The Story of the Orphan Train
By Pippa White
How many? At least 200,000, but maybe as many as half a million. Fending for themselves on the streets of New York, homeless children were given a chance for a new life in America’s heartland by riding the orphan train. Many were relocated here to Kansas City and the surrounding areas. Using memoirs, letters, and interviews, Pippa White brings to life the orphans who want to share a heartrending and fascinating part of American history.
Grades:
3–5, 6–8, 9–12
Fee:
$300; $600 double performance
Availability:
February 16-19, 2010
Length: 75 minutes
Special Requirements:
A gym or auditorium that can be darkened for presentation; sound system with microphone jack
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
1.2, 1.5, 1.10, 5.3, 5.6, 14.1
Sum of Our Favorite Numbers
By Jay & Leslie's Laughing Matters
Making math fun is half the battle! Leslie and Jay Cady use juggling, humor, and a wacky fairytale to share many reasons why they like numbers. Kids will roll in the aisles as they delve into counting, addition, multiplication, division, and units of measurement. A hilarious game of 20 questions rounds out the show.
Grades:
1–4
Fee:
$341, $577 double performance
Availability:
Year-round
Special Requirements:
Two 6' or 8' tables
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
1.9, 8.1, 8.3, 14.3
See a video clip from this show at You Tube!
The Traveling Storyteller
By Brad Shaw
Brad Shaw is “Da”, the traveling storyteller, offering students adventures in far away places as he weaves tales from around the world.
Grades:
K–2, 3–5 (stories selected are age appropriate)
Fee:
$237, $388 double performance
Size: Grades K-2: 100 students maximum;
3-5: 100 students maximum
Availability:
Limited, please inquire
Special Requirements:
Performance space on same level as audience; glass of water.
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
1.1, 1.2, 14.4
Voices From Ellis Island
By Pippa White
Based on interviews and memoirs, this one-person show tells the exciting stories of seven immigrants who made their way through Ellis Island, America’s ‘front door to freedom’, in the early part of the 20th Century. These fascinating stories are amusing, frightening, inspiring and true.
Grades: 5, 6-8, 9-12
Fee: $300; $450 double performance
Availability: February 16-19, 2010
Requirements: Running Time is 70 minutes, can be shortened to 55 minutes if needed. Requires a well-lit gym or auditorium that can be darkened for parts of the presentation; sound system with microphone jack.
Addresses Standards (download standards here): 1.2, 1.5, 1.10, 5.3, 5.6, 14.1
The Wild Things of Maurice Sendak
By Dave Hepler and Will Gould
Will and Dave lead students on a journey into the works of Maurice Sendak in this entertaining and educational blending of narrative and music. Included will be Where the Wild Things Are. With it's strong ties to literacy promotion, this program is perfect for schools, book fairs, PTA meetings, and anyone who enjoys great stories well told.
Grades:
K - 2, 3–5
Fee:
$575, $1,150 double performance
Availability:
Limited, please inquire
Special Requirements:
A tuned piano with bench; podium; tow microphones; two music stands
Addresses Standards (download standards here):
6.2, 14.1, 14.5