Archives

The Art of Invention

Are your students inventive? Through hands-on engineering with simple materials, Molly Gaston Johnson helps students explore cause and effect in artistic sculptures, simple machines, and elegant design. Problem-solving in teams, competitive challenges, and the consequences of economics add to the excitement, along with introductions to Ancient Rome, Leonardo da Vinci, and the ever-popular idea that “form […]

I Never Saw Another Butterfly: Poetry, Art, and Stories of the Holocaust

In this provocative workshop with Rebecca Kelly, students reflect on symbols of the Holocaust, creating their own poetry and art in response. Artforms can include collage, graphite pencil drawings, watercolors, wax pastel images, and more. The poems in the collection I Never Saw Another Butterfly…, by Pavel Friedman and others, are presented as catalysts for […]

Shadow Ball

Shadow Ball pays homage to the men who played in Negro League baseball and paints a picture of America’s suffering during the Great Depression. Rochel Garner Coleman plays Cool Papa Bell, one of the League’s most famous players. A sterling fielder and an outstanding batter (regularly averaging over .400), Bell was legendary for his uncanny […]

East Meets West

Experience astounding puppets that come alive through stories of China and America with Hua Hua Zhang. With stunning visuals and graceful movements, this program presents the ancient art form of Chinese Puppet Theater. Fusing movement and music found in Chinese Opera with Western technology, this exploration brings the complex role of the puppeteer as storyteller, […]

Poetry in Motion

Poetry can be so much fun! In this engaging program, Red Sneaker Production’s David Zucker combines acting, mime, vocal gymnastics, humor, audience participation, and a steamer trunk full of costumes, puppets, and props to allow students to encounter poetry as an engaging and relevant art form. This irresistible cast of characters created from the poems […]

Willow Girl

This moving tale dramatizes the story of a young Chinese girl whose family immigrates to California during the Gold Rush. The play uses fantasy and drama to highlight some of the problems an immigrant child faces while experiencing discrimination in a small community. Students have an opportunity to discuss many important historical and social issues […]

The Town that Fought Hate

When a hate group harasses young Isaac for having a menorah in his window, the townspeople band together to fight the bullies and bigotry threatening their community. Using music and an exceptional array of puppetry techniques, this play teaches students about tolerance and acceptance by re-counting the real-life events of a 1993 Billings, Montana, bias […]

Cuentos: Tales from the Latinx World

Witness a vivid picture of the people and rich cultures of the Spanish-speaking world with colorful tales from the Caribbean, South America, Spain, and the Bronx. From the enchanting Puerto Rican magician Milomaki to the friendship between young Delgadina and a magical snake, these stories are filled with memorable characters, fantastic plots, and positive messages. […]

Aesop Bops!

A  zoo full of animals comes alive in this fast-paced performance that teaches children about sharing and friendship. Featuring such stories as “The Lion and the Mouse,” and “Why Turtle Has a Checkered Shell,” Aesop Bops! has ample amounts of audience participation and offers positive lessons for social and psychological growth. If you’re searching for a […]

A Seat for Rosa

When a child tells his aunt about a bully on his bus, she gives him advice by recounting the tale of Rosa Parks and the events that led to a revolution in racial justice. This poignant Yearning to Learn production includes many songs of the Civil Rights era and brings this historical time to life. […]