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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, […]

Theatresports: Improv Your Mind

Four lively performers from Freestyle Repertory Theatre show that using language creatively, building upon the ideas of others, and working as a team is fun! Through demonstration and participation, students engage in a series of ever-changing improvised theatre games created from student suggestions and played with student volunteers. The collaborative skills learned in improv are […]

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 […]

Hiawatha

Hiawatha, a curious young boy, decides to disobey his grandmother and seek a vision alone in the forest. There he finds a sacred cave and enters a magical world full of talking animals and fantastic spirits! He meets a wise Mohawk, called The Peacemaker, who teaches him a wonderful lesson. At last, with the help […]

Japanese Festival Drums

The music of Taikoza personifies power, grace, pulse, and driving rhythm. After decades of training in Japan, Marco Lienhard leads this electrifying aural and visual performance which captures the vitality and culture of life in Japan. Highlighted by the thunderous rhythms of ancestral Japanese Taiko drums and the sounds of bamboo flutes, this festive experience draws from […]

Eda Ne Kakati (From the Past to the Present)

This jubilant assembly introduces students to the artistry of East African cultures through dance, music, and storytelling. Sharing music from his native Uganda and authentic East African instruments, Ssuuna inspires students to compare cultures and to learn the importance of respecting cultural differences. The program ends in celebration as students play alongside Ssuuna and learn […]

Totally Vocally

Packed with music, entertainment, and education, Ball in the House’s program teaches the history of a cappella singing. They explore chant and doo-wop, contemporary music, classic cover songs and original works. The elements of teamwork and collaboration are highlighted. In addition, students will learn how various vocal parts create harmony and beats, working in unison […]

Traditions of India

Originating in Hindu temples more than 2,000 years ago, traditional Indian dance combines fluid movement with complex melodies and rhythmic patterns. With Ramya Ramnarayan students experience the role dance has in the cultural and spiritual life of India. Adorned with beautiful costumes, jewelry, and makeup and using ritual hand gestures called mudras, the dancers present […]

Trekking Mexico

Entertaining, educating, and exciting, the Mexico Beyond Mariachi experience ignites the imagination. Expand your students’ perceptions of Mexico through the artists’ use of pre-colonial instruments and traditional interpretations of music and dance. Students learn how native cultures and Spanish culture combined to create a unique Mexican culture of music, dance, and costuming. Students come away […]