*Denotes program booked through Cathy Kaemmerlen
DUO SHOW! Bull Run/Manassas 
Cathy Kaemmerlen and Scott Depoy bring to life the first battle of the American Civil War, portraying over 20 characters from both the North and South, through their own words and letters, including Rose Greenhow, Abraham Lincoln, Jeff and Varina Davis, and Generals Beauregard and McDowell. From the glimmer, to the onset, to the battle itself, to the after effects, through monologues, poignant and insightful, funny and tearful, and through authentic period music, the battle that started our country's Civil War comes to life. Critically acclaimed as "magnificent" and the best way to bring history to life, BULL RUN/MANASSAS is a perfect complement to the fith, eighth, and tenth grade Civil War social studies unit. As we prepare for our 150th anniversay or the Civil War, this 50 minute play opens our eyes to a vital period of American history that tested our nation and our principles.
*NEW SHOW! Eleanor Roosevelt, Godmother To The World
Wife, mother, newspaper columnist, speaker, UN Ambassador, human rights activist, and first lady, Eleanor Roosevelt emerged from her shell as a shy, ugly duckling to become one of our most popular and famous first ladies--a woman who made a difference. She was our first "working first lady" and a champion for those less fortunate. For third (emphasis on Eleanor, human rights activist) and fifth grades (emphasis on Eleanor and the Depression.)
*NEW! A Visit With Louisa May Alcott and Jo March
Visit with the author of LITTLE WOMEN as she shares her life as an author, living with sisters Anna, Lizzie, and May the models for Meg, Beth, and Amy March. Jo March was modelled after Louisa. You'll see Louisa and Jo go back and forth with scenes from her real life as they compare with scenes in her novel. She was called the mother of the modern memoir, with her most famous book termed an autobiography. "Write what you know about and what you've experienced," was the advice her publisher gave her as he convinced her to write a book for girls. Learn of her struggles, of the Transcendental Movement and her work as a nurse in the Civil War in this 45 minute show with audience participation. For grades 5-8.
Susan B. Anthony: Failure Is Impossible
Learn about the struggles for American women to gain the right to vote, led by Susan B. Anthony, who spent her life devoted to this cause. Among her many struggles and achievements was her arrest in 1872 for voting in the presidential election and challenging the 13th,14th and 15th amendments to the Constitution. Travellng cross country, she made thousands of fiery speeches to garner support for women's rights. For her failure was impossible. Tens of thousands of mourners attended her funeral and called her "The Mother of Us All." This 45 minute program offers lots of audience participation and is a direct tie-in with third grade Georgia Performance standards for social studies: SS3H2.
VOTES FOR WOMEN!
"Thank you for coming to my school. It was excellent! I recommend for you to go to every elementary school that is learning about Susan B. Anthony."
3rd grade student, Puckett's Mill Elementary
*Dear Mr. President: Letters to Lincoln
 In honor of the bicentennial for Abraham Lincoln's birth, this one-woman show portrays four young women whose lives were forever changed and influenced by their relationships with Abraham Lincoln. Helen Nicolay, the daughter of John George Nicolay, Lincoln’s chief of staff narrates the play, seeing Lincoln through her father’s eyes. She leads us to Grace Bedell who wrote Lincoln the letter asking him to grow whiskers, a letter ranked as one of the most important letters in the Lincoln mailbag. Helen then introduces us to Vinnie Ream, the sculptress who spent five months with Lincoln as she sculpted a bust of him and later was the first woman commissioned by the U.S. government to sculpt a full figured representation of Lincoln that stands in the Capitol Rotunda. Last we meet Julia Taft, a babysitter to Tad and Willie Lincoln, who would accompany her brothers, the Lincoln boys’ closest playmates, to their playdates at the White House. All of these stories tell us different sides of the President, offering insights into his personal life. Our 16th president still lives in our minds as the greatest American president. These four ladies would agree wholeheartedly and with the greatest admiration.
"I loved it! You made it sound just like we were there. I compliment you on it." -- Fourth grader
*Pilgrim Courage: From Mayflower to First Harvest
 Follow the story of the courageous pilgrim voyage of 1620 from England to the New World, continuing through the first year at Plimouth Colony, as told through the eyes of Mary Allerton, 4 years old at the time of the pilgrimage and the last living survivor of the Mayflower voyage. Hear first hand what it was like to spend 65 days at sea; the struggle to start a new settlement and survive the first winter; the impact of the Mayflower Compact; making peace with area Indians; and the first harvest feast. Performed as a first person narrative, in authentic period costuming: "One small candle may light a thousand." Designed for upper elementary social studies curriculum.
Fourth grade PSA social studies component: "the student will describe European exploration in North Americe."
"Our teachers thought you were fabulous especially our new teachers who have not had the privilege of viewing other performances." Forsyth County Teacher
*Anne Frank: A Patch of Blue
 Through a series of flashbacks, Anne comes to life as she tells stories from her diary, of the 25 months she spent in hiding with seven others in the back annex of her father's business in Amsterdam. Anne's spirit comes to life through these excerpts and stories from her famous diary that documents the horror of the Holocaust instigated by Adolf Hitler's Nazi regime. Anne always maintained that there is good in all of us. In the end the Nazi terror could not silence her voice. Specially designed for upper elementary, middle and high school social studies curriculum. Photo is from the Teaching Museum North. Available for touring with simpler set.
Fifth grade PSA social studies component: "the student will explain the reasons for America's involvement in World War II."
Eighth grade language arts component: the reading of Anne Frank's diary.
"You made me feel like I had been in Holland at that time hiding in an attic for 2 years. I loved the play. You were inspiring."
Let's Keep It a Secret: The Writing of the U.S. Constitution
 Young Mary House during the summer of 1787 is sent to help her great aunt, the owner of the Indian Queen Tavern in Philadelphia, where many of the delegates to the Constitutional Convention stayed. While cleaning James Madison's room, Mary comes across his notes taken during the sessions and "spills the beans" to her audience, who in turn play various delegates at the Constitutional Convention. Grade levels 4 and 5. Limited to 100 or one grade level.
Fourth grade Civics and Government PSA component: "the student will describe the 'We the people' preamble, the federal system of governments, etc."
"You make us feel like we are stepping back in time. It has been wonderful. Thanks for getting our students interested in our Constitution."
Buttons for General Washington
 A one-woman portrayal of Anne Darragh, a member of a Quaker family who spied for General Washington during the Revolutionary War. This intriguing story of messages hidden inside covered buttons gives real information about spying, Colonial and Quaker life in the 1700's, and features the actress in period costume. Recommended grades 3-5. Maximum 200.
Fourth grade PSA social studies component: "The student will explain the causes, events, and results of the American Revolution."
"I always enjoy your acts. When ever you act you always turn into the person your acting." -- Fourthgrader
Turn Homeward, Hannalee
 This show is an historical fiction, dramatic presentation of the plight of one of the 400 Roswell Mill workers, arrested under orders of General William Tecumseh Sherman in July of 1964, charged with treason for making cloth for the Confederate States of America, and shipped to Louisville, KY to live in refugee warehouses, until work as servants, farmhands, or mill workers could be found. The one woman play is based on the historical fiction juvenile novel by Patricia Beatty. The play documents the horrors and realities of war, particularly civil war; family devotion, love, and perseverance, that can provide strength in times that are "hilly, bumpy, and stumpy." 50 minutes. Grades 4 on up.
Fifth grade PSA language arts component: "The student will read and comprehend literary genres." And social studies component: "The student will explain the causes, major events, and consequences of the Civil War."
"It sounded like you were really Hannalee. You had a lot of expression." -- Fourth grader
*New Manchester Girl
If you're looking for a true story about Civil War Georgia Mill Workers, then this is it. Scynthia Catherine Stewart of New Manchester, Georgia, as well as others in the mill town, was charged with treason against the United States government for making cloth for the Confederate cause. After the Yankee soldiers burned the textile mill, she was sent to Louisville, Kentucky, along with her mother and siblings, as prisoners of war. There they were miraculously reunited with their father. After the war, they returned home to their ghost town to find wild strawberries growing in their yard, their manna from heaven that helped them survive that first post-war year.
Fifth grade Social Studies component: "The student will explain the causes, major events, and consequences of the Civil War."
"I really learned a lot about the Civil War through your stories. Now I am much more interested about women in the Civil War. Your stories were so moving. Thanks for coming to our school."
Rachel Carson: A Sense of Wonder (special request only)
Earth Day Woman
A one-woman show based on this noted marine biologist and author of nature books for the layman, this program presents biological facts interspersed with sense of wonder segments, to open up our eyes to the every day wonders that occur in the natural world. A tribute to the lady who wrote SILENT SPRING; a tribute to Earth Day and its pledge; an attempt to make us develop our sense of wonder. Recommended grades 3-12. Maximum 200.
Third grade PSA science component: "The student will recognize the effects of pollution on humans and the environment. The student will identify ways to protect the environment."
"The presentation of RACHEL CARSON: A SENSE OF WONDER was marvelous--it epitomized the Chautauqua experience. She is such a professional." -- Judi Snyder, Branch Manager, Blake Library, Stuart, FL
Sacajawea Speaks
 A 45 minute program designed for first and fourth grades, to honor the bicentennial of the Lewis and Clark expedition and the contributions that Sacajawea made to the Corps of Discovery's expedition that opened up the Northwest Passage. Through costumes, props, visual aids, the audience will use their imaginations to aid them through this 18 month expedition that covered 11 states and thousands of miles by land and sea. Sacajawea invites the audience to sit on the "listening blankets" as she tells them stories about the adventurous trip and allegories (teaching lessons) she told to her infant son, Pomp, who accompanied her on the journey. Ideally designed for audiences under 100.
First grade PSA social studies component: "The student will describe the cultural and geographic systems associated with the following historical figures: Meriwether Lewis, William Clark, and Sacajawea.."
Fourth grade PSA social studies component: "The student will explain westward expansion of America between 1801 and 1861."
How about booking Sacajawea Speaks for American History Month or Women's History Month or Native American Indian Month?
Pearl Harbor Children
 This show brings to life three accounts of December 7, 1941: one of a young American girl, living on O’ahu, whose father is a civilian dock worker (Sarah Walker); another of the daughter of Mitsuo Fuchida, Japanese flight commander for the Pearl Harbor attack (Miyoko Fuchida); and the third of a fictional nissei, Japanese-American girl, living in Hawaii with her isei parents and whose father is interned as a prisoner-of-war (Yuriko Ito.) The three stories intertwine as we learn the facts about the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and its consequences. There are musical transitions using authentic music from the period. Ideal for 5th grade audiences.
Fifth grade PSA social studies component: "The student will explain the reasons for America's involvement in World War II."
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om all over the world: trolls, dragons, cyclops, and giants, all told in a light hearted manner for the younger crowd, or switched up for the older. There may even be a tale about an angry green gourd picked before its time. Audience participation for all ages.
A 45 minute program designed to introduce students K-5 to the culture and folklore of China through stories. The program has an introduction to China (one out of every four children in the world is Chinese) using three stories representing four different facets of Chinese culture. Possible stories include: dragon stories; the Chinese zodiac; a cricket warrior; paper cuttings; tangram stories.. All stories have visuals with props and costumes from China. 
In a concert of storytelling pieces from around the world, Cathy brings each tale to life with her unique style. Carefully choosing each story for its universal value, she then scripts and sculpts the story, adding music, characterization, costuming, and movement. Cultures include Ireland, India, China, Japan, Africa, Native American Indian, Scandinavia, Russia. Recommended grades K-5. Family audiences. Maximum 200.