So You Want To Be A Hero:  America's Riproaring  Tall Tales

Three tales of America's greatest tall tale heroes as told by their wives:  Sally Ann Thunder Ann Crockett (wife of Davy Crockett, who tamed the hills of Tennessee), Fanny Feboldson (wife of Febold Feboldson, the inventingest farmer to hit the American Midwest), and Slue Foot Sue (wife of Pecos Bill, who tamed the American West.)  All across America from sea to shining sea, these larger than life Tall Tale heroes used their super human strength, their inventiveness, and hearts too large for words to make America what it is today.  Lots of audience participation in this fast moving show for all ages.

    "I loved your terrific show!  I guess it took you a long time to memorize all those words.  I like how you made the show so fun and creative."

Gotcha! Trickster Tales From Around the World

This is not just for April Fool's! We all like to play tricks and pranks year round. In fact, every culture has its trickster, who is always a teacher, sometimes a fool. Listen to tales of Tyl Eulenspiegel from Holland, Coyote tales from the American Southwest, and Anansi tales from Africa and the Caribbean before deciding whether a trickster is a teacher of fools or a foolish teacher. Recommended grades 3-12. Maximum 200.

"I like when you told that loust story about that spoter (spider.)  At the end it was so funny my head was hurting."

Remembering the Classics

Classic stories from children's literature and fairy tales, chosen appropriately for each grade level, brought to life through costumes and props and characterization.  Stories include:  The Story of Ping, The Pokey Little Puppy, The Golden Goose, The Burnt Faced Girl, Sleeping Ugly, Homer Price's Giant Ball of String, and many more favorites.  Grade level:  preK-5.  Audience limit:  under 200.

"Our teachers thought you were fabulous expecially our new teachers who have not had the privilege of viewing other performances."  Forsyth County teacher

If the Shoe Fits:  Cinderella Tales From Around The World

All in all, there are some 1500 different versions of Cinderella, a folktale/fairytale that is passed down through time.  As it is passed down, the words come out differently, depending on the teller and the culture.  Small changes happen all the time, but the framework of this transformational story stays basically the same.  If The Shoe Fits presents an overview of the basic Cinderella or transformational tale as well as three versions:  one from Ireland in which Cinderella is a boy named Billy Beg; one from native American Indian culture in which Cinderella is named Oochigeaskwa, the Burnt Faced Girl; and one new version from the jealous stepsister's point of view. For grades 1 on up.

"Thanks for showing us the storry.  You were funny, and I was so excited.  I should like for you to come again and be a friend."

 The Storybook Express

Take a journey on the storybook express to hear some very familiar, yet not so familiar folk tales like THE THREE BILLY GOATS GRUFF; JOURNEYCAKE HO (a version of the Gingerbread Man): MARTHA, THE LITTLE RED HEN; and THE FAT CAT in which all the characters and more reappear for one last romp.  Lots of audience participation with props and fun for preK-1 audiences.

"I REALLY enjoyed your performance.  All of them. They ware all so fun to watch, I don't know which one I liked the best.  Thanks a LOT!"

For Every Rhyme There Is A Reason:  Cause and Effect Stories

For every cause there is an effect, for every action there is an equal and opposite reaction--even in stories there are consequences.  Fun, lots of audience participation in these add-on stories, circular stories, and chain reaction stories demonstrating cuse and effect--perhaps even a visit from Rube Goldberg demonstrating one of his wacky inventions.  For audiences of all ages. 

"That was the best show I've seen all year.  That was so wonderful that I could'ent even beleave it.  See you next year."

Have You Ever Seen An Aye Aye? Animal Stories

An aye aye is a lemur from Madagascar.  The show itself is a collection of animal stories that includes one about a round robin, a mother and baby possum, and a selection of rhymes and songs, including "I Had a Cat," with lots of audience interaction.

Big Saurus, Little Saurus - Dinosaur Tales

This show is made up of rhymes, demonstrations, games, songs, and stories to educate young learners about the terrible lizards that once roamed the earth. With two dinosaur stories, a poem or two, with lots of audience participation, costuming and props.

"Your shows are the best. When are you coming back?"

Ms. Noodle Head Has Georgia On Her Mind

Now for second graders!

Ms Noodle Head  is all set to clean up Georgia's air, water, and traffic problems and make Georgia a shining example for the rest of the nation.  Ms. Noodle Head prove how much Georgia is on her mind as she takes the Whaddya Know About Georgia Quiz with questions from the Peanut Gallery; as she celebrates Georgia as the Poultry Capital of the World with the chicken dance; as she compares her ideas and qualifications with her opponents.  For 3rd-4th-5th graders. 45 minutes long with lots of audience participation.

 Perfect for Georgia History Studies!

 "Thank you for showing me a nice show.  It was real funny.  I laff so much I got hickup." -- Second grader

 "Guess what I forget too some times.  Your are very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very very FUNNY!" -- First 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...out of small beginnings greater things have been produced."  Designed for upper elementary social studies curriculum.

Anne Frank: A Patch of Blue

Commissioned by the Teaching Museum North, Fulton County, Georgia, Cathy appears as Anne Frank. 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 set.  Tour set is a simplified version.

"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, played by Cathy Kaemmerlen, 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 in order to reenact what went on behind closed doors.  Grade level:  4 and 5.  Limited to 100 or one grade level.

"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 the 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.

"I always enjoy your acts.  When ever you act you allways turn into the person your acting." -- Fourthgrader

Turn Homeward, Hannalee

TURN HOMEWARD, HANNALEE is a dramatic presentation of the plight of one of the 400 Roswell Mill workers who were 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 loosely 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;" and it portrays the good and bad characteristics of both sides who fought in the Civil War. Hannalee Reed is a fictitious twelve year old girl, who worked as a bobbin girl in the Roswell Mill until she was arrested. She promises her mother that she will return home. The play covers the nine month period from July, 1984, through April, 1865, the final months of the Civil War, and Hannalee’s adventures, including serving as an eyewitness to the Battle of Franklin, KY, as she turns homeward. 45 minutes. Grades 4 on up. 

"It sounded like you were really Hannalee.  You had a lot of expression." -- Fourth grader

Letters to Lincoln

In honor of the bicentennial years celebrating Lincoln's birth, Letters to Lincoln brings to life famous letters to and from Abraham Lincoln, to and from young citizens.  Included are stories about Grace Bedell, who wrote the famous letter suggesting the newly elected Lincoln grow a beard; letters about Lincoln's son, Tad's pet goat; Lincoln's letter to son Robert's teacher about his school work; the Bixby letter used in the movie SAVING PRIVATE RYAN; Sally Petty's letter asking for mercy for her deserter father; the Annie Davis letter asking if she was now a freewoman; and many others that serve as "windows into the soul" of our 16th President.  Ideally suited for grades 3-5 but can be adapted to wider audiences; book for Presidents' Day Celebrations, presidential election years, and other events.

"I loved it!  You made it sound just like we were there.  I compliment you on it."  -- Fourth grader

New Manchester Girl

  The true story of Scynthia Catherine Stewart of New Manchester, Georgia, during and immediately after the Civil War.  Scynthia, 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.

"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

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.

"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

How about booking A Sense of Wonder on Earth Day or National Women's History Month?  THe National Women's History Project is featuring Rachel Carson as the model for their 2009 theme to honor women who have taken the lead in the environmental, "green" movement.

Sacajawea Speaks

A 45 minute program designed for upper elementary 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.  With smaller audiences, 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 and upper elementary grades.

How about booking Sacajawea Speaks for American History Month or Women's History Month or Native American Indian Month?

Pearl Harbor Children

This new 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 is  by the daughter of Mitsuo Fuchida, Japanese flight commander for the Pearl Harbor attack (Miyoko Fuchida); and the third is  by a fictional nissei, Japanese-American daughter of a Japanese farmer, living in Hawaii with his Japanese picture bride and daughter, who 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.

Character Traits utilized: courage, patriotism, citizenship, fairness, respect for others, kindness, cooperation, self-respect, self-control, compassion, tolerance, diligence, generosity, cheerfulness, patience, loyalty, perseverance, virtue

Simply Gourd-eous

Meet the world of gourds--fascinating if inedible plants often described as plain old ugly! Through selected folktales, we learn the history and folklore, discovering that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, as we see this 10,000 year old plant that grows bottles in an unforgettable new light. With audience participation in the gourd instrument orchestra and in the tales. Recommended K-5 and family audiences. Maximum 200.

How about booking Simply Gourd-eous during the harvest or planting season.  After all Cathy gives out gourd seeds to help make your school more gourd-eous? 

Holiday Tales

Stories about the preparation, anticipation, and excitement that builds towards the Christmas and Chanukah holiday season. Choose from various stories, including "Granny Glittens and Her Amazing Mittens," "Giant Grummer's Christmas," "The Chanukah Latkes," "The Twelve Gifts of Christmas," "A Prairie Christmas," and others. Recommended K-5. Maximum 200.

Tales of Ireland

How about booking Tales of Ireland for March/Irish American Month  and St. Patrick's Day?

Tales of China: Land of the Dragon

A 45 minute program designed to introduce students K-8 to the culture and folklore of China through a fascinated storyteller. This is an ancient culture, rich in tradition and original tales that have been imitated, copied, adapted to many different cultures. 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.

How about booking Tales of China for Chinese New Year or for United Nations Day?

Tales of Japan

Sharing information about the sights, customs and traditions of Japan, this show is half travelogue (the storyteller tells of her recent trip to Japan as a curious tourist), and then entices the audience to appreciate, enjoy, and better understand Japanese tales like "The Funny Little Woman" (complete with body puppets) or for older audiences: "Three Strong women" and "The Boy Who Drew Cats." For K-5. Maximum 200.

How about booking Tales of Japan for Children's Day in Japan in May or for United Nations Day in October?

World Class Tales:  Tales from other lands

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 3-12. Family audiences. Maximum 200.

 "Thank you for the magnifisant story!  It was probabbly the best that I had ever herd." -- Third grader