NEW 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 conutry's Civil War comes to life. Critically accalimed 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!
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 14th and 15th amendments to the Constittution. 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." Thirteen years after her death the 19th amendment to the Constitution was passed granting women the right to vote. It was called the Susan B. Anthony movement. 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.
VOTE FOR WOMEN!
NEW SHOW!
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...out of small beginnings greater things have been produced." Designed for upper elementary social studies curriculum.
Fourth grade PSA social studies component: "the student will describe European exploration in North Americe."
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.
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, 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.
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 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.
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 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.
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
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.
Fifthe 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
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
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.
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 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.
Fifth grade PSA social studies component: "The student will explain the reasons for America's involvement in World War II."
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
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Ms Noodle Head is all set to make Georgia a shining example for the rest of the nation as she proves how much Georgia is on her mind. She takes the Whaddya Know About Georgia Quiz with questions from the Peanut Gallery; she celebrates Georgia as the Poultry Capital of the World with the chicken dance; she tests the audience in their knowledge of Georgia's state symbols; she takes everyone on a year-round tour of fun testivals throughout the state; and along the way she tells some interesting legends about our Peach State, the Empire State of the South. For 2nd-5th graders. 45 minutes long with lots of audience participation.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.