SPECIAL NEEDS
PUPPETRY || STORYTELLING || MUSIC || HISTORICAL CHARACTERS
PUPPETRY
Judith O'Hare
(781) 944-0965
E Mail: jaohare@gmail.com
Website: www.youandmepuppets.com
Judith O'Hare developed the You and Me Puppets in 1977 to provide a way for children to be
expressive through the art of puppetry. Her style of participatory puppetry is unique and her work
in puppetry in education has been recognized by the Puppeteers of America through a leadership
award in 1994, and most recently she has been named a national education consultant. She
oversees a yearly "Puppets: Education Magic" teacher training project, speaks at educational
conferences and provides on-site teacher training for schools. She also works in partnership with
teachers to develop classroom puppet plays from conception to performance. Student workshops
are also available in a variety of subject matter.
Program Titles: Memories of a Chinese Grandmother (Grades K - 8); The Selfish Giant (Grades K - 6);
Jessica's Friends (preK - 4); Hansel and Gretel (K - 6), Tales from Greek Mythology (Grades 5-8; Petite Puppet Plays (preK-4)
Audience Limit: 25/workshop/class; 200/assembly
Fee: Start at $350, reduction for same performance/same day/same location.
Funding Sources: Massachusetts Cultural Council, New England Foundation for the Arts, B.O.C.E.S. (New York)
Special Requirements: assistance for loading and unloading, electricity, space approx. 15X20
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STORYTELLING
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JACKSON GILLMAN - "Stand-Up Chameleon" |
PO Box 41
Onset, MA 02558
(508) 295-0886
E-Mail: jacksong@jacksongillman.com
Web site: www.jacksongillman.com
Sparkling with energy, wit and whimsy, the "Stand-Up Chameleon" magically
transforms into a wide array of colorful characters. Through his many
talents as songsmith, comic, mime and storyteller, Jackson engages and
delights audiences of all ages with his highly visual and interactive
performances. Many different shows to choose from including several
educational nature programs. Has been a featured performer at festivals
across the country. For 6-12 grades, his two substance abuse awareness
presentations have been used annually by schools for their prevention
programming. 30+ years experience, easy-going and flexible, references
galore.
Program Titles:
Nature in Action, Story and Song - an educational romp on the wild and crazy side of natural science;
Riot in the Garden - fun-filled farm science, awarded Most Educational at the MOFGA Common Ground Fair;
BUGS! - doodlebugs, spiders, ants and other crawlies are featured in this low-life revue;
Once Upon a Tide - fun and fishy repertoire from the sandy beach to the briny deep;
On a Wing and a Song - a birds-eye view of the cycle of seasons;
Moon Crazy - captivating songs and stories to take you far away and pilot you happily home;
Autumn Wonders - a rich tapestry of the colors, sounds and smells in a heartwarming, story and song-filled celebration of the season;
Halloween Silly Willies - songs and stories to tickle your funny-bone without scaring your pants off;
Winter Wonders (or Holiday Huzzah for Christmas and/or Chanukah) - heartwarming celebrations of the seasons, holidays and the human spirit;
Spring Into Action and Song - celebrates spring and in all of its song-filled wonder;
The Man Who Planted Hope - an inspiring account of reforestation in Provence, adapted from the story by Jean Giono;
The Magic of Rudyard Kipling: Just So - the classic Just So Stories brought to life;
Levity in Motion - mime and stories for the family, airborne exploits and other childhood flights of fancy;
A Family Cabaret - an intergenerational look at daily rituals, wake-up to bedtime, from all perspectives;
The Dancing Man (with ASL) - lively, interactive songs and stories to move and groove with;
Harlequin and the Gift of Many Colors - stories of friendship performed with sign language;
Swamp Cake and Cattails - assembly program about anti-bullying and social acceptance, fancifully disguised as a prehistoric comedy with dinosaurs and dragons;
Hard Knocks - an intense one-man drama dealing with substance abuse within a family;
The Perfect High - a lighter-side look at the prevention of substance abuse;
Fee: starts at $375 + travel
Funding Sources: New England Foundation for the Arts
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| STORYTELLING FOR CHILDREN -
KATE CARNEY |
Kate Carney
51 Pettee Street
Newton, MA 02464
(617) 244-0209
Fax: (617) 926-7273
E Mail: carneyk@earthlink.net
Web site: www.katecarney.net
Need a riveting, versatile entertainer who can delight all ages and whet their curiosity? Need an artist-in-residence who can work effectively with children and teachers? Storyteller Kate Carney can meet these needs and more.
Since 1989, Kate has been telling stories to audiences young and old, at schools and libraries throughout New England, drawing on her broad repertoire of international folktales, myths and living history stories. Her presentations are highly interactive, educational and fun-filled.
An eclectic teacher/performer, with 25 years of teaching experience, Kate tells stories and gives workshops for all levels. Her programs tie in with on-going classroom studies -- from nature and the environment to living history to disability awareness.
Audiences describe her performances and workshops as inspiring, informative, and energizing, eg: "Kate has a wonderful way of engaging children of all ages -- she understands what interests and amuses them. I am impressed with how she creates a warm, friendly atmosphere in which shy children feel comfortable. She is a fine actor and a warm, pleasant person with many talents to share.”
Ed G., Director, Old Schwamb Mill, Arlington, MA
Kate’s storytelling captivates students’ attention, helps them process ideas, follow narrative, develop sequential thinking and improve their memory. They grow personally involved in the subject -- values such as character development and conflict resolution sink in. Her engaging style encourages students to honor themselves, their community and their physical environment.
Her message is Yes! If you keep at it, you can be anything you want to be. She also focuses on appreciating differences and developing self-esteem. By integrating arts into the curriculum, she motivates students to want to read. The result? Inquiring and creative minds, students who find reading exciting and accessible.
In her Residencies and Workshops for Children, Kate humorously and interactively pulls drama and skills from her receptive listeners as they begin to create stories. They start by re-enacting the events and characters they’ve just heard about. They go on to learn how to select a story, sequence its beginning, middle and end -- and present it in a final Story Festival.
In her Teachers’ in-service trainings Kate is committed to helping teachers reach their curricular goals. Her work is based on the progressive educational tradition – she gives exercises which stimulate question-asking, encourage the ‘whole child’ and provide ‘real-world’ experiences for children.
Kate is a multi-faceted Performer, Educator, Coach and Speaker. She is a member of the League for the Advancement of New England Storytelling, has written articles for the LANES Museletter and is a regular presenter at the Sharing the Fire North East Regional Storytelling Conference. She is available for touring performances, Workshops and Residencies, Teacher in-Service Trainings and Coaching.
Study Guides are available for these 45-minute programs. Visuals enhance the programs and help kids to see what life was like ‘back then’.
Interactive Living History Stories (Grades 2-4) Kate's creative approach to teaching history and language arts weaves storytelling, song and dramatization into learning. Playing an historical woman, she tells stories, leads kids in period songs and invites them to act out events from that part of America’s history. Inquiring, creative minds and responsible citizenship develop as she and the group focus on culture, science, art, fashion and our diverse culture.
Kate is happy to plan ahead with teachers, and to adjust the program for that group’s goals. Students may want to bring questions to ask Kate's character (History, Reading for 2-5)
The American Revolution: What was it like to be a kid in colonial days? Kate introduces children to the riddles, tales, songs and games of children in Pre-Revolutionary Boston.
The Frontier: Using simple objects, students re-enact events in stories they’ve just heard about the Oregon Trail and the Frontier.
The Lowell Mills: After stories of how the mill workers lived, students imaginatively step into their shoes to learn how to spend their money wisely.
Immigration: After hearing immigrants’ stories, youngsters take a mock exam like the ones immigrants had to take to enter this country.
Helen Keller's World: What would it be like to be deaf, blind and mute? Kids explore the roles of the disabled and their guides, to find out how it would feel to experience that world.
The Girl Scouts: Juliette Low’s childhood led her to found the Girl Scouts. Children hear about what the early Scouts did and try out some of their activities.
Story Programs for younger kids- tailored to your needs
Greek Myths/Aesop's Fables: Kids hear and act out Aesop's fables, and/or talk over the misadventures of some Greek heroes, gods, and goddesses. (K-6)
Mother Nature's Myths: Tales of Nature’s quirks; activities to honor her. (K-4)
Multicultural Tales: folk stories, songs and games to help kids understand other cultures. (K-4).
Audience Limits: Prefer groups of 60 or fewer.
Fees: $280 plus mileage for groups up to 60. Larger groups - Negotiable. Discounts available for Residencies, Day-long Workshops, Co-sponsorship and Block Bookings.
Funding Sources: New England States Touring (NEST) program of the New England Foundation for the Arts
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Folksinger & Storyteller
118 E. Chestnut Hill Road
Montague, MA 01351-9541
(413) 367-9304
E-mail: timve@rcn.com
Website: www.timvanegmond.com
Blog: timvanegmond.blogspot.com
Tim Van Egmond waves together tales, tunes, and songs -- from the rib-
tickling to the spine-tingling to the heart-warming. Music flows in
and around his stories through his singing and playing on a wide variety
of traditional instruments (including limberjack, hammered and mountain
dulcimer, mouth bow, guitar, conga drum, and pennywhistle). His dynamic style incorporates
dramatic movement, voice, and facial expression to make stories come alive.
His gift of encouraging participation makes for high-spirited and engaging
programs. Each program is tailored to meet special needs and interests
of sponsors and participants.
Teacher and Student Workshops also available. Residencies in Massachusetts for special needs classes and inclusion that adapt music and storytelling to build academic, developmental, and social skills can be arranged through VSA Arts of Massachusetts.
Program Titles: Building Bridges - A Celebration of Multicultural Diversity
and Understanding; Hearing Nature's Voice; You're (Not) So Different
From Me - Disability Awareness; Sun and Moon and Stars; The Story Bag; Sing, Jump, Say, Clap! - Language and Literacy Readiness Activities for Early Childhood;
Young Fogies & Old Whippersnappers - intergenerational programs with students and seniors.
Audience Limit: 50/class; 200/assembly (Extra charges for classes over 50 or assemblies over 200)
Fee: 1 show- $400 + travel; 2 shows - $600; 3rd and 4th show, $175 each;
Block-booking discount available.
Funding Sources: Massachusetts Cultural Council Creative Teaching Partners Program. For schools in New England states outside of Massachusetts that include a public performance, the New England States Touring Program (NEST)
Language Arts: Folk Tales, Trickster Tales, 'Why' Tales Science: Environment,
Ecology, Seasons, Nature Social Studies: World Cultures, Holidays, Community Health: Disabilty Awareness
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MUSIC
Victor Cockburn or Judith Steinbergh
126 Payson Road
Chestnut Hill, MA 02467-3272
(617) 327-8965
Fax: (617) 327-7473
E Mail: Info@Troubadour.org
Website: www.Troubadour.org
Presenting original and traditional material, Troubadour artists expose students and teachers to a wide range of lively and inspiring poetry and folksongs from diverse cultures. With poems and songs about issues close to their lives and classroom curriculum, the audience is exposed to works from a diverse collection of writers both adult and children. Troubadour recordings and material have received awards such as Entertainer of the Year from the Boston Parents Paper, as well as Parents Choice Silver and Gold, and Early Childhood Awards.
Troubadour artists have 30 years of experience teaching and developing curriculum. Programs directly relate to MA Curriculum Frameworks Guidelines. Curriculum support materials are available. In the classroom, through a combination of multi-visit, writing workshops for students, professional development workshops for teachers, and providing curriculum resources, Troubadour’s Artist Educators emphasize the use of literary arts in the writing process. We provide continued support for teachers and students by establishing personal and professional long-term relationships with schools. In this way, we can better effect a successful and lasting, systemic change in education, while encouraging a love of literature, writing, and music.
Fee: $400.00, $1,000.00
Possible Funding: Massachusetts Cultural Council, local cultural councils, Very Special Arts MA, Troubadour Educational Outreach Grant.
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78 Pratt Corner Road
Shutesbury, MA 01072
(413) 259-1146
E-Mail: roger@rogertincknell.com
Website: www.rogertincknell.com
Two-time Parents’ Choice Award-winning recording artist, Roger Tincknell offers participatory, curriculum-based music assemblies and workshops. As a former
classroom teacher and music specialist, Roger provides enriching multi-cultural, historical, and environmental programs. His repertoire includes international folk-songs
sung in a variety of languages as well as songs and dances from Native, African, European and Asian- American traditions. He plays guitar, banjo, mandolin, piano,
ukulele, Irish bozouki, Incan charango, Russian balalaika, Puerto Rican cuatro, harmonica, Native American flutes, African drums and Latin percussion. His programs
include: Across the Americas, a musical journey from Canada to South America; Earth Rhythms, an environmental program, Children's Songs and
Singing Games, a participatory multicultural program for younger grades. Roger also offers songwriting workshops and hands-on programs for special needs
and very young children. Comprehensive study guides are provided.
Program Titles: Across the Americas (can be tailored to include: Colonial America to the Revolution, Immigration and Industrial America;
From Slavery to Civil Rights; Cowboys, Yodeling and Western Expansion; Latin American Songs, Dances and Instruments; Songs of the Sea.);
Earth Rhythms (Celebrates and teaches environmental awareness); Children's Songs and Singing Games; Holidays from Around the World (Winter Solstice Celebration, Martin Luther King Jr., St. Patrick's Day, Halloween and others);
Under One Sky: A Multicultural Musical Journey around the World
Audience Limit: 40/class; 400/assembly
Fee: $350-$400 (plus travel) sliding scale for one show with additional programs on same day 1/2 price.
Funding Source: MCC, Local Cultural Councils, Very Special Arts, BOCES (NY), SCLC (CT)
Special Requirements: table and access to electricity
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HISTORICAL CHARACTERS
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HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVES FOR CHILDREN INC. |
Joan Schaeffer
1344 East Bailey Road
Naperville, IL 60565
(800) 305-0472
Fax: (630) 305-6042
E Mail: hpcprograms@historicalperspectives.net
Website: www.historicalperspectives.net
For over 20 years, Historical Perspectives for Children has educated and inspired students with compelling full-life
portrayals of historical role models whose stories will complement your social studies, science, language arts and character
education curricula. These engaging, multi-media and interactive productions dramatize each character's life from their
childhood through their adulthood, showing children the process each went through to achieve what they did. At the end of the
program, students will say to themselves, “Maybe I can do that someday!”
Program Titles: BEN FRANKLIN: Statesman and Inventor; HELEN KELLER: Champion of the Disabled; HARRIET TUBMAN: Conductor of the Underground Railroad; LAURA INGALLS WILDER: Writer of the Frontier
Audience Limits: Up to 300
Fee: Ranges from $515 - $775, depending on location. Block-booking discounts available.
Funding Source: Massachusetts Cultural Council grants
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