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

GERWICK   PUPPETS Lenny Gerwick and Deborah Costine 6 Wood Street Southborough, MA 01772 (508) 481-6260 E Mail: info@gerwickpuppets.com Website: gerwickpuppets.com "Classic Quality Puppetry at its Best," The Gerwick Puppets are one of New England's longest running puppet troupes. Founded in 1974 by artist/educators Deborah Costine and Len Gerwick, this company performs in elementary schools around New England and regularly at such venues as Boston's First Night, the Peabody Essex Museum in Salem, The Mark Twain Museum in Hartford CT and The Puppet Showplace Theater in Brookline MA. Eight Productions are available and performed "live" with elaborate theater lighting and artist-painted scenery and high quality sound. Most include some interaction with the audience. Their DVD "The World of The Gerwick Puppets" documents much of what this company does as well as showing puppet making methods and how children can create their own puppet shows! Curriculum materials are available for each production. Productions: Adventures From Thornton W. Burgess: This much-loved production is adapted from stories by Massachusetts author Thornton Burgess. Children learn about New England animals including skunks, opossums, and woodchucks and their habits and habitats. Inside the Haunted House: In this original story written by the puppeteers, a boy and girl decide to explore an old mansion that is said to be haunted! Many funny and slightly scary surprises await them in this very exciting production. Pilgrim Adventure to America: This is an elaborate telling of the Pilgrim story through the eyes of the Brewster family. For maximum dramatic effect, this productions uses masks as well as hand puppets, a miniature Mayflower, a map of Cape Cod, and many interesting visual and audio effects. Midwinter Magic: This elaborate, winter fantasy takes place as puppet children "Mary Lou" and "Bruce" fall asleep on the longest night of the year. They are guided through a dream of enchanting music and puppets by "Katrinka" the midwinter sprite! Classical music enhances the experience! Aladdin and the Magic Lamp: This ancient story from "The Arabian Nights" shows the struggle between good and evil. The evil magician, the ominous secret cave, the magic flying carpet and the all-powerful genie of the magic lamp are part of this enchanting classic story! Rip Van Winkle: This early work of American literature by Washington Irving tells the story of the happy-go-lucky man who slept through the Revolutionary War. The show closely follows the original story and includes historical concepts and ideas from the late 1700's. (appropriate for grades 3 and up) Aesop’s Fables: In this solo production, puppeteer, Len Gerwick, uses a different performing style, he is visible to the audience. The show's focus is on the morals of the fables: appreciating what you have, learning from the mistakes of others, and falling victim to one's own weaknesses. The Case of the Missing Woodpile: In this musical mystery performed solo by Len Gerwick, Mary Lou and Bruce are on summer vacation, planting a garden and building a tree house. Suddenly the wood for the tree house disappears and the audience gets to help solve the mystery! Original jazz score written by musician Jonathan Klein. Other Activities: Puppets in the Language Arts Curriculum: Students can each make a puppet for use in a puppet show that they write and produce themselves. Instruction is available for how to create a script based on a story they have read, how to practice effective puppet movement and dialogue. This is a very valuable educational project! Creating a script through the Gerwick Puppets’ unique process helps children understand the structure of stories. Custom designed programs are available. The Gerwick Puppets are available as Artists-in-Residence and are approved by the Massachusetts Cultural Council and are on the New England States Touring roster. Their DVD "The World of The Gerwick Puppets" by Two Bob's Productions, documents much of what this company does as well as showing puppet making methods and how children can create their own puppet shows! Program Titles: Adventures from Thornton W. Burgess; Inside the Haunted House; Midwinter Magic; Aladdin and the Magic Lamp; Aesop's Fables; Rip Van Winkle; Pilgrim Adventure to America; The Case of the Missing Woodpile Tales; Mid Winter Magic; The Puppets Teach Fire Safety Audience Limit: 250 Fee: 1 performance $700, 2 performances $1,000 plus travel fee; Residency days are $300/day/artist Special Requirements: The puppet theater requires a space of 15 ft. width, 10 ft. depth and 8 ft. height. A darkened room is best.

MICHAEL   GRAHAM'S   SPRING   VALLEY   PUPPETS 26 Howard Ave. New Haven, CT 06519-2809 (203) 777-4601 E-Mail: svpuppet@aol.com Website: www.springvalley.com Michael Graham, Director of the Spring Valley Puppet Theater, has been performing professionally since 1966 for schools and libraries throughout New England. His theatrical productions are drawn from fairy tales, folktales and fables, and feature beautifully crafted hand and rod puppets. A bilingual (English/Spanish) program is also available. Most school assembly programs can be followed by a curtain down question and answer period. Public performances are followed by a demonstration of some of the puppets. Curriculum materials available for each program. Jack and the Beanstalk Can beans make wishes come true? They can and do in "Jack and the Beanstalk," the award-winning puppet production of Michael Graham's Spring Valley Puppet Theater. This popular classic features beautifully crafted hand and rod puppets, colorful scenic design, special effects and an original script in which Jack, with the help of a clever Chicken, saves the day! The Spring Valley Puppet Theater production of "Jack and the Beanstalk" holds many surprises in this new approach to this old favorite. Jack and the Beanstalk received the 1994 UNIMA "Citation of Excellence" in the Art of Puppetry. The Three Wishes What would you do if a magical Elf gave YOU three wishes? That's just what happens to Henry and Gretchen in this puppet production of “The Three Wishes.” This folktale favorite is flavored with a dash of dialogue, a generous helping of humor and the twists of plot for which the Spring Valley Puppet Theater is known. This folktale favorite is flavored with a dash of dialogue, a generous helping of humor and the twists of plot for which the Spring Valley Puppet Theater is known. The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing A hungry Wolf tries to outwit the savvy Shepherd and make a meal of the helpless, little Lamb. Helpless? Maybe not! Adapted from the Aesop Fable, this popular story is enlivened with a colorful Mexican setting, a humorous communication gap and a surprise ending! The Lazy Fox (El Zorro Perezoso) Can a very lazy Fox trick an Armadillo? Perhaps, But in this production of the Argentine folktale, the Armadillo has a few tricks up HIS sleeve! This program features enchanting hand puppet animals and a large rod puppet Sun. This production is also available in a bilingual version: "El Zorro Perezoso." A Holiday Fantasy Enchanted toys, fairy magic and a clever mouse are just some of the surprises in "A Holiday Fantasy," an original puppet production by Michael Graham's Spring Valley Puppet Theater. The story unfolds to the music of Massenet, Glazunov, Lecocq and others! Puss in Boots A walking, talking cat? Impossible! Unless he's wearing the magic boots! This classic fairy tale features beautifully crafted hand puppets, a life-sized Ogre and clever scenic design. In an original adaptation, Puss (in boots) rushes headlong into a series of misadventures, only to discover he is happiest being himself! The Spring Valley Puppet Theater production of “Puss in Boots” mixes merriment and message in a new approach to this feline favorite. Program Titles: Jack and the Beanstalk; The Three Wishes (combines with The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing or A Holiday Fantasy); The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing (combines with The Three Wishes or The Lazy Fox); Puss in Boots; The Lazy Fox/El Zorro Perezoso (bilingual available) (combines with The Wolf in Sheep's Clothing); A Holiday Fantasy (all music, non-verbal program) (combines with The Three Wishes) Audience Limit: 350/Assembly (Floor seating) 250 Theater seating) Fee: Libraries: $335 to $355. Reduction for additional shows available. Travel fee: 25 cents per mile, round trip/ Special Requirements: An indoor area 12' to 20' wide X 6' deep, near electricity, with a 10' ceiling height (a 8' 11" ceiling height can be accomodated, sometimes lower); A darkened or dimmed room is preferable. Set up - 2 hours. Take down - 1 hour, 15 minutes. (A difficult load in or load out extends those times.)

SPARKY'S  PUPPETS Sparky Davis 28 Ferncrest Ave. Cranston, RI 02905-3511 (401) 467-0159 E-Mail: Popcorn700@aol.com Website: www.sparkyspuppets.com Enjoy the lively antics of these colorful hand puppets as they perform adaptations of favorite children's books! Each show includes several stories full of action, humor and plenty of audience participation. Choose from dozens of tales to create a program for any season or occasion! Sparky's Puppets have performed in schools, libraries and festivals throughout New England for over 25 years. A recent sponsor wrote, "Awesome! I was entranced through your whole show! Your folktales were very imaginative and they made the children think about natural happenings. They were positively, 100% engaged throughout the program! Keep up the great work!" Debbie Miceli, Grade 3 Teacher, West Vine St. School, Pawcatuck, CT. (Grades K - 4) Program Titles: Aesop's Fables; Tales of Sea and Shore; The Book Detective; Stories from Snowy Lands; Hats Off to Reading; How Does Your Garden Grow?; Halloween Spells; A Golden Christmas; Trickster Tales; and more Audience Limit: 35/class; 200/assembly Fee: $275 + .40/mile round trip Special Requirement: electricity