CRABGRASS   PUPPET   THEATRE Encore Performing Arts, Inc Roberta Wolinsky PO Box 630 Melville, NY 11747 (800) 669-9850 Fax: (631) 423-1795 Email: puppets@encoreperforming.com Website: http://www.crabgrasspuppets.com/ Crabgrass Puppet Theatre presents quality puppet theatre featuring a variety of intricate and unusual puppets, colorful scenery, music, and expert manipulation. Programs available include: "Anansi, Spiderman of Africa" is a side-splitting selection of famous folktales from Africa starring Anansi the spider, whose appetite always overrules his intellect. The show is a dynamic blend of traditional African design, infectious music and fabulous puppetry. “The Bremen Town Musicians” is an enchanting Brothers Grimm folktale. Thrown off their farms because they are too old to work, a donkey, a cat and a rooster form a singing group and set off for the big city to make it in show biz. Along the way they meet a nasty bunch of robbers, and it’s up to the animals to get rid of them. In doing so, they discover that everyone has a special talent and that only by working together can they achieve their dreams. "Mr. Punch's Christmas Carol" is a lighthearted adaptation of Dickens' holiday classic, starring Mr. Punch as Scrooge. "The Last Dragon on Earth" is a modern fairytale about learning to live together in peace. It tells the story of a Princess that does not need to be rescued from a misunderstood dragon who happens to be the very last one on earth. "The Last Dragon on Earth" is a modern fairytale about learning to live together in peace. It tells the story of a Princess that does not need to be rescued from a misunderstood dragon who happens to be the very last one on earth. “Haiku Hiphop and Hotdogs”: Puppets Do Poetry Imagine a symphony composed entirely by goldfish! Thrill to the adventures of “Fearless Flying Hotdogs!” Dance with the “Funky Snowman!” This exciting new fusion of poetry and puppetry includes Jack Prelutsky’s “The Goblin” (these goblins just want to have fun!) as well as poems by Nikki Giovanni, David McCord, Calef Brown and others. Remember to “Keep a Poem in Your Pocket,” and – above all – “Do Not Approach an Emu!” “Jabberwocky” One of the best-known poems in children’s literature springs to life with wit and whimsy, stunning puppets, and fantastical scenery. Explore the magical world of Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking Glass, where you’ll meet wondrous creatures like the mimsy borogrove and the frumious bandersnatch. This fabulous and funny adventure is a true celebration of the imagination! “The Day It Snowed Tortillas” Creative thinking is the key ingredient that helps a poor couple outwit a gang of bullies in this delightful folktale from Mexico about luck, love and lunch. A woodcutter and his wife have the chance to become rich. All they have to do is make it snow – in July – in Mexico! Perfect for Hispanic Heritage Month and Cinco de Mayo! Program Titles: Anansi, Spiderman of Africa; The Bremen Town Musicians; Mr. Punch's Christmas Carol; The Last Dragon on Earth; Haiku Hiphop and Hotdogs; Jabberwocky; The Day It Snowed Tortillas Special Requirements: 9 ft. ceiling clearance Fee: $875-1000 for 1; $1150-1300 for 2 back-to-back Funding Sources: New England Foundation for the Arts, Connecticut Commission on Culture and Tourism, VT Council on the Arts

PUMPERNICKEL   PUPPETS John McDonough 61 Park Ave. Worcester, Massachusetts 01605 (508) 799-4814 E-mail: Puppets2Go@aol.com Web site: www.pumpernickelpuppets.com Pumpernickel Puppet shows are presented with a cast of colorful puppet characters, audience participation, live voices and sound effects and fast paced scripts that educate as well as entertain. A demonstration period follows every performance giving the audience some insight into what happens behind the scenes. All programs last approximately thirty-five to forty minutes and our portable stage, lights and sound system can be set up in almost any indoor location. The Pumpernickel Puppets are the creation of John McDonough. John has been a professional puppeteer for over thirty years. Performance locations have included: The Puppet Showcase, Brookline, MA, The Institute of Professional Puppetry at the Eugene O'Neill Theatre Centre, Smithsonian Institution Washington, DC, The Center for Puppetry Arts Atlanta, GA and the prestigious International Festival of Puppet Theatre sponsored by the Jim Henson Foundation. Program Title: Peter Rabbit; The Frog Prince; Sir George and the Dragon; The Three Billy Goats Gruff and The Lion and the Mouse Audience Limit: approx. 150 Grade Level(s): Preschool - 3rd Grade Fee: $225 and up (depending on location) Possible Funding Source: Massachusetts Cultural Council

MARY   JO   MAICHACK   MINSTREL/STORYTELLER Maichack Arts 93 Homestead Ave. Holyoke, MA 01040 (413) 532-3667 Fax (413) 538-6023 E Mail: EmJay7@aol.com Website: www.maryjomaichack.com/ Winner of two national awards (NAPPA Gold & Honors) for her CDs of storytelling & music, veteran singer and storyteller Mary Jo Maichack has "got it down to a science," says Pat Pierce of Newington's Lucy Robbins-Welles Library. Mary Jo offers a huge variety of themes for your library, school (prek-8), museum, festival or other venue, from summer reading club shows to school residencies and professional development workshops for teachers and parents in using storytelling as oral literacy skill-building. Fun. Fun. Fun. Aligned with learning standards. Easy, fun and businesslike in making arrangements. Free posters and press releases save you time. Performer, creative teaching artist, cabaret singer and dynamic teller of folktales, Mary Jo's shows work because they are unusually interactive. In family and children's programs, your audiences sing, (MJ plays guitar) chant, play instruments, make sound effects, dance, act in costumes and have a ball. Vastly experienced (22 years) in any age-group or mix of ages. Using multicultural folktales at the heart of each program, Mary Jo weaves in music, dance & audience play. Please visit Web site for show descriptions from summer reading to preschools to Halloween and beyond. Winner, Julie Andrews Artist-in-Residence Award, Mass. Cultural Council Stars residency, NEFA touring artist can help fund your program. B.A. cum laude, English lit., Middlebury College. Extensive foreign language study. "Clever and engaging," says School Library Journal, "A perfect choice for the literacy path," says L.A. Parent Magazine As a cabaret singer interpreting the Great American Songbook, Mary Jo brings top notch professional pianists to accompany her and wow your audience--background or shows. Performed at Pittsfield Mass.'s Colonial Theatre, Cranwell Resort, Berkshire Forum. Program Titles: Books Are Celebrations—the funniest reading show ever; Everybody Says Hello—Multilingual Fun in Story & Song; The People Could Fly/African-American Folktales and Music; Clever Maidens: Women's History in Folklore and Myth; Greek Myths—ALIVE!, Native American Tales; Skunk Grease & Turpentine (Hilarious Tall Tales & Tunes of American Pioneers); The Minstrel's Revels: A Medieval Romp; Or Would You Rather Be A Fish? Folklore & Songs of the Sea); Howlarious Halloween/Ghost Stories & Songs; Sun, Moon, Stars!; All Together Now/Stories & Songs to Celebrate Diversity; Round the World in Tales & Tunes multicultural show; The Lake of the Croaking Frogs and Other Tales & Tunes of Nature; Preschoolers’ Palooza!; Stinkbug Bugaloo: Stories & Songs of Insects; Meowls & Growls: Animal Tales; After-school programs incorporating performance with teaching kids storytelling skills; Workshops, in-service programs and residencies in storytelling for adults and children; “Oh, Behave! Family Audience Management Essentials for Event Hosts.” Audience Limit: prefer audiences of 200 and under but will discuss any Fee: $395 and up Funding Source: Massachusetts Cultural Council, local councils, CT Humanities Council, other

DIANE   POSTOIAN 130 Wentworth Ave. Cranston, RI 02905 (401) 461-1322 E Mail: dianepostoian@gmail.com Website: www.dianepostoian.com In 2006, Diane Postoian received an Honorary Doctorate from Rhode Island College for her life-long achievements in theatre and education for young audiences. During her time as director of Looking Glass Theatre, she received grants nationwide for her commitment to educate through performance. "I didn't choose my profession. It chose me. Once I knew I had a gift for comedy and a love for learning, I knew I could use my performance energy to teach in a way both children and adults would find entertaining and inspiring.” Diane’s programs include: Acting Naturally About Reading- Staged stories and classroom workshops helping students to connect the passion and emotion of the spoken word to its written text. The Olga! Project- a ‘serious’ comedy routine tackling such topics as media-hype, body image, violence in entertainment and bullying. ParentZING – a playful, informative lecture/workshop for educators and parents on the value of pretend in early childhood education. Tell Me a Story- professional, exploratory coaching for beginner storytellers. Program Titles: Acting Naturally About Reading, The Olga! Project, ParentZING, Tell Me a Story Audience Limit: Shows: 150 students; Workshops - classroom size Special Requirements: open space Fee: $425 and up Possible Funding Sources: New England Foundation for the Arts, State Arts Councils, VSA Arts, Titles One and Four

LON   CEREL 18 Pinewood Avenue Johnston, RI 02919 (401) 946-3183 E Mail: magicguy@cox.net Website: loncerel.com/magicofreading.html "The Magic of Reading" is a curriculum-based program incorporating popular children's books. Lon Cerel has been entertaining children and their families for over 20 years and has twice been voted "RI's Best Family Entertainment" by the RI Parents' Paper. Lon's goal is to aid in your efforts to motivate your children, by promoting the Fun of recreational reading, and the use of the library. Instead of turning on the TV, children learn to turn on their minds and their imaginations. The program is a perfect companion to the Books & Beyond and Feinstein Good Deeds programs. In addition, by utilizing the techniques of stage magic, each illusion reinforces moral values such as sharing, cooperation, giving respect to get respect, "paying it forward", and consequences (cause and effect). The program is specirfically geared to grades K-5. Program Title: The Magic of Reading Audience Limit: 250/assembly Fee: $450-$550; second show, same day: $200 additional

CHILDREN'S   VOICES  THEATER Ellen Weiner Professional Artists Management 2411 Bay Road Sharon, MA 02067 (781) 784-6394 E Mail: elweiner@comcast.net Website: www.elweiner.com Promote Literacy and Celebrate the Imagination With ‘Children’s Voices Theater’ Children’s Voices transforms stories and poems written by students K-6, into a magical theatrical experience that combines acting, mime, comedy,masks,puppetry,jugglling, and audience participation. Throughout the performance, Michael Zerphy and Marv Klassen-Landis, creators of Children’s Voices, weave themes of trusting one’s inner voice, overcoming fear, and getting started when ‘I don’t know what to write’ . Students get so excited after seeing this performance that they can’t wait to write their own poems and stories. This production is a high energy high student motivator. Workshops and residencies are also available. A Teacher Guide is provided. Audience Limit: 250/300 for schools; Public Presentations: No limit Fee: $800 for one, $1,300 for two -block booking rates available -public performances may be somewhat higher Funding Sources: New England Foundation for the Arts, Vermont Arts Council, New Hampshire Council on the Arts Special Requirements: None- a stage is not required –set up time approximately one hour

DEBBIE   O'CARROLL   MAGICAL  THEATRE   FOR   CHILDREN Debbie O'Carroll 51 Olive Street Newburyport, MA 01950 (978) 462-9954 Fax: (978) 462-9954 Email: debbie@debbieocarroll.com Website: www.debbieocarroll.com Debbie O'Carroll is a 'one of a kind' performer. She combines stage magic, theatre, and dance with lots of audience participation. Her appealing props, delightful costumes, enchanting magic and lively stage movement both educate and entertain. Program Titles: Addacadabra (math): The Flower Power Magic Show (science and social Studies): Celebrate the December Holidays (diversity); The Irish Magic Show (children's literature); The Amazing America Animals Magic Show (history): The Railroad Magic Show (geography of the U.S.); The Magic of Exercise (physical fitness); Tall Tales from a Small World (world geography); The Planets Magic Show (science) Grade Level Suitability: Pre-K through 6 Audience Size Limit: None. Fee: $300 - $400; Block Booking rates for two or more performances. Discounts for after school programs. Funding Source: NEST, New England Foundation for the Arts, BOCES, Massachusetts Cultural Council, local cultural councils.

ED   THE  WIZARD Ed Cope 192 West Main Street Orange, MA 01364 (978) 544-8092 E Mail: edthewizard@edthewizard.com Web Site: www.edthewizard.com Ed the Wizard delights and entertains his audiences with mystical and comedic routines suitable for all ages. Dressed as a wizard straight out of a fairy tale, complete with curly pointed elf shoes, Ed the Wizard combines a life-long interest in magic with a passion for reading. He delivers a strong positive message about reading as key to teaching yourself anything, and also to having a lot of fun! At the end of each performance, Ed the Wizard donates a magic book to the hosting school or library. Audience members will be delighted to find that some of the routines Ed the Wizard performs in his show are taught in the book! Program Titles: Ed the Wizard performs 'Reading is Magic' Grade Level Suitabiilty: Performances - Pre K and beyond; Workshops - grade 3 and up Audience Size Limits: Performances - the smaller the better, but from a single class to whole school assemblies; Workshops - 15 - 20 is best. Fee: Call for prices. Prices for single, multiple, and all day events available. Funding Sources: Many events have been funded by Local Cultural Councils.   ENCHANTED CIRCLE THEATER Ellen Weiner Professional Artists Management 2411 Bay Road Sharon, MA 02067 (781) 784-6394 E Mail: elweiner@comcast.net Website: www.elweiner.com Enchanted Circle Theater is one of New England's premier children's theater companies, integrating music, dance, theater, visual arts and literature. The current repertoire includes: Folktales From Japan (K - 6), Roots, Rhythm and Rapture - Caribbean music and dance (all ages), A Bullet Can't Kill A Dream - a multi-media performance about three courageous young people who each, in their own way stand up and speak out against injustice (5-8), Tales From Mother Russia (K - 6), Dance of the Earth (4-8) about the life of our planet Earth, and From Page to Stage (5-12), a dramatic rendering of prose, poetry, and drama aimed at encouraging young people to read. Program Titles: Folktales from Japan; Tales From Mother Russia; Dance of the Earth; From Page to Stage; Roots, Rhythm and Rapture; A Bullet Can't Kill A Dream. Audience Limit: approx. 25/class/workshop; 300/assembly Fee: For Tales From Mother Russia, Folktales From Japan, Latino Voices, Dance of the Earth: $800 for one; reductions for multiples and block booking; workshop fees lower Funding Sources: Massachusetts Cultural Council, New England Foundation for the Arts, B.O.C.E.S. Special Requirements: space approx. 20' X 20'; electricity; (do not require stage)    STEPHEN   STEARNS Bonnie Stearns, Managing Director 44 Hillcrest Terrace Brattleboro, VT 05301 (802) 254-8355 Fax: same E Mail: stearns@sover.net Web: www.sover.net/~stearns OR Ellen Weiner Professional Artists Management 2411 Bay Road Sharon, MA 02067 (781) 784-6394 Fax: (781) 784-5393 E Mail: elweiner@att.net Website: www.elweiner.com Stephen Stearns, creator of the New England Youth Theatre in Brattleboro VT, has been performing and teaching theatre residencies in schools since 1977. "As animated as the Marx Brothers and as commanding as Laurence Olivier." (New England Storytelling Festival) In Right Under Your Nose, Stephen teaches young people some of the physical tricks of being a clown. But, more important, he demonstrates that determination, empathy, creative thinking and a sense of humor are tools we all can use to turn mistakes and set-backs into opportunities for growth. Water is Life is a zany, magical and educational trip through the water cycle. With a riotous array of props, Stearns teaches facts about water and why it is so important to value it as our most precious resource. Library Shelf Stories"- Books from your own library's shelves leap off the page with acting, mime, and audience participation. "By bringing to life stories on our own shelves, Stephen awakened a spirit of fun and adventure in our young readers that lingered all through the summer... No one wanted to leave... They lingered and selected books or talked about the stories. That's what I call a successful library program!" said Jeanne Walsh of Dover Library in Vermont. Laugh Me to the Moon is a hilarious performance of physical comedy, idiotic illusion, magic, music, wit and wisdom, served on a bed of audience hysterics. Stephen is a master of audience rapport who can make everyone in an audience of a thousand feel like part of his own special family. "It's so great to be silly and laugh... He's wonderful! As animated as the Marx Brothers and as commanding as Laurence Olivier," say audiences. Program Titles: Right Under Your Nose; Water is Life; Library Shelf Stories; Laugh Me to the Moon Audience Limit: 250 for Water is Life,for other shows- 300, elementary; 400, middle and high Workshop Limit: 20 Fee: $300-$500/performance Funding Source: NEST program of New England Foundation for the Arts MUSIC   SONGSPUN PRODUCTIONS Brian Chevalier 62 Lexington Ave. Glens Falls, NY 12801 (518) 798-2030 E Mail: info@nycap.rr.com Website: http://www.songspun.com Brian Chevalier offers in school performances (k - 6) that are highly engaging and interactive. When students are 100% engaged they are having fun and learning at the same time! The program topics include Character Education (including anti-bullying), Health and Nutrition or Reading Encouragement (great for PARP or reading programs). A popular choice is to have Brian facilitate morning workshops, where students write an original song on the topic of your choice, and then an afternoon performance (or two) of your choice, that includes the song written in the morning. This is an experience that kids remember. Block booking is encouraged. Program Titles: Character Rocks; Reading Rocks; Celebrate Nutrition; Songwriting workshops. Fee: $500 and up    TROUBADOUR 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.