Daytime Performance Series 2004-2005

Guess How Much I Love You & I Love My Little Storybook Tuesday November 9 & Wednesday November 10 10am & 12pm Grades Pre-K – 2 MERMAID THEATRE OF NOVA SCOTIA Mermaid theatre has brought the very popular Eric Carle series to the Bardavon, and promises to delight your students again with this adaptation of "Guess How Much I Love You", the award-winning classic from author Sam McBratney and illustrator Anita Jeram. Little Nutbrown Hare loves Big Nutbrown Hare as far as he can reach and as high as he can hop. But Big Nutbrown Hare loves him as far as his long arms can reach and as high as his strong legs can hop. And so it continues. In "I Love My Little Storybook", an eager little bunny lies on the grass and opens his book, and within moments, the story he's reading comes alive in fascinating detail. From illustrator Anita Jeram comes this endearing celebration of the joy of reading. Iabas Thursday December 2 10am All ages Traditional Brazilian Band “Bom Dia” means “good day” in Portuguese, the language of Brazil. And it will be Bom Dia when you come to experience Iabas performing with 4th graders from the Poughkeepsie School District. In a weeklong residency in two Poughkeepsie schools, Iabas will introduce up to 200 students to the music and language of the Brazilian people. Students will be making instruments and learning songs, and will join Iabas on stage for a celebration of distinct cultural origins and diverse rhythmic, melodic and lyrical influences. Join in the celebration! The Nutcracker Thursday, December 9 & Friday December 10 (snow date: Monday, Dec. 13) 9:45am & 12pm All Ages New Paltz Ballet Theatre The New Paltz Ballet Theatre returns for a 8th season to present this classic holiday event featuring principal dancers from the New York City Ballet. Peter and Lisa Naumann, co-directors of the NPBT have brought many fine regional artists together to create this beautiful production. Dancers, designers, and technicians have all contributed to make this Nutcracker a visual delight. Come along with Marie as she dreams of a fierce battle between giant mice and toy soldiers followed by a magical journey through the Land of Snow to the Kingdom of Sweets. Circo Comedia Thursday February 10 (snow date Feb. 11) 10am & 12pm Grades: K-4 Smythe & Saucier Unpredictable thrills are the signature style of this explosive duo from Montreal. In the tradition of the Quebec Circus, Saucier, master equilibrist performs his feats from dizzying heights while Smythe, catastrophic clown eccentric, gets carried away by his own folly. Both Smythe and Saucier are entertainers of international caliber. They have more than 22 years experience performing with circuses including eh acclaimed Cirque du Soleil. This duo will bring some warmth and sunshine to the dreary month of February. Color Me Dark: A story of the Great Migration North Tuesday February 15 10am & 12pm Grades 4 – 8 A co-commission between the Kennedy Center & Scholastic Entertainment As part of the Dear America series by Scholastic Books, Color Me Dark explores the lives of two African-American sisters, Erma Jean Love and Nellie Lee Love, as they bear witness to a time of great social upheaval in the 1920’s. To escape the racial prejudice and animosity experienced in the South, the Love family becomes part of the migration north to Chicago from Bradford Corners, Tennessee. This work explores the importance of family and touches on the conflict of prejudice they encounter within their own race. Above all this play highlights the special relationship of two sisters and the events that bring their family together during changing times in America. Teacher workshop available: The Kennedy Center has developed a Teacher’s Workshop to complement this performance, “Teaching Tolerance Through Drama”. Tolerance has become a focus in schools that are determined to protect students from bullying, taunting, and belittling. What is needed to help students learn to be accepting and respectful team players and protective leaders? This question is addressed in this workshop through drama strategies that build collaboration and respect in the classroom and result in teambuilding and the development of problem solving skills. Please contact Kay Churchill early in the school year to discuss your school’s interest in this workshop. FROG and His Friends Thursday March 10 10am & 12pm Grades K-4 Theatre Terra Theatre Terra, from the Netherlands, has visited the Bardavon twice before with Swans Down and Circus. This newest production promises to delight you and your students again. Little Max is moving tomorrow to a new house, but he doesn't want to. He has a fear of starting at a new school and making new friends. Max conquers his fears with help of Frog, his storybook friend. Frog, along with his mates Hare, Duck, Rat and Piggy guide Max through the beloved stories of Max Velthuijs: Frog is Frightened, Frog in Winter and Frog and the Stranger. This adorable life size puppetry/musical by Theatre Terra just won the acclaimed Dutch Theatre Award for Best New Musical, beating out all adult theatre entries. Learn the true meaning of Friendship with Frog and his Friends. Young Playwrights Festival Friday, March 18 10am Grades: 5 – 6 This marks the 10th year the Playwrights have surprised and stunned audiences as they tackle every subject imaginable, ranging from family drama, death, divorce, and even existential angst. What you see and hear from these playwrights will forever change you and your students’ expectations about the power of writing. The performance is the culmination of an intensive 20-week writer-in-residency program with Emmy nominated writer, Casey Kurtti. This unique program touches on every part of the theatrical creative process. Presented in association with the Poughkeepsie City School District. The Happy Prince Tuesday May 10 10am & 12pm Grades 2 – 6 MACROBERTS PRODUCTIONS She brought you The Red Balloon and Martha. Now let director Annie Wood take you into the world of Oscar Wilde's The Happy Prince. High above the city sparkles the golden statue of The Happy Prince. One night a little swallow on his way to Egypt rests at his feet. Splish splosh… the little bird thinks it's raining and shivers… he looks up and realizes it is not rain but real tears falling from the statue's eyes. The statue wants the little swallow to help him but it is growing colder and colder. What is he to do? Join the swallow and the Happy Prince on a magical journey filled with music, live action and puppets. Young People’s Concert featuring the Hudson Valley Philharmonic Dates to be announced 10am & 11:45am Grades: 1-8 The Language of Spanish Music: it's full of hot rhythms, passion and dance. Come explore how this exotic music has inspired orchestral composers and will inspire you! Our goal is to enrich the lives of children by exposing them to beautiful music. We hope you will join us. The interactive concert and hands on residency activities will engage your students through creative exploration and active musical participation. Developing your students’ natural musical competence will ensure that they will become successful hearers, and awaken their interest in the many ways music plays out in school learning and life. The repertoire will include: Georges Bizet Selections from Carmen Suites No. 1 & No. 2 Manuel de Falla El Sombrero de tres picos (The Three-Cornered Hat) Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov Capriccio Expagnol Gioacchino Rossini Overture to The Barber of Seville Plus a solo performance by the winner of the Virtuoso in Progress Competition and a performance of a composition written by local students. Before attending the concert we strongly recommend participating in Classroom to Concert, a program designed to give your students the ultimate musical experience.  Juilliard trained teaching artists work in classrooms to prepare students to successfully hear the marvelous pieces and thus feel the joy and revelation that makes people lifelong lovers of classical music. In the classroom, students are involved in musical activities that engage them in the artistic issues of each piece. Teaching artists will work with up to 50 students per session and up to 4 sessions per day.  A study guide and CD will be provided to educators.