Rona Leventhal is one person, but many voices. Through her, skies talk, turtles sing, and magic happens! "Part mime, part singer, part actress, she walks her tales, talks them, sketches them with her hands, and stretches them from the ceiling to the floor" *. Rona will have you dancing, swaying in your seats, making funny noises, singing, and laughing, as she shares stories from the silly to the serious, from the mysterious to the monsterous! *Bruce Watson, Amherst Bullion, MA

Over the past fifteen years Rona has gained a reputation as an exuberant and dynamic Performer, bringing with her a cornucopia of voices, characters and cultural accents. Dramatic and engaging, she tells tales from many cultures, as well as original stories, giving us insights on how to live more clearly with ourselves, others, and the earth. She beautifully weaves together movement, songs, and humor, encouraging audience participation, and creating a joyful sense of community! Whether in the schools or in a public forum, Rona has the ability to communicate with the audience in a way that effectively imparts a message in a captivating and entertaining fashion.

But Wait! There’s more! Rona is also a Specialist of Improvisational Theatre and Movement and a Visiting Lecturer and Adjunct Faculty with the Education Departments at Columbia University, Lesley University and the University of Massachusetts. She’s a Certified Teacher and an Environmental and Outdoor Educator. Add to the mix her work in Integrating-the-Arts-into-the-Curriculum, creative writing and her work in Team Building and group dynamics and you have a multi-faceted Educator, Performer, professional development Trainer and Speaker.

An Eclectic Educator, Rona is deeply committed to working with teachers in school residencies to reach their curricula goals. Developing imagination is one of the keystones of her work...... an essential component, she believes, to inquiring and creative minds. She is also passionate about bringing literacy to students an an exciting, motivational, and accessible way. This includes in-school Residencies, Teacher Workshops and Parent/Literacy Nights.

Rona is an approved Teaching Artist and Performer with the Massachusetts, New York (BOCES), Alaskan, and Utah arts councils, the Wang Center for Performing Arts (Boston) and the New England Touring Roster (funding available). She is applauded for her enthusiastic spirit, supportive nature, and inspiring talent. In residencies, she works closely with teachers to meet curricua needs using an array of educational and fun activities to achieve goals. She tells stories, does residencies, gives keynote addresses, and leads workshops internationally. She performs the story-theatre piece "Degas and the Little Dancer", is co-editor of the book, Spinning Tales, Weaving Hope: Stories of Peace, Justice, and the Environment, which contains an article co-authored by Rona, “Ten Reasons to Use Storytelling in the Classroom”. The book received 2003 Honors Award from Storytelling World Magazine. Upcoming projects include several recordings, performances with historical content, and the book The Power of Imagination: Teaching to Creative Minds.

Program Titles: Earth Celebrations!; Woven As One - Stories and Songs of Community; The Silkie's Song - Stories and Songs of the Sea;Turning the wheel: Seasonal Tales; Rising Up: Stories of Struggles, Justice, Freedom and Hope; Tales from Russia; Asian Sampler; Feel'in Proud: Stories of self-esteem; Go Girls!: Stories of Strong Women and Girls; A Kaleidoscope of Stories: A Medley of Tales from Around the World; Oy Vey!: Stories from the Jewish Tradition; Mysteries, Puzzles and Mind Twisters: Stories to Ponder and Play with; Haunts, Haints and Hollers: Stories for Halloween; Degas and the Little Dancer: A Story Theatre Piece; and Subject-Specific Stories upon request (additional fee for creating new shows).

School Residencies and Workshops: Kids telling Stories; Kids Creating Stories; Writing Outside the lines: Storytelling as a Gateway for Improving Children's Writing (descriptive language); Story Quilts; Moving the Body, Freeing the Mind: The Art of Storytelling; Improvisational theatre and Movement; Creative Writing; What Color is the Wind: Integrating the Arts into the Curriculum; History Alive!: Collecting and Performing Oral Histories; Fictional Tales of Truth: Diversity and Anti-Bias Education; Literacy/Parents Nights; Environmental Education, Hold On!: Building Cooperative Classrooms (team building). Many curriculum-specific possibilities.

Audience Limit: 200 max./assembly; prefer and highly recommend less!

Fee: $425-1250 for 1 - 4 shows;; Residency fees vary depending on number of days; Travel cost extra if one hour or more driving distance.

Funding Sources: Massachusetts Cultural Council, New England Touring Roster, Local Cultural Councils, local businesses.

You will be amazed with never before seen basketball ballhandling tricks with three, four, five, six and more basketballs. The Luneaus Basketball Family dribble, juggle and spin basketballs on a balance board, and using other props to music and dance.

You can enjoy the show and at the same time hear a valuable message on setting goals, working hard, never giving up and leading a balanced life while achieving your dreams and enjoying every day. We have many volunteers involved in the show. Volunteers come up and help us with two ball dribbling, spinning one and two basketballs, dribbling and passing games, and eating a pudding while a ball spins on a spoon. Also, we have a volunteer spinning 5 basketballs at once! Kids LOVE being involded in the show! And everybody loves basketball...

Ilze Luneau is the only basketball performer in the world dribbling 5 and 6 basketballs simultaneously. She has performed at many NBA, WNBA, and NCAA basketball games. She is endorsed by Upward Basketball and is a member of National Speakers Association.

Topics we cover:

• Learn to Set Goals: It All Starts With A Vision!
• Work Hard to Achieve Your Goals
• Have Fun while Working Hard
• Never Give Up Believe in Yourself
• Have a Balanced Life - Respect Others
• Make Good Decisions - Don't Use Drugs and Alcohol

Please visit our site www.basketballfamily.com for more information, references and list of schools we have performed at.

Fee: $400 plus travel expenses; 2 shows same day same school $600 plus travel expenses

Health: Self-Esteem, Drug Prevention, Physical Fitness

"A consummate artist, at ease with audiences of all ages and sizes." Northampton Center for the Arts

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.”

Marvelous Marvin Novogrodski offers the following programs for schools, libraries and special events: How the Body Works, The Magic of Science, Take a Trip In Your Imagination, Dance/Science Experience and Circus Arts Workshop.

The Magic of Science explains the scientific process, from the art of experimenting to the creation of an invention. With simple experiments that kids can try at home, they learn about air pressure, carbon dioxide and the invention of the wheel. The Magic of Science draws a link between the work of artists and scientists, encouraging persistence and exploration. Behold the twirling perpetuos! Thrill to the billiard-ball spinning sculptures! Marvel at the eight-foot tall photo collage! See streaming video on the web.

How the Body Works brings to life the wonders—and fun! —Of physiology. Included is a six-foot tall house that unfolds to 25 feet wide. Behind each panel is a surprise: human-cell micro-photographs, a giant brain, a chorus of skeletons, a ten-foot tall circulatory system, and an eight-foot blinking nerve cell. Discover the digestive tract! Hear the heart pump! Watch the blood flow! See streaming video on the web.

Take A Trip In Your Imagination - Through the use of visuals, contemporary song and dance, rhyming text and a fertile imagination, students experience "Take A Trip In Your Imagination" which uses improvisational games to spark audience imagination. Marvelous Marvin and rapper-friend Jubilant JD put themselves on the spot, taking audience suggestions and creating the show as they go along. Picked by the RI Dept. of Library Services 2004 Summer Reading Program, this 45-minute humorous journey includes mini-lessons about the origin of the alphabet, the parts of speech, and effective communication.

Dance/Science Experience - Students actively engage in the process of creation and performance with Marvelous Marvin's "Dance/Science Experience." First, see a magic show that defines science. Second, play with a host of fun toys and verbalize the action words discovered while playing with them. Third, using those action words, Marvelous Marvin conducts a dance class in which students explore the simple science principles discovered while students express themselves kinesthetically. Geared for Pre-K-3rd graders. 

Workshop: Circus Arts Workshop - Through active participation in Marvelous Marvin's Circus Arts Workshop, students learn how to juggle scarves, balls, clubs, spin plates, walk on stilts, master the rhythm sticks, twirl rings, and discover their own balancing skills. Great for special events, gym classes, fairs and festivals. I provide all equipment necessary. Indoors or outdoors, this workshop can handle up to 50 people at a time. Geared for 8 year olds and up.

Program Titles: How the Body Works; The Magic of Science; Take a Trip In Your Imagination; Dance/Science Experience. Workshop: Circus Arts Workshop

Audience Limit: Maximum-250/assembly

Fee: Ranges from $300.00 to 800.00 per event. Due to audience size, which program is picked and travel time, fees change to accommodate presenters and budgets. Please call for specifics. Will tailor to suit your needs.

Performances, Workshops & Residencies for all ages!

Robert Rivest's Comic and Curriculum based Programs reach across language, age and social barriers.

Each performance is 45 minutes of fun, engaging material and exciting audience interaction.

Art In Motion: An Audience favorite for over 20 years.
The Alphabet Show: K-6/ family literacy
Literacy Alive! 4-8/ Family celebration of reading
Healthy Choices: Helps students make clear, mindful choices
Science In Motion: A fun kinetic way to engage children of all ages
Laughter Is the Best Medicine : A collection of Rivest's most up-beat, comic pieces.

Workshops and Residencies are tailor-made to your needs. Please see Website: http://www.rivestmime.com.

Program Titles: Art In Motion, The Alphabet Show, Literacy Alive!, Healthy Choices, Science In Motion, and Laughter Is the Best Medicine.

Audience Limit: 800 Classic Mime; 200 Curriculum shows

Fee: $500/ 1 show, $750/ 2 shows; $1,000/ 3 shows; Residencies $500-$750 per day

Possible Funding Sources: Massachusetts Cultural Council, BOCES (NY)

Language Arts Reading
Health Stress Reduction, Self Esteem
Science

“Bully Prevention” (for grades Preschool-6) uses giant dragon and lion puppets to promote literacy bringing Elizabeth Winthrop’s “Castle in the Attic” to life. Interactive original music, intrigue and humor encourages reading, positive self talk, three steps of problem solving, and the difference between teasing and bullying. Our most requested, repeated performance sanctioned by Open Circle.

“Conflict Resolution” (for grades K-8th). Six students perform with giant masks powerfully demonstrating how anger and fear escalate conflict. Theatrical puppet finale reinforces anger management, win-win problem solving and the use of “I” statements and active listening skills. Loads of audience participation, a school favorite for family nights and assemblies.

“Empathy and Decision Making” (for grades preschool-4) combines audience participation in a magical tale of intuition and self knowledge. Promotes diversity, empathy, and the three steps of problem solving through enchanting giant puppets and hilarious situations.

“Tobacco Prevention” (for grades k-5) covers peer pressure, tobacco abuse and understanding addictions. Interactive music, giant size and shadow puppets tell the tale of Nicky the Dragon who starts smoking because that’s what dragons do! Schools, health fairs and general audiences.

“Environmental Education and Recycling” (for grades preschool-5) promotes outside exploration, preserving habitats and encourages recycling through an upbeat musical opener, an on stage recycling game and a full length puppet show.

“Coping with Grief and Loss” (for grades preschool-4) is a family therapist and school counselor tested program of music and puppetry that tenderly explores death as a natural part of living. Sam Snail finds comfort through a difficult yet humorous adoption of a puppy after his Grandpa’s passing.

“Reading and Literacy” (for grades preschool-5) is a dynamic and hilarious music and ventriloquist show that promotes the joys of reading, humor and puppetry. Art projects and reading ideas inspire audiences of all ages.

Since forming his company in 1966, Wayne Martin has worked as a principal puppeteer for the Heiken Puppets, Sid and Marty Krofft Productions and Jim Henson's Muppets.

Martin has been featured in numerous television programs and commercials that have earned him two Emmy Award nominations.

He has toured Canada, Europe, Asia and Australia and presents his one-man variety revue hundreds of times each year across the United States. All of the puppets are designed and built by Martin in an act that has appeared with such established artists as Bob Hope, Dolly Parton, The 5th Dimension and The Temptations.

• A Peddler’s Pack: An eclectic mix from New England and beyond. Lively Irish and French Canadian tunes, traditional and contemporary songs sung in two-part harmony.
• The Sailor’s Trade: Shanties (work songs) and fo’c’sle songs (songs for recreation) from the days of ‘wooden ships and iron men.’
• The Jolly Farmer: Perfect for agricultural fairs and the like. Songs and tunes from 18th and 19th century New England, when ‘the farmer was the man’
• Seasonal/Holiday Samplers: Whether it’s a Harvest Festival, Thanksgiving, Christmas, Halloween, First Night, Old Home Day, St. Patrick’s Day or other special day, here’s the entertainment to help celebrate it in style!

You and Me Puppets 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 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 Language Arts: Folk Tales, Children's Lit., Myth Social Studies: Countries and Regions of the World (China) Health: Special Needs

Michael Zerphy 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 Michael Zerphy, with his zany style and participatory humor, has captivated audiences across the United States and Europe. Michael offers a school performance, "Don't Do That!" for grades K-6 that focuses on problems, conflicts and a peaceful approach to solving them. We all experience problems - how we react to them is what sets us apart, and therein lies the tale. Physical comedy, stories and humor set the stage for a look at personal conflict. "Don't Do That!" encourages students to deal with conflict in a positive, creative way instead of reacting negatively. Study Guide available. Zany Acts is a show for general audiences - a family concert of clowning and fun for all. Michael creates a world that continually surprises both Zany, the clown, and the audience - a world in which the ordinary becomes magical and failure is turned into success. Music, juggling, a wide variety of props, and even the audience are included in this versatile show which is appropriate for all ages. Recent appearances, in addition to schools, include the New York International Festival of Clown Theater, the New England Vaudeville Festival and the Brooklyn Academy of Music. Program Titles: Don't Do That!; Zany Acts; $600 (1), $950 (2), travel extra Fee: $525 for a single performance, reductions for multiples and blook booking. Funding Sources: Vermont Arts Council, New Hampshire Cultural Council, New England Foundation for the Arts, B.O.C.E.S.(New York) Health: Self-esteem, Conflict Resolution Language Arts: Folk Tale (Spanish)