Travel back in time with Kate as she tells stories, in costume and character, from the lives of extraordinary American women. These interactive, thought-provoking and often funny encounters with the past give your group a chance to explore history as if they were there.

Mrs. Larcom, Lowell Mills Boardinghouse Keeper. The mills are getting dangerous; the mill girls are speaking up. Should Mrs. Larcom? (Grade 5-up)

Paul Revere's Mother-in-law, Mrs. Walker, a gossipy innkeeper, engages us in scuttlebutt about events leading to the Revolutionary War. (Grades 5 -12)

Annie Sullivan, Teacher, insists that she’s no "miracle worker" -- and shows how deaf-blind-mutes like Helen Keller can learn. (Grades 5-12)

First Woman Doctor in the West, Bethenia Owens-Adair, MD reveals a secret of survival on the Oregon Trail/Frontier: Don’t take no for an answer. (Grades 5-12)

Juliette (Daisy) Low, Founder of America's Girl Scouts, had fun living life to its fullest. Then she found Scouting and her life's real meaning! (Grades 4-up)

Mary Antin, Russian Immigrant, and author ('The Promised Land'), celebrates her "American Dream" success. Who knew it came at a price? (Grades 5-12)

Mary Lyon of Mount Holyoke, founder of the first female seminary, ponders America's fear of "female greatness" and student Emily Dickinson. (Grades 7-12)

for Younger Children

Living History Stories in costume and character, about the American Revolution, the Frontier, Immigration, the Girl Scouts and Helen Keller’s World. (Grades 2-4)

Greek Myths and Aesop’s Fables: Children take roles in Aesop’s talking animal fables, and interact with heroes, gods and goddesses in thrilling misadventures. (Grades 2-6)

Mother Nature's Myths: enchanting, engaging, participatory "why" and "how" stories about why odd things in nature came to be as they are. (Grades K-4)

Mother Earth Multicultural Tales: interactive folk stories, which build appreciation for other cultures from around the world. (Grades K-4)

STUDY GUIDES are available for all of Kate's 45-minute programs. She offers WORKSHOPS in Role-playing, Storytelling and Creative Drama.

Program Titles: For Grades 5-12: Paul Revere's Mother-in-law, Mr. Walker; Mrs. Larcom, Lowell Mills Boardinghouse Keeper; Annie Sullivan, Teacher; First Woman Doctor in the West: Bethenia Owens-Adair, MD; Juliette (Daisy) Low, founder of America's Girl Scouts; Mary Antin, Russian Immigrant; and Mary Lyon of Mount Holyoke. For Grades 2-6: Living History Stories, Greek Myths and Aesop’s Fables. For K-4: Mother Nature's Myths and Mother Earth's Multicultural Tales.

Audience Limits: 200/assembly depending on show

Fees: For groups up to 60: $280 plus $.48/mile. Size of group determines fee. Discounts available for Performance/Workshop combos, co-sponsorship and block bookings.

Funding Sources: New England Foundation for the Arts (www.nefa.org)

Requirements: A music or speaker’s stand (for visual aids). Lowell Mills program requires 9 stands or 2 long tables for visuals.

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.