Chrissie's blog

Last week my son and packed our duds and made for the Big Apple.  A mommy and son adventure complete with trains, performances, playground time, ice cream treats and more.

The reason for our jaunt up NJ Transit's Northeast Regional line was to see both Treehouse Shakers' Hatched and Windmill Theatre's Plop.  Treehouse Shakers performed their new piece for the littlest of audience members at Ailey Studios and Windmill Theatre performed at The New Vvictory Theater.  But why stop with theatre?  We are in NYC!  So I scored us a sweet deal on boutique hotel (thanks, BookIt) in Midtown East and made sure we had down time for cartoons and playing at Madison Square Park. 

I admit, one of my favorite parts about my job is that at least for a few more years at least, I can share my TYA knowledge and connections with my almost four year old.  As my mom likes to say, he's a really cultured kid.  He was a cultured baby too.  He's been to IPAY and a few conferences and retreats and mingled with artists since he was 3 months old.  He's seen several theater pieces at the New Vic studios, seen Zany Umbrella Circus and Treehouse Shakers twice now.  We see what we can, what's most appropriate for him, and we schlep far and wide.  It's especially great now that he's SO verbal to hear his recounting of the experiences.

"I saw a farm show, Mommy!  And the chick went 'cheep cheep, cheep, cheep.' And I saw a bird, a cow and a lambie!"

The above photos I took after the performance.  Kids and their families sit front and center and have an opportunity to truly experience life on an American farm.  It's told through the eyes of a baby chick that has just hatched and we watch her learn to walk, take in her surroundings from roosters, cows, lambs, and birds.  Sprinkled throughout the narrative area chances for the children to pet, feed, and hold baby animals.  The puppetry and scenery are just exquisite.  Perhaps one of my favorite elements of the performance is the live music.  I never would have visualized this piece with live music and yet it gave it a whole other layer of stimulation and authenticity. I was truly touched at how beautiful this show was and how utterly American it felt to me.  I see loads of international performances for this audience that are phenomenal as well but Treehouse Shakers captured what it means to be an American in this piece via something as authentic as a farm, and more importantly, a child's first visit to a farm.

"It was the BIG TERRIBLE PLOP!"

These pictures were taken after Plop.  Plop is based on the picture book The Terrible Plop by Ursula Dubosarsky and the Australian Windmill Theatre produced and performed this adorable piece for preschoolers.  The "plop" is the sound of apples falling from the sky (a fabulous contraption) into a bucket of water and making a rather loud plopping sound, scaring away two little rabbits.  Filled with terrific audio and engaging visuals, this blends fairy tale with fun. My son spent about ten minutes after the show playing with all the musical instruments. 

A few video snippets to follow of each show but for now suffice it to say, both were audience favorites and make anyone working in our Theater for Young Audiences field proud -- this is exactly the sort of work that should be noticed, curated, funded, and supported.  It's thoughtful, meaningful, interactive and fun.  Kudos to both companies.

I'm helping to spread the word about a super upcoming summit for teens and their families.  The Digital Family Summit comes to Philadelphia this summer and my Philadelphia Social Media Moms network is a media sponsor.  I think this event is a terrific opportunity for teens and their families to learn more about social media, content creation, and more -- and in a positive engaging way.  You know me, I'm always on the hunt for ideas to help colleagues and friends with teens program for and engage this young audience.

Here are the details:

This is the first ever conference for tween and teen bloggers, vloggers and digital content producers and their families.

"Are you looking for a fun, productive family activity to kick off the summer? The Digital Family Summit will provide plenty of inspiration for creative projects tweens and teens can engage in all summer long and serve them well as they gear up for the next school year.

The Digital Family Summit is an interactive, hands-on conference for teen and tween digital media creators and their families.  If you or your kid is interested in blogging, entrepreneurship, creating videos, games or animations this conference will help build skills and make connections that will take him or her to the next level.

Join professionals from the Food Network, Columbia University, Entertainment Weekly, Parsons School of Design and a host of tween and teen bloggers and entrepreneurs (and many others) for a weekend of fun activities, interactive and hands-on workshops, thought leadership and personal guidance at the Digital Family Summit in Philadelphia June 29-July 1."

The Summit takes place at Sheraton Society Hill in Center City Philadelphia and will feature a terrific line up of speakers of all ages, professions, and talents.  Beyond the conference itself, explore all the city as to offer -- the parks, museums, tourist sites, and shopping and dining.

Get your tickets now.  Receive 10% off the ticket price by using promo code PSMM at checkout.  The code is valid through May 31, 2012.

Read more about the mission of the Summit here. 

I am honored to have been invited to Treehouse Shakers' benefit earlier this week.  The event took place at Moore Brothers Wine Bar in Chelsea, New York, NY Tuesday evening.  This year marks the company's 15th year and with the premier of Hatched this week, its 12th original producton. 

Treehouse Shakers' board members were the ones primarily responsible for inviting guests.  What a turnout.  There were easily 75 or so people there all supporting a wonderful company with a meaningful mission.  They were introduced by the producer of NY1 radio and then both Mara McEwin and Emily Bunning said a few words about the company.  A few items were auctioned off including opera tickets, Italian language classes and a bottle of the artisan wine. 

Here are a few photos of the event.  Some video coming soon.

I took some video of the Zany Umbrella Circus performance this past weekend in Bethlehem. You'll see the company's circus rig, set up on a platform stage all within a circus tent.  The company performed for school children Thursday and Friday last week and for the public (families) Friday evening, twice Saturday, and again on Sunday.  Truly a "zany" show.

Zany Umbrella Circus visits the Steel Stacks Campus at ArtsQuest this weekend and I was thrilled to get up and see my favorite of the company's touring rep -- their internationally commissioned piece, Cake.

A few presenter colleagues met me there and in addition to the performance, we got a tour of the incredible "campus" that is ArtsQuest.  More on that soon.

Zany performed for numerous Lehigh Valley school children this week and is rounding out the residency with public shows last night, this afternoon, this evening and tomorrow.  There is still time to check it out.  It's perfect for families -- there were tons of families in the audience today with kids beyond engaged in the circus skills, the hyjinks, and the story.  Many were dancing and shouting and really getting into the show.  It was adorable to watch. 

Allentown's The Morning Call did a great review and had this to say: "The show is funny, smart and satisfying."  Read the full review here.

Something about the beginning of spring...everything feels a little lighter.  Not that I can complain.  We had the most mild winter and frankly, I'm a little disappointed that I never got a real snow storm and the snow pants I scored on clearance LAST year, end of season, will see another ho-hum season sans sleds and snowmen. 

But it's April and the trees have bloomed (magnolias, my favorite), pansies have popped and my yard is freshly mowed and mulched and with a 50-70 degree range any given week, there is time...and sun...and opportunity.  No more lamenting winters past.  In fact, time to celebrate the tons of opportunities to see our roster artists in full performances. 

Last week I saw Do Jump! for the first time.  I was chomping at the bit to finally see them live and it was well worth the wait.  On stage at the New Vic in NYC, the company delivered in a big over the top way.  It was breathtaking, enchanting, beautiful and funny, exquisite and physical. 

Treehouse Shakers premier their newest piece -- Hatched -- for the youngest audiences this month at Long Island Children's Museum and then circle back to Manhattan's Ailey Theater in May. 

Elswhere on tour, Treehouse Shakers present Desert Travels: Tales of the Middle East in Cincinnati next week.  Zany Umbrella Circus visits ArtsQuest in Bethlehem, PA at the end of the month and presents Cake in their magnificent circus tent.  Ball in the House also tours Ohio and offers performances and residencies in Springfield.  

Lyle Cogen rounds out the school year with performances of the very moving theater piece about bullying, Sticks and Stones.  And Leland Faulkner and Ball in the House will showcase at the Oswego County BOCES arts in education showcase May 18.

I have a busy few weeks ahead of me -- a few more NYC trips to see Hatched and another baby drama at the New Vic and then I'm off on the AIE circuit for a bit, followed by PA Presenters in early June.  Keep up on Facebook as I'm always posting something about the experiences...or something humorous.

May you enjoy the spring, the new life it brings, and the holiday weekend.
~C

Jeffrey Freeman image of Do Jump!

Obsessed with this tool now.  Just click through to see the whole image.

Piccadilly Arts | Betsy DuBois roster artists touring\routed through southern states this fall

Lyle Cogen - VA/NC Availability
Lyle is an award winning musical performer & recording artist, writer, and Lincoln Center trained teaching artist. We recently contracted Lyle for performances in VA on November 27-28, and in Greensboro, NC on Thursday, November 29, 2012 for her anti-bullying program Sticks & Stones. There is availability November 30, December 1 and December 2 for Lyle to visit your community -- a Friday bus-in school performance or a weekend family matinee of Sticks & Stones or one of her other shows .

Sticks & Stones was commissioned by the Tilles Center on Long Island and funded by the U.S. Department of Justice. Sticks & Stones showcased as part of the adjudicated PAE showcases in Baton Rouge last fall and is available for all ages from kindergarten through middle school. More information on Lyle can be found online including a bio, recordings, and video of Sticks & Stones. The fee range is $2500-3200+.

Ball in the House - KY/TN/SC Availability
There is availability for the Boston based a capella group in November 2012. The week of November 12th is open as the guys make their way from KY to SC. Fee range is $6500+. The group offers a repertoire program as well as a terrific holiday program - great for this time of year. More online.

Robert Post | Post Comedy Theatre - NC/TN/KY Availability
There is still availability in the Fall 2012 for Robert as well as in the late Spring 2013. Robert will perform at the VA Highland Festival, Abingdon, VA August 6, 2012. This is time around then too if you program for the summer. Robert showcased at Arts Market recently. More online.

Other tidbits:
There is still time to apply for a PennPAT travel grant to see Zany Umbrella Circus in Bethlehem, PA, April 27-29.
There is still time to reserve a comp to see Do Jump! Extremely Physical Theatre at the New Victory Theater, NY, March 30-April 14.
Treehouse Shakers present Hatched, a seedling drama, for the youngest of audience members in NYC this spring. Read here for more.

Contact Chrissie for details on any of the above. Thanks and happy Spring and daylight savings!!!

Do Jump! Extremely Physical Theatre at
The New Victory Theater
March 30-April 14, 2012
Join Us!

The amazing Do Jump! Extremely Physical Theatre returns to the East Coast this spring! Join us for a special physical theatre treat as the company presents its compilation show - Ahhh-HA! - at The New Victory Theater in New York, NY this April. Ahhh HA! is conceived and directed by Robin Lane and features the Do Jump! company and special guests artists, including live music by Klezmocracy and Joan Szymko. Heart Stopping Aerial Artistry. High Flying Bungee. A Busking Tap Dancer. Black Light Illusion. Highly Acrobatic Hand Trucks. A Giant White Dog (yes, a giant white dog). Inverted Archery (you have to see this to believe it). Hilarious Nutcrackery...All this and more! This visually stunning work of aerial dance, circus arts, illusion and live music, draws from a compilation of material from the past 33 1/3 years. Expect lots of twists and turns along the way with this ageless show, perfect for the whole family. A limited number of tickets are available to our presenter colleagues, particularly to the Friday evening performances -- please RSVP to Chrissie by Tuesday, February 28, 2012.

Details:
Running time: 75 minutes, no intermission

Location: The New Victory Theater, 209 W. 42nd Street, New York, NY

Dates | Times:

Friday, March 30, 2012 - 7pm (limited)
Saturday, March 31, 2012 - 2pm
Saturday, March 31, 2012 - 7pm
Sunday, April 1, 2012 - 12pm
Sunday, April 1, 2012 - 5pm
Friday, April 6, 2012 - 2pm (limited)
Saturday, April 7, 2012 - 2pm
Saturday, April 7, 2012 - 7pm
Sunday, April 8, 2012 - 12pm
Sunday, April 8, 2012 - 5pm
Wednesday, April 11, 2012 - 2pm
Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 2pm
Thursday, April 12, 2012 - 7pm
Friday, April 13, 2012 - 7pm (limited)
Saturday, April 14, 2012 - 2pm
Saturday, April 14, 2012 - 7pm

For 30 years, Founder and Artistic Director Robin Lane has led the Do Jump! "actorbats" in creating a unique blend of theatre, dance, aerial work, acrobatics, dynamic visuals and live music that defies categorization. Celebrating both individual creativity and community spirit, Do Jump! Extremely Physical Theatre has thrilled audiences throughout North America.

Now creating works on a larger scale, Do Jump! has produced many of its shows at the 800 seat Newmark Theatre at the Portland Center for the Performing Arts. The company has also toured extensively throughout the U.S. and Canada, including extended runs at L.A.'s Geffen Playhouse, New York City's New Victory Theater, and the Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington D.C.

For more information on Do Jump! visit the website.
 

Dear Friends of Treehouse Shakers,

This year Mara McEwin, Treehouse Shakers' Artistic Director, was invited to a networking event where she had the incredible opportunity to meet and hear Kathy LeMay of Raising Change. After the evening, she was so motivated to apply her immediate lessons. As the Artistic Director of an arts organization it feels that as though she's always asking for money. Kathy lays out the “ask” in a way that is mind-blowing, no kidding. She is changing the world!

We would like to invite you to meet and hear Kathy at special event that Treehouse Shakers will be hosting on February 21, 2012 from 9:00 am to 12:00 PM. Proceeds support Treehouse Shakers, a non-profit dance and theater company, and our low-income ticket program. Kathy LeMay, the country's leading activist and fundraiser, will be giving a powerful lecture event, and we want to include you. Whether you are a donor, run a non-profit, are on a board of a charity, help with school fundraisers, work in the matching gifts department of your business, or simply want some inspiration for your life, this is a powerful presentation on how to make real changes through fundraising. Kathy will advise on how to ask for the "Big Gift" while unleashing the change agent within.

These days the news is filled with stories and headlines about philanthropy: big names, big causes, big wallets. Amid this, what is the role for the rest of us? This is a three-hour event that will inspire you to unleash within yourself and your unique skills and capacities to change the world.

"When Kathy speaks, she changes people’s DNA. I’ve never witnessed anything like it before."
See Jane Do participant, Grass Valley, CA

Details:

Date: 2/21/12
Time: 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM
Location: 250 Greenwich Street, 7 World Trade Center, Suite 3900, New York, NY 10007
Price: $150 (Space is Limited)
RSVP: 917-749-0786
Payment: Visit us online and make a donation for the amount, be sure to note that it is for the Kathy Le May Event. A portion is tax-deductible.

"The word “fundraising” has been replaced by “philanthropic partnerships,” “fundraiser” has become Director of Generosity and Justice, and “institutional advancement” has become strategic change and impact in the world that you can generate with and through Auburn. These changes are more than words and signify new attitudes, energy, joy and success around discovering with donors the deep satisfaction of changing the world through generosity."
Katharine Henderson, President, Auburn Seminary

About Kathy
Kathy LeMay is the founder, president, and CEO of Raising Change, which helps organizations raise capital to advance social change agendas and individuals create Generosity Plans to help change the world. LeMay, who began her global activism in war-torn Yugoslavia where she worked with women survivors of the siege and rape-genocide camps, has been a social change fundraiser for 15 years, raising more than $150 million dollars in the fields of women’s human rights, hunger and poverty relief, and movement-building. In addition she has directed an additional $100 million in philanthropic dollars to organizations working to make a difference. LeMay serves as an adviser and consultant to Fortune 100 companies, universities, international NGOs, and the United Nations. She is a sought-after speaker on strategies for social justice and empowering women to come into their voice. In the year 2000 LeMay was nominated for a Reebok Human Rights Award for her 15 years of service as a human rights activist. She was just named one of Business West Magazine’s “40 Under 40” and, in January 2010, she released her first book, The Generosity Plan, published by Simon & Schuster/Atria and Beyond Words.
Kathy has appeared on numerous television and radio shows including Oxygen TV and The Oprah Show. She is a contributing columnist to World Pulse Magazine, where she also serves as the Board Chair.