Drawing Manga and Anime
Classroom Workshop

The popular art form of Japanese cartooning known as manga and anime design will be studied. Students will study basic manga drawing techniques in designing original manga/anime characters learning how to draw the face, body and poses familiar in the media. Pencil, ink marker and colored pencils on white cardstock will be used. These expressive and stylized drawings allow students to create authentic manga and anime people, chibis (short and cute anime characters), etc. Note: This workshop is hand-drawn and not digital, age-appropriate, educational and fun!

Grades: 4-8
Workshop Length: 45 mins. – 60 mins. (55 mins. preferably)
Participation Limit: 25 students per class
Connections: Visual Arts, Cultural Competency

Outspoken Bean
Assembly Performance

In this unique performance, students will find a new definition of literacy through the art of spoken word poetry. Learning about social and cultural issues, expanding vocabulary and critical thinking skills, and discovering new strengths are all addressed in this engaging performance by Emanuelee Bean, a performance artist, theater technician, and slam poet. “Out-spoken Bean” has been performing slam poetry for over six years in the Houston & San Antonio areas.

Grades: 1-12
Audience Limit: 300
Connections: Poetry, Literary Arts, Cultural Competency, Social/Emotional Learning

Scottish Bagpipes
Assembly Performance

Students discover the connections between sound, science, and music while exploring Scottish heritage through the history of regalia and bagpipes. The artist shares with students the structure and science of the bagpipe and demonstrates a variety of bagpipes, both small and large.

Paul Watson, a former Pipe Major in The Texas Highland Pipes and Drums of Lubbock, brings to life his rich Scottish heritage through the unique sounds of the amazing bagpipes.

Grades: 4-6
Audience Limit: 250
Connections: Music, Science, Cultural Competency

Embracing Diversity Workshop
Assembly Performance

This program demonstrates how diversity enriches our lives by bringing together the resources and talents of many people for the benefit of all. The audience gets to participate through discussions, hands on activities, and teamwork projects. Elizabeth demonstrates the similarities and differences between U.S and African cultures and explains how positive values can be bridged from one culture to another.

Grades: K-12
Audience Limit: 200
Connections: Theatre, Storytelling, Social/Emotional Learning, Cultural Competency

Holidays Around the World
Assembly Performance

This program Highlights Kwanzaa as it relates to other world celebrations like Christmas, Hanukkah, Diwali, and new year. This program involves interactions, pictures, music, dance and poetry.

Grades: K-12
Audience Limit: 200
Connections: Theatre, Storytelling, Cultural Competency, History

A Day in Africa
Assembly Performance

Born and raised in Kenya, Elizabeth Kahura introduces the audience to the geographical features of Africa while high-lighting the differences in cultures and lifestyles of various regions. Students are reminded of the importance of embracing diversity and also of how positive life values can be embraced from one culture to another.

Grades: K-12
Audience Limit: 200
Connections: Theatre, Storytelling, Cultural Competency, History/Geography, Social/Emotional Learning

Folktales of Africa
Assembly Performance

Enjoy folktales and other stories from Africa. Learn about trickster tales such as Anansi the Spider, the clever hare and the wise tortoise. Audience will participate in the telling of each story. Positive lessons will be gleaned from the wisdom of stories passed on from one generation to another.

Grades: K-12
Audience Limit: 200
Connections: Theatre, Storytelling, Cultural Competency, Social/Emotional Learning

The Colors of Africa
Assembly Performance

By exploring the meaning of the African colors, Elizabeth explains how colors portray different concepts and can be used as a form of communication. Through the use of poems, stories, music, and dance students learn how colors are used as symbols of power, loyalty, and attitude.

Grades: K-5
Audience Limit: 200
Connections: Theatre, Storytelling, Social/Emotional Learning, Cultural Competency

The Jungle Walk
Assembly Performance

The concepts of adaptation, acceptance, and teamwork are highlighted in this segment through the use of folktales, poems, music, and animal puppet shows. Elizabeth expands the ideas addressed in her program to encourage a more tolerant attitude towards cultural differences.

Grades: K-12
Audience Limit: 200
Connections: Literary Arts, Theatre, Storytelling, Cultural Competency, Social/Emotional Learning

The Sounds of Africa
Assembly Performance

Explore African rhythms through drumming, dance, and song. Experience the African beat by playing a variety of African instruments and learn how music is a form of communication. Creativity and imagination comes to life through this journey of sound and reminds us that music is a universal language bringing cultures together.

Grades: K-5
Audience Limit: 200
Connections: Music, Theatre, Storytelling, Cultural Competency

King Rhythm
Assembly Performance

Join soprano/storyteller Hope Shiver and percussionist David Keepman on a fantastic ride through African American history via popular musical styles. Selected audience members will join in the fun, donning costumes and pantomime, becoming loveable characters: Bluesy, Jazzy, and others. The program features lots of audience participation and is a year-round hit!

Grades: 1-5
Audience Limit: 200
Connections: History, Music, Theatre, Storytelling, Cultural Competency

The Adventures of the Real Pecos Bill
Assembly Performance

This highly interactive and multicultural program presents several tall tales featuring the legendary character Pecos Bill and introduces students to the story of the real-life inspiration behind Pecos Bill, William Shafter, who was a commander of the Buffalo Soldiers in West Texas. Students in the audience get to join in the fun as they help Pecos ride the giant tornado, capture fried-chicken-eating bank robbers, and learn about American military history in the wild Texas West!

Grades: 1-5
Audience Limit: 200
Connections: History, Theatre, Storytelling, Cultural Competency

Git on Board! The Life of Harriet Tubman
Assembly Performance

Take a musical ride on the Underground Railroad to meet the heroic Harriet Tubman and learn of her early experiences as a slave. Highly acclaimed musician and storyteller, Hope Shiver, engages students in discovering how Tubman led fellow freedom-seeking slaves to hiding places on their way to safety in the North.

Grades: K-12
Audience Limit: 200
Connections: History, Theatre, Storytelling, Cultural Competency

Sojourner!
Assembly Performance

Hope Shiver illustrates through story and song the life of famous abolitionist Sojourner Truth. Her sensitive portrayal, often using Sojourner’s own songs and speeches to bring the story to life, inspires students to learn how laws are made and to explore the plight of slaves in the North while clapping and chanting to the familiar spirituals of the time.

Grades: 5-12
Audience Limit: 200
Connections: History, Theatre, Storytelling, Cultural Competency

American Indians Before and After European Explorers
Classroom Residency

Through research and discussions, students will examine the lives of the American Indians in Texas before and after the European explorers. They will use knowledge from research and their imaginations to create an improvised scene about the interactions between the American Indians and the explorers. They will also begin writing the body for an expository essay rough draft.

Grades: 4
Residency Length: 3 days
Participation Limit: 30 students per session
Connections: History, Cultural Competency, Literary Arts, Theatre

Texas Regions Travel Agency
Classroom Residency

For two to three days, your students are on the marketing team for the fictitious Texas Regions Travel Agency. Their “job” is to promote one of the four geographic regions in Texas. Students improvise a commercial that highlights the attributes of the regions and explains why tourists should visit. They will also begin writing the body for an expository essay rough draft to persuade people to choose a Texas region for their next vacation.

Grades: 4
Residency Length: 2- 3 days
Participation Limit: 30 students per session
Connections: History, Cultural Competency, Literary Arts, Theatre

Fiestas de Mexico
Assembly Performance

The folk dances of Mexico presented during this energetic, colorful, imaginative, and thought-provoking celebration help preserve the history of Mexico by telling stories through dance and music.

In presenting the most representative dances from Mexico, including dances from the hot and humid climate in the southeast, the northern polka style dances, the traditional pre-Columbian Aztec/Mayan dances, the authentic song “La Bamba”, and a colorful Fiesta in Jalisco, students will learn about Mexican holidays and enjoy beautiful costumes and music!

Both students and teachers will clap along with the music, get up and dance, learn basic steps, wear and utilize props, and will be motivated to find out about their own ethnic traditions while feeling the spirit of the Mexican celebrations.

Grades: K-12
Audience Limit: 450
Connections: Dance/Movement, Cultural Competency

Takin’ it to the Streets
Assembly Performance

Catch the excitement as Soul Street Dance demonstrates how street dance has developed and evolved across cultures and how we can resolve conflict through dance. From Brazil’s “Capoeira” to New York’s “Breakdance,” students learn about the varied styles of street dance and discuss the distinctive features and origins of each dance. Be prepared to learn about what can happen when modern street dance meets the classical music of 17th century composer Antonio Vivaldi!

Grades: 1-12
Audience Limit: 450
Connections: Dance/Movement, History, Cultural Competency

Native American Stories K-2
Assembly Performance

Stories told in this performance may include the following: “Grandma Spider Brings the Fire,” where Possum and Buz-zard tangle with fire until Grandma Spider teaches an important lesson; “First Robin,” in which a Lakota girl faces her troubles and gains self-assurance; “White Wolf,” the story of two Sioux children finding a mysterious protector; and “Coyote and the Rock,” a humorous Montana Salish tale which teaches respect for all. Storyteller and author Tim Tingle has written ten books based on the oral traditions of his native Choctaw Nation and his native Texas. His lively performances include Native American flute and drum music.

Grades: K-2
Audience Limit: 150
Connections: Theatre, Storytelling, Cultural Competency, Social/Emotional Learning, History

Native American Stories
Assembly Performance

Stories told in this performance may include the following: “Crossing Bok Chitto,” a story of friendship and freedom as a young Choctaw girl aids an escaping slave family; “The Bowl,” a Navajo story of a hand of evil unleashed when a bowl is stolen from an ancient cave; and “Danny Blackgoat,” the story of a Navajo boy struggling to survive during the Navajo Long Walk and his meeting with an unlikely ally.

Grades: 3-5
Audience Limit: 150
Connections: Storytelling, Theatre, Cultural Competency, Social/Emotional Learning, History

Indian Ghost Stories
Assembly Performance

Stories for this performance are selected based on teachers’ requests to complement specific curriculum. A good sampling of Indian ghost stories are always appreciated by the middle school audience. Recent books by Tim include Danny Blackgoat, Navajo Prisoner, and How I Became a Ghost: A Choctaw Trail of Tears Story.

Grades: 6-8
Audience Limit: 150
Connections: Storytelling, Theatre, Literary Arts, Cultural Competency

It’s a Small World
Assembly Performance

Stories from a variety of cultures are featured in this engaging presentation. Each culture’s story is introduced with music from that culture. The stories and the cultures that they represent include: “One Wish”, Ireland; “Sweet and Sour Berries”, China;”The Story of Anneko”, Senegal; “How Rabbit Lost His Tail”, Haiti; “Dog Tails”, Iroquois; “Martina the Beautiful Cockroach”, Cuba; “How the Kangaroo Got Its Pouch”, Australia; and “The Peddler”, America.

Grades: K-5
Audience Limit: 200
Connections: Storytelling, Theatre, Cultural Competency

First Day, Nueva Escuela
Assembly Performance

Nueva Escuela is the story of a girl who overcomes her fear of starting class at a new school (and of reading) by writing herself into the stories. Tía Elena wants to make sure Xiomara is ready for her first day at a new school, but no matter what story she suggests they read, Xiomara always finds a reason not to like it. And now there’s just one day left before school starts! The play is easily understood by speakers of English and Spanish, and its interactive storytelling helps audiences find compassion and empathy for the stories of others. This play features two performers and one stage manager. Tech needs are minimal, and our tech rider is available upon request.

Grades: K-5
Audience Limit: 350
Connections: Literary Arts, Storytelling, Theatre, Social/Emotional Learning, Cultural Competency

Conquering the STAAR
Assembly Performance

The STAAR test can be scary and intimidating. Lessons learned in this program will equip students with a set of skills they will carry with them for a lifetime. Every performance is filled with interactive games, fun moves, humor, and Kung Fu demonstrations with easy-to-learn techniques. Brandon Jones has practiced Kung Fu for over 30 years and has been teaching martial arts professionally in Tyler since 1996.

Grades: K-8
Audience Limit: 200
Connections: Dance/Movement, Cultural Competency, Social/Emotional Learning

The Pulse of Freedom: Drumming Through Black History
Assembly Performance

Experience the power and rhythm of Black History Month with The Pulse of Freedom, an electrifying performance celebrating the drum’s role in African and African American culture. This dynamic presentation combines captivating storytelling, call-and-response rhythms, and live drumming to bring history to life. Through the beat of the drum, audiences will feel the pulse of communication, resilience, and unity that has echoed across generations. This performance invites participants to join the rhythm with interactive verbal and tactile activities, fostering a sense of teamwork and community.

Grades: K-3
Audience Limit: 300
Connections: Cultural Competency, Social/Emotional Learning, Music