Outspoken Bean
Assembly Performance
Artist: Emanuelee Bean

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

Connect the Dots with Math and Writing
Assembly Performance

Students learn about shapes and numbers as they create a story, count and connect dots to reveal a hidden picture. They discover how a picture or illustration, rather than words, can represent an entire story. The performance is ideal for the young audiences whose writing abilities may not be quite as developed as their drawing skills. Through the excitement and energy of storytelling, this presentation inspires your younger students to create their own stories and share them with others through their drawings. A handout will be available for students so that they can connect the dots again and share the story with their family and friends.

Grades: K-1
Audience Limit: 200
Connections: Math, Literary Arts, Visual Arts, Storytelling, Theatre

Design Your Own Writing Lesson
Classroom Workshop

Teachers choose one or two of Chris’s theatrical writing topics. No need to book a week-long writing program when all you need is one day. Topics: 1) Elaboration 2) Developing Voice and Powerful Word Choices 3) Focus on the Why 4) Introductions and Conclusions.

Grades: 3-4
Workshop Length: 45 minutes
Connections: Literary Arts, Theatre

Expository or Narrative Writing
Classroom Residency

Students learn how to improvise and collaborate as they write an expository rough draft. They work through a generic writing prompt to find relevance in their life experiences, both real and imagined. Chris uses improv comedy to demonstrate the link between the spoken and written word; thereby allowing students to develop their writing voice simply by speaking their minds. Chris’ lessons easily adapt to fit with your teachers writing techniques because he doesn’t use a writing method; he creates an unforgettable writing experience. A method is good for the test, but an experience is good for life!

Grades: 4, 7 or 9
Residency Length: 5 days
Participation Limit: 30 students per session
Connections: Literary Arts, Storytelling

Ready to Write By 4th Grade!
Classroom Workshop

Expository writing for 2nd and 3rd grade? Really? Yes! It’s never too early to get ready for THE TEST! Chris uses improv comedy to demonstrate the link between the spoken and written word. Students learn how to improvise and collaborate as they write an expository (or narrative) rough draft (intro, body, and conclusion). They work through a generic writing prompt and develop ideas. Students love Chris’ approach because he doesn’t use a writing method; he creates an unforgettable writing experience. A method is good for the test, but an experience is good for life!

Grades: 2-3
Workshop Length: 45 minutes
Connections: Literary Arts, Storytelling

There’s a Wild Animal on the Playground
Classroom Residency

The gates of the local zoo were left open overnight and many of the animals escaped. Elementary students arrived at school to find a wild animal on their playground. Students need to transform the playground into an environment that mimics the animal’s natural habitat until the animals can be safely returned to the zoo. Students will research and discuss wild animals in the zoo. They will use their imaginations and knowledge to create an improvised scene about transforming the playground into a proper animal habitat. They will also begin writing the body for an expository rough draft.

Grades: K-3
Residency Length: 3 days, 45 minute sessions
Connections: Science, Literary Arts, Theatre, Storytelling

KAPOW! The Power of Word Choice
Classroom Workshop

Students will realize the power of word choice by exploring vocabulary through drama. Young writers will improvise a scene that focuses on an over-exaggerated use of a vivid verb. Chris Espinosa collaborates with small groups to develop ideas for their scene. Students will also learn basic theater skills to enhance their performance.

Grades: K-3
Workshop Length: 45 minutes
Connections: Literary Arts, Theatre, Storytelling

Texas History Comedy Game Show
Assembly Performance

Talk about the perfect supplement to your social studies lessons! Chris and Rocket Megabyte (his robot dog) blast the dust off Texas history as they take students on a trip through time and across the Lone Star State. Learning is reinforced when a few students play against each other answering questions from the presentation. This program is based on his book, Rocket Megabyte’s Texas Adventure, and if booked in Fall 2022, you will receive a set of his books for free, which is a fantastic supplement for Texas history lessons.

Grades: 3-5
Audience Limit: 200
Connections: History, Theatre, Storytelling, Literary Arts

Buzz-a-Bee
Classroom Residency

In this residency program, students learn about the importance of bees and the environment as they write dialogue, music lyrics, and dance choreography for a one-act play. The end product is a three scene play approximately 5 minutes in length, which is ready for performance! This program is a true cross-curricular project utilizing skills and concepts in writing, speech, dance/movement, music, communication, creativity, science, ecology, and performance. Chris and Sharon are credentialed teaching artists who will guide and facilitate the work with your students and can be done 100% virtually, or in person.

Grades: 4th Grade
Residency Length: 5 Days
Session Length: 45 minutes
Connections: Literary Arts, Science, Music, Theatre

Time Travel Bench
Classroom Residency

History “reseats” itself when your students take a trip through Texas history on the Time Travel Bench. Teachers can suggest the historical content, plot, and/or storyline for the basis of the script to reinforce areas that their students may be struggling with, or have heavier importance on. At the end of the week, your students will have a rough draft of a script based on your Texas history lessons. After some editing and rehearsals, your students can perform for an audience of friends and family.

Grades: 3rd – 5th grade
Residency Length: 5 days
Participation Limit: 25 students per session
Connections: History, Literary Arts, Theatre

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 Tales
Assembly Performance

This program includes two Aesop’s Fables “Texas Style”! Students will hear two of Aesop’s Fables with a Texas style twist, as well as a Texas tall tale, legend, and fractured fairy tale. Through these stories students will learn about the Texas state flower, tree, and other important things about our great state!

Grades: K-5
Audience Limit: 200
Connections: Literary Arts, History, Storytelling, Theatre

Cinderella Meets the Muppets: Telling Fractured Fairy Tales with Puppets
Classroom Residency

This 5-day workshop is full of enthusiasm, excitement, and energy as students work on STAAR concepts of writing while following patterns!
Students will develop writing skills, creativity, and an understanding of compare & contrast concepts while fracturing existing fairy tales. This hands-on adventure will have students analyzing, writing, and enhancing their stories through puppet building. The culmination of their work will be displayed through a puppet performance for their peers.

Grades: 2-3
Residency Length: 5 days, 45-60 mins sessions
Participant Limit: 25 per class
Connections: Literary Arts, Theatre, Storytelling

Let’s Read with the Bookworm
Assembly Performance

This program abounds with humor and even a little magic. Children will actively listen to 3 engaging stories including: “Sylvester and the Magic Pebble,” “Kat Kong,” and “Mean Soup,” In this lively presentation children will find out that ALL books in their library are magical and they have the key to let that magic out just by reading! Students will want to seek out other titles by the authors presented as the Bookworm encourages children to become Bookworms themselves! Webster the Dictionary puppet, with the help of Margaret’s brilliant ventriloquism, will help teach children proper book care as well.

Grades: PreK-4
Audience Limit: 125
Connections: Literary Arts, Reading, Theatre, Storytelling

Reading and Rhyming with Mother Goose
Assembly Performance

Mother Goose encourages children to read nursery rhymes, write their own rhymes and practice rhyming words. Students will learn how to play the “Mother Goose Pretend Game” which encourages their imagination as they act out various rhymes. Rhymes come to life as Mother Goose’s delightful puppets Lamby, Mary, Goosey, Itsy Bitsy, and the Stinky Baby help demonstrate the traditional rhyme and teach how the rhyme might become a parody. Audience volunteers will be utilized to help act out several rhymes.

Grades: PreK-3
Audience Limit: 125
Connections: Literary Arts, Reading, Theatre, Storytelling

Wild About Reading with Masai Maggie
Assembly Performance

Clad in safari-gear, Margaret performs the popular children’s book, Stand Back Said the Elephant I’m Going to Sneeze. Using her brilliant puppetry and ventriloquism skills, this book will come to life through various animal puppets. Children will learn about endangered species and interesting facts about animals and their habitats all over the world.

Grades: Prek-4
Audience Limit: 125
Connections: Literary Arts, Reading, Science, Theatre, Storytelling

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

Tim Tingle
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

Two Pigs and T.H.E. Wolf
Assembly Performance

A fairy tale that promotes kindness, obedience, responsibility, and self control is presented in a way that brings the excitement of reading to the stage! Bullying and stranger awareness are also addressed in this interactive program. This story is not only hilarious, but it emphasizes the benefits of making proper choices even in the most difficult circumstances.

Grades: PreK-6
Audience Limit: 250
Connections: Literary Arts, Reading, Storytelling, Theatre, Social/Emotional Learning

Cooking Up Fun with Idioms
Assembly Performance

We use idioms everyday! They are integrated into our common day language. Our chef is cooking up some fun with idioms. It gets interesting and perhaps even a bit challenging when Letty Lou Literally stops by and offers a hand, literally! This interactive program encourages students to delight in the English language. Figurative language can be fun – figuratively speaking that is!

Grades: 2-6
Audience Limit: 250
Connections: Literary Arts, Theatre, Storytelling

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

Communicating with Cartooning
Classroom Workshop

Students create original one-panel cartoons similar to those by Gary Larsen’s The Far Side series illustrating a selected caption after practicing cartoon drawing techniques.

Grades: 3-8
Workshop Length: 45-60 minutes
Participant Limit: 25-30 per class
Connections: Visual Arts, Literary Arts, Storytelling

Author Talks
Workshop

Expressive Read-Aloud: Captivating readings that ignite students’ imaginations. TEKS & SEL Integration: Aligns with Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, while promoting creativity and social-emotional learning. Storytelling & Writing Process: Simplifies storytelling and offers insights into the publishing journey. Interactive Engagement: Fun, hands-on activities that inspire creativity and active participation.

Grades: PK-6
Audience Limit: 150
Connections: Literary Arts, Storytelling, Social/Emotional Learning

Creative Writing Workshops
Workshop

Interactive Writing Activities: Engaging, creative exercises that help students turn their ideas into unique stories and poems. Collaborative Group Work: Encouraging all students to actively participate in the writing process while making it fun and enjoyable. Empowerment & Encouragement: Cultivating a love for writing and boosting confidence in self-expression.

Grades: 4-6
Audience Limit: 80 with (teacher support)
Connections: Literary Arts, Storytelling, Social/Emotional Learning

Creative Writing Workshops (High School)
Workshop

Angela’s Goals in Guiding Students:

• To teach the PROCESS of writing a college application essay, a genre unlike any other narrative
• To lead students from a Common App essay question to a polished, submission-ready essay 
• To empower students to apply the process they’ve learned to craft compelling essays that highlight their strengths for all additional application and scholarship prompts

Grades: Juniors and Seniors
Audience Limit: 80 with (teacher support)
Connections: Literary Arts

StoryTime with Ramblin’ Rita
Assembly Performance

StoryTime with Ramblin’ Rita: is a highly interactive children’s entertainment program great for preschool audiences. StoryTime with Ramblin’ Rita™ is a 30 minute program that includes 2-3 read aloud books, several songs or finger plays, puppets, and a flannel story or rhyme. Designed for children ranging from infants with their caregiver up to age 6, each StoryTime can be customized to fit the theme of your event.

Grades: PK
Audience Limit: NO Limit
Connections: Literary Arts, Social/Emotional Learning, Theatre/Storytelling

Ramblin’ Rita’s Texas Tales
Assembly Performance

Ramblin’ Rita’s Texas Tales: is a 45 minute interactive storytelling show featuring a cowgirl storyteller. Each show features well know folk and fairy tales with a Texas twist. Volunteers from the audience will help Ramblin’ Rita act out the story using costumes and props.

Grades: K-5
Audience Limit: NO Limit
Connections: Literary Arts, Social/Emotional Learning, Theatre/Storytelling