Cincinnati Playhouse In The Park | Student Programming

September 2010

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student programming

School Outreach
Traveling Storytellers
Class Act
Matinees

School Outreach Tours

Live, professional theatre in your school! We can perform in almost any large space, from auditorium to gymnasium to cafeteria space. Please check the age-appropriateness of each play before selecting a play for your students. We are always happy to discuss with you which one might be best suited for your students. Each play includes a question-and-answer session and study guide to help prepare your students for the show and extend the experience into the classroom by specifically connecting to your curriculum.

Through generous grants, we are able to offer these shows for $375. There are a limited number of subsidies for those schools that cannot afford the full fee. Performance dates are limited, so send the on-line registration form as soon as possible.

With the description of each play we have listed three important things

Performance dates for each performance
The recommended grade level for that play
The basic Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana academic, core and state standards met by that play

For more information, please call our Education Department at 513/345-2242.

The Playhouse Touring Company is made possible by generous support from the Arlene Meyer Education Fund, Robert and Adele Schiff Family Foundation and Toyota Motor Engineering & Manufacturing North America, Inc.

new kid community outreach program playhouse in the park

HAPPY WORST DAY EVER
By Arlene Hutton
Winner of the 2010 Macy’s New Play Prize
Oct. 5 - 29, 2010, Tuesdays - Fridays
Recommended for grades 3 - 6

A world premiere written for Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park by the noted playwright of Last Train to Nibroc. Happy Worst Day Ever is the story of a
birthday party that doesn't happen, an unexpected upset on a favorite TV talent show and an unlikely friendship between the most popular girl in the fourth grade and the nerdiest boy at school, who have more in common than they imagined.

“Had Arlene Hutton been around during Broadway's Golden Age, her finely wrought plays might rank with those of William Inge or Horton Foote. Among postmodern dramatists, Hutton stands apart, relying on traditional techniques in an era where such values grow ever rarer.”
— Los Angeles Times

Meets Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana academic standards in humanities, listening skills, conflict resolution, social studies, family and community, language arts, oral communication,psychology and human relationships, social/contemporary issues and theatre.

community outreach at cincinnati playhouse in the park

DIS/TROY
By Yokanaan Kearns
Based on Homer’s “The Iliad”
Jan.18 - Feb. 11, 2011 Tuesdays - Fridays
Recommended for grades 6 - 12

The Greek warrior Achilles refuses to fight in the Trojan War, leading to disastrous results for both the Greeks and their enemy. Dramatic scenes in the mortal world alternate with comic scenes on Mt. Olympus, where the gods fight their own, often ridiculous, “war” to see which side will win. Funny, lively and accessible, Dis/Troy retains the eloquence and complexity of Homer’s well-known classic.

“The remarkable thing about Dis/Troy … is the way it blends outright
silliness with realistic fight scenes to make Homer’s Iliad accessible to
contemporary school audiences.” — Honolulu Advertiser

Meets Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana academic standards in humanities, Greek mythology, cultural diversity, language arts, history, psychology, storytelling, listening skills, literature, oral communication and theatre.

LILY'S PURPLE PLASTIC PURSE
By Kevin Kling
Adapted from Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse; Julius, Baby of the World and Chester’s Way by Kevin Henkes
April 12 - May 6, 2011, Tuesdays - Fridays
Recommended for grades K - 3
Adapted from Lilly’s Purple Plastic Purse. © 1996 by Kevin Henkes. Performed with permission from Greenwillow Books, an Imprint of HarperCollins Publishers. Theatrical adaptation © 1998 by Kevin Kling.

One-of-a-kind Lilly, the spunky little mouse, speaks a secret backwards language and wears disguises, glittery glasses and red cowboy boots. One day she brings her new magical, musical purple plastic purse to school. Trouble at school and resentment about a new baby brother sets Lilly off on adventures that teach important lessons about family, friendship and forgiveness. Kevin Kling (who appeared last season at the Playhouse in his show How? How? Why? Why? Why?) has created a roller coaster of a play that has been a hit across the country.

Meets Ohio, Kentucky and Indiana academic standards in humanities, reading, kinetics, language arts, friendship, animals, storytelling and theatre.

Traveling Storytellers

Storytelling is theatre at its simplest and most powerful. Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park believes in exposing the best storytellers to the youngest students. This most basic of dramatic forms goes beyond entertainment toward helping children with language skills and literacy.

The Traveling Storytellers tour local elementary schools with inspiring story programs that are relevant and age-appropriate for your students.

Through generous grants, we are able to offer these storytellers for $375 per program. There are a limited number of subsidies for schools that cannot afford the full fee.

For more information, please call our Education Department at 513/345-2242.

The Traveling Storytellers program is made possible by generous support from Turner Construction.

LYN FORD

Lynette (Lyn) Ford shares "Home-Fried Tales," adaptations of folktales “from many places and many faces,"as well as her own original stories and personal narratives. Lyn's rhythmic, interactive storytelling style encourages language and literacy skills, creative writing and an appreciation for the oral tradition among all types of learners. Lyn's storytelling is rooted in her family's multicultural “Afrilachian” oral traditions, and her own love of stories. You can find out more about her at www.lynfordstoryteller.com.

Lyn Ford will be available to tell stories in schools
October 11 - 15, 2010.

LUANN ADAMS

LuAnn Adams tells inspirational, multicultural
stories that resonate in the lives of young people coming of age in the 21st Century. She has created and performed thousands of storytelling programs for children and adults in schools, libraries,
museums, zoos, aquariums, scouting groups,
hospitals, special needs centers and other
organizations across the country. She has been telling stories for the Cincinnati Playhouse every year since 1993. LuAnn is a member of the National Storytelling Network, Actors’ Equity Association, AFTRA, National Writers Union and a former Board Member of the NY Storytelling Center. You can find out more about her at www.luannadamsstoryteller.com.

LuAnn Adams will be available to tell stories in schools
January 18 - 24, 2011.

DIANE MACKLIN

Acclaimed storyteller Diane Macklin captivates the young and old with her dancing hands, lyrical voice and high energy. From trickster tales to stories of friendship, Diane’s direct and vibrant connection to her audiences makes everyone want to get involved. Get to know fabulous characters with claws, paws, fins, feet and wings in this fun-filled, interactive performance celebrating the richness of America and other cultures. Interweaving chants, songs, music and movement, Diane shares tales as diverse as the many people who call this country home. You can find out more about her at www.dianemacklin.com.

Diane Macklin will be available to tell stories in schools
March 7 - 11, 2011.

Class Act

Before students attend selected Marx Theatre shows and outreach touring productions, our teaching artists visit area classrooms to help prepare students. We engage students in a variety of activities that focus on the theme, plot or characters of the play. These may include writing, acting, improvising or other activities that explore the production. We have successfully prepared thousands of students for their visit to the Playhouse with a personal experience that helps enrich and focus their experience as an audience.

This program is offered free of charge to schools that are attending a matinee performance or bringing the Playhouse Touring Company to their students. For further information, please call our Education Department at 513/345-2242.

Student Matinees

The Playhouse offers student matinees for many of its productions. All performances begin at 10 a.m. and tickets cost $12 each. For every 15 paid student tickets, the Playhouse will provide one complimentary chaperone ticket.

Submit the online Student Matinee Reservation form to secure your seats for our 2010-11 performances.

Or you can register by fax or mail by downloading the printable Student Matinee Registration form in PDF format.

Call the Group Sales Office at 513/345-2242 for more information on available performances, age recommendations or to book a show. You may also click on the show title for more information, including a content advisory.

2010-11 Student Matinee Schedule:

You Can't Take it With You
November 9 & 12, 2010

A Christmas Carol
December 1,7,8 & 9, 2010

Over the Tavern
February 15 & 18, 2011

Gee's Bend
April 5 & 8, 2011

Beehive
May 20, 2011

Many student matinees fill quickly. Some of the performances listed above may be sold out. Waiting lists are available for sold-out performances. Call for availability.

Student Matinee Reservation & Payment Policy:
All in attendance at the performance must be included in your reservation, including chaperones and bus drivers. There are no extra seats beyond the number a school has reserved. Payment for student matinees must be made no later than 45 days prior to your performance date. Adjustments to your reservation may be made up to that point. It is the responsibility of the teacher to be aware of performance dates and deadlines related to his or her reservation(s). After 45 days prior, we will consider the reservation final and the school will be responsible for full payment. Reservations are non-refundable and non-exchangeable. All plays and dates are subject to change.

Bus Parking
The Playhouse cannot accommodate motor coach and bus parking on site. Motor coaches and buses must arrive early to secure parking in Eden Park.