Prologue 2015 2016 School Catalogue by Nathalie Prezeau

ENGLISH.FRENCH.BILINGUAL. Your partner for 49 years!

2015-2016 SCHOOL CATALOGUE

PERFORMANCES & WORKSHOPS FOR GRADES K TO 12

The lasting impact of LIVE performances.

A lasting impact... Prologue has been facilitating access to artistic experiences for children and families for almost 50 years. It is remarkable to think of the thousands of children over that time that have had a Prologue performance in their school or community and have, even for just that one moment, been inspired by the movement of a dancer, or the sound of a cello, or the playfulness of a puppet or the power of a soprano. I often wonder about all those children, most of whom are adults now, and how that moment, in their school gymnasium, may have influenced their lives. This impact is hard to measure but we believe that when artists interact with children, the potential for lasting inspiration is unlimited. As arts experiences open us up to the world I believe that we are part of a change, a shift and that every time a performance begins something is different. Each person, no matter how small, is affected and is encouraged to let their imaginations take them beyond that moment. A dancerâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s swirling dress can inspire colour, shape and unending possibilities and together, perhaps, all our young audience members can create some collective change for the better. It is a great privilege to invite you to review Prologueâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s 2015-2016 roster of performances and workshops for children from kindergarten to Grade 12. We look forward to the possibilities! Warmest regards,

Patty Jarvis Executive Director

Featured on this photo: All-Star Slam (see page 48)

HOW TO USE THIS CATALOGUE Name of the artist or company.

Icon refers to Grade Divisions in Ontario schools.

Links to the Ontario Curriculum (more information on each artist’s page on www.prologue.org).

Name of the discipline.

Title of the show, workshop or show/workshop.

Grade level for each specific show or workshop. Maximum number of students (note that for SHOW/WORKSHOP, the maximum audience for the workshop portion is usually smaller).

WORKSHOP means that you can book a workshop without booking a show. SHOW/WORKSHOP means that the price includes a show + a related workshop not available as a “stand-alone”. If you see NEW at the end of a description, it means the artist or company is offering this show through Prologue for the first time. (In this example, nothing was added because this company was in last year’s catalogue.) RETURNING means that it was offered two years ago or more, and it is back.

School price (most companies offer 10% off the listed price when you book more than one show on the same day).

Some companies only have specific touring dates, book early! Limited year-round means the artists may not be available certain months of the year. Year-round availability indicates more flexibility.

(Note that all prices and programs are subject to change without notice.)

about prologue Prologue to the Performing Arts was one of the first not-for-profit organizations to help schools across Ontario bring live performances to their students, nearly 50 years ago. Over the years, our roster has evolved from offering a package of three English performances to presenting a selection of 106 shows and workshops from 44 artists and companies in both French and English, reaching across Ontario. In the last year, Prologue has sent artists to over 275 communities.

why book a schooL show with prologue? When you bring the performing arts to your school, you also bring students together. (Did you know that you can book an evening performance to invite your students’ families to create a community experience?) Of course, there are many other reasons to book a school performance: • No need for cost prohibitive busing. • No requirement for parent permission to leave the school. • Very affordable (average price of $3 per student).

In addition to our experienced staff and sales representatives booking and organizing tours, and promoting and supporting our artists, we have a dedicated Programming Committee scouting current and new shows to ensure they meet the standards of quality school performances.

• Each performance comes with a study guide and is followed by an engaging Q&A session with the artists.

Programming Committee Anne Harper, Theatre Artist and Educator Jane Carnwath, Theatre Director and Educator Jon Laurie-Beaumont (Staff) Melvin J. Hurst, Music Educator Pat McCarthy, Arts in Education Consultant Patty Jarvis (Staff) Stéphanie Filippi (Staff)

• Prologue artists have complied with Ministry of Education requirements of approved Vulnerable Sector Checks.

• Many options in our roster promote resilience, inclusion, tolerance, diversity (a great way to start important conversations).

1-888-591-9092, 416-591-9092 info@prologue.org Photo: Arsenal à Musique (see pages 10, 42)

ALPHABETICAL INDEX (Search by artist or company name) A

AKA Dance 4, 14 Alan Shain 52 All-Star Slam NEW COMPANY 48 Arsenal à Musique 10, 42

Ballet Creole 15 Canada’s Ballet Jörgen 5, 17 Bboyizm 5, 16 Boris Sichon 26 Breadbox Theatre 44

Cadence 27 Canadian Opera Company NEW SHOW 28 Chris McKhool 29 Cie Vox Théâtre NEW SHOW 11 Corpus 6, 18 Cosima Grunsky NEW WORKSHOP 30 CréaSon NEW WORKSHOP 6, 31

Table of contents Bilingual & French 4-12 Dance 14-25 Music & Opera 26-41 Musical Theatre 42-43 Puppetry 44-47 Storytelling & Spoken Word 48-51 Theatre 52-55

D-E-F

Dance 4-6, 14-25 DuffleBag Theatre NEW SHOW 12, 53 Emerita Emerencia 49 Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company NEW COMPANY 19 Fana Soro 7, 32 Faustwork Mask Theatre NEW SHOW 12, 54 Firebrand Theatre 43

I-J-K-L

Infinitus 33 Jack Grunsky 7, 34

Photo: Rag & Bone Puppet Theatre (see page 47)

Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre NEW SHOW 20 Khac Chi Bamboo Music 35 Leslie McCurdy 55 Little Pear Garden Collective 21

M-N

Maderaz Latin Music 36 Menaka Thakkar Dance Company 22 Mike Ford 8, 37 Music 6-9, 26-41 Musical Theatre 10, 42-43 Nathalie Vachon 11, 50 National Ballet of Canada 23

O-P-Q-R

Opera 9, 28, 38 Philippe Flahaut NEW ARTIST 8 Puppetmongers Theatre NEW SHOW 45 Puppetry 10, 44-47 Puzzle Théâtre NEW SHOW 10, 46 Rag & Bone Puppet Theatre 47 Rukhsana Khan 51

Shoestring Opera NEW SHOW 9, 38 Silk Road Music 9, 39 Spoken Word 48 Stand Up Dance 24 Storytelling 11, 49-51 Sultans of String NEW SHOW 40

Theatre 11-12, 52-55 TorQ Percussion Quartet 41 Tribal Vision Dance 25

FRENCH & BILINGUAL PROGRAMMING Prologue to the Performing Arts offers dynamic and engaging French and bilingual performances for Core French, and Early and Extended French Immersion students. Through dance, music, musical theatre, opera, storytelling and theatre, students realize that French is alive and well, beyond the classroom. Prologue offre un choix de 31 spectacles interactifs et ateliers spécialement conçus pour les étudiants des programmes de français langue seconde. Notre programmation artistique bilingue ou entièrement en français permet aux élèves d’apprendre selon leur niveau tout en se divertissant. FRENCH performances and workshops are delivered entirely in French. BILINGUAL performances and workshops include both English and French languages and can often be tailored to the students’ level of comprehension and fluency.

NEW Bilingual/French artists and performances: CréaSon - CréaSon WORKSHOP MUSIC 6 Philippe Flahaut - Le voyage de monsieur Philippe MUSIC 8 Puzzle Théâtre - Dépêche-toi! PUPPETRY 10 Cie Vox Théâtre - Charlotte THEATRE 11 DuffleBag Theatre - La visite du Père Noël THEATRE 12

Photo: Puzzle Théâtre (see pages 10, 46)

Saviez-vous que vous pouvez naviguer en français sur le site de Prologue? Toutes les informations sur la programmation bilingue et en français offertes dans notre catalogue sont présentées dans la section française du site, avec des liens sur les ressources pédagogiques disponibles en français.

En français, s’il vous plaît! L’équipe de Prologue comprend du personnel qualifié en mesure de répondre à tous vos appels et vos courriels en français. N’hésitez pas à nous appeler au poste 225 pour toute question ou si vous avez besoin d’aide pour choisir le meilleur spectacle pour votre école.

AKA DANCE

NOUS POUVONS VOUS SERVIR EN FRANÇAIS Visitez la section française de www.prologue.org

Photo by Karen Cylla von Tiedemann

bilingual & FRENCH

DANCE

Pour y accéder, il vous suffit de sélectionner En Français en haut à droite de la page d’accueil anglaise.

Oh non! / Oh No!

This performance is AKA Dance’s quirky interpretation of the art of ballroom dancing. The funny and surprising choreography features four dancers and a master of ceremonies. Expect romance, virtuosity and gallantry, but AKA’s ballroom dancing is not all about elegance. It mixes with power struggles, one-upmanship and mishap, with hilarious results.

1 GRADES AUDIENCE MAX. PRICE AVAILABILITY ENGLISH

BiliNgual & FRENCH

Oh non! / Oh No! WORKSHOP

AKA Dance offers a workshop that gets everyone moving and creating! Using some basic ballroom dance steps and guided improvisation, students will explore their own physical creativity by choreographing their own unique dances.

K-8 3-8 300 30 $ 984 + HST $ 360 + HST Limited year-round See p. 14

LIKE us on Facebook to support arts education in the schools at www.facebook.com/PrologueToThePerformingArts

DANCE

BiliNgual & FRENCH

Les bases du B-Boying / Foundations of B-boying SHOW/WORKSHOP SW

L’évolution du “Break”/ The Evolution of B-boying 1

B-boying and B-girling (Breakdancing) is a dance form born in the early 1970s, which now has a significant international following and reputation. In addition to its roots in Funk music and contemporary African American culture, the acrobatic aspects of B-boying make it one of the most unique dances in the world. B-boy Crazy Smooth brings together the best local dancers to present a show that will amaze students and teachers alike, while demonstrating the evolution of the dance.

1 GRADES AUDIENCE MAX. PRICE AVAILABILITY english

Crazy Smooth and his team transmit their passion and respect for the history and art of B-boyizm, educating students on the roots and different techniques of this dance form. This combo includes one performance of The Evolution of B-boying and two simultaneous workshops (each for a group of 30 students). It offers a unique chance to safely learn B-boying and B-girling (also called Breaking) and Hip Hop dance culture from dedicated professionals.

BiliNgual & FRENCH 1

Le lapin de velours / The Velveteen Rabbit

Written by Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit was the most popular of her children’s books, and focuses on the importance of friendship, love and the discovery of what is real. Dancers bring to life this renowned story of a boy and his love for a stuffed rabbit which eventually comes to life. Choreographer Kathleen Rea has created a fairy tale which she hopes will teach children that it is what’s inside of you that matters the most.

K-12 4-12 300 30 $ 1,020 + HST (1 show) $ 1,560 + HST (1 show + 2 simultaneous workshops) Oct. 26-Nov. 6, 2015; Feb. 8-12, 2016 See p. 16

1 GRADES AUDIENCE MAX. PRICE AVAILABILITY english

bilingual & FRENCH

Canada’S Ballet Jörgen

Bboyizm

La danse démystifiée! / Dance, Demystified! WORKSHOP

In this workshop, students will learn from professional ballet dancers how to develop characters and communicate story through the language of dance. Using the fundamentals of body positions, lines and gestures, students will explore their own creativity and develop their own dance. Instructors will help them to incorporate timing, facing, levels and group dynamics into a final piece which they can present or record.

K-6 5-8 300 40 $ 822 + HST $ 360 + HST (1 hour) $ 720 + HST Limited year-round See p. 17

416.591.9092

(2 hours)

1.888.591.9092

DANCE

MuSIC & OPERA

bilingual & FRENCH

CORPUS

CRÉASON

BiliNgual & FRENCH

Camping royal / Camping Royale

Two queens from a different time go on a camping trip, far away from court. Without servants, they use their creativity to “survive” in the wild. Their castle is reduced to basic tents, royal dances have to be executed on grass. One even needs to fish for lunch and cope with the unpredictable whims of Mother Nature... Corpus brings its world-renowned blend of comedy and whimsical choreography to this surprising show bound to engage children in innovative ways. Camping Royale is a twisted fairy tale for all ages, not to be missed!

L’école-logique! / Eco-Logical Show!

Being ecological is so logical, isn’t it? CréaSon unites children of all age groups in a big “environmusical” party. This performance is the opportunity to hear tracks such as the popular tune Popcorn from the 1960s played on a “golfun”, The Simpsons’ theme done on the “xylo-hockey”, and an original rap by Sylvain Grenier, L’écolelogique!, accompanied by Alain Quirion and his infernal drums. At the end of the performance, volunteers get to play for their peers on CréaSon’s wacky instruments.

1 GRADES AUDIENCE MAX. PRICE AVAILABILITY english

K-8 250 $ 720 + HST Limited year-round See p. 18

Visit our blog Showtime! at www.PrologueToThePerformingArts.blogspot.ca

1 GRADES AUDIENCE MAX. PRICE AVAILABILITY english

K-12 300 $ 1,020 + HST Limited year-round See p. 31

CréaSon WORKSHOP

Sylvain Grenier is hosting this unique environmusical workshop. With the help of this creator of the original “xylo-hockey” (and supported by the CréaSon Educational Guide), the students will build the prototype of an instrument of their own creation, made from items pulled out of the home recycling bin. All instruments will then be explored in groups. Every child will have the opportunity to play and describe his/her instrument. The workshop culminates with a joyful improvisation and the resulting “JunkMasterPieces” will be filmed for the students to watch and share. NEW

W K-12 60 $ 840 + HST (4 consecutive workshops)

MuSIC & OPERA

BiliNgual & FRENCH Photo by Ali Manceur

Yamo! Yamo! Salutations d’Afrique de l’Ouest! / Yamo! Yamo! Greetings from West Africa! 1

“Yamo! Yamo!” means “Hello! How’re you doing!” in Baoulé (one of the 63 languages in Ivory Coast). Fana Soro is a hereditary master musician of the Senoufo people and his performance shares the soaring melodies, driving rhythms and spirited dances of ancient West Africa performing arts. The artist will fill the air with African magic.

W Percussions et danses d’Afrique de l’Ouest / West African Drumming and Dance WORKSHOP This workshop offers a flexible structure which can be tailored to your needs - all dance, all music, or a combination of the two. As a master percussionist, Fana will introduce traditional playing techniques of the djembé, West Africa’s most popular drum, as well as other hand-held percussion instruments. He will share call and response in various languages native to northern Ivory Coast. He will introduce students to choreography from traditional dances and share the cultural significance and joy of the movements. (Two consecutive workshops can be booked to accompany a performance or you can book a full day of four workshops.)

1 GRADES AUDIENCE MAX. PRICE

K-12 350 $ 660 + HST (1 show)

AVAILABILITY english

Limited year-round See p. 32

BiliNgual

Chantons et dansons avec Jack / Sing and Dance with Jack

Jack engages the students in a joyful musical experience, leaving them and their teachers feeling good about themselves. The artist’s songs resonate with rhythms, catchy melodies and toe-tapping fun.

W $ 1,080 + HST

(1 show + 2 workshops)

K-12 30 $ 840 + HST (4 workshops)

1 GRADES AUDIENCE MAX. PRICE AVAILABILITY english

bilingual & FRENCH

Jack Grunsky

Fana Soro

S W Partout où les enfants chantent! / It’s Showtime! RESIDENCY Enjoy an extended two-day visit with Jack. Eight participating classes will work in advance of Jack’s arrival on one individual song and activity (resources provided). Jack will then rehearse with each class and further develop their song selection. The following day, Jack will act as a master of ceremonies for a school concert, to be repeated for families and friends in the evening of the same day.

K-6 K-6 300 240 (8 classrooms) $ 600 + HST $ 1,200 + HST Limited year-round See p. 34

416.591.9092

1.888.591.9092

MuSIC & OPERA

bilingual & FRENCH

NEW

BiliNgual & FRENCH 2

Le Canada a besoin de vous! / Canada Needs You! 1

Mike takes students on a break-neck tour through First Nations lore, explorers’ tales, the War of 1812, rebellions, Confederation, and finally skidding to a halt for an examination of Canada’s explosive 20th Century. It includes new John A. Macdonaldthemed material, in time for 2015 Bicentennial commemorations!

1 GRADES AUDIENCE MAX. PRICE AVAILABILITY english

Photo by Antoine Flahaut

MIKE FORD Le retour d’Étienne Brûlé / Étienne Brûlé Returns

Mike’s original, exciting and interactive song-cycle explores the life and times of Ontario’s first non-aboriginal visitor, Étienne Brûlé. Through his eyes, 17th Century Ontario, First Nations lore, early New France and contemporary issues of environment and inclusion are brought to life in a variety of musical styles.

Les mots qui chantent! / Mike Ford Song WORKSHOP W

Using games of improvisation, brainstorming, rhyme & rhythm and more, Mike leads students through rapid-fire stages of song creation.

2 4-12 90

$ 324 + HST (1 show) $ 468 + HST (2 shows) $ 624 + HST (3 shows) $ 468 + HST (1 show + 1 workshop) $ 624 + HST (1 show + 2 workshops) Limited year-round See p. 37

Explore www.pinterest.com/PrologueArts

BiliNgual & FRENCH

Le voyage de monsieur Philippe / The Great Adventure of Monsieur Philippe

Accompanied with his guitar, Monsieur Philippe takes you on a voyage with traditional songs from France and Canada. His suitcase is full of accessories, musical instruments, knick-knacks, drawings and other objects that will allow the young students to understand the songs and participate while having fun. On this adventure, they will meet animals, big and small, plants and funny people. Monsieur Philippe adapts his repertoire to follow the four seasons. C’est une belle aventure qui vous attend! NEW

W 4-12 30 $ 324 + HST $ 468 + HST $ 624 + HST

Philippe Flahaut

1 (1 workshop) (2 workshops) (3 workshops)

GRADES AUDIENCE MAX. PRICE

K-3 60 $ 300 + HST $ 468 + HST $ 624 + HST

AVAILABILITY

Year-round

(1 show) (2 shows) (3 shows)

MuSIC & OPERA

silk road music

BiliNgual

La flûte enchantée de Shoestring / The Shoestring Magic Flute

BiliNgual & FRENCH

Shoestring revisits Mozart’s most famous opera, and offers an ideal introduction to the glory of this art form. In the whimsical story, Allegra finds a golden flute on her way home from school. Blowing on it, her street turns into a dark forest. She blows again and out pops Papageno, a strange bird-catcher with a padlock on his mouth. Through the power of music and the magic of make-believe, Allegra and Papageno embark on an adventure of sharing and self-discovery.

bilingual & FRENCH

Shoestring Opera

Jou Tou – La francophonie autour du globe / French Traditional Songs from Around the World

Using a great variety of instruments from around the world, Silk Road Music presents French music from a global and cosmopolitan perspective. Some of the songs come from familiar folk traditions of Québec and France, while others will take the audience to such exotic lands as la Camargue or Morocco via the gypsy routes of Southern Europe. Jou Tou delivers a sampling of French culture that has been felt all over the planet, from Vietnam to Madagascar and on to the Americas, where it mixed with existing traditions to create interesting fusions. Audiences will be transported from the cafés of Paris to the Casbahs of Cairo.

1 GRADES AUDIENCE MAX. PRICE AVAILABILITY english

K-6 300 $ 780 + HST Nov. 10-13, 2015 Feb. 9-12, 2016 April 12-15, 2016 See p. 38

1 GRADES AUDIENCE MAX. PRICE AVAILABILITY english

K-12 350 $ 600 + HST May 2-13, 2016 See p. 39

416.591.9092

1.888.591.9092

MUSICAL THEATRE

PUPPETRY

bilingual & FRENCH

Arsenal À musique

Puzzle Théâtre

BiliNgual & FRENCH

Le carnaval des animaux / Carnival of the Animals

Carnival of the Animals introduces very young audiences to the imaginative universe of the composer Camille Saint-Saëns. Inspired by the actual score, this fantastical musical adventure highlights animals brought to life through the amazing large marionettes and inventive theatrics. A parasol becomes an elephant. Umbrellas are transformed into turtles and jellyfish. This colourful and humourous performance is an enchanting experience for primary students. A true odyssey and a celebration of entertainment and joy through the arts.

BiliNgual & FRENCH

Dépêche-toi! / Hurry-up!

In a country called HURRY-UP!, bizarre creatures run, panic and waste their time complaining about not having enough time. As a result, time is slipping through their fingers! Fusing clowneries with seriousness, mixing reality with the absurd, this colourful ensemble of two actors with puppets makes us live an unexpected adventure that amuses us... at the same time it makes us think. NEW

1 GRADES AUDIENCE MAX. PRICE AVAILABILITY english

K-4 250 $ 1,050 + HST April 1-22, 2016 See p. 42

1 GRADES AUDIENCE MAX. PRICE AVAILABILITY english

K-6 300 $ 930 + HST Oct. 19-23, Nov. 23-27, 2015 See p. 46

Nathalie Vachon

cie vox thÉÂtre

BiliNgual

FRENCH

L’imagination en cavale! / Imagination on the Loose!

This mesmerizing storytelling performance takes the audience on an interactive ride through modern fairytales with a twist, adventures all in rhyme, folk tales from around the world and so much more. With audience participation, songs and wordplay, students will fall in love with storytelling and see that stories are in fact everywhere!

1 GRADES AUDIENCE MAX.

Charlotte

There’s nothing easy about school life for Charlotte. She struggles with her studies and has problems dealing with the other kids but she often takes shelter in the school library, where words and imagination have the power to transform the world. It is also a place to make unlikely friends. The day a storm throws the school into a scary blackout is a turning point for Charlotte. She finally finds the courage to come out of her shell and speak out loud to say the words that change a life forever. NEW (Cie Vox Théâtre offers a line-up of French workshops covering the introduction to the elements of performing arts such as Commedia dell’arte, clowning, character development and musical theatre.)

K-3 100

$ 300 + HST (1 show) $ 468 + HST (2 shows) PRICE $ 624 + HST (3 shows) AVAILABILITY english

Year-round See p. 50

bilingual & FRENCH

THEATRE

Photo by Phil Genest

Photo courtesy of The Burlington Performing Arts Centre

STORYTELLING

1 GRADES AUDIENCE MAX. PRICE AVAILABILITY

2-6 300 $ 1,272 + HST April 11-20, 2016

416.591.9092

1.888.591.9092

THEATRE

bilingual & FRENCH

DuffleBag Theatre BiliNgual

BiliNgual & FRENCH

Il était une fois...

DuffleBag Theatre brings classic fairy tales and Shakespearean favourites to life in their signature fun-filled and humorous fashion, using audience members as the stars. With their improvisation, you could say they don’t exactly go by the book! Accompanied by DuffleBag’s witty narration, their lively performances deliver hilarity and spontaneity every time.

Your students will be enchanted by the clever stagecraft and audience interaction of the performances. Choose one of the following bilingual shows: Blanche Neige / Snow White Cendrillon / Cinderella La belle et la bête / Beauty and the Beast La visite du Père Noël / ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas NEW Le petit chaperon rouge / Little Red Riding Hood Les trois mousquetaires / The Three Musketeers

1 GRADES AUDIENCE MAX. PRICE AVAILABILITY ENGLISH

Faustwork Mask Theatre

K-8 300 $ 750 + HST Year-round See p. 53

Watch www.youtube.com/user/prologueadmin

Le masque est le message / The Mask Messenger

The Mask Messenger is a series of vignettes ranging from comic to poignant. Body language, character development and humour are the elements that drive this tour-de-force performance. The show utilizes half-masked characters that speak, and full masked characters that remain silent while speaking volumes with convincing body language and subtle grace. Audiences laugh while learning that posture, smiles, slang and fashion are all “masks” that we wear daily. All the masks have been created by world renowned mask maker Rob Faust.

W Masque et théâtre de mouvement / Mask Movement Theatre WORKSHOP This workshop involves physical theatre exercises and games, character development and improvisations with masks, with an eye towards the creation of short sketches. In addition, students will have the opportunity to become more aware of posture, self-image and self-expression. Participants will have fun experimenting with a new art form.

GRADES 1-12 4-12 AUDIENCE MAX. 300 30 PRICE $ 720 + HST $ 810 + HST $ 990 + HST (1 show + 1 workshop) AVAILABILITY Year-round ENGLISH See p. 54

(3 workshops)

ENGLISH PROGRAMMING With a choice of 106 performances and workshops, our 44 artists and companies will bring magic and imagination right into your classroom, gymnasium or library. They will invite your students (and their teachers!) to see the world differently, through dance, music, opera, musical theatre, theatre, puppetry, storytelling and spoken word.

NEW artists and/or performances: Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company – Journey to Spain DANCE 19 Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre – Matariki DANCE 20 Canadian Opera Company – Operation Superpower MUSIC/OPERA 28 Cosima Grunsky – Cosy Music Workshop MUSIC 30 CréaSon – CréaSon Workshop MUSIC 31 Shoestring Opera – Shoestring’s Hansel and Gretel MUSIC/OPERA 38

Sultans of String – Ragas, Reels and Rumba MUSIC 40 Puppetmongers Theatre – Cinderella PUPPETRY 45 Puzzle Théâtre – Hurry-up! PUPPETRY 46 All-Star Slam – All-Star Slam SPOKEN WORD 48 All-Star Slam – Slam Workshop SPOKEN WORD 48 DuffleBag Theatre – ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas THEATRE 53 Faustwork Mask Theatre– Little Big Frog THEATRE 54

Photo: Cadence (see page 27)

DANCE

AKA Dance 1

Oh No!

Character education: • Cooperation, breaking stereotypes Photo by Karen Cylla von Tiedemann

int

THEMES: • Highlighting elements of dance: partner work, lifts, jumps, etc. • Breaking down stereotypes of who does what in dance

Oh No! WORKSHOP

curriculum focus

Prim

“Thank you for coming to my school. You had a magnificent, wonderful show. It was glorious.” – Grade 3 student, Brampton 1

GRADES

K-8

3-8

AUDIENCE MAX.

300

PRICE

$ 984 + HST

$ 360 + HST

AVAILABILITY

Limited year-round

Bil. & French

See p. 4

About aka dance AKA Dance aims to bring humour and joy to the stage, the classroom and the community through accessible contemporary dance works. The company was founded in 2007 by Amy Hampton and Keiko Ninomiya, with the purpose of creating choreographies that blend Japanese and Canadian traditions, drawing from butoh to ballet. AKA’s pieces are physically exciting and visually stimulating. AKA Dance has performed across Canada and Japan and is proud to have shared its work with over 10,000 children across Ontario.

See our full roster of 44 artists on www.prologue.org

Jou’vert

int

THEMES: • Introduction to dance and music of celebrations of Pan-American countries • The evolution of dance and music when affected by migration through contact with other cultures • Flash Mob dance as a mean of social expression Photo by David Hou

Afro-Caribbean Dance WORKSHOP

A dance teacher (accompanied by a drummer) will combine the structured Contemporary technique of Katherine Dunham with the physicality of traditional movements derived from Africa and the African Diaspora. This is an exhilarating class, challenging and mastering the body’s ability to move to the central control of the CORE. The students will be taught an exciting Flash Mob Dance combination. Note: If you book Jou’vert in addition to a minimum of 2 workshops taking place IN ADVANCE of the performance, your students will be able to perform a Flash Mob within the show.

curriculum focus

Jou’vert is a collaborative theatrical presentation casting six performers (three dancers and three musicians) to display the Carnival celebrations of the Pan-American countries (the Caribbean and the Latin Americas, including Brazil, Cuba and Mexico). Ballet Creole, known for its “Creolization” of dance, will take your students on a journey through the cultural dance and music of the different regions. Note: If you also book a minimum of 2 workshops taking place IN ADVANCE of the school performance, Ballet Creole can incorporate a Flash Mob with your students within the show.

Prim

DANCE

Ballet Creole

“It was wonderful seeing a number of our students completely mesmerized by the performance.” – Teacher, Scarborough 1

GRADES

K-12

AUDIENCE MAX.

350

About ballet creole Ballet Creole was founded in 1990 by Trinidadianborn dancer, choreographer, drummer and educator, Patrick Parson (who has a Master’s degree in Dance Ethnology). The company, which celebrated its 25th Anniversary in the 2014-2015 season, endeavors to create a dance legacy in Canada through performance and educational projects. Ballet Creole’s versatile dancers and musicians perform traditional and contemporary dance and music from around the world, with a particular emphasis on the African Diaspora.

PRICE

$ 840 + HST (1 show)

$ 360 + HST (1 workshop)

$ 1,140 + HST (1 show + 1 workshop)

$ 600 + HST (2 workshops)

$ 1,440 + HST

$ 840 + HST

(1 show + 2 workshops)

(3 workshops)

$ 1,680 + HST

(1 show + 3 workshops)

AVAILABILITY

Limited year-round

Catalogue cover photo of Ballet Creole by David Hou.

DANCE

Bboyizm 1

Prim

The Evolution of B-boying

int

curriculum focus

B-boying and B-girling (Breakdancing) is a dance form born in the early 1970s, which now has a significant international following and reputation. In addition to its roots in Funk music and contemporary African American culture, the acrobatic aspects of B-boying make it one of the most unique dances in the world. B-boy Crazy Smooth brings together the best local dancers to present a show that will amaze the students and teachers alike while demonstrating the evolution of the dance.

Foundations of B-boying SHOW/WORKSHOP

THEMES: • Roots of contemporary, urban dance • Dance as a creative and personal expression of thoughts and emotions

“Dance to express! Not to impress.” – Yvon Soglo (B-boy Crazy Smooth)

About BBOYIZM Yvon Soglo (a.k.a. B-boy Crazy Smooth) is known as one of Canada’s top street dancers. His professional experience includes instructing Cirque du Soleil acrobats and performing at the Nancy Jazz Pulsations festival in France. As the founder and artistic director of Bboyizm, Crazy Smooth is dedicated to promoting and preserving the true essence of all street dances. The dance company’s motto is “Dance to express! Not to impress.” (the idea being that if one is truly expressing oneself, their dance will most definitely be impressive). This philosophy informs all its dance classes (including B-boying and B-girling), workshops, events, street dance history lessons and performances.

GRADES

K-12

4-12

AUDIENCE MAX.

300

PRICE

$ 1,020 + HST (1 show)

$ 1,560 + HST (1 show + 2 simultaneous workshops)

AVAILABILITY

Oct. 26 - Nov. 6, 2015 Feb. 8 - 12, 2016

Bil. & French

See p. 5

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The Velveteen Rabbit

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THEMES: • Imagination • Human relations, family life • Rhythm and movement • How dance can tell a story

“Ce charmant ballet inspiré du classique conte pour enfants a capté l’imagination et l’intérêt de tous les élèves du début au pas de deux final.”

Dance, Demystified! WORKSHOP

curriculum focus

Written by Margery Williams, The Velveteen Rabbit was the most popular of her children’s books, and focuses on the importance of friendship, love and the discovery of what is real. Dancers bring to life this renowned story of a boy and his love for a stuffed rabbit which eventually comes to life. Choreographer Kathleen Rea has created a fairy tale work which she hopes will teach children that it is what’s on the inside of you that matters the most.

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DANCE

Canada’S Ballet Jörgen

– French teacher, Toronto

About CANADA’s BALLET JÖRGEN Canada’s Ballet Jörgen builds communities across Canada through the shared experience of professional ballet. Reaching every province with over 600 events annually, we ensure communities large and small, urban and rural have access to a ballet experience that is recognized for its innovation, warmth and beauty. Inspiring and connecting with Canadians for over 25 years, Canada’s Ballet Jörgen makes ballet and Canadian choreography a meaningful part of Canadians’ lives through performance, education, and community engagement.

GRADES

K-6

5-8

AUDIENCE MAX.

300

PRICE $

822

+ HST

$ 360 + HST (1 hour)

$ 720 + HST (2 hours)

AVAILABILITY

Limited year-round

Bil. & French

See p. 5

416.591.9092

1.888.591.9092

DANCE

Corpus

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curriculum focus THEMES: • Imitating movement including dynamics • Quality of movement and intention • Exploring use of space Character education: • Relationships, friendship, risk-taking, perseverance

Camping Royale

About corpus Known for its precise and surrealist humour combining movement with theatrical imagery, Corpus’ unique performances are presented in both traditional and unusual locations, for small and large audiences of all ages. Founded in 1997, the award-winning company has created a repertoire of twelve pieces which were performed throughout Canada and in over 26 countries at dance and theatre festivals, children’s festivals, schools, museums, parks... and even Japanese shopping malls. The outdoor dance festival Dusk Dances, one of the most popular events in Toronto and Ontario, was created by Sylvie Bouchard, co-founder of Corpus with David Danzon, and managed by the company for eight years before becoming an independent entity.

Visit our blog Showtime! at www.PrologueToThePerformingArts.blogspot.ca

“The school was buzzing about the show for the rest of the day.” – Teacher, Toronto

1 GRADES

K-8

AUDIENCE MAX.

250

PRICE

$ 720 + HST

AVAILABILITY

Limited year-round

Bil. & French

See p. 6

NEW

Journey to Spain

THEMES: • Introduction to flamenco dance forms: classical and regional • Highlighting the foot and hand movements in Spanish dance • Spanish music to accompany the dance • Elements of Spanish culture

“One of the best art’s experience I have had in recent memory.” Photo by Hamid Karimi

Flamenco Movement SHOW/WORKSHOP

This combination includes a performance for 300 students and a workshop for 30. Following the performance, students will be shouting “Olé!” when they learn the rhythms hand clapping, foot work and hand movements unique to the powerful and expressive art of flamenco. Great for both boys and girls. (Note that the company can offer outreach activities such as dance and music workshops and lecture demonstrations. Fees to be determined.) NEW

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curriculum focus

In this lively performance and presentation by Esmeralda Enrique with two dancers, students will gain knowledge of Spain as they are introduced to the percussive footwork and rhythms unique to flamenco and Spanish classical dance. The use of castanets, fans and shawls, as well as the hand clapping called palmas, will be demonstrated. Volunteers will be invited to try some of these special skills. NEW

DANCE

Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company

– Andy McKim, artistic director, Theatre Passe Muraille

About Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company The award winning company was founded in 1982 under the artistic direction of Esmeralda Enrique and has a history rooted in flamenco and Spanish classical dance. EESDC has developed a repertoire that has earned both critical and popular acclaim across Canada. With unique, talented dancers, the company is recognized for the exceptional level of their productions, and highly regarded for their educational presentations in schools and communities.

GRADES

4-8

AUDIENCE MAX.

300

PRICE AVAILABILITY

$ 720 + HST

(1 show)

$ 1,020 + HST (1 show + 1 workshop)

Limited year-round

416.591.9092

1.888.591.9092

DANCE

Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre 1

Matariki

Interactive Dance and Music SHOW/WORKSHOP

After a full dance theatre performance for up to 350 students, members of Kahurangi offer a group of 30 participants a comprehensive introduction to the Maori people of New Zealand through an interactive dance and music workshop.

Explore www.pinterest.com/PrologueArts

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curriculum focus

Join Kahurangi on a journey of discovery of the meaning of “Matariki” through Maori songs and dances. Matariki is the Maori name for the Pleiades. When visible in the north-eastern skies, this star cluster indicates the year ahead, and the beginning of the seasons of harvest (Hauhake). Matariki heralds the New Year and the beginning of Winter, and an important time in the New Zealand Maori calendar. The Pleiades are also astronomy indicators for other first nations cultures. They were among the first stars mentioned in astronomical literature, appearing in Chinese annals of 2357 BC. The Khoikhoi tribe of Africa referred to them as the “rain stars”, as did the Greek. The First Nations people of North America celebrate thanksgiving to give thanks for the bountiful “squash”, seasonal crop at that time of the year. NEW

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THEMES: • Celebration of the Maori of New Zealand culture through dance and music • Integration of the arts with social studies and science • Similarities among indigenous cultures CHARACTER EDUCATION: • Respect for individual and cultural differences

“So powerful and polished. The children loved it. We have one student who fidgets a lot, but sat as still as a mouse right through.” – Teacher, Haumoana School, Hastings, New Zealand

About KAHURANGI MAORI DANCE THEATRE Based in Hastings, New Zealand, in the territory of the Ngati Kahungunu tribe, the company was formed in the early 1980s by Tama Huata and a team who shared his vision to present Maori performing arts in a dynamic and contemporary manner. Kahurangi has travelled the world, promoting cultural understanding and inviting audiences to participate in their programs.

GRADES

K-12

AUDIENCE MAX.

350

PRICE

$ 876 + HST

AVAILABILITY

Spring 2016

$ 1,260 + HST ) (1 show + 1 workshop)

Tales of Goddesses and a Painter

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curriculum focus THEMES: • Introduction to the dances of China • Aspects of Chinese history and culture

Tales of Goddesses and a Painter is the story of how the cave paintings along the Silk Road came to be. This colourful dance performance (with 5 dancers) is followed by an introduction to the history of the Silk Road, its geography and how interactions between the east and the west shaped Chinese culture. Students will also learn some basic movements in a number of ethnic dance styles. During the Tang Dynasty, the emperor receives a divine message stating that if he builds a Buddhist temple with a painting of flying goddesses, his empire would enjoy centuries of peace and prosperity. He commissions the country’s best painter for this job. To get inspiration for his project, the painter travels along the Silk Road, observing many cultures including Han, Xin Jiang and Indian. Incredibly moved by all the colours and sounds of the Silk Road, the painter works in the cave for ten days straight without rest. When he falls unconscious from the exhaustion, the picture comes to life. Buddhist goddesses bring joy and beauty to the land, and revive the painter.

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DANCE

Little Pear Garden Collective

“Excellent presentation for all students. This performance was the best I’ve seen in over 20 years in education. I would highly recommend them!” – Principal, Strathroy

About LITTLE PEAR GARDEN COLLECTIVE Founded in 1994 and based in Toronto, the Little Pear Garden Collective (LPGC) is Canada’s foremost company of traditional and contemporary Chinese dance. LPGC develops and promotes Chinese dance in Canada through the production and presentation of performances, lectures, workshops, demonstrations and exhibitions on the local and national levels. It aims at creating an environment that supports Chinese-Canadian artists practicing both traditional and contemporary artistic expressions.

1 GRADES

K-8

AUDIENCE MAX.

350

PRICE

$ 1,020 + HST

AVAILABILITY

May 2016

416.591.9092

1.888.591.9092

DANCE

Menaka Thakkar Dance Company 1

Wise Monkey, Foolish Crocodile

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curriculum focus THEMES: • True friendship • Fables as life lessons • Introduction to South Asian dance

Wise Monkey, Foolish Crocodile is a timeless classic from the Panchatantra tales (an ancient Indian collection of animal fables in verse and prose) and was created in 1979 for the International Year of the Child. This dance drama is based upon creative dance movements that illustrate several classical and folk Indian dance styles. The delightful tale begins with a husband crocodile forced into a situation where he has to choose between being loyal to his wife or to the monkey. However, the wife’s loyalty is based on greed while the monkey’s is based on genuine friendship. The husband crocodile makes the wrong choice, choosing greed over friendship. In the end, he loses his friend, and upsets his wife.

Character education: • Honesty, integrity, kindness & caring, respect, responsibility

“Completely accessible... It showed you could take this wonderful ancient tradition of Indian dance drama and make it absolutely relevant for today’s audiences” – Paula Citron, The Globe and Mail

About MENAKA THAKKAR DANCE COMPANY For over 30 years, the Menaka Thakkar Dance Company has been a unique treasure in Canada’s dance world. Canada’s oldest Indian dance company exposes audiences to the stunning beauty of traditional Indian dance while remaining open to other dance cultures in the creation of new works. The company uses the language of many dance styles to reinterpret ancient

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themes and introduce contemporary concepts. Led by artistic director, multiple award-winning Menaka Thakkar, it has earned a reputation for artistic excellence, presenting choreographies that are visually spectacular and infused with drama. (Live streaming options are now available. Contact the company directly for more information.)

1 GRADES

K-8

AUDIENCE MAX.

300

PRICE

$ 870 + HST

AVAILABILITY

May 2016

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curriculum focus

Dance About

Pointe shoes, makeup, mime and exquisite costumes make Dance About a performance not to be missed. The magical world of classical ballet is demystified right before your eyes as your gymnasium becomes the setting for a special ballet performance. Four dancers, a piano accompanist, a narrator and a behind-the-scenes crew highlight the beauty and expression of ballet through a selection of dances straight from The National Ballet of Canada’s repertoire: Pussy Cat Pas de Deux and Carabosse, the evil fairy (both from The Sleeping Beauty), Madge, an old witch in La Sylphide, with a Spanish Dance as the Finale.

THEMES: • Rhythm and movement • Symbolism in dance • Career choices • Introduction to elements of ballet Character education: • Teamwork, perseverance, responsibility

“It was such a moving experience to see these beautiful dancers in my own school! I was so, so happy for our children to see something of genuine beauty and skill. ” – Katherine Beattie,

About THE NATIONAL BALLET OF CANADA

teacher, Ranchdale PS, Toronto

Dance About title sponsor

Artists of the Ballet, photo by Bruce Zinger

With more than 65 dancers and its own orchestra, The National Ballet of Canada is one of the world’s top international dance companies. It was established in 1951 and is still the only Canadian company to present a full range of traditional full-length classics as well as embracing contemporary works and Canadian choreographers. Part of its dedication to making ballet accessible to people of all ages, the company has developed wonderful school programs and created a Virtual Museum under the See the National Ballet section of its website www.national.ballet.ca.

DANCE

National Ballet of Canada

1 GRADES

1-6

AUDIENCE MAX.

300

PRICE

$ 720 + HST

AVAILABILITY

May 12, 13, 16, 17, 19, 20, 2016

416.591.9092

1.888.591.9092

DANCE

Stand Up Dance 1

The Love Project

THEMES: • Highlighting elements of dance: partner work, lifts, jumps, etc. • Breaking down stereotypes of who does what in dance • Combining dance and narrative to express meaning in dance Character education: • Cooperation, breaking stereotypes

“A red hot talent.” – Ottawa Express 1

The Love Project SHOW/WORKSHOP

Following a school performance of The Love Project for a maximum audience of 350, cast members will teach up to 30 participants some of the amazing lifts, falls and partnering choreography from the show. The workshop includes a physical warm up, teaching the skills to perform the lifts and falls before trying them out with partners. Learning partnered choreography builds focus, coordination, trust and timing. The company can offer up to three workshops simultaneously.

Watch www.youtube.com/user/prologueadmin

curriculum focus

The Love Project is a physical, daring, funny and poignant dance performance which explores elements of healthy relationships. Award-winning choreographer Meagan O’Shea initiated the project through conversations with teenagers on what they perceive is required for healthy relationships. Respect, communication and empowered choicemaking are represented in sections like Chemistry, Taking Risks & Building Trust, Compassion and Forgiveness. The cast of five dancers plays fluid roles throughout the sections in an ever changing configuration of couples to represent multiple possibilities. The Q&A session invites students to talk about relationships and what they saw represented on stage.

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About STAND UP DANCE Stand Up Dance is an innovative ensemble created by artistic director Meagan O’Shea for emerging professional performers. As the first graduate of the School of Dance in modern dance, Meagan has been creating work since 1996. She has also trained in theatre, clown, and many forms of improvisation. Her work has been presented across Canada, in New York City and in Europe.

GRADES

7-12

AUDIENCE MAX.

350

SW 7-12 30 $ 1,260 + HST

(1 show + 1 workshop)

$ 1,500 + HST PRICE

$ 960 + HST

(1 show + 2 simultaneous workshops)

$ 1,740 + HST

(1 show + 3 simultaneous workshops)

AVAILABILITY

Nov. 22 - Dec. 12, 2015 Fed. 16-26, April 11-29, 2016

Visions of Turtle Island

“I really enjoyed watching your performance. The best part was when you did the hoop dancing. I really liked all the animals you made.” – Student, Stephen Saywell PS, Oshawa

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THEMES: • Stories from First Nations cultures • Styles of cultural dances • Respect and responsibility for the natural world • Meaning and symbolism in First Nations dance and regalia Character education: • Respect for elders, animals and nature, compassion, thankfulness

Visions of Turtle Island – Song & Dance WORKSHOP

This high energy workshop is broken into two parts. Students will first learn the essentials of First Nations music and be taught a simple song. They will then be introduced to First Nations dancing, including how and why people dance, and they will pick up basic steps and moves. Throughout the workshop, participants will get to play teambuilding games to reinforce what they have learned.

curriculum focus

Stereotypes are met head on in this high energy dancing and singing performance offering an engaging look at First Nations culture, complete with multimedia. In addition to the live singing and dancing, Visions of Turtle Island includes video and image presentations to help explain the dances and to illustrate the cultural experience of First Nations people in Canada. The message of interconnectedness is embodied in the finale with a demonstration of the traditional Hoop Dance.

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DANCE

Tribal Vision Dance

GRADES

K-12

1-12

AUDIENCE MAX.

500

About TRIBAL VISION DANCE Tribal Vision Dance is a family dance troupe from the Six Nations of the Grand River Territory. The company is comprised of champion singers and dancers with a wealth of knowledge to share with young audiences and families, and a desire to build deeper understanding and appreciation of First Nations culture.

$ 900 + HST

(1 show)

PRICE

$ 900 + HST

$ 1,260 + HST

(2 workshops)

(1 show + 1 workshop)

$ 1,560 + HST (1 show + 2 workshops) $ 1,740 + HST

$ 1,260 + HST (3 workshops)

(1 show + 3 workshops)

AVAILABILITY

Limited year-round

416.591.9092

1.888.591.9092

MUSIC & OPERA

Boris Sichon 1

The Musical Adventures of Marco Polo

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curriculum focus THEMES: • Exploring culture through music and storytelling • Roots of musical instruments and styles

“Prepare your sails my crew!” says Boris Sichon as he impersonates Marco Polo talking to his crew of 30 wild characters from 30 nations, with 30 accents giving colours and tones to their voices. “Passionate voices, sweet voices, powerful languages, tender dialects” marvels Marco Polo. The explorer and his exotic sailors are on their way to great adventures which come to life through music. Students will hear the sound of the ship, and the sound of the Chinese gong as it approaches the coast. And that’s just the beginning...

“Sichon is the quintessential artist... He is magnetic. His enthusiasm for the moment is contagious.” – Janos Mate, The Western Jewish Bulletin

Bones and Spoons WORKSHOP

People used to play musical bones (made out of cow rib bones) 4,000 years ago in Ancient Egypt but a Celtic origin is often attributed to this instrument. Spoons are still very popular in Quebec, Russia, England, Ireland and South America. In this workshop, Boris Sichon teaches the students how to handle these very user-friendly instruments to play different musical genres and leads them through fun-filled jam sessions.

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About BORIS SICHON After graduating from St. Petersburg Academy of Music and working with well-known Russian conductors, Boris Sichon embarked on the journey of stage musician, actor, dancer and singer for over 10 years. He had the opportunity to visit and perform in 25 countries on five continents, assembling a collection of over 200 rare and unique traditional musical instruments along the way, which he learned to play with native musicians.

See our full roster of 44 artists on www.prologue.org

GRADES

K-8

AUDIENCE MAX.

350

PRICE

$ 720 + HST

$ 300 + HST

AVAILABILITY

May 2-13, 2016

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An A Cappella History Through the Voice

Cadence Master WORKSHOP

Cadence can custom-design a workshop for your choir or classroom of up to 60, or work with them to bring their repertoire to the next level. Typical workshops can draw from the following subjects: Warm-up Exercises; Tricks, Tips and Techniques; Vocal Percussion; The Art of Noise-Making; Vocal group Improvisation; Rounds, Rhythms and Circle Songs; and Musical History of Vocal Jazz: The A cappella Evolution.

THEMES: • Celebration of the voice

“I recommend this performance to everyone in the galaxy... Watch this brilliant performance!” – Grade 5 student, Mississauga

Four Men, Four Mics, No Instruments

Cadence’s singers amaze audiences with their ability to create a full range of instrumental and vocal sounds using only their voices. They illustrate how the voice is the most versatile of all instruments. Tight harmonies and instrumental imitation, with a splash of choreography and the soul of stand-up comics, combine in a high-spirited show for all ages.

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curriculum focus

Take a trip through time with Cadence as its four members survey over 100 years of vocal music in 50 minutes! They will cover such material as Gregorian Chant, Classical, Choral, Jazz, Doo-Wop, Rock, Blues and more, incorporating mind blowing instrument imitation. Expect high energy antics and fun audience participation.

MUSIC & OPERA

Cadence

“Energetic, entertaining, educational and effervescent! This talented group embodies the four Es. We thoroughly endorse them!” – Teacher, Toronto 1

About CADENCE This quintessential quartet has been entertaining audiences worldwide for over a decade with its innovative jazz arrangements, genre-hopping covers and eclectic originals. The company has played to sold-out concert halls, toured jazz festivals, and has been featured on television and syndicated radio stations all over the world. Their three-time JUNO-nominated albums have been met with wide critical acclaim.

GRADES

K-12

4-12

AUDIENCE MAX.

300

$ 780 + HST (1 show)

$ 1,260 + HST PRICE

(1 show + 1 workshop)

$ 780 + HST

$ 1,740 + HST

(1 show + 2 workshops)

AVAILABILITY

Limited year-round

416.591.9092

1.888.591.9092

MUSIC & OPERA

Canadian Opera Company

GLENCORE ENSEMBLE STUDIO SCHOOL TOUR 1

The Bremen Town Musicians

curriculum focus

Based on a tale by the Brothers Grimm, a donkey, a dog, a cat, and a rooster set out on a journey to find freedom and start a new life after being mistreated by their owners. On the way, they learn about forgiveness, friendship, respect, self-confidence, and find a new home in an unexpected place. A funny and heartfelt tale, The Bremen Town Musicians ties in with your classroom studies in fairy tales and literature, with some important life lessons. This one-act opera by Canadian composer Dean Burry will be sung in English.

THEMES: • Folktales and fairy tales as life lessons • Introduction to opera voice types (soprano, tenor, etc) and musical elements • The use of music and the human voice in storytelling and expression Character education: • Belief in oneself and one’s talents • Realizing that everyone has inner powers of courage, perseverance, goodness • Teamwork, co-operation and friendship

Operation Superpower

Title Sponsor

Photo by Chris Hutcheson

Discover your inner superpower with the help of three heroic opera singers! This interactive show empowers students to identify their strengths and character traits that they are most proud of, or what we call “superpowers”, and encourages them to nurture these powers and use them to help others. The accompanying study guide offers engaging pre- and post-performance activities focused on character development and literacy and music curricula for students in Kindergarten and Primary grades. NEW

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About THE CANADIAN OPERA COMPANY For over 30 years, the COC’s Ensemble Studio School Tour has inspired and engaged students across Ontario with one-act operas created specifically for schoolaged children. Each production is performed in full costume with sets, props, and piano accompaniment.

“For some of the boys in my class, I think it helped them realize that singing can be a lot of fun.” – Brent Burton, teacher, Dufferin School

GRADES

K-6

K-3

AUDIENCE MAX.

300

PRICE

$ 775 + HST

AVAILABILITY

Nov. 9 to Dec. 6, 2015

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Earth, Seas and Air

THEMES: • Celebrating diversity through music, respect for environment/life systems • Introduction to folk instruments Character education: • Caring, leadership, responsibility, respect, teamwork

Celebrate! Holidays of the Global Village

“I was impressed by his musical virtuosity and personal appeal… His songs succeed!”

Celebrate the diverse multicultural mosaic of Canada with Chris McKhool! Songs about Bodhi Day, Chanukah, Chinese New Year, Christmas, Diwali, Eid al-Fitr, Kwanzaa, Native Traditions, Ramadan and Winter Solstice become a vibrant window into many cultures. (Also available as a workshop for teachers. No musical experience is required.)

Fiddlefire!

Chris McKhool introduces students to several musical styles: jazz, blues, flamenco, Gypsy-jazz, classical, East Coast fiddling and more. Students scat-sing, become a rhythm section and join the band to play rare percussion instruments from around the world! (All performances include a FREE CD.)

curriculum focus

Green Toronto Award of Excellence winner and EcoSchools champion Chris McKhool gets kids clapping, singing, and talking about taking care of the Earth. Featuring songs from his appearances on Mr. Dressup and Treehouse, Chris takes his audience beyond the 3 R’s of ecology to a new level of understanding our global ecological connection to forests, air, water and animals. 100% fun!

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MUSIC & OPERA

Chris McKhool

– Ernie Coombs (Mr. Dressup) 1

About CHRIS McKHOOL JUNO Nominee and Canadian Folk Music Award Winner Chris McKhool is hailed as “Canada’s greatest eco-troubadour for young people”. He has been delighting audiences with infectious songs and exotic world instruments for two decades, reaching one million children! All of Chris’ shows feature original songs from his appearances on Mr. Dressup, YTV’s Treehouse, TVOntario and CBC.

GRADES

K-6

AUDIENCE MAX.

300

PRICE $

AVAILABILITY

495 + HST

$ 595 + HST (Duo)

$ 720 + HST (Trio)

Limited year-round

416.591.9092

1.888.591.9092

MUSIC & OPERA

Cosima Grunsky 1

Cozy Music

THEMES: • Singing together • Songs for learning and self-discovery • Composing music and lyrics Character education: • Tolerance, peace, understanding, loyalty

“Simply beautiful in every sense of the word – gorgeous vocals, Cosima!”

Cozy Music SHOW/WORKSHOP

This combination includes Cosima’s school performance for 300 students and a workshop for 30, exploring songwriting and musical instruments from around the world. Students will get hands on experience with most of the instruments. Focusing on rhythm, movement and expression, they will explore some of the elements in Cosima’s performance in more details and experience the pleasure of sharing music with others. NEW

curriculum focus

Cozy Music is a fun-filled, interactive music performance for young children which entertains as well as educates. Cosima Grunsky accompanies herself with the guitar, hand drum, dulcimer and a variety of other instruments from around the world. Her program is a mixture of traditional and original songs with engaging melodies which help children to explore many different moods, and to celebrate life and the joy of making music.

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– Ruth Judd, Teacher, Kingston

About COSIMA GRUNSKY Cosima Grunsky is a singer, songwriter, artist, mother of two little boys and yes, she’s the daughter of Prologue’s own Jack Grunsky (see p. 34). She’s been singing and performing to live audiences with her dad since she was eight years old. Some of her career highlights include singing the national anthem at a Blue Jays game, opening for Jim Cuddy in concert, TV appearances on Mr. Dressup and the Toronto Sick Children’s Telethon. Cosima has produced seven albums, including four CDs for young audiences which have touched children of all ages.

Visit our blog Showtime! at www.PrologueToThePerformingArts.blogspot.ca

GRADES

K-3

AUDIENCE MAX.

300

PRICE

$ 540 + HST

AVAILABILITY

Year-round

(1 show)

$ 840 + HST (1 show + 1 workshop)

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Eco-Logical Show!

THEMES: • Music and different rhythms • Using recycled objects • Turning junk into treasures Character education: • Express analytical or personal responses to musical performances in a variety of ways

“Moi aussi, je veux un xylo-hockey!” – Mia, student, Elementary School Petit Prince, Gatineau

CréaSon WORKSHOP

Sylvain Grenier, the musician-designer behind CréaSon, is hosting this unique environmusical workshop. With the help of this creator of the original “xylo-hockey” (and supported by the CréaSon Educational Guide found on his website www.creason.ca), the students will build the prototype of an instrument of their own creation, made from items pulled out of the home recycling bin. All instruments will then be explored in groups. Every child will have the opportunity to play and describe his/her instrument. The workshop culminates with a joyful improvisation and the resulting “JunkMasterPieces” will be filmed for the students to watch and share. NEW

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curriculum focus

Being ecological is so logical, isn’t it? CréaSon unites children of all age groups in a big “environmusical” party. This performance is the opportunity to hear tracks such as the popular tune Popcorn from the 1960s played on a “golfun”, The Simpsons’ theme done on the “xylohockey”, and an original rap by Sylvain Grenier, L’école-logique!, accompanied by Alain Quirion and his infernal drums. Throughout the show, the young participants are encouraged to clap their hands and sing (with a bit of jam and dance on the stage for a few volunteers at the end).

MUSIC & OPERA

crÉason

About CrÉason CréaSon is the brain child of Sylvain Grenier, a musician with boundless imagination for whom the vast choice of already existing instruments was not enough. Out of hockey sticks, tin cans, pans and golf equipment, he made funky “xylo-hockeys, “cans o’fun”, “pans o’fun” and “golfun” to create new sounds.

GRADES

K-12

AUDIENCE MAX.

300

PRICE

$ 1,020 + HST

$ 840 + HST (4 consecutive workshops)

AVAILABILITY

Limited year-round

BIL. & FRENCH

See p. 6

416.591.9092

1.888.591.9092

MUSIC & OPERA

Fana Soro 1

Yamo! Yamo! Greetings from West Africa!

Photo by Josh Nychuk

Explore www.pinterest.com/PrologueArts

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THEMES: • The music of West Africa • Drums and percussion instruments of West Africa

West African Drumming and Dance WORKSHOP

This workshop offers a flexible structure which can be tailored to your needs. It can be all dance, all music, or a combination of the two to give your students a taste of everything. As a master percussionist, Fana will introduce traditional playing techniques of the djembé, West Africa’s most popular drum, as well as other hand-held percussion instruments. He will share call and response in various languages native to northern Ivory Coast. As a former member of the National Ballet of Côte d’Ivoire, he will introduce students to choreography from traditional dances and share the cultural significance and joy of the movements. (A set of two consecutive workshops can be booked if you’re also buying a performance. Or you can book a full day of four workshops.)

curriculum focus

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About FANA SORO Fana Soro is a musician, dancer and educator from Ivory Coast, where he was a member of the prestigious Ballet National de Côte d’Ivoire for nine years. He is now the creative director of Masabo and opened the Masabo Music and Dance Studio based in Vancouver. Fana spent six years touring with the Rikskonsertene (which is to Norway’s schools what Prologue is to Ontario’s). He also was the artist-in-residence at the International Museum for Children’s Art in Oslo. Since 1997, he has been a cultural ambassador for West Africa, bringing his vast experience of engaging students to hundreds of Canadian schools.

“I would like to say a BIG THANK YOU for the gift of the drumming experience today at the assembly. Informative, cultural, musical, hands-on, fun, interesting, and professionally/educationally exceptional in the delivery; my music intelligence mind was on overdrive. I am still smiling.” – Kim Wakeford, Core French Teacher, Bridgeport PS, Waterloo 1

GRADES

K-12

AUDIENCE MAX.

350

$ 660 + HST

(1 show)

PRICE $ 1,080 + HST

(1 show + 2 workshops)

AVAILABILITY

Limited year-round

Bil. & French

See p. 7

$ 840 + HST

(4 workshops)

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From Handel to Hip-Hop

“It’s amazing the musical concoctions these three award-winning musicians can cook up with just a violin, viola, cello and some vocalization.” – The Vancouver Sun

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curriculum focus

The originality of Infinitus lies in the fact that they are putting their violin, viola and cello (with a hint of vocal beatbox) to work to perform an eclectic repertoire including everything from Mozart masterpieces to TV-show theme songs. (Always popular with the students are various novelty pieces such as the theme from The Simpsons and Hockey Night in Canada.) Students learn the subtleties of a canon as well as the differences and similarities in the movements of a theme and variations. With a repertoire ranging from a Scottish lament to the rhythmic complexities of hip-hop, the trio is able to tailor each performance to the age range of their audience. Their easy-going stage presence, extraordinary playing and audience participation ensure enthusiastic student engagement.

MUSIC & OPERA

Infinitus

THEMES: • Components of musical composition • Imagery and mood in music • Appreciation of many musical genres

About INFINITUS Infinitus is a critically-acclaimed beatboxing string trio known for their unique sound and upbeat performance style. With a repertoire featuring classical standards and original jazz/hip-hop arrangements and compositions, the company formed in 2008 is quickly becoming one of North America’s premier chamber groups. Violist Anthony Cheung, cellist Alex Cheung (yes, they are twins) and violinist John “Adidam” Littlejohn are based in Vancouver. Collectively, the members hold degrees from the University of Michigan and the Peabody Conservatory and have won awards at the local, national, and international level. They have performed extensively throughout North America, presenting community performances, soloing with orchestras, and conducting master classes, workshops, and seminars. Infinitus is truly dedicated to quality outreach.

“….Infinitus was WAY beyond expectations. The way they related to the kids, their energy, their sense of humour, their music. One of the best performances we’ve ever seen in over 30 years…” – Teacher, Al Collison Elementary, Nelson, BC

1 GRADES

K-12

AUDIENCE MAX.

350

PRICE

$ 870 + HST

AVAILABILITY

Late April to early May 2016

416.591.9092

1.888.591.9092

MUSIC & OPERA

Jack Grunsky 1

Prim

Songs That Teach Peace

curriculum focus

The songs in this presentation teach peace and tolerance. They illustrate how performing a good deed is like dropping a pebble into a pond. The ripple effect spreads from person to person and out into one’s community, town, then around the whole world.

THEMES: • Singing together • Songs for learning and self-discovery • Composing music and lyrics

Walk Around the World

Character education: • Tolerance, peace, understanding, loyalty

Jack Grunsky believes in the power of music to nurture a sense of hope and respect for one another, one’s environment and the world. The song selection for this show touches a variety of global themes.

It’s Showtime! RESIDENCY

Enjoy an extended two-day visit with Jack. Prior to the residency, your school will receive a package of CD samplers, lyrics and activity guides. Eight participating classes will work in advance of Jack’s arrival on one individual song and activity. Jack will then rehearse with each class and further develop their song selection. The following day, Jack will act as a master of ceremonies for a school concert to be repeated for families and friends in the evening.

“A fabulous experience! The kids LOVED it, the parents LOVED it and so did all the teachers. Jack is great!”

Sing and Dance with Jack

– Teacher, Oshawa

About JACK GRUNSKY Jack Grunsky celebrates over 25 years of music for children. His fifteen recordings have received all of the most prestigious awards in children’s media, including 4 JUNO Awards! With his family concerts, Prologue school presentations, symphony shows and early Childhood Education teacher workshops, he has toured extensively across Canada and the U.S. The artist is known for drawing on a variety of musical genres and integrating sounds and rhythms from his colourful palette of global musical instruments.

GRADES

K-6

AUDIENCE MAX.

300

SW K-6 240

(8 classrooms)

PRICE

$ 600 + HST

AVAILABILITY

Limited year-round

BilINGUAL

See p. 7

$ 1,200 + HST

Funny Bamboo Music

The two musicians effortlessly create a truly accessible show with their charming humour and contagious love for their culture.

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curriculum focus

Your students will leave this performance marveling at how inventive Vietnamese people were, over 4,000 years of history, at creating unique musical instruments out of bamboo. They’ll hear the haunting melodies of the dan bau, the one-string zither from Northern Vietnam, and other traditional Vietnamese instruments such as the k’longput and the ko ni (which uses the player’s mouth as a resonation chamber). They’ll also watch Chi perform a quirky song on his squeezing bamboo flutes (an invention of his own!) and they will see Bic and Chi compete on the long flute (an intriguing flute played by two persons). The gifted performers will present classical, folk and contemporary music of Vietnam and its mountain people but won’t shy away from offering their interactive version of the funny “chicken dance”.

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THEMES: • Celebration through music • Music and instruments of Vietnam • Creating new instruments

MUSIC & OPERA

Khac Chi Bamboo Music

“Within five minutes they won the hearts and total attention of 300 grade 7 students (believe me, hard to do) and the students were open-eyed the whole time.” – Music Teacher, Ottawa About KHAC CHI BAMBOO MUSIC Vancouver-based Khac Chi Bamboo Music is a funny and energetic Canadian-Vietnamese duo who won the hearts of audiences in 25 countries and over 1,000 schools across North America. Their rare talents and superb musicianship have won them numerous awards for excellence, as well as invitations to play at major festivals around the world. Chi Khac Ho is the world’s premiere virtuoso on the dan bau, as well as a composer and a music researcher. Bic Hoang is an exceptional vocalist, arranger and multiinstrumentalist. In 1988, she was the first woman to receive the First Prize for dan bau in the Vietnam Competition of Professional Instrumentalists. They have produced three CDs and both members have taught music at the University of British Columbia.

1 GRADES

K-8

AUDIENCE MAX.

300

PRICE

$ 660 + HST

AVAILABILITY

May 16-20, 2016

416.591.9092

1.888.591.9092

MUSIC & OPERA

Maderaz Latin Music 1

Fiesta and Carnival

Latin Rhythms WORKSHOPS

Maderaz Latin Music will introduce your students to Latin music with a choice of two workshops: Creating Rhythm Compositions WORKSHOP (where students and teachers will learn to create complex compositions which can then be used in school productions), and Latin Percussion WORKSHOP (where participants will learn how Latin rhythms are layered and played).

Watch www.youtube.com/user/prologueadmin

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THEMES: • Celebration through music • Appreciating diversity through music • Introduction to percussions

Feliz Navidad: A Holiday Celebration

Much like Canada, there are many types of celebrations and traditions throughout Latin America during the winter holidays. Music from Indigenous communities, African dance rhythms and European instruments combine beautifully to represent the spirit and feeling of Latin American holiday music.

curriculum focus

In this perennial favourite, the music of Carnivals and festivals from around the world is celebrated while emphasizing cultural connections. Over fifteen instruments from different countries are introduced in this highly interactive and energetic performance.

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“The staff and students thoroughly enjoyed the interactive atmosphere and vibrant music!” – Vice-Principal, Scarborough

About MADERAZ LATIN MUSIC Based in Toronto, Maderaz is dedicated to celebrating and keeping alive the rich musical heritage of Latin America, within the context of a multicultural Canada, while adding a seductive blend of urban overtones. Their repertoire includes the Afro-influenced rhythms from Colombia, Cuba, Peru, Brazil and Venezuela. Maderaz creates a distinct, vibrant, musical expression and a unique repertoire for its compositions and performances. The band has performed in festivals across Canada.

GRADES

K-12

4-12

AUDIENCE MAX.

350

PRICE

$ 660 + HST

AVAILABILITY

Year-round

$ 360 + HST

Canada Needs You!

THEMES: • Canadian history through music • Music as a part of life • French and English culture in early Canada

“His performance is an excellent way to inspire interest and curiosity in this country’s geography and history.” – Coordinator of

Flames Across the Border

The 1812-1814 conflict comes alive in music and words with Mike’s original songs about epic events (the invasion of Little York, Great Lake ship battles), famous characters (Tecumseh, FitzGibbon), and unsung participants (settlers, couriers). Provoking boisterous audience interaction, sampling period marches and ballads, challenging myths, Flames Across the Border is a song-cycle show especially created for the War of 1812 Bicentennial.

Mike Ford Song WORKSHOP

Using games of improvisation, brainstorming, rhyme & rhythm and more, Mike leads students through rapid-fire stages of song creation (a basis for their own curriculum-focused musical pieces). The artist works with up to 30 students per one-hour workshop in a classroom with chalkboard (or similar device). He can coach the same group over two or three sessions for in-depth creation of group projects, or different groups throughout the day.

curriculum focus

In this performance, Mike takes students on a break-neck tour through First Nations lore, explorers’ tales, the War of 1812, rebellions, Confederation, and finally skidding to a halt for a decade-by-decade examination of an explosive 20th Century. It includes John A. Macdonald-themed material, relevant as we move closer to Canada’s 150th anniversary!

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MUSIC & OPERA

Mike Ford

Canadian and World Studies, Halton 1

About MIKE FORD Mike Ford is a bilingual JUNO-nominated solo artist who has released five acclaimed albums of Canadian history-inspired songs. Known to many for his former life as a rock performer, he has aptly been described by the Globe and Mail as being “rabble-rousing and Pythonesque”. Using thought-provoking original songs, personal anecdotes, humour, and an almost encyclopedic knowledge of Canadian History, Mike Ford has carved a niche for himself. His fast-paced curriculumfocused concerts, always adapted for audience levels, have succeeded in the challenging task of inspiring young people towards greater interest in Canada’s past and greater involvement in its present and future.

GRADES

4-12

AUDIENCE MAX.

$ 324 + HST

(1 show)

$ 324 + HST

$ 468 + HST

(1 workshop)

(2 shows)

$ 468 + HST

$ 624 + HST

PRICE

(2 workshops)

(3 shows)

$ 468 + HST

$ 624 + HST

(1 show + 1 workshop)

(3 workshops)

$ 624 + HST

(1 show + 2 workshops)

AVAILABILITY

Limited year-round

Bil. & French

See p. 8

416.591.9092

1.888.591.9092

MUSIC & OPERA

Shoestring Opera 1

Shoestring’s Hansel and Gretel

THEMES: • Elements of opera: music, voice, story • Appreciation of the versatility of the cello Character education: • Sibling relationships • The difference between fantasy and reality • Breaking down prejudices by respecting differences

“Excellent performance! The study guide was great and I look forward to using some of the follow up activities with the students.” – Tibor Lako, Finch PS, Toronto

The Shoestring Magic Flute

Shoestring revisits Mozart’s most famous opera, and offers an ideal introduction to the glory of this art form. In the whimsical story, Allegra finds a golden flute on her way home from school. Blowing on it, her street turns into a dark forest. She blows again and out pops Papageno, a strange birdcatcher with a padlock on his mouth. Through the power of music and the magic of make-believe, Allegra and Papageno embark on an adventure of sharing and self-discovery involving a four-legged, two-winged, fire-breathing dragon, the scary Queen of the Night. How can Allegra help her new friend and get home in time for her music lesson?

curriculum focus

Hansel and Gretel live with their single mom next door to a very strange lady who practices night and day on a cello. And why is she always sweeping her front porch? Who knows? “She might be a witch, with an awful twitch who rides the air with a broomstick switch!” Thoroughly spooked, they fall asleep and wake up to a wild roller-coaster ride through the land of the fairy tale, with a wondrous gingerbread house and a batty old witch... who plays the cello! Hansel shows off some groovy dance moves set to Humperdinck’s gorgeous music as Gretel leads them both out of trouble and into a greater understanding of their strange neighbour. Come and join the dance! NEW

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About SHOESTRING OPERA Shoestring Opera is four musical artists (one soprano, one baritone, one pianist and one cellist) bringing the glory and magic of opera to school children and families. Since 2004, the company has performed to sold-out audiences across Canada, successfully adapting classic operas in an exuberant, child-friendly format with an emphasis on storytelling and musical excellence.

See our full roster of 44 artists on www.prologue.org

GRADES

K-4

AUDIENCE MAX. PRICE AVAILABILITY BilINGUAL

K-6 300

$ 780 + HST Oct. 20-23, 2015 (Hansel & Gretel ) Nov. 10-13, 2015 (Magic Flute ) Jan. 26-29, 2016 (Hansel & Gretel ) Feb. 9-12, 2016 (Magic Flute ) April 12-15, 2016 (Magic Flute ) May 31-June 3, 2016 (Hansel & Gretel ) See p. 9

China Speaks Your Language

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curriculum focus THEMES: • Diverse cultures working together • The effect of combining different musical styles and traditions • Introduction to instruments of Asia

In a musical adventure which explores China and beyond, Silk Road Music joins the traditional Chinese pipa (lute) with world instruments such as flamenco guitar, Indian flute, Middle Eastern oud and percussion instruments in mesmerizing multicultural duets. The artists present traditional instrumental pieces, original compositions and Chinese folk songs performed in English, Mandarin and Spanish.

“I was so excited to have you in our school... Performers had such a command of their artistry and also the skills to entertain and engage an audience.” – Principal, North York

About SILK ROAD MUSIC For over twenty years, Silk Road Music has been smashing stereotypes about Chinese music and taking Chinese instruments in new artistic directions. Its pioneering musical fusions have merged Chinese folk and classical music with Brazilian, Jazz, Celtic, Spanish, Arabic, Aboriginal and blues music. Founded by Qiu Xia He (a one-time music teacher and touring musician in her native

MUSIC & OPERA

Silk Road Music

1 Shaanxi in China), the ensemble was joined by savvy guitarist André Thibault, a Montrealer with Acadian roots who provides much of the Western influence in the current incarnation of Silk Road. The company has earned a JUNO nomination, two West Coast Music Awards and two Canadian Folk Music Awards nominations. Most recently, the group has begun exploring flamenco music.

GRADES

K-12

AUDIENCE MAX.

350

PRICE

$ 600 + HST

AVAILABILITY

May 2-13, 2016

Bil. & French

See p. 9

416.591.9092

1.888.591.9092

MUSIC & OPERA

Sultans of String with sitar master anwar khurshid Ragas, Reels and Rumba 1

“Canada is a real meeting place of musical influences from around the world”, says violinist Chris McKhool. In this special concert Sultans of String meet the electricity of sitar master Anwar Khurshid in an innovative collaboration that transcends categorization. Together with students they explore Indian Raga (melody) and Tala (rhythm), as well as Spanish flamenco, Arabic folk, East Coast Celtic and Gypsy-jazz. Originally from Pakistan, Anwar now makes Canada his home, and his sitar playing has been featured in Oscar-winning films Life of Pi and The Love Guru.

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curriculum focus THEMES: • Celebrating diversity through music • Fusion of musical styles

“Groundbreaking... virtuoso... boundary pushing... infectuous... visionary... and absolutely stunning!” – The Live Music Report

Music has the ability to bring together people and cultures in a way that emulates what we love to see in the world, creating a collaboration that breaks down the barriers that divide us, and helping us to see our common humanity, and providing a model for peace. NEW

Explore a World of Music SHOW/WORKSHOP

This combo includes a concert for your school, followed by a workshop for up to 30 students. Together they break down some of the styles, rhythms, and melodies heard in their concert, opening up a window into new worlds of music. (All performances include a FREE CD.)

About SULTANS OF STRING JUNO Award Nominees and Canadian Folk Music Awards Winners, Sultans of String have been called “the very epitome of world music: no boundaries, no rules”. They have played on BBC TV, Irish National Radio and SiriusXM in Washington. From CBC’s Canada Live, to Birdland Jazz Club in NYC, to Roy Thompson Hall with the Toronto Symphony, they’ve done it all!

GRADES

K-12

9-12

AUDIENCE MAX.

350

PRICE

$ 720 + HST

$ 1,200 + HST

AVAILABILITY

Limited year-round

LIKE us on Facebook to support arts education in the schools at www.facebook.com/PrologueToThePerformingArts

Energize with TorQ

This combination includes one of the two performances for an audience of 350, complemented with a workshop for 30 participants. In a typical TorQ workshop which focuses on ensemble playing and creative music making, everyone in attendance leaves feeling a sense of accomplishment.

“What an amazing show! You are so talented and so much fun to watch. I have never seen our students react so positively to a concert here before. Your standing ovation was definitely deserved.”

This performance is an exploration of how music can be made anytime, anyplace, with everything. Known for their incredible energy and stage presence, the four master percussionists of TorQ take seemingly ordinary, everyday objects (kitchen utensils, wooden planks, old car parts, even keys in their pockets!) and transform them into an orchestra of musical instruments. With a focus on improvisation and audience participation, they encourage students to explore a world of sounds without limits.

Percussion SHOW/WORKSHOP

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THEMES: • Introduction to percussion instruments • The joy of making music together

Everything AND the Kitchen Sink!

curriculum focus

Featuring an array of musical styles and instruments to engage students, this performance includes an impressive five octave marimba, drums from around the world and even household garbage cans. TorQ uses its signature blend of energy and humour to demonstrate the diversity of percussion.

Prim

MUSIC & opera

TorQ Percussion Quartet

– Head of Music and Dance, Mayfield Secondary School for the Arts, Caledon

About TORQ PERCUSSION QUARTET TorQ Percussion Quartet was formed by four Canadian percussionists looking to bring new energy to the stage and a passion for sound. They have performed to critical acclaim and standing ovations across Canada, USA, and Europe.

GRADES

K-12

AUDIENCE MAX.

350

30 $ 1,380 + HST (1 show + 1 workshop)

PRICE

$ 900 + HST

AVAILABILITY

Limited year-round

(1 show)

416.591.9092

1.888.591.9092

Musical theatre

ARSENAL À MUSIQUE

curriculum focus THEMES: • Demonstrating the power of music to create mood and represent characters • Combining movement, circus acts, music and puppetry to demonstrate the magic of theatre • Creating characters from everyday objects

Carnival of the Animals

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About ARSENAL À MUSIQUE Arsenal à Musique has made it its mission to introduce concert music to a broad audience, and especially to young people, through bold and innovative interventions and concerts, as well as through the development of strategies for introducing the arts to school groups. Its productions combine music, circus, theatre, multimedia and special effects in an innovative and ground-breaking manner. Since 1978, the company has created over 25 original productions and has presented more than 15,000 performances to over three million viewers in Canada, the U.S., Europe and Asia.

Visit our blog Showtime! at www.PrologueToThePerformingArts.blogspot.ca

“The presentation was superb! What a privilege it is to have such high quality performances for children, introducing them to elements and beauty in arts.” – Teacher, Unionville 1 GRADES

K-4

AUDIENCE MAX.

250

PRICE

$ 1,050 + HST

AVAILABILITY

April 1-22, 2016

Bil. & French

See p. 10

Beneath Springhill: The Maurice Ruddick Story

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curriculum focus THEMES: • Black History in Canada • Canadian heroes and heroines • Creating and presenting one-person show • Using voice and body language to change character

This one-man show is an original musical created and performed by Firebrand Theatre’s artistic director, Beau Dixon, with lyrics and music by Rob Fortin and Susan Newman. It chronicles the story of African-Canadian Maurice Ruddick, who was trapped for nine days along with seven other miners during the mining disaster which took place in Springhill, Nova Scotia. (On October 23, 1958, a small earthquake collapsed the No. 2 shaft of Cumberland mines, trapping 174 men 3,900 metres underground and killing 74.) This true story deeply touched the playwright, not only for the bravery and courage Maurice instilled in his fellow miners, but because he was an accomplished musician who used music as a source of strength and hope.

MUSICal theatre

firebrand ThEAtre

Character education: • Leadership, integrity, empathy, courage, perseverance

“He was absolutely AMAZING! All of his performances have been fantastic. This one just highlighted his strengths as an actor and a playwright. If there is some type of award I could nominate him for, I will.” – Louise, Ontario elementary school teacher 1

About FIREBRAND THEATRE Firebrand Theatre is committed to giving life to Canadian stories written by Canadian playwrights. Beau Dixon, its artistic director and co-founder, is an acclaimed singer-songwriter with three solo CDs to his name.

Over 4,000 people have seen one or more of the seven plays he has created and produced to this day. He has just finished an exciting position as apprentice music director with Obsidian Theatre (Toronto) and Shaw Festival (Niagara On The Lake).

GRADES

4-12

AUDIENCE MAX.

300

PRICE

$ 780 + HST

AVAILABILITY

February 2016

416.591.9092

1.888.591.9092

PUPPETRY

breadbox TheatRE 1

School Bound

curriculum focus

Gofo, an overworked kitchen helper, has just finished her lunch and is about to toss her garbage onto the ground when she notices she is being watched... by an audience. Caught in the act, she looks for somewhere to dispose of the wrappers and sets her sight on an old breadbox. She pulls down the lid and discovers a magical world inside: a blue sky and white clouds above, a house and a school at each end. Breadbox Theatre is sure to inspire children to harness their creative powers to tell stories in new ways. In this world, not only does an egg yolk become a rising sun and our hero is a yam, this imaginative show is performed in gibberish (nonsensical words such as poofo, sizzlo and poshi). Irresistible.

School Bound SHOW/WORKSHOP

Following a School Bound performance to up to 75 students, Breadbox Theatre will give a hands-on workshop to the whole group to teach them how to create their own puppets, using wooden spoons and wool.

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THEMES: • Storytelling through puppetry • Introducing the magic of theatre as a place where anything can happen • Creating characters from everyday objects

“A charming delightful little gem of a show!” – Teacher, Newmarket

About BREADBOX THEATRE Breadbox Theatre was launched in 2005 by playwright Emil Sher to introduce younger audiences to the wonders of theatre on a small scale. How small? The entire world of School Bound fits into a breadbox. Emil Sher’s works for children range from playful poems in the magazine Chirp to episodes of TVO’s Polka Dot Shorts and the acclaimed adaptation of Hana’s Suitcase for Young People’s Theatre.

Explore www.pinterest.com/PrologueArts

GRADES

K-3

AUDIENCE MAX.

$ 335 + HST (2 shows)

PRICE

$ 510 + HST (3 shows)

$ 600 + HST (4 shows)

AVAILABILITY

$ 335 + HST (1 show + 1 workshop) $ 600 + HST (2 shows + 2 workshops)

April 4-15, 2016

Cinderella in Muddy York

THEMES: • Folktales • Fables as life lessons • The art forms involved in puppetry Character education: • Humility, self-esteem, learning from mistakes • Empathy, kindness and caring, fairness

Foolish Tales for Foolish Times

Four foolish tales, full of venerable folk wisdom from around the world, are retold in a celebration of our shared humanity. Presented in a deceptively simple, low-tech style that belies the extraordinary artistry of the Puppetmongers, each story is told with a different style of puppetry, from humansized to hand puppet, table-top to kitchenware. This is a richly imaginative production that kindles creativity, inspires role play and encourages thinking outside the box.

Puppetry WORKSHOPS

With either Ann or David Powell of Puppetmongers Theatre, your students can explore puppetry tailored to your teaching needs: Paper Rod Puppetry (Primary), Shadow Puppetry (Junior) or Marotte Rod Puppets (Grades 3 and up). Each workshop is 2 1/2 hour long. The two workshops are simultaneous.

curriculum focus

History and fun are integrated in this inventive retelling of the classic tale, set in pioneer-era Upper Canada. Complete with magical ball gown and pumpkin coach, the performance is ingeniously staged with rod marionettes in a traditional puppet theatre that cleverly transforms into scenes evoking the wilderness, pioneer life and early Canadian society. NEW

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PUPPETRY

Puppetmongers Theatre

“The Powells are storytellers of boundless imagination.” – Stage Door, Toronto

About PUPPETMONGERS THEATRE Puppetmongers is one of Canada’s leading puppet theatre companies, now in its 41th year. Over the years, the company has developed a reputation for telling evocative and meaningful stories in exciting theatrical ways, and putting puppetry into theatres. The multiple award-winning company has toured across Canada, the U.S., Europe and Asia. They’ve collaborated on many theatre and film projects, including the whimsical film Mr. Magorium’s Wonder Emporium, featuring Dustin Hoffman and Nathalie Portman.

GRADES

2-6

K-4

1-6

AUDIENCE MAX. PRICE

AVAILABILITY

250

(1 show)

$ 690 + HST

$ 480 + HST (2 workshops)

$ 1,170 + HST (1 show + 2 workshops)

$ 720 + HST (2 X 2 workshops)

March 28 - April 8, 2016 (Cinderella) May 2-13, 2016 (Foolish Tales)

416.591.9092

1.888.591.9092

PUPPETRY

Puzzle ThÉÂtre

Prim

curriculum focus THEMES: • Storytelling through puppetry • Demonstrating the magic of theatre • Creating characters from everyday objects • The role of music in storytelling and theatre CHARACTER EDUCATION: • Taking the time to reflect on and appreciate what is important in life

“We aren’t looking for answers. Rather, we are looking to ask the right questions.” – Puzzle Théâtre 1

Hurry-up!

About PUZZLE THÉÂTRE Founded in 1996 in Bulgaria, Puzzle Théâtre settled in Montréal in 2004. The company distinguishes itself with a unique style combining various types of traditional and contemporary theatre, object theatre and puppet theatre. Puzzle Théâtre’s silent creations are characterized by an artistic choice to leave room for the audience to interpret the unmentioned and to freely associate ideas, nourishing their own imagination.

GRADES

K-6

AUDIENCE MAX.

300

PRICE

$ 930 + HST

AVAILABILITY

Oct. 19-23, Nov. 23-27, 2015

Bil. & French

See p. 10

Prim

The Last Polar Bears

curriculum focus

You and your students will be captivated by this eccentric, moving and very funny story of a Grandfather’s unlikely trip to the Arctic with Roo, his opinionated dog. It features live music and puppets, twenty knitted penguins and, of course, a talking dog. The production includes an intricate scale model of the St. Roch (explorer Henry Larson’s ship used during his famous Arctic expedition), as well as gorgeous footage of Arctic landscapes, northern lights and adorable animals in the wild.

THEMES: • Storytelling through puppetry and music, using classical stories as source for drama • Stories from Canada’s North • Life lessons from folk and fairy tales Character education: • Integrity, empathy, kindness and caring

“Loved the archival footage that was used and the music chosen to go with it. So well done & very creative!! I can just imagine all the knitting of penguins!” – Comment on their website

About RAG & BONE PUPPET THEATRE

Photo by John Nolan

This company has toured across Canada and the U.S. since 1978. Founders John Nolan and Kathy MacLellan are joined by musician Ainsley McNeaney in productions of exceptional creativity and value for young audiences. Rag & Bone Puppet Theatre believes in simple, aesthetically beautiful effects that encourage imagination and new ways of looking at things.

PUPPETRY

RAG & BONE PUPPET THEATRE

GRADES

1-6

AUDIENCE MAX.

200

PRICE

$ 720 + HST

AVAILABILITY

Nov. 3-6, 2015 April 11-15, 2016

416.591.9092

1.888.591.9092

Storytelling & Spoken Word

NEW

all-star slam with Brendan mcleod 1

All-Star Slam

THEMES: • Poetry appreciation • The spoken word as a means of expressing ideas and emotions • Expressing positive critiques of the art of others Character education: • Encouraging healthy competition

Slam WORKSHOP

In this workshop, some of Canada’s top spoken word poets lead students through writing and performance exercises. It exposes youth to poetry as a living, breathing art form, while teaching them how to enrich their own writing with poetic and literary devices. Working with professional artists, your students will deepen their engagement with the arts, build confidence in their own creative potential, and enhance their in-class learning experience. NEW

“Best two hours of high school, and I’ve been here almost 4 years.” – Student, Reynolds Secondary, Victoria

curriculum focus

The show is hosted by Brendan McLeod and features the former world poetry SLAM champion Ian Keteku, two-time Canadian SLAM champ Andre Prefontaine, and YouTube phenom Sabrina Benaim. In this performance, the professional poets compete for top honours in front of student judges. The event is replete with boisterous cheers, disapproving boos, high-fives, and lots of great poetry. As one student put it: “It’s better than Beyoncé!” (which is a bit of a stretch but it’s what they’re aiming for). It would be hard to find a better way to channel a sense of school community and to engage students. NEW

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Watch www.youtube.com/user/prologueadmin

GRADES

6-12

AUDIENCE MAX.

500

About Brendan mcleod Brendan McLeod is a former Canadian SLAM poetry champion and Word Runner-up. He was the 2012 Poet of Honour at the Canadian Festival of Spoken Word and the 2015 Poet of Honour at the Victoria Spoken Word Festival. He has taught spoken word at Langara College, and is an active youth arts educator with many organizations across the country, including the Vancouver Biennale and the Alberta Writer’s Guild. A sought after host for his comedic timing, passion and energy, he has been hosting poetry slams for over a decade.

$ 840 + HST PRICE

(1 show)

$ 1,320 + HST (1 show + 4 simultaneous workshops)

AVAILABILITY .

$ 600 + HST (4 consecutive workshops)

Sept. 28 - Oct. 16, 2015 Jan., Feb., Mar., 2016

The Mouse, the Ant and the Antelopes

Character Building SHOW/WORKSHOPS

Following her performance of The Mouse for up to 100 students, Emerita offers a workshop to the whole group. With the use of drama techniques, movement, music and improvisation, students learn to become aware of respect.

curriculum focus THEMES: • Folktales and fables as life lessons • Characteristics of folktales from various cultures

Chabelita (a cute hand-puppet) is still shivering from a scary encounter with a mouse. Her auntie (Emerita) tells her own version of The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse to calm her. She continues with the story of The Ant and the Butterfly, followed by a tale of African antelopes. This performance with audience participation brings forward the message about being humble, and the importance of sharing and respect for what was here before us.

Prim

Character education: • Humility, sharing, respect for our past, courage, self-confidence

Storytelling & Spoken Word

Emerita Emerencia

“She’s a great entertainer and a fine musician.” – Teacher, London 1

About EMERITA EMERENCIA Emerita Emerencia is a multilingual artist originally trained as a teacher in Aruba. In 1984, she had a lead role in A Caribbean Midsummer Night’s Dream, which won a Dora Award. She’s been a dance instructor at University of Toronto, has worked on school projects as a choreographer with the National Ballet of Canada, and as a librettist with the Canadian Opera Company. Self-described as “an Aruban by nature and a Canadian by nurture”, Emerita works with Fundacion Muchila Creativo and as an artist in education in Aruba, when she’s not touring in Canada with Prologue.

GRADES

K-4

AUDIENCE MAX.

K-4

100

$ 300 + HST (1 show)

PRICE

$ 468 + HST

$ 624 + HST

(2 shows)

$ 624 + HST (3 shows)

AVAILABILITY

February 2016

416.591.9092

1.888.591.9092

Imagination on the Loose!

“300 children were absolutely silent and engaged throughout.” – Teacher, Toronto

int

THEMES: • Inspiring a love of words, writing and imagination • Folktales and fairy tales • Introducing Creation stories from various cultures

Stumbling Upon a Story SHOW/WORKSHOP

Following a performance of Imagination on the Loose! for up to 100 students, Nathalie Vachon offers the whole group a workshop which plays with language, reaffirms the fun of grammar, and empowers students to be storytellers with a capital S! With her help, students will see for themselves that the blank page offers a world of endless possibilities where a monster can be afraid of people, or a river can long to be a little boy.

curriculum focus

In the realm of a story anything is possible! Mirabelle’s dress holds magical powers, there’s a giraffe in the car, a blanket of darkness has covered the sky, Edgar has forgotten his shoes and Madeleine is having a most unlucky morning... Follow Nathalie as she spins original tales that will engage, inspire and tickle the funny bone. This mesmerizing storytelling performance takes the audience on an interactive ride through modern fairy tales with a twist, adventures all in rhyme, folktales from around the world and so much more. With audience participation, songs and wordplay, students will fall in love with storytelling and see that stories are in fact everywhere!

Prim

Photo courtesy of The Burlington Performing Arts Centre

Storytelling & Spoken Word

Nathalie Vachon

About NATHALIE VACHON Nathalie has delighted audiences in Canada, the U.S. and Asia with her whimsical and imaginative tales. She effortlessly creates stories to spark the imagination, and delivers them with heart, warmth and an infectious love of storytelling.

See our full roster of 44 artists on www.prologue.org

Character education: • Friendship, kindness, respect, inclusion, teamwork, empathy

GRADES

K-6

4-12

AUDIENCE MAX.

100

$ 300 + HST (1 show)

PRICE

$ 468 + HST

(2 shows)

$ 624 + HST (3 shows)

AVAILABILITY

Year-round

BilINGUAL

See p. 11

$ 624 + HST (1 show + 1 workshop)

Picture the Story

A New Life / Coming to Canada

“A delight. Perfectly matched to the age, interest and ability of each group.”

The Roses in my Carpets

Wanting Mor

Featuring the author’s novel Wanting Mor, this presentation deals with character issues of loss, abandonment, addiction and blended families while offering students insights into the creative process.

Beyond the Stories SHOW/WORKSHOPS

Following the performance of your choice for up to 100 students, Rukhsana delves into the themes of the show, tailoring the workshop to each audience.

Character education: • Respect, caring, empathy, fairness

Based on Rukhsana’s book about her Afghan refugee foster child, this presentation uses humour to address difficult issues like child sponsorship and poverty. It includes a visual tour of the refugee camp she visited in Peshawar, Pakistan.

int

THEMES: • Storytelling and story writing • Racism, overcoming obstacles, freedom and safety

Addressing the immigrant experience, this show highlights the importance of overcoming obstacles and taking advantage of learning opportunities.

curriculum focus

South Asian culture is actively explored with Rukhsana’s delightful picture books: Silly Chicken, Ruler of the Courtyard and Big Red Lollipop. Students will learn about story ideas and how a story develops.

Prim

Storytelling & Spoken Word

Rukhsana Khan

– Jen Mactaggart, Teacher-librarian, Sunnybrook School 1

About RUKHSANA KHAN Born in Lahore, Pakistan, Rukhsana Khan is an awardwinning author and storyteller with eleven books published. Her Big Red Lollipop was celebrated in 2013 by the New York Public Library as one of the top 100 Great Children’s Books in 100 Years. She has appeared on television and radio, and has been featured at international conferences in Denmark, Mexico, Singapore, India, South Africa, all across Canada and the U.S. (Skype visits are also an option! Contact Rukhsana Khan directly for more information.)

GRADES K-3 3-6 3-12 5-12 Same as show AUDIENCE MAX.

100

$ 300 + HST (1 show)

PRICE

$ 468 + HST (2 shows)

$ 624 + HST

$ 624 + HST (1 show + 1 workshop)

(3 shows)

AVAILABILITY

Year-round

416.591.9092

1.888.591.9092

THEATRE

Alan Shain 1

First Day in the School Yard

THEMES: • Storytelling • Creating and presenting one-person show • Overcoming obstacles to fulfill one’s dreams Character education: • Empathy, perseverance, respect and understanding

Still Waiting for that Special Bus

Alan Shain has brilliantly created a dramatic monologue to give the audience some insight into the complex, and in turn frustrating and hilarious life he leads. The artist takes us into the living room of a young man with a physical disability, waiting and worrying about a hot date. Alan’s particular exasperation is directed at the Wheel-Trans bus. It is getting late and threatening the success of his outing. Will he ever get to his date? How will his evening end?

curriculum focus

This show, based on a true story, recounts Alan’s own experiences of going to a “regular” school for the first time to attend Grade 6. The artist’s humour challenges many assumptions about the lives of people with disabilities. Through laughter, students identify with Alan and learn to celebrate differences of all kinds. Much like anyone at a new school, he struggles with gaining acceptance, making friends and finding his place in the school yard.

int

“His stories are at the same time funny, angry, tender and always very real.” – MASC Newsletter

About ALAN SHAIN Alan Shain blends comedy with a strong dose of honesty and truth while drawing from the lived experience of disability. Alan Shain’s artistic work is founded on a deep commitment to taking personal responsibility for creating change. (He holds a Masters degree in Social Work where he graduated with distinction. His thesis was written on disability and theatre.) Alan has toured across Canada, England, the U.S., Australia and Taiwan.

GRADES

4-8

7-12

AUDIENCE MAX.

200

PRICE

$ 540 + HST

AVAILABILITY

Oct. 5-9, 2015

LIKE us on Facebook to support arts education in the schools at www.facebook.com/PrologueToThePerformingArts

Eleven shows to choose from!

Character education: • Teamwork, co-operation, responsibility

“I had never seen a performance that captivates the interest and humour of EVERY child and adult, regardless of their learning style!”

Grades K-8 Fairy Tales & Classics Beauty and the Beast Cinderella Peter Pan Robin Hood Rumpelstiltskin Snow White The Three Musketeers

Shakespeare Romeo and Juliet Macbeth

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THEMES: • Bringing the classics and traditional stories to life through improvisational theatre • Using props and costumes to change characters

Your students will be enchanted by the clever stagecraft and audience interaction of the company’s performances.

Grades 4-12

curriculum focus

Seasonal/Christmas A Christmas Carol ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas NEW

Prim

THEATRE

DuffleBag Theatre

– Anne Stephens, Keppel Sarawak School, Georgian Bluffs 1

About DUFFLEBAG THEATRE DuffleBag Theatre is the self-proclaimed “nearly world famous” troupe who intends to entertain the galaxy, one planet at a time. The company started at the London International Children’s Festival (in London, Ontario) in 1992. Now based in Toronto, DuffleBag Theatre performs over 600 shows every year across Canada, the U.S. and internationally.

GRADES

K-12

AUDIENCE MAX.

300

PRICE

$ 750 + HST

AVAILABILITY

Year-round

BilINGUAL

See p. 12

416.591.9092

1.888.591.9092

THEATRE

Faustwork Mask Theatre 1

Little Big Frog

Mask Movement Theatre WORKSHOP

This workshop involves physical theatre exercises, character development and improvisations with masks, with an eye towards the creation of short sketches. Participants will enjoy experimenting with a new art form and experiencing the power of transformation through masks. (You can book this workshop with the show or book 3 workshops on the same day.)

int

THEMES: • Using masks to create characters • Use of voice and body language to enrich character Character education: • Empathy, self-awareness, tolerance, respect

The Mask Messenger

The Mask Messenger is a series of vignettes ranging from comic to curious to poignant. Body language, character development and humour are the essential elements that drive this tour-de-force performance. The show utilizes half-masked characters that speak, and fully masked characters that remain silent while speaking volumes with convincing body language and subtle grace. Audiences laugh while learning that posture, smiles, slang and fashion are all “masks” that we wear daily.

curriculum focus

The show utilizes masks, puppets, poetry, music and comic dance to offer a quirky retelling of the classic Grimm’s fairy tale The Frog Prince. This is a heartwarming story of tolerance for others, selfacceptance, reverence for nature, and respect for all creatures great and small. NEW

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About FAUSTWORK MASK THEATRE Rob Faust, the company’s artistic director, is the creator of five solo and duo touring shows that incorporate masks, humour, movement, and in some cases, dance, poetry and music. Faustwork has also collaborated with several symphonies over the past ten years, including the Winnipeg Symphony Orchestra. Rob designs and creates all the masks used in Faustwork performances. His masks—made from wood, leather, Celastic, or neoprene—are primarily used on stage, but can occasionally be seen in galleries. Various individuals and companies have also commissioned his masks, including Pilobolus, Momix, A.C.T. in San Francisco, and Harvard University.

Visit our blog Showtime! at www.PrologueToThePerformingArts.blogspot.ca

“My children came home yesterday from school bouncing with excitement! How wonderful, as a parent, to see this in their eyes and hear the excitement in their voices.” – Parent, Toronto 1

GRADES

K-4

1-12

4-12

AUDIENCE MAX.

150

300

$ 540 + HST $ 720 + HST (1 show)

PRICE

(1 show)

$ 840 + HST $ 990 + HST

$ 810 + HST

(2 shows) (1 show + 1 workshop)

AVAILABILITY

Year-round

Bil. & French

See p. 12

(3 workshops)

The Spirit of Harriet Tubman

There are many plays about Harriet Tubman (the famous African-American abolitionist slave who escaped and led missions to rescue 70 enslaved family and friends) but none share her entire life story like a visit with The Spirit of Harriet Tubman as written and performed by Leslie McCurdy. The artist invokes the “spirit” of Harriet Tubman as she portrays her life in the 1850s, recreating stories, some rarely told, using words said to have been Harriet Tubman’s own. Through it all, we learn of the faith and conviction which drove the heroine to follow her dreams (literally); the spirit of the past connecting with the present, inspiring her charges to have the courage to do the same in envisioning their future.

Prim

Things my Fore-Sisters Saw

Written and performed by Leslie McCurdy, this performance introduces audiences to four women of African descent who affected significant social changes in Canada: Marie-Joseph Angélique, Rose Fortune, Mary-Ann Shadd and Viola Desmond.

int

curriculum focus THEMES: • Black History in Canada and U.S., heroes and heroines • Creating and presenting one-person show • Using voice and body language to change character Character education: • Leadership, integrity, empathy, courage, perseverance

“Her performance was brilliant and inspiring. We felt that Harriet Tubman visited our school. We were captivated by Leslie’s storytelling techniques.”

Harriet Is my Hero & The Spirit of Harriet Tubman

This combination of two shows, the first for K-2 and the second for Grades 3 to 12, allows your school’s students to be introduced to the amazing life of Harriet Tubman in an age-relevant manner. In Harriet Is my Hero, Leslie McCurdy explores what makes Harriet a good hero with the younger students. They actively participate in re-creating some of the aspects of the story with dolls. The artist then offers a riveting performance of The Spirit of Harriet Tubman to the intermediate grades.

THEATRE

Leslie McCurdy

– Teacher, Toronto 1

About LESLIE McCURDY Named Outstanding Performing Artist of Windsor, Ontario, Leslie McCurdy has been touring with her historic plays for fifteen years across Canada and the U.S. Her brilliant solo performances are at once educational and inspirational, leaving a lasting impression on all who experience them.

GRADES

3-12

AUDIENCE MAX.

5-12

250

3 Hero

Harriet

K-2

3-12

250

PRICE

$ 750 + HST

AVAILABILITY

Limited year-round

416.591.9092

$ 1,140 + HST

1.888.591.9092

4 WAYS TO GET THE MOST OUT OF YOUR SCHOOL Curriculum enhancement

Study guides at your service

Community outreach

Would you like to check some curriculum expectations off your list? This catalogue points out a few of the themes and character education opportunities of each performance. You will find a more detailed list of curriculum expectations for each show on our website. (Go to prologue.org under PERFORMANCES to visit the artists’ pages.)

Make the study guides work for you (before, during and after a performance). These teachers’ resources will give you tips on how to make the most out of the artists’ visit. Each study guide is unique.

Performances in the schools can be enjoyed by your whole school community. Many of the artists and companies on our roster can accommodate arts programming in the evening or on the weekends.

• School councils book evening presentations, open to the parents, families and friends to strengthen the school community. This is also a successful and exciting fundraising opportunity!

Examples:

• Secondary schools choose to invite students from their feeder schools to a live performance in their auditorium to “break the ice”, supporting their transition into this new environment.

• Many schools book a performance with Prologue to complement a yearly event (such a Carnival Week or a Fair) and make it truly special.

• Schools within a family of schools can share the cost of an evening performance, rotating the hosting to make it affordable and encourage exchange from school to school.

Explore www.pinterest.com/PrologueArts

PERFORMANCE! For a deeper impact Offering the experience of a live performance or a workshop can deepen the impact of other school activities and units of study, leading to meaningful student engagement.

We’re getting ready to countdown to our anniversary!

50th

Examples: • A music teacher rented djembes for a month for her students. She wanted to get them excited and inspired, so she booked Fana Soro. Offering her students the chance to watch a master percussionist at work was the best way to stimulate them. • Jack Grunsky’s extended two-day visit It’s Showtime! Residency offers musical experience to eight classes and culminates in an evening event where they perform for the school community. • Ballet Creole and CréaSon’s workshops take place prior to their school performance and allow the students to perform with the professionals during the show, to the delight of their peers. Most of the 32 workshops or show/workshop combinations of the 44 artists and companies on our roster can be used to support your students in the creation of a short performance to be presented at your next school event, assembly or concert!

School year 2016-2017 will be a time to celebrate the impact of live performances in the lives of young people. Do you remember the first time you saw a Prologue show? Share it with us! We’d like to hear your story. Send it to emilie@prologue.org

416.591.9092

1.888.591.9092

THANK YOU! Board of Directors

Arts Education Partnerships

Melvin Hurst, Chair Barbara Bryden, Treasurer Pat McCarthy, Secretary Christopher Rzepa Derek Martin (Artist Rep) Graceline Mendes Jenelle Ambrose Kevin Ormsby Marcus Lundgren (Artist Rep) Shana Pereira Steve D. Anderson Steve Russell Tonya Lindo

Alliance Française de Toronto ArtStarts in Schools (BC) Canadian Caribbean Association of Halton Canadian Network for Arts and Learning (CNAL) Canadian Parents for French (CPF) Eunic Toronto Ontario Presents Council of Ontario Drama/Dance Educators (CODE) Elementary Teachers’ Federation of Ontario (EFTO) Français pour l’avenir - Franco-Connexion Ontario Modern Language Teachers’ Association (OMLTA) Ontario Music Educators’ Association (OMEA) Professional Arts Organizations Network for Education (PAONE) Réseau Ontario SPARC - supporting Performing Arts in Rural Communities (Ontario) Toronto Alliance for the Performing Arts (TAPA) Toronto Fringe Toronto Public Library Toronto Storytelling Festival Wee Festival of Theatre and Culture for early years (Theatre Direct Canada)

Honorary Members Jane Bishop, Founder Joan McCordic, Founder Joan Osler, Founder Mary Mingie, Founder Susan Rubes, Founder Bram Morrison (Member for Life) Eric Nagler Frank Augustyn Martha Burns Michael Burgess Paula Butterfield (Member for Life) Susan Daniel (Member for Life) Walter Pitman

As an arts education leader, Prologue to the Performing Arts believes that the development of strong partnerships is essential in advocating for arts experiences for all young people. Our Board of Directors is composed of a diverse mix of people bringing an eclectic range of expertise to the table, from law, music and accounting, to teaching, management, dance and marketing.

Every dollar counts...

As a non-profit organization, Prologue to the Performing Arts relies on the generosity of individuals, corporations and foundations that support our goal of delivering top quality performing arts experiences to as many young people as possible throughout Ontario.

Prologue accepts donations via VISA, MasterCard and American Express through CanadaHelps.org, a public charitable foundation, which serves as an easy and secure online donation portal for over 12,000 Canadian charities. Visit www.canadahelps.org/dn/531 to make a donation to Prologue.

Thank you to our 2014-15 funders and supporters for their generosity:

Dentons Canada LLP PriceWaterhouseCoopers Royal Bank of Canada

SUGGESTION INDEX (Consult for inspiration) Need a French or bilingual show?

How about Aboriginal Education?

Oh Non! DANCE 4 Le lapin de velours DANCE 5 L’évolution du “Break” DANCE 5 Camping royal DANCE 6 L’école-logique! MUSIC 6 Yamo! Yamo! Salutations d’Afrique de l’Ouest MUSIC 7 Chantons et dansons avec Jack MUSIC 7 Le Canada a besoin de vous! MUSIC 8 Le retour d’Étienne-Brûlé MUSIC 8 La flûte enchantée de Shoestring MUSIC/OPERA 9 Jou-Tou - La francophonie autour du monde MUSIC 9 Le carnaval des animaux MUSICAL THEATRE 10 Dépêche-toi! PUPPETRY 10 L’imagination en cavale STORYTELLING 11 Charlotte THEATRE 11 La belle et la bête THEATRE 12 Blanche Neige THEATRE 12 Cendrillon THEATRE 12 Les trois mousquetaires THEATRE 12 Le petit chaperon rouge THEATRE 12 La visite du Père Noël THEATRE 12 Le masque est le message THEATRE 12

Tribal Vision Dance DANCE 25 Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre DANCE 20

Interested in Black History Month? Ballet Creole DANCE 15 Bboyizm DANCE 5, 16 Fana Soro MUSIC 7, 32 Firebrand Theatre MUSICAL THEATRE 43 Emerita Emerencia STORYTELLING 49 Leslie McCurdy THEATRE 55

Esmeralda Enrique Spanish Dance Company DANCE 19 Kahurangi Maori Dance Theatre DANCE 20 Philippe Flahaut MUSIC 8 Canadian Opera Company MUSIC/OPERA 28 Shoestring Opera MUSIC/OPERA 38 Sultans of String with Anwar Khurshid MUSIC 40 Puppetmongers Theatre PUPPETRY 45 Puzzle Théâtre PUPPETRY 46 All-Star Slam SPOKEN WORD 48 Cie Vox Théâtre THEATRE 11 DuffleBag Theatre THEATRE 12, 53 Faustwork Mask Theatre THEATRE 54

Cinderella (DuffleBag Theatre) 12, 53 Cinderella (Puppetmongers Theatre) 45 Hansel and Gretel (Shoestring Opera) 38 Little Red Riding Hood (DuffleBag Theatre) 12, 53 Macbeth (DuffleBag Theatre) 53 Peter Pan (DuffleBag Theatre) 53 Robin Hood (DuffleBag Theatre) 53 Romeo and Juliet (DuffleBag Theatre) 53 Ruler of the Courtyard (Rukhsana Khan) 51 Rumpelstiltskin (DuffleBag Theatre) 53 Silly Chicken (Rukhsana Khan) 51 Snow White (DuffleBag Theatre) 12, 53 The Bremen Town Musicians (Canadian Opera Company) 28 The Frog Prince (Faustwork Mask Theatre) 54 The Last Polar Bears (Rag & Bone Puppet Theatre) 47 The Monkey and the Crocodile (Menaka Thakkar Dance Company) 22 The Roses in my Carpets (Rukhsana Khan) 51 The Three Musketeers (DuffleBag Theatre) 12, 53 The Town Mouse and the Country Mouse (Emerita Emerencia) 49 The Velveteen Rabbit (Canada’s Ballet Jörgen) 5, 17 ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas (DuffleBag Theatre) 12, 53 Wanting Mor (Rukhsana Khan) 51

Looking for a show based on a book?

Care for more seasonal fun?

A Christmas Carol (DuffleBag Theatre) 53 A New Life (Rukhsana Khan) 51 Beauty and the Beast (DuffleBag Theatre) 12, 53 Big Red Lollipop (Rukhsana Khan) 51

Celebrate! Holidays of the Global Village MUSIC 29 Feliz Navidad - A Holiday Celebration MUSIC 36 ‘Twas the night Before Christmas THEATRE 12, 53 A Christmas Carol THEATRE 53

How about Asian Heritage Month? Little Pear Garden Collective DANCE 21 Menaka Thakkar DANCE 22 Khac Chi MUSIC 35 Silk Road MUSIC 39 Sultans of String with Anwar Khurshid MUSIC 40 Rukhsana Khan STORYTELLING 51

Wondering who has a new show?

416.591.9092

1.888.591.9092

HOW TO CHOOSE A PERFORMANCE Looking for a specific artist/company? Use our Alphabetical Index on page 2.

Need inspiration? Browse this catalogue by discipline or consult the Suggestion index on page 59. You can also visit the How to choose a performance section in our blog Showtime! (see www.prologuetotheperformingarts. blogspot.ca).

Then contact us!

Our experienced sales representatives will ask all the right questions to help you find the perfect performance to fit your school’s needs. Call Toll Free at 1-888-591-9092 or locally at 416-591-9092 to their respective extension number, or send an email to one of our staff members: Patty Jarvis (ext. 223) Executive Director patty@prologue.org ----------------------------------------------Émilie Charlebois (ext. 227) Sales and Administrative Assistant (Bilingual) emilie@prologue.org Jon Laurie-Beaumont (ext. 224) Sales Manager and Artists Relations jon@prologue.org

On our website www.prologue.org, you will be able to search by artist, name of a show, grade level, discipline and availability.

Stéphanie Filippi (ext. 225) Outreach, Touring Sales Manager (Bilingual) stephanie@prologue.org Shelley Cahill (ext. 222) Accountant, Young Associates shelley@prologue.org

Watch www.youtube.com/user/prologueadmin

1-888-591-9092, 416-591-9092 info@prologue.org How to book a performance?

Booking with Prologue to the Performing Arts is fast and easy. 1. Select a performance and/or workshop (or talk with our sales managers, they will help you choose). 2. Our experienced team will discuss availability, grade levels, maximum audience, and any other question you may have about the nature of the experience offered by a specific company. You will get the exact price of the booking. (Note that most of our companies offer a 10% discount if you book more than one show on the same day.) 3. After getting final approval from your school or council, simply confirm your booking and you’re good to go. (The links to our study guides and other teacher resources will be forwarded to you following your booking confirmation.)

Weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;re so excited that next year will be our 50th! 416-591-9092 Toll Free: 1-888-591-9092 Fax: 416-591-2023 Email: info@prologue.org www.prologue.org Local calls:

The Historic Distillery District 15 Case Goods Lane, Suite 201 Toronto, Ontario M5A 3C4