LIVE PROFESSIONAL THEATRE FOR YOUNG AUDIENCES

Performances at the H&R Block City Stage in Union Station, 30 West Pershing Rd, Kansas City, Missouri,  and at Wonderscope Children's Museum, 5705 Flint, Shawnee, Kansas. Performances at 10 am Tuesday, 10 am and 12 Noon on Wednesday, Thursday and Friday, and at 2 pm on Saturday.  Single admission tickets are $8 per person.  For groups of 15 or more tickets are $5 per person.

The 2007-2008 season of professional plays at Theatre for Young America is full of exciting learning opportunities for your students.  TYA has offered professional productions for students for over 30 years and has offered arts education programs since 1976. For each play Theatre for Young America prepares a special Leaders’ Guide with background information and classroom activities.  The theatre offers programs in professional development for teachers centered around the use of drama in the classroom.  When your students attend a performance at Theatre for Young America they not only see live professional theater of the highest quality, they also get a chance to meet the professional actors and ask questions about the play, topics in the play, and about the art of theater.   Also available are interactive Outreach Workshops, conducted in your classrooms, for students to learn drama skills with TYA actors on a personal level.  Live theater promotes literacy, stimulates interest in diverse topics, introduces unfamiliar cultures and characters, encourages compassion and tolerance, and bonds a group together in a joyful and enriching experience.  Treat your students and faculty to this fruitful educational opportunity at Theatre for Young America in 2007-2008. 

 PHONE: Theatre for Young America at 816-460-2083   

 or Union Station ticketing: 816-460-2020  

PERFORMANCES 2007-2008

THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE THREE LITTLE PIGS

A rollicking musical adaptation of the old English fable in which three young pigs go out into the world to seek their fortunes and discover instead the perils of living on their own.  All the familiar elements of the old fable are included, but the story is presented as an historical fantasy set in a pre-human world where pigs were masters of all animal kind.  The Kansas City Star, in its review of an earlier production called this musical: “A winning musical version…delightful musical score..filled with some screamingly funny lines…about as much fun as can be crammed into an hour…”

Curriculum Connections: Folktales, oral storytelling, history of construction materials, English customs and culture, music, fantasy literature, satire.

Age: Appropriate for pre-school and up.

Dates: Oct. 2 through October 27, 2007.

Length: 50 minutes

TOUGHEST KID IN THE WORLD

This play dramatizes the adventures of TK, a modern youngster dealing with real problems of anger, conflict and violence.  TK redefines "tough" for himself and learns personal skills that empower him to reject violence.  A musical play full of humor and heart, The Toughest Kid in the World  was created to enrich the Expressions course in the curriculum for sixth grader in Kansas City, Kansas, public schools.  A special Outreach Workshop, Exploring Conflict Resolution Through Drama, may be conducted in classrooms at the school.  This participatory drama class teaches principles of conflict resolution and problem solving.  Actors from the production of The Toughest Kid in the World conduct the workshops.   Teachers are provided with a special manual of classroom activities.  Professional development workshops for teachers are also available.

Curriculum Recommendations: live drama, conflict resolution, violence prevention, interpersonal communication skills.

Age: Appropriate for grades 4 through 12.

Dates: Nov. 5 through Nov. 16, 2007:  Also available to tour to your location.  Tour fee is $840 per performance.

Length of program is 55 minutes.

Other: Conflict resolution workshop or in-service workshops fee is $130 for 2 actor/teachers.  Maximum participants per workshop is 25.

 

HANSEL AND GRETEL

The classic Grimm brothers fairytale comes to life with the delightful music of Engelbert Humperdinck, and the enchanting spectacle of a magical gingerbread house in the lush German forest.  Humperdinck composed the Hansel and Gretel opera for his nephew and niece, and it was first performed as a holiday ‘fairy opera’ in 1893.  The TYA production is a specially adapted version for young audiences, full of songs, humor and visual magic.  Hansel and Gretel tells the story of two children sent into the forest to gather berries for their poor family to eat.   Their adventure in the deep woods ends in triumph and joy.

Curriculum Connections:  folk literature, Brothers Grimm, German customs and culture, opera.

Age: Appropriate for kindergarten and up.

Dates: Nov. 27 through Dec. 29, 2007.

Length: 50 minutes

 

IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF FREEDOM WITH HARRIET TUBMAN

Born Aramintha Ross, a slave in Maryland in the early 1800's, Harriet Tubman became the courageous rescuer of hundreds of slaves via the Underground Railroad.  Tubman's remarkable life of over 90 years was packed with amazing adventures, bravery against all odds, and unwavering commitment to the freedom and dignity of African Americans. Sometimes called "Moses" or simply "The Conductor," Tubman could neither read nor write but spoke eloquently at numerous anti-slavery and women's rights rallies in the North.

Curriculum Recommendations: drama, biography, African-American history, U.S. history, Civil War, women's studies, civil rights, Underground Railroad, live theater.

Age: Appropriate for 1^st grade and up.

Dates: February 5 through 23, 2008.

Length: 50 minutes

 MISS NELSON HAS A FIELD DAY

This high-stepping musical is a sequel to Miss Nelson is Missing, which was performed at TYA in 2004.   Joan Cushing has again adapted and created the music and lyrics, based on the immensely popular books about the cunning school teacher Miss Nelson.  This time she’s no longer the meanest substitute teacher; now she’s the meanest substitute coach ever.  The ‘Swamp’ returns to Smedley Elementary School to whip the team back into shape and help turn their losing season around.

Curriculum Recommendations: Contemporary literature, physical education, mathematics, creative writing, dance, musical theater.

Age: Appropriate for pre-school, kindergarten and up.

Dates: Mar. 4 through April 18, 2008. 

Length: 50 minutes

 IF YOU GIVE A MOUSE A COOKIE

Based on the popular book series by Laura Joffe Numeroff, this hilarious play rollicks with the mishaps and mayhem that begin when Mouse comes to visit.  The well-meaning but harried rodent simply asks for a treat, then the turmoil begins.  The beloved trouble-making Mouse makes frenzy and laughter at every turn, as a young Boy tries to keep the house and the Mouse in order while Mom is away.

Curriculum Recommendations:  Contemporary literature, cause and effect, live theater.

Age: Appropriate for Pre-K  and up.

Dates: April 22 through May 17, 2008.

Length: 50 minutes

 TOM SAWYER

A rousing summertime musical based on Mark Twain’s classic novel for young people, Tom Sawyer evokes 19^th Century America and the joyful freedoms of childhood.  Twain’s vivid characters—Tom, Huck Finn, Aunt Polly, Becky Thatcher and others—come to life onstage with exciting music and lively dancing.

Curriculum Recommendations: 19^th Century literature, American history, Mark Twain, musical theater.

Age: Appropriate for pre-school and up.

Dates: June 10 through July 5, 2008.

Length: 50 minutes

 OUTREACH TOURING SHOWS

These are interactive shows that come to your location and bring drama, music, costumes, props and education all together. 

TRIPLE PLAY! Famous Three Stories

Good things come in threes!  Three really good actors bring to you this show about the famous threes: Three Pigs, Three Bears, and Three Little Kittens.  A triple play of Springtime fun!

or

TRIPLE PLAY TOO!  More Three Stories

Three more three stories: Three Sillies, Three Billy Goats Gruff, and Three Men in a Tub—something new for those who saw Triple Play! in 2007.

Location: Your site.  Requires a minimum of 15’ by 15’ space for the performers separate from the audience.

Age:  Appropriate for pre-school and up.

Dates:  March and April, 2008.

Fee:  $310.  Second performance same day, same location: $275.

Length: 50 minutes

Maximum audience is 90..

DRAMATIC HISTORY WITH DANNY COX

Singer/Songwriter/Actor Danny Cox puts his unique musical and dramatic stamp on topics of African and African-American history.  Content can be tailored to the social studies curriculum, with a central focus, such as the life of Frederick Douglass, the fables of John Henry, the role of African-American cowboys in Westward expansion, or other topics.

Location: Your site.  Requires a minimum of 12’ by 12’ space for the performer separate from the audience.

Age:  Appropriate for 2^nd grade and up.

Dates:  School year: September, 2007, through May, 2008.

Fee:  $500.  Second performance same day, same location: $350.

Length: 50 minutes

Maximum audience is 300.