Mr. Twisty
**Mr. Twisty Arts-in-Education Assembly Programs**
For over three decades, Chad Currin has brought Mr. Twisty, his hilariously charming character, into schools, captivating young audiences with assemblies that blend laughter, magic, and meaningful lessons. As the son of a school librarian, storytelling runs deep in Mr. Twisty’s heart, and he has even penned seven children’s books. Currently, Mr. Twisty also stars in *Mr. Twisty's Storytime Adventures*, a popular YouTube show that’s a big hit with early readers! Every episode celebrates children’s stories by independent authors, packs in delightful (and groan-worthy!) dad jokes, and showcases balloon artistry. Mr. Twisty’s arts-in-education programs keep kids engaged and enrich the curriculum, making learning memorable and exciting. Each assembly offers valuable educational experiences with an infusion of creativity and joy, fostering a love of reading, a sense of empowerment, and an appreciation for our planet’s tiny helpers.
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**Assembly Programs and Classroom Visits:**
### 1. **Books & Beyond: The Magical Power of Stories**
**For Grades K-5**
Dive into the adventure of reading with Mr. Twisty as he shares his story of growing up in a library and the love of stories he learned from his librarian mom! This lively program encourages students to explore the magical world inside books, emphasizing the importance of reading in daily life and supporting themes aligned with the Parents as Reading Partners (PARP) program. With humor, magic, and interactive elements, Mr. Twisty makes reading cool and fun, motivating students to open a book and discover the worlds waiting inside.
- **Themes Covered:** Storytelling, reading motivation, imagination, book discovery
- **Takeaways:** Kids learn that books are gateways to endless adventures and knowledge, igniting excitement for independent reading.
- **Optional Classroom Visits:** Mr. Twisty can visit individual classrooms to work with smaller groups, sharing tips on creating their own “story magic.”
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### 2. **The MAGIC of YOU! - Building Self-Esteem through Magic**
**For Grades 3 and Up**
In *The MAGIC of YOU!* assembly, Mr. Twisty uses magic as a metaphor for personal empowerment, helping students believe in their ability to make amazing things happen. This program is designed to boost self-confidence and encourage students to take pride in their unique qualities. Mr. Twisty shares inspirational stories and showcases illusions that remind students that they, too, have “hidden powers” within. After the assembly, students who attend the optional classroom sessions will learn a simple magic trick to take home, letting them experience the thrill of mastering something new and surprising their friends and family.
- **Themes Covered:** Self-esteem, self-discovery, resilience, confidence-building
- **Takeaways:** Students leave feeling empowered to face challenges and create “magic” in their own lives.
- **Optional Classroom Visits:** Mr. Twisty can teach students a beginner-friendly magic trick to keep the theme of empowerment going.
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### 3. **Wiggle, Dig & Compost! - Magical Worms & the World of Soil Health**
**For Grades K-5**
*Wiggle, Dig & Compost!* is a hands-on program where Mr. Twisty introduces his pet worms and teaches students all about the incredible role worms play in recycling and composting. This isn’t a typical assembly; it’s a special classroom experience where each class gets an up-close encounter with Mr. Twisty’s wriggling worm friends and a reading of his story *Little Lily and Eddie the Earthworm!* Kids will learn about worms, composting, soil health, and sustainability in a way that’s unforgettable—and they get to meet and greet Mr. Twisty’s worms for a fun, tactile experience. This program is ideal for teaching young students about the environment, helping them develop respect for our planet and its tiniest eco-heroes.
- **Themes Covered:** Environmental science, composting, recycling, worm care
- **Takeaways:** Students learn that even the smallest creatures play a big role in keeping our earth healthy and clean.
- **Classroom Visit Experience:** A close-up meet-and-greet with real, live worms—a unique and memorable way to connect with nature’s recyclers.
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**What Teachers & Librarians Love About Mr. Twisty’s Programs:**
- **Curriculum-Connected Learning:** Each program ties into key educational themes, providing a fun way to reinforce classroom topics.
- **Interactive Elements:** Assemblies are highly engaging, often with student volunteers, humor, and age-appropriate magic tricks to make learning fun.
- **Encouragement for Young Readers:** Mr. Twisty’s passion for storytelling inspires students to read more and discover the magic in books.
- **Empowerment Focus:** Programs like *The MAGIC of YOU!* are designed to build self-esteem and encourage personal growth.
- **Environmental Education:** Mr. Twisty’s hands-on approach in *Wiggle, Dig & Compost!* offers a unique environmental science lesson.
Each program is adaptable to meet the needs of your school and audience, and Mr. Twisty is happy to work with educators to create a memorable and impactful experience for students.
Let Mr. Twisty’s magic bring laughter, learning, and lasting lessons to your school!
Caffe Lena
Through the Caffe Lena "On The Road" program, we coordinate 2-3 day residencies with professional touring bands and musicians, sending them around the Saratoga Springs community and wider Capital Region for private, unadvertised, 30-60 minutes performances and/or interactive workshops. The program is supported by grant funding and donations to our non-profit venue, and each community visit is FREE for the host organization.
The locations range from school visits (music classes, assemblies, after-school programs) to elderly care centers, shelters, soup kitchens, recovery programs, and other spaces which serve people who may not be able to seek out this professional music in a standard venue for a variety of reasons.
*IMPORTANT* These residencies do not occur on a regular basis. Please reach out if you would like to be added to the list of host organizations, and we will contact you when there is an opportunity to coordinate a visit from a band or artist.
Jumpin' Jamie
Jumpin' Jamie performs "Kindie Rock" for all ages, puppets, and magic. Programs can include "Music and Puppets", "Music, Magic, and Puppets", "Magic show", "Puppet Show", and educational shows such as "Indiana Jamie Reading Show", "Jump Into Dinosaurs", and more. Jumpin' Jamie has performed thousands of shows for crowds from 12 to 12,000 including venues like Citi Field, Wolf Trap National Park for the Performing Arts, and American Dream.
RiverJack Z
Offering interactive performances for PreK-Kindergarten and songwriting workshops grades K-5
Li Liu
'Traditions of Chinese Acrobatics' is a solo acrobatic performance. Li Liu performs hand balancing, artistic cycling, plate spinning, ribbon dancing, diabolos and foot juggling. A limited number of volunteers get to join her on stage to create an impromptu ribbon dance, and also to try their hand at plate spinning. Educational connections are made with the Chinese language and culture. Li explains some of the rituals of Chinese New Year, teaches the audience some basic Chinese phrases, and encourages them to think about what it might have been like to grow up in a different time and place.
The bFit Show
Your school will be amazed at the magic. They will laugh at the hysterical comedy. But most importantly, they will get excited about being Fit! The bFit Show is a 45-minute elementary fitness and nutrition program designed to get your kids interested in getting Fit. The show uses magic, comedy, juggling, music, and tons of audience participation to deliver a powerful and motivational message that kids in America need to hear! The bFit Show uses magic, comedy, juggling, and audience participation to get your elementary school excited about eating healthy, fitness, nutrition, and exercise! Students, teachers, parents, and administrators will love and talk about The bFit Show for days, weeks, and months to come. And this program may help your school fight child obesity, diabetes, and heart disease! The bFit Show with Brian Richards is an elementary health and fitness assembly that will get your students up and moving!
Paul Jackman
A magic show with comedy, juggling, audience interaction and featuring Roger Rabbit!
Side by Side Science
This specially designed virtual show gets students engaged and excited to experience amazing principles of science while they share safe experiments in front of their computers. Exciting experiments from two of our most popular assembly programs, Wacky Science & SuperMarket Science, have become hands-on lessons kids do under the virtual and side-by-side aid of our wacky scientist, Doug Scheer.
Box Out Bullying
Box Out Bullying brings the curtain down on bullying with innovative assemblies aligned with the NYS Dignity Act. Imagine a high-production value presentation packed with cutting-edge, interactive elements that maximize the message's impact! We bring everything needed to deliver a powerful experience, including professional set pieces, sound equipment, and all the resources to keep students engaged.
Age-Appropriate Impact: We understand the evolving challenges students face at different stages. That's why our meticulously tailored assemblies cater to lower level elementary, upper level elementary, middle school, and high school audiences. Age-appropriate content ensures the message resonates, avoids confusion, and empowers students with the specific tools they need to navigate their social landscape.
Box Out Bullying goes beyond the stage. We offer a comprehensive approach to bullying prevention with parent workshops, faculty professional development, and artist-in-residence programs. Contact Box Out Bullying today and let's create a standing ovation for a safe and respectful learning environment!
Caravan to Cairo
Caravan to Cairo transports you to the exotic realms of the Arabian Nights, bringing you authentic unique folkloric dances from North Africa to the Middle East. This delightful dance journey through the Near East, choreographed by Samara, one of today’s finest international performers of Middle Eastern dance, offers a diversity of engaging styles and rhythms, lavish, colorful costumes, and a charming story theater adaptation of a timeless Arabic folktale. A brief, participatory dancing instruction and a Q&A session round off the entertainment. This program can also provide artist workshops and residencies in addition to classroom teaching.