Take the Stage! is our flagship 6-week, music-led performing arts program designed for every 5th grade student. Built around exciting school-wide themes like Awesome 80s! or Rock ’n Roll 4Life!, the program immerses students in early theatrical skills through an engaging classroom-based experience led by professional Teaching Artists, Musicians, and district Music Teachers. Along the way, students develop essential performance skills including projection, diction, stage awareness, and ensemble collaboration, while building the confidence to take creative risks, make bold choices, and fully commit both onstage and off. Each class learns its own themed songs, choreography, and short scripted scenes, creating a unique 35-40 minute performance that blends music, movement, and storytelling. Teaching Artists visit classrooms throughout the residency, while rehearsal videos help students continue practicing between sessions. The experience culminates in a full Performance featuring opening and closing numbers, individual class performances, and even occasional appearances from teachers and staff, with both a school assembly and an evening showcase for families. More than just a show, Take the Stage! helps students build confidence, creativity, collaboration, and the courage to step forward and be heard long after the curtain falls.

We offer pattern drawing and mandala drawing workshops. We learn a little about the background of mandalas, explore patterns and the benefits to drawing patterns; and of course draw patterns and mandalas. During the class everyone will have the opportunity to draw patterns and a mandala, but it is more about the process and less about the finished mandala. Throughout the workshop we will learn (and experience) how drawing patterns and mandalas can reduce stress, alleviate anxiety, improve focus and increase creative thought. We will also work together to create collaborative designs, exploring the impact of everyone contributing their own unique approach toward a common project. Benefits: • The practice of pattern drawing reduces stress and increases focus. • Exploring how to draw complex patterns helps us understand how to break large goals into less overwhelming segments. • Our collaborative activities create a visual demonstration of how we all approach a similar task from different perspectives and how amazing the result is when everyone contributes to a common task or goal. • Becoming more aware of patterns all around us leads us to look at our surroundings with great curiosity and appreciation

Exciting multimedia school assembly programs featuring LIVE performance of rock and roll songs by three talented musicians. Educational content is reinforced by large computer projections of photos and videos. In schools since 1984, "READING ROCKS" promotes literacy; "BIG 80s" features STEM themes and "Mistletunes" is a multicultural December program.

The Herschell Carrousel Factory Museum educational programs offer unique experiences, including our perforator machine that creates band organ rolls (one of the first forms of coding!) and viewing simple machines at work. In 2016, the Carrousel Museum received the Excellence in Collaboration Award from the Erie County Association of School Boards for our “T-NT (Tonawanda – North Tonawanda) STEAM is Dynamite!” program. Join us for fun, interactive tours, and brand new workshops in our Education Center. Students will have the opportunity to participate in hands on learning and see practical applications of their curriculum. Our exhibits offer the opportunity to ride a 1916 Herschell Carrousel, and tour the factory where it was originally constructed! Additionally, our programs can come to you in person or virtually.

Richard Hight is a nationally recognized artist/speaker who uses the fine arts to help his audiences create strategies for change by turning good ideas into great results. He is on a mission to help students see the possibility of their potential and create new opportunities. Addressing thousands every year, Richard’s Art of Inspiration influences his audiences to use their imagination to discover their originality and celebrate their differences. As a masterful storyteller with a down to earth, Oklahoma warmth, and humorous style, he always connects with his audiences. Richard’s presentation begins with the dramatic and exciting creation of a stunning illustration on a six-foot canvas (each school can suggest what image will best serve their students – historical figures, patriotic images, school mascots and others, etc.). Students and teachers are WOW’ed by the combination of powerful illustration, spoken word, and music that transpires in a matter of moments. The artwork Richard creates then provides the foundation for his keynote presentation and discussion.. He can customize a portion of your event to include Anti-Bullying, Character Building or reinforce the theme of your school.

Sweet Sprig: Hands-On Natural Skincare Workshops for Teens With 25 years of artisan skincare experience Give your students the chance to connect science, creativity, and self-care with Sweet Sprig’s natural skincare workshops. Led by a seasoned maker with 25 years in the skincare industry, these engaging, hands-on classes teach teens how to craft their own facial care products, body scrubs, and candles—using safe, eco-friendly ingredients. Each workshop blends elements of chemistry, sustainability, and wellness in a way that resonates with today’s students. Teens will learn: How to make customized skincare using natural ingredients The science behind emulsions, essential oils, and preservation Responsible sourcing and sustainable packaging practices The importance of self-care and self-expression Workshops are ideal for health, science, family & consumer science, or art classes, and can be tailored to your curriculum or event. All materials are provided. Students leave with finished products, newfound confidence, and real-world skills they can use at home.

Theatre of Youth (TOY) is WNY’s only professional theatre dedicated to serving children and their families. We offer field trip opportunities to watch professional family friendly plays and musicals. We also offer in school theatre workshops. Our Mission: Theatre of Youth Company, Inc. (TOY) stimulates the imagination, nurtures the creative spirit and enhances the education of young people by engaging them in relevant, child-centered, and professionally-produced live theatre programs. TOY believes meaningful childhood experiences in the theatre develop confidence in creative thinking skills, cultivate empathy and establish a life-long connection to the arts. TOY is a place where all families, children, cast and crew feel included, represented and inspired. We strive to reflect the community that gave rise to our theatre, both on and off the stage, and to improve access to the magic of children’s theatre and arts education for all. TOY is a safe haven where children can explore and be creative in comfort, with diversity in our productions and ensuring that our community has a voice in everything we do.

On Monday they’re cast as characters. By Saturday, they’ve GAINED CHARACTER. The kind that really counts! A week-long residency STARRING 50-60 of your local school age children in a full-scale musical. A tour team arrives in your town in their Red Truck loaded with a set, lights, costumes, and props, everything it takes to put on a play…except the cast. The team holds an open audition and casts 50-60 local students to perform in the production. The show is rehearsed throughout the week and two public performances are presented at the end of the week! Our Mission: Empowering children and adults through theatre education and performance to develop lifelong skills while enriching communities worldwide through live productions.

China Patterns Spectacular athleticism one moment, pure grace and precision the next. This program features a new interactive movement theater portion that will bring the Chinese classical poem of the folktale of Mulan to life, as well as a diverse selection of Chinese dances performed in full, traditional costumes. Students will get to learn Mandarin phrases, traditions, and dance movements through interactive segments included in the program. Program Length: 45 min

Multi-award-winning, bestselling author Paul Volponi (38 years of classroom experience) teaching 4 to 5 workshops per day, combing how literature is a daily part of our lives and creative writing. Not a lecture, but a group dynamic where everyone speaks and writes -- powerpoint presentation in the background.

I take the students through my entire creative process from inspiration to finished book. I demonstrate student-friendly strategies to get ideas, combining one's life and imagination, and then how to develop those ideas. I tailor each program to the age group to whom I'm presenting. I also draw in each program, showing tips and techniques to make drawing easier and more enjoyable. The students leave my presentation inspired and empowered to write and illustrate. Virtual programs also available.

We are a movement of second chances and self-worth through media content, music, school assembly programs and outreaches. Reminding people that it's NEVER too late for a CLEAN SLATE! You are WORTHY to "Rewrite Tomorrow