My name is I’m Billy Floyd and I'm the arena host and in-game announcer for the Adirondack Thunder, Union Men’s and Women’s Hockey, and the Glens Falls Dragons. Since 2021, I’ve been blessed enough to entertain and connect with fans all over the Capital Region and North Country -- especially kids! This year, I’m bringing that same energy and positivity right into schools. When I visit, we play trivia and fun games (just like we would do at the arena or ballpark for in-game entertainment) and I give away prizes. But here’s the thing... every trivia question and game comes with a valuable lesson that kids can really take with them. I also share stories from my own life about why failing and losing isn’t the end, how to bounce back, and why it’s so important to support others when it’s their time to shine. We talk about surrounding yourself with people who lift you up, doing what you love, why creativity is key, and why taking action matters more than anything else. Basically, I want to help students build confidence, stay positive, and have fun while learning how to succeed on and off the field. It's critical for my presentations to be extremely interactive because I want all of the kids to be involved in the "show" and this is my favorite way to connect with everyone. I'm beyond thrilled to bring the good vibes to your school!

The Arts Engagement and Education Department serves as a vital bridge between artistic expression and community involvement. Rooted in the belief that art is transformative and essential for personal and societal growth, the department is dedicated to fostering creativity, nurturing talent, and promoting cultural understanding through various educational and engagement initiatives. Our mission is to enrich lives and strengthen communities through the power of the arts. By providing accessible and inclusive arts education, innovative programs, and meaningful community engagements, we aim to inspire creativity, cultivate diverse talents, and foster a deep appreciation for the arts. We offer many programs such as Junior Theatre Celebration, On School Time performances, a high school musical theatre awards program, residencies, 4 theatre camps, and more.

We deliver programs directly to schools and communities that empower young people to become courageous changemakers by fostering empathy, understanding and action against intolerance. Through the powerful lens of Anne Frank’s diary, we inspire the next generation to learn from the past, challenge prejudice and build a more compassionate and just future. Our interactive theatre performances are a transformative tool, engaging students on a deeply emotional and intellectual level. They bring history to life, spark critical conversations, and inspire young people to act with courage, empathy, and understanding. "Conversations with Anne" is our signature one-act solo show that immerses students in the powerful words of Anne Frank, bringing excerpts from her diary to life in an engaging and emotionally-charged performance. Students connect with Anne on a personal level through this intimate portrayal – hearing her thoughts, fears, and dreams. The performance culminates in a Q&A session, where students can ask questions and engage directly with the character to deepen their understanding of Anne’s experience and the historical events surrounding the Holocaust. It gives a human face to history, inspiring young people to reflect on the impact of intolerance and the importance of standing up for what is right. Through Anne’s words, students are reminded of the power of their own voices in shaping the future. For grades 4th and up. "Letters from Anne and Martin" draws profound parallels between the words of Anne Frank and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. The performance combines excerpts from Anne’s diary with key moments from Dr. King’s 'Letter from Birmingham Jail', highlighting their shared themes of hope, resistance, and the fight for justice. Through the dialogue of these two remarkable figures, students are offered a unique lens on the struggles for human rights, both during World War II and the Civil Rights Movement. The show serves as a bridge between history and the present, highlighting how lessons of the past are deeply connected to the challenges we face today. By weaving Anne’s reflections on the horrors of war with Dr. King’s calls for nonviolent action, the show is a powerful teaching tool for understanding both the Holocaust and the Civil Rights Movement. Students are empowered to see the relevance of these movements in today’s world, encouraging them to take a stand against prejudice, bigotry, antisemitism, racism and discrimination, to promote equality, and work towards a more just and inclusive future. For grades 6th and up. Our newest one act solo show, "Plenty of Courage", takes the audience on Anne's journey of discovering herself, her ambitions and her drive to live fully and bravely. Delving into some of her lesser known entries, this performance reveals the more vulnerable side of the young diarist. While in hiding from the Nazis with her family, the Van Pels Family and Fritz Pfeffer during World War II, writing to her dear diary, Kitty, brings Anne enormous comfort. But through it all there is another war silently raging, and it is the one Anne is fighting with herself. It's a transformative experience that invites audiences to step into the shoes of one of the most important voices of the 20th century and grapple with the harder questions of what it means to be human. For 7th/8th grade, high school and up.

We offer a one of a kind school mural program where the students are centered in the work and entire process from brainstorming to final painting. Our mural process involves a brainstorming session where we have the students drawing and coming up with ideas that touch on the theme that is chosen by their school. We then take those drawings and create a digital sketch using the actual drawings from the students. We involve every student from the school in the painting process so that they are able to have ownership and a hand in the creative process. Our unique approach creates a sense of joy and excitement for all participating students and staff as we are able to transform these hallways into large colorful pieces of public art that have an authentic student look and feel to them. We make sure that the final outcome looks professional and clean while still elevating student work from the paper to the wall. We have painted with over 7000 students in the past 2 years creating about 25 murals! We also offer a variety of arts based hands on workshops crafted for all age groups like mask making, printmaking, paper pulp sculptures, paper mache and much more!

The Apple-Y EverAfter Show is an arts-infused literacy program designed to spark imagination, strengthen reading comprehension, and inspire a lifelong love of reading in students from Pre-K through Elementary. Our program captivates children’s attention with catchy rhymes, sight words, and interactive songs that make literacy fun. In addition, through music, dance, and delicious apple-filled adventures, the show teaches kids to be brave, try new things, and celebrate cultural differences. Students will be actively engaged with interactive activities throughout the show. Theatrical experiences have been proven to not only benefit students’ academic achievement, but to also foster socioemotional learning, improve communication skills, enhance memory and concentration, and develop critical thinking skills. You also choose one of our add-on programs as part of the student experience: Cuddle and Read: with this program, kids create a cuddly reading pal, celebrate with Judge Bear’s adoption ceremony, and take home a Reading Tracker. Schools get a year’s supply to keep the reading fun alive! Playful Picasso: with this creative literacy program, books spark imagination and stories leap off the pages. Students begin with a playful scavenger hunt, then bring their discoveries to life through painting or a hands-on activity. This experience helps strengthen comprehension, encourages self-expression, and builds confident, joyful readers So join Novel, Novella, and Chef de Pomme as they hop from one exciting destination to the next, whipping up scrumptious apple desserts and learning that everyone can grow to love apples—maybe you will too! Let’s bring this adventure to your students!

I provide paintings, art prints, and photography services directly to clients. My work is featured in a number of private collections within (and beyond) Western New York. In 2016, I founded Avery & Harlow to grow my art business. I have individual and commercial clients, including Meet & Eat Charcuterie, Magic Bear Beer Cellar, Frank Lloyd Wright's Martin House, Trocaire College, Canisius University, and TEAM VIA (New York City Real Estate Advisors). I've donated art to Lollypop Farm Humane Society of Greater Rochester, Massachusetts Avenue Project, Rochester Contemporary Art Center (as part of the 2023 and 2024 6x6 fundraiser exhibition) and the WNY Women's Foundation. In addition, I'm a former instructor (specializing in business and marketing) for the Arts Management Program at University at Buffalo. I'm also a Teaching Artist and marketing consultant for GWFA Gallery in Hamburg, New York.

John Petrelli is a motivational speaker, coach, and the author of Confessions of a Hollywood Trainer, an Amazon #1 new release. With over 30 years of experience, John has transformed the lives of Grammy Award- winning artists, Hollywood celebrities, and individuals from all walks of life. But John’s path to success was far from easy. In high school, John was cut from every sports team and barely graduated. Struggling with identity, self-worth, and unresolved anger, he lacked the communication skills and support system needed to thrive. A life-changing arrest just before college marked a personal low point—one that ultimately sparked his transformation. Rather than give in, John chose to rise. For the first time, he began to embrace his failures and coined his personal philosophy: “Perfecting the Art of Failure.” In 2021, John faced another defining moment: a sudden diagnosis of Guillain-Barré Syndrome (GBS)—a rare autoimmune disease that left him temporarily paralyzed and in the ICU. As someone whose career was rooted in physical strength, John leaned entirely on mental resilience to fight his way back. Today, John is one of the most in-demand fitness professionals and motivational speakers, known for his raw authenticity and life-tested message: Failure isn’t the end—it’s the beginning of transformation. Perfecting the Art of Failure Hi, I’m John Petrelli and I teach people how to do the “Perfect the Art of Failure” in their lives and careers. I teach and inspire audiences to understand that failure isn’t an identity but merely the stepping stones to future success, because I believe when we reframe the way we approach life’s challenges we unlock our fullest potential. John shares how altering your approach to challenges can open doors to new possibilities and propel you towards success. Discover the three core principles – Changing our Perception, Structured dissection, and Unwavering drive – that help elite performers leverage the true abilities to achieve greater success in all areas of life. In this program, you’ll learn… 1. To Understand the Power of Perception: Explore how our perceptions shape your actions and ultimately determine your outcomes. 2. To Master the Art of Dissection: Learn how effectively dissecting your progress is crucial for identifying stepping stones towards success. 3. To Embrace Failure as a Stepping Stone: Discover the “Perfecting the Art of Failure” framework – three simple steps for turning challenges into valuable learning experiences. 4. To Unlock Your Full Potential with Drive: Learn strategies to overcome limitations and unleash your full potential for personal and professional growth. Program 2:Unlocking your personal Wellness Code As a professional fitness coach, working with some of the biggest names in the entertainment industry— unlocking your personal wellness code is a crucial key to success. By applying his own Personal Wellness Code, John defied the odds and rebuilt his health from being paralyzed, proving that true wellness goes beyond just the body—it starts with the mind. John reveals how Understanding in detail what your personal Wellness needs are can unlock new opportunities, a new level of energy and confidence. Learn the three core Wellness Code Principles— Awareness, Identify, and Implementation — used by thousands of John’s clients to help maximize their health, wellness and potential. In this program, you’ll learn… 1. Empowerment & Personalization Encourages individuals to take ownership of their health rather than following a one size fits all approach. Encourages experimentation and awareness by teaching them a DATA DRIVEN approach to their health rather than blindly following trends or generalized health advice. Empowers you to discover what truly works for their body in terms of energy, sleep, exercise, and overall health. 2. Preventing Missed Potential Learn how to recognize your body’s signals before they turn into burnout or health issues. Uncover the daily habits that quietly drain your energy and how to replace them with supportive habits. Understand how stress impacts your performance and what you can do to shift that. 3. Emotional & Motivational The audience leaves understanding that they likely have untapped potential and gives them the motivational keys to Unlock their OWN “Wellness Code.”

Living Wall Fiber Art Community Program The Living Wall is a community based, collaborative art program that focuses on the hands-on art of wet felting. During this program students learn a variety of felting techniques to experience how wool can be sculpted and painted with to create three dimensional forms, patterns and unique fiber creations. Over the course of three sessions, participating classes will learn to wet felt flowers, mushrooms, moths, leaves, stones and vines using different hands on felting techniques. They range from techniques that are purely hand based, meaning no extra tools are needed which are best for grades k-2 and techniques that require felting mats that are provided by myself, the teaching artist, which are best for grades 3 and up. Those felted pieces of flora and fauna are then added to one large piece of background felt to create the look and feel of a living wall. It is an organically textured quilt or 3D sculptural base is made entirely of hand felted wool and will sometimes represent trees, roots and branches. The final piece will be hung at the school in the location of the schools choosing. The Living Wall is meant to be a reminder of how important green spaces are to human beings, how important our environment is and how we need nature in our lives to be healthy and happy. It serves as a lesson in using, understanding and appreciating natural fibers, as well as learning about the sustainability of wool. It is also a symbol of community and the beauty of working together to create one beautiful piece of work. In the same way an ecosystem has many individual elements that work together in harmony to create beautiful natural spaces and systems that benefit us all. The cost of this residency program is $6250 which includes all materials, tools, in class time and the assembly of the final sculpture. There may be an additional cost to the program that will be dependent on the distance to the school and the length of the program to cover travel costs.

Expand your students' marine science experience via live, interactive presentations! Our 1-hour videoconference sessions incorporate live animal observations (whenever possible) and current research projects happening right here at the Alaska SeaLife Center. The materials for each program include a teacher's guide with background information and activity ideas, as well as supplies for the session's hands-on activities.

The Schenectady County Historical Society shares stories, inspires dialogue, and encourages understanding of the history, people, and cultures of New York's Capitol Region. Founded in 1905, today we bring history and culture to life through exhibits, programs, and community events. Many teachers know us from the fantastic field trips we offer at our historic sites, like the Mabee Farm. However our programs can be brought to the classroom by our expert educators. Using engaging slideshows and real historic manuscripts, we can bring to life any topic in the K-12 social studies curriculum.

Do you want your students excited about math? Do you want them thinking math is awesome…even cool? Magician Brian Richards has a math school assembly program to get your elementary students pumped up about mathematics. Math Magical is a high energy elementary math show, that touches upon addition, subtraction, multiplication, division, fractions, probability, and more. Plus, it’s customized according to grade levels and student development! Using magic, comedy, and other tools of the trade, Brian will help your kids discover that not only is math fun, but they need to Study Math to Be on A Better Path. Brian Richards will also teach your students a cool magic trick that will sharpen their math skills. They will be able to take this trick home and wow their friends and families. Bring Math Magical assembly show to your school and get your students excited about Math!

School Shows: Prices for Mop & Bucket Co. Performance only: 45 minutes, two improvisers and accompanist $1000 Additional improvisers, each $200 45 minutes, Theatresports (™) show, five improvisers plus accompanist $1,500 Second show same ½ day (morn or afternoon) $500 Customized for specific character education themes (more lecture-demo elements than average performance) $ +100 Workshops: 45 minutes, one or two trainer-facilitators $350-$450 Multiple after school improv workshops - Let’s talk Combinations: Evening performances (PTA event, etc.): 45 minutes, two or three improvisers and accompanist $800 Additional improvisers, each $200 Motivational Speaker package for public schools - Let’s Talk Travel/ Mileage: No Charge within 30 miles of 10 North Jay Street, Schenectady NY Over 30 Miles: $1.00/mile from 10 N. Jay Sound reinforcement Wireless lavaliere, mixer, PA package (recommended for a cafetorium, auditoriums, etc.) $200 Dates Available Please call or email to discuss your needs. We like to make it work for you. Program Theme: We work with you to create an entertaining, all improvised show that meets your instructional agenda. Showcasing the main tenets of improv (be spontaneous, celebrate positive risk taking, accept and build with what exists, make your partner look good) our shows support your programs on anti-bullying, diversity and inclusion, or enhancing creativity. We also address core subjects using NYS standards as guidelines. Program Description: Improv shows for entertainment and education. Interactive improv workshops, which can be in combination with a show, using selected students as our collaborators. Offsite workshops for faculty and staff, for team building, communication skills development, and more.