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Daniel Carlton
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Daniel Carlton is a multiple award-winning actor, storyteller, playwright, poet, lyricist, director, and teaching artist. His performances and workshops, for practically every age level, address a vast variety of topics including poetry, storytelling, history through drama, life skills through dramatic role plays, and so much more. He is also a published author. Recent performances include productions of “Finding North”(with David Gonzalez) and “The Meeting”, in addition to seventeen Off-Broadway productions, multiple solo shows, and performances with the Children of War Theater Project. Directing credits include “Jabari Dreams of Freedom” (New Victory Theater NYC, National tour), “Hero: Boy From Troy" (First Woman Productions.National Tour), “48 Hours in Harlem" (Harlem 9 Theater Co.), “Freedom Riders” (Mad River Theater Works), and “What If” (Negro Ensemble Company). An enthusiastic creator of new works, Daniel wrote and directed the national tour of “Keep Marching” (Mad River Theater Works), “March On” (Apollo Theater), “Pigfoot Mary Says Goodbye To The Harlem Renaissance” (Schomburg Center For Research and Black Culture), “Night Train 57” (Kennedy Center workshop), and “Freedom Flight” (national tour), as well as penning “A Whistle in Mississippi”, (with Micheal Green )“Check Yo Invite Parts 1 and 2”( Live Theater and Radio Play HarlemStage) and “Timeless Journeys (various tours)”. With Nambi E. Kelley, he also co-wrote “Hidden Inside”, “This Ability”, and “So Journey To The Truth”. Daniel’s work as a Storyteller has been presented in places as varied as Summerstage Kids and Family Series( Parks throughout the 5 boroughs), The Museum For The City Of NY, The Brooklyn Museum, The BrooklynChildren’s Museum, hundred of libraries, schools, temporary housing facilities, and even war zones. Solo Storytelling For Family audiences shows Include:The Eagle in Harlem and Other Tales.” Urban “Folktales Remixed” Memories of Self Journey To Weeksville, and many more. Daniel teaches acting to all ages, poetry for both the page and performance , life skills, public speaking, playwriting ,and devised theater for organizations that include : Apollo Theater Education , Alvin Ailey Dance Foundation, Community Works, Blackberry Productions, MadRiver Theater Works, YAFFA Performing Arts, JazzMobile, CityParks Foundation , First Woman Productions , NYU, University Of Iowa, and many more. Daniel can perform solo or, depending on budget, in duo or trio format. There are other videos on YouTube. Here's video of an interview explaining the Finding North project he performs with David Gonzalez. Daniel can perform this solo. https://youtu.be/uj7KZ4SF4nQ?si=qSk4SjB7cLr9hqFv Daniel has several other shows which we can send you information about upon request.
Journeys Into American Indian Territory
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Journeys Into American Indian Territory brings an immersive, curriculum-based exploration of Native American cultures directly to schools through a dynamic, hands-on program rooted in cultural anthropology. Designed for grades K–5, this unforgettable experience features a fully assembled on-site museum and four interactive workshops in a single day, covering the traditional lifeways of either the Plains or Eastern Woodlands peoples (Native Americans of NYS). Through authentic artifacts, storytelling, music, dance, and participatory activities, students gain a deeper understanding of Native American history, values, and cultural continuity—all aligned with state learning standards.
Elaine Bromka
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A New York actress with decades of experience in film (the "Uncle Buck" mom), TV, Broadway and Off-Broadway, I have also taught at over 170 colleges and high schools. Workshops include: Exploring Intention through American Sign Language, Making Your Monologue HOT!, Acting on Camera, Acting for Singers: What's Behind the Words?, Cold Reading: Don't Panic!, Mining the Hidden Impulses: Creating Your Own Work (a writing workshop.) In addition, my Off-Broadway solo show "TEA FOR THREE: Lady Bird, Pat & Betty" is available.
Paul Wichansky
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A leading motivational speaker with 45 years of experience, since age 10, I host programs to help transform fear and ignorance into kindness and respect for those who strive to rise above adversity. Combining the topics of disability awareness, anti-bullying, leadership, and resilience, I share captivating anecdotes that have enabled me to triumph over cerebral palsy and hearing loss. These programs empower students while instilling in them the confidence they need to excel in class, treat peers and teammates with kindness and respect, understand the consequences of bullying, and be motivated to realize their dreams and goals. For example, though I encountered physical bullying in school, I chose not to respond in anger, but to forgive and help the bullies! Many students are stunned to learn why I responded this way. Love is the greatest gift we can give and receive in our lives. Using humor to engage audiences, these stories and insights elicit a cascade of emotions that help children and teens find the courage to accept and navigate life's challenges, igniting a spark of hope and optimism that leads to confidence and achievement. Each program culminates in a powerful documentary video, including skydiving, scuba diving, my artwork, and other creative expressions. Together, this represents a journey centered around an important life philosophy: "Yes I Can!" Those three words are precisely the name of my new book. I created this published resource to help teens, parents, and other special needs kids overcome self-doubt and anxiety when faced with bullying or prejudice. Each chapter is filled with stories that highlight principles such as self-love, positive attitude, support group, perseverance, resilience, and empathy. You can search my name on Amazon and read the reviews. Following my programs, I donate a signed hardcover to the school library. I suggest assemblies at multiple schools, possibly in the same district, on consecutive days to help share travel and hotel expenses from my central NJ home. Due to my hearing loss, please email me to establish initial contact before reaching out by telephone. I am flexible with speaker fees, depending on audience size. For assembly details and video testimonials, visit my online speaking resume: www.JustTheWayYouAre.com/resume
David Engel Arts in Ed Entertainment
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"A MUST-SEE…” J. K Frimer, Dir. Special Programs, NY Aquarium, Central Park/Bronx Zoo, NY “David was a smash… our teachers loved him …and staff said the kids were engrossed and loved the interaction.” Maureen Daly, Fuquay-Varina Arts Center, N.C For over 30 years, veteran family entertainer and arts educator David Engel has toured nationwide to performing arts centers, festivals, libraries, museums and schools. David offers FOUR distinctly different assembly programs for schools on STEM, Environmental Stewardship and Anti-bullying. See descriptions below. As an eccentric clown, David has performed in venues across the USA, 11 European countries, the Caribbean, Indonesia, and in China. He has worked as a Clown Doctor in major NY metro pediatric hospitals and does annual residencies in NYC for children with special needs with ADAPT Network. Mr. Engel is known for his rich characterizations, scrupulous attention to quality costuming and creative details of his props and scenery. His vaudeville-like talents feature immersive audience-participation, adept magic, bubble-play, witty banter, eye-popping puppetry, cartoon-like sound effects and hilarious brain challenges that keep children and adults mesmerized. David Engel Assemblies: 1. “CAPTAIN NEMO’S ADVENTURE ACADEMY!” 20,000 Laughs Under the Sea! Take a deep dive into environmental stewardship, earth sciences, and plastic abatement with Captain Nemo who helps students discover the vital inter-dependence of living things above and below the waves. During this hilariously interactive show, the reclusive Captain surfaces to inspire kids to become "Guardians of the Deep" and caretakers of our watery-blue planet. Grades K-5. 2. PIRATE SCHOOL: The SCIENCE of Pirates This engaging STEAM-based assembly helps break out of the "mad scientist" theme with an exciting nautical twist! Mariners have pushed knowledge and technology forward ever since humans launched the first log-raft, so who better to explore STEAM and excite kids' curiosity than a swashbuckling pirate!? Featuring real-life demonstrations and immersive audience participation this show asks: How are the winds and ocean currents made? How is a sail like a wing? What are the forces behind a cannon ball's flight? Are navigation and map-making really math? Did pirates use simple machines? These and other mysteries are explored and exploded during "Pirate School! The Science of Pirates!” Grades 2-5. 3. PIRATE SCHOOL: Follow Your Compass! Pirate School! Follow Your Compass is an innovative, humorous and moving character education/anti-bullying assembly that promotes empathy, social courage and provides memorable strategies for the witnesses and victims of bullying.  Students are prompted to follow their hearts, their inner compasses and the vital concepts of Respect, Responsibility, Compassion and Courage are explored and underscored. This 60-minute assembly is designed to reflect state curriculum standards, and features lighthearted mayhem with a boisterous blend of full-audience participatory clown-theater, cartoon-like sound effects, a rich musical score. Grades K-5. 4. “Dinosaur Hunter Safari!” is a wholly hilarious, educational romp into the Jurassic Era with the bumbling Paleontologist Professor Livingpebble. Join the nutty professor and his full-sized puppet velociraptor Mary on an inspirational dino-dig. Embody your favorite slithering herbivores and roaring carnivores, meet the missing link and carefully cart a fossilized bone to its final resting place in the museum in this popular assembly. How do dinosaurs sound? How are fossils made? Why look into the past to understand our future? These and other questions will be answered in this engaging act that features full audience participation, magic, bubble-play, puppetry and cartoon-like sound effects. “All the teachers surveyed said Captain Nemo was their favorite part of the festival.” Producer, SUBMERGE Marine Science Festival, Hudson River Park, NYC “David had 2000 Pre-K-5th graders on the edge of their seats for the entire hour performance. He tied the STEM curriculum into the performance in a way that engaged and motivated the kids to want to learn more. His humor, use of props and sound effects were top notch! David was easy to work with from beginning to end and I highly recommend his act. Book him! You won't regret it. A. Roellgen, Caldwell Arts, Broyhill Theatre, Lenoir, NC
Theresa Eckler
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We offer programs by Theresa Eckler, whose book "Limitless" is the perfect story to inspire young children around the world. Limitless is the beautiful story of a determined young girl, named Harper, who is on a mission to find her “thing.” After several failed attempts, she stumbles upon a group of children trying to fix a broken kite. Harper uses her creativity to fix not only the kite, but also inspires those around her to use their minds to help them succeed. For the last 16 years Theresa has been a local elementary teacher and has begun doing author visits at schools throughout New York State. Theresa's visits include reading her brand new children's book, sharing a beautiful presentation highlighting the writing process behind the science to make the book happen, engaging activities such as "spot the difference" where students become the editors and see if they can find the inconsistencies between the illustrative drafts and the final illustration and so much more! Theresa wrote this book as while teaching she noticed a need for books that highlight students creativity, ability to problem solve, and being proud of what makes you unique!
James Brenneman
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Cartooning, character design, storytelling for comic books, comic strips and graphic design. Interactive group projects and an overall positive environment for children to be creative with no judgement.
DARREN SARDELLI – Animated Author & Funny Poet
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LAUGH-A-LOT POETRY - Interactive Assemblies Award-winning poet and children’s book author, Darren Sardelli, is an exciting, enthusiastic speaker who makes poetry fun and meaningful to young people. His relatable topics, empowering words, and light-hearted poems keep students engaged and entertained. Interaction and audience participation is a big part of his show. During a lower grade assembly, students solve poetry riddles, become characters in Darren’s poems, and are taught how to express themselves in positive ways. During an upper grade assembly, students learn the importance of words, find out how to make their writing stand out, and discover how powerful their imaginations can truly be. Participants will be motivated to read and write poetry, start an idea book, and think in a creative direction. BUILD-A-POEM WORKSHOP - Creative Thinking & Writing Are you looking for something that builds confidence, enhances creativity, and teaches a valuable skill? Darren Sardelli’s BUILD-A-POEM WORKSHOP does all this and more! Students learn how to paint pictures with words, make writing more descriptive, and write poetry that stands out. Darren combines everyone's ideas and writes a fun poem with his audience. After their poem is complete, students either illustrate the poem or write poems of their own. This workshop shows students how to put ideas in motion and gives them the tools they need to feel good about writing poetry. THE POWER OF WORDS! - Motivational Assemblies (6th-12th grade) International poet, author, and speaker, Darren Sardelli, empowers middle school and high school students with words. His assemblies are designed to motivate, educate, and demonstrate the incredible things that can be accomplished through hard work and perseverance. Darren's real-life stories connect with and captivate young adults. Through self-belief, determination, and dedication to his craft, Darren transformed himself from an unlikely writer into a professional poet. He shares his passion with students and shows them how words can heal, inspire, and impact lives. THE AWESOME POETRY SHOW – Family Night Award-winning poet and children’s book author, Darren Sardelli, brings poetry to life with his enthusiasm, excitement, and passion for writing. His relatable poems, light-hearted humor, and inspiring messages not only generate positivity, but also help his audience get in touch with their feelings and emotions. Throughout his show, Darren entertains people with his amusing and uplifting rhymes, showcases his poetry riddles, and brings families together with his empowering words.
Lime Hollow Nature Center
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Lime Hollow’s field trips offer standards-aligned, hands-on opportunities for students throughout Central NY to connect with the nature world and the concept they are learning in school. Field trips are inter-disciplinary and align with standards across curriculum including science, math, language arts, social studies, and social emotional learning. Each field trip is led by trained environmental educators with the support of the participating school’s teachers and volunteers.
Jordan Taylor Hill
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Jordan Taylor Hill & Ensemble: Celebrating Rhythms from the Diaspora Join Jordan Taylor Hill & Ensemble for a vibrant journey through the rich tapestry of African Diasporic music and dance. As a seasoned educator and performer, Jordan Taylor Hill brings to your school an interactive exploration of traditional drumming, dance, and song that illuminates the cultural heritage and historical significance of these art forms. Jordan's workshops and performances are designed to engage students of all ages, providing them with a hands-on learning experience that enhances their understanding of world cultures, rhythm, and movement. Our offerings are tailored to complement educational curricula in arts and humanities, aiming to foster an appreciation for cultural diversity and inspire creativity among students. We are available for bookings across multiple regions, ready to bring our dynamic and educational presentations directly to your school. Whether it's a one-time assembly, a detailed workshop, or a short-term residency, Jordan Taylor Hill & Ensemble are prepared to create a memorable and enriching experience for both students and faculty. For bookings or more information on how we can tailor our programs to meet your educational goals, please reach out to us. Let's make learning unforgettable through the power of live performance and active participation!
Magic of 5-A-Day
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Magic of 5-A-Day is an interactive, 45-minute elementary school assembly, designed to promote good nutrition and exercise. Brian Richards brings the importance of nutrition together with a little magic that will captivate your students and leave them laughing and smiling throughout his whole performance. This nutrition and health assembly is unlike any you have seen before! With the aid of magic, comedy, audience participation, and powerful visual aids, your students and staff will learn… Why we need to eat at least 5 servings of fruits and veggies every day How the colors of fruits and veggies are good for different parts of our bodies Why balance and moderation is so important How to know the difference between a “sometimes food” and an “all-the-time food.” And much more…Plus, your students will take the 5-A-Day Challenge and pledge to eat their 5-A-Day every day.
Magical Memories Entertainment
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Magical Memories Entertainment is a national entertainment provider and event experience consultant, helping event organizers source, curate and create unforgettable experiences through performers, interactive games and unique entertainment.