ENTA’s visual and performing artists work collaboratively with K-12 classroom teachers to develop customized arts-in-education programs that concentrate on any curricular content and allow students to express their knowledge and mastery through a creative process (visual, performance, process arts). We work in all subject areas -- ELA, Math, Science, Social Studies, etc. We also offer services to Art, Band and Choral classrooms. Our programs are customized to meet the needs and desired outcomes of the classroom teacher(s) and we usually work with all the students in an entire grade level. Through the Arts, students and teachers experience their studies in active, hands-on, problem-solving, challenging environments that produce measurable and meaningful results. Sample Programs include: Improv & the Salem Witch Trials (7th grade Social Studies); Taking A Stand – Art for Social Change (8th grade ELA); Biomimicry & Sculpture (7th grade Science); A Book’s Journey – develop & hand-build original book (4th grade ELA); Sol Lewitt – Math, Language & Art (MS/HS); Geometry & Landscape Drawing (3rd grade Math); Books on the Boards: Theater & Reading (K-3 ELA); Anatomy & Figure Drawing (HS Art) Currently running more than a dozen on-going programs in mid-Hudson region pubic schools. All developed collaboratively with classroom teachers.

The presentation provides students with a history of the French and Indian War in New York state. It focuses on Rogers rangers', uniforms, weapons demonstration by firing cannon, swivel gun, pistol, rifle and musket. All with blanks. Various uniforms with student participation, historical items, other weapons and speaking through history. The presenter is a reenactor with twenty years of experience in the field. He is also a retired educator from Central Square School District for 35 years.

Rachel’s Challenge provides school presentations that inspire kindness, connection, and hope. Our assemblies for students and staff address bullying and violence prevention while equipping schools with practical tools to improve culture and strengthen relationships.

My offerings include: - Hands-on visual arts workshops tailored to grade levels, focusing on foundational skills in drawing, painting, mixed media, composition, and creative problem-solving. - Project-based residencies that engage students in artmaking, collaborative mural design, and comprehensive documentation from concept to completion. - Arts integration modules aligned with New York State Learning Standards to enhance classroom instruction and foster deeper engagement. - Professional development for educators on arts integration strategies and creative process facilitation to strengthen their capacity for maintaining arts-rich learning environments. - Flexible delivery formats, including in-class workshops, multi-session residencies, assemblies, and virtual sessions. My approach promotes student expression, creative confidence, and cultural awareness by connecting studio practice with academic inquiry. I am committed to equitable access to arts education and assisting schools in enriching their curricula through meaningful, student-centered artistic experiences.

For PreK-6th Grade: Tri-Cities Opera Opera invites you to the farm, where most of the animals like things to be ‘normal and pretty’–not noisy or different! When the new ducklings hatch, there is one ‘ugly duckling’ who doesn’t fit in with the others and spends her days reading by herself. But when a big, bad wolf comes on the scene, it will take someone like the ugly duckling–who has learned about big, bad wolves in her stories–to outwit him and teach the whole farm about the value of being true to yourself. Named as a nod to Binghamton’s famous carousels, Opera-Go-Round has been delivering the excitement of a fully-staged children’s opera to schools throughout New York State and northern Pennsylvania for nearly 50 years. Students engage with our singers and pianist to explore this unique art form with stories connected to curriculum standards and take away valuable social-emotional learning lessons. The program includes a 35-minute performance and 15-minute question and answer session with the Opera-Go-Round team. Dates are available from late September 2024 through May 2025. Contact ogr@tricitiesopera.org for more information or to schedule your performance! Cost: $1,400 within 50 miles of TCO Opera Center, $1,500 over 50 miles from TCO Opera Center. For Middle & High School Groups: TCO is excited to offer free tickets for your group to attend any of our mainstage productions. The Magic Flute (Sept 6 & 8, 2024) is an abridged version of a Mozart favorite. All Is Calm (Nov 15, 16, & 17, 2024) tells the story of the WWI Christmas truce. A Grand Night for Singing (Mar 8, 2025) includes favorites from Rogers and Hammerstein. Rigoletto (Apr 27, 2025) will be a grand version of a Verdi masterpiece. Contact operations@tricitiesopera.org to reserve your bloc of seats!

I offer two one-person plays (one about Langston Hughes the other about Dr. King) and one poetry reading from my award-winning poetry collection Boneyarn, the only book of poems about slavery in New York City, where the oldest and largest slave cemetery in the United States is located. In conjunction with any of the above presentations, I have thematically related writing workshops so students can have their own creative experience to go along with my presentations. Below are descriptions of the three shows. I also give talks about the Harlem Renaissance, Jazz Trumpeter Louis Armstrong, and Tuskegee Airman Harry Stewart Jr, who was part of the first group of African-American military pilots who fought in World War II. Below are descriptions of the Langston Hughes, Dr. King and Boneyarn presentations. DAVID MILLS PRESENTATIONS 1) The Dreamweaver: Langston Hughes Performance and Creative Writing Workshop What better way to celebrate Harlem Renaissance writer Langston Hughes—affectionately known as “Shakespeare in Harlem”—than to have students see a dramatic 45-minute presentation about Langston Hughes. Actor David Mills, (whose Hughes show was voted the #4 young-adult show in the nation by The American Library Association) does just that. He takes students on a theatrical odyssey of Hughes’ life spanning six decades from his humble Missouri childhood to his days living in Harlem as an adult. Mr. Mills also captures Hughes’ world travels and writing of his classic poems, such as “The Negro Speaks of Rivers,” “Mother to Son,” “I, Too,” “Montage of a Dream Deferred” and “Madam Alberta K.” While playing black and white, young, old, and male and female characters, Mr. Mills captures Hughes’ unending love for Harlem—with its foibles and fantasies, bruises and beauty. Mr. Mills show also explores how Hughes wrote nearly 50 plays. A Q&A would follow the presentation. Mr. Mills could also conduct a writing workshop using a Hughes blues poem as a model. 2) Dare to Dream: Dr. King Performance and Creative Writing Workshop In a 45-minute, dramatic presentation for an auditorium of students and teachers, actor David Mills would take the audience on an engaging, historic journey, where they witness Dr. King go from a young preacher (with uncertainties about Civil Rights during the Montgomery Bus Boycott) into the nationally-recognized figure he became during the 1963 March on Washington. Mr. Mills’ stirring performance looks at Dr. King as both the public figure and private man. Be roused, be inspired, be transported by “Dare to Dream,” Mr. Mills’ theatrical tribute to Dr. King. A Q&A would follow the performance. Mr. Mills has worked as a teaching artist and performer for over 20 years in schools, universities, and senior centers. So, in conjunction with the performance Mr. Mills can also lead a 45-minute creative writing workshop, in a smaller classroom setting, using Dr. King’s iconic “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” as a writing prompt. This workshop will get students to write poems in the forms of letters that relate to their lives. Talking to the Bones: Poetry reading about slavery in New York City and Creative Writing Workshop. Award-winning-poet David Mills would read from his collection, Boneyarn, winner of the North American Book Award and the only poetry collection about slavery in New York City, where the oldest and largest slave cemetery in the United States is located. Mr. Mills would conduct a 45-minute reading to an auditorium and use projected visuals to give attendees a sense of 17th-19th century New York. Mr. Mills would discuss the research and writing process that went into creating this groundbreaking book, where he weds little-known colonial history and poetry. What lessons can be learned from coupling these two disciplines. The reading would also be followed by a Q&A. Mr. Mills has worked as a teaching artist and performer for over 20 years in schools. Therefore, in conjunction with the reading, Mr. Mills can lead a 45-minute creative writing workshop that uses a question-and-answer form from his book Boneyarn to get students to write their own poems reflecting on slavery in New York City.

LEVI’S RELIC - Educational Touring Show SYNOPSIS When a fairy named Levi crushes his wing trying to help his friends, he loses his ability to control the wind and fly. Determined to get his powers back, he embarks on a journey in search of a quick fix. Instead, it puts everything he loves in grave danger. This powerful story teaches children the dangers of looking to substances to feel whole, and how to help your family and friends get help if they are struggling – by believing in your community and believing in yourself. With support provided by Onondaga County, Redhouse is thrilled to be workshopping an original play with songs for elementary-aged children, with supplemental resources/activities for students, that teaches about Opioid Abuse in a developmentally appropriate way. We are launching our pilot tour for free all over Onondaga County starting in January, 2024 and running through May, 2024. As part of the tour, educators and families will also be provided a list of resources for anyone they may know who may be struggling on where to receive assistance (in collaboration with the Drug Prevention Network).

I'm a kids' graphic novel author who over the last two years has presented at over 350 elementary and middle schools across America. My interactive, fast-paced presentations focus on the power of collaboration and the strengths of neurodiversity. As a dyslexic, one of my favorite things to present on is the strengths of neurodiversity. My books like Lumberjackula, Martian Ghost Centaur, and Indoor Kid have received starred reviews from most major trade journals, named to several state lists, and made the ALA best graphic novels list. I also used to work in higher ed at Boise State University where I taught classes on publishing and creative writing. I'd love to come speak with your students about creativity and persevering through learning differences!

BubbleMania: Science, Art & Comedy! An extremely "pop"ular assembly that combines bubbling skills, clean humor and toe-tapping tunes with an exploration of the natural sciences to amaze, amuse and inspire. This show connects the dots between creativity and scientific know-how. Students K-5 learn how bubbles form, how to use simple tools to create jaw-dropping bubble sculpture at home (spaceship, bubble cube, bubble disco ball), the science of bubble bursting, secret formulas and more. Includes eye-popping, artistic routines choreographed to jazzy music and a finale that finds a student trapped inside a giant bubble. Developed by Casey Carle, international award-winning bubble manipulator with credits that include Cirque du Soleil, Sesame Street and The Smithsonian Institute. Thousands of shows presented at schools across New York & New England for two decades. Brains will whirl, eyes will go wide and jaws will drop for students and staff alike. Amaze, amuse and inspire with BubbleMania!

We offer Theater and Arts Mini Camps where youth learn and develop skills such as acting, singing, dancing, script writing, and other various theatrical skills

Discover the fascinating world of Native American folklore, respect for nature and a sense of family, community and caring for the land. Marty Hight shares her stories about beliefs held deeply sacred and get an inside look at how the Native Americans world changed as their land was taken and they were forced to march to a new and strange land. Or, learn how to craft corn husk dolls and hear the story about her creation. Marty invites your students to help illustrate her stories, demonstrate dances and celebrates their special gifts. In this school assembly, history comes alive as stories told for centuries are shared in an engaging way to impart character lessons and tribal history. It’s ideal for Grades K-6. TOPICS INCLUDE: HISTORY • CULTURE • STORYTELLING • SINGING • NATURE • TRADITIONS • DIVERSITY • LANGUAGE • CRAFTS • AND MORE! Marty Hight (Ma-ha-gum-se / Shawnee) is a Native American who has a Cherokee and Shawnee heritage. She is a proud member of the Cherokee Nation of Oklahoma who draws from family history and storytelling to share her people’s history, language, songs, customs, rituals and legends through vivid narratives. Reach out today to learn how you can join in the excitement when you host Marty Hight!

Have you noticed in your young ladies the same thing Miss Coco Flamenco has noticed – how pre-teen and teen girls shrink inside – and overcompensate outside – while the boys just… don’t? And when there’s a phone camera involved, have you noticed the stark difference between the girls’ self-conscious primping and the boys’ in-your-face pomp? Enter The Flamaze Girls – Preciosa and Danielle – played by Miss Coco Flamenco herself! Watch in flamazement as your young ladies open up to the hilarity/honesty, the grace/guts, the Flamenco moves/freedom grooves. Miss Coco brings her 30 years of stewarding young ladies into adulthood, through her time as professor, department chair, and choreographer. She has seen joyful transformations happen within the space of a single show – countless students have started watching her show with arms crossed and that “fake-bored-girl” face… only to rush to the stage afterwards for a hug and an autograph. And perhaps a blurted-out, “I used to dance, too!” Or “When are you coming back?” Or simply, “Thank you, Miss Coco.” Your young ladies will EMBRACE their betrayer bodies and UNLEASH their sensitive souls within the time-tested safe space created by the ancient, powerful, confident women of Flamenco, and under the careful guidance of Miss Coco Flamenco herself – with the dance moves and spoken word of everyone’s newest friends, Preciosa and Danielle, of course! 7th grade girls get sulky faced – clap-clip-clap-and-stomp, they erase. 8th grade girls get crossed arms – clap-clip-clap-and-stomp, they harm. Un-flamazing girls get nutsy, but! Flamaze girls? Stomp-stomp-stomp get GUTSY!