Ayrie King III, better known as Mr. Taps, presents the history of tap from African slave ships to Broadway musicals. Using his engaging personality and fancy
footwork, Mr. Taps demonstrates the many styles of tap, from hip-hop moves of Savion Glover to the flair of Fred Astaire. During the workshop, Mr. Taps works with students on dance and choreography.
 

David Fisher, aka The Rope Warrior, demonstrates timing, rhythm, footwork,
and the value of physical fitness during this presentation. Choreographed trick rope techniques, music, and an exciting ‘light show’ performed with glow ropes
are part of his assembly program. At the workshop following his performance, David will work with up to 40 students teaching jump rope styles and skills.
 

This hands-on workshop of West African adornment exploration takes students on a virtual journey to learn about fascinating African culture through adornments. Metalworking 101 for Beaders author Candie Cooper will show students jewelry examples from Africa made from recycled materials, wooden beads, wire and metal and teach techniques for creating their own designs. Elementary students will study the beautiful glass beads and metal jewelry from Africa and create their own decorated wood beads and textured metal pieces. Jr. High students will expand on these processes exploring the possibilities of creating their own pendants with miscellaneous objects like tin and telephone wires.
 

This presentation is supported by the Performing Arts Fund, a program of Arts
Midwest funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that
a great nation deserves great art, with additional contributions from Indiana
Arts Commission, General Mills Foundation, and Land O’Lakes Foundation.

 

Songwriter Steve Seskin uses the Operation Respect anti-bullying curriculum (based on the song he co-wrote, “Don’t’ Laugh At Me”) as his platform for this program. Steve also offers an optional full day workshop with 3rd - 6th grade students to write a school song about respect. Songs he wrote in workshops last year include, “Be a Buddy, Not a Bully,” “If You Believe In Yourself,” and “If It Were You.”

This presentation is supported by the Performing Arts Fund, a program of Arts
Midwest funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, which believes that
a great nation deserves great art, with additional contributions from Indiana
Arts Commission, General Mills Foundation, and Land O’Lakes Foundation.

 

William H. Fentress, an actual soldier from Henry County, IN, is the focus of this presentation which is set in 1864. Telling about a battle-weary Fentress home on leave from the Union Army, the program deals with issues or items that would have been common to most northern soldiers of the Civil War including camp life, music, uniforms, weapons, battlefield experiences, and the home front.

Learn about the life of Andrew Amonett, a true-to-life frontiersman of the Indiana Territory. This presentation, complete with tall tales, deals with various aspects of frontier life and the dangers faced in the Indiana Territory just prior to the War of 1812. Topics include trapping, militia service, Indian affairs, tools, weapons and frontier clothing.
 

Poetry Alive’s high-energy assemblies are presented by two-person teams of professional actors. The curriculum driven shows are targeted for grades K-2, 3-5, 6-8, and 9-12. Students become an integral part of the show which includes 20-25 poems that can be found in popular textbooks and anthologies.
 

Hands-on instruction in sketching a detailed drawing will be presented by Bruce Langton, known internationally as one of today’s premier contemporary artists and children’s book illustrators. Examples of Bruce’s artwork and illustrated books will be on display.
 

Bob and Kathy Myers complement their storytelling assembly programs with workshops (up to about 40 students each) that enable children to understand plot development, characters, and sequencing without being slowed down by punctuation, spelling and the physical process of writing.
 

The Indianapolis Opera Ensemble (Indianapolis Opera’s resident company) presents Opera à la Carte, a program for middle school students. It consists of scenes from a variety of operas, some with student participation.

April 18-21 - Jr. High
Fight for the future:  Johnny Appleseed vs. Paul Bunyan

Mother Earth is worried. She depends on people to take care of her. Johnny Appleseed gets it right, but his dreams of a green earth are threatened to be cut down by the axe-wielding, forest chopping Paul Bunyan. Bunyan, the original macho man, takes and takes some more, without a thought for the consequences of his actions. Fast forwarding to the future, the great-great-great grandsons of these American legends are still battling as Big Business Bunyan continues his family’s tradition of waste and greed. Even Snow White and Rip Van Winkle get in the action as they awaken from their years of slumber to a world of shopping malls and Starbucks. Set to music from Gilbert and Sullivan’s The Mikado, the show is fun, but the message is serious.  It's not just about recycling anymore!