Award-winning, nationally touring actor and educator Tim Collins has performed his acclaimed one-man shows for over 1,000,000 students and educators around the country. Tim offers a range of engaging shows for all ages, K-12, as well as interactive workshops for students and adults. STANDING BY, STANDING UP (3rd-7th grade) ?This powerful solo play depicts a compelling range of characters confronted by bullying and cyberbullying. Timely and thought-provoking, this impactful drama identifies ways students can prevent violence in their schools and communities. TO BE HONEST (8th-12th grade) A performance created specifically for middle and high school audiences, this moving show addresses a range of trending issues including cyberbullying, bystander intervention, and the impact of social media on friendships and relationships. NO MORE BULLYING (K-3rd grade) This fun and exciting program engages kids and provides strategies on how to avoid bullying and how to become an empowered bystander and work to prevent bullying and cyberbullying. INTERACTIVE WORKSHOPS (all ages) Utilizing an innovative combination of innovative games and activities, small and large group discussion, and compelling and memorable role-playing exercises, Tim provides transformative workshop sessions for students and professionals. Workshops on a variety of topics are available, including: Healthy Communication, Conflict Resolution, Team Building, Bystander Intervention, Cultural Responsiveness, Leadership, Diversity and Inclusion, Bullying Prevention, Cyberbullying Prevention, Healthy Masculinity, Creative Writing, Improvisational Comedy, Acting and Public Speaking.

Historic Huguenot Street is a 10-acre National Historic Landmark District and museum in New Paltz, NY. Visitors at HHS can experience thousands of years of history at our seven historic stone-house museums, reconstructed 1717 French Church, original burying ground, and replica Esopus Munsee wigwam. Historic Huguenot Street envisions a nationally recognized historic site that will inspire guests to think in new ways about American history while also carrying forward the conversation about the relationship between past and present. In-person K-12 field trips are offered September-November and April-June. Outreach visits to your school are available January-March. Visit https://www.huguenotstreet.org/programs or email education@huguenotstreet.org to learn about our field trip offerings. Testimonials: “My students were able to experience what life was like in those times.” “As a teacher as well as school principal, it is evident how well prepared the tour guides were to share historical information.” "My students really love all of the hands on activities and rich cultural experiences."

Get ready to laugh out loud! Comic Magician Brian Richards entertains and engages with his award-winning comedy magic show. The Funny Magic Show blends magic and comedy to create a FUN, and FUNNY! Magic school assembly Show loved by all ages! Audience participation gets the whole crowd involved! Every presentation of this hilarious school assembly features magic, comedy, juggling, puppetry, and a ton of audience participation. The Funny Magic Show will make a great addition to your next family fun night or schoolwide fundraiser. This program also makes a great reward incentive! If you’re looking for a school assembly that’s JUST for FUN! And all-around entertaining and engaging for all ages, this is it!

Chocolate syrup, baby diapers, and spaghetti probably aren’t the first things you think of when you think about science. But if you’re a student of Supermarket Science, you’ll immediately laugh, recalling the fun science lessons and crazy antics those simple store-bought items can create. You’ll also recall that hard-boiled eggs, applesauce, and a flying clipboard are all a part of the fun of Supermarket Science, a STEM assembly show that will make elementary and middle school students excited about the wonders of science. Nearly a dozen students participate on stage in this interactive and hysterical science school show, all while learning that chemical reactions, air pressure, inertia, and potential and kinetic energy make up a big part of our everyday lives. Supermarket Science is everywhere, even in a place as uninteresting, unexciting and routine as the supermarket!

Author Ben Mikaelsen He does Zoom/Skype/Google Meet sessions 30-45 mins for $250.00. He does an introduction of himself and then talks about the book the students are reading and then opens it up for Q & A.

Taikoza is a Japanese Taiko drum group that uses the powerful rhythms of the Taiko drums to create an electrifying energy that carries audiences in a new dimension of excitement. The Taiko is a large, barrel-like drum that can fill the air with rolling thunder. Drawing from Japan's rich tradition of music and performance, Taikoza has created a new sound using a variety of traditional instruments. In addition, the Taiko Taikoza incorporates bamboo flutes. Taikoza has performed in Europe and Asia. Taikoza appeared on the History Channel and “The Last Samurai “DVD set. Taikoza presents a unique and exciting program using Japanese Taiko drums (weighing 200lb drums) and bamboo flutes. The program will take you on an unforgettable journey through Japan. It will take students to different areas and through the seasons of Japan. Students will be experiencing a new culture in a fun and exciting way, they will get a chance to see and at times touch the ancestral drums. The taiko drum can touch everyone with its thunderous sounds and vibrations. Taikoza hopes to open the student’s eyes to the richness of Japanese culture and spark an interest. We hope that this will spark an interest in other world cultures. Taiko has been associated with many aspects of Japanese culture since ancient times. It is said that Taiko was used to drive away the plague and evil spirits. In the Shinto religion, it was used to call upon and entertain the gods, or kami, and in Japanese Buddhism, its sound was the manifestation of the voice of the Buddha. Taikoza’s programs can be tailored to your school’s needs and interests. In a performance by Taikoza your students may experience: They will hear and see taiko songs. Taiko is often compared to martial arts, as the drums are played very physically using sticks that resemble baseball bats. They will hear songs played on the bamboo flutes. Some will get to play on the drums and interact with the performers.

For schools, community organizations, and other large groups, Stone Quarry offers artist-led experiences of the grounds that include making activities for students and adults. Stone Quarry’s teaching artists design experiences that are responsive and specific to your group’s interests. For an artist-led experience, we suggest a $15 per person donation or a pay-what-you-can sliding scale.

Situated along the Helderberg Escarpment, discover one of the richest fossil-bearing formations in the world. While protecting six miles of limestone cliff-face, rock-strewn slopes, woodland and open fields, the park provides a marvelous panorama of the Hudson-Mohawk Valleys and the Adirondack and Green Mountains. We offer a variety of field trip and outreach programs. Link to Field Trip Brochure: https://parks.ny.gov/documents/parks/ThacherFieldTripBrochure.pdf

Strum Bowing is a method that Tracy Silverman has developed to teach string players how to groove. A Strum Bowing Workshop could be anything from a one-hour Zoom meeting with a school orchestra to a weeklong residency culminating with a concert. Workshops are based loosely on Silverman's book, The Strum Bowing Method. With school or youth orchestras, it’s often effective to have a zoom session a month or two before a live workshop or residency so the group can start working on some of the Groove Studies ahead of time. Tracy also encourages the instructor to take a lesson with him if they can, to familiarize themselves with the techniques. He works with players of all ages and abilities, from elementary school beginners to conservatory pre-professionals to adult learners. He also presents pedagogy sessions and lessons with string teachers. He has lots of improvisation games that are effective for younger players (and great for breaking through inhibitions for older players) and the simplicity of the Strum Bowing method is accessible across age ranges. For school orchestras, Tracy offers a collection of 22 Groove Studies for Strings which are an effective way to apply and reinforce the concepts of Strum Bowing and to practice techniques like Ghosting, Chopping, Subdividing, and developing the 3-D Strum. A favorite format is to work with the orchestra in rehearsals/workshops and then present a shared concert which usually consists of a solo program by Tracy using his live looping and electric 6-string violin, and then a collaboration with the orchestra on several pieces, which could be from the 22 Groove Studies for Strings or any piece that the orchestra is working on. Grooving — awakening our inner sense of rhythm using Strum Bowing, essential to rock, jazz, hip hop, etc. The Chop — non-pitched percussion sounds. Also the Compound Chop and the 3-D Strum Ghost Notes — muted notes within a groove Improvising — cultivating our natural curiosity and playfulness with fun improv games Call and Response — ear training, rhythm training, style training GPS for Strings (Groove Proficiency System) — Silverman's 4 step formula for finding your way to any groove Blues scale and the blues Other Workshop Topics ??Lecture/Demonstration – performance and explanations about technique, equipment, career etc; questions from the audience. General audience. ?Improvisation for Strings – an overview of the blues; call and response; simple scales and approaches for first-time improvisers. String players with instruments.

90 minute cruise on the Erie Canal with a simplified childrens historical narration (based on group age). Cruise includes traveling thru Lock 18, the most historically correct Lock left on the NYS Canal system and still operating perfectly with 110 year old original equipment. The vessel is raised and lowered twenty feet thru the lock, a highlite of the cruise. Interaction with a Q&A period during the cruise if desired by the teacher(s). Our vessel (Lil' Diamond II) can accomodate up to 50 passengers. We are a USCG Certified passenger vessel with full safety equiptment.

In-School Residencies with Peter, Paul and George: Our dance workshops are well-suited addendums for elementary school students and high-school language students interested in learning more about their chosen culture. Homespun Occasions’ workshops encompass dances from more than 60 countries and regions around the world including the US, Latin America, Africa, Quebec, Scandinavia, Ireland, France, Turkey, China, Polynesia and Russia. These dance and music workshops can also be integrated with history and geography units. Peter Davis, Paul Rosenberg and George Wilson have been leading elementary and high school daytime workshops and residencies in traditional community dance and music, and playing for family and community dance evenings since 1994. Their repertoire consists primarily of contra, square and international folk dances accompanied by lively reels, jigs, polkas and waltzes. Their music and dances transform even the most adamant, grimacing youngsters declaring “I will never dance” into smiling dance-lovers asking, “When is the next dance?” Although they have worked as a trio since 1994, Peter and George have each been arts educators since the mid-1970s. All three are multi-instrumentalists. Instrumentation includes fiddle, banjo, clarinet, pennywhistle, recorder, piano, guitar and mandolin. Together they have performed and taught in over 700 schools around the Northeastern United States Family Dance Evening: One of our most popular offerings, the Family Dance, is a school-wide community celebration that involves everyone. Students, parents, siblings, teachers and administrators spend an evening dancing in time-honored traditions from around the world. If the evening is presented as the culminating activity after a school residency, students will be able to help teach their parents the dances they learned during the day. Parents are encouraged to get up and participate, and the high-spirited, toe-tapping music by Peter Davis and George Wilson make it impossible to sit on the sidelines! All dances are taught by “dancing master” Paul Rosenberg. Middle & High School Programs: TRADITIONAL DANCE AND MUSIC OF QUEBEC AND FRANCE FOR FRENCH LANGUAGE STUDENTS TRADITIONAL DANCE OF LATIN AMERICA AND SPAIN FOR SPANISH LANGUAGE STUDENTS TRADITIONAL DANCE OF GERMANY, ITALY, RUSSIA AND OTHER PARTS OF THE WORLD FOR OTHER LANGUAGE STUDENTS Square dancing originated in France! When settlers from France and western Europe came to the new world, they brought their quadrilles (square dance formation), their fiddles and their dances. The cultural heritage of Francophone America is brought to life in this dynamic participatory workshop. Accompanied by the energetic Quebecois fiddling of George Wilson and the pulsating rhythmic piano and guitar of Peter Davis, Paul Rosenberg leads high school French students through a series of lively dances as he points out the origin of such phrases as “do-si-do” (which was originally “dos à dos” – back-to-back). Dances are in square, circle, and contra formations. This multidisciplinary workshop encompasses language, history, geography, physical education and, of course, music! In Latin America, some dances were brought over by Spanish colonists, and others are ancient dances of native peoples who were influenced by Spanish culture. Many of these dances tend to be very energetic and lots of fun! Fiddle for Orchestra: Students Master fiddler George Wilson has developed a program for working with musicians in school orchestra programs. Students will be introduced to and instructed in the nuances of traditional fiddle styles. George has an extensive background playing tunes from Quebec (as well as Ireland, Scotland, Cape Breton/Nova Scotia, Appalachia, Scandinavia and the Shetland Islands). These traditional tunes include reels, jigs, hornpipes, schottisches, marches, polkas and waltzes. During instruction, George will focus on the rhythms and accents that give this traditional music its distinct feel. Sheet music for melody and harmony/accompaniment will be provided; George will also employ the more traditional method of teaching tunes by ear. Students will learn melody, harmony and accompaniment for each tune. The details of bowing, ornamentation, rhythm, and accents idiomatic to a style or tune will then be added. These workshops, rehearsals and sessions can be integrated with history and geography units as well as being aligned with the New York State Learning Standards in the areas of multicultural and traditional music, improvisation and playing solo or in an ensemble.

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.