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Sunday, 18 February 2018 22:18

The Sleepy Hollow Halloween Show

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Sleepy Hollow, New York - 1799 - The Sleepy Hollow Halloween Show weaves the characters from Washington Irving's classic story into a new and exciting tale.  Designed to be spooky (but not scary), the show begins where the original story leaves off.   Ichabod Crane was last seen riding home from Herr Van Tassel's October gala.  No one seems to know what happened to Ichabod...until now.  Determined to find the true identity of the Headless Horseman, Ichabod Crane enlists the help of his friend, Katrina Van Tassle in his search.  They encounter a wayward coachman, skeletons that high-step in a graveyard dance and even Rip Van Winkle appears for a rousing game of ninepins.  Though in the end the Headless Horseman is revealed, students are left with a question that can only be answered by reading Washington Irving's enduring story.

Katrina Van Tassel - is a fictional colonial woman.  She wears the fashions of the day--a handmade colonial dress, a mob cap, lace boots and choker.

Best for grades K - 6

Sunday, 18 February 2018 22:15

Vikings in Vinland

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Greenland - 993 - Ten years after Leif Ericsson's return to Greenland from Vinland (North America) all the Vikings of the settlement are gathered for a celebration.  The show begins with an introduction of Eric the Red, Leif's father and the "founder" of Greenland.  Next the great Leif Ericsson appears and his famous journey is then recounted.  With Ericsson, we meet Bjarni Herjulfsson - the man who charted the western islands years before.  Next, Leif loads his longship with provisions contributed by various settlement folk. 
     We then set off in search of land to the west.  Ericsson's first sighting brings him to "Helluland" (Baffin Island) and the flora and fauna of the region are recorded by Tyrkir.  Using the runic alphabet, Tyrkir was the only Viking among the crew who could read or write.  It is then off to "Markland" (Labrador) where the skraelings (natives) are encountered. 
     Finally the crew find themselves in Vinland (Newfoundland) where they settle in for the winter.  They entertain themselves with Norse tales, wrestling matches and energetic stalwart dances to pass the long winter nights.  The program concludes with Leif's return to Greenland and the marriage of his brother, Thorstein to Gudrid.

Gudrid Ericsson - is a historical Nordic woman.  It is said she was the most well-traveled woman in the world in the tenth century.  She wears traditional Viking apparel with tunic, underdress, head piece and pouch.  Her accessories are made of leather and fur. 

Best for grades K - Adult

Sunday, 18 February 2018 22:13

Grace the Pirate

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England - 1601  Grace the Pirate reveals the more whimsical aspects of pirate life.  From the beginning, Grace O'Malley establishes her student crew and the rules for sailing aboard her vessel.  With the aide of her newly 'recruited' quartermaster, boatswain and crew, Grace sets off with map in hand to find the treasure of Blackbeard the Pirate.  Once at sea, she entertains her crew with one of their favorite folktales.  However, the crew hasn't sailed for long before the dreaded Blackbeard appears.  A friendly struggle of wits, dancing skills and athletic competitions ensues to determine who shall win the treasure map.  The two mighty pirates finally agree to work together to find the treasure and the booty is shared by all.  (Each student receives a token of treasure.)

Grace O'Malley - The character is based on the historical Irish pirate, Grace O'Malley, that sailed during the Elizabethan period.  She is feisty, strong-willed and fearless.  Bedecked in her Elizabethan vest, skirt, knickers, boots and hat, she is a true swashbuckler from the 17th century.

Best for grades K - 3

Sunday, 18 February 2018 22:10

The Royalty of the Renaissance

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England - 1598  The Royalty of the Renaissance provides students with a glorious illustration of life and times in Elizabethan England.  Customs, manners and class structure are creatively explored. 

Lady Celia Beaumont is betrothed to the Duke of Burgundy in France.  The night before her departure, the Queen throws a feast in her honor.  In attendance are Lady Celia's dear friends, The Earl of Essex and the Countess of Shrewsbury.  As their repast is being served, Queen Elizabeth's ascension to the throne and her royal lineage are recreated.  A majestic court dance using period music and dance techniques is taught and performed by Master Wessex (using students and faculty to portray the royal court dancers).  Just after a Shakespearean sonnet beguiles the royal audience, the Queen knights a clever young squire who becomes the newest knight in Her Majesty's guard.

Lady Celia Beaumont is a fictitious Elizabethan Lady-in-Waiting.  She speaks in the eloquent Elizabethan dialect of the Renaissance Era.  An extravagant blue velvet gown is worn with hoop, bum-roll and a ruff.  A jeweled headpiece and veil complete the elaborate hand crafted attire. 

Best for grades  K - Adult  

Sunday, 18 February 2018 22:06

Cinderella's Fairy Godmother

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Set in Storyland - Cinderella's Fairy Godmother  offers a fun twist on a classic fairy tale.  With plenty of roles for both boys and girls, it engages and appeals to all students.

The story begins on Cinderella's wedding day.  She and her Fairy Godmother realize they must solve a riddle before Cinderella can marry the Prince.  So off to Storyland they journey to find the answer.  While Cinderella visits with her friend, Sleeping Beauty, Fairy Godmother ventures forth to meet a variety of pixies and fairy tale characters like Little Red Riding Hood, Belle from Beauty and the Beast and Jack from The House that Jack Built.  Each encounter brings elegant dancing, a chorus of song and theatrical frolics in addition to clues to their puzzle.    At the end of Fairy Godmother's quest, the students help solve the riddle.  Cinderella, (who incidentally has just finished graduate school) may now marry the prince.

Fairy Godmother - is a fictional character bedecked in a twinkly lavender gown replete with roses, lace and jewels.  Her gossamer wings and diamond-covered crown and wand complete her magical attire. 

Best for Graces K-3

Sunday, 18 February 2018 22:03

Pioneer Travel on the Oregon Trail

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Independence, MO 1860s   Pioneer Travel on the Oregon Trail re-enacts a day of westward covered-wagon travel.  As the journey begins, pioneer Penny Pritchard shows "young frontiersmen" how to properly pack their wagons with food, medicines, tools and other necessities and she instructs them on how they'll use oxen, mules, horses, scouts and hunters.  Along the way, the group is met with buffalo stampedes, snakebites and other challenging obstacles.  The program ends at the evening campsite.  After their meal, the banjo player strikes up a tune and a lively country-dance is enjoyed by all.

Penny Pritchard - is a strong, self-reliant fictitious pioneer woman.  She is dressed in traditional nineteenth-century long-sleeved dress with bonnet.

Best for grades K - 5

Sunday, 18 February 2018 22:00

One-Room Schoolhouse

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New England - 1890s  The One-Room Schoolhouse program focuses on the values of a nineteenth-century education.  The experience is recreated by students and teachers with a bevy of fun role reversals throughout the show.

Since living alone as a young woman would be socially unacceptable in the Victorian era, teacher Miss Mabel Weatherbee dwells in the home of the Lutz family.  Once the madatory before-school chores are completed by Catharine, Elizabeth, and Andrew Lutz, they join Miss Weatherbee and neighboring children on their trek --either on foot or by horseback -- to the schoolhouse.  After getting aquainted with the room's layout, the subjects being studied, and the school supplies needed (such as a slate, chalk, wood, rags, lunch pail, and the like), the rules of the classroom are then spelled out by visiting schoolmarm, the stern Miss Gunther.  Following a clever recitation by promising pupil, Percy Freihofer, the Spring Jubilee unfolds with an exuberant square dance to complete the show.

Miss Mabel Weatherbee - is a fictitous single woman from the South.  Her high-collared dress and hairstyle reflect the rigid Victorian norms of the day.

Best for grades K - 8

Sunday, 18 February 2018 17:43

Mother Nature

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Mother Nature packs a powerful message with her depiction of the natural world. Combining ecology with mythology, Mother Nature and her friend, The Fairy Queen, teach the importance of preservation.  After being informed by the Fairy Queen that some "animal" is harming our ecosystems, Mother Nature heads off to [your town] to find the offending mammal.  Northeast habitats such as a pond, a forest and the sea shore are depicted using both indigenous animal and imaginary "fairy life".  Through stories, dance and improvisation, emphasis is placed on how humans impact various ecosystems and how conservation is our responsibility.

Mother Nature - the mythological Mother Nature passionately strives to maintain a balance in nature.  She is connected to the "fairy-world" and can see, hear and talk with water sprites, fairies and animals who inhabit the ecosystems in which we live.

Best for grades K - 3

Sunday, 26 November 2017 15:32

High Resolution Photos

Sunday, 26 November 2017 15:03

Alene Brandt - Costume Designer

arleneAlene brings 30 years of costuming experience to Kits Interactive Theatre. A Pennsylvania native, Alene lived in Las Vegas for ten years, with many of those years spent working as the costume designer and wardrobe supervisor for the Sahara Hotel.  Her design background includes design for Renaissance faires, film and television projects, variety and industrial shows, and dance and ice skating production shows in the U.S. and abroad.  She designed the costumes for the NBC special Nutcracker on Ice, which features current and past Olympic medalists and is aired yearly during the holidays.  She also designed several shows for Ice Capades, including "On Thin Ice" a Warner Brothers/Ice Capades collaboration, which toured worldwide.  Married, and currently living back in PA, she’s expanded her interests to include interior design and organic gardening.