Dallas Children's Theatre
"Most Valuable Player, the Jackie Robinson Story" www.dct.org

October 16th
Corsicana High School Auditorium

Teachers Guide

About Most Valuable Player
A dramatic and touching chronicle of the young athlete's nonviolent struggle to integrate what was once considered a "white man's game". Through it all, Jackie's courage, intelligence, leadership, resilience and athletic skill propelled him to become a national hero.

About Dallas Children's Theatre
Our critically acclaimed national touring company travels coast to coast with professional large-scale productions designed to stir the heart, stretch the mind and promote education. Each touring production is selected and designed with a youth and family audience in mind from titles and materials that reflect the cultural diversity of our world community. They encompass a combination of new plays, familiar stories, literary works, biographies, mythology, folk tales, music, dance, and puppetry. With such a vast and impressionable audience to serve, our productions usually target a different age range every other touring season.  Study guides accompany each production and a variety of curriculum based workshops and residencies are also made available to teachers and students.

Dallas Children’s Theater began a local touring program in 1985 with a Native American piece entitled Legend of the Bluebonnet.  In 1989, the touring roster expanded to statewide and regional venues.  In 1996, DCT launched its first national tour.  September 2006 marked DCT’s introduction to the world stage, as the theater was honored with an invitation to perform at the 2006 SHANGHAI INTERNATIONAL CHILDREN’S CULTURE AND ARTS EXPO in Shanghai, China.

Most Valuable Player Schedule

Friday, October 16, 2009

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Lucas Miller www.lucasmiller.net

November 9-13, 2009
Artist will travel to schools
Pre K – 3rd grade

Teachers Guide

About Lucas Miller
Zoology ROCKS with children's author, songwriter and educator Lucas Miller!  Lucas, recognized as an “American Masterpiece” artist by the National Endowment for the Arts, creates stories and songs that somehow manage to be both outrageously funny and scientifically oriented.

Since 1992, Lucas has delighted well over a million members of the species Homo sapiens through his live appearances for libraries and schools.  His family-friendly humor, acrobatic voice and sophisticated songwriting earn rave reviews from educators, parents, critics and kids alike.

Miller's first children’s book, Fifi the Ferocious [Providence Press, 2002], follows a pampered pooch as she escapes her cozy home and goes on the prowl, only to discover that turtles, skunks and porcupines are more than prepared to protect themselves.  Lucas second book, Dr. DNA & the Anaconda Invasion, is about a superhero who can take on animals’ adaptations as he struggles to maintain nature’s balance.  The action is presented through vibrant, comic-style artwork and concludes with an interview with real-life anaconda researcher Dr. Jesús Rivas.

Miller’s songs and stories have earned high honors in the Parents’ Choice Awards, National Parenting Publications Awards, Great American Songwriting Contest, Mountain Stage Newsong Contest and more.  The Texas State Library commissioned Lucas to write the 2005 and 2007 theme songs for their state-wide summer reading programs.

Lucas was raised in Kentucky and Missouri.  As a child, when he wasn’t practicing his saxophone, he could often be found wading in creeks in search of frogs, crawdads and turtles or taking pictures of trees (yes, trees). Pursuing his fascination with nature, he graduated cum laude with a degree in zoology from Miami University in Oxford, Ohio, in 1991. 

Lucas has delighted crowds at the Rio Grande Valley Birding Festival, The National Zoo, The Texas Book Festival, Austin City Limits Music Festival and an untold number of schools, libraries and public events.  His author visits, legendary for their blend of artistry, fun and education, are consistently called “the best we’ve ever had” by librarians and teachers.

Instrumentation
Lucas Miller; vocals and guitar

Discography
2007: Dr. DNA & the Anaconda Invastion, BioRhythms Publishing (Hardcovere children's book)

2005:  I Was a Super-duper Pupa! (audioCD): winner of Parents' Choice "Silver" award and NAPPA "Honors." 

2002:  There's a Chicken On My Head! (audioCD): winner of Parents' Choice "Silver" award.  The track "(A Snake's Not) Slimy" was a top 20 finalist in the 2005 Unisong International Songwriting Contest.

2002:  Fifi the Ferocious (children's book), Providence Press

2000:  The Anaconda La Bamba! (audioCD): winner of Parents' Choice "Recommended" award

Lucas Miller Schedule

Monday, November 9

Tuesday, November 10

Wednesday, November 11

Thursday, November 12

Friday, November 13

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Ball in the House –www.ballinthehouse.com

December 1-4, 2009
Artist will travel to schools and Corsicana High School Auditorium

About Ball in the House
Ball in the House is a tour de force of vocal sound that must be heard and seen to be believed. This five-man, pop/R and B "mouth band" hails from Boston, Massachusetts, where they live and operate out of when not touring on the road. Originally formed as a quartet by founder and current vocal percussionist Jon J., Ball in the House has gone through numerous phases and changes on its way to becoming one of the best-known and most-loved acts in the a cappella community today.

Like many bands, Ball in the House started out part-time, meeting a couple times each week to rehearse and then gigging wherever and whenever they could. Early performances were limited to coffee houses and other similar, small venues; but over time their vocal music reached out to and found Boston audiences. People began to embrace the energy and style of the band.

Over the course of that next year, Ball in the House expanded by two more singers, bringing the total to five members. That decision resulted in the single most influential and important development in the history of the band. With the group's larger size, a vocal rhythm section materialized when Jon J. put his singing on hold to begin learning a complex series of vocal percussive beatbox sounds, becoming a "human drum machine" that continues to dumbfound audiences today. The true sounds of Ball in the House were beginning to emerge.

Then, in 1997, another pillar of Ball in the House’s unique and incredible sound came into the picture. Jon J., who at one time attended the Boston Boy’s Choir School, ran into an old friend from those younger days and asked him about joining the band. Dave, fifth grade friend of Jon J. and current tenor, came on board and Ball in the House decided it was time to take their combined talents to the next level and become a professional, full-time band. 1997 and 1998 were highlighted by performances at the Apollo Theater in New York, SUNFEST in West Palm Beach, Florida (opening for Paula Cole), and the winning of the 1998 National Harmony Sweepstakes - New England Region.

Sometimes the longer journey is more worth traveling and Ball in the House has certainly traveled far. It has been a bumpy road, at times, for the band. After having stable membership and great success for three years, the tragedy of September 11, 2001 occurred. Shortly thereafter, a few long-time members of BitH made decisions to pursue other interests. Jon J. and Dave remained, still believing in their music and still loving performing together. They intended to rebuild Ball in the House, better than it had ever been before. They succeeded. After exhaustive nationwide auditions, Ball in the House improved exponentially by adding Aaron in early 2002 and then Dan in 2003, shortly thereafter becoming a five-man group. The final piece fell into place when Ryan joined in the spring of 2006. Ball in the House had reinvented itself and transformed into something truly special, onstage and off.

From those humble roots - two childhood friends who loved singing and shared a dream to live a life of performance - came what has grown into Ball in the House. five guys. five mouths. And a sound unlike anything you've heard before. Ball in the House is dedicated to bringing their distinctive style of pop/Rhythm and Blues to as many people as they can reach, from Boston to L.A., Singapore to New York, and everywhere in between, opening for and performing with acts such as Cher, 98°, Jessica Simpson, Blondie, Smokey Robinson, The Temptations, and numerous others. They can even be heard on national TV and radio as the voice behind the commercials for Cool Whip dessert topping.

A review from the Boston Globe put it very succinctly - "Ball in the House has everything you would expect to find in a successful pop/rock band....the one thing it doesn't have is instruments."

Ball in the House Schedule

Tuesday, December 1

Wednesday, December 2

Thursday, December 3

Friday, December 4

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Storybook Theatre of Texas
www.sbtheatre.com

February 15-19, 2010
Artist will travel to schools

Teachers Guide

About Storybook Theatre of Texas
Winner of the 2009 National Endowment of the Arts “Best in the Arts” American Masterpieces Award Storybook Theatre has performed at numerous schools, festivals, public libraries, teacher workshops, churches, businesses and other events across the nation.  Storybook Theatre is Texas’ most unique and dynamic touring children’s theatre.  This creative group of artists was founded in 1991 and is currently touring the nation with their superbly crafted blend of theater arts and storytelling that is designed to promote literacy in our youth.  Recognized and supported by Texas Commission on the Arts as well as the Mid-Arts America touring program, Storybook Theatre is one of the most popular and sought after children’s theatre groups around.  Often classified as “edutainers,” they combine entertainment skills and education techniques in a manner that creates a desire in young minds to excel in reading.   Using costumes, props, exaggerated voices, and lots of interaction with the children, Storybook Theatre literally brings popular children’s classic tales and original stories to life right before the eyes of their adoring and enamored young audiences.   

Over their years of experience, Storybook Theatre has learned that children today are very visual when it comes to learning.  Each Storybook Theatre presentation has a different twist, making it unique, so it grabs the attention of the audience and leaves them wanting more while having fun and learning to boot.   In the past fourteen years, Storybook Theatre has enthralled over 900,000 children with their unique performances.  They are regular visitors to schools in the San Antonio, Austin, Dallas, Lubbock and Houston areas.  The group also travels our great nation with performances in places such as Michigan, Arkansas, Oklahoma and Florida.  For more information, contact Lynn Draper at email address stories@satx.rr.com or check out their website at www.sbtheatre.com.

Storybook Theatre of Texas Schedule

Monday, February 15

Tuesday, February 16

Wednesday, February 17

Thursday, February 18

Friday, February 19

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KidProv – www.kidprov.com

March 29-April 1, 2010
Artist will travel to schools

Teachers Guide

About KidProv
KidProv is the improvisational comedy troupe that blends the art of improvisation with the process of education to create an environment where students (K-12) and teachers can maximize their learning. KidProv programs, workshops and staff development seminars utilize improvisational comedy to promote and develop confidence, commitment, cognition, critical thinking, creative thinking, community, communication, comfort and comedy.

Through improv, Kid Prov establishes a highly interactive environment whereby participants learn through multiple learning modalities. KidProv's classroom-tested improvisational activities are easily applied by classroom teachers and are readily adaptable to all grade levels and subject matter.

In addition to staff development seminars, KidProv presents improv programs for students. Show selections include math, language arts (all TEKS specific), creative/critical thinking and character education.

KidProv Schedule

Monday, March 29

Tuesday, March 30

Wednesday, March 31

Thursday, April 1

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Richard Hight - The Art of Inspiration- www.visualmpact.com

May 4-5, 2010
CHS Auditorium

About Richard Hight
Richard Hight is an internationally renowned inspirational keynote speaker who uses the fine arts to creatively communicate positive, life-changing messages.   He is on a mission to help others find their gifts and talents.  He understands that in today’s demanding and ever changing world, we face complex challenges when pursuing our dreams—he knows that many of us struggle with creating success and fulfillment in our lives because he has too.

Addressing thousands every year, Richard’s keynote presentations empower us to take charge and get the results we deserve.  As a masterful storyteller with a down to earth, warm and humorous style, Richard delivers the real time learning audiences value and need in order to shift perspective and create forward momentum in their own lives.

His work has graced museums, corporate and private collections, and has been featured on ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX networks.  One thing is certain, whether before a crowd of ten or tens of thousands, Richard holds the audience spellbound.

• Master tools to set and achieve goals.
• Core principles and practices that promote growth for peak performance.
• Shared insights to cultivate an entrepreneurial mindset.
• A methodology for success in building on strengths.

Richard Hight Schedule

Tuesday, May 4

Wednesday, May 5

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