Allen Hospital’s Kaleidoscope Series for Youth
2009-2010 Season
Kaleidoscope FAQ
Ticket Lists
Voices From Ellis Island
Tuesday, October 6, 10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
Curriculum Connections: History, Geography, 21st Century Skills
Character Counts: Citizenship, Fairness
Suggested Audience: Grades 3-9
This one-woman dramatization provides a fascinating glimpse into the lives of the many diverse immigrants who passed through New York’s Ellis Island, America’s "front door to freedom". At times more than 10,000 people a day came through the island’s gates, searching for a prosperous new life. Actress Pippa White brings the immigration experience to life as she introduces many intriguing characters from all over the globe, complete with authentic dialects and costumes. Running time is 70 minutes.
The Mayhem Poets
Thursday, October 8, 10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
Curriculum Connections: Poetry, Music, 21st Century Skills
Character Counts: Respect
Suggested Audience: Grades 6-12
Performance poetry is an accessible, appealing art form that can motivate students to foster an appreciation for both classic and contemporary poetic/theatrical expression.
Utilizing hip-hop rhythms and dynamic theatrical techniques, the Mayhem Poets have developed powerful performances to inspire people of all ages and backgrounds to craft and perform original poetry.
Tales of a Fourth Grade Nothing-Two Beans Productions
Friday, November 6, 10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
Curriculum Connections: Literature
Character Counts: Caring, Fairness
Suggested Audience: Grades 1-5
Nine-year-old Peter Hatcher's life would be sweet if it weren't for Fudge, his toddler terror of a brother. This performance captures all the humor, sibling rivalry and elementary school angst of Judy Blume's book.
http://www.theatreworksusa.org/
The Nutcracker-Minnesota Ballet
Thursday, November 19, 10 a.m.
SOLD OUT, WAITING LIST ONLY
Curriculum Connections: Movement, Music
Character Counts: Respect
Suggested Audience: Grades 2-12
Enjoy the magic of "The Nutcracker" live, as the Minnesota Ballet takes you on a journey of dreams and magic, through battles of mice and toys and into the kingdom of the Sugar Plum Fairy. This classic favorite will delight all those who attend. Please note running time of two hours and 15 minutes.
http://www.minnesotaballet.org/
Click Clack Moo-TheatreworksUSA
Monday, November 30, 10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
BOTH SHOWS SOLD OUT, WAITING LIST ONLY
Curriculum Connections: Literature, Music
Character Counts: Fairness, Respect
Suggested Audience: Grades K-4
When his granddaughter Jenny comes for a visit, Farmer Brown declares the farm a "tech-free zone" then confiscates her laptop. The shivering cows have been using her computer to type messages requesting blankets. "No way," replies Farmer Brown. "No blankets!" So the cows go on strike and the chickens join them in solidarity. No blankets: no milk, no eggs! Will Farmer Brown give in to the animals' demands? Will Jenny get her computer back? Find out in a hilariously "mooooo-ving" new musical about negotiation and compromise, based on the Caldecott Honor Book by Doreen Cronin and Betsy Lewin.
http://www.theatreworksusa.org/
The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon-Enchantment Theatre Company
Monday, January 11, 10 a.m. SOLD OUT, WAITING LIST ONLY
Monday, January 11, 12:30 p.m.
Curriculum Connections: Literature, Music, Art
Character Counts: Respect
Suggested Audience: Grades Pre-K - 2
"Harold and the Purple Crayon" is the first of seven delightful picture books by Crockett Johnson following the zany adventures of an inventive young boy. Harold creates the world he wants to explore, using nothing more than a big purple crayon and his sky's-the-limit imagination. This production will take you on a wild ride as Harold jets to Mars (shooting stars, spaceships!), joins a circus (he walks a tightrope!), and meets a king in an enchanted garden (of course, there's a dragon!).
http://www.enchantmenttheatre.org/
Little Red’s Most Unusual Day-Cedar Rapids Opera
Thursday, January 14, 10 a.m.
Curriculum Connections: Literature, Music
Character Counts: Respect, Fairness
Suggested Audience: Grades K-5
This performance is the traditional story of Little Red Ridinghood in the context of an operatic setting. It takes melodies from pre-existing operas by Offenbach and Rossini as its basis, changing the words to tell the familiar story. Six characters will tell the story, including Little Red, Dudley, Mr. Bigbad, Granny, Lumbering Jack and Mom. This work introduces concepts such as recitative, aria, duet and leitmotif.
Pilobolus
Monday, February 1, 10 a.m.
SOLD OUT, WAITING LIST ONLY
Curriculum Connections: Movement, Music
Character Counts: Fairness, Respect, Caring
Suggested Audience: Grades 1-12
Pilobolus is best known for its imaginative and athletic exploration of creative collaboration. During this performance, the audience gets the rare opportunity to join the dancers on stage and explore the basics behind the creative process. The company has an experiential approach to this process that includes simple leadership and "followership" exercises. Students get to play with the dancers and mirror movement that comes from the dancers as well as chosen audience members. It is a brief glimpse into the idea that movement is everywhere and is an important part of everyday life.
Most Valuable Player-Dallas Children’s Theater
Monday, February 8, 10 a.m.-GBPAC- SOLD OUT, WAITING LIST ONLY
12:30 p.m.-GBPAC
Tuesday, February 9, 10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.-Williams Center for the Performing Arts, Oelwein
Curriculum Connections: History
Character Counts: Fairness, Respect
Suggested Audience: Grades 4-8
This triumphant story of Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to play professional major league baseball, chronicles the young athlete’s nonviolent struggle to integrate what was then 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.
Pigeon Party-Big Wooden Horse Theatre Co.
Tuesday, February 23, 10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
10 A.M. PERFORMANCE SOLD OUT, WAITING LIST ONLY
Curriculum Connections: Literature
Character Counts: Fairness, Respect
Suggested Audience: Grades PreK-3
Mo Willem’s Pigeon is back and ready to party! Squeezing all the fun of the first three books into a raucous production, this lively show is full of fun, feathers, laughter and excitement and features original music and lots of audience participation.
http://www.pigeonpresents.com/
Let’s Go Science Show
Friday, February 26, 10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
Curriculum Connections: Science
Character Counts: Fairness
Suggested Audience: Grades 1-5
The Let's Go Science Show is a wacky look at how things work with Professor Smart and Ms. Knowitall. This fun-filled production teaches physics concepts through theatrically based experiments and demonstrations. Lots of audience interaction with these two legends of the circus, great scenery and awesome lighting and illusions all make this one science lesson that students won't want to miss.
http://www.letsgoscienceshow.com/
Soweto Gospel Choir
Friday, March 5, 12:30 p.m.
Curriculum Connections: Music, Geography, Social Studies, Culture
Character Counts: Respect, Citizenship, Caring
Suggested Audience: Grades 2-12
The Soweto Gospel Choir was formed to celebrate the unique and inspirational power of African Gospel music. The 26-strong choir draws on the best talent from the many churches in and around Soweto, South Africa. The choir is dedicated to sharing the joy of faith through music with audiences around the world.
http://www.sowetogospelchoir.com/
Romeo and Juliet-The Acting Company
Monday, March 8, 10 a.m.
SOLD OUT, WAITING LIST ONLY
Curriculum Connections: Literature
Character Counts: Respect, Fairness, Trustworthiness
Suggested Audience: Grades 8-12
*PLEASE NOTE THAT RUNNING TIME IS 2 HOURS & 50 MINUTES.
Shakespeare’s iconic romantic tragedy of innocent young lovers falling victim to family hatred and cruel destiny... swords clash, everlasting love is promised and a treacherous sleeping potion is swallowed in the greatest love story of all time. Young love has never been so delightful or as dangerous as in this stirring new production.
Evoking the lyricism of Shakespeare’s sonnets, "Romeo and Juliet" exquisitely embodies the brief joy of youthful passion and ecstasy. Timeless and deeply moving, they love each other passionately as only teenagers can while their families’ mutual disdain and prejudice lead to revenge and an irreversible fate. Directed by James Kerr of London’s National Theatre.
http://www.theactingcompany.org/
The Incredible Speediness of Jamie Cavanaugh-Roseneath Theatre
Friday, April 9, 10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
Curriculum Connections: Bullying, 21st Century Skills
Character Counts: Respect, Fairness, Trustworthiness
Suggested Audience: Grades 3-8
Fast-paced, funny and full of energy, this great new play tackles the issues of bullying, violence, peer pressure, learning disabilities and the struggles to fit in. An insightful story of three youths who discover hope, tolerance and friendship in their journey to understanding and acceptance.
Jamie and Max are best friends – she’s a trouble magnet who thinks her ADHD is some kind of amazing "super speed" superpower and he’s the smartest kid in his grade. But when Jamie tries to help Max against a bully named Rock, her "super power" ends up creating more trouble for both of them. Jamie learns that to be a good friend, she needs to slow down and listen, but how do you turn off a super power?
San Jose Taiko
Thursday, April 15, 10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
Friday, April 16, 10 a.m.
Curriculum Connections: Music, Geography, History, Culture
Character Counts: Respect
Suggested Audience: Grades 2-12
The music of San Jose Taiko weavers traditional Japanese sounds with the beast of the world rhythms. Indeed, the practice and performance of taiko requires selfless dedication, harmony and a collective spirit. San Jose Taiko has adopted these traditional values and infused the art of taiko with the vitality and freshness of their American spirit to create a dynamic and compelling Asian and American art form. With the power and beauty of taiko at the center, San Jose Taiko aims to transcend cultural boundaries and to foster greater understanding of Japanese American culture.
The Little Engine That Could-Omaha Theater Company
Monday, April 19, 10 a.m. & 12:30 p.m.
10 A.M. SOLD OUT, WAITING LIST ONLY
Curriculum Connections: Literature, Music
Character Counts: Fairness
Suggested Audience: Grades PreK-2
Watty Piper’s "The Little Engine That Could" is a time-honored classic and one of the greatest tales of motivation ever told. In this well-loved classic featuring songs, dance and dazzling costumes, the Little Engine overcomes seemingly impossible odds to carry a train full of toys over an imposing mountain. "The Little Engine That Could" is an entertaining and inspirational favorite that offers a valuable lesson for children and adults alike about the power of optimism.
| Purchase Artist Series Tickets Online Accommodations/Dining UNI Homepage |

