Download live theatre: handcrafted with care

NOW BOOKING FOR 2016 - 2017
live theatre: handcrafted
with care
David MacPherson, Artistic Director
Jim Leard, Founding Artistic Director
Story Theatre Company
Tradition and Innovation. Entertainment and
This is a transition year for The Story Theatre Company
Since 1981 Story Theatre Company has developed
The Story Theatre style is interactive, and as the
Education. Entrances and Exits. Theatre balances
as I move into a different role in the company. It’s been
a reputation for excellence in Theatre for Young
stories, games, and music unfold, the audience is
these polarities all the time, Theatre thrives on
35 years since I started Story Theatre Company with
Audiences. From the Yukon to Newfoundland and
invited to be part of the imaginative experience.
them. As Story Theatre moves forward all of these
a small troupe of actors recently graduated from the
from New York to Singapore, Story Theatre delights
elements will come into play. Stepping into the role
University of Victoria’s Phoenix Theatre. I remember
audiences with its unique, infectious style. Our
We invite you along for the ride as we weave
of Artistic Director, I look forward to using the strong
clearly the local regional libraries and the faces of the
mandate then, as it is now, was to produce theatre
traditional folk and fairy tales into theatrical
tradition of Story Theatre’s distinct style and standard
children mesmerized by the telling of our animated tales.
that involves the audience in stories and allows them
presentations that not only engage and entertain but
to experience words come to life through action.
also address curriculum outcomes and encourage
Our use of simple costumes, sets, and props is
literacy competencies.
of excellence to discover new stories and
new ways of telling old stories; to creating
stories for the future; to a new generation
of actors showing where this vibrant art
form is headed; and most of all, using
all these elements to create shows
that will draw the audience into the
magic of live theatre.
We have maintained the simplicity of production,
the transformational nature of sets and costumes,
and the direct contact with the audience as
one of the main virtues of our ‘story
theatre style’. Now, for an older
1
]
They see that with a few things from around the
house, and their imagination they can do it too.
Our website is a great resource for the classroom.
Download teachers’ guides, classroom activities,
look for links, and find out more about Story theatre.
audience, I am creating a
series of shows based on
Letters Home from soldiers
and nurses during WWI.
[
designed to invite children into the world of theatre.
www.storytheatre.ca
Anansi’s Gift of Stories
Anansi’s
UR and in TOWN
]
west Africa, the Caribbean, and the southern
to create new adventures.
involved in fun and adventures.
TO
3
storytelling games that use student suggestions
sometimes a skinny old man, but he is always
on
[
ANANSI is a favourite character in stories from
United States. He is sometimes a tiny spider and
GIFT OF
STORIES
Now
g
oratin
incorp !
ASL
The production finishes with our perennial
audience favourite, The Nursery Rhyme Revue,
which uses a simple poem to demonstrate
In this adventure, all of the stories on earth have
different aspects of musical styles and choral
been locked away by the sky god, and Anansi
speaking.
vows to retrieve them for everyone to enjoy.
Poor weak Anansi must complete three almost
For ages 5 to 12, 50 minutes
impossible tasks in order to free the stories: he
BO O KING IS E ASY!
has to capture a ferocious panther, he must trap
BC schools, go to www.artstarts.com
the giant python that can swallow a buffalo, and
All other bookings www.storytheatre.ca
he must make the invisible fairy visible.
Anansi uses his wits to overcome obstacles and
larger adversaries to achieve his goals. The
performance is accompanied by interactive
uses his wits to
overcome obstacles
and adversaries...
Rhymes, Reason & Rascals
NEW for 2016 -17, RHYMES, REASON &
that students will learn from this captivating
RASCALS draws from many cultures and uses
production.
the archetype of the wise one to solve problems
in unexpected ways and to discover what is
truly valuable.
This performance features a king who seeks the
greatest treasure on earth and three knights
on
TO
[
5
]
UR and in TOWN
RHYMES
reason
& rascals
Now
g
oratin
incorp !
ASL
who set off on a quest to bring it back. What
can they find for the man who has everything?
“Tell me a fact and I’ll learn. Tell me a truth and
I’ll believe. But tell me a story and it will live in
my heart forever.” – Native American proverb
“We turn on your imagination”
For ages 5 to 12, 50 minutes
BO O KING IS E ASY!
On their quest beyond the edges of the vast
BC schools, go to www.artstarts.com
kingdom they encounter wisdom from many
All other bookings www.storytheatre.ca
lands in the form of stories and, in the end,
realise that treasure comes in many forms.
Creative problem solving and critical thinking
skills are just two of the many valuable lessons
discover a different
way to look at what is
valuable...
NEW! Host a Literacy Day at your school
Is your school focusing on literacy this year?
Call now to book a day that works for your
Need an antidote to technology? Story Theatre
school.
will have your entire school buzzing with this
FULL -DAY OF LITERACY related activities.
Start the day off with your choice of one of our
BO O KING IS E ASY!
BC schools, go to www.artstarts.com
All other bookings www.storytheatre.ca
touring shows. We will then engage as many
on
TO
UR and in TOWN
[
7
]
classes as there is time for in Flash Literacy
“Imagination is more important than
activities. The day culminates back in the gym,
knowledge. For knowledge is limited to all we
with a special assembly filled with surprises
now know and understand, while imagination
and literacy challenges that everyone can do in
embraces the entire world, and all there ever
school and at home.
will be to know and understand.”
Suitable for grades K-7, we invite you to
celebrate the arts and encourage every student
to participate. Guaranteed to have everyone
talking and reading and writing and…
– Albert Einstein
need an antidote to
technology?
Minstrel Series: Stories of BC
MINSTREL SERIES
•
STO R I E S O F BC
•
Storytelling mixes with music in this very
Saga of the Salty Seas has two performers
special series. OUR TROUBADOURS unite
singing and telling tales of the sealing pirate
magical storytelling with song in these
Captain Gustav Hansen who lived in Fan Tan
presentations.
Alley and raided the sealing catches of the
New for December 2016, Story Theatre
is excited to premiere The Magical
Christmas of Old Mrs. James
Colleen Eccleston. This 30 minute
in
TO
WN
for ALL AG
ES
[
9
]
featuring
Russian and American fleets in the 1800s.
Based on a true story from articles in The Daily
Colonist, it was developed for the Victoria 150
celebrations in Spring 2012.
presentation mixes story-telling and music in
For all ages, 30 minutes – but can be longer
a theatrical presentation that is sure to delight
with other folk songs and stories
young and old. Continuing in the tradition of
The Minstrel’s Dream and Mean Old Mackie,
Mrs. James thinks she is a burden, but a group
of neighbourhood children show her that she
is cherished. This show will deliver seasonal
magic to groups of all ages and sizes.
BO O KING IS E ASY!
BC schools, go to www.artstarts.com
All other bookings www.storytheatre.ca
our troubadours unite
magical storytelling with
song
Flash Literacy
Imagine...there is a knock at the classroom door,
verbal word play in even the most reluctant
and SURPRISE, three actors enter the classroom,
student.
present a quick story and demonstrate how to play
some Interactive word games.
Y
L I T E R A C
on
TO
UR and in TOWN
11
]
full day workshops are available on their own or in
The class is then divided into three groups, and
conjunction with one of our touring shows. Useful
each actor works with a group on the storytelling
in the classroom or can be adapted for all kinds of
games explaining some of the ‘best ways’ to make
professional development and corporate uses.
them work. The class performs as one group and
the actors and some of the students share making
up and telling some stories.
Just as suddenly, the actors leave, the door
closes…and you never know when another Flash
20 - 30 minutes
BO O KING IS E ASY!
BC schools, go to www.artstarts.com
All other bookings www.storytheatre.ca
Literacy visit will occur.
Designed to encourage the playful use of
language and to share the fun at home,
Flash Literacy promotes the confident use of
[
Complementary to our storytelling shows. Half and
designed to encourage
the playful use of
language
Story Theatre, Your Creative
Resource
THE
JUPITER
REBELLION
“Storytelling is the most powerful way to put ideas
into the world today”. — Robert McKee
B.C. rs
mbe
Reme
WW1
starring
Jeff Leard
Story Theatre’s professional performers are experts at
adding life and colour to presentations and exhibitions
using your stories or finding ones you will love. Story
Theatre will take your message or idea and create
BC Hydro Conservation Tour
Animating your stories!
presentations that represent you, using our unique,
professional style. Past examples include promoting
energy conservation for BC Hydro’s Power Smart and
Conservation Tour, and Stepping Up for Telus which
used stories to inspire volunteerism.
Interested in improving communication and
creativity in your office or business? We can come
to you with workshops to aid with team work, creative
thinking and productivity. Workshops can be done
with groups of most sizes and will leave everyone with
more confidence and start them talking.
History comes to to your classroom!
The Maritime Museum of British Columbia partners
with Story Theatre to offer A VARIETY OF
CURRICULUM BASED PROGRAMS that bring
artifacts from the museum, a professional performer,
and stories from the past into your classroom.
Contact the Museum for info: 250-385-4222
An unlikely hero, a plucky best friend, cool special
effects, a villainous boss, a space duel, and even a sultry
love interest! The show provides all the excitement of
a big budget science fiction action movie performed
live by one man armed with little else than his body, his
voice, and a whole lot of energy.

“Five Stars. A one-man whirlwind of a show”
– Edmonton Sun
LETTERS HOME
The war in Europe is progressing, and in this sequel
to The Call Went Out we look at experiences on the
front from the perspective of nurses from BC who
went over to do their duty.
“
“
I like when they ask the questions in the show. So
you can do something really imaginative…like you
could say something really weird, and they would
act it out.
Also, it just a very kid -friendly, nice thing show that
would make everyone laugh. It’s just…COOL”.
I like Story Theatre because they make
you disappear from your life and enter
the story. It feels like you are experiencing
everything they’re telling you first hand.
VERY creative. VERY fun.
– Ruby Wallace, age 10
– Shane Priestley, age 9
Story Theatre Company
1291 Gladstone Ave
Victoria, BC V8T 1G5
Tel 250-383-4140
1-800-353-0001
Fax 250-385-6336
[email protected]
www.storytheatre.ca
The Story Theatre Productions Society is a non-profit, charitable organization # 89892 8296 RP0001 governed by a board of directors. Story Theatre is a member
of the Professional Association of Canadian Theatres. We gratefully accept donations which may be made directly to Story Theatre or through Canada Helps.
We gratefully
acknowledge our
public funders.
McLean
Foundation
Hamber
Foundation
Stewart Fund at the
Vancouver Foundation
We acknowledge the financial assistance of the Province of British Columbia.
Thank you, private donors, for your support.