SchoolStage Series and more...
The McAninch Arts Center (MAC) at College of DuPage offers a diverse season of curriculum-based performances and opportunities to bring artists to your classrooms free of charge. Enhancing your students’ arts education is as easy as one phone call to (630) 942-3008.Download the Schoolstage brochure
Artist Residencies
Residencies enable the artists to be in our community for an extended time. These artists are available for master classes, workshops and/or lecture demonstrations.Thodos Dance Chicago
February
For serious intermediate/advance dance studentsThodos Dance Chicago is a critically acclaimed contemporary dance company with a vibrant, awardwinning style.
David Gonzalez
Master Storyteller/Performer
Artist Residency
Monday, April 5 to
Friday, April 9
For grades 2 to 8David Gonzalez is a nationally acclaimed master storyteller/performer who is keeping the ancient art of storytelling alive. He creates and performs multimedia productions that capture audiences of all ages and cultures.
Classes at the MAC
The MAC offers professional development for teachers as well as classes offered on Saturdays for youth.Teacher Training:
Teacher Institute Day
Friday, Feb. 26
For teachers of K to 8 gradesIn 2008, the MAC hosted Hubbard Dance Street Chicago, providing “Move Right Into Reading.” Rave reviews from teachers included “Thanks for sharing creative ideas … I plan to use them on Monday,” “Provided lots of ‘working’ fun activities,” “It was motivating and never got boring.” Institute day provided by the MAC for 2010 will be announced through the DuPage Regional Office of Education.
MAC Kids Classes
Anima: Musical Experience for Children
Wednesdays, Sept. 9 to Dec. 9
5 to 5:50 p.m.
For grades K to 2
$195 registrationMusical Experience for Children is an introductory class for young students. Created and run by the award-winning Anima – Young Singers of Greater Chicago, this class helps children find their singing voice, learn to move to music and develop self-confidence. The class concludes with a concert in December.
Creative Drama and Writing for Kids
Saturdays, Sept. 12 to Nov. 7
10 to 11:30 a.m.
For ages 7 to 12
$195 registrationChicago-based Child’s Play Touring Theatre partners with the MAC to provide kids with a series of fun-filled classes in creative dramatics and writing. Students will develop the tools of the actor and be introduced to the four steps of the writing process, an effective tool for helping young writers organize their ideas. Child’s Play Touring Theatre uses theater improvisation games to inspire creative expression, providing a painless first-performance experience.
Master Classes
Master classes offer students a chance to perform and receive critique from a master artist in an intimate setting. Number of participants varies.Paul Taylor Dance Company
Wednesday, Sept. 30, 6 p.m.
For serious intermediate/advanced dance students
$10 registrationThe Paul Taylor Dance Company is a modern dance company celebrated for its astonishing athleticism and breathtaking brilliance. Taylor is acknowledged as one of the world’s foremost dancers and choreographers. Taught by company members, the master class aims to present the Taylor style. Master class: 90 minutes; limited to 35 students.
Winter Jazz Fest:
Kurt Elling and Orbert Davis
Saturday, Jan. 16, 3 p.m.
For beginning/intermediate jazz studentsTwo master classes will be offered featuring Kurt Elling, who will focus on vocal jazz, and Orbert Davis, who will focus on improvisation. Following the master classes, students can attend a discussion talk-back with both artists.
Aspen Santa Fe Ballet
Monday, Feb. 22, 10 a.m.
For beginning/intermediate dance studentsAspen Santa Fe Ballet inspires audiences with refreshing performances by modern choreographers including Twyla Tharp and David Parsons. This master class aims to present the modern dance style.
Tanya Bannister, piano
Thursday, April 22, 4 p.m.
For serious piano studentsTanya Bannister’s recent international victories include Concert Artists Guild and New Orleans Piano Competition. Three students will be selected to perform for Ms. Bannister. The master class will be open for piano students and teachers to observe.
Classroom Visits
Can’t afford a school trip? Consider a free classroom visit. Artists can visit your school to provide a lecture demonstration or hands-on workshop. This format works well for small classrooms as well as assemblies. Consider bringing an artist to your classroom FREE OF CHARGE. Reservations are taken; first-come, first-served.Contact Janey Sarther at (630) 942-4525 or sarther@cod.edu to schedule classroom visits, master classes or artist residencies.
Fiddlers Four
Monday, Oct. 12
For beginning/intermediate orchestra or jazz band ensemblesFiddlers Four is a super group of fiddlers performing a crosscultural musical extravaganza including bluegrass, Cajun, Appalachian and jazz. Bring this company to your school to work with your orchestra or jazz students. Fiddlers Four can also provide an assembly performance at your school.
Alison Brown
Friday, Oct. 16
For high school students considering
a music careerAlison Brown achieved an international reputation as a banjo player, pushing the instrument out of its familiar Appalachian settings and into new musical territory. Alison and business partner Gary West will provide a workshop discussing the music business, entrepreneurship and working as an independent record label.
Robert Gruca, Classical Guitar
Thursday, Nov. 12
For high school and college studentsRobert Gruca is an exciting guitarist who performs a wide range of solo, chamber and orchestral music from the classical guitar repertoire. He is available for a lecture demonstration to work with your guitar students.
The Dixie Bee-Liners
Friday, Nov. 20
For grades K to 5The Dixie Bee-Liners create a “buzz” at every performance. Bring this ensemble to your school for a little bluegrass music and a look at the origins and history of this American art form. The musicians will demonstrate their instruments and take questions from the audience.
Turtle Island Quartet
A String Quartet is Like a Family
Thursday, Dec. 17
For grades K to 6Turtle Island Quartet fuses the classical quartet esthetic with contemporary American musical styles. This lecture/demonstration with audience participation utilizes the model of the family to help students understand how a string quartet functions and discern the dynamics that drive musical groups.
Kidjazz!
Jan. 4 to 13
For grades K to 4When you book a Kidjazz! performance, don’t forget to schedule an artist visit. Using music, picture books and dance steps, the visiting artist will share the history of jazz music, notable musicians and prepare students for the upcoming concert scheduled for Thursday, Jan. 14.
MERMAID THEATRE OF
NOVA SCOTIA
Puppetry Workshop
Tuesday, Feb. 16, 1:30 p.m.
For grades 2 to 5This animated and entertaining experience presents the world of puppetry. Students are introduced to the five basic principles of a puppet presentation and share simple techniques. Session includes demonstration of puppets from actual characters used in touring shows. Workshop: 60 minutes; limited to 25 students.
Doug Lofstrom, Composer
Wednesday, March 3 and
Thursday, March 4
For high school and college studentsDoug Lofstrom is a composer whose diverse scores reflect dance, film, symphonic music and theater influence. His music combines the world of popular forms (jazz, pop, musical theater) with the classical forms (opera, symphony and chamber music). He is available for a lecture demonstration to work with your music theory and composition students.
SchoolStage Performances
Tickets are $6. Receive one free chaperone/teacher ticket with every 20 tickets purchased. Most performances offer a study guide of resource materials available. You will receive an information sheet with directions, arrival times and parking instructions before the performance.Contact Darlene Barger at (630) 942-3008 or bargerd@cod.edu. Early reservations are
suggested as programs often sell-out.Download the Schoolstage brochure
Percussion Around the World
Thursday, Oct. 15
9:45 and 11 a.m.Take a musical journey into the exciting world of percussion. Enter a transformed stage filled with drums of all sizes and shapes, including exotic instruments rarely seen or heard. This entertaining and educational tour introduces students to how drums and percussion instruments have evolved through cultures and how they are used today. Length: 45 minutes
For grades K to 6ILLINOIS LEARNING STANDARDS:
Fine Arts (Music): 25.A and B, 26.B; 27.A and B
Social Science: 16.A; 18.A
MatheMagic!™
Starring Bradley Fields
Wednesday, Oct. 28
Thursday, Oct. 29
9:45 and 11:30 a.m.Bradley Fields – a celebrated magician uses magic, comedy and storytelling to engage children in problem solving while teaching math skills. Using a discovery approach, Bradley explores ancient civilizations and meets Imhotep, Pythagoras and the first magicians – whose secrets were really math! Length: 60 minutes
For grades K to 3 (Oct. 28)
For grades 4 to 8 (Oct. 29)ILLINOIS LEARNING STANDARDS:
Math: 6.A, B, C and D; 7.A; 8.A and B; 10.A and B
Jigú! Thunder Drums of China
Monday, Nov. 2, 10 a.m.Experience the vibrant and colorful roar of Jigú! Thunder Drums of China. Rooted in the fine art of Chinese drumming, this percussive performance represents the culture of the Shanxi province blended with modern musical elements. Length: 50 minutes
For grades pre-K to 8ILLINOIS LEARNING STANDARDS:
Fine Arts (Dance and Music): 25.A and B; 26.A; 27.A and B
Social Science: 16.A, D and E; 17.D; 18.A
The Kevin Locke Native Dance Ensemble
Monday, Nov. 9, 10 a.m.ILLINOIS LEARNING STANDARDS:
Fine Arts (Dance and Music): 25.A and B; 26.A; 27.A and B
Social Science: 16.A and E; 18.AKevin Locke and the Native Dance Ensemble perform the dances of the Plains Indians. Dance, music and story are entwined with humor, drama and audience interaction. Performance highlights the original instruments in Native American culture, the spirit of the eagle reflects the nobility of one human race, and the hoop dance symbolizes how different cultures can work together. Length: 60 minutes
For grades pre-K to 8This presentation is supported by the Performing Arts Fund, a program of Arts Midwest funded by the National Endowment for the Arts, with additional contributions from the Illinois Arts Council, General Mills Foundation and Land O’Lakes Foundation.
MAD SCIENCE presents
Newton’s Revenge
Wednesday, Nov. 18
9:45 and 11:30 a.m.Join Professor Pruvitt and his assistant Crash as they perform wacky experiments to investigate the principles of inertia, acceleration, action and reaction. Teams of children use specially designed catapults and slingshots, discovering the power of Newton’s laws of motion and demonstrating the role physics play in our everyday lives. Length: 60 minutes
For grades 2 to 7ILLINOIS LEARNING STANDARDS:
Science: 11.A and B; 12.D; 13.A and B
Social Science: 16.E
Kidjazz!
Thursday, Jan. 14, 9:45 a.m.Introducing kids to an American classic sound, the Arts Center Jazz Ensemble performs a variety of jazz styles featuring images of famous musicians and their time period. Everyone will sing, clap and jam with the band and a kazoo. Length: 60 minutes
For grades K to 4
ILLINOIS LEARNING STANDARDS:
Fine Arts (Music): 25.A and B, 26.B; 27.A and B
MERMAID THEATRE OF NOVA SCOTIA presents
Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny
Wednesday, Feb. 17
9:45 and 11:30 a.m.Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia returns with staged adaptations of two stories by Margaret Wise Brown: Goodnight Moon and The Runaway Bunny. Featuring endearing rabbit characters, soothing rhythms of bunny banter and dreamlike imagery, both stories offer innovative puppetry, striking scenic effects and original music.
Length: 50 minutes
For grades pre-K to 2
ILLINOIS LEARNING STANDARDS:
English Language Arts: 1.B and C; 2.B; 4.A
Fine Arts (Drama and Music): 25.A and B; 26.A; 27.A and B
KENNEDY CENTER presents
Chasing George Washington: A White House Adventure
Friday, Feb. 19, 9:45 and 11:30 a.m.In this new musical, a trio of students on a White House tour learns this place isn’t just a historic building – it’s also a home. Dee Dee, Jose and Annie knock George Washington out of his portrait and into real life. As they get the nation’s first president back into his painting, the students encounter other famous past residents, including Abraham Lincoln, Mary Todd, Dolley Madison and Jackie Kennedy.
Length: 60 minutes
For grades 3 to 8ILLINOIS LEARNING STANDARDS:
English Language Arts: 1.B and C; 4.A; 5.A
Fine Arts (Drama, Music and Visual Art): 25.A and B;26.A,
27.A and B
Social Science: 16.A, B and D; 18.A
Strega Nona
Tuesday, March 9, 9:45 and 11:30 a.m.Strega Nona is a musical tale based on the children’s book by Tomie dePaola about a friendly magical witch who strives to cure the ills of her tiny Italian town. Pasta threatens to engulf the town when someone sneaks a peek at Strega Nona’s magic book and uses it for selfish means. This fantastical tale teaches you can’t judge a pot by its pasta!
Length: 60 minutes
For grades pre-K to 4ILLINOIS LEARNING STANDARDS:
English Language Arts: 1.B and C; 2.B; 4.A
Fine Arts (Drama and Music): 25.A and B; 26.A; 27.A and B
Math: 6.B
Social Science: 17.A; 18.B
The Little Engine That Could
Tuesday, April 13, 9:45 and 11:30 a.m.The Little Engine That Could Study Guide
Teaching about the power of optimism, the Little Engine overcomes a seemingly impossible task to carry a train full of toys over an imposing mountain. With life-size toys and train engines, Omaha Theater Company brings song and dance to this time-honored classic by Watty Piper.
Length: 60 minutes
For grades pre-K to 2ILLINOIS LEARNING STANDARDS:
English Language Arts: 1.B and C; 2.B; 4.A
Fine Arts (Drama and Music): 25.A and B; 26.A; 27.A and B
Patchwork — The Little House
Life of Laura Ingalls Wilder
Monday, April 19, 9:45 and 11:30 a.m.Join the Ingalls family as they venture across the wild and perilous frontier in search of a better life with their faith and family to sustain them. Theatre IV’s pioneer tale, authorized by the Laura Ingalls Estate, brings to life the hardships and triumphs of their adventures as recorded in the patterns of their patchwork quilts. Length: 60 minutes with question and answer following performance.
For grades K to 5ILLINOIS LEARNING STANDARDS:
English Language Arts: 1.C; 2.B ; 4.A
Fine Arts (Drama): 25.A;
Programs subject to change.
