Showcases A-D
Please click on the link (where available) to view the performance!
A
Alden Phelps
CONTACT: Fatima Oladosu
Arts for Learning Maryland
Phone: 855-245-2787, ext. 145
Email: programteam@artsforlearningmd.org
Website: artsforlearningmd.org/artists/
Word Play
Alden’s far-fetched, funny songs and impressive guitar playing will delight audiences. Students are encouraged to sing along with original songs such as “My Mommy’s A Pirate” and “Chocolate Pie.” Word games are woven into this musical performance to bolster language skills. Students are asked to finish simple rhyming couplets and improvise song lyrics.
Grade Level: K-5
Fee: $563 single, $732 back-to-back (mileage fees may apply)
Arturo Ho
CONTACT: Bright Cardinal Creative, LLC
Phone: 571-249-5220
Email: info@brightcardinalcreative.com
Website: brightcardinalcreative.com
Visual Arts Residency
Custom-tailored residencies can focus on a variety of 2-D techniques and result in either individual or collaborative artworks, including murals. Residencies explore universal themes like home, community, or transformation, or complement curricular areas like math, science, and social studies. Residencies are typically scheduled over the course of 5-6 days, but may be scaled up to include additional days, or scaled down to focus on as few as 2 days. Residencies can include several workshops each day (typically 3-6), with each workshop including a classroom-sized (or smaller) group of students.
Grade Level: PreK-12
Fee: $1800 two-day residency / $4500 five-day residency / $5400 six-day residency (includes materials; $25/day travel fee additional; additional fees available upon request)
B
Ballet Theatre of Maryland*
CONTACT: Fatima Oladosu
Arts for Learning Maryland
Phone: 855-245-2787, ext. 145
Email: programteam@artsforlearningmd.org
Website: artsforlearningmd.org/artists/
American Journey Through Classical Dance
This interactive journey allows the audience to experience the impact of cultural diversity on the evolution of American ballet. Students explore the dance forms of Hispanic, African American and Native American cultures within Classical dance. Performers encourage enthusiasm for live ballet and its relevance as an expression of American culture.
Grade Level: K – 8
Fee: $1000 single, $1286 back-to-back (mileage fees may apply) (Available for residencies: please contact Arts for Learning for pricing and availability)
* Maryland States Arts Council – (AIE) funding may be available for MD schools
Barry Louis Polisar
CONTACT: Barry Louis Polisar
Phone: 301-538-3216
Email: Barrylou@Barrylou.com
Website: www.barrylou.com
Songs, Poems & Books: A Visit with the Author
Barry Louis Polisar is an author, songwriter, poet, and storyteller for children who also writes songs and books for adults. He performs his songs on two different Grammy Award winning albums and sings his song All I Want is You in the opening credits of the Academy Award winning movie Juno. A five-time Parents’ Choice Award winner, Barry is a pioneer in the world of music for children. He has recorded and shared his songs, poems, stories, and books with audiences throughout the world and has performed at the White House, The Smithsonian, and The Kennedy Center for Performing Arts. He was given a Special Library Recognition Award for his “ability to communicate with and excite children to read”. (45-50-minute performance)
Grade Level: Pre-K-5, 6-8
Fee: $1000 per show, Up to 4 in one day.
Barynya
CONTACT: Mikhail Smirnov
Phone: 201-981-2497
Email: msmirnov@yahoo.com
Website: www.barynya.com
Barynya
Barynya’s skillful musicians and dancers introduce the rich traditions and culture of pre-revolution Russia. Lively songs are sung and played on instruments like the bayan and garmoshka (Russian accordions) and guitar-like dorma, balalaika, and very large contrabass balalaika. Vivid costumes, athletic dances, and lighthearted humor enhance this memorable performance. (60-minute performance)
Grade Level: Pre-K – 12
Fee: $750 single, $600 for additional up to 6 in one day (includes travel fee). Residency also available.
Beatrice Pickles
CONTACT: Alison Gee
Phone: 202-257-4455
E-mail: alisoncgee@gmail.com
Around the World with Beatrice Pickles
Fantasy storyteller Beatrice Pickles tells traditional folktales from around the world with an interactive twist, bringing students from the audience
directly into the performance as featured characters. Beatrice provides costumes, props, and deft direction to help students act out stories from
across Europe, Africa, and Asia.
Grade Level: K–5
Fee: $300 single, $500 back-to-back up to 3 per day
Big Learning Science & Engineering
Contact: Jane de Winter
Phone: 301-326-1969
E-mail: science@biglearning.org
Website: www.biglearning.org
Click Here to Watch 2013 Video
Click Here to Watch 2012 Video
Erosion Detectives (Classroom Workshop)
Uncover the mysteries behind erosion! Students will become field scientists in this unique hands-on workshop. They will experiment with soil, rocks,
sand, and water and then just like engineers build and test different erosion prevention and water filtration models. Students will take home a colorful sedimentary rock kit! Program is aligned to the new Next Generation Science Standards.
Grade Level: K–5
Fee: $400 single, $750 back to back
Molecular Art
Art and science merge in this hands-on science spectacular. Students will be dazzled by chemical reactions, bubble printing experiments, and
color explosions! Students will create molecule models, practice scientific process skills, and use concepts such as density to produce art projects to
share with family and friends.
Grade Level: K–5
Fee: $400 single, $750 back to back
Brian Curry Magic
CONTACT: Brian Curry
Phone: 703-725-2100
Email: briancurrymagic@gmail.com
Website: www.BrianCurryAssemblies.com
Book Club The Magic Assembly
This reading-themed assembly brings favorite book characters to life with multimedia, music, and hands-on fun. Students float tables with Matilda, get silly with Junie B. Jones, and walk away excited about stories. It’s an interactive celebration of reading that gets even reluctant readers to lean in. (40-45 minutes)
Grade Level: K-6
Fee: $850 single, $1200 back-to-back assemblies
Pop Quiz: The Math and Science Game Show
A science and math game show packed with buzzers, bean bags, fog machines, and nonstop energy. Students compete in fast-moving challenges that reinforce core concepts like the water cycle, estimation, and test-taking strategies—without ever realizing they’re reviewing. (40-45 minutes)
Grade Level: K-6
Fee: $850 single, $1200 back-to-back
The Magical Math Tour
This high-energy assembly uses storytelling, humor, and sleight-of-hand to make math review feel like an event. Students revisit core concepts – like patterns, problem solving, and number sense – through fast-paced visuals and full-on participation. It’s the kind of show where they’re laughing, shouting out answers, and seeing math in a whole new way. (40-45 minutes)
Grade Level: K-6
Fee: $850 single, $1200 back-to-back
Building Better People Productions
CONTACT: Lynne Childress
Phone: 240-475-1908
Email: lynne@bbpproductions.com
Website: bbpproductions.com
Click here to watch the 2024 Cultural Arts Showcase video
Feeling All the Feelings
Laila is a 10-year-old girl who feels feelings so big, in fact, that she suspects they might be TOO big in other people’s eyes. She comes up with a way to express her emotions that seems to make everyone else happy. But will it work for HER? In this funny, emotional, interactive one-person play starring and written by Lynne Streeter Childress, Building Better People Productions explores the enormous range of kids’ emotions, the pressure they feel to be accepted, and the awesomeness that comes from feeling ALL of your feelings. Our play was written with the advice and input of professionals in child mental and physical health. Run-time: 40-minute show and 15-minute post-show workshop. Comes with a Teacher’s Guide.
Grade Level: PreK-5
Fee: $1000 single, $1800 2 shows back-to-back, $2800 3 shows back-to-back (Travel fee added for locations more than one hour outside of Annapolis, MD)
Drama For Good
This interactive workshop introduces the idea that theatre can entertain AND teach at the same time. By the end of the workshop, students will create and perform short pieces centered around important social messaging of their choosing. Drama For Good can be done in either one, two, or eight sessions. Sessions are 90 minutes each but can be adapted for shorter times.
Grade Level: PreK-12
Fee: $350 single workshop, $650 two workshops, additional workshops discounted as well. Multiple day residency also available – pricing provided upon request.
Bully You, Bully Me – MerMan Productions, Inc.
CONTACT: James McCubbin
Phone: 1-800-815-0364
Email: mer-man@mindspring.com
Website: www.bebullyfree.com
Bully You, Bully Me, Learn to Be Bully Free
Designed to help students/teachers understand what it means to be a bully and to give them non-violent solutions to overcome bad situations. Audience participation, theater, comedy, and more help convey the message so it is heard and used; guaranteed! Partial grants are available; call for free application!
Grade Level: Pre-K – 10
Fee: as low as $250-$500 single, $500-$795 back-to-back (depending on grants)
C
Cantaré*
CONTACT: Lance “Claysmile” Smith
Phone: 301-325-2379
E-mail: info@brightcardinalcreative.com
Website: brightcardinalcreative.com
Mucha Musica!—A Musical: Journey to Latin America
Sing, dance and explore Indigenous, European and African cultures that have shaped Latin American music. Spanish and Portuguese rhythms and lyrics are supported by traditional instruments like the charango, an armadillo shell guitar. Programs may be scheduled as 45-minute performances or 30-minute performances. Themes include: ¡Mucha Musica!: Madre Africa – African Heritage in Latin America; Rainforest Air; Shake Your Bones!; The Legend of Viracocha – Pre-Columbian Music; ¡Vamos al Carnaval!; ¡Feliz Navidad! – Latin American Holiday Celebration. Cantaré is a Maryland State Arts Council Arts in Education (AiE) Teaching Artist Roster – AiE Grant funding may be available for Maryland schools.
Grade Level: PreK – 12
Fee: 45-minute programs: $900 single, $1600 back-to-back, $1700 split; 30-minute programs: $750 single, $1300 back-to-back, $1400 split ($50 travel fee additional; “split” fee includes 2 performances divided by a longer break; additional fees available upon request)
*Maryland States Arts Council – (AIE) funding may be available for MD schools.
Chris Fascione: Bringing Literature to Life!
CONTACT: Chris Fascione
Phone: 703-383-8788 or 703-334-8807
E-mail: chrisfascione@earthlink.net
Website: www.ChrisFascione.com
Bringing Literature to Life!
Nationally known and award-winning school assembly performer Chris Fascione brings stories to life as he acts out library books and gets students excited about reading in his energetic, engaging, and participatory shows. His unique combination of storytelling, mime, juggling and comedy creates colorful characters from literature who tell their stories as laughter abounds. “This is the best assembly we’ve ever had.” – many teachers, principals and PTA/PTO members. “If you have one program in your school or library this year, make sure it is his! Your audience will thank you!” – Author Esme Raji Codell
Grade Level: Pre-K – 8
Fee: $495 single, $795 back-to-back
Christylez Bacon
CONTACT: Bright Cardinal Creative, LLC
Phone: 571-249-5220
E-mail: info@brightcardinalcreative.com
Website: brightcardinalcreative.com
Human Beatbox
Christylez (pronounced: chris-styles) Bacon, GRAMMY-nominated progressive hip-hop artist, combines rhyming, storytelling and interactive call and response choruses with diverse instrumentation (West African djembe drum, human beatboxing). This high-energy program delivers a message of cultural acceptance and unification blending traditional elements of musical styles from jazz to hip-hop. Duo Beatbox Remix options exploring cross-cultural collaboration also available. May also be scheduled as a workshop or residency theme.
Grade Level: Pre-K – 12
Fee: solo performances: $695 single, $895 back-to-back, $1295 split; duo performances: $995 single, $1295 back-to-back, $1795 split ($50 travel fee additional; “split” fee includes 2 performances divided by a longer break; additional fees available upon request)
Classical Hip-Hop
Remixing the classics, this program merges the contrasting worlds of classical and hip-hop music in a collaborative musical program featuring Progressive Hip-Hop artist Christylez Bacon and six-string electric cellist, Wytold. Traditional elements of hip-hop such as human beatbox, rhyming, and storytelling are blended with classical compositions of composers like Bach, Vivaldi and Pachelbel. The Classical Hip-Hop 2.0 sequel program fuses additional pieces by Bach, Strauss, Beethoven, and Vivaldi with live-looping technology and hip-hop compositions. May also be scheduled as a workshop/residency theme.
Grade Level: Pre-K – 12
Fee: solo performances: $695 single, $895 back-to-back, $1295 split; duo performances: $995 single, $1295 back-to-back, $1795 split ($50 travel fee additional; “split” fee includes 2 performances divided by a longer break; additional fees available upon request)
Beats, Bows, and Remixes
Join Christylez Bacon and Wytold as hip-hop and classical music collide with multi-cultural collaboration, transforming well-known songs into new compositions. Learn how these musicians work as a team, listening to each other’s different backgrounds and perspectives as they shape modern versions of all-time favorites, like Hot Cross Buns. Create a team remix with Christylez and Wytold that twists and turns a familiar tune into a brand-new musical invention. May also be scheduled as a workshop/residency theme.
Grade Level: Pre-K – 12
Fee: solo performances: $695 single, $895 back-to-back, $1295 split; duo performances: $995 single, $1295 back-to-back, $1795 split ($50 travel fee additional; “split” fee includes 2 performances divided by a longer break; additional fees available upon request)
Claysmile Entertainment
CONTACT: Lance “Claysmile” Smith
Phone: 301-325-2379
E-mail: Claysmile@gmail.com
Website: www.claysmile.com
Bring Your Own Sunshine
An interactive show that combines dance fitness with a series of engaging, uplifiting, thought-provoking, and exhilarating stories and illustrations that promote a healthy and happy mindset.
Grade Level: Pre-K – 12
Fee: $1200 single, discount for up to 3 back-to-back
Claysmile Entertainment
CONTACT: Lance “Claysmile” Smith
Phone: 301-325-2379
E-mail: Claysmile@gmail.com
Website: www.claysmile.com
Bring Your Own Sunshine
An interactive show that combines dance fitness with a series of engaging, uplifiting, thought-provoking, and exhilarating stories and illustrations that promote a healthy and happy mindset.
Grade Level: Pre-K – 12
Fee: $1200 single, discount for up to 3 back-to-back
Cosmic Adventures Traveling Planetarium
CONTACT: Greg Anderson
Phone: 301-676-0971
E-mail: greg@cosmic-adventures.com
Website: www.cosmic-adventures.com
A Brief Tour Of The Universe
This interactive program immerses audiences in a 360° view of the night sky via a computerized planetarium. Inside the dome, students journey on a virtual voyage through our solar system into the far reaches of the galaxy and beyond, encountering the planets, constellations and a few surprises along the way. (45 minutes per session)
Grade Level: PreK-8
Fee: $250 first class of up to 25 students: $100 additional for each group of 25 up to six. Multiple program discounts available. Please contact for a quote. Travel expenses $1 per mile one way from Federick, MD to school.
D
Debra Mims*
CONTACT: Fatima Oladosu
Arts for Learning Maryland
Phone: 855-245-2787, ext. 145
Email: programteam@artsforlearningmd.org
Website: artsforlearningmd.org/artists/
Grandma’s Cautionary Tales
Becoming her grandmother, Sally Kathryn Mims, Debra tells students stories her grandmother once told her. Stories are an entertaining mix of ghost, folk and “cautionary” tales found in African, African American and Caribbean literature. The program ends on a note of triumph that informs the audience how to overcome a bad situation.
Grade Level: 1-8
Fee: $858 single, $1200 back-to-back. (mileage fees may apply)
*Maryland State Arts Council – (AIE) funding may be available for MD schools.
Dovie Thomason
CONTACT: Bright Cardinal Creative, LLC
Phone: 571-249-5220
Email: info@brightcardinalcreative.com
Website: brightcardinalcreative.com
Native Voices
Dovie Thomason heard voices of the Animal People, Tricksters, and Heroes in the stories of her Lakota and Apache relatives. Her lifetime of storytelling joins those voices to share wise, boisterous teaching tales about talkative Turtle, overbearing Buffalo, or clever Coyote. Stories from diverse Native cultures are shared and values like respect are gently emphasized. Performances may be custom-tailored to complement curriculum or celebrate special events. Themes include Lessons From the Animal People, Monsters and Courage, Stories of the Four Directions, Storytelling and Science, The Trickster, He Was Going Along, and We Call the Earth Our Mother: Stories of Thanks. May also be scheduled as workshop and residency themes.
Grade Level: Pre-K – 12
Fee: $745 single, $945 back-to-back, $1095 split ($50 travel fee additional; “split” fee includes 2 performances divided by a longer break; additional fees available upon request).