Dance

Theater, Dance, Visual Art, Music

Daystar Dance

Daystar Dance Drama is:

A Pembina (Little Shell) Chippewa woman who dances, sings and tells stories about Native American people and places !

AVAILABLE AS VIRTUAL OR LIVE PERFORMANCES;

*SONGS AND DANCES OF TURTLE ISLAND
The company presents Native American Intertribal Dances, as experienced in the contemporary ‘powwow’ – annual gatherings of native peoples of all tribes, celebrating life, friendship and Indigeneity. Select from two programs:

PROGRAM 1: As soloist, Daystar/Rosalie Jones will introduce and demonstrate the Woodland Jingle Dress Dance, its story and meanings.  

All Ages                40 minutes

PROGRAM 2: With the ensemble, Daystar will present dances performed in ‘powwow’: The traditional Women’s Dance, The Butterfly Dance (women’s fancy shawl), Legacy of the Dream (Jingle Dress Dance) and The Grass Dance (men’s dance).                                                                                                                                  

All Ages                60 minutes

AVAILABLE AS VIRTUAL OR LIVE ‘LEARNING’ EVENTS:

*SONGS, DANCES AND STORIES OF TURTLE ISLAND

A participatory session to experience the fish, bird and animal stories of Indigenous peoples, selected from: The Welcome Song (Haida) The Fish Dance (Menominee), The Mosquito Song/Dance (Cherokee), the Duck Song/Dance (Creek), Inuit Igloo Dance,  the Snake/River Dance (Ojibway). Includes the Jingle Dress Dance story/demo as time allows.

Grades 3-8 – Emphasis on Songs with two Dances. Students will engage actively in 15 min segments, with a five minute talk or video between two segments and a five min closing. Teacher and Daystar must plan ahead on specific content for specific grades.

Grades 3-8         Live: 15 students        40 minutes

High School – Adults    Live: 25 persons   60 or 90 minutes 

*THE MEDICINE WHEEL – TEACHING THE CYCLES OF LIFE

Among the Anishinaabe of the Great Lakes, the Medicine Wheel is a teaching tool through which to discover the gifts of our world and our relationship to them. With the guidance of Elders, it is left to the individual to understand aspects of each Direction in the Wheel  and to allow that knowledge to assist the self in the development of Mno-Bimadziwiin – “the good life”. Presented with Powerpoint and discussion afterwards.

       High School – Adults                                    60 minutes

LIVE WORKSHOP ONLY;

*NATIVE AMERICAN HOOP DANCE

The Elders tell us that dancing the Hoop dance is a mirror through which one learns to take on the challenges in our lives. The more hoops you can dance with, the more challenges you can face. Up to 15 students will learn to manipulate 3-5 hoops that imitate objects in nature: water, bird’s nest, squirrel, eagle, sun, moon along with their teachings. Gym or open space classroom required. Daystar will provide hoops. 

High School – Adults     Live: 12 persons      90 minutes

*DAYSTAR DANCE DRAMA presentations accommodate well to the curriculums in Social Sciences, History, Literature, Music, Environmental and Cultural studies. 

SENIOR & SPECIAL NEEDS PROGRAMS ALSO AVAILABLE

Adapted Song, Dance, Storytelling. Participants will engage for two 10 minute segments with one 5 min break and 5 min closing.

Live: 12 persons/Virtual: unlimited     30 minutes 

Daystar/Rosalie Jones

The ‘storytelling theatre’ of DAYSTAR emphasizes a respect for Native American belief systems and world view while offering a broad interpretive reflection on those traditions. DAYSTAR performs and teaches contemporary Intertribal Dance, historical and modern dance, mask and mask-making, singing and character transformation. DAYSTAR is a multi-ethnic, multi-generational dance company that presents an expression of Indigenous peoples living strong in the 21st century. Daystar/Rosalie Jones was born on the Blackfeet Reservation in Montana and acknowledges Pembina (Little Shell) ancestry as passed through her mother’s lineage. 

                                            

Daystar/Rosalie Jones                                                                                                                           Daystar: Contemporary Dance Drama of Indian America                                                        

Dance, Theater

PUSH Physical Theatre

BIO:

PUSH has a long history of creating arts education programming for K-12 and college students. In 2000, husband and wife team, Darren and Heather Stevenson, founded it to “push” the boundaries of conventional theatre. Performances include selections of their work followed by an audience talk-back. Discussion topics include human relationships, social interaction, stereotypes, etc. Workshops introduce students to the movement arts and support curriculum areas such as physical science, character development and literacy.

Looking for free teaching resources?

Free Video Training Series: https://www.pushtheatre.org/video-training Try starting a class with one of these as inspiration for group exercises.

Free Academic Resources: https://www.pushtheatre.org/academic-resources Did you assign PUSH as a research project for your students? We will help them cheat by providing everything they need in one place. Shh… don’t tell.

ON-LINE ONLY;

PUSH’S TRUNK SHOW

PUSH tackles racism, COVID quarantine living, relationships and personal stories from the artists in this performance: As you know, all the members of award-winning PUSH Physical Theatre live together in a small travel trunk. Their stage manager folds them carefully inside after each performance and sits on the lid until the next show. They’ve been in there for a while now and it’s time for a break-out. Created especially for the small screen, witness original stories, funny, intimate, heart-breaking and universal, caught and released into the world with PUSH’s signature athleticism and no-holds-barred physicality. 

Grades 6-12                                                                  45 minutes                        

Add virtual post-show conversation with 2 of the artists 

                                                                              (up to 45 mins)                                                                       

(Science/Language Arts/Health/Physical Activity/Cultural Awareness/21^st Century Skills/Character Development/Social and Emotional Wellbeing) 

promo video –https://youtu.be/a5cf2IbD680 

LIVE ONLY;

PUSH PERFORMANCE

21^st Century Learning Skills presented by PUSH’s team of talented ‘human sculptures’ using acrobatic strength, stunning physicality and emotional depth. Core subjects such as physical science, literacy and the arts are explored within the context of health, creativity, innovation, communication and collaboration.  Relationships are examined between classroom learning and career & life skills such as social awareness, responsibility, adaptability and flexibility. Performers carefully guide audiences throughout the program. Individual pieces are given context that is grade level appropriate to help students interpret the work on a level that is relevant to them. 

Grades K-12                                                              45 minutes-1 hour

Program can include Q&A.

(Science/Language Arts/Health/Nutrition/Physical Activity/Cultural Awareness/21^st Century Skills)

promo video – https://youtu.be/HJ6bRx0kbgI 

ON-LINE OR LIVE;

PUSH PHYSICAL THEATRE WORKSHOPS:

PUSH provides physical theatre workshops that support and expand curriculum. The following are examples of workshops created in collaboration with teachers, designed around specific curriculum needs. If you have a great idea for a workshop let us know. 

Video Workshops for younger students: https://youtu.be/dvfZ5puG0i0 

Video Workshops for older students: https://youtu.be/9pa9Q3h2lhU 

Video Workshops for Seniors: https://youtu.be/BnMTna9jglQ 

Workshops are 45min to 1hr. Longer time periods can be negotiated.

Simple Machines

This workshop facilitates a deeper internal understanding of the Physical Sciences as students both analyze and synthesize topics such as simple machines, transfer of weight, magnetism, and energy through physical movement and discussion.

Science exercises focusing on the concept of teamwork, balance, and trust are used to encourage the development of friendship skills and guide students to thought-provoking ‘ah-ha!’ moments.  

Grades K-6                                       (Science/21^st Century Learning)

Weather

Classical music guides eager imaginations during participatory exercises relating to the changing of seasons and the effects they have on our everyday lives (i.e. growing spring flowers, grumbling summer thunderstorms, falling autumn leaves, drifting winter snowflakes). Students become aware of their personal responsibility for maintaining their health throughout the year as they act out dressing up for an afternoon at the beach or an anticipated snow day! It is a scientific fact that no two snowflakes are alike! Each is beautiful in its own unique way. Likewise, each one of us is unique and has something special to share with those around us.  

PreK-2                                                    (Science/Physical Activity)

Healthy Heroes

3-2-1-0 Be a Healthy Hero! This workshop has continuous physical activities that support the Be A Healthy Hero campaign for our community’s kids! Kids run for the healthiest snack choices in our relay race, get tips on learning to love exercise through physical theatre and end the class with a bit of something just as important…rest.  (This workshop includes a coloring book for each child to take home.) 

Grades K-4                                (Health/Nutrition/Physical Activity)

Metamorphosis

From egg to adult, the 4 stages of the life cycle of a butterfly are physically created by students in individual and group exercises. Students get to become the process of metamorphosis through movement. Students physically demonstrate their growing understanding of each stage and make connections to their own physical and social lives.  

Grades 2-4                                           (Science/21^st Century Skills)

Art & the Brain

Students are asked to evaluate the hypothesis of noted neurologist V.S. Ramachandran in his research into the “science of art”. Dr. Ramachandran’s “10 laws of art” are, as yet, unproven which allows children the excitement of investigating, questioning and responding to cutting edge science in process. Students combine visual and movement art as they answer key questions such as “Can we observe the laws in well known paintings?” “Do the laws transfer to movement?” “Can art be created by purposely breaking the laws?” Far from being a purely academic discussion, students will create physical theatre experiments to test the limits of the laws of science used by artists.  

Grades 4-12            (Science/21^st Century Skills/Cultural Awareness)

Human Pop-Up Books

Students have the opportunity to view an art form that uses no words and leaves then with the challenge of transposing movement language into written or spoken language.  By creating their own “Human Pop-Up Book” they will be faced with the challenge of analyzing a literary work and identifying key vocabulary vital to the storyline and then translating and synthesizing those words into a series of movements that reflect the story as it was in its original written/illustrated form.  Students work in teams and collaboratively put their thoughts and ideas together. 

Grades K-12                                (Language Arts/21^st Century Skills)

Leadership

Through the themes of Strength and Power; Cooperation vs. competition; leadership and responsibility; partnership and trust; self discipline vs. external control, students will acquire positive character traits.  Students engage in theatre and movement skills to learn how to overcome fear of failure and channel aggression into success rather than bullying.   They will identify the benefits of self-control and the difference between leading and intimidating to build confidence and make positive choices regarding their actions towards themselves and others. This residency includes a planning meeting with the classroom teacher is conducted with the school psychologist or social-worker. 

Grades 3-12    (Character Development/Social & Emotional Well-Being)

Note: students are divided by gender

College Students, Community Groups, Seniors and Lifetime Learners

PUSH offers performances, lectures, talks, workshops and residencies for assisted living facilities, gyms, community programs, church groups and more. All ages, abilities and training backgrounds are welcome. PUSH works with professionals and college students, children, people with developmental disabilities, learning challenges, disenfranchised students and lifetime learners.

College Residency: https://youtu.be/BnMTna9jglQ

Elders Share The Arts Residency: https://youtu.be/9pa9Q3h2lhU