the *new* DOW kids

The (trash) Little Mermaid

age: very young - 3rd grade
size: up to 50 only
style: comedic acting and small rod marionettes
length: 30 minutes

The classic tale from Hans Christian Andersen, retold by DOWkids. The tale of the youngest and most beautiful of six mermaid princesses emerges out of trunks and suitcases and comes to life using litter ofen found on our beaches. We use puppets, props and sets made from seashells, found objects and toys to create a magical landscape. A lot of actual water and imaginative acting brings the story to life.

How the Earth Got Its Color (an aztec tale)

age: very young - middle school
size: up to 150 or so
style: mask and large toy theater
length: 30 - 45 minutes

Follow Wind as he must find his place in the pantheon of Aztec gods and prove himself to all when the Lord of the Night entrusts him to save the Musicians of the Earth from the Palace of the Sun God. With the help of the audience and various characters along the way, he finds the courage to use his unique gifts to do right by the people of the Earth.

Louie’s Fabulous Mardi Gras Adventure
(or gumbo isn’t gumbo without the okra)

age: 1st grade and up!
size: up to 500!
style: acting, overhead projection and shadow puppetry
length: 45 minutes

This is a shadow play combining an overhead proector, traditional shadow puppetry and innovative story telling to tell a tale of rural Cajun country. Follow our hero as he rides from house to house, searching for that one special gumbo ingredient to share at the mardi gras feast, and join in all his fabulous adventures along the way.

(not too scary) Poe Stories

age: 3rd grade and up!
size: up to 150 or so
style: all different kinds!
length: each segment is 20 minutes

Something for the older kids, a collection of Poe Stories told in various mediums: The Raven done with acting and moody overhead projection/shadow puppets and The Black Cat told with mime, acting and one devilish hand puppet. We are working on our version of The Tell Tale Heart. All employ period costumes and images and compelling design, a fresh new take on the classics.

Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears
(and other African tales)

age: kindergarten and up!
size: up to 150 or so
style: all different kinds!
length: each segment is 15 minutes

The first part of this piece was commissioned by the Prospect Park Zoo for their Wild Arts Weekend. Based on the beloved folk tale and children's book, the piece teaches the great lesson of action and consequence. More stories are already in development!

And more to come...

We're currently considering projects based on the Chinese tale Lon Po Po, the history of Thomas Edison and a few others. Ask us about our rates to create a new show specifically for your event!

And please do check out our main DOW show page: Sleepy Hollow, WARRIOR and DoubtingDorothy are all appropriate for younger audiences.

Please email with any questions or for a rate quote. Thanks!

All shows were conceived, written, built and designed by John Ardolino & Gretchen Van Lente.

Please contact us and we can tell you more about what we do!
info@dramaofworks.com or 917.531.0057

	*The (trash) Little Mermaid* age: very young - 3rd grade size: up to 50 only style: comedic acting and small rod marionettes length: 30 minutes The classic tale from Hans Christian Andersen, retold by DOWkids. The tale of the youngest and most beautiful of six mermaid princesses emerges out of trunks and suitcases and comes to life using litter ofen found on our beaches. We use puppets, props and sets made from seashells, found objects and toys to create a magical landscape. A lot of actual water and imaginative acting brings the story to life.
	*How the Earth Got Its Color (an aztec tale)* age: very young - middle school size: up to 150 or so style: mask and large toy theater length: 30 - 45 minutes Follow Wind as he must find his place in the pantheon of Aztec gods and prove himself to all when the Lord of the Night entrusts him to save the Musicians of the Earth from the Palace of the Sun God. With the help of the audience and various characters along the way, he finds the courage to use his unique gifts to do right by the people of the Earth.
	Louie’s Fabulous Mardi Gras Adventure (or gumbo isn’t gumbo without the okra) age: 1st grade and up! size: up to 500! style: acting, overhead projection and shadow puppetry length: 45 minutes This is a shadow play combining an overhead proector, traditional shadow puppetry and innovative story telling to tell a tale of rural Cajun country. Follow our hero as he rides from house to house, searching for that one special gumbo ingredient to share at the mardi gras feast, and join in all his fabulous adventures along the way.
	(not too scary) Poe Stories age: 3rd grade and up! size: up to 150 or so style: all different kinds! length: each segment is 20 minutes Something for the older kids, a collection of Poe Stories told in various mediums: The Raven done with acting and moody overhead projection/shadow puppets and The Black Cat told with mime, acting and one devilish hand puppet. We are working on our version of The Tell Tale Heart. All employ period costumes and images and compelling design, a fresh new take on the classics.
	Why Mosquitoes Buzz in People's Ears (and other African tales) age: kindergarten and up! size: up to 150 or so style: all different kinds! length: each segment is 15 minutes The first part of this piece was commissioned by the Prospect Park Zoo for their Wild Arts Weekend. Based on the beloved folk tale and children's book, the piece teaches the great lesson of action and consequence. More stories are already in development!
	And more to come... We're currently considering projects based on the Chinese tale Lon Po Po, the history of Thomas Edison and a few others. Ask us about our rates to create a new show specifically for your event! And please do check out our main DOW show page: Sleepy Hollow, WARRIOR and DoubtingDorothy are all appropriate for younger audiences. Please email with any questions or for a rate quote. Thanks!