HELP US FINISH THIS PRODUCTION AND RECEIVE MP3′s OF SELECTED SONGS FROM THE SHOW WHEN YOU MAKE A TAX-DEDUCTIBLE DONATION UNTIL JUNE 1st, 2012
About
To Bee is a production for family audiences and elementary schools inspired by research about honeybees. The performance blends puppetry, dance, live music, audience participation, and offers people of all ages a profound sense of the positive impact their actions can have on our environment, communities, and the future of the honeybee. It follows our critically-acclaimed nature fable Elmer and the Elder Tree, which continues to tour following its 2008 premiere.
We are designing To Bee or Not to Bee for two performers and one musician. This simplicity will facilitate our vision of making the show available to other performance teams in other cities – nationally and internationally.
Collaborators
Northampton, MA singer/songwriter Carrie Ferguson will be writing songs for and touring with the production.
Puppeteer Emmy Bean of Chicago and Montague, MA and Vermont’s Sandglass Theater are helping us with all things puppet-related.
10% For the Bees Campaign
One of the major challenges facing honeybees (and many other species around the globe) is loss of habitat. In the words of local beekeeper Dan Conlon of Warm Colors Apiary, honeybees in many parts of the U.S. simply “don’t have enough to eat.” Our 10% For the Bees Campaign will encourage audiences to let nature plant 10% of their lawn – or plant a bee garden. Organic seeds for bee gardens (donated by Vermont’s High Mowing Seeds) will be distributed after every show.
For Schools
We are currently booking elementary school performances of To Bee or Not To Bee beginning in April 2012. We are also writing grants which include elementary schools as partners.
Schools can decide if they would like us to work with their classes of 3rd – 5th graders beforehand in preparation to be part of the performance.
A curriculum guide and list of suggested activities will be available to help teachers integrate the show into their work.
Booking Info
Production Requirements: Minimum 20′ wide by 15′ deep indoor or outdoor playing space – raised stage not required.
Length: 45 minutes plus optional pre-performance actor preparation workshop (1 hour for schools, 15 minutes for general public)
Note: There may be the possibility of including your organization in our fundraising/grantwriting efforts. Let us know if this is of interest. Inquiries: booking@ptco.org
2012 Tour Venues
- Amherst Sustainability Festival (April 21, 10 am PREVIEW PERFORMANCE)
- Benson Place, Heath (May 13, 1:30 pm WORLD PREMIERE – Part of BLOOM! Event)
- Cambridge River Festival (June 2, 4 pm)
- Greenfield Energy Park (June 24, 11 am)
- Greenfield Public Library (June 23rd workshop/rehearsal from 10 – noon for ages 7 – 12 who want to perform on June 24th at the Energy Park)
- Orange Town Hall (May 19, 3 pm with workshop for children ages 7 – 12 who want to perform at 2 pm)
- Shelburne Falls, Memorial Hall (part of RiverFest, June 9)
- Turners Falls RiverCulture Cherry Blossom Festival (May 15th, 10 am at Peskeompskut Park or Carnegie Library in case of rain)
School Venues
Bridge Street School, Northampton; Colrain Central School; Lt. Clayre P. Sullivan School, Holyoke; R.K. Finn Ryan Road School, Florence (includes residency funded by the Xeric Foundation)
2013 Tour Venues
- Bethel, Maine (March 29, Sponsored by the Mahoosuc Arts Council)
THANK YOU TO EVERYONE HELPING MAKE THIS SHOW POSSIBLE!
SPONSORS
ANGELS
DIRECTORS
Franklin Community Cooperative
Greenfield Co-operative Bank
Greening Greenfield
Hope and Olive Restaurant
Northeast Solar Design
ACTORS
Better World Auto Club
Bicycle World, Inc.
Follow the Honey
High Mowing Seeds
Honey Pacifica
Horizon Herbs
South River Miso Company
Trolley Stop Antiques and Collectibles
Warm Colors Apiary
FUNDERS
The Art Angels
The Community Foundation of Western Massachusetts
The Amherst, Buckland, Colrain and Montague Cultural Councils*
The Xeric Foundation
*This program is supported in part by grants from the Amherst, Buckland, Colrain and Montague Cultural Councils, local agencies which are supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council, a state agency.
INDIVIDUALS
Kippy Dewey, David Fersh, Susan Kooperstein, Steven Mirin and Margaret McKenna, Jim and Rhoda McManus, Craig Miller, Barry and Karen Oshry, our community, Daniel Stuart, Pamela Swift, Stefan Topolski, M.D.
