Booking a performance
Where we're based: North of Albany, NY (About 4 hours from New York City & Boston.)
Where we travel: Parts of NY, CT, MA, VT, NJ and PA.
What do your programs cost?
We'll be happy to send you a free quote. Fees are based on the # of shows, classroom workshops and travel (mileage.)
Are your programs BOCES approved? Yes - we work with BOCES across New York State.
Grants: Our programs are grant-fundable. We're happy to help you with your grant!
Optional add-ons:
-
Oversize audiences (over 250)
- Layover between shows
- Production moves
Are you more than 3-3 1/2 hours from Glens Falls & Saratoga NY?
To schedule trips requiring overnight stay - like Long Island and Southern CT - the artists will need hotel (or host family) lodging - and multiple shows.
The artists usually visit two schools in a district for overnight trips, or a family night concert along with daytime shows. Our programs are grant & BOCES fundable. We can help you arrange with a sister school - just ask!
"Go Green" and save ...
Block-book with another school!
More schools than ever are taking advantage of block-booking savings and saving fuel, too!
Why block book? Lower per-show cost AND half the gas ... half the travel costs / carbon footprint for your school!
How does block booking work? Both schools on the same contract. We can visit two neighboring schools in one day - Two shows in the morning at the first school - a production move during lunch - then two shows at the second school in the afternoon.
Mix-and-match shows: Any combination of show themes on the same trip.
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How many shows do we need??
Most schools schedule 2 back to back shows. That works out great for particiaption - and encouraging students to "take-away" from the performance.
We recommend no more than 250 students per show, and up to three grade spans. We do different shows for older and younger grades.
[Please click here for more about our audience size recommendations]
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How do we book a show?
1. First, send us an email. Brian or Susan will call or email within a day or two - to listen to your ideas and answer your questions.
2. Next, we'll email a written quote you can take to your committee.
3.
You are welcome to download program flyers, MP3s and song lyrics for evaluation.
4. As soon as you book the show, we'll mail you our standard contracts, technical needs sheet and posters to help "build the buzz" in your community. The signed contracts and deposit will hold the date!
5.
If you are funding through NYS BOCES, please see below.
Technical Needs ...
Simple! We bring a professional PA and microphones.
We'll ask for the use of a flat bed dolly and direction from your custodian when we arrive.
We'll arrive about an hour before the
first show and need to start setting up right away. Please have someone on hand who knows how to run the stage lights and get power to the outlet.
Performance space: Stage or floor space. If floor seating please leave a center aisle.
Size: about 20' X 30', swept clean.
Reserve the space: Performance area needs to be reserved for the setup, sound check and take-down from one hour before until 30 minutes after the shows end. Sorry, gym classes need to be re-homed during this time if the performance is in the gym.
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Program Funding Sources ...
Today's schools use a variety of creative ways to make arts-in-education programs happen. PTO/PTA fundraising, school budgets, state decentralization grants, corporate grants. We'll be happy to work with you on grants.
Creative funding idea: Schedule a Family Night Concert with a modest ticket price (with raffles and other incentives) to support daytime programming. We can help with the materials to make your program successful, just ask!
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BOCES funded shows ...
Yes, we're New York State BOCES approved! We've been presenting BOCES funded shows for almost 20 years for schools across New York State. Interested?
Please click here for important information about working with BOCES.
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Previews & References ...
If you're a coordinator or school administrator thinking of scheduling a show but would like to see the show first, please email to see if there's an upcoming performance nearby. If we're not traveling to your neighborhood soon, please check our References Page for feedback on recent show performances.
Is it too late to book a show? We just decided to have a program next month!
We're usually scheduling months in advance. If your dates are flexible, and we pitch in to get the paperwork done, anything is possible. Just ask!
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About audience size ...
We suggest no more than about 250 students per assembly show.
Why? Over the years, we've found that separate age-targeted shows keep students engaged and yield the best program results.
We do different age-targeted shows for older and younger students. For example, 4th and 5th graders are way past our "Clifford the Big Red Dog" song (Reading Rocks show) or "Cooperation Train"
(Character Rocks show.) "Late Night Reading Blues" or "Bully Blues" are written to engage the developmental level of older students.
Participation is where it's at! We invite student volunteers to join us onstage for almost every song. We engage in dialogue with the students with a wireless microphone. Our multiple-show discounts encourage reasonable audience size to give more students a chance to feel included!
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Helpful suggestions for BOCES funded shows ...
What we've learned: It's really helpful for your school contact to confirm directly with your BOCES that the paperwork is on track. Please contact your regional BOCES for instructions.
BOCES timeline:
IMPORTANT - AS SOON AS YOU BOOK THE SHOW:
Please have your school administration submit the program request to BOCES right away. Why? BOCES needs to process & approve your applications before they can send us the performer paperwork. We need time to process that paperwork & get it back to BOCES within their time frame before we can perform.
IMPORTANT - RIGHT AFTER THE SHOW! Please present the BOCES program verification to your principal for signature & return to your BOCES right away.