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Helping Drew is a musical puppet show with an anti-bullying message perfect for kindergarten through 5th grade elementary school students. This 30-minute program helps students recognize bullying and look for solutions within themselves and with the help of others. Students and adults are instantly endeared to the puppet characters and the fun music which moves the lesson along. It’s both entertaining and educational on this important subject of bullying. The program was designed for school assemblies and can easily be used in libraries or other educational and entertainment settings.
See the five-and-a-half minute profile about Helping Drew which aired on the New Jersey PBS television program Classroom Close-up.
Curriculum Connections: Kindness and Respect (Anti-Bullying), Social Emotional Learning, Individual Development and Identity, Visual and Performing Arts, Theatre Education
Audience: K-5 Assembly Programs, Library Programs, Family Theatre Series
On your mark, get set, read! That’s what Benjamin Booksmart does to help his friend Terrence the Tortoise as he prepares for another race with Henry the Hare. Inspired by Aesop’s famous fable, “The Tortoise and the Hare”, a cast of colorful, fun puppet friends find different solutions, with help from books, to prepare us all for a race EVERYONE can win–becoming our HEALTHIEST SELF! Through interactive songs and movement, Benjamin and his friends will keep the entire audience happy, healthy and engaged!
“Tortoise & Hare’s Race to Health” incorporates important health fundamentals such as physical activity, mental positivity and, the health benefits of a diet which includes fresh fruits and vegetables. A health and wellness adventure for ages 3 through 8. Run-time approximately 40 minutes.
Curriculum Connections: Health & Wellness, Reading, Social Emotional Learning, Individual Development and Identity, Visual and Performing Arts, Theatre Education
Audience: K-5 Assembly Programs, Library Programs, Family Theatre Series
Paulette the pirate princess isn’t happy singing the pirate song that’s been passed down for generations. Resisting her parents wishes, she sets off on a world-wide, musical journey searching for her own song with her dog Waffle by her side. On her trek around the globe, Paulette is inspired by animal friends who reveal their cultures through song.
Original book and music by Scott Test showcases eight beautiful new songs that rival any Broadway musical. “Pirate Song”, based on an original story idea by artistic director, David Manley, features a cast of hand-crafted puppets in varying styles.
Curriculum Connections: Communication and Language Arts, Culture, Geography, Individual Development and Identity, Social Emotional Learning, Visual and Performing Arts, Music, Theatre Education
Audience: Main-Stage Theatrical Event, Family Theatre Series, Elementary School Assembly
Waffle & Friends is an entertaining, half-hour puppet variety show. With a fun, modern twist on a classic tale, catchy original music, and adorable puppets, your audience is sure to have a blast! Waffle, the lovable dog emcee, introduces his friends (in varying puppet styles) to perform entertaining skits that last under 5 minutes, keeping your audience engaged and entertained throughout the entire show. A fuzzy creature, some musical bugs, a witty owl who loves to tell jokes, and even an energetic chicken who loves to exercise, have all come along to sing and perform for your enjoyment. Whether you love to sing, move, or just play along, this fun and educational performance is sure to ignite your imagination.
Join us for the ultimate puppet variety show Waffle & Friends : A Puppet Palooza and let the adventure begin!
Curriculum Connections: Visual and Performing Arts, Theatre Education, Music, Social Emotional Learning, Individual Development and Identity
Audience: Library Programs, Pre K-3rd Assembly Programs, Daycare, Youth Camps, Birthday Parties
In Monster Intelligence, Melvin the monster is another year older but still not old enough for his license to scream. His birthday wish changes that and he’s granted his wish on the condition of passing his test. Learning this new information can be difficult for Melvin and he sets off on a quest to learn with his friend Red the Rat by his side. Populated by a cast of friendly, colorful monsters and original songs from rock to classical, jazz, pop, and Broadway standards, makes this a journey never to forget. As the story unfolds, the audience will identify with the various learning styles and gain confidence to tap into their own “monster intelligence.” This is a Broadway-style musical for the entire family. Download the “Monster Intelligence” photo collage PDF for updated set images.
Curriculum Connections: Multiple Intelligences, Communication and Language Arts, Visual and Performing Arts, Music, Social Emotional Learning, Individual Development and Identity, Theatre Education
Audience: Main-Stage Theatrical Event, Family Theatre Series, K-5 Assembly Program
Welcome Park is opening a new visitor center and Bunny and his friends want to get in on the act. They approach Park Ranger Ned with the idea that they could teach visitors about the seasons. Ned is worried because each has a bad habit that could interfere with each one doing their best work: Bunny rushes through things; Dog gets herself so nervous she can barely speak; Bee tries to do too many things at once. What will Ned and the audience decide about their readiness to work in the new visitor center?
This crowd pleasing show is for ages 3 through 8. Welcome Park engages children with laughter while they learn about paying attention and improving their listening skills.
Curriculum Connections: Listening Skills, Seasonal Concepts, Social Emotional Learning, Individual Development and Identity, Visual and Performing Arts, Theatre Education
Audience: Pre K-3rd Assembly Programs, Library Programs, Family Theatre Series
INTRO TO PROFESSIONAL PUPPET BUILDING
2-DAY MONSTER WORKSHOP
PUPPETRY 101
With the Up In Arms Lemming Puppet, students will create their own 14” mouth/rod puppet with permanent arm rods. Students will employ basic hand and machine sewing skills, fashion a basic mouth plate, use an X-Acto (razor), scissors, hot glue and contact cement and complete their puppet with professional style eyes and fur/hair. This is a SKILLS workshops, not a craft. With hot glue, needles, scissors and razors, the skill-set required for this workshop is teen through adult. An online version of the workshop with downloadable patterns and step by step video instruction is available on teach:able.
With a professional puppet pattern designed specially for this Up In Arms workshop, students will create their own 21” television-style, mouth/rod puppet with permanent arm rods. Students will take home their own monster puppet and pattern. Students will employ basic hand and machine sewing skills, fashion a simple mouth plate, learn to work with and trim fur, use an X-Acto (razor), scissors, epoxy and contact cement and complete their puppet with professional style eyes. This is a SKILLS workshop, not a craft. With epoxy, needles, scissors and razors, the skill-set required for this workshop is teen through adult.
Puppetry 101 is an introduction to performing mouth/rod puppetry. A one-hour or two-hour workshop can be presented depending on the age of the group. This workshop is perfect for theatre academy/ camp groups, after-school programs or the aspiring adult puppeteer. Puppet performance principles such as lip sync, focus, rod control and movement are covered. Along with reinforcing important puppetry basics, the workshop exercises engage hand-eye coordination and problem solving skills.
Book a workshop for your group by contacting Up In Arms via the form below.
With the Up In Arms Lemming Puppet, students will create their own 14” mouth/rod puppet with permanent arm rods. Students will employ basic hand and machine sewing skills, fashion a basic mouth plate, use an X-Acto (razor), scissors, hot glue and contact cement and complete their puppet with professional style eyes and fur/hair. This is a SKILLS workshops, not a craft. With hot glue, needles, scissors and razors, the skill-set required for this workshop is teen through adult.
With a professional puppet pattern designed specially for this Up In Arms workshop, students will create their own 21” television-style, mouth/rod puppet with permanent arm rods. Students will take home their own monster puppet and pattern. Students will employ basic hand and machine sewing skills, fashion a simple mouth plate, learn to work with and trim fur, use an X-Acto (razor), scissors, epoxy and contact cement and complete their puppet with professional style eyes. This is a SKILLS workshop, not a craft. With epoxy, needles, scissors and razors, the skill-set required for this workshop is teen through adult.
Puppetry 101 is an introduction to performing mouth/rod puppetry. A one-hour or two-hour workshop can be presented depending on the age of the group. This workshop is perfect for theatre academy/ camp groups, after-school programs or the aspiring adult puppeteer. Puppet performance principles such as lip sync, focus, rod control and movement are covered. Along with reinforcing important puppetry basics, the workshop exercises engage hand-eye coordination and problem solving skills.
TREKKIE MONSTER “AVENUE Q” H.S. PROD.
CLASSROOM CLOSE-UP NJ PBS
PISSI MYLES VARIETY HOUR
Up In Arms can create your custom puppet for stage, film or digital content. Puppeteering services for your project can also be provided with our team of skilled performers. On a budget? Puppet rentals available from our stock of characters. Have a project in mind? Contact Up In Arms via the form below.
UP IN ARMS
PRODUCTION COMPANY
Up In Arms prides itself in presenting quality shows in a fun, family musical style. We create engaging soundscapes with professional voice actors in the studio and perform our shows with professional puppeteers. While including current curriculum standards, the shows play well from an elementary school assembly program to a main-stage theater show. Whether addressing the subject of bullying in “Helping Drew”, listening skills in “Welcome Park”, different ways to learn (Howard Gardner’s Theory of Multiple Intelligences) in “Monster Intelligence” or, health, fitness and wellness in “Tortoise & Hare’s Race to Health”, the entertainment value shines through while the educational message is clear. Whether for schools, a theater presentation, a library show, events or festivals, an Up In Arms story is one our audiences never forget. While based in the Hudson Valley region of New York, Up In Arms travels nationally and has performed from all over New York State, New Jersey, Connecticut, Rhode Island and Massachusetts to tours in Maryland, Michigan, North Dakota and Las Vegas. Our set-up easily breaks down to travel cases which can fly with us to any national or international booking.
DAVID ‘DOV’ MANLEY
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR / PUPPETEER
David was influenced by the puppet genius of Jim Henson at a young age and went on to perform his first public puppet show at 11 years old. A performer in local theatre, David enjoyed roles on and off stage for over 30 years. Discovering puppet building in 2006, he partnered with local theatre and art centers teaching students the basics of puppet performance and puppet building techniques. David studied puppet manipulation with Noel MacNeal and Marty Robinson, both performers with Sesame Workshop, along with former Henson performer Michael Earl. David formed his puppet company Up In Arms in 2012 which gained notoriety for its premiere production “Helping Drew”, the anti-bullying puppet musical, performing to thousands of students in its first year.
ALEX ISHKANIAN
WRITER
Special Education and Elementary School educator Alex Ishkanian combines his passion for the performing arts and his education background to create engaging, dramatic programming for elementary-school-aged students. Alex has written the book and music for Up In Arms’ premiere anti-bullying puppet musical “Helping Drew” and continues their creative partnership penning new shows. With a bachelor’s degree in Theater Arts and a master’s degree in Teaching, Alex has a knack for creating outstanding, heart-felt educational shows that appeal to audiences of all ages.
SCOTT TEST
WRITER / MUSIC PRODUCER
Music teacher, songwriter and, a teller of stories, Scott pulls his influence from a wide variety of traditions; from 1800s folk songs to singer-songwriter standards from the 70s and modern top 40. Scott’s versatility as a musician helped polish the various styles of music for “Monster Intelligence” where he made his debut with Up In Arms as an orchestrator, music co-writer and voice of lead monster Melvin. Scott wrote two original songs for “Tortoise & Hare’s Race to Health” and steps up to the helm as writer on the Up In Arms family musical, “Pirate Song”.
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