Read More About Mary

Ordinary Heroes Storytelling Residency

(Can be adapted for grades 3-12)

Inspired by the events of 9/11 and subsequent events in the world, this residency helps students find the heroes in their lives, and heroic qualities within themselves through sharing classic folk tales, introspective writing exercises, improvisational theater, story-making and creative drama. Mary and members of Hudson River Playback Theater will lead the students through an adventure that weaves the ancient with the contemporary, other-worldly magic with ordinary life, allowing them to discover the qualities that allow one to be a responsible, courageous member of society.

Recommended Length: 5 visits per class, up to 5 classroom sessions per day.
1/2 day celebration
Price: Determined according to number of days, number of classes/day. Please call
to discuss

Recommended Structure (can be adjusted to fit time/budget/grade level):

Day 1: Assembly “Ordinary Heroes” Performance of classical folk tales and myths about ordinary creatures (human and otherwise!) who are called upon to act courageously. Following the assembly there will be short classroom visits to begin exploration of the qualities and sacrifices of a hero.

Day 2: Finding the Hero Within: Mary will visit each class to share more tales, and lead discussion and writing exercises to help the children discover the qualities that they share with the heroes in the stories.

Day 3: Hudson River Playback Theater: Audience members tell their personal feelings, stories, memories or dreams, and watch as HRPT actors and musician bring the stories to life on the spot! Through these enactments we celebrate the small acts of heroism that occur in everyday life.

Day 4: Storymaking Inspired by the classical and true-life tales that they have heard, each class will orally create a communal folk-tale of an ordinary hero.

Day 5: Stories Alive: The communal tale is edited, refined, staged, and acted out in a simple, spontaneous manner.

Day 6: Celebration: Each class enacts its story for other classes and invited guests (family members, etc.) for an inter-generational celebration of the ordinary heroes among us.

[back to top]