Grades: – Pre-K - 12 

Audience Size: – Unlimited 

Length of Performance: 1 hour 

Equipment Needed: Hands free microphone is requested for large groups 

Description: 

This Storytelling presentation is filled with traditional Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) legends that have been told for hundreds of years.  These stories teach about the beliefs, customs, and history of the Haudenosaunee people. The Storyteller will bring the stories to life through vivid descriptions, his rhythmic voice, and a VERY active stage presence.  These stories become ‘interactive’ as Perry is known to include audience members in the stories. Storytelling is an important part of traditional Haudenosaunee culture, but this program is also filled with historical information, other elements of Haudenosaunee culture, and LOTS of humor. Students of all ages will find this presentation captivating, highly entertaining yet very educational.

Length of session: 1 hour

Audience: All Grade levels; best for 3rd grade and higher; may be done assembly-style

This performance supports the following NYS Learning Standards: 

Theater — Creating: 

▪ Envision (generate & conceptualize artistic ideas & work) 

Theater — Performing: 

▪ Select (analyze, interpret & select artistic work for presentation) 

▪ Share (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work) 

Theater — Responding: 

▪ Reflect (perceive & analyze artistic work) 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent & meaning in artistic work) 

Theater — Connecting: 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent & meaning in artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Creating: 

▪ Reflect, Refine, Continue (refine and complete artistic ideas and work) 

Visual Arts — Presenting 

▪ Share, Relate (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Responding 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent and meaning in artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Connecting 

▪ Interrelate, Extend (relate artistic ideas &works w/ societal, cultural, & historical context) 

Categories: Storytelling / History / Art Museums / Drama / Theatre / Performing Arts 

Grades: – Pre-K - 12 

Audience Size: – Unlimited 

Length of Performance: 1 hour 

Equipment Needed: Hands free microphone is requested for large groups 

Description: 

Many Native Peoples across Turtle Island (North America) share stories that explain the world around them, express beliefs, and highlight behaviors and values that are important to each distinct tribe. The NEW program is filled with stories from Tribes other than the Haudenosaunee. In addition to the stories, some information – cultural, geographic, historical – will be shared about the tribes (Cherokee, Lakota, Navajo, Inuit, and more) where the stories originate. Told in Perry’s dynamic and inclusive style, these stories will take students on a storytelling journey across Turtle Island. And will introduce students to a wide range of Native American cultures in an entertaining yet educational experience.

Length of session: 1 hour

Audience: All Grade levels; best for 3rd grade and higher; may be done assembly-style

This performance supports the following NYS Learning Standards: 

Theater — Creating: 

▪ Envision (generate & conceptualize artistic ideas & work) 

Theater — Performing: 

▪ Select (analyze, interpret & select artistic work for presentation) 

▪ Share (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work) 

Theater — Responding: 

▪ Reflect (perceive & analyze artistic work) 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent & meaning in artistic work) 

Theater — Connecting: 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent & meaning in artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Creating: 

▪ Reflect, Refine, Continue (refine and complete artistic ideas and work) 

Visual Arts — Presenting 

▪ Share, Relate (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Responding 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent and meaning in artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Connecting 

▪ Interrelate, Extend (relate artistic ideas &works w/ societal, cultural, & historical context) 

Categories: Storytelling / History / Art Museums / Drama / Theatre / Performing Arts 

Grades: – Pre-K - 12 

Audience Size: – Unlimited 

Length of Performance: 1 hour 

Equipment Needed: Hands free microphone is requested for large groups 

Description: 

This shorter Storytelling presentation is designed to captivate younger students and introduce them to the world of Native America. Filled with traditional legends that have been told for hundreds of years by various tribes, this NEW 30-minute program will help younger students understand who Native American people are, that many different cultures/Tribes exist across North America, and that Native Americans continue to live in and contribute to our society today. Perry’s dynamic and interactive style of storytelling will make this experience fun, engaging, and very educational.

Length of session: 30 minutes

Audience: Pre-K through 2nd grade 

This performance supports the following NYS Learning Standards: 

Theater — Creating: 

▪ Envision (generate & conceptualize artistic ideas & work) 

Theater — Performing: 

▪ Select (analyze, interpret & select artistic work for presentation) 

▪ Share (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work) 

Theater — Responding: 

▪ Reflect (perceive & analyze artistic work) 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent & meaning in artistic work) 

Theater — Connecting: 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent & meaning in artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Creating: 

▪ Reflect, Refine, Continue (refine and complete artistic ideas and work) 

Visual Arts — Presenting 

▪ Share, Relate (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Responding 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent and meaning in artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Connecting 

▪ Interrelate, Extend (relate artistic ideas &works w/ societal, cultural, & historical context) 

Categories: Storytelling / History / Art Museums / Drama / Theatre / Performing Arts 

Grades: – Designed for 4th grade but may be modified for any grade; single classroom or one grade level cohort. 

Audience Size: – Unlimited 

Length of Performance: 55 minutes

Equipment Needed: Hands free microphone is requested for large groups 

Description: 

This artifact-filled presentation will present a broad overview of the history, culture & traditions of the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) People. The lively and engaging program will focus on Native American lifestyles prior to 1492 when Haudenosaunee lived in longhouses and survived using the Natural Resources of NYS. Topics such as matrilineal clans, hunting, cooking, traditional clothing, wampum & tools used within a longhouse community will be discussed and shown. Connecting this history to modern traditions among the Haudenosaunee will be discussed also. This presentation highlights many of the concepts found in 4th grade ELA and Social Studies curriculum. 

This performance supports the following NYS Learning Standards: 

Theater — Creating: 

▪ Envision (generate & conceptualize artistic ideas & work) 

Theater — Performing: 

▪ Select (analyze, interpret & select artistic work for presentation) 

▪ Share (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work) 

Theater — Responding: 

▪ Reflect (perceive & analyze artistic work) 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent & meaning in artistic work) 

Theater — Connecting: 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent & meaning in artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Creating: 

▪ Reflect, Refine, Continue (refine and complete artistic ideas and work) 

Visual Arts — Presenting 

▪ Share, Relate (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Responding 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent and meaning in artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Connecting 

▪ Interrelate, Extend (relate artistic ideas &works w/ societal, cultural, & historical context) 

Categories: Storytelling / History / Art Museums / Drama / Theatre / Performing Arts 

Grades: – 4th grade or above; may be done in large group setting 

Audience Size: – Unlimited 

Length of Performance: 45 minutes

Equipment Needed: Hands free microphone is requested for large groups 

Description: 

This lively, engaging, and content-based presentation will give an overview of the history of this very misunderstood holiday. Based on the only primary source document that chronicles the “First Thanksgiving” and using a true/false format in a powerpoint presentation, participants will learn accurate and culturally appropriate information about the English settlers at Plymouth and the Wampanoag, the Native people who inhabited that area. The presentation will discuss the actual events of 1621 in Plymouth, the relationship between the English settlers and the Wampanoag and how this story became the holiday we know today. The concept of thanksgiving held by many Native Americans will be emphasized throughout. Although they were not present in Plymouth in 1621, connections to the Haudenosaunee (Iroquois) concepts of Thanksgiving will be discussed so students will understand how Native Peoples view Thanksgiving today. 

This performance supports the following NYS Learning Standards: 

Theater — Creating: 

▪ Envision (generate & conceptualize artistic ideas & work) 

Theater — Performing: 

▪ Select (analyze, interpret & select artistic work for presentation) 

▪ Share (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work) 

Theater — Responding: 

▪ Reflect (perceive & analyze artistic work) 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent & meaning in artistic work) 

Theater — Connecting: 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent & meaning in artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Creating: 

▪ Reflect, Refine, Continue (refine and complete artistic ideas and work) 

Visual Arts — Presenting 

▪ Share, Relate (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Responding 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent and meaning in artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Connecting 

▪ Interrelate, Extend (relate artistic ideas &works w/ societal, cultural, & historical context) 

Categories: Storytelling / History / Art Museums / Drama / Theatre / Performing Arts 

Grades: – 7th grade and above 

Audience Size: – Unlimited 

Length of Performance: 45 minutes 

Equipment Needed: Hands free microphone is requested for large groups 

Description: 

This engaging and informative talk will show how the government of the United States was influenced by ideas found among the Haudenosaunee. Students will learn about the Peacemaker, the story of how the Five Nations joined together, and how the Great Law of Peace guides their traditional form of government. Discussion about the Founding Fathers, such as Benjamin Franklin and George Washington, relationship with the Haudenosaunee, how they used Native ideas in the Constitution, and symbols that highlight this influence will be included. 

This performance supports the following NYS Learning Standards: 

Theater — Creating: 

▪ Envision (generate & conceptualize artistic ideas & work) 

Theater — Performing: 

▪ Select (analyze, interpret & select artistic work for presentation) 

▪ Share (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work) 

Theater — Responding: 

▪ Reflect (perceive & analyze artistic work) 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent & meaning in artistic work) 

Theater — Connecting: 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent & meaning in artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Creating: 

▪ Reflect, Refine, Continue (refine and complete artistic ideas and work) 

Visual Arts — Presenting 

▪ Share, Relate (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Responding 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent and meaning in artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Connecting 

▪ Interrelate, Extend (relate artistic ideas &works w/ societal, cultural, & historical context) 

Categories: Storytelling / History / Art Museums / Drama / Theatre / Performing Arts 

Grades: – 7th grade and above 

Audience Size: – Unlimited 

Length of Performance: 45 minutes 

Equipment Needed: Hands free microphone is requested for large groups 

Description: 

This presentation highlights Women in Haudenosaunee communities throughout history. Starting with the Creation Story and SkyWoman, the talk will show the important responsibilities woman have within the culture, government, and communities of the Haudenosaunee. Comparing these responsibilities and freedoms to those of American women, the role that Haudenosaunee woman played in influencing the ideas of early suffragists will be discussed as well. Connections to modern traditions and issues will be covered as well. 

This performance supports the following NYS Learning Standards: 

Theater — Creating: 

▪ Envision (generate & conceptualize artistic ideas & work) 

Theater — Performing: 

▪ Select (analyze, interpret & select artistic work for presentation) 

▪ Share (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work) 

Theater — Responding: 

▪ Reflect (perceive & analyze artistic work) 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent & meaning in artistic work) 

Theater — Connecting: 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent & meaning in artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Creating: 

▪ Reflect, Refine, Continue (refine and complete artistic ideas and work) 

Visual Arts — Presenting 

▪ Share, Relate (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Responding 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent and meaning in artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Connecting 

▪ Interrelate, Extend (relate artistic ideas &works w/ societal, cultural, & historical context) 

Categories: Storytelling / History / Art Museums / Drama / Theatre / Performing Arts 

Grades: – 3rd grade and above 

Audience Size: – 30 students

Length of Performance: 1 hour 

Equipment Needed: Hands free microphone is requested for large groups 

Description: 

Wampum is an important tradition of the Haudenosaunee. Wampum beads, made from quahog clam shells, were obtained through trade with Native peoples who lived along the Atlantic coast (and later from Europeans who settled those areas). Belts and strings that hold important ceremonial, political and historical meaning were created to record stories that could be passed from generation to generation. These belts and strings still have cultural significance to the Haudenosaunee today. During this session, students will learn the process of making a wampum bead, the meaning of several belts, how to create a belt, and the role wampum played in trade relationships between Native Peoples and European settlers. Each student will make and keep a Friendship Wampum, a contemporary craft with replica wampum beads. 

This performance supports the following NYS Learning Standards: 

Theater — Creating: 

▪ Envision (generate & conceptualize artistic ideas & work) 

Theater — Performing: 

▪ Select (analyze, interpret & select artistic work for presentation) 

▪ Share (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work) 

Theater — Responding: 

▪ Reflect (perceive & analyze artistic work) 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent & meaning in artistic work) 

Theater — Connecting: 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent & meaning in artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Creating: 

▪ Reflect, Refine, Continue (refine and complete artistic ideas and work) 

Visual Arts — Presenting 

▪ Share, Relate (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Responding 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent and meaning in artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Connecting 

▪ Interrelate, Extend (relate artistic ideas &works w/ societal, cultural, & historical context) 

Categories: Storytelling / History / Art Museums / Drama / Theatre / Performing Arts 

Cost: 

Additional $40 Supply charge per Class 

Must be bundled with Full or Partial day Storytelling Session

Grades: – Pre K to 12

Audience Size: – 30 students

Length of Performance: 1 hour

Equipment Needed: Hands free microphone is requested for large groups 

Description: 

Each student participating in this workshop will learn how to make (and will get to keep) a Cornhusk Doll, a traditional craft of the Haudenosaunee. Instructions for making the Doll will be provided along with all the supplies needed. The Haudenosaunee story of why this is called a No Face Doll will be shared. Connections to the ELA and Social Studies curriculum will be emphasized particularly information related to agriculture and the Three Sisters (corn, beans, and squash) that were of vital importance to the Haudenosaunee 

This performance supports the following NYS Learning Standards: 

Theater — Creating: 

▪ Envision (generate & conceptualize artistic ideas & work) 

Theater — Performing: 

▪ Select (analyze, interpret & select artistic work for presentation) 

▪ Share (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work) 

Theater — Responding: 

▪ Reflect (perceive & analyze artistic work) 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent & meaning in artistic work) 

Theater — Connecting: 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent & meaning in artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Creating: 

▪ Reflect, Refine, Continue (refine and complete artistic ideas and work) 

Visual Arts — Presenting 

▪ Share, Relate (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Responding 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent and meaning in artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Connecting 

▪ Interrelate, Extend (relate artistic ideas &works w/ societal, cultural, & historical context) 

Categories: Storytelling / History / Art Museums / Drama / Theatre / Performing Arts 

Cost: 

Additional $30 supply charge per class 

Must be bundled with Full or Partial day Storytelling Session

Grades: – Designed for 4th grade but easily modified for 5th grade and higher 

Audience Size: – 30 students

Length of Performance: 1 hour 

Equipment Needed: Hands free microphone is requested for large groups 

Description: 

This interactive game is a VERY engaging, hands-on learning opportunity that many students have called “the best thing I’ve ever done in school!” When Europeans arrived in North America, the American Beaver pelt became a valuable trade item. Native Americans, like the Haudenosaunee, traded pelts for European goods. In this simulation, students are divided into teams representing either colonists or a Haudenosaunee Nation; the students then engage in actual trade (all materials are provided and represent materials actually found in the 17th century) between the groups in an attempt to gain as much wealth as possible. Each group is given instructions to help guide their actions and provide hints on trading for the best items. A wrapup and score keeping is done to help students understand what actually took place between Europeans and Native Americans in the 17th century. 

This performance supports the following NYS Learning Standards: 

Theater — Creating: 

▪ Envision (generate & conceptualize artistic ideas & work) 

Theater — Performing: 

▪ Select (analyze, interpret & select artistic work for presentation) 

▪ Share (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work) 

Theater — Responding: 

▪ Reflect (perceive & analyze artistic work) 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent & meaning in artistic work) 

Theater — Connecting: 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent & meaning in artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Creating: 

▪ Reflect, Refine, Continue (refine and complete artistic ideas and work) 

Visual Arts — Presenting 

▪ Share, Relate (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Responding 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent and meaning in artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Connecting 

▪ Interrelate, Extend (relate artistic ideas &works w/ societal, cultural, & historical context) 

Categories: Storytelling / History / Art Museums / Drama / Theatre / Performing Arts 

Cost: 

Must be bundled with Full or Partial day Storytelling Session

Grades: – Designed for 5th grade or any grade studying Westward Expansion 

Audience Size: – 30 students

Length of Performance: 1 hour 

Equipment Needed: Hands free microphone is requested for large groups 

Description: 

Wampum is an important tradition of the Haudenosaunee. Wampum beads, made from quahog clam shells, were obtained through trade with Native peoples who lived along the Atlantic coast (and later from Europeans who settled those areas). Belts and strings that hold important ceremonial, political and historical meaning were created to record stories that could be passed from generation to generation. These belts and strings still have cultural significance to the Haudenosaunee today. During this session, students will learn the process of making a wampum bead, the meaning of several belts, how to create a belt, and the role wampum played in trade relationships between Native Peoples and European settlers. Each student will make and keep a Friendship Wampum, a contemporary craft with replica wampum beads. 

This performance supports the following NYS Learning Standards: 

Theater — Creating: 

▪ Envision (generate & conceptualize artistic ideas & work) 

Theater — Performing: 

▪ Select (analyze, interpret & select artistic work for presentation) 

▪ Share (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work) 

Theater — Responding: 

▪ Reflect (perceive & analyze artistic work) 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent & meaning in artistic work) 

Theater — Connecting: 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent & meaning in artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Creating: 

▪ Reflect, Refine, Continue (refine and complete artistic ideas and work) 

Visual Arts — Presenting 

▪ Share, Relate (convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Responding 

▪ Interpret (interpret intent and meaning in artistic work) 

Visual Arts — Connecting 

▪ Interrelate, Extend (relate artistic ideas &works w/ societal, cultural, & historical context) 

Categories: Storytelling / History / Art Museums / Drama / Theatre / Performing Arts 

Cost: 

Must be bundled with Full or Partial day Storytelling Session