Recognized as one of the leading theatre companies in the Pikes Peak region, the MAT provides an exceptionally wide choice of shows for young audiences customized to address the educational needs of individual schools. These high quality arts programs help teachers link the arts to their curriculum, making theatre available, accessible and engaging. Program options can supplement the school curriculum or can be singular enriching experiences.
School touring shows introduce students to the art of theatre through exciting, age appropriate performances that educate, entertain, and enrich the lives of children. Our plays help increase literacy and cultural competency.
AVAILABLE SHOWS:
ART GUFFAW
Mr. Art Guffaw unravels the mysteries of fine art in a magical studio where the easels speak, the drawings come to life and the paintings dance. With a little help from Van Gogh and Picasso, master clown Jim Jackson creates a circus of ART that inspires us to look at the world with the eyes of an artist.
- Ideal for Elementary
- Performance lasts approximately 45 minutes
- Tour travels with self-contained sound system and microphones
- Performer requires 1 hour for set-up and 45 minutes for tear down
- Show can be performed on a stage or in gyms and cafeterias.
- Maximum audience for 1 show is 400.
BIG BUBBLE CIRCUS
Mr. Guffaw (Jim Jackson) plays with soap bubbles in every size and form. Bubbles as big as the stage, a bubble containing an audience member or two, a window of bubbles, bubble sculpture, bubbles of glass and even balloon bubbles… add to these a hilarious mix of circus, magic and buffoonery and you have the spell binding chaos of Big Bubble Circus!
- Ideal for Elementary
- Performance lasts approximately 45 minutes
- Tour travels with self-contained sound system and microphones
- Performer requires 1 hour for set-up and 45 minutes for tear down
- Show can be performed on a stage or in gyms and cafeterias.
- Maximum audience for 1 show is 400
ELEPHANT
Journey along on a theatrical safari and be amazed as unforgettable characters, remarkable elephants and surprising events come to life through the physical comedy and remarkable storytelling of Birgitta De Pree. Weaving poignant, true-life accounts of elephants with childhood memories of Africa, Birgitta reveals the power of “story” and how our own stories and of those of the majestic pachyderms might not be so far apart after all.
- Ideal for Elementary
- Performance lasts approximately 45 minutes
- Tour travels with self-contained sound system and microphones
- Performer requires 1 hour for set-up and 45 minutes for tear down
- Show can be performed on a stage or in gyms and cafeterias.
- Maximum audience for 1 show is 400
Museum of Dreams
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Travel back in time with Edie, a mischievous ghost at the Pioneers Museum. She’ll unlock the remarkable stories hidden away inside the museum’s dusty, old “artifacts” and introduce you to the Colorado of the pioneer days . Old hats, bags, trunks and cases contain stories of the Ute, the pioneers, the miners and frontier women who settled the West. You’ll meet Isabella Bird and her horse as they recount how they survived a terrible winter storm; you’ll laugh out loud at the antics of wily Coyote in an ancient Ute myth; you’ll travel along with Sally Anne Thunder Ann Whirlwind in an outrageous tall tale full of bravery and wit that celebrates the tenacity of the pioneers.
Award winning actress, Birgitta De Pree, recreates the magical world of this mischievous ghost with humor, surprise and riveting storytelling. This heartwarming tale is a laugh filled introduction to the exciting world of Colorado history and will have young audiences engaged, excited and inspired.
- Ideal for Elementary
- Performance lasts approximately 45 minutes
- Tour travels with self-contained sound system and microphones
- Performer requires 1 hour for set-up and 45 minutes for tear down
- Show can be performed on a stage or in gyms and cafeterias.
- Maximum audience for 1 show is 400
“Bear Creek Elementary School has been fortunate to have Birgitta join us for the past three consecutive years sharing her wonderful storytelling for our annual Literacy Day. Each of the performances was entertaining, incredibly engaging for both students and staff and educational… quite an accomplishment for 450 of us at one time!”
Suitcase Fairytales
Join award winning actress, Birgitta DePree, in this delightful and hilarious adaptation of Hans Christian Andersen’s best loved fairy tales complete with silly emperors, rascally weavers, wild swans, brave princesses and flying suitcases. Birgitta captivates audiences young and old in this uproarious comedy where even the audience helps make up their very own fairy tale.
Includes: The Emperor’s New Clothes, The Ugly Duckling, The Princess & the Pea, The Wild Swans, Thumbelina and The Little Mermaid
- Ideal for Elementary – K to 6th
- Performance lasts @ 50 minutes
- Tour travels with self-contained sound system and microphones
- Performer requires 1 hour for set-up and 40 minutes for tear down
- Show can be performed on a stage or in gyms and cafeterias.
- Maximum audience for 1 show is 400.
“For the past two years, we have had the pleasure of experiencing touring shows performed by the extremely talented Birgitta De Pree. In a technology driven society, she provides students and parents with the key to unlock their imaginations through drama and imagery to help encourage reading and writing. We will continue to invite her back each year to share this wonderful experience with our families.
Heather Holcomb – Title I InterventionistSouth Mesa Elementary, Pueblo Colorado”
Birgitta De Pree (performer) is the Artistic Director of the MAT. She received her MFA in performance from the National Theater Conservatory and has spent the last two decades working throughout Colorado as a performer, director and educator. Birgitta performs extensively at the Millibo Art Theatre for both children and adults. Her solo shows for children include “Suitcase Fairytales”, “Book Dawg”, “Elephant” and “The Museum of Dreams”. She was recently seen at the Fine Art Center in “Love Loss & What I Wore”, “Noises Off” and “Other Desert Cities.” Birgitta received the People’s Choice for ‘Best Actress” from the Gazette’s “Best of the Springs” in 2012 and “Best Actress” in 2013, 2014 and 2015.
BUSKER & ME
Don’t miss the adventures of Busker, the mischievous circus dog, and his bumbling side-kick, Mr. Art Guffaw. Together they turn the circus upside down in this laugh out loud performance complete with puppetry, juggling, magic and hilarious stunts. It won’t be long before you’re cheering for this very “bad” dog and his outrageous antics.
- Ideal for Preschool through Elementary
- Performance lasts approximately 45 minutes
- Tour travels with self-contained sound system and microphones
- Performer requires 1 hour for set-up and 45 minutes for tear down
- Show can be performed on a stage or in gyms and cafeterias.
- Maximum audience for 1 show is 400.
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION’S
How long are the shows? Each show is approximately 45 to 50 minutes in length.
Are the performers available for a Q&A and/or pictures after the performance? Yes! This will need to be scheduled with the Director of Touring in advance.
Where should the performances take place? The performance space can be a stage, auditorium, cafeteria, gym floor, library, large classroom, etc. Anywhere that can accommodate the production and your audience.
When should the performance space be available? The actors will need to have access to the venue 60 minutes prior to the performance to assemble the set and sound equipment. They will need 45 minutes after the performance to remove everything from the space.
What needs will the actors/crew have? Once they have access to the facility, the actors/crew are fairly self-sufficient. All we ask of you is to simply remain available. If this is not possible, designate one contact person who will be available for questions about technical aspects of the venue.
Will I need to provide any additional help with lighting or sound? MAT shows are fully self contained and travel with their own sound equipment. If you would like for us to use your sound system, let the group know when they first arrive at load-in. Lighting is up to you. All we ask is for the actors to be seen.
When should the performances take place? The suggested performance times are in the mid-late morning or early afternoon. However, the schedule can be adapted to fit the needs of each community.[/learn_more]
