It’s Okay to Be Different – Stories by Todd Parr, Lifesize Puppet Show
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It’s Okay to Be Different – Stories by Todd Parr, Lifesize Puppet Show
Sun, April 2, 2023
10:00 am - 11:00 am
$15
Location
Gorton Center – John & Nancy Hughes Theater400 E. Illinois Road Lake Forest, IL 60045
Created by Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia
Three contemporary stories by New York Times bestselling author and illustrator Todd Parr will be adapted and staged by Mermaid Theatre for the 2022-2023 season.
With his signature blend of playfulness and sensitivity, Todd Parr explores important and timely subjects. It’s Okay to Be Different cleverly delivers the important messages of acceptance, understanding, and self-confidence. Equally whimsical and heartfelt, The Earth Book, is a sweet homage to our beautiful planet inspiring readers of all ages to do their part to keep the Earth happy and healthy. This is My Hair is a funny exploration of how silly hair can be and that no matter how your hair looks, always feel good about yourself.
Mermaid’s new show will be directed and adapted by Jim Morrow, veteran director of numerous internationally acclaimed Mermaid productions. It will feature a diverse cast, an innovative approach to puppetry manipulation and construction, combined with playful original music for which the company has earned worldwide praise.
Ivy Abbott-Charles (she/her) is a Nova Scotian actor with a Master’s degree in Classical and Contemporary Performance from the Royal Conservatoire of Scotland. She has performed and collaborated on immersive theatre, children’s theatre, new script development, and performance art projects, working with many Atlantic Canadian theatre companies including DaPoPo Theatre, Zuppa Circus, BARE Theatre, Theatre New Brunswick, Unnatural Disaster Co., and Eastern Front. Ivy has been teaching drama workshops and classes for five years through Neptune Theatre School, for toddlers, children, and teens. Over the last few years, she has also delved into the film world, acting in everything from vampire thrillers to home hardware commercials. Ivy is over the moon to be touring this beautiful show with Mermaid Theatre!
Logan (he/they) is an environmental theatre maker, improviser, puppeteer, educator, musician, writer, designer, and creator of exhaustive lists-based in the Sipekne’katik region of Mi’kma’ki(colonially known as Gaspereau Valley, Nova Scotia). Logan is the co founder and Artistic Director of The Unnatural Disaster Theatre Company, with whom they recently wrote/ directed/ produced the musical Hippoposthumous which toured around NS and PEI in the summer of 2022! Other recent credits include teaching/ directing the Neptune Theatre Youth Performance Company’s production “Amalgam”, directing/ producing the world premiere of Robyn Vivian’ splay “Deeper” and site-specific devised performance “Primal” at the Halifax Fringe Festival. In the world of puppetry this past summer Logan designed and created puppets-including bats, dragons, drones, royals, and more for Villains Theatre, The Highland Arts Theatre, and Shakespeare by the Sea. Logan is thrilled to be exploring the world sharing stories through puppetry with Mermaid Theatre!You can find Logan on Instagram: @loganrobins& @unnaturaldisastertheatre
Kate is a stage and production manager, based in Kjipuktuk, Mi’Kma’ki (Halifax, NovaScotia). She is passionate about theatre for young audiences; one of her earliest theatre memories is watching a Mermaid performance, and she is ecstatic to be joining the company for this production. Recently worked with: Theatre Baddeck, Red Sky Performance, Neptune Theatre, Theatre New Brunswick, Tarragon Theatre and Shakespeare by the Sea. Love and thanks to Joe, who makes it all possible.
Todd Parr is the author and illustrator of more than 71 books for children. His books are available in over forty countries throughout the world. Todd is the co-creator of the three-time Emmy-Nominated children’s television show ToddWorld™ as well as short films for Sesame Street.
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There is no refund given for unused film or event tickets.
Easily Reach our Development Team using the form below.
Laura Demmer, Director of Development
Ann Kiesling, Development Associate
847-234-6060
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The John & Nancy Hughes Center Seating Chart
