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Q. What type of area and provisions do you need for your program?
Ideally I would like an area that is 12' wide x 20' in length for my stage area. I know that sounds huge but once I have 7-10 children on "stage" at one time - all wearing large balloon costumes - the space is needed. I will also need an electrical outlet for my sound system. If possible, I will need a parking spot close to the door nearest the "stage" area we will be using.
Q: What size of room works best?
The show and sound system that I use are designed for medium to large meeting rooms and audiences of around 100 - 200 people. The show and sound quality would be compromised for larger venues and vast audiences so I try to stay away from auditoriums, school lunch rooms, and gyms. The ceilings are too high and the audience would not be able to hear the children as they act out the stories.
Q. How long does it take to set up?
I usually arrive about 45 minutes to an hour prior to the show to set up.
Q: Do you need to use our sound system?
Not usually. I bring a small system that I can use. It is appropriate for 100-200 people.
Q: Can we hold your show outside?
The Story Time Stage show is not an outdoor show. The quality of the sound system would be compromised, a small breeze can whip the balloon costumes to the other end of the park in seconds, and grass is lethal to my balloon creations. These are things I have learned from painful experience. So no, we can't hold the Story Time Show outside.
Q: What kind of audience is your show for?
The show is suitable for all ages; however it is geared towards readers in grades K-5th. These are the children that I will call upon to help tell the stories. Younger children, for the most part, do not have the ability to speak loudly and to follow directions as easily. They do like to watch their older siblings don a mask and act out a story. Keep in mind that I need around 20 volunteers to help act out the stories - so a very small audience will not work for this show. There needs to be a minimum of at least 25 children present to help tell the stories.
Q: What is your show like?
I am a balloon artist that tells stories using audience members for the characters and balloon sculptures as costumes, masks, and props. Together the volunteers and I act out the stories for the rest of the audience. It is a lot of fun - for the children (and some adults) who help tell the stories and for the audience! The volunteers have lines (I prompt them) to say and actions to do and there is audience participation on some of the stories as well. The whole show is interactive.
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