Arts for the School Day
Cahoots NI
The Vanishing Elephant
Photo credit: Gorgeous Photography
Monday, March 31 | 10 AM
Drama Theatre | Woodward D. Pealer Performing Arts Center
“[An] alluring spectacle ...” (The New York Times/Critic’s Pick)
Pack your trunk for a jumbo journey with Jenny the elephant! Watch in wonder as this puppet pachyderm grows from tot to teen to towering adult in an unforgettable tale of enduring friendship.
Janu the elephant is born in Bengal, India, in the 1900s. Full of curiosity about the world around her, Janu’s life changes dramatically when she is captured and separated from her family. Forced to learn the ways of humans, she is trained to work on clearing the jungle to allow for the building of India’s railways. Although the training is hard, she soon befriends a young, orphaned boy, Opu. It is this friendship that lies at the heart of The Vanishing Elephant.
When she is sold to a circus in America, Janu – who has been renamed “Jenny” – carries the memory of Opu deep within. Her strange journey across the sea brings her to a new world filled with many adventures and people, including the great Harry Houdini, who plans to make Jenny magically disappear from the stage of the Hippodrome in New York City. Meanwhile, far away in India, Opu is now an old man. Despite his ill health, when he recognizes his dear friend in a newspaper story, he makes the same difficult boat journey once made by Jenny. On the Hippodrome stage, they meet again one last time where – together –they are part of an amazing and moving theatrical vanishing.
Inspired by true events, this moving story of love, belonging and what it means to be “home” comes to life through large-scale "Warhorse"-style puppetry – including a baby elephant, a young adult elephant, a fully grown adult elephant and a tiger – original music, authentic dance and magical illusion. It was presented in fall 2023 by New York’s legendary New Victory Theater and The New York Times named it a Critic’s Pick, stating, “This alluring spectacle ... which aims to dazzle audiences age 8 and older, makes powerful statements about the rights of both animals and human beings.”
Founded in 2001 and based in Belfast, Northern Ireland, Cahoots NI creates theatrical magic with a distinctive, innovative style that combines magic and illusion, large-scale puppetry, physical theatre and original music and choreography. Their bold, original productions are designed to inspire a sense of wonder, unlock imaginations and nurture a love of the arts in children.
Recommended for ages eight and older.
Running Time: Approximately 70 minutes
REGISTER for Cahoots NI The Vanishing Elephant
PAST EVENTS
Children's Literature Centre School-Day Educational Activities
Tuesday-Thursday, October 29-31
Monday, March 31
Children's Literature Center | FSU Education & Health Science Center
Join CLC staff after the performance of Blueberries for Sal:The Musical and The Vanishing Elephant for fun and meaningful post-show extension activities.
Free. Attendance is limited and registration is required.
FSU Department of Theatre and Dance
Blueberries for Sal
The Musical
Based on the children’s book by Robert McCloskey
Adaptation and Book by
Sandra B. Eskin and Michael J. Bobbitt
Music and Lyrics by William Yanesh
Tuesday, October 29; Wednesday, October 30; Thursday, October 31 | 10 AM
Pealer Recital Hall | Woodward D. Pealer Performing Arts Center
Photo courtesy of the artist
Kuplink, kuplank, kuplunk!
Sal and her mother grab their pails and head to Blueberry Hill to pick delicious blueberries for the winter months ahead. On the other side of the hill, Mama Bear and Baby Bear also fill up on scrumptious blue morsels for the long hibernation. When fearless Sal and frightful Baby Bear wander off, they have a mixed-up adventure in the Maine woods filled with wildlife, imagination and self-discovery.
Based on the cherished book by Robert McCloskey, Blueberries for Sal was adapted for the stage by Michael J. Bobbitt and Sandra B. Eskin with music and lyrics by William Yanesh.
Running Time: Approximately 60 minutes
Please note: The FSU Department of Theatre and Dance will also bring this performance to select schools in Allegany County, Maryland. Educators are encouraged to check with their principals to find out if their schools are part of the in-school tour.
