Kellie Haines Ventriloquist

Discipline: Interdisciplinary
Homebase: Vancouver
Regions Available: Lower Mainland, Fraser Valley &, Howe Sound, Vancouver Island Lower, Vancouver Island Mid, Vancouver Island North, Interior, North, Remote, Kootenays, Virtual
Languages: English
Grant Eligibility: Eligible for 70% AIE

Kellie Haines has a BA in drama and is a multi-talented entertainer who has mastered the art of storytelling through puppetry, music and ventriloquism. Kellie believes that puppets can help students find their own voice. She was invited to work with The Museum of Anthropology to deliver hands on puppetry workshops during their exhibition Shadows, String and Other Things in 2019. From performing on stage for the first time at her school talent show to working professionally for stage and TV, including a Jim Henson TV show, Kellie never forgot what she wanted to do when she grew up!

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See a preview of Kellie Haines' show by registering for 'ArtStarts Presents'!

Performance(s)

A Birdy Told Me So

School Year: 24-25
Discipline: Interdisciplinary
Offered Languages: English
Grade Suitability: K - 7
Duration: 50 mins. Plus Q&A
Capacity: 650
Tech Requirements: 1.5 Hour set up time plus access to electrical outlet, one table and chair
Available Formats: In Person

In this musical ventriloquist show, eight year old Kellie doesn't feel like she fits in until she receives a bird puppet named Magrau for her birthday. This gift is quite chatty! When Magrau signs them up for the school talent show Kellie is mortified, but soon the duo is off on a series of adventures, mishaps and triumphs. Magrau the bird puppet appears to talk by himself leading the students into the imaginative world of this story. Kellie learns that success is like learning how to ride a bike - you're going to fall down a few times along the way. This multi-media show opened to rave reviews at the Vancouver International Puppet Festival in 2018 and has toured schools and theatres in British Columbia and Alberta. Fast paced dialogue, musical numbers and lots of audience participation highlight this inspiring story. Kellie also provides a 10 minute question-and-answer session and a puppetry/ventriloquist .demonstration.

A Space to Play

School Year: 24-25
Discipline: Interdisciplinary
Offered Languages: English
Grade Suitability: K - 7
Duration: 50 mins. + Q&A
Capacity: 650
Tech Requirements: One Hour set up time plus access to electrical outlet, one table and chair
Available Formats: In Person

Three friends--Storyteller Kellie Haines, Kamilla the frog and Magrau the bird--explore the differences in people, nature and the universe in this hilarious and interactive musical adventure. The sound of the drums start the show as Kellie's puppets Kamilla, a frog puppet with red hair and Magrau a talkative bird puppet, take a series of comic detours as volunteers from the audience come to Kellie's rescue. Puppets magically come alive, hilarious dialogue keeps the audiences laughing and Kellie's puppets learn that being different is extraordinary. The older students mentor the younger students in this colourful show about being different. The physical comedy, songs and ventriloquism keep the students engaged and the reaction is priceless. Kellie also provides a 10 minute question-and-answer session and a puppetry/ventriloquist .demonstration.

Workshop(s)

Puppet Making Workshops with Performance

School Year: 24-25
Discipline: Storytelling, Interdisciplinary
Offered Languages: English
Grade Suitability: K - 7
Duration: 1 - 1.5 hours
Capacity: 25
Available Formats: In Person

In Kellie's puppetry and ventriloquism workshops a puppet is created by each student to take home with them. All students are encouraged to offer their creative input in the building of their puppets, their puppet's voice, movement, style and individual characteristics. Workshops are custom tailored to each grade and learning objectives. Students are introduced to hand puppetry and some ventriloquism training and 'tricks of the trade.' Kellie works with her assistant and brings all puppet making supplies. Kellie can do one or two 1.5 hour workshops for 25 students in each workshop and a show at the end for the entire school. Schools can choose one workshop and show, two workshops and show or two workshops only. These workshops are fun and fast paced.  The workshop cost is $700 for one workshop and $950 for two workshops, which includes all puppet making supplies and our time for 25 students in each workshop. Booking one or two workshops reduces the performance price by $145. Please email Kellie [email protected] with your contact number if you would like to add workshops to a show or choose workshops "only".

Classroom Residency(ies)

Contact Me: 6049161944, Email, Web

The Puppet Musical Project

School Year: 24-25

In The Puppet Musical workshop series, students are asked for their creative input from the start to finish of this workshop. Students build their own puppet, decide on their puppet's voice, movement, style and individual characteristics. Students learn the art of puppetry through hands-on activities that include improvisation, storytelling, movement and voicework. Through brainstorming and storyboarding the students choose songs and then create a story around those two songs to later perform for the younger students or if you wish, at the school's talent show. Student input is essential to this workshop series. The teacher and I create a safe space of respect for the workshop's framework and the students are encouraged to creatively flourish. My goal is to provide guidelines and structure. It is the student's experience, ideas and input that will drive this project. This workshop can be custom tailored to fit the needs of your school.

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Testimonials & Reviews

To see the children's faces light up, reaffirmed everything that the arts do for children. We are still talking about it and wondering when the bird and frog can come back. Thank you for coming all this way to share your time. Christina Pittman, Sxoxomic School, Alkali Lake

The presentation was very cross- curricular, and included conversations around the core competency skills. The show was fast paced, and the hour flew by. It was a lovely mix of humour, conversations about her experiences, music, and big life topics like being yourself, and being resilient. We are so grateful that you came all the way up to Williams Lake! Ms. K – Nesika Elementary

It was an absolute pleasure to have Kellie in our school. The performance was fun, upbeat and shared some strong messages of inclusion, diversity & resilience. The follow up workshop sessions were fabulous. It was a joy to see our students so invested in making their puppets and engaging in imaginary play – creative thinking, communication and social responsibility skills all rolled into one powerful session. Kellie modeled inclusive and personalized learning. Principal of McGowan Park Elementary

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