The Gusto Theatre Company is pleased to once again offer our Drama and History Programs for schools. These workshops can generally be tailored to fit any age group. We have worked in gyms and auditoriums, but are equally at home in the classroom setting. The length of the workshops may vary depending on your needs. We pride ourselves on being very flexible.

LADY PIRATES OF THE CARIBBEAN. We'll bring the Pirate fun right to your school in this touring version of one of our most popular new plays!!!

Why should the boys get to have all the fun? Jacklyn Sparrow and the Lady Pirates of the Caribbean is our brand new swashbuckling pirate parody with all of the wacky humor you've come to expect from The Gusto Theatre Company.

 Bloodthirsty buckaneers in massive sword clanking battle scenes!! A giant wise cracking parrot named Polly!! Crazy obsessions with eye liner!!

 And who is Robert, the Dreaded Phylum Porifera??

 Of course the whole thing ends with a large celebration where everybody gets down with their bad selves!! It's fun for the whole family in this lampoon of everything you love about pirates!!

 AAAARRRRRG!!! COST: $500.00 (FREE FOR A LIMITED TIME TO KENTUCKY SCHOOLS AND STATE PARKS!)

 JEMIMA BOONE: DAUGHTER OF THE FRONTIER. A one woman show capturing what life must have been like in the days of the frontier. 

On Sunday, July 14, 1776, Indians captured three teenage girls from Boonesborough as they were floating in a canoe on the Kentucky River. They were Jemima, daughter of Daniel Boone, and Elizabeth and Frances, daughters of Colonel Richard Callaway. The Cherokee Hanging Maw led the Indians, a war party of two Cherokee and three Shawnee men. The settlement was thrown into a turmoil and a rescue party was organized by Boone. Meanwhile the captors hurried the girls north toward the Shawnee towns across the Ohio River. The girls attempted to mark their trail until threatened by the Indians.

The third morning, as the Indians were building a fire for breakfast, the rescuers came up. "That's Father's gun!" cried Jemima, as one Indian was shot.He toppled into the fire and was seriously burned but not immediately killed. Two of the Indians later died from being wounded during the gunfight. The Indians retreated, leaving the girls to be escorted home. COST: $150.00 per performance.

BASIC DRAMA WORKSHOP. Since 1992 Thousands of students iin schools across Kentucky, Ohio and Tennessee benefitted from the programs offered by Gusto Theatre. Our workshops are designed to meet two goals for students. The first is to help students understand basic drama terms, and then to use use those terms in practical situations.What is a prop? Why do actors use props on stage and where would you find that prop if that was your job to do so? In other words, students will develop an understanding of Theatre as it relates to the three Elements of Drama. Performance, Technical and Literary. COST: $250.00 Entire Day.

ADVANCED DRAMA WORKSHOP. In this workshop, students experience the process of production. They are walked through the blocking of a play with script in hand. Other elements of production are discussed such as costume design etc. This workshop can be expanded to fit any length of time. COST: $250.00 Entire day. 

PLAYWRITING WORKSHOP. This workshop is designed to teach students the basic elements of playwriting, and then to put those elements into practice. This workshop can be tailored to fit any age group and time frame.  COST: $250.00 Entire day.

PLAY PRODUCTION USING YOUR STUDENTS.  In addition to our Workshops, we are also offering productions of several plays including Snow White, Cinderella and the Quest for the Crystal Pump, and Jacklyn Sparrow and the Lady Pirates of the Caribbean. We bring the shows into your school and produce the play using your students as actors and technicians.  Your teachers may hold their own auditions and cast the play and send the script home with the kids. These plays range in cast size from 12 -30 kids. Your students should be encouraged to memorize their lines on their own.  We will then come to your school and bring costumes, props, music and some scenery and then stage the play using your students as actors and technicians. We now offer two days of direction and personal instruction as part of this project.  At the end of the second day, the students can perform their show for all the kids at the school.  We will even stay for an evening performance if you like.  This gives the students a chance to perform for their parents and the general public.  This may be a great way to get the school's PTO involved. 

Remember, a full performance of a play is a great way for the kids to put into practice what they have learned about the basic elements of drama.     COST: $500.00 Two full days. 

LET US DIRECT YOUR SCHOOL PLAY! We will come to your school and direct a play of your choosing! This is a great program for those schools that don't have a qualified Play Director or may have someone, but they simply don't have the time to Direct a big school show. Just pick the show, point us towards the stage and watch as we bring your school play to life right before your eyes!                                                               COST: $1000.00 per week.

THE MANY HATS OF THEODORE ROOSEVELT. Theodore Roosevelt was without a doubt the most energetic of all our Presidents and brought vitality to the Presidency at a time of immense growth in our nation 100 years ago. He was a Rough Rider, rancher, boxer, author, big game hunter, police commissioner, governor, vice president and finally 26th President of the United States. Roosevelt was described as being "pure act". He is remembered for many things including creating the National Parks system, winning a Nobel Peace Prize, leading the charge up San Juan (Kettle) Hill, and of course inspiring the creation of the Teddy Bear. Many of his sayings have become famous including "Speak softly and carry a big stick." A man of many talents indeed!

Theodore Roosevelt was without a doubt the most energetic of all our Presidents and brought vitality to the Presidency at a time of immense growth in our nation 100 years ago. He was a Rough Rider, rancher, boxer, author, big game hunter, police commissioner, governor, vice president and finally 26th President of the United States. Roosevelt was described as being "pure act". He is remembered for many things including creating the National Parks system, winning a Nobel Peace Prize, leading the charge up San Juan (Kettle) Hill, and of course inspiring the creation of the Teddy Bear. Many of his sayings have become famous including "Speak softly and carry a big stick." A man of many talents indeed!  The Many Hats of Theodore Roosevelt is a one man show depicting different scenes in Roosevelt's life. The play is patriotic in nature and utilizes period songs and sound effects. It is appropriate for audiences of all ages and can be performed in any space, from a Theatre to a board room or library. The performance runs one hour including a Question and Answer session between the President and the audience.                                         COST: $150.00 per performance.

It is our goal to ignite a genuine interest in these kids for Theatre and Drama. To inspire them to go see, audition for, read, or maybe even write their own play. These are lofty goals to be sure, but we have seen a real difference in the students who we have worked with in the last several years. In fact, many of the schools we have worked with occupy spots in the top 50 rankings for Arts and Humanities.  Our workshops are easily adaptable for any age group.

There is no additional charge for mileage, no matter where your school is located. For that price you will get the services of a trained Theatre professional for the entire day. To be divided up any way you would like. We have no special technical requirements at all, and can work in any space. We have presented in classrooms, gyms and auditoriums. In the last several years we have traveled to every corner of the state, so odds are we have already worked in a school near you. Please inquire for a list of schools where we have worked. We have a limited number of dates still available in 2010. If you would like to book a workshop, schedule a performance, or if you have additional questions, please click here. We can provide many, many references from teachers, students, parents and administrators. Just ask! Students love our workshops and plays, and what's more, they retain the information that we teach them!