Nature Theatre Workshop

This workshop uses either the story of Akai and Mamoo (Orca Whales) or Lotli (Monarch Butterfly) to learn about the importance of taking care of animals and their habitats. The story is presented in a theatre setting to learn about animals, their habitats, their biology, and the challenges the animals face.

• Enjoy an interactive session with one of our children’s books, available in English and Spanish.
• Participate as one of the characters in the book or as an actively member of the audience. Everyone takes on a role!

Participants will:

• Listen to excerpts from the book or the complete story (depending on age level).
• Engage in questions related to the subject matter and themes of the book.
• Actively participate in the story, using costumes, puppets, and props, such as the “What If” boat, to help return the oceans to clean, biologically diverse surroundings for the ocean creatures (Akai and Mamoo).
• Actively participate in the story and play the main characters, such as the caterpillar, bees, rabbits, the spider, and the Monarch butterfly, to act out the story as told by Mother Nature (Lotli).

After the Workshop, participants will be able to do the following:

• Discover environmental education through different art forms.
• Identify the animals with which we share our planet.
• Gain knowledge about the creatures in the ocean and how human activities create challenges for their existence (Akai and Mamoo).
• Comprehend the metamorphosis of the butterflies, their migration, and the important role that they play in our food system (Lotli).

Length:
Duration of workshop: 75 minutes (45 minutes for the story and performance and 30 minutes for discussion)

Age Range:
Workshops can be customized for all ages.

What is the subject matter of the book?

Akai and Mamoo: Ocean Adventures Book

Two adventuresome juvenile orca whales take a journey. Although Mother and Aunty warn their orca children of some of the dangers outside the inlet, the two mischievous orca cousins are curious about their ocean surroundings. After learning about their orca ancestors, Akai and Mamoo awake early eager to explore. Before they are out of the inlet, Akai and Mamoo are surprised with their findings, many strange and wonderful creatures but also many dangers caused by human activities. Book is available in both Spanish and English.

Lotli, The Origin of the Monarch Butterfly Book

Lotli is a caterpillar who has many forest friends. She is a happy caterpillar, but she always wanted to fly. One day she sees her friend, the bee, trapped in a spider web. She wants to free her friend and offer herself as food for the spider. The spider hesitates but finally agrees to the trade. As the spider sleeps, something magical occurs to Lotli, who has transformed throughout the night. In the morning, the spider, as well as the forest animals, find a very different Lotli. The book contains the story written in both English and Spanish.

Are the books and puppets for sale?

Yes, you can purchase the books on the Nature’s Ride online Etsy store.

Lotli Book - Order Here

Akai and Mamoo Book (comes with a complimentary CD) - Order Here

We have a limited number of puppets that we make available after a workshop and only sell in-person.

Can Nature Theatre be combined with an Upcycling Workshop?

Yes. Many of the upcycling crafts are animals contained in the books, which are used in the Nature’s Ride Theatre performances. Thus, a theatre performance followed by an upcycling workshop works quite nicely. The two workshops can be completed on the same day or on different days.

We have pre-cut or finished earth-friendly crafts that can be created in an Upcycling workshop (www.ciclomanias.com) or purchased on Etsy.

Do you do conduct workshops at birthday parties, schools and libraries?

Yes, the workshops are flexible and can be offered at almost any event.