This production, explores the rich folklore and mythology of seafaring peoples from all over the globe. Waters of the Earth also includes an introduction to the tradition of Sea Chanteys, songs sung by working sailors on all kinds of ships. Songs from Irish, New England, and African American/Afro Caribbean traditions will be taught and sung during the performance. Stories include Sealskin Soulskin (Pacific North West, American Indian, Inuit Tribe) – In the story a lonely man steals the sealskin of a Selkie (a seal-woman.) When she asks for the skin back the man refuses to return it unless she marries him and lives with him for seven years. She agrees and eventually they grow to love one another and have a child together, a boy. Eventually the woman becomes ill and crippled and in the eighth year she demands her skin returned to her. The man becomes angry and refuses for fear she will leave him and return to the sea. After the man storms out, the boy is summoned by a mysterious ocean spirit to where the sealskin is hidden. He returns the skin to his mother and they both plunge into the ocean to meet with the wise old Grandfather …

This bilingual production explores the rich Hispanic folklore and mythology of Latin America. The stories include La Calavera from Mexico, and Paco and the Witch from Puerto Rico. The program also includes an Afro/Cuban Rhythm and Song that calls to “Alegua – the trickster of the crossroads”, from the Afro-Cuban tradition of Santeria. La Calavera After using up everyone in his small village, an old father ventures out onto the road to find a godparent for his 12th child. He’s approached by Papa Dios and El Diablo, as well as a host of pre-Columbian deities who offer themselves for the job before he chooses Godmother Death (La Calavera), as she seems the most just, not favoring the rich over the poor. Calavera teaches the boy to be a great healer, and he grows up to be rich and famous, but in the end, when the healer tries to cheat death, Calavera shows him no special favor. Paco and the Witch Paco is a good boy who likes to help his mom but when he goes to town to run an errand he has to pass through the dark forest where a bruja, or witch, is waiting to snatch him up. She …

Br’er Rabbit and Other Trickster Tales inspires self-reliance and creative problem solving on a humorous and magical journey with wily creatures who teach us folk wisdom, and life lessons in this collection of Trickster Tales from around the world. Br’er Rabbit, Br’er Alligator & Trouble (Southern United States) This story features B’rer Rabbit and B’rer Alligator. In the story, B’rer Alligator says he has never known any trouble in his life and he is curious as to what it is. B’rer Rabbit brings trouble to him, and B’rer Alligator not only gets a new coat, but learns a valuable lesson: “Never trouble trouble unless trouble troubles you.” Tio Conejo (Venezuela, bilingual) This is the story of B’rer Rabbit’s Mexican cousin, Tio Conejo “Uncle Rabbit.” Although Tio Conejo is smarter than all the other animals, he also is smaller and often picked on by the other, larger animals. He does not like being smaller so appeals to the great maker in the sky to make him bigger. The great maker in the sky agrees to make Tio Conejo bigger if he can pass a test; he is to capture three ferocious animals in one day. Tio Conejo accomplishes the task and …

Leyendas de Duende is a bilingual production that explores the rich Hispanic folklore and mythology of Latin America. The stories include La Calavera from Mexico, and Paco and the Witch from Puerto Rico. The program also includes an Afro/Cuban Rhythm and Song that calls to “Alegua – the trickster of the crossroads”, from the Afro-Cuban tradition of Santeria.  La Calavera This story follows a young healer who tries to outsmart his godmother- Death. Death gives him great healing power but always lets him know who’s boss. The moral of the story is that one should never try to fool Death because Death will always get the upper hand eventually. Including El Diablo and some very interesting Characters cross paths with the healer’s father as he tries to choose a god-parent for his young son. Paco and the Witch Paco is a good boy who likes to help his mom but when he goes to town to run an errand he has to pass through the dark forest where a bruja or witch is waiting to snatch him up. She takes him prisoner but he gets help from some talking animals (natives of Puerto Rico), who betray the witch and set Paco …

The Hero Twins is a bilingual show based on the The Popol Vuh which is the central creation myth of the Quiche Maya people of Central America. It tells the story of Hero Twins who journey down to the Underworld to be tested by and eventually defeat the evil Lords of Xibalba, avenging the death of their father, and clearing the path for human beings to arrive on Earth. The story is filled with magic, a close connection to the animal world and the struggle between life and death. Like Homer’s Odyssey, it is one of the world’s great “Hero’s Journey” tales.