Treehouse Shakers, a non-profit dance and theater company, is committed to creating work that encourages people to experience their feelings and their connection to the greater community. Treehouse Shakers’ work experiments with narrative styles and explores the story’s elements through the abstractions of modern dance. With each new piece, we challenge ourselves as artists to not only create the highest caliber of work, but also create work that will stimulate, connect and entertain our audience members. Our young audience programming is a natural outgrowth of these artistic goals and techniques. Treehouse Shakers is unique in its offering young audiences a guided look at modern dance through powerful and meaningful theater. Our work is sometimes the first performance many young people experience. We want to sharpen their aesthetics as they are entertained, challenged, and engaged, while at the same time expanding their knowledge of various art forms.
The Boy Who Grew Flowers
The story of a young boy, Rink Bowagon, who lives on top of Lonesome Mountain with his unusual family of rattlesnake tamers and shape-shifters. The townspeople agree that Rink’s family are quite strange, but they are unaware of Rink’s spectacular gifts.
Hatched
Hatched is the original performance of a newborn chick emerging from her shell at sunrise to a strange and busy world. Told to the youngest of audience members, it is a first introduction into the theatre, while incorporating both the museum and farm…
The Littlest Cove
An immersive discovery play for the very young, ages 3-6. Written by Mara McEwin, choreographed by Emily Bunning and devised by the Treehouse Shakers’ company members, Littlest Cove is full of wonder, visuals and tactile interactive experiences.The play follows the lives of 3 unusual creatures, who reside on the edge of a small coastal inlet, off of an island, that no one in the entire world has ever disco.
Mary Cassat & Me
Mary Cassatt & Me, an original play for ages 4-10, is based on the works of impressionist and artistic innovator, Mary Cassatt. Mary Cassatt & Me, written and directed by Mara McEwin, choreographed by Emily Bunning is full of wonder, visuals and intertwines multiple layers of intriguing storytelling.
Composed of a diverse ensemble of four performers, Mary Cassatt & Me is told through theater, dance and puppetry, as well as projected and interactive videos in which the performers use the images as scenery, color washes, and climactic moments within the performance, transforming the audience’s passive viewing into an interactive, multi-sensory experience.
Olive and Pearl
Olive & Pearl tells the story of a young girl, Olive, who is being raised by her Granny, Pearl. Centered on thematic elements of home, and what a home means, young audiences are invited into a cozy and gentle world, rich with sensory experiences.
Sail Away
Journey with Treehouse Shakers on an oceanic discovery play for ages 18-24 months and their caregivers. Specifically tailored to the very early alkers, Sail Away, is a mobile exploration experience piece for toddlers who want to wiggle, move, walk and run, in a fully immersive first-time play experience.
Storytelling Performances
A story is coming, a story is coming….stop and listen!” Awarded storyteller Mara McEwin & renown musician Roderick Jackson, take young people and their families on a delightful journey that weaves stories and music from nursery tales to world folklore. Tailored to young people, families will experience a world of sly tricksters, imaginative why stories, a story to share at home, and so much more! Mara & Roderick mesmerize audiences with spellbinding stories of great enchantment, musicality and wonder.
Under the Tangle
Under the Tangle tells the story of a young orphaned girl lost in a mysterious wooded labyrinth. Throughout her journey, she twists along the maze finding numerous clues and meeting many unusual characters…