CHILDREN FIRST!

Also instantly ready for performance are three Preston & Volpe shows that are aimed towards a younger audience. All the shows vary in content and level of interaction with the crowd. One of them is led by the actors, using a heightened personality, and one is led by characters (a duo of musical gypsies). One is prop-heavy (Professor Poole), one is more pared-down (By the Seat of Our Pants). All shows can be enjoyed by the whole family.

• "By the Seat of Our Pants!" This is a fast-paced comedy show designed to entertain children using the theater games of Viola Spolin and the inventive spirit and inspiration of the pair of performers. Games include "Interpreter," "Sentences", "Feed-a-Scene" and more. All games involve direct dialogue with and imagination from the audience. With a night club flair directed at a family crowd, parents are sure not to be bored either!
• The Homemade Music Show Two wandering musical gypsies enter with a song, and leave with the whole crowd singing! Children will learn about the notes and rhythm of music while helping our drifters create a song that will please the "mayor" of the town (a parent chosen from the crowd). Two distinct personalities and musical games enliven the gypsies visit. (see reviews section for positive word on this show!)
• Professor Gene Poole and his Wandering Circus of Scientific Whatchamacallit! In the style of a slapstick vaudevillian revue with rapid-fire dialogue, mixed with a medicine-show feel, Dr. Poole and his assistant Skokie get to the heart of astronomy, physics and what the impending seasons have in store for us, experimenting and theorizing on EVERYTHING. One audience member (plant), learns the hard and hilarious way about gravity, displacement, and the difference between freshwater and saltwater. A Q&A session with the audience proves that Dr. Poole can solve any theory with enough imagination!

These shows saw their debut at the Arlington Summer Kick Off outside of Chicago and most recently performed for a kindergarten class and a girl scout troop with much success!

Also, Preston & Volpe have conducted many workshops for children. An improvisation-based theater games workshop can free the creativity and individuality of a child as well as enhance the child's ability to work with others.