Look What We Are Doing
Last Leaf Productions has been creating and performing original adaptations of folk tales and fairy tales from around the world for over fifteen years. We continue to perform for thousands of children and their families at schools, libraries, and special events across Washington State and this year to British Columbia as well. The stories we select often incorporate elements that introduce children to other cultures and language. Last Leaf also looks for stories that build self-esteem, cooperation, and respect.
Last Leaf is excited to be working on a totally original play for young audiences in cooperation with the Shapiro Foundation. This new play, “The Magic Hat”, is being written by Last Leaf’s contributing playwright, Pat Haines-Ainsworth, and will include songs by composer, Terry Alaric Levitt. “The Magic Hat” follows the adventures of a character named Balfour who travels to an island where people divide and isolate themselves based on the type of hat they wear. Balfour has a magic hat given to him by his grandmother. His magic hat can assume any shape he needs and Balfour makes his hat into different shapes to enable him to fit into each group. By using his hat he learns about the misconceptions and assumptions each group has about the other people on the island, but because Balfour can be accepted by each group he tries to teach them about the many things the people have in common. When disaster strikes and Balfour’s hat is carried away by the wind, each group uses their strengths to find the hat and return it to Balfour. By working together for a common goal, the groups learn about each other and begin to respect and accept each other as equals.
“The Magic Hat” is on schedule to be completed by the beginning of 2014 and with the help of the Shapiro Foundation, Last Leaf plans to begin performing the piece for schools in Washington and other locations on the west coast. Following its initial production, Last Leaf and the Shapiro Foundation will create a novel form and video form of the story for children who are not able to attend a live performance.
Last Leaf is excited to be working on a totally original play for young audiences in cooperation with the Shapiro Foundation. This new play, “The Magic Hat”, is being written by Last Leaf’s contributing playwright, Pat Haines-Ainsworth, and will include songs by composer, Terry Alaric Levitt. “The Magic Hat” follows the adventures of a character named Balfour who travels to an island where people divide and isolate themselves based on the type of hat they wear. Balfour has a magic hat given to him by his grandmother. His magic hat can assume any shape he needs and Balfour makes his hat into different shapes to enable him to fit into each group. By using his hat he learns about the misconceptions and assumptions each group has about the other people on the island, but because Balfour can be accepted by each group he tries to teach them about the many things the people have in common. When disaster strikes and Balfour’s hat is carried away by the wind, each group uses their strengths to find the hat and return it to Balfour. By working together for a common goal, the groups learn about each other and begin to respect and accept each other as equals.
“The Magic Hat” is on schedule to be completed by the beginning of 2014 and with the help of the Shapiro Foundation, Last Leaf plans to begin performing the piece for schools in Washington and other locations on the west coast. Following its initial production, Last Leaf and the Shapiro Foundation will create a novel form and video form of the story for children who are not able to attend a live performance.