"Sheep-ish" Performers Visit LI Children's Museum on First US Tour

Garden City, NY, April 15, 2012 --(PR.com)-- The Long Island Children’s Museum prides itself on offering visitors a “different view each time they visit.” In April visitors’ views will include the sight of a flock of “sheep” or a grounded air squadron roaming the building … once Canada’s CORPUS dance/theater company arrives. The company, which has presented more than 1000 performances around the world, is making its first US tour, with its first performance at the Long Island Children’s Museum Theater. The company will be in residence April 22 - 28, offering innovative theater programs for both family and school audiences.

Co-founded in 1997 by Sylvie Bouchard and Artistic Director David Danzon, Canada’s COPRUS has presented performances around the world– from cutting edge international street festivals to the Just for Laughs comedy festival. The company is known for presenting performances in unusual settings – parks, shopping malls and in the street – and their performances at LICM will be no exception.

“I knew immediately that I wanted LICM audiences to see the CORPUS repertoire,” explains James Packard, LICM Theater Manager. “Their performances showcase creativity and innovation and allow us to introduce the idea of theater in a non-traditional space to audiences at a young age.” Packard was also excited to present pieces that tie thematically to new exhibit content at the Museum, specifically the “Feasts for Beasts” exhibit and the Museum’s outdoor space, “Our Backyard.” “Being able to layer the performing arts over ideas presented in the Museum’s galleries provides visitors with richer and more memorable learning opportunities,” he explains.

The CORPUS performances are supported by grants from New York State Council on the Arts, ArtWORKS for Young People and the Institute for Museums and Library Services.

Cast Flocks to LICM

CORPUS brings a “wooly” cast to LICM when it presents its signature piece, “Les moutons” (The Sheep). Reality and fantasy converge in this unique live installation theater piece that has entertained audiences around the globe. The wordless performance recreates a pastoral scene in the midst of the Museum’s suburban environment. Performances will take place in a setting similar to a farm pen. Weather permitting the performances at LICM will take place on the lawn adjacent to the museum’s outdoor exhibit space. (Alternately, the performance will take place in the Museum’s lobby).

Audiences will observe a strange and hilarious universe as CORPUS re-enacts the results of their carefully studied overview of sheep behavior. Three white ewes (Julie, Marie-louise, Bernadette) and one black ram (César) comprise the “cast” under the watchful eye of a stoic shepherd. During the performance, audience members will observe such routine activities as shearing, feeding, milking and more. The piece is interactive allowing audience members to pet and feed the “sheeps” and for the “sheeps” to mix and mingle with them.

The presentation of “Les moutons” combines, dance, performance art, slapstick and method acting to provide an unforgettable performance where expression, movement and humor provide all the words needed for audience members to gain insights into the lives of sheep.

Pre- and post-performance workshops will be presented in conjunction with performances on Friday, April 27 at noon and weekend performances. Workshops will allow audience members to meet the performers and learn about their creative process and discover more about the role that sheep and sheep products play in our daily lives (eg. wool, lanolin, lambskins, dairy products, and scientific and medical advancements). Participation at these workshops is limited and requires ticketing ($4; $3 LICM members)

CORPUS will present public performances of “Les moutons” on:

Sunday, April 22 at 1 p.m.
Tuesday, April 24 at 10:30 a.m. & noon
Thursday, April 26 at 10:30 a.m.
Friday, April 27 at 10: 30 & noon
Saturday, April 28 at 1 p.m.

Performances for school groups will take place on Monday, April 23, Tuesday, April 24, Thursday, April 26 and Friday, April 27. Advance reservations are required for these performances.

Double Your Theater Fun

Audiences can get a double dose of CORPUS when they present a second theater piece, “A Flock of Flyers” on Sunday, April 22 and Saturday, April 28 at 3 p.m. The performance follows the activities of the 217th Canadian Flying Squadron -- a group of five wannabe flyers who have been left without planes, due to budget cutbacks. But they've still got their helmets and uniforms and are determined to fly, even if it's in an imaginary airfield. (Ironically, the performance at LICM will take place on the site of a real airfield – Long Island’s own historic Mitchel Field.) The performances of “A Flock of Flyers” are free with Museum admission.

All activities will be held at the Long Island Children’s Museum, 11 Davis Avenue, Garden City, NY. Children must be accompanied by an adult. Museum admission: $11 for adults and children over 1 year old, $10 seniors, Free to museum members and children under 1 year old. Additional fees for theater and special programs may apply. For additional information, contact 516-224-5800.