Artist in Residence with International

Comedy Ventriloquist Val Hilliker

Virtues Project Master Facilitator,LTTA trained

and World Laughter Leader

Virtues Project facilitator LTTA trained,

Call Val Hilliker now: 1-855-I Talk 42

Email

Val offers one, three or five day packages designed to inspire, entertain and captivate students from grades one through twelve. In this interactive program, your students will;
* Watch a live performance
* Make their own puppets
* Create characters
* Develop scripts based on current curriculum
Or use our pre made scripts-depending on time
* Learn to manipulate puppets
* Perform for a live audience
Discover the wonderful art of creating and manipulating puppets from totally recycled material.Learn the basics of writing comedy
Dialog and performing in a fun filled finale for children, teachers and parents. /
MATH SCIENCE
LANGUAGE ARTS
Val is a graduate of several comedy
and acting workshops, including Cheers
Project, Judy Carter’s stand up comedy
workshop, SCTV comedian/actor Joe
Flaherty’s improvisational workshop and
Therapeutic ventriloquism.
She is a licensed World Laughter
Leader. Val is also the author of Chillin’ with Val, a program for creating acaring and respectful community, currently touring Canadian schools andfestivals.
Kelly is a Virtues Project Facilitator, comedian and inspirational speaker from rural Alberta.
What others are saying:
“Enjoyed the Process. I appreciate how helpful Val was with the students. Most memorable is seeing my students’ originality and creativity developing their wetland creatures.”
Linda Moczulski, Gr. 5/6 Teacher, Hussar . / “Val is an excellent performer and is skilled at getting her messages across. She was very fun to work with and has a positive influence on our students. She brought professional quality instruction as well as a sense of style that encourages the students to pursue their own work.” Nova Lea Thorne, Theatre Works Calgary.
“Val’s talent as a performer was inspiring for my students! You showed them exactly the kind of final product they should be aspiring to create and gave them a clear idea of what kinds of amazing things they could do to improve their performances. We really enjoyed your sense of humour and you were excellent with the students.” Lisa M. Porter B.F.A./B.Ed., Drama teacher, A.E.CrossJunior High School.

Stuart Connor of the Boys and Girls Club of Calgary (Hanger) writes: Having experienced puppets artist in residence I feel jubilant.The acknowledgment and encouragement of kids and youth to participate were most helpful and meaningful.The entire artist in residence with Val was great, I just wish we had more than one day to make puppets and teach kids how to use them. See you next year!

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF ARTIST IN RESIDENCE
LTTA trained, Learning through the Arts
Curriculum based learning throughpuppet building and performing plays; curriculum based MATH SCIENCE and LANGUAGE ARTS
Building puppetswith Val Hilliker:
Myresidency starts with a one hour, ventriloquist show, for all students and instruction and introduction to the program. Then we build puppets with your students and end with a performance by your students using their completed puppets.
In the program students will design and draw a pattern for the type of puppet they're building. Grades K – 3 build wedge type puppets, grades 4 and up build the more complicated and technical pulley and lever style puppets.
I pre- manufacture the wooden “skeleton” of the pulley and lever puppets for the students to assemble.
Video link to Val preparing a recycled crib for pulley and lever puppets
All materials used will be rescued recyclables excepting the hot glue, elastic and string which we supply. I kindly request that you purchase no materials as the puppets are then totally built out of found objects.
Scripts can be developed, time permitting, before the puppets are built.
I will encourage students to write their own scripts pertaining to the curriculum or current issues they are studying as time allows or I can supply my prewritten scripts based mainly on current environmental issues in their curriculum.
What you can expect:
  • A fun and educational program run in a courteous and safe manner.
  • Val who peacefully sets your school up to succeed.
  • Creativity of students brought to a new level.
  • Curriculum-tied activities that enhance the creative process amongst organized chaos.
  • To have the five strategies of the Virtues Project modeled by Val and her puppets
  • Your students to express individuality and creativity
  • To have core subjects, math, science, and language arts covered in the pattern making and in the themes of the scripts and with the pulley and lever puppets
What my needs are:
  • Patience and courtesy from students.
  • Collection of materials to be used, I will supply whatever is missing.
  • At least one extra adult volunteer per class in the puppet building room.
  • We require 3-5 classroom hours per classroom
  • Classroom sizes of not more than 30 students
  • Usually between 5-15 days per school depending on the number of classrooms. one day per classroom.
The Artist in Residence program is a wonderful opportunity to have an artistic experience in all aspects of puppet fabrication, ventriloquism and performance art. I will work closely with the teachers to plan a range of activities from puppet making, script writing, character development and performance that meet your goals and logistical needs.
The cost of this Artist in Residence program is $600.00 per day plus GST and travel expenses, I reside in RimbeyAlberta and try to keep the travel costs to a minimum.

Toll free 1 855 I Talk 42 or 1-855-482-5542 Land line 403-843 3663