|
|
| Magical Rain..... lluvia
magica Magical Rain Theaterworks creates moments of discovery with a mix of theater, myths, stories, innovative teaching techniques, guided discussions and creative arts activities. Magical Rain programs are created by Irene (Ike) Vasquez, Ph.D. and Dan Runyan, who both write, design, perform, teach, direct and produce. Ike and Dan are a husband and wife team, and on many tours are accompanied by their son and performing apprentice Benito (9). Some tours include other guest artists and apprentices. |
 |
||
In creating a Magical Rain experience, we draw upon methods from theater, art & learning theory. We add theater, myth and stories to our presentations, workshops and seminars. We add in-depth dialogue, cultural analysis and personal reflections to our productions. The result is an encounter with mystery, energy, and ways of knowing, being and performing that is engaging for all who participate. Magical Rain programs can be adapted for any size of stage or space, and for any size and type of audience (K - 12 and up). We perform at schools, universities, museums & libraries, professional stages, community centers, camps, migrant programs, churches, shelters, living rooms, and more... Samples of Places we have toured: MUSEUMS, GALLERIES, LIBRARIES, & CULTURAL CENTERS Guadalupe Cultural Center -San Antonio,TX Art Center of Battle Creek, MI Grand Rapids Art Museum, MI Mexic-Arte Museum, Austin, TX Michigan State University Museum Kalamazoo Institute of Art, MI Public Museum of Grand Rapids, MI Calles Y Suenos, Chicago, IL Kalamazoo Public Library Grand Rapids Public Library COLLEGES & UNIVERSITIES Schreiner College, Kerrville, TX University of Michigan Michigan State University Adrian College, Adrian, MI Grand Valley State University DePauw University, Greencastle, IN Western Michigan University University of Wisconsin, Madison, WI SCHOOLS AND SCHOOL PROGRAMS: Academia de Español -Grand Rapids, MI Sunset Lake Elementary School -Vicksburg, MI Battle Creek Public Schools Bridgman Elementary School - Bridgman, MI Fennville Summer Migrant Program South Middle School - Kalamazoo, MI Vicksburg Middle School- Vicksburg, MI Covert High School- Covert, MI Eastern High School -- Lansing, MI YOUTH CENTERS AND PROGRAMS: Chicago Youth Center M.S.U. Cooperative Extension-Adrian, MI Hispanic American Council of Kalamazoo Calling All Colors, St. Joseph/Benton Harbor, MI YOUTH REHABILITATION: Kalamazoo County Juvenile Home Lakeside Home for Boys and Girls-Kalamazoo, MI |
Irene (Ike) Vasquez, Ph.D. (Duke University) Ike is the co-founder, together with Dan Runyan, of Magical Rain Theaterworks. For the past 25 years, Ike has used experiential learning methods that are energetic, interactive, cross-disciplinary and employ solo, small and large group processes of knowledge development and exchange. Ike has gleaned valuable experience as a professional storyteller, writer, performer, public speaker, community cultural activist, university professor & consultant. "My work is rooted in the spoken word, the gesture, the body. The creative writing process is a fully embodied experience. I work from the instincts of a storyteller & the intrigue of a scholar of myth. So my writing process intertwines the physical acting out of the body with the mental fathoming of ancient & mysterious ideas." Dan Runyan, B.A. (Antioch College) Dan is the co-founder, together with Irene(Ike) Vasquez, of Magical Rain Theaterworks. He is a playwright, actor, director, producer and theater manager with teaching certification in Secondary School English and Speech. He is a teacher who has worked for 15 years with theater processes that enable individuals and groups to create plays from their collective imaginations and experiences. "As a person raised in the suburban United States, I must find my heritage and identity within a mix of values and stories passed down both orally and through print and electronic media For me, the "voices" of these stories from other times and places helps me to clarify my world in the here and now". |
||
|
Press Articles... |
|
| "The Power of Place" children's play teaches lessons about respecting others. Grand Rapids Press. The earth is crafted from an Amana refrigerator box, but that makes the lesson in this play no less powerful... |  |
| "Stories of Prejudice Take the Stage" The Daily Telegram. Several area youths are learning that the best way to deal with prejudice is to act... |  |
| "Storytellers Celebrate Cinco de Mayo" The Kalamazoo Gazette. Magical Rain Theaterworks will celebrate Cinco de Mayo this Sunday with tales of tricksters, wisdom and wit... |
| Diversity | Emotional Intelligence | Cooperative Learning | Customer Responses | Press |