Prologue's 25 / 26 Season Catalogue

Welcome to the 2025/2026 Season A message from the Executive Director of Prologue Performing Arts.

Prologue Performing Arts is excited to move into this new season with 7 new artists, along with all of the incredible returning artists who, over this past year, performed for over 300,000 students and youth, at 548 schools throughout Ontario, with over 185 bilingual performances, supported by Prologue with over $25,000 in subsidized funding through the Possibility Program and the Leadership Through the Arts programs.

This year, Prologue adults took a step back and brought student voices to the forefront of this organization with our subsidized Leadership Through the Arts Program. We continued The Northern Residency Program - a program that sends a Prologue artist to the Algoma school board for a week-long residency for an immersive interactive workshop culminating in a community performance.

We grew the Prologue Club - where students form a school club and are responsible for all aspects of bringing a Prologue Artist into the school - marketing, budgeting, and hosting with some mentorship hours from Prologue Team members on whatever the students wanted to learn more about.

Finally, we launched the student programming committee! Students from grade 6 - 10 came together to review artist applications with Prologue team members and provide us with valuable feedback about the submissions and the relevancy of the performances to students and youth.

Continuing with our summer tradition of accessible programming for communities, Summer Arts Break was back at Evergreen Brick Works this past summer where over 1,000 people enjoyed free Prologue performances. This summer we are thrilled to move Arts Break into another region of Ontario and present at the Hamilton Farmers’ Market!

We are so grateful to our major supporters including the Ontario Arts Council and the Toronto Arts Council, as well as our donors and sponsors that help us provide different opportunities throughout the year to the community, teachers, and youth. And of course, we are forever grateful to the educators and parents who help Prologue advocate for arts education within schools. We all have a responsibility to encourage the next generation of arts lovers through the work we do, and we are so honoured to help provide the inspiration for that future.

We look forward to seeing you all for the 2025/2026 season!

Sincerely, Maria Williams Executive Director 2

Table of Contents 04 11 14 15 18

Music Theatre Dance Indigenous Arts Poetry & Spoken Word

20 Storytelling 22 French Programs 24 Special Programs 25 Support us 26 Contact

Land Acknowledgement From everyone here at Prologue, we would like to express our gratitude for the ability to work, live, and gather on this traditional territory named Tkarón:to; the place in the water where the trees stand; the land that is currently known as Toronto.

We would like to acknowledge that we are situated on the lands of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishnabeg, the Chippewa, the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, and the Wendat Peoples. We acknowledge them and the many diverse First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, and all other Nations who care for this land (recorded and unrecorded).

We recognize our responsibility to understand and disrupt the ongoing systems of oppression, and to reflect on the meaning of, and the path towards, reconciliation.

3

music

David Lane From Humming to Mouth Drumming In-Person or Virtual Workshop An interactive workshop of vocal gymnastics, instrument imitation, and beatboxing. Participants will experiment making sounds of their own, and share with the group.

You Can Beat Box! Available: February 17 - 20 (or virtually)

In-Person or Virtual Workshop

Grade Range: K – 8

This interactive workshop kicks off with a short beatboxing performance, after which students learn to make a variety of beatbox noises of their own!

Curriculum Connections: Music French Education

View Artist Page

Submit an Inquiry

Dr. Accordion Follow the Feeling In-Person or Virtual Performance Written by Digital Accordion Champion Michael Bridge (AKA Dr. Accordion), Follow the Feeling is a fun exploration of “all those feels” that music evokes!

Students will learn about musical mindfulness, and using music as a force for good in the world. Audience members contribute as both musicians and composers with polyrhythmic clapping, and a live arranging session—where their musical decisions come to life in real-time!

Available: Limited Year-round Grade Range: K – 12 Curriculum Connections: Musical Arrangements Experiential Learning

View Artist Page 4

Submit an Inquiry

music

Fana Soro AKWAABA! Welcome to Africa!

In-Person Performance

Available: Limited year-round Grade Range: K – 12 Curriculum Connections: Equity & Inclusion French Education Well Being

Fana Soro welcome’s you to the music, dance, and wise messages of the Senoufo people from the Ivory Coast.

Learn about the continent of Africa, their instruments, and the love that Senoufo people have for their community. Fana will introduce Balafon rhythms, dance moves, and traditional songs. You are guaranteed to feel the beat!

Djembe drumming workshops are also offered in-person or virtually View Artist Page

Submit an Inquiry

Heather Feather (NEW!) Together In-Person Performance Together is an interactive educational musical show based on songs about social emotional growth focusing on inclusion, belonging, kindness, empathy, sharing, being oneself, self-confidence, and friendship.

Available: February – June, 2026

View Artist Page

Grade Range: K – 3 or 4 - 6 Curriculum Connections: French Education Social emotional learning Well Being

5

Submit an Inquiry

music

Jeremy Fisher Music Sing with Jeremy / Chanter avec Jeremy In-Person or Virtual Performance

Available: Limited year-round

This social emotional learning (SEL) experience features Jeremy Fisher, the JUNO-nominated singer-songwriter behind CBC Kids series Jeremy and Jazzy. Jeremy and the students explore themes of science, nature, literacy and well-being through songs and movement in this interactive performance.

Grade Range: K – 6

View Artist Page

Submit an Inquiry

Curriculum Connections: Social emotional learning Well Being

Joaquín Núñez & Rumberos Cuba Brazil Carnival Experience In-Person or Virtual Performance In his energetic and interactive performance, Joaquín showcases World Music and Latin rhythms. Students will have the opportunity to participate in percussion exercises, vocal chants, and traditional dance steps, and learn about percussion instruments used in styles such as Samba and Conga.

Available: Year-round

View Artist Page

Grade Range: K – 12 Curriculum Connections: Equity & Inclusion Well Being 6

Submit an Inquiry

music

Kuné Together! A Global Music Experience In-Person or Virtual Performance Watch Preview A celebration of Canada’s cultural diversity and pluralism, Kuné showcases music from Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, Asia and North America.

Students will learn about where each artist is from, what languages they speak, and see and hear the sounds of the Oud, the Cajon, the Dizi, the Ngoni and more.

Available: Year-round Grade Range: K – 12

View Artist Page

Submit an Inquiry

Curriculum Connections: Equity & Inclusion Experiential Learning

Mike Ford TROUBADOUR In-Person or Virtual Performance Ford's hilarious original songs combine audience participation and storytelling to explore Canadian history, sustainability, and treaty responsibility.

Les mots qui chantent/Canada Needs Songs - In-Person or Virtual Workshops Available: Limited year-round

Groups are guided through stages of improv, brain-storming, song structure, rhyme & rhythm and editing, to provide experience in lyric-based song creation.

Grade Range: 4 – 12 Curriculum Connections: French Education Cross-Curricular Connections

View Artist Page 7

Submit an Inquiry

music

Njacko Backo African Voyage/ Voyage Africain In-Person or Virtual Performance

Available: Year-round

In this interactive performance, students will learn the important role that music, dance, and storytelling play in everyday life in Cameroon. Students will experience and participate in traditional dance and drumming, listen to a traditional story, and learn about the importance of community in Central Africa.

Grade Range: K – 12

View Artist Page

Submit an Inquiry

Curriculum Connections: Equity & Inclusion French Education

Razzmatazz for Kids Razzmatazz for Kids In-Person or Virtual Performance Weaving songs and stories together, the award-winning Razzmatazz for Kids has been delighting young audiences for 25 years with their original children’s music and traditional songs in English and French. Their interactive concerts engage students with singing, wordplay, and actions. Some volunteers also play shakers and spoons to accompany the little wooden “limberjack” dancer. Their concerts are full of funny antics and joy, and address the elementary school curriculum in Music, Language Arts, and Social Studies.

Available: February 17 - 27 Grade Range: K – 3 Curriculum Connections: French Education Experiential Learning

View Artist Page 8

Submit an Inquiry

music

Sitar Fusion In the Footsteps of the Great Medieval Traveller Ibn Battuta In-Person or Virtual Performance Watch Preview In this performance and workshop, participants will experience the music and dance of some of the countries that Ibn Battuta travelled to: Morocco, Greece, Turkey, Afghanistan, Pakistan, India and China. Inspired by this journey, Anwar Khurshid will play a variety of instruments and sing while Geneviève Beaulieu dances.

Available: May, 2026 Grade Range: K – 12 Curriculum Connections: Equity & Inclusion Character Development French Education

View Artist Page

Submit an Inquiry

Sultans of String Sultans of String: A WORLD OF MUSIC In-Person or Virtual Performance 3x JUNO Award nominees and Billboard charting artists Sultans of String take you on a musical journey around the world!

Led by Queen’s Diamond Jubilee Medal recipient and violinist Chris McKhool, this thrilling performance presents a sonic tapestry of world music that explores styles, harmonies, and melodies from around the globe. The group combines Arabic folk from Chris’ heritage, Spanish flamenco, East Coast fiddling, Cuban rhythms, and Django-jazz.

Available: Limited year-round Grade Range: K – 12 Curriculum Connections: Diversity through music French Education

9

View Artist Page

Submit an Inquiry

music

The Jellyfish Project (NEW!) Rock the Climate: Hope in Action In-Person Performance

Available: April, May, June, 2025 Grade Range: K – 8, 9 - 12 Curriculum Connections: Concepts of environmental sustainability Well Being

The Jellyfish Project delivers an energetic, interactive presentation featuring live music woven together with striking visuals and engaging discussion that captivates students while exploring issues of climate change and sustainability. Audiences can expect a unique blend of performance and education that highlights real-world solutions, youth-led action, and tangible ways they can make a difference in creating a more sustainable future.

View Artist Page

10

Submit an Inquiry

Candy Bones Theatre

theatre

Oopsie Candy Roberts uses character, physical and improvised theatre, tap dance and shadow puppetry to explore the question, “Is it OK to make mistakes?” and to investigate the neuroscience of failure, growth mindset, creativity and well being.

Part workshop, part performance, the program includes interaction, the intention of this performance is to support a culture of celebrating mistakes and creative risk taking, and create mistake-friendly environments.

Available: April 20 - 24, 2026 Grade Range: K – 8 Curriculum Connections: Character Development Well-being

View Artist Page

Submit an Inquiry

Catch Me in the Kitchen Catch Me in The Kitchen Story Adventures

Available: Limited year-round Grade Range: K – 3 Curriculum Connections: Character Development French Education

Who will outsmart “the most handsome, most daring, most petrifyingly feared wolf in all the province of Ontario?” Canadian storytellers Ginette Mohr and Stephen LaFrenie present two reimagined classic tales from their repertoire. Each tale features delightful characters and surprising twists. The performance is a blend of storytelling and physical theatre, told in English with occasional offerings of French words and expressions for introductory-level French learners.

Story-building workshops are also offered View Artist Page 11

Submit an Inquiry

DuffleBag Theatre

theatre

Fairy Tales & Classics In-Person Performance DuffleBag Theatre brings classic fairy tales and folktales to life in their signature fun-filled and humorous fashion, using audience members as the stars.

Available Shows: • Beauty and the Beast (BIL: La Belle et la Bête) • Cinderella (BIL: Cendrillon) • Peter Pan • Robin Hood • Snow White (BIL: Blanche Neige) • The Three Musketeers (BIL: Les trois mousquetaires) • A Christmas Carol

Available: Year-round Grade Range: K – 12 Curriculum Connections: Character Development French Education

View Artist Page

Submit an Inquiry

M. John Kennedy Fireside Munsch In-Person Performance M. John Kennedy’s hit solo show Fireside Munsch is a high-energy performance featuring four of Robert Munsch’s classic stories performed as one wacky storytelling play. There are three zany shows to choose from based on four beloved Munsch stories:

Available: Year-round

Munsch Goes Wild: Andrew’s Loose Tooth, Alligator Baby, Smelly Socks and No Clean Clothes Classic Munsch Mayhem: Mud Puddle, Mortimer, The Paperbag Princess and Jonathan Cleaned Up and Then He Heard A Sound A Merry Munsch-mas: I Have To Go, Thomas’ Snowsuit, Finding Christmas and Sounds Like Christmas (Nov/Dec only)

Grade Range: K – 6 Curriculum Connections: Literacy Character Development 12

View Artist Page

Submit an Inquiry

Kaylie Kreatrix (NEW!)

theatre

Kimiko In-Person Performance This award-winning one-woman circus and story telling show explores the difficult history of Japanese-Canadians and the self discovery that comes with exploring one’s heritage. A work of physical theatre that includes dance, puppetry, circus and more, Kimiko is a celebration of Japanese art and culture.

Available: May, 2026 Grade Range: 4 - 12

View Artist Page

Submit an Inquiry

Curriculum Connections: Equity and Inclusion Storytelling French Education

Squirrel Suit Productions (New show!)

Neuro-DIVE!

Available: Limited year-round

Grade Range: 1 – 6 Curriculum Connections: Inclusion & Neurodiversity Well Being

The audience is invited to dive inside a fantastical brain with Dina (The Dopamine Receptor). A charming and dedicated Tour Guide, Dina introduces characters around the “Brain Base”, like neuro-divergent INSIDE OUT. Throughout the hilarious chaos, we’ll learn about our brain and explore how we can make the world a little bit more comfortable for all the different types of brains out there.

View Artist Page

13

Submit an Inquiry

dance

Artists in Motion Black in Canada In-Person Performance Black in Canada Dance Theatre Production is an episodic performance that uses dance, spoken word, and recorded archives to reinforce the powerful impact that Black people have had on the social and cultural fabric of our land. The work interprets the hurtful consequences of systemic racism and aims to educate the audience about the true histories and contemporary climate of hate speech and racial oppression within Canada.

Available: January & February, 2026 Grade Range: 1 – 12 Curriculum Connections: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Storytelling through dance

View Artist Page

Submit an Inquiry

Little Pear Garden Dance Company The Tales of Goddesses and a Painter In-Person Performance This story follows the Chinese Empire's best painter as he travels the Silk Road, creating cave paintings inspired by the many cultures along the way.

Virtual workshops are also available View Artist Page

Available: May, 2026 Grade Range: 1 – 12 Curriculum Connections: Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Asian Heritage / History 14

Submit an Inquiry

Indigenous arts

3 Crows Productions Raven In-Person Performance

Available: May 19 - 29, 2026 Grade Range: K – 8 Curriculum Connections: Indigenous Education Equity & Inclusion

Indigenous storyteller Dallas Yellowfly brings a light hearted, high-energy version of “How Raven Stole the Sun” to life using interactive theatre. The audience will learn some traditional names of locations on Turtle Island using Indigenous words and languages as well as the holistic values of some Indigenous Peoples. The audience will also gain an understanding of Indigenous Oral Traditions, the power of laughter in storytelling, and the importance of respecting the environment.

View Artist Page

Submit an Inquiry

The Chimera Project Silly Billy In-person Performance

Available: June 8 - 19, 2026 Grade Range: K – 6 Curriculum Connections: Indigenous Education Equity & Inclusion

Silly Billy is a story about a rare white buffalo, unhappy with his uniqueness, who goes on a quest to find the magical Unicorn in the hopes of emulating this mythical creature.

Through adventures, obstacles, misunderstandings and mishaps, Billy discovers his own self-worth, embraces his difference, and takes his place alongside the Unicorn as the legendary great white buffalo of the plains.

View Artist Page 15

Submit an Inquiry

Indigenous arts

Kung Jaadee Haida Stories In-person or Virtual Performance

Available: May 11 – 15, 2026 Or virtually Grade Range: K – 12 Curriculum Connections: Indigenous Education Equity & Inclusion

In her storytelling performance, Kung Jaadee shares a few famous Haida legends about Raven (Yaahl), the creator of the world, and their universal teachings. She also shares some traditional Raven songs while using her drum, teaches some basic words in X̱aad Kil (Haida language), and shows her traditional regalia. A post-show Q & A includes a discussion about Haida culture and history.

View Artist Page

Submit an Inquiry

Mestre Sérgio & Suzanne From Pernambuco to TKaronto: a cultural movement & musical voyage!

In-Person or Virtual Workshop(s)

Available: Year-round Grade Range: K – 12 Curriculum Connections: Indigenous Education Equity & Inclusion

Join Mestre Sérgio Xocolate for an authentic Capoeira workshop, featuring rich traditional movements, music, songs, dance, drumming and important stories of cultural expression and preservation from the North East of Brazil. Suzanne Roberts Smith provides facilitation in English and/or French as well as movement & percussion accompaniment.

View Artist Page 16

Submit an Inquiry

Indigenous arts

Makhena Rankin Guérin (NEW!) Visions of Turtle Island In-Person Performance

Available: Almost sold out Very limited dates in June, 2026

Join Makhena as she shares the beauty, resilience, and adaptability of Indigenous cultures through the art of hoop dance — a dynamic and visual storytelling tradition. Makhena introduces the hoop dance as a powerful medicinal and storytelling dance, but also a symbol of Indigenous evolution.

View Artist Page

Submit an Inquiry

Grade Range: K – 12 Curriculum Connections: Indigenous Education Equity & Inclusion French Education

Tribal Vision Dance Visions of Turtle Island In-Person or Virtual Performance

Available: Year-round

Explore First Nations history and traditions in Tribal Vision’s high-energy performance! The artists will explain the history and significance of their dances and illustrate the cultural experience of First Nations peoples in Canada. This show is an introduction to the powwow culture of North American Indigenous people.

Grade Range: K – 12

First Nations Dance Workshops are also offered.

Curriculum Connections: Indigenous Education Equity & Inclusion

View Artist Page 17

Submit an Inquiry

poetry & spoken word

All Star SLAM All Star SLAM In-Person or Virtual Performance Slam is a poetic competition in which the audience rates each poem with a score of 1-10, just like in the Olympics. In this case, the judges are the students! And the poets? Former Canadian SLAM champ Brendan McLeod, Second City alum Justin Carter, and Julia Course—a 14-year veteran at the Shaw Festival. They present a wide-range of poetic styles and subject matter: high-octane original poetry, classical dramatic monologue, silly stand-up and improv.

Available: Spring, 2026 Grade Range: 5 – 12 Curriculum Connections: Literacy Experiential Learning

View Artist Page

Submit an Inquiry

Brendan McLeod Holy Guacamole! (It’s a Poetry Show!)

Watch Preview In-Person or Virtual Performance

Available: Limited year-round Grade Range: K – 7 Curriculum Connections: Literacy Experiential Learning

Holy Guacamole offers students the opportunity to revel in the thrill of word play while offering practical lessons about rhythm and figurative language.

Featuring a dinosaur rap, songs about planets and pets, and hilarious haikus and poems, the show delivers content that’s both entertaining for the ears and challenging for the mind.

View Artist Page

18

Submit an Inquiry

poetry & spoken word

Britta B. Rebel with a Rhyme In-Person or Virtual Performance How do you find your voice and turn it into a career? In her performance, Britta B. uses poetry performance and conversation to discuss how she came to recognize her voice through spoken word poetry and turned it into her career. Her talk explores themes of identity, diversity, women’s empowerment, and resiliency as a platform for creative and thriving communities.

Available: Limited year-round Grade Range: 4 – 12 Curriculum Connections: Equity & Inclusion Anti-Bullying Awareness

View Artist Page

Submit an Inquiry

Keosha Love The Power of Storytelling In-Person or Virtual Performance This presentation explores the roots and origins of Poetry & Spoken Word and the impact storytelling has in a modern context. Spoken Word elements can be found in Hip-Hop, Rap, Jazz, Theatre and more. Our words and stories matter, whether they are about love, culture, or social change. Poetry is a powerful outlet to use our voice and in this workshop we will seek to discover ours, how to own it and use it through our creative writing.

Available: Limited year-round Grade Range: K – 12 Curriculum Connections: Equity & Inclusion Well-being

View Artist Page 19

Submit an Inquiry

storytelling

Djennie Laguerre (NEW!) I’VE BEEN TOLD / ON M’A RACONTÉ In-Person or Virtual Performance

Available: Limited year-round Grade Range: K – 8 Curriculum Connections: Equity & Inclusion Literacy French Education

Storyteller, actress, and dancer extraordinaire Djennie Laguerre, A.K.A. Miss Happiness (Madame Bonheur on TVO/MiniTFO) introduces us to the colorful world and characters of Afro-Haitian folk tales through energetic interaction and play.

Audiences are transported into this fabulous universe and invited to contribute to the show. KRICK? KRACK! Fun guaranteed!

View Artist Page

Submit an Inquiry

Rukhsana Khan Stories for Building Bridges In-Person or Virtual Performance Watch Preview

Available: Year-round

Critically-acclaimed author Rukhsana Khan shares stories from behind the scenes of her highly acclaimed books.

Exploring South Asian culture and issues surrounding poverty, immigration, and family, Rukhsana shares her inspiration and writing process.

View Artist Page

Submit an Inquiry

Grade Range: K – 8 Curriculum Connections: Equity & Inclusion Literacy

Contact us to learn about Rukhsana’s professional development workshops for teachers 20

storytelling

Talkin' Tales (NEW!) Stories that Shape Us: African and Caribbean Folktales In-Person or Virtual Performance

Available: Limited Year-Round

In this engaging storytelling performance, Kesha Christie shares African and Caribbean folktales that highlight themes of community, resilience, diversity, and identity.

Through rich imagery, interactive elements, and lively characters, students are invited to think critically about the lessons these stories teach and how they relate to their own lives.

Grade Range: K – 8 View Artist Page Curriculum Connections: Equity & Inclusion Literacy

20

Submit an Inquiry

french education

The Programs listed here are available to book in French or bilingual Click on an artist’s image to navigate back to the full program description.

Catch Me in the Kitchen

David Lane

Djennie Laguerre

Dr. Accordion

DuffleBagTheatre

Fana Soro

Heather Feather

Jeremy Fisher Music

21

french education

The Programs listed here are available to book in French or bilingual Click on an artist’s image to navigate back to the full program description.

Makhena

Mestre Sergio & Suzanne

Mike Ford

Njacko Backo

Razzmatazz for Kids

Sitar Fusion

Sultans of String

Talkin’ Tales

Will’s Jams

22

The Possibility Program

Click here to learn more

The Possibility Program is inspired by the founding vision of Prologue – that every young person in Ontario should have access to More performing arts experiences.

Click Here to Learn The Program subsidizes performances and workshops in schools that are identified as underserved to address issues of equity caused by limited school arts budgets.

Successful applicants will receive $500 per school year that can be used to subsidize a Prologue performance or workshop.

Leadership Through the Arts

Click Here to Learn More

Click here to learn more

The Leadership Through the Arts Program (LAP) is an initiative designed to foster youth leadership among students across Ontario through the arts.

LAP includes The Prologue Club, which brings students into the planning process of bringing performing arts to their schools; LAP North, a mentorship program in Northern Ontario; and The Student Programming Committee, a group of students who will provide input on our company of artists each year.

19 24

Support Us Not only was the performance engaging but it was immensely educational!

My students and I were in awe and we learned so much. After the performance, as a classroom, we discussed our understanding… Our classrooms’ biggest takeaway was that the performance was more than just dancing and singing but First Nations peoples’ culture, history, storytelling. My students made further connections in their own lives by also sharing their traditional clothes, music, beliefs, food, and other customs.

– Cherokee Public School, TDSB

Help us maintain vital initiatives that create equal access to performing arts experiences for all young people in Ontario Donate Today!

Contact us to arrange your performing arts experience 416-591-9092 info@prologue.orgg www.prologue.org

Follow us @prologuearts

88 Queens Quay West, Suite 2500 Toronto, ON, M5J 0B8