• Print

Booking A Performance

Brian "Fox" Ellis
Fox Tales International
P.O. Box 10800
Peoria, IL 61612
309-689-8000

ARRANGING A PERFORMANCE:

If you are interested in hosting a performance please use the link below to e-mail, call, or write for more information. Each performance is specifically designed for each audience in accordance with interests, age, grade level, and background. Most programs include songs, poetry, audience participation, and a variety of humorous, adventurous, and touching stories. Shows vary in length from 30 to 90 minutes depending on the needs of the host. With a repertoire of more than 400 stories and an eagerness to learn more, I work hard to be able to custom tailor each presentation. I tell stories from many cultures with a wide array of themes.

Before you call you may want to make a list of answers to the following questions:

WHEN?

Please look at my Calendar to see what dates are available. Realize that just because a date is not booked on my calendar it may not be available for other reasons. Choose two or three options.

WHAT TYPE OF PROGRAM(S)?

I am very flexible and strive to meet your needs. My preference is for four to five presentations per day, maybe two performances before lunch and two workshops after. School performances are typically 45-50 minutes long. For workshops I prefer a full hour. I also enjoy presenting after-school teacher workshops and evening, family literacy programs.

WHAT THEMES OR TYPES OF STORIES?

I am perfectly comfortable covering entirely different themes or types of stories for each Performances. My goal is to support the classroom teacher. Tell me what content you are covering in science, social studies, language arts or math and I will put together a program that covers your curriculum. For example: If the older students are covering American History, the younger students are studying fables, and the middle elementary students are studying ecology, then I can tell stories exploring each of those topics for the appropriate audience. I could be A Friend of Abraham Lincoln in the morning and John James Audubon in the afternoon and then present A Family Literacy Night after school. My creative writing workshops will focus on the same themes.

HOW MANY PEOPLE (AUDIENCE SIZE)?

Storytelling always works better in smaller groups. I am comfortable with large audiences of 300-1000 students, but my preference is 200-250 or less. Depending on the size of your school and your budget I can give one large performance for the whole school or spend several days visiting individual classes. In workshops I prefer single classes. Occasionally we can put two classes together for a workshop if the teachers are actively engaged with classroom management and keeping kids on task.

HOW MUCH DOES ALL OF THIS COST?

My fees are somewhat flexible depending on your budget and what I am doing. Please call for a current fee schedule. For smaller schools with limited funds my recommendation is to pool your resources with other schools in your district to split the day and share my travel expenses. There are discounts available if you can help to arrange several days in your area. Funding is often available from your local or state arts council, local school-business partners, and PTA fundraisers. A few schools have pre-sold my books and tapes to help offset some of my costs. They purchase them at wholesale, sell them at retail and the profit goes into a special fund to support school programs. (Click here for a printable order form.)

After you have answered these questions please call 309-689-8000 or follow the link below to arrange a visit.

Eventually, I will need a map to your school, (conference, church, camp, garden club, etc.) and a detailed schedule for the day: