University at Buffalo

Thematic Teen Programming

The Performing Arts

Lisa Carlson
LIS 535
Anne Perrault
August 12, 2014

Teen programing series at Smith Memorial Library

Theme: The Performing Arts
Program 1 title: A Celebration of Dance
Program 2 title: A Celebration of Theater
Each program consists of a week-long display at the library with a selection of books and
photos, movies on DVD, and one one-hour meeting with a performing artist or artists.
1. Display table
A: selected fiction
B: selected non-fiction
C: photos printed at the library on copier paper, glued to a manilla folder cut to fit
and used for strength, and propped up on a holder.
D: selected movies on DVD
E: the flyer
2: A one-hour meeting with performing artists
Program 1 title: A Celebration of Dance
Selected fiction:
A Time to Dance - Padma Venkatraman
Pointe - Brandy Colbert
Bunheads - Sophie Flack
Dancergirl - Carol M. Tazman
Tutu Much - Airin Emery
Phantom's Dance - Lisa Howard
Maybe One Day - Melissa Kantor
Kid B - Linden Dalecki
Entwined - Heather Dixon
Mao's Last Dancer - Li Cunxin
Panic - Sharon Draper
Taking Flight: From War Orphan to Star Ballerina - Michaela Deprince (October 14,
2014 release)
Selected non-fiction:
Popular Dance From Ballroom to Hip-Hop
Mudras of India: a comprehensive guide to the hand gestures of Yoga and Indian dance.

Reading Dance: a gathering of memoirs, reportage, criticism, profiles, interviews and some
uncategorizable extras.
Invitation to ballet: a celebration of dance and Degas
Photos for display:
Martha Graham
Josephine Baker
Gene Kelly
Sylvie Guillem
Michael Jackson
Joaquin Cortz
Fred Estair and Ginger Rogers
Mikhail Baryshnikov
Rudolf Nureyev
Movies:
Save the last dance
Dirty Dancing
Footloose
Strictly Ballroom
Mao's Last Dancer
Hairspray
Black Swan
Billy Elliot
Take the Lead
Step Up
Ballet 442
Links for the website:
http://charlotteballet.org/about/get-to-know-us/jordan-leeper/
The Chautauqua Experience for Male Dancers
Chautauqua: Charting a life int he arts
Program 2 title: A Celebration of Theater
Selected fiction:
Chopsticks - Jessica Anthony and Rodrigo Corral
Better Nate Than Ever - Tim Federle
A Love Story Starring My Dead Best Friend - Emily Horner
The Lucy Variations - Sara Zarr
My Life After Now - Jessica Verdi

The Reece Malcom List - Amy Spalding

Will Grayson, Will Grayson - John Green and David Levithan
This is What Happy Looks Like - Jennifer E. Smith
Selected non-fiction
All That Glittered: The Golden Age of Drama on Broadway
Good as Lily
The Backstage Guide to Broadway
Break A Leg! The Kids' Book of Acting and Stagecraft
William Shakespeare and The Globe
Movies:
All About Eve
Shakespeare in Love
The Producers
Moulin Rouge
Chicago
A Chorus Line
An Awfully Big Adventure
Being Julia
De-Lovely
Phantom of the Opera
High School Musical
Photos:
Nathan Lane
Judy Garland/Liza Minnelli
Kristin Chenoweth
Carol Channing
Ben Vereen
Elaine Stritch
Joel Grey
Julie Andrews
Links for the website:
Chautauqua Theater Company HIghlights (video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?
v=ooXMcFGCVCc)
KindsiKay performance (video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JBijZAAwyew)

1. How / why you chose the subject for your thematic programming series.
I'm spending the summer at Chautauqua Institution, so I developed programing that
works for the unique community here. One of the considerations when developing teen
programing is partnering with other community organizations. Chautauqua Institution is
rich with the performing arts. Among other things, there is a theater company and a
ballet company, and I chose to utilize them in a performing arts themed program.
I was particularly inspired to this topic a few weeks ago when I caught a glance of one of
the stars of the ballet, Jordan Leeper, in a newspaper spread. Jordan is a native of
Jamestown (about 18 miles from Chautauqua) and was part of a youth ballet program
there. I remember seeing him dance in his early years; he started when he was 12. He's
now 23 and is now part of the Charlotte Ballet in North Carolina. The Chautauqua Ballet
is a company of seasoned professional dancers who perform at the institution as a
company, and who work with elite students of dance in the dance school. The
Chautauqua theater company, like the ballet, forms only for the nine week summer
season at the Institution. It's a company made up of acclaimed professionals as well as
up-and-coming student artists.
The theater company has not released its schedule for 2015 yet. They usually put on 3
plays over the course of the summer season, and I'd like to wait to develop the program
after I've seen the selection of plays. Some plays might be of more interest to teens than
others. The company is already accustomed to inviting small groups in for "brown bag"
lunch meetings with the cast to discuss the plays. They would welcome a similar meeting
with teens. If the program had been held this summer, I'd have chosen to work with the
cast of The May Queen, a comedy written and directed by Molly Smith Metzler.
A partnership with these two organizations would provide a truly unique cultural
opportunity for teens at Chautauqua who are not students of the schools of performing
arts.
2. What need you feel the programs will fill in the YA community?
Chautauqua Institution's 9-week summer programming is heavily adult-centric. There
are lectures, sermons, orchestra performances, and a variety of small specialized classes
that have appeal to adults. There is also a Children's School where young Chautauquans
can leave their children for the day. The Children's School has a playground,
programming, excursions, and storytime visits to the library. Teens are a bit left out. It's
true that teens vacationing at Chautauqua don't lack things to do; they are free to walk or
ride bikes with friends, play tennis, take sailing lessons, hang out at the beach, or hang
out anywhere else in this safe, gated community. Chautauqua Institution is a powerhouse
for intellectual, cultural, and spiritual exploration and growth for adults, but a lot of the
programming doesn't hold much interest for teens. Teens need to know that they are

valued, and interesting programming is a way to make them feel more included in the
Chautauqua experience.
3. What are your goals for the outcome of the programs (what do you hope participants
will learn or experience?
I would like teens to have an experience with the performing arts that they will remember. After
the season is over and they return to their homes in other states, I'd like them to be able to tell
stories of their summer at Chautauqua that include having seen and done things that very very
few teens get a chance to do. Few teens get a chance to see professional theater or ballet, but
even fewer are able to talk to the artists, or see what happens backstage. An intimate meeting
with artists is a unique opportunity which enriches the participants, strengthens community
bonds, and projects a positive image of the library.
4. How you will get teens involved in the planning and execution of the programs.
Planning, at least for the inaugural program (this could be an annual thing), would take
place mostly in the off season. Some teens are at the institution for the entire season, but
many are here for a week or two at a time. The area outside the grounds of the Institution
is rural. The village of Mayville is four miles to the north, on the north end of the lake.
Mayville has a library, and many local teens use that library as opposed to Smith
Memorial Library because it is in the population center.
5. Your programming plans should include engaging at least 1 guest speaker /
performer / community organization to help you execute at least one of your programs.
You must provide an actual NAME and CONTACT INFORMATION for a REAL person
with whom you would communicate to make these arrangements. You must also include
details of any performers fees that they would require be paid.
I chose Jordan Leeper of the Chautauqua Ballet company as a guest speaker. The Chautauqua
Ballet is a seasonal company made up of dancers from the Charlotte Ballet in North Carolina; the
Charlotte Ballet's president and artistic director, Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux, is the director of the
Chautauqua Ballet. Jordan began his dancing career with a Jamestown-based dance organization
called Chautauqua Regional Youth Ballet, and studied with Bonnefoux as a student at
Chautauqua. I'd really like to have 5 or 6 dancers meet with the teens in this program, but for
now, I'll stick to just one. I thought about truing to find a female dancer to fill this role, but I
stuck with Jordan for a couple of reasons. First, I think he has an interesting personal story, but
also because I had a hard time finding books that boys would be interested in, and having a male
guest speaker might attract boys to the program. At least, it might help make the program not
appear to be too girl-centric.

I think that there's a good chance that Jordan and the School of Dance would be happy to
participate for no fee, but I'll offer $100 for an hour of his time. This can help him defray the
costs associated with spending the summer at Chautauqua.
Jordan Leeper and Jean-Pierre Bonnefoux can be reached at:
Charlotte Ballet
701 N. Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC, 28202
714-372-0101
When at Chautauqua, they can be reached at:
Chautauqua School of Dance
10 Hedding Ave
Chautauqua, NY, 14722
716-357-6233
Contact with the Theater Company would begin with a meeting with the managing director,
Sarah Clare Corporandy. She can be reached at:
Sarah Clare Corporandy
Chautauqua Theater Company
PO Box 1098
Chautauqua, NY 14722
716-357-6437
6. Samples of contract(s) that will be used to secure performers / guest speakers, etc.
Does your guest have a standard contract that they use? If your guest doesnt provide a
contract, find a general contract that you can adapt for your use. You should always have
a contract-even if your performer is providing their services free of charge.
A contract is included in this assignment submission.
7. Where the program will be held (in the reading room of the library, in a meeting
room, on the lawn, etc.). What is the capacity of the room? How many participants do
you plan on allowing? What kind of furniture or equipment will you need? How should
the furniture or equipment be set up? (Feel free to include a drawing)
The program will be held in the Carnahan-Jackson rehearsal studio at the Chautauqua
School of Dance. Chairs can be brought into the space, but I envision students and Mr.
Leeper sitting on the floor, or moving around the space trying out dance moves.

8. What supplies / refreshments / giveaways you will need for the program. (Will a
special item be given to any teen that attends all of your programs? Are there any
supplies that must be provided to participants in order to successfully carry out program
activities? etc.) Include details of the items you will be purchasing including price for
each and total price of items purchased.
There are no supplies that participants need for this program. A nice give-away might be
a publicity photo of the dance company and theater company. The companies already
have the publicity photos, so the only cost the the library would be for printing. I would
order 25 copies of an 8'x10' photo from each company. These would be produced at
Officemax for $1.26 each for a total of $63.
9. How will you tie library materials in to the presentation of the program?
I have a selection of books with dancers as characters or with plots that center around
dance schools or dancing. I didn't want the program to focus entirely on ballet, so I tried
to find a variety of fiction with more dance styles. I plan to have the selected books
(fiction and non-fiction) on display on a table with images (photos printed on the color
printer on regular paper) of famous dancers. I'd like to add links to some dance
performances and music on the library's website.
10. Will you require participants to sign-up ahead of time? If so, how will that be
handled?
Many teens at Chautauqua are only there for a week or two. Some are there for the entire
season, but some are not. Regardless, most of them don't stay in contact with the library
in the off season when they are in their hometowns. I'd like to reach out to the local teens
in the area before the season starts and have a handful of names on the sign up list when
the season starts, so when the summer teens arrive, they don't have to be the first ones to
sign up. This was an idea from our textbook; it says that no one wants to be the first to
arrive (or in this case, sign up) for a program, so it helps to have some teens get it started.
11. A publicity plan. You must give details of how you will promote your program to the
YA community (flyers in the library? Emails? School librarians? Etc.) Include a copy of
at least one flyer that you will post/hand out in order to generate interest in your
program.
Chautauqua Institution publishes its own newspaper, and the Saturday edition contains a
large insert with all of the activities of the upcoming week. The "Celebration of Dance"
themed materials can stay on display for a week, beginning on a Saturday with the
meeting with Jordan Leeper happening on the following Friday. The flyer will also be
the center of the display, and the flyer can also be posted on a couple of other community
bulletin boards. The library gets enough traffic that word is likely to spread quickly in

this tight community. Even if a teen doesn't come in and see the display and flyer, his or
her parent or grandparent will probably see it and mention it to the teen who might then
come by for more information. The same is true for the write-up in the weekly schedule;
this is scoured by all the adults.

Smith Memorial Library

Presenter Agreement Contract

Appearance Agreement
This Agreement is entered into this 12th day of August, 2014, by and between JORDAN
LEEPER and SMITH MEMORIAL LIBRARY.
Whereas, Smith Memorial Library desires Jordan Leeper to make an appearance on the
Librarys behalf at a time and place to be mutually agreed on by Smith Memorial Library and
Jordan Leeper; and
Whereas, Mr. Leeper agrees to make such an appearance in accordance with the provisions of
this Agreement;
Therefore, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth herein and for other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties
do hereby agree as follows:
1.

Services to be performed. Jordan Leeper, in accordance with the provisions of this

Agreement, shall make an appearance on behalf of Smith Memorial Library.
Specifically, Jordan Leeper's appearance will consist of the following:
Dance demonstration and Q&A with teen patrons. Jordan Leeper agrees to
conduct one presentation in the month of August, 2015, of up to one hour in
length, during which time, Mr. Leeper shall address individual teen library
patrons' questions about dancing, the profession of a dancer, and his career as a
dancer. Additionally, Mr. Leeper will perform demonstrations of dance moves
which will be selected by Mr. Leeper.
The number of students at each
presentation is at the discretion of the director of the School of Dance, and will be
conducted in the School of Dance rehearsal studio.

2.

Date of appearances. The appearance at Chautauqua School of Dance will be a one

hour session on the 14th day of August, 2015, at 11:00 am.

3.

Location of appearance. The location of the appearance is the Carnahan-Jackson

rehearsal studio, Chautauqua School of Dance, 10 Hedding Ave, Chautauqua, NY,
14722.

4.

Appearance fee. Smith Memorial Library shall pay Jordan Leeper an appearance fee
of $100. The appearance fee shall be paid by check, made payable to Jordan Leeper,

immediately on Mr. Leeper's arrival on the date of the appearance. Mr. Leeper will
not go forward with the appearance until Smith Memorial Library presents payment
of said balance.
5.

Transportation. Ground transportation will not be provided by Smith Memorial

Library. Patrons from outside the Chautauqua Institution grounds will be granted a
free pass onto the grounds, but must pay for parking outside the grounds and walk or
bicycle in. Patrons inside the grounds can can walk or bicycle to the CarnahanJackson studio.

6.

Cancellation of appearance by Jordan Leeper. Mr. Leeper may cancel and

terminate this contract and the services to be rendered hereunder, without liability, by
providing thirty (30) days prior written notice to t Smith Memorial Library. In the
event that Mr. Leeper exercises his right to cancel under this paragraph, he shall
reimburse Smith Memorial Library the fee paid by Smith Memorial Library pursuant
to paragraph 4.

7.

Circumstances outside Jordan Leeper's control. If Mr. Leeper is prevented from

appearing at the agreed time, date, or location because of an act of God, Mr. Leeper's
illness, or other factor(s) outside Mr. Leeper's control, Mr. Leeper shall not be liable
to Smith Memorial Library for any losses related to Mr. Leeper's failure to appear. In
the event that the appearance is cancelled for any of the reasons set forth in this
paragraph 7, Smith Memorial Library shall not be responsible for payment of the
appearance fee described in paragraph 4.

8.

Notices. All notices, requests, demands, or other communications (collectively,

Notices) required or permitted to be given by the parties hereto shall be given in
writing by personal delivery or by registered mail, postage prepaid, or by facsimile
transmission to the parties at the following addresses:

To Jordan Leeper:
Jordan Leeper
701 N. Tryon St.
Charlotte, NC, 28202
714-372-0101
To Smith Memorial Library:
Attn: Lisa Carlson
Smith Memorial Library
21 Miller Ave
Chautauqua, NY, 14722

Facsimile: 716-367-3657
Or at such other addresses as may be given by the parties hereto in writing from time
to time.
9.

Governing law. Jordan Leeper and Smith Memorial Library agree that all questions
pertaining to the validity and interpretation of this Agreement shall be determined in
accordance with the law of the state of New York.

10.

Severability. If any provision, portion, or section of this Agreement is determined to

be unenforceable or invalid for any reason whatsoever, that unenforceability or
invalidity shall not affect the enforceability or validity of the remaining portions of
this Agreement and such unenforceable or invalid provision, portion, or section shall
be severed from the remainder of this Agreement.

11.

Headings. The headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference
only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

12.

Entire agreement. This Agreement and referenced attachments constitute the entire
Agreement between Jordan Leeper and Smith Memorial Library.

Dated:

________________________

By:

_____________________________________
Jordan Leeper

and
Dated:

_________________________

By:

_____________________________________
Smith Memorial Library

Smith Memorial Library

Presenter Agreement Contract

Appearance Agreement
This Agreement is entered into this 12th day of August, 2014, by and between MOLLY SMITH
METZLER and selected cast members and SMITH MEMORIAL LIBRARY.
Whereas, Smith Memorial Library desires Molly Smith Metzler and selected cast members to
make an appearance on Smith Memorial Librarys behalf at a time and place to be mutually
agreed on by Smith Memorial Library and Molly Smith Metzler and selected cast members; and
Whereas, Ms. Smith Metzler
provisions of this Agreement;

agrees to make such an appearance in accordance with the

Therefore, in consideration of the mutual promises set forth herein and for other good and
valuable consideration, the receipt and sufficiency of which is hereby acknowledged, the parties
do hereby agree as follows:
1.

Services to be performed. Molly Smith Metzler and selected cast members, in

accordance with the provisions of this Agreement, shall make an appearance on
behalf of Smith Memorial Library. Specifically, Molly Smith Metzler and selected
cast members's appearance will consist of the following:
Acting demonstrations and Q&A with teen patrons. Molly Smith Metzler and
selected cast members agrees to conduct one presentation in the month of August,
2015, of up to one hour in length, during which time, Ms. Smith Metzler shall
address individual teen library patrons' questions about acting, the profession of
an actor, and her career as an actor and playwrite. The number of students at each
presentation is at the discretion of the managing director of the Chautauqua
Theater Company, and will be conducted in the Bratton theater.

2.

Date of appearances. The appearance at Chautauqua School of Dance will be a one

hour session on the 7th day of August, 2015, at 11:00 am.

3.

Location of appearance. The location of the appearance is the Bratton Theater, 65

Hurst Ave, Chautauqua, NY, 14722.

4.

Appearance fee. Molly Smith Metzler and selected cast members agree to perform
these services at no cost.

5.

Transportation. Ground transportation will not be provided by Smith Memorial

Library. Patrons from outside the Chautauqua Institution grounds will be granted a
free pass onto the grounds, but must pay for parking outside the grounds and walk or
bicycle in. Patrons inside the grounds can can walk or bicycle to the Bratton Theater

6.

Cancellation of appearance by Molly Smith Metzler and selected cast members.

Ms. Smith Metzler may cancel and terminate this contract and the services to be
rendered hereunder, without liability.

To Molly Smith Metzler and selected cast members:

Molly Smith Metzler and selected cast members
c/o Sarah Clare Corporandy
Chautauqua Theater Company
PO Box 1098
Chautauqua, NY 14722
716-357-6437
To Smith Memorial Library:
Attn: Lisa Carlson
Smith Memorial Library
21 Miller Ave
Chautauqua, NY, 14722
Facsimile: 716-367-3657
Or at such other addresses as may be given by the parties hereto in writing from time
to time.
9.

Governing law. Molly Smith Metzler and selected cast members and Smith
Memorial Library agree that all questions pertaining to the validity and interpretation
of this Agreement shall be determined in accordance with the law of the state of New
York.

10.

Severability. If any provision, portion, or section of this Agreement is determined to

be unenforceable or invalid for any reason whatsoever, that unenforceability or
invalidity shall not affect the enforceability or validity of the remaining portions of
this Agreement and such unenforceable or invalid provision, portion, or section shall
be severed from the remainder of this Agreement.

11.

Headings. The headings used in this Agreement are for convenience of reference
only and shall not limit or otherwise affect the meaning hereof.

12.

Entire agreement. This Agreement and referenced attachments constitute the entire
Agreement between Molly Smith Metzler and selected cast members and Smith
Memorial Library.

Dated:

________________________

By:

_____________________________________
Molly Smith Metzler and selected cast members

and
Dated:

_________________________

By:

_____________________________________
Smith Memorial Library

These books
and more!

Dance!
A celebration of

A TEEN PROGRAM AT THE LIBRARY

Visit the library for a selection of

books and movies about dance and
dancers.

Then sign up for a meeting,

demonstration, and a chance to
dance with The Chautauqua Ballet's
Jordan Leeper
Books and movies on display
August 9-15

meet

Jordan

Meet Jordan Leeper

August 14, 11am
at the Carnahan-Jackson studio.
Sign up at the circulation desk.
Attendance is limited!

SMITH MEMORIAL LIBRARY

Leeper