Teaching Artist Legacy Statement
As a Puppeteer & Teaching Artist, I strive to engage students in a joyful and meaningful way where we reimagine everyday objects into living, breathing characters that hold the ability to inspire laughter, curiosity and continued learning about the subject we choose to focus on.
| Component Type | School-wide Performance |
| Grades | Pre-K, K, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 |
| First Language | English |
| Other Languages | Slovak (semi-fluent) |
| Professional Links | instagram@sovatheater |
Testimonials
"Our Kindergartener, Ariel, loved the assembly today. She hasn't stopped talking about it! She just loved her puppets!"
- Grade K Teacher, Hamden Hall Country Day School, Hamden, CT
"Adelka did a great job! Excellent with students. Involved many students. Allowed all ideas to flow and be accepted. Made students feel important and/or special. Loved the connection of using natural resources intertwined with storytelling to connect to indigenous people."
- Grade 3, Teacher, Church Street Elementary School, Hamden, CT
- Grade K Teacher, Hamden Hall Country Day School, Hamden, CT
"Adelka did a great job! Excellent with students. Involved many students. Allowed all ideas to flow and be accepted. Made students feel important and/or special. Loved the connection of using natural resources intertwined with storytelling to connect to indigenous people."
- Grade 3, Teacher, Church Street Elementary School, Hamden, CT
Description
"Marvelous Metamorphoses"
Grades K-8
Sova Dance & Puppet Theater's performance "Marvelous Metamorphoses" accompanied by original music engages audiences with the use of dance, puppetry and mask work to colorfully portray characters and concepts with few words used except in the lyrics making them rhythmic memory come alive.
We journey through the life cycles of frogs, butterflies and bees utilizing the art of puppetry and music. Each audience member gets the opportunity to interact directly with the animal puppets in this performance adding joy and light-heartedness into the educational environment as we dance and sing our way through life cycles and transformation in nature.
The puppets are handmade by Sova Theater artists Justin Perlman and Adelka Polak. Performances by Adelka Polak & Kendra Garnett are sure to get everyone dancing, laughing and feeling inspired to learn about the environment. The original music is provided by Cynthia & Rick Quintanal.
"Blues, Blues"
Grades 6-12
"Blues, Blues" shares the complexity of the human experience in this imaginary blue world where two friends set out to put on a puppet show of the famous Shakespeare play "Romeo & Juliet." These friends can be forgetful as they try to accomplish the task at hand allowing for zany antics, but their care for each other and world around them creates dynamic emotional experiences. The original blues and jazz music in this performance allows for a unique theatre spectacle with very few words and strong visuals.
"Blues, Blues" was originally created by Masque Theatre's Larry Hunt and Adelka Polak in 2008 and toured the world for several years, including being featured at festivals in Bulgaria, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Taiwan and Turkey. Audiences get to view how the expression of a single mask can change with physical expression, gestural language, and relationships to the world all around.
Masks are one of the oldest forms of cultural expression globally in order to tell stories that seem to transform the wearers entirely. This art form is a universal language that holds the power to bring all people together regardless of language.
Grades K-8
Sova Dance & Puppet Theater's performance "Marvelous Metamorphoses" accompanied by original music engages audiences with the use of dance, puppetry and mask work to colorfully portray characters and concepts with few words used except in the lyrics making them rhythmic memory come alive.
We journey through the life cycles of frogs, butterflies and bees utilizing the art of puppetry and music. Each audience member gets the opportunity to interact directly with the animal puppets in this performance adding joy and light-heartedness into the educational environment as we dance and sing our way through life cycles and transformation in nature.
The puppets are handmade by Sova Theater artists Justin Perlman and Adelka Polak. Performances by Adelka Polak & Kendra Garnett are sure to get everyone dancing, laughing and feeling inspired to learn about the environment. The original music is provided by Cynthia & Rick Quintanal.
"Blues, Blues"
Grades 6-12
"Blues, Blues" shares the complexity of the human experience in this imaginary blue world where two friends set out to put on a puppet show of the famous Shakespeare play "Romeo & Juliet." These friends can be forgetful as they try to accomplish the task at hand allowing for zany antics, but their care for each other and world around them creates dynamic emotional experiences. The original blues and jazz music in this performance allows for a unique theatre spectacle with very few words and strong visuals.
"Blues, Blues" was originally created by Masque Theatre's Larry Hunt and Adelka Polak in 2008 and toured the world for several years, including being featured at festivals in Bulgaria, Denmark, the Czech Republic, Taiwan and Turkey. Audiences get to view how the expression of a single mask can change with physical expression, gestural language, and relationships to the world all around.
Masks are one of the oldest forms of cultural expression globally in order to tell stories that seem to transform the wearers entirely. This art form is a universal language that holds the power to bring all people together regardless of language.
More Arts Workshops with this Artist
 | MISSION The mission of Higher Order Thinking Schools is to close the opportunity gap in Connecticut by providing a well-rounded education for all students in, about, and through the arts. | OUTCOMES Enriching School Culture | CONTACTS Christopher Eaves |