Kathie diStefano, co founder Avalanche Arts, employs interactive techniques and theatre arts to create awareness for environmental themes among her audiences. Whatever the method, ranging one-time presentation or series of workshops, the objective remains the same: having fun while learning.
Fall Events 2021
Operation Trash
Revius High School, Maassluis, the Netherlands
September 1 - 16
Playing in a Cleaner Neighborhood
Seagull Mama show & classroom fun while learning good trash behavior
Het Visnet, elementary school in Vlaardingen, the Netherlands
September 8 - 10
Operation Trash for Seniors
Presentation & workshop
STOED, Maassluis, the Netherlands
September 16
Playing in a Cleaner Neighborhood
Seagul Mama show & community cleanup
De Dijck, elementary school in Maassluis, the Netherlands
October 4 – 8
Week of Sustainability
Operation Trash lessons & workshops
Het Geuzencollege, Vlaardingen, the Netherlands
September 28 – October 15
Operation Trash
Revius High School, Maassluis, the Netherlands
September 1 - 16
Playing in a Cleaner Neighborhood
Seagull Mama show & classroom fun while learning good trash behavior
Het Visnet, elementary school in Vlaardingen, the Netherlands
September 8 - 10
Operation Trash for Seniors
Presentation & workshop
STOED, Maassluis, the Netherlands
September 16
Playing in a Cleaner Neighborhood
Seagul Mama show & community cleanup
De Dijck, elementary school in Maassluis, the Netherlands
October 4 – 8
Week of Sustainability
Operation Trash lessons & workshops
Het Geuzencollege, Vlaardingen, the Netherlands
September 28 – October 15
Operation Trash Baltimore City is the result of a collaboration between Baltimore City’s Department of Public Works (DPW) and Avalanche Arts. A tool kit for DPW community liaisons and Baltimore City teachers has been created under the supervision of Kathie diStefano, head of educational development at Avalanche Arts. Slide shows, worksheets, teacher guides and links for inspiration have been put together to help teach students how important it is to throw trash away where it belongs. These tools incorporate interactive lessons, games and local hero’s stories brings the message home to Baltimoreans. Arts-based learning and social emotional learning strategies add color to the lessons, as well as plant seeds for understanding.
Operation Trash advocates ‘Thinking global and acting local’.
Operation Trash advocates ‘Thinking global and acting local’.
The Baltimore Rotterdam Sister City Committee (BRSCC) promotes cooperation, mutual understanding, and friendship between the citizens of Baltimore in Maryland, U.S.A. and Rotterdam in The Netherlands. Avalanche Arts has been collaborating with the BRSCC since 2011 when Harbortraces, a cultural exploration, was first launched. Since then Avalanche Arts has visited Baltimore yearly with workshops and performances.
harbortraces.org
harbortraces.org
Operation Trash Virtual Exchange
A social cultural program linking American & Dutch students
A social cultural program linking American & Dutch students
Operation Trash is an international virtual exchange program for students in Baltimore & Rotterdam to make them aware of trash pollution and how they can help address it.
The activities are designed & coordinated by Kathie diStefano from Rotterdam-based Avalanche Arts (Stichting Lawine). By doing research in their communities, participating in cleanups, and connecting with their peers overseas to learn about each other’s trash challenges, students learn how they can contribute to a cleaner and safer living environment, reduce litter, and increase their recycling efforts.
HarborTraces
Harbour Traces & Avalanche (Lawine)
Let’s “SEAL’’ our friendship
BaltimoreRotterdam.org
The activities are designed & coordinated by Kathie diStefano from Rotterdam-based Avalanche Arts (Stichting Lawine). By doing research in their communities, participating in cleanups, and connecting with their peers overseas to learn about each other’s trash challenges, students learn how they can contribute to a cleaner and safer living environment, reduce litter, and increase their recycling efforts.
HarborTraces
Harbour Traces & Avalanche (Lawine)
Let’s “SEAL’’ our friendship
BaltimoreRotterdam.org
Ms Kathie’s Seagull Mamma show is both an introduction to theater as well as a lesson in trash management and recycling for young audiences.
Through a collaboration with Young Audiences of Maryland, Ms Kathie has been visiting schools in Baltimore City. In recent years her show and visiting artist programs have taken her to Benjamin Franklin High, Wolfe Street Academy, Federal Hill Prep, Enoch Public Libraries, Lakeland Middle and Bay Brook Elementary School.
“Thank you for visiting Bay Brook Elementary Middle School to teach our students about keeping animals safe by disposing of trash and recycling properly. Your presentation had our students completely engaged. Because you use so much humor in your show, the students didn’t even realize they were learning. They are all still smiling and talking about the show. We would love to have you back to Bay Brook any time.” “ Ms. Woolley, Bay Brook Elementary, Baltimore City”
Through a collaboration with Young Audiences of Maryland, Ms Kathie has been visiting schools in Baltimore City. In recent years her show and visiting artist programs have taken her to Benjamin Franklin High, Wolfe Street Academy, Federal Hill Prep, Enoch Public Libraries, Lakeland Middle and Bay Brook Elementary School.
“Thank you for visiting Bay Brook Elementary Middle School to teach our students about keeping animals safe by disposing of trash and recycling properly. Your presentation had our students completely engaged. Because you use so much humor in your show, the students didn’t even realize they were learning. They are all still smiling and talking about the show. We would love to have you back to Bay Brook any time.” “ Ms. Woolley, Bay Brook Elementary, Baltimore City”
‘Kathie diStefano is a visiting artist for Young Audiences of Maryland’
Projects
Operation Trash for middle and high schools teaches the importance of good trash management and the problems that arise when we ‘trash’ our communities and pollute our planet.
Playing in a Cleaner Neighborhood, for elementary schools, offers lessons that teach the need for trash reduction, increased recycling and the effects of trash pollution on our environment.
Partners and collaborations
Workshops
Improvisational Theater
Impro designed to combine 'play' with learning about cooperation and the balance between leading and following. Playing improv games can be great fun and is a wonderful way to work on healthy group dynamics.
Impro designed to combine 'play' with learning about cooperation and the balance between leading and following. Playing improv games can be great fun and is a wonderful way to work on healthy group dynamics.
Professional Development Operation Trash workshop for professional development gives participants the opportunity to experience hands on how fun interactive exercises can enhance group dynamics, train focus and energize.
Community Outreach
Bringing people together to learn and share while having a good time.
Combining traditional strategies like food festivals and neighborhood cleanups to mobilize and inform residents about important community issues.
Bringing people together to learn and share while having a good time.
Combining traditional strategies like food festivals and neighborhood cleanups to mobilize and inform residents about important community issues.
Kathie diStefano employs interactive techniques and creative arts to build awareness for environmental themes.