Kathie diStefano employs interactive techniques and creative arts to build awareness for environmental themes.
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.
Operation Trash Baltimore City Tour April-May 2020
cancelled due to Covid19
Summer-Fall 2020
Ms Kathie’s Magical Moments video clips Available via Young Audiences of Maryland
September 2020
Operatie Afval, Dutch version of Operation Trash
Revius Middle School, Maassluis, the Netherlands
4 Septebmer, 2020: Wolfert College, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Fall 2020
Operation Trash Virtual Assembly
is ‘in the making’; a collaboration with Young Audiences of Maryland
Spring 2021
Avalanche Arts collaborates with Afvalvrije School (Zero Waste School)
a national program touring Dutch elementary schools.
cancelled due to Covid19
Summer-Fall 2020
Ms Kathie’s Magical Moments video clips Available via Young Audiences of Maryland
September 2020
Operatie Afval, Dutch version of Operation Trash
Revius Middle School, Maassluis, the Netherlands
4 Septebmer, 2020: Wolfert College, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
Fall 2020
Operation Trash Virtual Assembly
is ‘in the making’; a collaboration with Young Audiences of Maryland
Spring 2021
Avalanche Arts collaborates with Afvalvrije School (Zero Waste School)
a national program touring Dutch elementary schools.
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 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’.
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.
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.