Our Exploration for Toddlers
18-24 months
Ailey Citigroup Theater
May 2-4, 2024
Mark Morris Center for Dance
May 12-13, 2024
Author Archives: THSmara
Blog Post: The Art of Creating Change
By Treehouse Shakers’ Artistic Director
I’ve been creating and shaping Treehouse Shakers for 26 years. And over these 26 years, I have written, directed or produced over 20 original shows. When I started the company with my friend/business/creative partner, Emily Bunning, theater was a man’s world. Men were the directors. The majority of plays, that were the industry standards, written by men. I had been raised on the writings by men. Executive and Artistic Directors were men. Directors were men. Producers were men. Presented choreographers were primarily men. Continue Reading
Spring Benefit
Please Join Us
Wednesday, May 8, 2024
Annual Spring Benefit
Honoring, Takiema Bunche Smith
CEO and founder of Anahsa Consulting
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Make A Donation
The Logistics Behind Touring A New Genre
Two years ago Treehouse Shakers’ premiered our first exploration into work for the very young, Hatched. Created for ages 0-6, our intent was for babies in the audience to be enticed and delighted by the animal sounds, textures, and movements, while toddlers would enjoy watching and imitating their favorite farm animals as they come to life. Since premiering the piece in New York City in 2012, we have continued touring this work. Touring the show has brought this intimate genre to new audiences while also facing some unexpected challenges. Continue Reading
Ode To The Early Days
I am noticing a lot of changes in NYC since we started the company in 1997. Alphabet City has been gentrified. Park Slope is more expensive to live than the Upper West Side. We moved to Hell’s Kitchen to afford the rent, to be close to auditions, to live among the Broadway marquees. It wasn’t glamorous. Continue Reading.
Vegetarian Lasagna: The Role of A Choreographer
Mara’s catchy title on the last blog post inspired mine, Vegetarian Lasagna. Life is all about layering. I also make a great lasagna. For my recipe and secret ingredient click to donate to Treehouse Shakers and I will send it to you. I’m the choreographer and co-founder of Treehouse Shakers. My working title is Artistic Coordinator, which seemed appropriate at the time we chose it. I also like to call myself the CFC, Chief Financial Choreographer. Continue Reading
Syncopated Music: The Role of An Artistic Director
When I was younger I wanted to be a jazz musician. I listened to John Coltrane, Charlie Parker, Miles Davis, Ella Fitzgerald. They were my soul sculptors. I named my favorite blue bellied lizards in their honor. By the time I reached High School I may have been immersed in theater, in writing, but my thoughts were like ragtime itself. Syncopated. Ragged. I was envisioning the rhythm of my future. Read More
Playing The Company Role: Sarah Young
Treehouse Shakers has become my family. This isn’t an exaggeration. They were one of the reasons that I originally decided to move to New York City. In 2003, while I was an intern at Jacob’s Pillow Dance Festival, I met Lisa Neidermeyer, a former Treehouse Shakers company member. When she learned that I was interested in dance and youth education, she put me in touch with Emily Bunning, who invited me to a rehearsal. That rehearsal was reason enough to locate to New York. Read More
Generosity: The Daily Act
This June, Treehouse Shakers was fortunate to have Kathy Le May of Raising Change lead a dynamic workshop in how to make the big ask in fundraising. We invited colleagues and donors to join us, as she poignantly led us in a workshop on how to ask for larger gifts and become better fundraisers. Kathy’s story on the act of generosity is so powerful, it brings home the belief that generosity is not only monetary, but a way of being. To Continue Reading Check Out Mara’s Treehouse.
The Chick That Stole Our Heart
“Well paced! Poetic and set in a child’s mind.” -Mary DiLucia, Parent of 20 month old child
Hatched opened at The Ailey Citigroup Studio Theater in New York City on May 3rd and closed on May 19, 2012. Hard to imagine that a year of rehearsals led to performances that opened and closed in only a few weeks time. We developed, we rehearsed, we premiered, we closed. For over a year, life has been all encompassing around the imaginary world of Hatched; the nest, the egg, the farm and our wonderful puppets.
To Continue Reading Check Out: Mara’s Treehouse
Fundraising Success
This spring marks Treehouse Shakers’ 15th NYC performance season. When we began in 1997 we had only a dream. We didn’t have a business plan, a board, or even company members. We had lived in New York City only a few months. And yet, we knew we wanted a company of our own. Twelve original shows later, here we are. How far we have come.
To Continue Reading Visit Mara’s Treehouse