Vermilion Parish

Telling Your Story on the Djembe (PK-5)

by Mandy McGee | Adaptable for Special Education, Elementary School, Iberia Parish, Lafayette Parish, Music, Single Session, Social Emotional Learning, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish

The drum has always been used to communicate, and everyone has a story to tell! In this session, students will learn first that the most important thing in communication is really learning how to LISTEN! Once students know the importance of how to play together and be silent when others are playing their part, they will learn the three basic rhythms on the djembe. There will be lots of teamwork, but in this class, participants will also look at how a solo performer can tell a story and make it come to life.

Breakin’ It Down: The History of Breakdancing (K-12)

by Mandy McGee | Art History, Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, High School, Iberia Parish, Jude Romero (Kabuki Dancers), Lafayette Parish, Middle School, Mini-Presentation, Music, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish

It’s Breakdancing 101! Take a deep dive into the history of Breakdancing and discuss some musical history relative to the dance. Then, it’s time to get active! Various dance moves and styles will be demonstrated live for the audience. A dance workshop makes up the majority of this session so a gym, cafeteria or similar space is required.

Drop the B.E.A.T (Bullying Ends After Talking) (K-6)

by Mandy McGee | Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, Iberia Parish, Jude Romero (Kabuki Dancers), Lafayette Parish, Middle School, Mini-Presentation, Music, Social Emotional Learning, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish

In this innovative session, the elements of Hip-Hop culture are used to address the different types of bullying present in the lives of today’s youth. The overall theme is “Bullying Ends After Talking,” which allows students to express their personal experiences, concerns, and maybe even share some advice for their fellow peers while they are guided and entertained along the way. The entertainment elements of DJing, MCing, and Breakdancing are performed live for the audience throughout the show. This is a social and emotional journey, and a musical one as well!

Quilting Louisiana Culture (1-4)

by Mandy McGee | Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, Iberia Parish, Lafayette Parish, Louisiana, Michael Crotty, Single Session, Social Studies, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish, Visual Art

In this cross curricular arts-integrated lesson, students will explore the rich cultural heritage of Louisiana through the lens of quilt-making. Students will learn about the historical and cultural significance of quilts in Louisiana communities, and identify influences from African American, Creole, Cajun, and Native traditions. Students will discover how quilts tell stories of family, place, and identity, while making Social Studies connections. Then the class will pivot to visual arts – students will design their own quilt squares using patterns, symbols, and colors inspired by Louisiana landscapes, traditions, and festivals. Finally, dance will be incorporated! Students will bring their quilt stories to life by creating movement sequences that represent stitching, patterns, and the themes within their quilt squares. We will use elements of folk dance and creative movement to reflect unity, diversity, and storytelling. This lesson fosters collaboration, creativity, and cultural understanding all the while addressing Louisiana Student Standards in various disciplines.

Moving Through Math: Exploring Geometry & Space with Laban Movement (3-5)

by Mandy McGee | Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, Iberia Parish, Lafayette Parish, Math, Michael Crotty, Single Session, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish

Bring together “Choreutics,” the human body, platonic solids, and more! Students in this session will explore geometric concepts and spatial reasoning through the lens of dance by using Rudolf Laban’s Space Harmony (or Choreutics) principles. Through structured movement activities, students will embody geometric shapes, lines, angles, symmetry, and transformations (translation, rotation, reflection), thus reinforcing their math understanding through kinesthetic learning. This lesson supports Louisiana Math Standards while fostering creative expression and body awareness.

Exploring Space Harmony: Integrating Math and Dance through Icosahedrons (2-5)

by Mandy McGee | Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, Iberia Parish, Lafayette Parish, Math, Michael Crotty, Single Session, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish

Let’s bring geometry to life through movement! In this hands-on, minds-on class, students will explore the powerful intersection of mathematics and dance using toothpicks, gumdrops, and their own bodies. Inspired by Rudolf Laban’s concept of Space Harmony, learners will build their own icosahedrons—one of the five Platonic solids—and use it to discover spatial direction, symmetry, and dynamic movement. This class is perfect for integrating STEM, dance, and art; the lesson supports multiple intelligences, encourages teamwork, and deepens spatial awareness—all while having fun! No prior dance or math specialization needed—just curiosity and creativity.

Character in Motion: Bringing Stories to Life Through Movement (K-8)

by Mandy McGee | Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, Iberia Parish, Lafayette Parish, Literary Arts, Michael Crotty, Middle School, Single Session, Social Emotional Learning, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Theatre, Vermilion Parish

Unlock your students’ imaginations by merging creative writing and expressive movement in this dynamic, cross-disciplinary class. Using Rudolf Laban’s Effort Qualities as a springboard, students will explore how characters feel, move, and act—then bring them to life on the page and in their bodies. Students will experiment with eight distinct movement energies (e.g., strong vs. light, direct vs. indirect), then use those physical sensations to develop original characters. Through guided writing activities, they’ll create stories, monologues, or sketches that reflect their characters’ unique ways of moving and thinking. Along the way, they’ll build empathy, deepen their understanding of emotional expression, and connect movement to storytelling and social-emotional learning. This lesson is perfect for integrating dance, drama, and literacy; look forward to a class that supports kinesthetic learners, inspires creativity, and encourages a deeper connection between body, mind, and story.

Command the Room – Movement tools for Public Speaking (7-12)

by Mandy McGee | Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, High School, Iberia Parish, Lafayette Parish, Michael Crotty, Middle School, Single Session, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Theatre, Vermilion Parish

Help students develop dynamic, authentic presence by exploring Laban’s Effort Qualities—a system for understanding how movement expresses intention, emotion, and energy. In this interactive session, students will identify how body language, gesture, and physical effort impact communication. Then, students will apply those insights to improve their own public speaking. Through movement exploration, speaker analysis, and short performance practice, students will build greater confidence, self-awareness, and expressive control—essential skills for any speaking, debate, or performance context.

Clave & Grooove: A Fusion of Rhythm and Dance (1-8)

by Mandy McGee | Art History, Creative Movement/Dance, Elementary School, Heritage Months/Celebrations, Iberia Parish, Middle School, Mini-Presentation, Single Session, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Terrance Morgan, Vermilion Parish

Ready, Clave, Go! Discover the rhythmic heartbeat of Latin and Afro-Cuban music in this high-energy, interactive session. Students will learn the foundational clave rhythm (traditionally counted as 1-2-3-12) using authentic wooden percussion sticks. This session bridges the gap between live percussion and modern street dance, demonstrating how this ancestral pulse heavily influences house dance and hip-hop foundations.

The Rhythm of Self-Love (5-12)

by Mandy McGee | Alex PoeticSoul Johnson, Elementary School, High School, Iberia Parish, Lafayette Parish, Literary Arts, Middle School, Single Session, Social Emotional Learning, St. Landry Parish, St. Martin Parish, Vermilion Parish

We have all heard the term “self-love.” But have we ever explored what it really means? Or used a poetic structure to commit it to paper? This session offers an opportunity for both! Students will engage in a guided discussion on what self-love means and why it is important. Then, they will complete a writing exercise focused on using couplets to create self-motivation poems. It’s self-care meets rhyme meets SEL fusion! This artist is only available on Fridays, so chat with them about availability after booking.

ADDITIONAL ARTS IN EDUCATION RESOURCES