Yesterday we wrote about some of the differences between school assembly program performers who tour and those who are resident in one particular area. Though we concluded there are advantages to using performers from large professional touring companies over independent acts, much of the advantage comes from the support and backing the company itself provides to the the performer. Today I want to mention a couple of performers who are resident in the area around Chicago, Illinois, but who enjoy the advantage of being part of a large company, namely Mobile Ed (what a surprise!).

We are blessed to have the services of two awesome gentlemen working for us (and you!) in and around Chicago. The first is Mr. Jeff Hoge, otherwise known as Dr. Exhaustus. Jeff is an amazing actor and a wonderfully funny man who offers several shows to Illinois schools. His first passion is, of course, for his own program on climate change entitled Our Changing Climate. This is a truly amazing  program of environmental science designed to make the whole area of climate change accessible and understandable for kids without scaring their pants off. Presenting all sides of an increasingly difficult topic, Jeff wends his way through the myriad aspects of climate change and does so in a way that is both exceptionally enlightening and also exceedingly entertaining. 

But Jeff is an awesome talent and no one trick pony. For years he has supplied our Illinois clients (and those in southern Wisconsin) with a very awesome portrayal of Abraham Lincoln as well as a great version of our creative writing program Young Authors Day (among his gifts Jeff is also a very skilled classical mime!). And this year, Jeff has added not one but two new school assembly programs to his bag of tricks. He is one of two actors presenting our Mark Twain program (just revived for 2011-2012) and he is also our new performer for Crime Scene Science, the super forensic science assembly kids just love! Though he does occasionally go out of town for us, Jeff is usually to Chicago land schools throughout the year.

The other resident performer whose services we enjoy in and around Chicago is the magnificent Mr. Buchholz! Dick Buchholz is one of a kind! He is a preeminent expert in the field of Natural Science and animals, and has been bringing his expertise and love of animals to schools across the nation for more than twenty five years. His programs are called Animals and the Environment and Reptiles are Cool. A couple of years ago, to the joy and benefit of Illinois schools, Dick decided he no longer wanted to be a road warrior, and ceased touring for us. However, that makes him now available to schools in Illinois and Wisconsin virtually any time at all throughout the year. And what a resource he is! Past president of the Chicago Herpetological Society, Dick is an absolutely outstanding school assembly performer with a hat trick of skills including talent, knowledge and experience. When Dick visits your school the entire school is going to have a great day!

Of course, Chicago land schools also enjoy the opportunity to bring in all the wonderful school shows that travel through Chicago as part of a larger tour. Just one more advantage to living in one of our nation's greatest metropolitan areas!

And for those of us in other parts of the country, many opportunities exist as well. In addition to our touring performers, keep an eye on this blog for future information about great school assembly performers in your part of the country!