Paul W. Ogle Cultural & Community Center

The Quitumbe Andean Ballet was born in 2002 as one of the various extracurricular school workshops and was made possible by the close collaboration of the "Quitumbina family." The ballet builds its repertoire from traditional dance with an "ethno-contemporary" approach where history, social content and cultural identity are intrinsic elements. Its choreographies demonstrate the artistry of young dancers who recognize and live the ancestral heritage of Ecuador"s millenary cultures.

Musician, martial artist, songwriter, actor and book nut Thaddeus Rex began as a writer and performer on the Emmy Award-winning PBS Kid's Show, The Friday Zone, then launched a solo career with a style "reminiscent of David Bowie (with) flashes of Monty Python, Dr. Seuss and Shel Silverstein." (Time Out NY Kids). His reading club and lesson plans help make his concerts a centerpiece for reading promotion.

Actor/Comedian David Epley (a.k.a. Doktor Kaboom) combines the two passions in his life - science and performing - into an exciting and interactive Science Comedy extravaganza with an explosive style that refuses to allow his audiences the time to catch a breath. Imagine a German Mister Wizard mixed with a rock & roll Nutty Professor with a fully equipped mobile laboratory, a wicked cool haircut, and a passion for performance that knows no bounds. Now put him onstage, and duck.

This four-man comedy a cappella group has won awards from the Contemporary A Cappella Society, The Harmony Sweepstakes and had their music included on Dr. Demento's Basement Tapes. The side-splittingly funny live shows have garnered fans from around the country. With tight harmonies, intelligent lyrics and eclectic humor, Moosebutter have charmed audiences and enjoy cult-like adoration among fans for their take on Star Wars, Harry Potter and other pop culture classics.

Mesmerized by the eye-popping movement illusions of master mimes and classic silent comedy films, actor, author and mime Dan Kamin began creating his own original shows. Along the way, he has performed around the world and created physical comedy sequences for Robert Downey, Jr. and Johnny Depp. He brings The Pantomine Man to the Ogle Stage to demonstrate how the audience becomes an important part of the show in live theatre. Students affect Dan Kamin directly by doing things such as blowing him off the stage or beating him at tug-of-war with an invisible rope. They also become actively involved by listening carefully as Dan guides them through pantomime movements, and by watching closely to see how he creates his illusions. In this way, children learn the basic rhythm of theatrical give and-take. They learn that they become the "soundtrack" of the show, and that the performer is listening. They also see how theatre is based on pretending, something they do very well already.

Louisville's Mama Yaa Asantewaa, affectionately known as "Storyteller Mama Yaa," has spent 36 years as a keeper of African oral tradition and culture in performances and on the KET-produced Telling Tales. An accomplished sculptor and playwright, she empowers students and is a tireless advocate for creative arts opportunities for everyone.

Mark Kistler believes that learning to draw three dimensions builds a child's critical thinking skills while nourishing self-esteem - his positive messages on self-esteem, goal setting, dream conquering, environmental awareness, and the power of reading have sparked millions of children around the world to discover their awesome individual potentials.

Award-winning kid-rocker Jim Cosgrove (a.k.a. "Mr. Stinky Feet") has earned three national Parents' Choice Awards and a NationalParenting Publications Award, and records for Warner Brothers/Jack Kids Records. His laid-back style and ability to immediately connect with children has made this "Jimmy Buffett for kids" a cool favorite on the concert tour circuit, especially with parents.