Balloonacy

Brian Sostek & Barry Kornhauser

Lancaster, Pennsylvania

BALLOONACY is a funny, sweet, uplifting little play specifically designed for little audiences – children ages 3 – 5.   In the play, audiences meet a lonely old man. He doesn’t talk because, living all by himself, he has no one to talk to.  He takes comfort in doing the same things in the same way every day.  He works hard at this.  Yes, he works hard, but somewhere along the way, he has forgotten how to play. So while he may be comfortable, he isn’t really happy. Until one day, a balloon blows by.  Charming and inventive, this production explores the power of friendship and shows how, with a little imagination and acceptance, companionship can be found anywhere.  Beyond bits of introductory narration, the piece is non-verbal and can be performed with or without an interactive component. Note: No latex balloons are used in this performance.

BRIAN SOSTEK (actor) is half of the critically-acclaimed dance and theater company Sossy Mechanics, with whom he has written, choreographed, directed and performed numerous works in the U.S. and internationally.  Performance exploits have ranged from appearing in some of Hollywood’s worst sitcoms to touring with the Flying Foot Forum to acting at the Guthrie Theater.  As a teacher, he keeps busy with a range of endeavors including creativity workshops for students, directing dancers how to act and actors how to dance, and ballroom lessons for just about anybody.

BARRY KORNHAUSER (playwright/director) serves as Playwright-In-Residence/Associate Director of National Historic Landmark Fulton Theatre.  Honors include: Chorpenning Cup, Helen Hayes Outstanding Play Award, Ivey Award, AATE Distinguished Play Award, Bonderman Prize; grants/fellowships from NEA, TYA/USA, Mid-Atlantic Arts, Doris Duke, Pennsylvania Council on the Arts; invitations to the White House, Kennedy Center’s New Visions/New Voices & One Theatre World events, Provincetown Playhouse New Play Festival, and Tony Award-winning stages – Children’s Theatre, Alliance Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, & Shakespeare Theatre.

BALLOONACY was commissioned by the Children’s Theatre Company of Minneapolis, MN.  Generous support was provided by the Bush Foundation.  Special thanks to the Children’s Home Society and Family Service (Saint Paul College and Whittier School locations), Four Directions Charter School, Baby’s Space, Ruth Benner Head Start, La Creche, PICA Head Start, Mona Moede, Elissa Adams and Peter Brosius.

If you are interested in further information about BALLOONACY, contact Barry Kornhauser.