Arts in the Schools

The arts provide an outlet for self-expression and creativity.

 

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The arts are universal, cutting through individual differences in culture, educational background, and ability. The arts can bring every subject to life and turn abstractions into concrete reality.

"Only through art can we emerge from ourselves and know what another person sees."  ~Marcel Proust

 

Performances
Live performances give students an opportunity to learn about culture, history and geography through music, dance and presentation. The following cultural programs provide an important historical and geographical context while focusing on what unites people from around the globe.

From the Heart of South America

Harpist and theatre artist Nicolas Carter presents a captivating performance that links his personal history growing up in Paraguay and the cultural context of this beautiful South American country. Nicolas weaves his outstanding harp music with stories, visuals and puppets presenting insight into the history, geography and characteristics of the Paraguayan people.

Postcards of South America

Nicolas Carter takes students on a journey through Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil and Paraguay. In a multi-media presentation, students discover the dramatic landscapes of South America, try out new dance steps, perform Carnival music with percussion instruments, and meet characters from these distant places. Featuring puppets, live music and visual images, this program helps students expand their understanding of geography, culture and people.

 

Workshops
Nicolas works with students to help them discover their own artistic potential through intense involvement in the creative process.

Music workshops
Puppetry
Theatrical improvisation
Storytelling and playwriting
Play production and performance

 

Residencies
Nicolas engages students and teachers in a creative process that brings artistic expression to themes and learning areas explored in the classroom.

 

Professional Development for Educators
Nicolas works with teachers to provide tangible ways to incorporate arts learning into daily curriculum. Teachers learn hands-on activities designed to engage student's creativity, inspire confidence, foster literacy and develop artistic skills.

 

Experience in Arts Education

Nicolas Carter has directed, acted and taught theater arts for theaters and schools in both Minnesota and Paraguay. Locally, he has directed at the University of Minnesota and has performed for The Science Museum of Minnesota, the Mixed Blood Theater, Teatro del Pueblo and Teatro Latino de Minnesota. He has been a mentor/facilitator for the Chicano/Latino Many Voices Program at the Playwrights' Center in Minneapolis. In Paraguay, Carter worked as a puppeteer and director for the Friendship mission Puppet Theater and taught theater at high schools and institutes. As a theater professor and director at the Catholic University, he guided students in the development of an original play months after the introduction of a new democratic government that was recognized nationally with a Cartelera Award for Best Play of the Year and stimulated a movement of collaborative creations among young artists. He received a Master of Fine Arts degree in Theater Directing form the University of Minnesota, and as a Fulbright Scholar he has done advanced research at the Theatre Center of the Oppressed in Paris, France.

In addition to his theater credits, Carter is an accomplished musician whose principal instrument is the Paraguayan harp. He has provided cultural presentations for more than a hundred schools throughout his professional career, is a regular presenter at national harp festivals, and has presented concerts throughout the United States, Latin America and Europe.

Nicolas has worked with the following schools and organizations:

Teaching Artist, Neighborhood Bridges, Children's Theater Company (2008-present)

Educational Multi-Disciplinary Performances for grade K-12, Compas, Young Audiences, Freelance (1991-present)

Teaching Artist, Arts Courses for Educators (ACE) Program, Perpich Center for Arts Education (2008-2010)

Spanish Language Teacher, City of Lakes Waldorf School (2005-2008)

Theater Teacher, Municipal Institute of Arts, Asuncion, Paraguay (2004)

Teaching Assistant, Theater Department, University of Minnesota (1992-1994)

Actor for Educational Theater Programs, Science Museum of Minnesota (1991-1992)

Drama Coach, Maple Grove Jr. High School (1990-1991)

Theater Teacher, International High School, Asuncion, Paraguay (1990)

Professor and Dept. Coordinator, Theater Deptartment, Catholic University, Asuncion, Paraguay (1989-1990)

Director and Pupeteer, Friendship Mission, Asuncion, Paraguay (1989-1990)