Carl Weintraub has been creating and performing theatre for young audiences since the early ‘70s. He’s the founder and artistic director of the We Tell Stories theatre for young audience company, was the first recipient of the Los Angeles PASA Award for life achievement in professional artistry in schools, and the only artist (as opposed to educator) to receive the Los Angeles Music Center’s Bravo Award for achievement in the arts. His shows are full of humor, funny hats, and audience participation. You can currently see Carl in the Netflix limited series, “Best. Worst. Weekend. Ever.”

Breadcrumbs Along the Trail
”The Robin and the Crow,” is a Russian tale about the paths we choose. Carl’s version of “Hansel and Gretel” melds worldwide versions of the story into a compelling coming of age parable; and a student plays the title role in the Ukrainian story, “The Ballad of the Simple Man.” Grades K-12

Perseus and Persephone
A romp through Greek Mythology with a trunkful of crazy costumes and props. “Perseus and Medusa” is the Grandfather of all hero/monster/quest stories. And then, Carl becomes Hades to tell that god’s side of the story of Persephone and why we have seasons. Students play Perseus, Perseus’ Mother, and Persephone. Grades 3-12

Trying to Love the Goddess of Love
Aphrodite was not a likable goddess. But here are three stories of the men and gods who loved her: Hephaestus and Aries were her husband and her lover; Anchises was the human she was tricked into loving; and Cupid was her son. Originally commissioned for performance at the Getty Center. Grades 4-12

Why Me? Moses’ Journey as a Stranger in a Strange Land
In the Bible, Moses repeatedly asks God and himself, “Why me?” Bedecked in white beard, staff and sandals, Carl employs humor and audience participation to recount the story of Moses’ life and journey to find himself, as well as the promised land. Originally commissioned for performance at the Getty Center. Grades 3-12

A Gift for the Season
Depending on the audience, Carl chooses from the following: “The Hardest Nut to Crack,” the crux of E.T.A. Hoffmann’s story of the Nutcracker that the Ballet doesn’t tell; “One Chanukah in Chelm,” a Stone Soup type of story; O. Henry’s “The Gift of the Magi,” and Christmas poems from A.A. Milne. Grades K-12

At one school in one day, Carl can do Breadcrumbs for the younger grades and either of the Myth shows for the older grades.