The David Thompson Puppet Theatre

History Alive !
THE DAVID THOMPSON
PUPPET THEATRE
*A CANADIAN PARKS PARTNERSHIP PROGRAM*
Kids@Parks

THE FRIENDS OF THE NATIONAL HISTORIC SITE

ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE

Come and visit theNational Historic Site this summer and see history come alive before your eyes with the magnificent puppets of the nationally recognized Evergreen and Old Trout Theatres. For children of all ages the puppet theatre will keep you enthralled with the stories of David Thompson, Aboriginals, and our great history. Sing-a-long with the proud voyageurs and be mesmerized by these unique, large puppets. The puppet of David Thompson is the largest and most detailed. It is a 'head' puppet, that is actually attached to the head of the performer as a 'hat' with the puppet apparel covering the face of the performer. The actor's hands are in the sleeves of this innovative puppet to be used as the actual 'hands' of David Thompson. The puppets, scripts, stage designs are all original and this year include puppets of Charlotte Small, two voyageurs, David Thompson and an Aboriginal chief. In the years ahead more puppets will be added. The sets are mobile and in the future will be used for touring schools and tourist venues to promote the National Historic Site and our gripping history.

PUPPET SHOW THEATRE For ' kids @ parks'

Sponsored by:

* Kodak
MAX Film
* Quaker Oats Company of Canada Limited

* CGU
* Royal Bank Financial Group Foundation
* S.M. Blair Foundation
* The Co-operatrors
* Oracle

The Friends of the Rocky Mountain House National Historic Site Awarded Large National Grant
The Friends of the National Historic Site have been awarded one of the two largest grants of 19 awarded across Canada. through the Canadian Parks Partnership and the National kids@parks Program.The amount of $ 29,950..00 was awarded to the Friends of the National Historic Site at Rocky Mountain House for an innovative puppet theatre proposal to promote our history and to bring children to the Site. The proposed puppet project grabbed the attention of the National Committee. For the past two months Evergreen Theatre and the Old Trout Theatre have been hard at work designing unique puppets, scripts, sets and original music for a late June debut. Spokesperson for the 'Friends' Joan McDonald and National Historic Site Administrator Gaileen Irwin had this to say about this unique concept.

Joan McDonald " The Friends believe this will be a tremendous opportunity to not only make our history here come alive but that the idea of a puppet theatre will appeal to the child in each of us. We look forward to this exciting new adventure."

Gaileen Irwin " This program really " Makes History Fun", one of our main aims at the Site. We want families to enjoy themselves, so they don't even realize they are learning about the national importance of this historic site of Canadian history."
For further info contact the Friends at 1-403-845-688or the National Historic Site @ 1-845-2412

The National Historic Site officially opens on the long weekend in May. Hours are from 10-am to 5 pm each day including weekends. On site is an interpretive museum, a play fort , York boat, Red River carts, fur trade cemetery, a fur trade press and four fur trade post sites including the Northwest Company post of David Thompson . Added this summer will be the new and innovative Puppet theatre that will bring visitors back to the days of the fur trade. There are breathtaking walks along an interpretive trail that borders the North Saskatchewan River. The National Historic Site is 8 kilometres from the town of Rocky Mountain House along highway 11A over the old bridge.

For further information contact the Friends @ 1-403-845-6680 -1-403-845-5698 or pjmac@telusplanet.net

The National Historic Site @ 1-403-845-2412 or Gaileen_Irwin@pch.gc.ca