About BEAKMAN ON THE BRAIN!
The family friendly, live stage show is based on creator Jok Church’s question-answering scientist Beakman from the syndicated column U Can with Beakman and Jax and TV’s long running hit show, Beakman’s World.
Broadcast for the past 16 years across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, Argentina, Korea, Brazil, Taiwan, and over 20 other countries, Beakman’s World is a cult classic with both kid and adult fans. Highly acclaimed by teachers, parents, and critics, the program stars Guggenheim fellow, Obie winner, and National Endowment for the Arts grantee Paul Zaloom as Beakman.
The live stage show features wacky, large scale, visually compelling science demos, including:
- AMAZING OPTICAL ILLUSIONS that demonstrate the many ways our brains can get overwhelmed, be tricked, and make faulty assumptions.
- GIANT PROJECTIONS of funny and compelling animation, stills, and video.
- HOW THE BRAIN WORKS, a section using idiosyncratic and amusing drawings to describe in detail what the various parts of the brain do when someone throws a pie at Beakman’s face.
- PHINEAS GAGE and his infamous story of an accident that taught us some crucial facts about the brain.
- A GOOFY TALKING SKULL who demonstrates various functions of the brain. His own brain is removed and passed around to the entire audience!
- HOW HELMETS designed for bikers, skateboarders, and snowboarders can protect the brain from damage.
- REMARKABLE ANIMAL BRAINS, from the stegosaurus to the common crow, and the incredible ways they work.
- AUDIENCE PARTICIPATION ON STAGE, with verbal and word game challenges to meet.
- AN ACCOMPANYING WEBSITE with a downloadable study guide for enrichment education that is complementary to the show.
The aim has always been to introduce young audiences to neuroscience in a fun, dynamic, accessible, and memorable way. Using both new and old school technology, our team has created a highly entertaining, educational show that allows the audience to learn about the brain and leave the theater wanting to know more.
Grades: 2 and up.
Ages: 6 and up and family audiences.
"The material is educational, relevant, and presented in an entertaining way that will stick with audiences of all ages." Denise Nelson Nash, California Institute of Technology
A complete study guide is available in PDF form for educators and presenters who wish to connect their curriculum to this live show.
Who is Paul Zaloom?
Paul Zaloom is a puppeteer, performance artist, filmmaker, and political satirist who has created solo puppet shows, art installations, and films, all for adults.
Zaloom has performed on ten tours to Europe and in at least 40 of the states, including shows at the Kennedy Center, Lincoln Center, the American Museum of Natural History, the Smithsonian National Air and Space Museum, and King Tut's Wah-Wah Hut.
Zaloom has been awarded four Citations of Excellence in the Art of Puppetry by the Union Internationale de la Marrionnette (UNIMA-USA), a Village Voice Obie Award, an American Theater Wing Design Award, and a New York Dance and Performance Award, a.k.a., the Bessie.
He’s been given a Guggenheim Fellowship, four National Endowment for the Arts grants, and other financial support from the Jim Henson Foundation, the New York State Council for the Arts, the Durfee Foundation, the L.A. Department of Cultural Affairs, the New York Foundation for the Arts, Art Matters, Inc., and others.
“As Beakman, Mr. Zaloom practices a decidedly cool brand of science.”
— THE NEW YORK TIMES
“Fact: 90% of the scientists who ever lived are alive today. Fact: the lively host of Beakman’s World may be funnier and more informative than any of them.”
THE — WASHINGTON POST
“The irreverent Beakman can satisfy nearly anyone’s curiosity with an answer that is always right on, and can be wry, energetic, sarcastic, engaging, funny, and loud.”
— THE LOS ANGELES TIMES
