1. What is Elephant Ensemble Theater? Elephant Ensemble Theater brings free children’s theater to NYC hospitals. The plays of Elephant’s repertoire include positive spins on favorite classics, and new educational works. Elephant’s plays are written with these specific kids in mind, and carry an uplifting message. 2. Where does Elephant Ensemble Theater perform? Elephant performs in NYC hospitals and clinics. Their plays are geared towards children aged 3 – 8 … or the very young at heart. In 2009 Elephant Ensemble Theater will be in residence at Bellevue Hospital in NYC, performing one show a month for the kids in the medical and psychiatric wards. The show performed will be Elephant’s Thumbelina: The Story of a Brave Little Girl with an entirely new volunteer cast. 3. What is The Pirate & the Squid about? Elephant Ensemble Theater is currently touring with The Pirate & the Squid, a 30-minute educational, audience participatory comedy, written by Liza Lentini. The Pirate & the Squid is an educational, underwater adventure, which follows a swashbuckling pirate and his friendship with a gentle squid who helps him to find his way back to his ship, but not before meeting—and learning about—some fascinating facts about her underwater cohorts. As with all of Elephant’s plays, the themes of the play focus on friendship, family, and the power of hope. 4. Who are the folks behind Elephant Ensemble Theater? Elephant Ensemble Theater is headed by Creative Director Liza Lentini and Managing Director Christine Seisler. Elephant’s shows are cast with award-winning New York City actors who volunteer their time and talent because they believe in Elephant’s mission: To bring smiles to these kids’ faces. For the members of Elephant Ensemble Theater, that’s reason enough.