(heartmind@hoosierlink.net)
Songwriter, Storyteller, Poet, and Educator
Since 1982, George Schricker has been devoted to the production of quality educational programs. Starting with his love of poetry and storytelling, and his penchant for songwriting, he and his wife, Michele, have built a business entitled, Heart/Mind Productions. They specialize in providing "Educational Performances, Workshops and Materials" for a variety of different venues.
In this time, George has given hundreds of performances and workshops in schools, festivals, libraries, conferences, churches, state parks, and camps. He and his wife have developed 8 commercial recordings for children and adults.
In addition, George has developed five school assembly programs which he offers to schools. He has completed over 45 residencies with school systems around the state of Indiana and one such residency in Philadelphia. During the program's existence, George was an approved artist with the Indiana Arts Commission's "Artist-In-Education" Program, and an approved, adjucated Visiting Artist and Presenting Artist.
Mr. Schricker's commitment to the arts as an integral part of education is well-known throughout the state. In a letter of recommendation, Lynne Haberlin, Director of Curriculum for Tri-Creek School Corporation in Lowell, Indiana, stated: "George served as a resource for teachers by modeling creative visualization, movement exercises, drawing, focusing skills, and hand signs as vehicles of self-expression. All students were able to be successful in his program. Perhaps the most lasting impact of the residency is in its illustration of how the arts can be integrated into the curriculum. He has provided a model for storytelling that teachers and students will be able to use for years to come."
Mr. Schricker has had experience adapting his curriculum to a wide variety of ages and ability levels. Having worked extensively in Very Special Arts Indiana, Mr. Schricker has received training in working with a variety of differently-abled children.
He has adapted his storytelling workshops for grades 2 through adult, and offers a poetry program for Jr. and High School students.
In addition to his work in schools, Mr. Schricker has presented workshops for: The Indiana Department of Education's Gifted & Talented Division, The Lilly Endowment's Teacher Creativity Fellowship Reunion, Young People's Division of the Indiana Library Association, The Indianapolis Children's Museum, and the Indianapolis Museum of Art.
Mr. Schricker's performances include appearances at: The Storyteller's Theatre at the Indianapolis Museum of Art, The Lilly Theatre at the Indianapolis Children's Museum, The Hoosier Storytelling Festival, the Indiana Storytelling Festival, and the Meramec Writing Festival in St. Louis, Mo.
His publications include:
"A Muffled Humming Like The Droning of the Bees," Where We Live: Essays About Indiana, Indiana University Press, 1989.
"Cookin' Up A Story," Camping Magazine.
In addition, Mr. Schricker co-authored 6 radio programs concerning his historical ballads and the history of Native Americans in Indiana for "The Nineteenth State," a state-wide radio series. He has also appeared in performance in the nationally-distributed video documentary, "Through The Cracks -- The Arts In Educational Reform." This documentary also featured his song, "The Story Inside."