Last week students and families in the Ohio Valley School District had the opportunity to see the widely praised stage production “Wild Animal Adventure.” The show’s Give Back Wildly Tour is appearing in schools across America, entertaining and educating families about rare and endangered animal species, and delivering an important message: “It’s our world, It’s our responsibility.”
The show played at all three of the district’s elementary schools. A 6 p.m. show for pre-school – second grade and a 7 p.m. production for third-sixth grades included not only animals, but also inflatables, family games and fun activities. Over 2,000 people attended the three shows.
Each performance lasted about two hours.
A baby kangaroo, a macaw, a lemur, a hedgehog, and a salt water crocodile headlined the show.
Children and adults were encouraged to participate in the interactive live animal experience.
The show closed Thursday night at Peebles Elementary School with nearly 500 people attending.
In addition to the live animal show, students and parents were able to work with teachers to complete a variety of animal-related activities and games including: face painting, animal tri-nominoes, animal leaf creations, and bird/beak adaptations.
PES Assistant Principal Carrie Fuller called the night a big success, “Students and parents had a lot of fun spending the evening together here. We really appreciate everyone who participated.”
The show opened at North Adams Elementary on Tuesday evening with over a thousand people attending. North Adams Elementary Principal Marla Young is credited with discovering the show. “She saw it on You-Tube,” Parent Involvement Facilitator, Jane Hughes told the Defender. “She called and said check this out. It looked too good to be true, but it checked out, it was legitimate. It was all free.”
Wild Animal Adventure is an educational theatrical stage show for families featuring 12 different live exotic animals who take center stage, displaying the amazing talents and unique traits these species possess.
The show is owned by exotic animal trainer and entertainer, Barry DeVoll.
DeVoll takes his audiences on an adventure around the world “exploring, learning and delighting in the playful spirits of his 12 exotic animal co-stars.”
The Wild Animal Adventure is based in Iowa, and travels wherever it is invited to play, at no cost. DeVoll funds the show with proceeds from their concessions, souvenirs, and donations.
On Wednesday evening the show drew a crowd of 400 people to West Union Elementary School. Assistant Principal Emily Collett said, “It was the first family night we’ve had in years. It was a great success, we had a great turnout, and we hope to do more in the future to bring the community into the school.”
This year the Wild Animal Adventure show will be performed for more than 200,000 people in over 500 schools.
Animals participate in the shows for two years. Afterward, they are retired to a private animal sanctuary in Iowa.