Totem Tales on August 6th at 1pm

Before there were TVs, video games or computers, people told stories. Whether to explain the world around them, teach lessons about the animals they shared it with or just to entertain, folktales have been part of humanity since the dawn of time.

In Transformations, author and artist Christopher Agostino presents traditional folktales and original stories illustrated by his amazing facepainting on the faces of audience volunteers. In a playful storytelling style combined with mask and makeup art from the same world cultures that tell such tales, he creates a unique performance to completely engage any audience. It's surprising and delightful theater for young or old. You will be amazed.

Part of being human is to dream of being more. Our imagination is boundless, brought to life through the art and stories we create. Our art is the mark of our humanity. All human cultures, all of our ancestors, have used art to change the way we look, to describe and affect the world. This is the art of transformation.

In these performances, Christopher Agostino shares discoveries from a 30 year adventure in theater, storytelling and facepainting, as chronicled in his book "Transformations! The Story Behind the Painted Faces" - published internationally by Kryolan, the world's largest independently owned manufacturer of professional makeup.

Christopher Agostino, and/or his work, has appeared on the NBC Today Show, the CBS Early Show and the cover of the Abercrombie & Fitch Spring Quarterly 2000. Twice he has been a featured performer at the annual Face and Body Art International Convention. His "Transformation Facepainting" company paints thousands of people every year at public events, including 14 years at the Bronx Zoo. The makeup used is non-toxic, washes off easily and meets all U.S. safety standards.