"In Jest" Shows, Keynotes, and More with Nels Ross Cremean - Variety Artist - Clean Comedian - Keynote Speaker - Professional Oddball - Buffalo, New York, USA
Nels Ross is a highly sought after performer and presenter who has won the hearts of American and international audiences. His arts-in-education programs promote character education, wellness, math, science, reading, and more.
Applying his Masters in Education and performing arts background, including training with instructors from UB Theatre & Dance and Cirque du Soleil, Nels offers several high-energy, high-impact performances that blend physical theater, variety arts, music, language play (i.e. humor), and a theme. Study guides provide curriculum connections, and programs can be adapted to highlight specific goals or concepts.
In addition to performances, Nels is known for his uplifting keynotes and playshops. His programs consistently earn rave reviews from teachers, students, parents, and others (see Testimonials below).
Possibilities
Nels models and addresses principles of good character throughout this fun-filled, motivational performance. It can be tailored to focus on issues such as attitude, excellence, respect, responsibility, bullying, and life choices. (K-12) Study Guide
High on Life
With an emphasis on wellness, this uplifting program promotes healthy choices that develop body, mind, and character. It incorporates age-appropriate messages on nutrition, exercise, hygiene, substance abuse, and ''joy-full'' living. (K-12) Study Guide
Science Circus
Nels and his special guest, The Professor, demonstrate math and science principles through circus skills. Participants will be amazed and amused as they learn about forces, energy, motion, and more. (K-6) Study Guide | News Article
Nels and his special guest, The Professor, demonstrate math and science principles through circus skills. Participants will be amazed and amused as they learn about forces, energy, motion, and more. (K-6) Study Guide | News Article
Read to Achieve
This upbeat performance celebrates reading because ''the more you read, the more you know; and the more you know, the more you grow.'' Nels shares how reading can be the beginning of a journey to wherever you want to go. (K-6) Study Guide
The Greatest Show on Mirth
Perfect for the holidays, family fun nights, end of the year, and other celebrations, this mirthful (i.e. joyful) show conveys the value of laughter and play, and how everyone can help make the world a better place. (All Ages) Study Guide
Nels can be booked through Young Audiences Western New York and Young Audiences Rochester.
Playshops, residencies, and professional development programs can be customized to meet your specific needs.
Juggling & Life Skills Playshop
Combine playshops with any performance to help participants develop confidence, self-discipline, and other life skills through age-appropriate activities with things such as scarves, beanbags, rings, clubs, and spinning plates. Playshops appeal to different intelligences and improve tracking, motor, and sequencing skills used in reading, writing, math, and science. (K-12) More Benefits
Juggling for Success Residency
Combine performances and playshops for a dynamic one-day to five-day residency that teaches juggling and life skills, and promotes positive decision making. Add an evening program or ''Family Juggling Night'' to involve the whole school community. (K-6) Study Guide | Free Info Packet
Building Net Mirth
An entertaining exploration of ''play for grown-ups.'' Nels demonstrates how humor and play can serve as effective tools to help parents, educators, and other working professionals. Used properly, these tools can enhance: wellness, morale, motivation, learning, creativity, communication, relationships, team building, and productivity. Available as a one- to two-hour program for in-service training, conferences, and corporate events.
Nels has thrilled schools as well as museums, arts institutions, theatres, libraries, youth bureaus, and others...
Testimonials*
"Thank you for contributing to the success of our high school student leadership retreat... We are grateful for your commitment to your work, and we are IN AWE OF YOUR TALENT!"
Charmy Perry
Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES
"During your family night performance, all I could hear was laughter, the kind that makes your whole body shake... Thanks again for bringing so much joy to Riverview!"
Paula Gardner
Riverview School
"FIVE STARS! Teachers kept stopping by my office to share their delight with the program and the positive message on character education. Several said it was the best assembly in all their years of teaching."
June Karassik
Cattaraugus Elementary
"Awesome job with the opening keynote for our Career Day. It was both entertaining and effective. Faculty and students loved it! Nothing but positive comments. You rock!!!"
Kathy Hoyt
North Rose-Wolcott High School
"Superb! His ability to integrate humor and character education was amazing... This was the best performance I've seen in all my years here... He is so talented and personable, and he never lost focus on the message... Thanks!"
Teacher Comments
Homer Brink School
"Nels is a talented, caring person who has done great things to motivate our students for ten years in a row now. His workshops and assemblies are the HIGHLIGHT OF OUR SCHOOL YEAR."
Tyler Eichas
Plank Road South School
"Our students and staff absolutely loved the performance. The skills were incredible, the physical comedy had us in stitches, and the MESSAGE WAS INVALUABLE!"
Pam Fitzmorris
Cosgrove Middle School
"ABSOLUTELY FABULOUS! How wonderful it was to have science conveyed in such a fun way! You had everyone on the edge of their seats the whole time."
Kristy Bartenstein
Corning Museum of Glass
"'Science Circus' displayed your amazing juggling and theatrical talents, and kept the audience enthralled while motivating and inspiring them. Your joy in working with young people is evident."
Program Committee
Young Audiences
"I am still hearing rave reviews about the assembly and workshops. Both faculty and students have had only great things to say about your AMAZING SKILLS and DELIGHTFUL HUMOR."
Kristin Malone
Our Lady of Mercy High School
"Your residency was one of the most successful programs at our school. Through juggling, you offer the students a chance to gain self confidence, improve their overall physical fitness, and truly be winners!"
Kim Ormsby
Neil Armstrong Elementary
"The workshops went fantastically well. We had 100% participation of the students. Even the medical excuse students wanted to be involved. And the lessons about success were well received."
Deb Glisson
Marcellus High School
"You taught not only juggling but CHARACTER DEVELOPMENT and LIFE SKILLS... Your artistry and sincerity captivated everyone, and I personally relished the upbeat effect you had on the entire school."
Deborah Rose
Washington Irving School
"Excellent program! ‘Possibilities’ was the perfect complement to our values education theme. You modeled our values principles and kept everyone fully engaged."
Michelle Kavanaugh
Maplemere Elementary School
"The assemblies were some of the best we have ever had. Professional... engaging... and your rapport with both junior and senior high students was excellent!"
Tim Rankin
Cambridge Springs High School
"'Read to Achieve' was right on target! Just the right combination of fun and inspiration to kick off our reading program."
Mary Mulcahy
Highland Elementary
"Your ability to be humorous and to address important issues at the same time is EXTRAORDINARY. Students and teachers said it was the best program they had ever seen! It’s wonderful to see this kind of talent combined with a positive message."
Linda Hewes
Chautauqua Lake Central School
"The assembly program was one of the best we have ever had. The positive message you shared was EFFECTIVE and very RELEVANT. Thank you for an UNFORGETTABLE day!"
Mary Lynn Bente
Lansing Middle School
SCHOOL References**
A A Gates Elementary, A J Smith Elementary, A-P-W Middle School, Akron Elementary, Akron Middle School, Albion Elementary, Alden Intermediate, Alden Primary School, Alexander Central School, Alexander Hamilton Elementary, Alexandria Central School, Allegany Elementary, Allen Creek Elementary, Allendale Elementary, Andrews Elementary, Anna Merritt Elementary, Apollo Elementary, Arcade Elementary, Arcadia Middle School, Armor Elementary, Attica Elementary, Attica Junior High, Aurora Waldorf School, Autumn Lane Elementary, Avon Elementary, Barclay Elementary, Barker Middle School, Barringer Road Elementary, Batavia Academy, Bay Trail Middle School, Bellamy School, Ben Franklin Elementary, Ben Franklin Middle School, Big Flats Elementary, Blasdell Elementary, Bloomfield Elementary, Boston Valley Elementary, Briarwood School, Brooks Hill School, Brookside Elementary, Brookview School, Brownville School, Buckman Heights School (KEEP GOING, YOU'RE UP TO 'C'), C V Bush Elementary, Caledonia-Mumford Elementary, Calvin Smith Elementary, Canandaigua Elementary, Casey Middle School, Cattaraugus-Allegany BOCES, Cattaraugus-Little Valley Central, Cayuga Heights Elementary, Center Street Elementary, Central Avenue Elementary, Centre Elementary, Charles Lindbergh Elementary, Charles Upson Elementary, Charlotte Avenue Elementary, Charlotte Cross Elementary, Charlotte Sidway School, Charter School for Applied Technology, Chautauqua Lake Central School, Chautauqua Lake Elementary, Cheektowaga Central School, Chenango Bridge Elementary, Cherry Valley-Springfield Elementary, Chestnut Hill Elementary, Chestnut Ridge Elementary, Christ the King School, Churchville Elementary, Churchville-Chili High School, City Honors School, Clarence Center Elementary, Clifford Wise Middle School, Clinton Street Elementary, Cloverbank Elementary, Clymer Central School, Cobbles Elementary, Cohocton Elementary, Colden Elementary, Colebrook School, Como Park Elementary, Constableville Elementary, Corning Free Academy Middle, Cosgrove Middle School, Council Rock Primary, Country Parkway Elementary, Court Street Elementary, Craig Hill Elementary, Cuba Elementary, Cuyler Elementary , D B Bunce Elementary, Dake Middle School, Dana Lyon Elementary, Dansville Middle School, David B Crane Elementary, Dayton Elementary, Delevan Elementary, Depew Middle School, DeSales Catholic School, Dewitt Clinton Elementary, Dexter Elementary, Dodge Elementary, Drake Elementary, Driver Middle School, Dudley School, Durand Eastman Intermediate, East Elementary, East Middle School, East Rochester Elementary, East Syracuse Elementary, Eastridge Middle School, Eden Elementary, Eden Junior-Senior High School, Eggert Road Elementary, Elba Central School, Elbridge Elementary, Elders Ridge Elementary, Elk Valley Elementary, Ellicott Road Elementary, Ellicottville Central School, Elma Primary, Elmwood Franklin School, Emmet Belknap Middle School, Enders Road Elementary, English Village Elementary, Errick Road Elementary, Erwin Valley Elementary, Ethel K Fyle Elementary, F S Winslow Elementary, Fairbanks Road Elementary, Falconer Central School, Fletcher Elementary, Florence Brasser School, Flushing Community Schools, Forest Elementary, Forestville Central School, Forestville Elementary, Fort Stanwix School, Fourteen Holy Helpers School, Franklinville Elementary, Fred Hill School (HOW MANY TIMES?), Fredonia Elementary, Freewill Elementary, French Road Elementary, Gananda Middle/High School, Genesee Valley BOCES, Geneseo Elementary, George Southard Elementary, Gilmore Elementary, Ginther Elementary, Glendale Elementary, Glenfield Elementary, Gorham Elementary, Greece-Arcadia Middle School, Green Valley Primary, Grover Cleveland Elementary, Hamburg Junior High, Harris Hill Elementary, Hartnett Elementary, Heim Elementary, Heim Middle School, Helendale Road Primary, Hendrick Elementary, Herman Avenue Elementary, Highland Avenue Elementary, Highland Elementary, Hillview Elementary, Holland Elementary, Holland Middle School, Holley Elementary, Holmes Elementary, Holmes Road Elementary, Holy Cross School, Holy Ghost Lutheran School, Holy Trinity School, Homer Brink School, Homer Intermediate, Honeoye Elementary, Hoover Elementary, Hoover Middle School, Hopevale School, Horseheads Middle School, Huth Road Elementary, Hyde Park School, Indian Landing Elementary, Ingomar Middle School, Iroquois Intermediate, Ivan Green Primary School, J T Waugh School, Jackson School, Jefferson Avenue School, Jefferson Elementary, Jefferson Middle School, Jefferson Road School, Jerry C Clough School, John Joy School, John Kennedy School, John Pound Elementary, John Sciole Elementary, Kaegebein Elementary, Kendall Elementary, Kendall Junior-Senior High School, Kenmore Middle School, Kirk Road School, Klem Road North Elementary, Klem Road South Elementary, Lakeshore Elementary, Lakeshore Road Elementary, Lancaster High School, Lansing High School, Lansing Middle School, Laurelton Pardee Intermediate, Laurens Central School, Lawrence Avenue School, Lawrence Park Elementary, Le Roy Central School, Ledgeview Elementary, Leo Bernabi School, Letchworth Elementary, Lewiston-Porter School, Lima Primary, Lincoln Elementary, Listwood Elementary, Little Valley Elementary, Livonia Intermediate School, Livonia Junior Senior High School, Livonia Primary School, Lois Bird School, Longridge Elementary, Lyndonville Elementary, Lyons Central School, Lyons Elementary, M B Leary Elementary, M J Fletcher Elementary, MacArthur Elementary, Madison Elementary, Main Street Elementary, Mannsville Elementary, Manor Intermediate School, Maple East Elementary, Maple West Elementary, Maplemere Elementary, Marcellus High School, Marion Elementary, Markham Elementary, Marshall Elementary, Marshall Middle School, Martha Brown Middle School, Maryvale Middle School, Maryvale Primary School, McConnellsville Elementary, Meadow Drive Elementary, Mendon Center Elementary, Mexico Middle School, Michael Maroun Elementary, Middlesex Valley Elementary, Mineral Ridge Middle, Monroe 1 BOCES, Monroe 2-Orleans BOCES, Moreland Hills Primary, Morgan Elementary, Mother of Sorrows School, Mt Markham Central School, Mt Morris Central School, Naples Elementary, Naples Junior-Senior High School, Nativity of Our Lord School, Nazareth Hall, Neil Armstrong Elementary, New Haven Elementary, Newfane Elementary, Newfane Intermediate, Newfield Elementary, Newfield Middle School, Niagara-Wheatfield High School, Nichols School, Norman Kelley Intermediate, North Apollo Elementary, North Collins Elementary, North Hill Elementary, North Rose Elementary, North Rose-Wolcott High School (CLASS OF 1990!), North Rose-Wolcott Middle School, North Street Elementary, Northside Blodgett Middle School, Northside Elementary, Northwood Elementary, Oak Orchard School, Oakfield-Alabama Elementary, Ohio Avenue School, Olean High School, Olmsted School, Olympia High School, Ontario Primary School, Orleans/Niagara BOCES, Our Lady of Mercy High School, Our Lady of Pompeii School, Our Lady of the Blessed Sacrament, Owen D Young Central School, Oxford Road Elementary, Palermo Elementary, Palmyra Elementary, Panama Elementary, Park Hill School, Park Road Elementary, Parkdale Elementary, Parkland Elementary, Parkway Elementary, Paul Road School, Pembroke Intermediate, Pembroke Primary School, Penfield High School, Penn Yan Academy, Penn Yan Elementary, Penn Yan Middle School, Penncrest School District, Pepper Pike Elementary, Perry Browne Intermediate, Perry Elementary, Persell Middle School, Phillips Elementary, Pine Brook Elementary, Pine Hill Primary School, Pine Valley Central, Pioneer Middle School, Pittsford Cooperative Nursery School, Plank Road North Elementary, Plank Road South Elementary (TYLER ROCKS!), Port Leyden Elementary, Pratt Elementary, Preiss Primary School, Prospect Elementary, Queen of Heaven School, Quest School, Red Jacket Elementary, Ridge Mills School, Ridge Road Elementary, Ridgefield Elementary, Ripley Central School, Riverside Elementary, Riverside Primary Center, Riverside School, Riverview Elementary, Robert H Jackson Elementary, Robert Morris School, Rochester-Monroe County Youth Bureau, Rogers Elementary, Rogers Middle School, Roy Kelley Elementary, Royalton Hartland Elementary, Rushford Elementary, Sacred Heart Academy, Sauquoit Valley Elementary, Schlegel Road Elementary, Scholtz Elementary, School #__ (YOU NUMBER IT, HE'S PROBABLY BEEN TO IT), Scribner Road Elementary, Seaborn Elementary, Seneca Elementary, Seneca School, Seneca Street School, Seton Catholic School, Sheldon Elementary, Sheridan Hill Elementary, Sherman Central School, Sherman Elementary, Sidney Elementary, Skoi Yase School, Smallwood Drive School, Snapp Middle School, Sodus Primary School, Soule Road Middle School, South Hill School, Southlawn School, Southwestern Central, Springville Elementary, Spruce Elementary, Spry Middle School, St Lawrence Central School, St Amelia's School, St Andrew's Country Day School, St Bernadette School, St Christopher's School, St Francis High School, St Francis School, St Gregory the Great School, St Helen's School, St John Lutheran School, St John of Rochester School, St Joseph School, St Joseph's Collegiate Institute, St Lawrence School, St Leo the Great School, St Louis School, St Luke Lutheran School, St Margaret Mary School, St Mark Lutheran School, St Mary's High School, St Mary's School, St Matthew Lutheran School, St Michael School, St Paul Lutheran School, St Peter Lutheran School, St Peter Roman Catholic School, St Rita's School, St Stephen's School, St Vincent DePaul School (THAT'S A LOT OF SAINTS!), Stadium Drive Elementary, Stanton Elementary, Starpoint Elementary, Starpoint Intermediate, State Road Elementary, Stevenson Elementary, Syracuse Hebrew Day School, Terry Taylor Elementary, Theodore Roosevelt Elementary, Theodore Roosevelt School, Thomas Edison Elementary, Thomas Jefferson Elementary, Thomas Jefferson School, Thomas Marks Elementary, Thornell Road Elementary, Tonawanda High School, Tonawanda Middle School, Town of Webb School, Trinity Catholic School, Trinity Montessori School, Trumansburg Elementary (GO T-BURG!), Tully High School, Twelve Corners Middle School, Union East Elementary, Union Pleasant Ave Elementary, Victor High School, Victor Intermediate, Victor Junior High, Victor Primary School, Village Elementary, W T Hoag Elementary, Wales Primary, Walt Disney Elementary, Warsaw Elementary, Warsaw Middle/High School, Washington Hunt Elementary, Washington Irving Elementary, Washington Middle School, Washington West Elementary, Watkins Glen Middle School, Wattsburg Area Elementary, Wayland Elementary, Wayne-Finger Lakes BOCES, Wesleyville Elementary, West Elementary, West Middlesex School, West Ridge Elementary, West Street Elementary, West Valley Central, Westmoreland Elementary, Wetzel Road Elementary, Wheatland-Chili Elementary, Wheelock Primary School, Wightman Primary School, William C Munn School, William Street School, Williamson Elementary, Willink Middle School, Willow Ridge Elementary, Wilson Elementary, Winchester Elementary, Windermere School, Windom Elementary, Woodrow Wilson Elementary, Wyoming Central School, York Central School
*Due to demand, Nels provides arts-in-ed programs mostly in New York, and in other areas on a limited basis. Additional testimonials and references available upon request.
**Not a complete list. If Nels has been to your school and you're not listed, contact In Jest so you can be included!
