Cirque du Papier

PACKAGE 1- CLOSE-UP & STROLLING ENTERTAINMENT
• Interacts with event guests in small clusters, one-on-one or table-side, performing paper folding close-up. Guests keep pieces created.
• A pop-up "MicRo Gallery" of origami art which is an attraction in itself, as well as a way to give guests suggestions of what folded art keepsakes he will create for them.
• Can entertain at the MicRo Gallery and/or stroll throughout.
ADD ON OPTIONS
- Informal origami lessons for interested guests.
- Theme Emphasis (example: Create sea creatures @ Hawaiian Luau Themed Party)
• APPEARANCE TIME OPTIONS: 2 hours min. - 8 hours max. per day
• GROUP SIZE: Unlimited • AGE RANGE: 4 - 120 years

PACKAGE 2 - STAND-UP PRESENTATION
• Michael Roy performs a 30 minute stand-up origami show with a circus arts finish thrown in.
ADD ON OPTION
- This can be followed by a 30 - 45 minute hands-on origami workshop, teaching a simple, fun origami design.
• GROUP SIZE: 20 - 50 • AGE RANGE: 8 - 120 years

Michael Roy's PAPER MAGIC - Amazement In Creases

Are your event guests suffering from the BTDTs (Been There Done That Syndrome)? Enjoyed all they can stand of balloon ("pop") art? Heard "pick a card" one too many times? Noticing how old they look in the latest caricature in their collection? Simply tired of the same ol' same ol'? Well, it could be time for something completely different!

One Square of Paper, Magical Possibilities!
PAPER MAGIC - Amazement In Creases

ART • PUZZLE • GAME

An Elegant International Entertainer Keeping Crowds Captivated Executing Expressive Eloquent Utterances and Quoting Copious Quick Quips while Kinetically Conjuring A Colorful Carnival Caravan of Crazy Cool Crisp, Creatively Complex, Cleverly Constructed, Exclusively Crease-Crafted, Exquisite Quality Converted Quadrilateral Creature Caricature Keepsakes Close-up! Incontrovertibly Copacetic!

Not your grade school teacher's origami! Cirque du Papier is a mind-bending, paper-folding, your-world-ain’t-flat-no-more experience. Meandering event guests discover Folder Fantastique, Michael Roy Baldridge deftly displaying dazzling digital dexterity, morphing single flat squares of paper into 3D creatures by mere folding. No cuts. No tears. No glue. And no table! Without missing a crease, Michael Roy simultaneously (and at the same time!) keeps guests amused with a nonstop stream of offbeat witty repartee and useless (yet strangely fascinating) information, revealing the secrets and history of folding art. Guests marvel as Michael Roy works magic, with amazing manipulations, quick wit, and cool “transformers”.

And his mesmerizing MicRo Gallery displays pretty paper party pet caricatures so cool everyone will just have to have one! To “win” a colorful creation of exquisite artistry, elegantly executed right before their eyes, Michael Roy will engage your guests in carnival games, puzzles, riddles, and other attractions and interactivities. The best part? Your guests are always part of the show and may go home with an oh-so-cool keepsake!

Whether hanging out with guests at his MicRo Gallery of Origami Art or mingling among event guests, Paper Magic with Michael Roy, Folder Fantastique is appropriate wherever fine and fun close-up entertainment is needed. From high-end events to small parties to festivals, the fine art of entertainment for the discerning.

BIO
Michael Roy Baldridge -- Strolling Origami Entertainer, Visual Artist, and Juggler -- started out life in the foothills of eastern KY at a very young age. He quickly grew out of that (well, actually . . . not so much), and in 1975 at the age of 20, he left for San Diego, CA where he worked as a graphic artist, illustrator, and juggler for the acclaimed theatre company Lamb's Players. During those years he met and developed stage productions with Armando and Richard Turner as well as street performing in Balboa Park. Within three years he was doing solo stage and television work in the southern California region.

In 1980 he moved with his wife Diane to Aurora, Ohio and later to Kent, Ohio where they raised their sons Tyler and Dylan. With Kent as their home base, the whole family went on the road touring across the United States and by 1985 Michael Roy Baldridge was traveling the world with a 90 minute one-man theatre show featuring choreographed juggling, a silent movie with contemporary music, origami, visual art, and humor. Throughout the years Michael Roy has done appearances in a wide range of venues and shared the stage with a variety of artists. He has appeared on 92 Air Force bases in the United States, Creation Music Festival in Pennsylvania, school assembly programs and colleges from Massachusetts to San Diego, and stage appearances with Taiwan's top TV and Pop Stars as well as Armando and Gold Finger & Dove at Woozland Amusement Park in Tainan, Taiwan. He has shared the stage with The Flying Karamazov Brothers, Avner the Eccentric, and Ricky Skaggs as well as veteran juggler and comedy entertainer Whitey Roberts and Irish Folk Singer Robin Rich. He even opened for Victor The Wrestling Bear in Grand Rapids, Michigan (Baldridge considers that a highlight in his illustrious career . . OK, at least memorable)! Michael Roy Baldridge also has taught object manipulation classes, workshops, and seminars throughout the United States including Richmond Shepard's Mime School in Hollywood, California.

Michael Roy Baldridge's own education has been varied: studying ballet, modern dance, mime, and acting with private teachers and in college in the San Diego area. He studied commercial art at Art Instruction Schools, Minneapolis, Minnesota and visual art, design, desktop publishing, and web design at the Cleveland Institute of Art. He has studied juggling through years of self training and informally with many jugglers including Peter Davison and Jon Held (of Air Jazz fame), and Kit Summers. Baldridge studied origami via books, self training, experimentation, and from a cute waitress at a chinese buffet.

In 1997 he finally dropped the road life and acquired a real job as graphic artist. Now his "repertoire" includes strolling and close-up and origami entertainment, graphic design, illustration, humor, and the best popcorn treat and tastiest and healthiest burritos you’ll ever eat. Oh yes, and at the drop of a hat you can still get him to juggle (the hat).

Artist’s Technical Needs
-- CLOSE-UP / INTERACTIVE / STROLLING SETTINGS --
SPACE: The “footprint” of the Micro Gallery, (including satchels, and game chair) is approximately 5 ft X 5.5 ft. To accommodate guests’ enjoyment of Michael Roy’s MicRo Gallery please provide a total of approximately 10ft X 10ft of well lighted floor space (that includes the Gallery). Less space is possible. Michael Roy can make adjustments as needed. If room is dimmed during appearance, Michael can provide a 9’ Market Umbrella with lighting system (*add 30 minutes to load-in & set-up and tear-down & load-out time).

WATER: Drinking water is always helpful.

CHAIRS: Providing 2 - 4 chairs can help create a relaxed setting for guests. NOTE: The MicRo Gallery is self-standing and Michael does not need a table.

COVER: For outdoor open-air settings, please provide a 10 ft X 10 ft canopy tent. If that cannot be provided please let Michael Roy know.

NOTE: In all close-up / interactive settings Michael Roy can stroll throughout the venue, entertaining tableside, etc. as needed. In some settings Michael Roy does not set up the MicRo Gallery. He simply finds a spot to park his satchels of paper, etc. and roams throughout the venue. Please contact Michael to discuss.

-- STAND-UP / HANDS-ON ORIGAMI WORKSHOP SETTINGS --
For the workshop participants, standard 6ft or 8ft retangular banquet tables work well, arranged
in a “U” shape. Michael Roy will set-up his cases, etc. and present his Stand-up from the top (open
end) of the “U”.

-- LOAD-IN & SET-UP TIME (either setting) --
Michael Roy will arrive approximately 60 minutes prior to appearance (90* minutes if using umbrella or in larger settings such as festivals, etc.). NOTE: Michael’s MicRo Gallery, etc. takes up most of the room in his “Foldsmobile”. Please arrange for vehicle access as close to location of appearance as possible.

-- TEAR-DOWN & LOAD-OUT TIME (either setting) --
Typically takes 60 minutes (90* minutes if using umbrella or in larger settings such as festivals, etc.).
NOTE: Michael’s MicRo Gallery, etc. takes up most of the room in his “Foldsmobile”. Please arrange for vehicle access as close to location of appearance as possible.