About Slapstick Science
Slapstick Science is a cottage industry run from Ted's cottage in
Vermont. What started as an experiment in exciting potential scientists
about science a decade ago has grown into more than full-time work
throughout the school year. We cover schools as far south as Philly,
as far north as Maine, and as far west as Syracuse. If you think
your students would enjoy a thrilling science program, you should
talk to us.
Scroll down to read the bios of
Ted Lawrence and Ray Grins.
Ted Lawrence is the grunt who drives Dr. Quark's props all over New
England (about 1000 miles per week) and schleps those props in and out
of schools everyday. Ted is also the director, designer, builder and
rigger of the Van Lodostov Family Circus.
Born to teach, Ted was certified to teach chemistry, physics,
and math after majoring in Electrical Engineering at the University of
Vermont. Prior to completing his B.S., Ted started teaching mime,
clowning, juggling, wire walking, and stilts to neighborhood kids during
the summer. He graduated from the Ringling Clown College in '86, toured
with the circus for two years, and was honored to return to Clown
College in '94 as a member of their faculty.
Upon leaving the circus, Ted undertook a short-lived (5 year)
classroom teaching career where he found himself teaching Chemistry, AP
Chemistry, Physics, AP Physics, Algebra, and Physical Science in Maine,
Connecticut, and Virginia. In each of these schools, while he was
there, the students also had the opportunity of joining an
extra-curricular Circus Club. Eventually and inevitably the melding of
circus and science lead to the birth of Slapstick Science.
Ted's strength's in circus skills are acrobatics, pass juggling,
unicycling, wire work, and equilibristics, but anything that permits him
to fly is worth trying. He unicycles about 6 miles per week, and loves
skiing, rock climbing, and kayaking. His favorite color is
abstract.
Ray Grins has been a professional variety performer since he was
18. He started as a humble magician, but found his niche in circus
arts when he became one of the best diabolo artists on this
continent. Ray has taught circus skills for both the Van Lodostov
Family Circus and the National Circus Project. He has performed
in Hong Kong, the Riga Cirk (in Riga, Latvia), and as the
ringmaster for Circus Jaeger. In addition to traveling with Slapstick
Science, Ray also performs for family events all over New England and the
greater NYC area and often graces Comedy Club stages. Ray LOVES karaoke.
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