8 Thursday, September 22, 2016 Island Beat Hawaii Tribune-Herald “Science can be instructive and enlightening. It’s something we have all around us. It’s something that helps us achieve and understand and enjoy the world better.” Of course, science was not always a passion for Krinsky. He came from a working-class family, the youngest of four children, living in Revere, Mass. He caught the “theater bug” from his mother, Charlotte, who had worked with the American Theatre Wing during World War II. Krinsky acted in various plays throughout high school and college and began studying mime and theatrical clowning in 1976. He was, at times, a “struggling artist,” holding down odd jobs to make ends meet, including driving a cab and delivering singing telegrams in a gorilla suit. An employee of the Museum of Science in Boston saw Krinsky’s show (which at the time was mostly circus, mime and original songs) and he was asked to develop a show that explored the scientific principles in toys. “I went and did my own research,” he says. He didn’t always enjoy science growing up, but “I discovered the parts of science I liked. So I worked with what I liked. And I contacted various science teachers and interviewed them.” And it was Krinsky’s wife, Marlynn K. Clayton, a teacher and educational consultant, who helped him understand how children think and learn. “Science is actually something we all have in common,” Krinsky says. “To me, because it brings the audience onto the stage to participate in the show, it makes the principles I am explaining more immediately accessible and it also makes the humor more natural. ” For example, Krinsky shares a mnemonic device to help people remember the six different “simple machines” and has everyone doing a dance in their seats set to original music and lyrics. “My philosophy is if I can say it with rhyme and a little music, it really gets the audience involved,” says Krinsky, who, as a hobby, writes three or four songs a year for fun. “People will watch and listen more closely than if I just tell them. And it can’t rhyme just to rhyme. It has to work and make a point.” The songs are his favorite aspect, and even after 20 years of teaching kids science from the stage, Krinsky says he never gets bored, and tries to keep things witty and clever. “When you’re a juggler or a mime or a comedian, there are other people who do what you do,” he says. “But what I do is something totally unique. And for me, it is nice to do a piece about science that is musical and physical and really gets everyone involved.” He says he likes to use physical comedy to explore science (at one time he wanted to pursue an athletic career) and includes some daredevil tricks in his show. Each performance is a little different than the last. Krinsky, an accomplished triathlete, runner and avid waterman, puts into practice his scientific curiosity in all of his adventures, including his vacation plans while he’s staying in Hawaii. For instance, he won’t just be snorkeling and watching the pretty fish go by. Instead, he’ll be thinking about the scientific workings of the underwater world: how sea creatures move, how gravity is felt underwater, how these creatures use air and how their physical features help them to move in the ocean. “I’ve gotten better at seeing how people think and learn, and I’ve gotten better at getting to the point quicker and with more theatrical energy,” Krinsky says. “I’m there to make people laugh and make them leave the show feeling good about science.” Dombroski says the “Toying with Science” performance is one of several educational events to come to the Performing Arts Center during the 2016-17 season. “The arts are a fabulous learning tool and we wanted to give this opportunity to the East Hawaii school kids,” she says. “There is nothing like the power of performance to enhance learning and engage the mind.” PROFESSOR From page 7 What: Physical entertainer Garry Krinsky’s show explores the scientific principles of gravity, leverage, fulcrums and simple machines. When: 7 p.m. Wednesday at the University of Hawaii at Hilo Performing Arts Center and 4 p.m. Oct. 1 at the Kahilu Theatre in Waimea. Admission: Tickets for the UH-Hilo show are $15 (general), $10 (discounted) and $7 (children 16 and younger and UHH/ HCC students) presale; $20 (general), $15 (discounted), and $12 (children 16 and younger and UHH/HCC students) at the door. Visit the box office, call 932-7490 or purchase online at artscenter.uhh.hawaii.edu. Tickets for the Kahilu Theatre show are $33, $28, $23 and $18. Call 885-6868 or purchase online at kahilutheatre.org. Physical entertainer Garry Krinsky. Photo: LEWIS BECKER PHOTOGRAPHY
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