Hi-5 (American kids' band)
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| Hi-5 | ||
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 The Hi-5 Logo
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| Background information | ||
| Origin |  Sydney, New South Wales, Australia |
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| Genre(s) | ||
| Years active | 2003 — Current | |
| Associated acts |
Hi-5 Australia | |
| Website | http://www.hi5us.com | |
| Members | ||
Hi-5 is an American children's television program, based on the original Australian TV show. The show has been nominated for an Emmy Award three years in a row, and has won countless other awards since its debut in 2003. Aside from being a show, Hi-5 is also a children's band, similar to The Wiggles. The group frequently tours the U.S. and Canada and performs to sell-out crowds of preschoolers.
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[edit] Origins
As Hi-5 was such a hugely popular show in Australia, an American group was assembled and Hi-5 made its U.S. debut in February 2003 (featuring American performers in the same roles as the original Australian version). The American version is shot in the same studios that the Australian version is shot in Sydney. The American show has episodes airing every weekday on The Learning Channel and Discovery Kids, and was nominated for a Daytime Emmy in 2005, 2006, and 2007. In addition, the Fall 2004 Parent's Choice Award was given to their first CD, "Jump and Jive with Hi-5".
As the show became increasingly popular, the cast appeared and performed in the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade in New York City, on CBS's Early Show, and NBC's Today Show, among others. During their Today Show segment, Matt Lauer, the show's host, compared the group's popularity with The Beatles.
Hi-5 toured theatres and arenas in the U.S. in 2005, playing live to sold-out crowds in Hartford, Boston, Columbus, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, Chicago, Green Bay, Tallahassee, and Raleigh. Beginning August 19, 2006, over 2 weeks of concerts were held at Vancouver's PNE, with additional concerts at Sesame Place and at Target book festivals in Minneapolis and New York City.
The members of Hi-5 visit families and kids alike during their 'off' time, helping in relief efforts for victims of both Hurricane Rita and Hurricane Katrina, visiting children at Target House (a facility servicing St. Jude Children's Hospital in Memphis), and helping with other benefits. Individual members often work with their own project or charity, such as Karla's work with 6th, 7th, and 8th grade kids at an after-school program.
[edit] Hi-5 Characters
[edit] Cast Members
- Curtis Cregan, from Okemos, Michigan, starred on Broadway in Rent and is currently engaged to Jenn Gambatese.
- Jennifer Peterson-Hind, a native of Madison, Wisconsin, toured with The American Folklore theater for three summers. Her solo album, Give a Girl a Reason, is due out in February 2007. She married her long time boyfriend Tom Korbee in the summer of 2006.
- Kimee Balmilero, a Filipina born and raised in Hawaii, performed in Miss Saigon on tour and made her Broadway debut in Mamma Mia!.
- Shaun Taylor-Corbett, Native American, appeared on All My Children and studied Shakespeare at the Royal Academy of Dramatic Arts in London. He left the series in the summer of 2006 to perform in the off-Broadway show Altar Boyz.
- Karla Cheatham-Mosley, was raised in Westchester, New York. She left the series in the summer of 2006 to concentrate on working in New York musical theatre.
[edit] Puppets
[edit] New Hi-5 Cast Members
In July 2006, Karla Cheatham-Mosley, and Shaun Taylor-Corbett left Hi-5 to pursue other opportunities. Although they do not tour with the group anymore, they are still shown on the TV show. Replacing Karla and Shaun on tour are:
- Sydney James.
- Yasmeen Sulieman, an African-American singer born in Oakland, California and raised in Hawaii, toured with Little Shop of Horrors.
[edit] Segments of the program
- Kimee specializes in puzzles and patterns to help with math and logical thinking.
- Karla focuses on "Body Move" - movement to emphasize physical activity and coordination.
- Curtis creates "Music" to show melody, rhythm and beat.
- Jennifer works with "Word Play" to expand children's vocabulary.
- Shaun helps identify "Shapes in Space" - visual and spacial awareness, shapes, colors and sizes.
[edit] Series
Series 1 (Recorded late 2002)
- Senses, "Five Senses"
- Animals, "So Many Animals"
- Machines, "Robot Number One"
- Adventure, "North South East and West"
- Games, "Ready Or Not"
- Wishes, "Three Wishes"
- Bodies, "Move Your Body"
- Music, "Feel The Beat"
- Colors, "Living In A Rainbow"
Series 2 (Recorded early 2005)
- Making, "Making Music"
- Action, "Action Heroes"
- Teams, "T.E.A.M"
- Wonderful, "Some Kind of Wonderful"
- Journeys, "Under The Sea"
To watch the Series 2 videos, go to the official Hi-5 website
[edit] Credits
Creator and Executive Producer
- Helena Harris
Co-creator
Composer
- Chris Harriott
Song of the week Lyrics
- Leone Carey (Five Senses, North South East and West, Making Music)
- Lisa Hoppe (Action Heroes, T.E.A.M)
- Helena Harris (Feel The Beat)
- Chris Phillips (Action Heroes, Some Kind Of Wonderful)
- Chris Harriott
- Kellie Hoggart (Move Your Body)
- Rob Cotterill (Robot Number One, Three Wishes)
- Russel Burton
- Andrew Einspruch (So Many Animals)
Song of the Week Choreographer: Kim Fowler
- Three Wishes
- So Many Animals
- North South East and West
- Robot #1
- Feel The Beat
Originally by Catherine Thiele. Modified by Kim Fowler.
- Ready Or Not
- Move Your Body
- Living In A Rainbow
- Five Senses
Originally by Cameron Mitchell. Modified by Kim Folwer.
- Making Music
- Action Heroes
- T.E.A.M
- Some Kind Of Wonderful
- Under The Sea
Song of the Week Directors
- Ian Munro
- Rob Cotterill
- Russel Burton
- David Summons
Executive In-Charge Of Production
- Martin Hersov
Executive Producer
- Helena Harris
Produced By
- Kids Like Us
- Nine Films & Television
- for Nine Network / Discovery Kids
International Sales & Distribution
- Southern Star Sales
[edit] Discography/Videography
Video Titles released on DVD/VHS in America (Region 1):
- 2004 Game Time
- 2004 Color Craze
- 2004 Music Magic **Winner of the iParenting award for 2004**
- 2006 Move Your Body
- 2006 Action Heroes
CD Titles:
- 2004 Jump and Jive With Hi-5 **Winner of a Parent's Choice Award in 2004**
- 2005 It's a Hi-5 Christmas
[edit] External links
| Hi-5 America Cast Members | Puppets | Other Cast Members |
|---|---|---|
| Kimee | Jenn | Shaun | Karla | Curtis | Chats | Jup-Jup | Yasmeen | Sydney |
