STUDY GUIDE - Emerald City Theatre€¦ · STUDY GUIDE Guide written by Carly Crawford, Emerald...
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STUDY GUIDE Guide written by Carly Crawford, Emerald City eatre Associate Education Director Guide design by Hayley Nguyen, Marketing Content Manager Show graphic design by Charles Riffenburg, Grab Bag Media Join Trixie and Dad on their outing to the laundromat, and the subsequent frantic search for Trixie’s beloved Knuffle Bunny!
Transcript of STUDY GUIDE - Emerald City Theatre€¦ · STUDY GUIDE Guide written by Carly Crawford, Emerald...
STUDY GUIDE
Guide written by Carly Crawford, Emerald City Theatre Associate Education DirectorGuide design by Hayley Nguyen, Marketing Content Manager
Show graphic design by Charles Riffenburg, Grab Bag Media
Join Trixie and Dad on their outing to the laundromat, and the subsequent frantic search for Trixie’s beloved Knuffle Bunny!
Introduction: A Letter from Emerald City Theatre
A Note to All Educators:Welcome to Emerald City Theatre’s 21st season! At Emerald City Theatre, we hope that all children will enjoy a lifetime of appreciation for the arts. Thank you for sharing the gift of live theater with your students.
We are so glad you have decided to join us for Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical! Join Trixie and Dad on their outing to the laundromat, and the subsequent frantic search for Trixie’s beloved Knuffle Bunny!
In this guide, you are provided with a variety of activities to use in your classroom, either before or after the performance. Some lessons can help you incorporate drama or creative play into your classroom, while others integrate your theatrical experience with other Common Core and state standards. Use them as written, or adapt the lessons to suit the needs of your classroom. By exploring the themes introduced at the show, a field trip to the theater can become more than just a one-day experience.
We also offer in-classroom workshops to extend students’ experiences before and after the play. For more information about this opportunity, email [email protected] or call 773.529.2690 today.
Emerald City Theatre
Emerald City Theatre celebrates all of Chicago’s children through playful, professional, and culturally relevant artistic programs that motivate young people to creatively face the world.
Guide Contents:Introduction Page 2The Artists Page 3About the Play Page 4Discussion Questions and Suggested Reading Page 5Lesson Plan Standards/Answer Keys Page 6-7In Your Own Language Page 8Tricky Trixie Page 9Sudsy Search Page 10How Am I Feeling? Page 11Laundry Time! Page 12-13A Plan to Save Knuffle Bunny! Page 14My Own Knuffle Bunny Page 15Inventor’s Corner Page 16Drama Lesson Plan Page 17What Did You Think? Page 18-20Partner with Emerald City Theatre Page 21
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The Artists
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CAST:
PRODUCTION TEAM
Trixie………………………….......................................................…………………Deanalís RestoDad…………………………........................................................……………………….Matt MilesMom……………………………......................................................……….Abby Murray VachonEnsemble..............................…...Ayanna Bria Bakari, Jar’Davion Brown, Emilie ModaffDad Understudy….……………..................................................…………...Jar’Davion BrownMom/Ensemble Understudy……............................................….Adelina Feldman-SchultzTrixie/Ensemble Understudy……….................................................………...Phoebe Moore
Director and Choreographer.............................................………....………Aileen McGroddyMusic Director…………………………..................................................……..Jon SchneidmanAssistant Director…………………..................................................……….…Rebeccah SingerScenic Designer……………………...................................................…………..Kurtis BoetcherCostume Designer……………………...................................................………Lauren T. RoarkLighting Designer…………………..................................................……………....Brian ElstonSound Designer…………………...................................................…………...……Jeffrey LevinProjections Designer…………..................................................……Michael CommendatorePuppet Designer……………………...................................................………...Angela McIlvainProps Designer………………......................................................……………………….Joe CraigSound Engineer……………..................................................………………….Garrrett SteinkeProduction Stage Manager…….................................................………………Marcus CarrollAssistant Stage Managers…………........................…..Caroline Gully Brown, Ariela SubarScenery Build……………......................................................……………………Thomas DanielPaint Charge……………………………….....................................................……..Aurora Klock
About the Play: Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical
About the Author/Playwright/Lyricist: Mo Willems
Mo Willems’ work in children’s books, animation, television, theater, and bubble gum card painting has garnered him 3 Caldecott Honors, 2 Geisel Medals, 6 Emmy Awards, 5 Geisel Honors, a Helen Hayes nomination, and multiple bubble gum cards. He is best known for his characters Knuffle Bunny, The Pigeon, and Elephant and Piggie, and his work as a writer and animator for PBS’s Sesame Street. He is worst known for his work on Cartoon Network’s Sheep in the Big City and Nickelodeon’s The Off-Beats. Mo also makes sculptures and writes plays. More information about Mo’s past, present, and future can be gleaned at www.mowillems.com.
About the Composer: Michael Silversher
Michael Silversher is a Grammy Award-winning songwriter (Elmo in Grouchland), with three prime-time Emmy nominations, two for Winnie the Pooh and one for The Muppets. In addition to writing the theme songs for Disney’s television series Tale Spin and Gummi Bears, he has more than 100 songs in the Disney catalogue, has written more than 42 musical theater works, and has worked extensively with Jim Henson Productions, MGM, Sony, Warner Bros., Kaiser Permanente Educational Theatre Programs, The Learning Channel, the Kennedy Center, Los Angeles Opera, South Coast Repertory Theatre, Mark Taper Forum, and Sundance Institute as a musical director of the children’s theater and resident composer for the Playwright’s Lab. He is co-founder of the West Coast Songwriters’ Association.
Bios adapted from artist websites.
About the play:
Join us on the hunt for Trixie’s dearest stuffed animal, Knuffle Bunny, in this comedic musical adaptation of the Caldecott Honor Book by Mo Willems! After losing the beloved toy rabbit at the laundromat, a desperate dad, a merry mom, and toddler Trixie learn the power in communicating, even when there are no words. With stage design inspired by illustrations straight from the book, this treasured tale is an ECT audience favorite.
Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical is presented through special arrangement with Music Theatre International (MTI). All authorized performance materials are also supplied by MTI. www.MTIShows.com
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Discussion Questions and Suggested Reading
Discussion Questions for Before the Show:
1. Dad thinks Trixie will like some of the things they see on their walk, but instead, they frighten Trixie. Have you ever tried to share something with someone that you thought was exciting, but it frightened them instead?
2. Trixie loves her stuffed Knuffle Bunny. Why? Do you have a special object you love? What do you do together?
3. Have you ever lost something that was special to you? What happened? Did you ever find it?
4. Who are the people you trust the most? Why?
Discussion Questions for After the Show:
1. Trixie’s Dad has a hard time understanding what Trixie says since she doesn’t speak real words. Have you ever had a time when you didn’t understand someone? What did you do?
2. Why do you think Knuffle Bunny is so special to Trixie?3. Why do you think Mom and Dad say that it’s tricky with Trixie?4. Trixie’s Mom trusts her Dad to take her to the laundromat. What happens?
Suggested Reading
Pete the Cat – James DeanWaiting – Kevin HenckesThis Is Not My Hat – Jon KlassenThe Infamous Ratsos – Kara LaReauInterrupting Chicken – David Ezra Stein
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Lesson Plan Standards/Answer Keys
Discussion Questions and Suggested Reading Page 5Standard: Speaking and Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration, Presentation of Knowledge and IdeasPreschool – 1.A, 1.B, 1.C, 2.A, 2.B, 2.C, 2.DKindergarten – K.1, K.1.A, K.2, K.3, K.4, K.61st Grade – 1.1, 1.1B, 1.1C, 1.4, 1.62nd Grade – 2.1, 2.1.A, 2.1.B, 2.2, 2.4, 2.63rd Grade – 3.1, 3.1.B, 3.1.C, 3.1.D, 3.2, 3.4, 3.6
In Your Own Language Page 8Standard: Reading: Foundational SkillsKindergarten – K.2.B, K.31st Grade – 1.32nd Grade – 2.33rd Grade – 3.3, 3.3.B, 3.3.CStandard: Language: Vocabulary Acquisition and UseKindergarten – K.4, K.5.C1st Grade – 1.4, 1.4.A, 1.5.C, 1.62nd Grade – 2.4, 2.4.A, 2.4.C, 2.4.E, 2.63rd Grade – 3.4, 3.4.A, 3.4.B, 3.4.C, 3.4.D, 3.5, 3.5.B, 3.6
Tricky Trixie Page 9Standard: Language: Conventions of Standard English, Vocabulary Acquisition and UsePreschool – 4.B, 4.C, 4.DKindergarten – K.1, K.4.A, K.5, K.5.C, K.61st Grade – 1.1, 1.1.F, 1.4, 1.5, 1.5.C, 1.62nd Grade – 2.1, 2.1.E, 2.5, 2.5.B, 2.63rd Grade – 3.1, 3.1.G, 3.3.A, 3.5, 3.6
Sudsy Search Page 10Can support your arts learning and pattern recognition in a new way!
How Am I Feeling? Page 11 Standard: IL Social-Emotional Learning Standard 1A: Identify and Manage One’s Emotions and BehaviorStandard: IL Social-Emotional Learning Standard 2A: Recognize the Feelings and Perspectives of Others
Laundry Time! Page 12-13Standard: Language: Vocabulary Acquisition and UsePreschool – 6.B, 6.D, 8.AKindergarten – K.5.A, K.5.C1st Grade – 1.5.A, 1.5.B, 1.5.C2nd Grade – 2.5.A
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A Plan to Save Knuffle Bunny! Page 14Standard: WritingKindergarten – K.21st Grade – 1.2 2nd Grade – 2.2 3rd Grade – 3.1
My Own Knuffle Bunny Page 15Standard: National Core Art Standard 1: Generate and Conceptualize Artistic Ideas and WorkStandard: National Core Art Standard 2: Organize and Develop Artistic Ideas and WorkStandard: IL Social-Emotional Learning Standard 1A: Identify and Manage One’s Emotions and BehaviorStandard: IL Social-Emotional Learning Standard 1B: Recognize Personal Qualities and External SupportsStandard: IL Social-Emotional Learning Standard 2A: Recognize the Feelings and Perspectives of Others
Inventor’s Corner Page 16Standard: National Core Art Standard 1: Generate and Conceptualize Artistic Ideas and WorkStandard: National Core Art Standard 2: Organize and Develop Artistic Ideas and Work
Drama Lesson Plan Page 17Standard: National Core Art Standard 2: Organize and Develop Artistic Ideas and WorkStandard: National Core Art Standard 10: Synthesize and Relate Knowledge and Personal Experiences to Make Art.Also supports your class’ Speaking and Listening skills in a new way.
What Did You Think? Page 18-20Standard: Writing: Texts Types and PurposesKindergarten – K.21st Grade – 1.2 2nd Grade – 2.2 3rd Grade – 3.2
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In Your Own LanguageIn Knuffle Bunny, Trixie uses her own, made-up words to express how she feels. Make up a language of your own! Next to each picture, you will find the English word that matches it. In the blank, write a made-up word that you’d like to use to match that pic-ture.
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____________Bunny__________________: English
_____________Flap Flap______________: Carly-ish (example)
__________________________________: ______________-ish
_____________Hat_________________: English
__________________________________: ______________-ish
_____________Car_________________: English
__________________________________: ______________-ish
_____________Stop_________________: English
__________________________________: ______________-ish
_____________Bath_________________: English
__________________________________: ______________-ish
(your name)
Tricky Trixie
Trixie’s parents say that she’s “tricky.” Tricky and Trixie start with the same “t” sound. For the characters below, come up with an adjective – a describing word – that starts with the same sound.
Now, create one for yourself! In the first blank, write an adjective that starts with the same sound as your name. In the next blank, write your name.
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_____________________________________ Pigeon
_____________________________________ Mom
_____________________________________ Dad
______________________________________Knuffle Bunny
______________________________________ Elephant
______________________________________ Piggie
________________________ __________________________
(your name)
Sudsy Search
Trixie trusts that her father will help save the day at Laundromat. Can you help Trixe find hidden items inside the washing machine?
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How Am I Feeling?
Match the faces in Column A with the feeling words in Column B. How can you tell what each face is feeling?
Column A Column B
mad
sleepy
happy
sad
surprised
Laundry Time!Color and cut out the clothing shapes on the next page. Paste them onto the correct washing machine.
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TOP
BOTTOM
BOTTOM
Laundry Time! (cont)
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A Plan to Save Knuffle Bunny!
Trixie and Dad realize that they left Knuffle Bunny at the laundromat. Help them make a plan to save him! Write 4 steps to get Trixie and Dad from their house to save Knuffle Bunny!
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Step 1:
Step 2:
Step 3:
Step 4:
Save Knuffle Bunny!
My Own Knuffle Bunny
Do you have an object that is special to you? Draw it in the box below, and answer the questions about it at the bottom of the page.
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My special object is: __________________________________
Its name is: ________________________________________
If I lost my object, I would feel: _______________________
Why is your object special?: ________________________________________
Inventor’s Corner
Help Trixie create an invention that will stop her from losing Knuffle Bunny again! Draw your invention below, and describe how it works.
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My invention is: __________________________________
This is how it works: : _____________________________________________
Drama Lesson Plan
Build a Machine
Take it Further
In Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical, Trixie and Dad visit the laundromat, where they see washing machines and dryers. In this activity, students will use their bodies, voices, and imaginations to build a machine. First, as a class, decide what kind of machine you’re going to be. We recommend starting with a washing machine, since those are in Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical, but feel free to stretch your imagination! Maybe you’ll build a homework-finishing machine, or a clothes-dressing machine, or an endless ice cream machine.
To build your machine, clear a playing space in the room (a carpeted area, if you have one, works great for this sort of activity). Have one student begin the machine by entering the carpeted space and performing a repeatable motion and sound. They should repeat this motion and sound in a steady rhythm as the machine is built. One by one, students can add on to the machine by walking up to the playing space and joining in.
Are your students pros at machine-building? Try these variations to introduce new elements to the activity!
1. Which Part Am I? – As students join the machine, have them state which part of the machine they’re going to be. Example: “I’m going to be the clothes spinner part!”2. Speed – Once the machine has been built, you, the teacher, can control the machine’s speed! Speed it up, slow it down, have it go in reverse, or even have it explode after hitting warp speed!3. Levels – Before building a machine, remind students that machines are not always built in a straight line, and that levels – high, medium, and low – make visual pictures more interesting. Encourage students to add onto the machine at a different level and on a different plane than the student before them.
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What Did You Think?Share with Us!
Now that you’ve seen Knuffle Bunny: A Cautionary Musical, let us know what you thought of the show.
Older Students: In the front of this guide, you will find a program that lists all the characters of the play and the names of the actors who play them. Choose one character from the show and write them a letter. Describe in detail which part of the show was your favorite. (You may photocopy page 19 with a letter format for your class.)
Younger Students: Think back to the show. What was your favorite part? Draw a picture showing your favorite part of the play. (You may photocopy page 20 with a drawing format for your class.)
We’d love to see your work. Send your letters and pictures (or photocopies of them) to us when you are done. All materials can be mailed to:
Emerald City TheatreATTN: Education
3rd Floor – Athenaeum Theatre2936 N Southport Ave
Chicago, IL 60657
Teachers: We want to know what you thought! If your class completes this activity, please send them to us. The reactions from our audiences are the best part of our jobs. Feel free to email us at [email protected]!
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Dear
Sincerely,
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NAME:
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PARTNER WITH EMERALD CITY THEATRE
For more info on partnering with Emerald City Theatre, contact Audience Services at [email protected] or 773.529.2690 ext. 836 today.
Book your field trip for a 2017—2018 student matinee! Complete with an original study guide and a Q & A with the cast, a field trip to Emerald City Theatre is a great way to introduce students to their favorite stories live on stage. Tickets for productions at the Apollo Theater are a flat rate of $9 per ticket.
Currently Playing and Coming Soon:• Knuffle Bunny March 24 – May 26, 2018
Emerald City Theatre brings world-class teaching professionals to your school for exercises in acting, singing, and dancing after the bell rings. We offer a wide array of after-school drama classes for all age levels with exciting new themes each session. Our weekly programs focus on team-building, listening skills, storytelling techniques, and confidence strengthening. Your students will show off all they’ve learned in a presentation during the final class! Prices vary; please inquire for pricing details.
Combine the fun of creative drama with your Common Core standards. Emerald City Theatre’s flexible Residency program focuses on developing students as confident readers, writers, and actors in your classrooms. Our professional teaching artists guide your class in developing academic, artistic, and life skills during multiple visits, culminating in a final presentation. Pre-K through 8th grade classrooms can be accommodated. We will work with your school’s budget! Generally, prices start at $1,800 for a 9-session residency.
Emerald City Theatre offers workshops to expand your field trip experience in your own classroom! Workshops are 45-55 minutes long. PRE-SHOW: ECT Teaching Artists lead students in an introduction to theater, the roles of the actor and audience, and introduce themes and concepts of the show. POST-SHOW: ECT Teaching Artists use interactive activities to reinforce comprehension of the themes and concepts of the play.
Reserve one OR both workshops for your class at $125 per classroom.
MATINEE FIELD TRIPS
AFTER-SCHOOL PROGRAMMING IN-SCHOOL RESIDENCIES
CLASSROOM WORKSHOPS
