San Jose Taiko Study Guide.Des Moines Performing Arts
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SAN JOSE TAIKO Applause Series Curriculum Guide May 12-13, 2016 GUIDE CONTENTS Dear Teachers, About Des Moines Performing Arts Page 3 Thank you for joining us for the Applause Series presentation of San Going to the Theater Jose Taiko. We trust that students will and Theater Etiquette be amazed by the group’s Page 4 heart-pounding rhythms and athletic choreography, but we also hope that Civic Center Field Trip Information San Jose Taiko will instill in students a for Teachers new understanding and appreciation Page 5 for how we can celebrate our heritage and cultural traditions — and even add Vocabulary to that legacy by bringing our own efforts and creativity. Through Page 6 their performance, students will experience traditional Japanese taiko drums and rhythms, while also learning about the unique About the Performance ways that San Jose Taiko has created their own unique style of Page 7 taiko by drawing on rhythms from around the world. About San Jose Taiko In the following pages, you will find contextual information about Page 8 the performance and related subjects, as well as a wide variety of discussion questions and activities that tie into several curriculum Taiko History areas. Some pages are appropriate to reproduce for your Page 9 students; others are designed more specifically with you, their teacher, in mind. As such, we hope that you are able to “pick and Origins of Taiko: choose” material and ideas from the study guide to meet your ‘Amaterasu and the Cave’ class’s unique needs. Page 10 See you at the theater, The Instruments Page 11 Des Moines Performing Arts Education Team Costumes and Family Crests Page 12 Pre-Show Exploration Pages 13-16 Post-Show Assessment Support for Des Moines Performing Arts education programs and the Page 17-18 Applause Series is provided by: Resources and Sources Alliant Energy, American Enterprise Group, Arts Midwest, Bradford and Sally Austin, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, Bravo Greater Des Moines, Page 19 Casey’s General Stores, DuPont Pioneer, EMC Insurance Companies,, Hy-Vee, John Deere, Richard and Deborah McConnell, Polk County, Principal Financial Group, Sargent Family Foundation, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo & Co., West Bank, Willis Auto Campus and more than 200 individual donors. This study guide was compiled and written by Karoline Myers; edited by Michelle McDonald. Based on ‘San Jose Taiko School Outreach Curriculum Guide’ by San Jose Taiko and ‘San Jose Taiko Study Guide’ by the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts. Des Moines Performing Arts Page 2 of 19 San Jose Taiko Curriculum Guide ABOUT DES MOINES PERFORMING ARTS Des Moines Performing Arts is a private, nonprofit organization and is an DID YOU KNOW? important part of central Iowa’s cultural community. It is recognized nationally for excellence as a performing arts center and is committed to More than 300,000 people visit engaging the Midwest in world-class entertainment, education, and cultural Des Moines Performing Arts activities. venues each year. Des Moines Performing Arts presents professional touring productions, Des Moines Performing Arts including theater direct from Broadway, world-renowned dance companies, opened in 1979. family programming, comedy, and concerts. Des Moines Performing Arts Education and Community Engagement programs are core to Des Moines has three theater spaces: Performing Arts' mission as a nonprofit performing arts center. Civic Center, 2744 seats Stoner Theater, 200 seats Public education programs allow audience members and local artists to Temple Theater, 299 seats make meaningful and personal connections to the art they experience on (located in the Temple for our stages. Guest lectures and Q&As with company members allow the Performing Arts) audiences to explore the inner workings of the performance. In addition, master classes, workshops, and summer camps taught by visiting No seat is more than 155 feet performers give local actors, dancers, and musicians the chance to from center stage in the Civic increase their skills by working directly with those who know what it takes Center. to succeed on the professional stage. Cowles Commons, situated Through its K-12 School Programs, Des Moines Performing Arts strives just west of the Civic Center, is to ensure that central Iowa students have affordable access to high quality a community gathering space arts experiences as part of their education. More than 50,000 students and that is also part of Des Moines educators attend curriculum-connected school matinee performances Performing Arts. The space through the Applause Series annually. In addition, Des Moines Performing features the Crusoe Umbrella Arts sends teaching artists into the schools to provide hands-on workshops sculpture by artist Claes and residencies in special opportunities that engage students directly in Oldenburg. the creative process. And, through its partnership with the John F. Kennedy Center, Des Moines Performing Arts provides teachers with As a nonprofit organization, in-depth professional development training on how to use the arts in their Des Moines Performing Arts classrooms to better impact student learning. The Iowa High School depends on donor funding to Musical Theater Awards is Des Moines Performing Arts’ newest initiative support facilities, programming, to support the arts in Iowa schools, providing important learning tools and and education programs. public recognition to celebrate the achievements of students involved in their high school theater programs. The Applause Series started in 1996. You are joining us for our 20th season of school performances. Des Moines Performing Arts Page 3 of 19 San Jose Taiko Curriculum Guide GOING TO THE THEATER . YOUR ROLE AS AN THEATER ETIQUETTE AUDIENCE MEMBER Here is a checklist of general guidelines to follow when you visit the Civic Center: Attending a live performance is a unique and exciting opportunity. Unlike the passive experience of watching a movie, audience members play an Leave all food, drinks, and chewing gum at school important role in every live performance. As they act, or on the bus. sing, dance, or play instruments, the performers on Cameras, recording devices, and personal stage are very aware of the audience’s mood and listening devices are not permitted in the theater. level of engagement. Each performance calls for a different response from audience members. Turn off and put away all cell phones, pagers, and Musicians and dancers may desire the other electronic devices before the performance audience to focus silently on the stage and applaud begins. only during natural breaks in the performance. Do not text during the performance. Audience members can often take cues from performers on how to respond to the performance Respect the theater. Remember to keep your feet appropriately. For example, performers will often off of the seats and avoid bouncing up and down. pause or bow for applause at a specific time. When the house lights dim, the performance is about to begin. Please stop talking at this time. As you experience the performance, consider the following questions: Talk before and after the performance only. Remember, the theater is designed to What kind of live performance is this (a play, a amplify sound. Other audience members and the dance, a concert, etc.)? performers on stage can hear your voice! What is the mood of the performance? Is the Use the restroom before the performance or wait subject matter serious or lighthearted? until the end. If you must leave the theater during the show, make sure the first set of doors closes What is the mood of the performers? Are they before you open the second — this will keep happy and smiling or somber and reserved? unwanted light from spilling into the theater. Are the performers encouraging the audience to Appropriate responses such as laughing and clap to the music or move to the beat? applauding are appreciated. Pay attention to the Are there natural breaks in the performance artists on stage — they will let you know what is where applause seems appropriate? appropriate. A SPECIAL EXPERIENCE Open your eyes, ears, mind, and heart to the entire experience. Enjoy yourself! Seeing a live performance is a very special experience. Although it is not required, many people enjoy dressing up when they attend the theater. GOING TO THE THEATER information is adapted from the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts study guide materials. Des Moines Performing Arts Page 4 of 19 San Jose Taiko Curriculum Guide CIVIC CENTER FIELD TRIP INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS Thank you for choosing the Applause Series with Des Moines Performing Arts. Below are tips for organizing a safe and successful field trip to the Civic Center. ORGANIZING YOUR FIELD TRIP ARRIVAL TO THE CIVIC CENTER Please include all students, teachers, and chaperones When arriving at the Civic Center, please have an in your ticket request. adult lead your group for identification and check-in After you submit your ticket request, you will receive a purposes. A Des Moines Performing Arts staff member confirmation e-mail within five business days. Your may be stationed outside the building to direct you to a invoice will be attached to the confirmation e-mail. specific entrance. Payment policies and options are located at the top of Des Moines Performing Arts staff will usher groups into the invoice. Payment (or a purchase order) for your the building as quickly as possible. Once inside, you reservation is due four weeks prior to the date of the will be directed to the check-in area. performance. Applause seating is not ticketed. Ushers will escort The Civic Center reserves the right to cancel unpaid groups to their seats; various seating factors including reservations after the payment due date. group size, grade levels, arrival time, and special Tickets are not printed for Applause Series shows. needs seating requests may be used to assign a Your invoice will serve as the reservation confirmation group’s specific location in the hall.