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This section is part of a full New Victory® School ToolTM Resource Guide. For the complete guide, including information about the New Victory Education Department check out: newvictoryschooltools.org

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inside | I,

BEFORE EN ROUTE AFTER BEYOND INSIDE

INSIDE THE SHOW/COMPANY • closer look • where in the world

INSIDE THE ART FORM • WHAT DO YOUR STUDENTS KNOW NOW?

Creativity Page: How “Malvolio” Are You?

WHAT IS “INSIDE” I, Malvolio? INSIDE provides teachers and students a behind-the-curtain look at the artists, the company and the art form of this production. Utilize this resource to learn more about the artists on the New Victory stage, how far they’ve traveled and their inspiration for creating this show. In addition to information that will enrich your students’ experience at the theater, you will find a Creativity Page as a handout to build student anticipation around their trip to The New Victory.

Photos: Matthew Andrews

MAKING CONNECTIONS TO LEARNING STANDARDS

New Victory School Tool Resource Guides align with the Common Core State Standards, New York State Learning Standards and New York City Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts. We believe that these standards support both the high quality instruction and deep engagement that The New Victory Theater strives to achieve in its arts education practice.

COMMON CORE NEW YORK STATE STANDARDS BLUEPRINT FOR THE ARTS

Speaking and Listening: Standard 1 The Arts: Standard 4 Theater: Developing Literacy; Language: Standard 1; Standard 4; English Language Arts: Making Connections Standard 6 Standard 1; Standard 4

The New VICTORY® THEATER / NEWVICTORYSCHOOLTOOLS.ORG © The New 42nd Street, Inc. 4 inside | I, MALVOLIO

BEFORE EN ROUTE AFTER BEYOND INSIDE

INSIDE THE SHOW/COMPANY • closer look • where in the world

INSIDE THE ART FORM • WHAT DO YOUR STUDENTS KNOW NOW?

Creativity Page: How “Malvolio” Are You?

where in the world I, MALVOLIO = Shakespeare is I, MALVOLIO from? + + Solo Performance

+ Malvolio NORTHEUROPE X AMERICA [ ] ASIA AFRICA PACIFIC I, MALVOLIO is a compassionate and fearless solo performance by renowned OCEAN actor, producer, director and playwright, Tim Crouch. This engaging

character study offers the audience the chance to peer inside the mind of INDIAN OCEAN AUSTRALIA Malvolio, one of Shakespeare’s most misunderstood characters from the ATLANTIC OCEAN comedy, . Crouch’s show provides an alternative point of view on the play’s twisting and turning events through Malvolio’s eyes. A prudish head-servant, Malvolio is the brunt of the play’s biggest joke, when his other housemates trick him into believing the beautiful Lady loves him by writing him a fake love letter. After completing the letter’s zany demands in an effort to prove his love to Lady Olivia, Malvolio discovers that it was all a prank. In the unique and surprising I, MALVOLIO, the title character confronts the audience to tell his side of the tale and calls into question the line between humor and hurt. “A story of lost dignity, prudery, practical jokes and bullying, this one-man act of story-telling alchemy draws us deep into the madness of Shakespeare’s classic comedy.” Brighton – Tim Crouch Theatre X

Brighton, England i, malvolio • In 1783, the Prince Regent’s visit to closer look at Brighton helped transform the small • Tim Crouch, performing the title character and the creator of the show, is a fishing village into a fashionable resort. multi-talented theater artist based in Brighton, England. • Today, Brighton is one of the UK’s most • Crouch has written several Shakespeare-inspired solos, giving voice to the creative cities, serving as an outlet for bard’s supporting characters, including: I, (); music, dance, theater, comedy, and film. I, PEASEBLOSSOM (A Midsummer Night’s Dream); and I, BANQUO ().

• In 2010, Crouch won Best Male Performer at the Brighton Festival for I, MALVOLIO.

The New VICTORY® THEATER / NEWVICTORYSCHOOLTOOLS.ORG © The New 42nd Street, Inc. 5 inside | I, MALVOLIO

BEFORE EN ROUTE AFTER BEYOND INSIDE

INSIDE THE SHOW/COMPANY • closer look • where in the world

INSIDE THE ART FORM • WHAT DO YOUR STUDENTS KNOW NOW?

Creativity Page: How “Malvolio” Are You? INSIDE THE ART FORM WHAT DO YOUR Shakespeare: Shakespeare wrote 154 sonnets and 37 plays, many of which were performed during his lifetime before Queen Elizabeth I and King James STUDENTS KNOW NOW? I, making him both an Elizabethan and Jacobean . Shakespeare’s theater company was known as the Lord Chamberlain’s Men, who collectively in 1599 Prior to exploring I, MALVOLIO with your opened the venue that would showcase much of their work: the Globe Theater students, find out how much they already know in . In addition to playwriting, Shakespeare was also an actor who about Shakespeare, solo performance, and the performed not only his own plays, but also in those of other playwrights. fourth Wall.

Shakespeare’s stories have been adapted in all Use the Prior Knowledge questions below, and Shakespearean Adaptation: the Creativity Page handout (next page) to give forms of entertainment, from the Broadway musical to the Silver Screen. Many your students the opportunity to explore the of these stories actually existed long before Shakespeare created his famous art forms and themes in the show. You may be scripts based on them! In his entire canon, there are actually few original plots. surprised by how much they know already, and in Drawing from classical works, histories, and other literary sources, Shakespeare the process of exploring these areas, you’ll spark liberally adapted stories in his plays and made them his own. Today, we are their curiosity to see the show and enhance their still fascinated by Shakespeare’s work. Some notable modern-day adaptations anticipation for the trip. include Baz Luhrman’s , Richard Loncraine’s Richard III. • Have you ever seen or read one of

Solo Performance: Commonly known as “a one-man show” or a “one-woman Shakespeare’s plays before? Which one(s)? show,” this style of performance features only one actor, playing one role or multiple roles. Solo performance was influenced by other art forms such as • What do you know about ? vaudeville, cabaret and stand-up comedy. • Why do you think people still read, study and Fourth Wall: The imaginary wall between the actors on stage and an perform Shakespeare’s work? audience. To “break the fourth wall” means to perform on stage fully aware of the audience, and perhaps even talk to them and involve them in the play. This • Have you ever heard of the play, Twelfth Night? What is the plot? Who are the characters? style of performance is common in one-man shows, such as I, MALVOLIO, where the actor uses the audience to help tell his story. • Have you ever seen a solo performance? What was it like?

• Would you ever want to perform a play on stage by yourself? Why or why not?

• Do you know what the “fourth wall” is in theater? What do you think “breaking the fourth wall” means?

• How do you think you are going to feel when the actor talks to you from the stage? How do you think you should respond? Is there a certain way to behave or not?

• What is an adaptation? Have you ever seen an adaptation of a work by Shakespeare?

Photo: Matthew Andrews

The New VICTORY® THEATER / NEWVICTORYSCHOOLTOOLS.ORG © The New 42nd Street, Inc. 6 © The New 42nd Street, Inc.

® CrEATIVITY PAGE: HOW “MALVOLIO” ARE YOU? HOW “MALVOLIO” ARE YOU? Twelfth Night is all about mistaken identity, and Malvolio is one of many characters in the original play. How much like Malvolio are you? Which character from the original play is most like you? Take this quiz and find out –

Photos: Andrews Matthew How Malvolio are you?

I would best describe myself as… A) Organized. B) Emotional. C) Attractive. D) Hysterical.

My dream job would be… A) Police officer. B) Musician. C) Celebrity (any kind would do). D) Comedian.

If I ever found out that a crush didn’t like me back, I would… A) Change who I am. B) Wallow in self-pity. C) Move on to the next best thing! D) Play a prank on him or her.

When I get home from a long day, I like to… A) Eat dinner, clean my room, and go to bed. In that order. B) Listen to my music alone in my room and reflect on my thoughts and feelings. C) Look at myself in the mirror. Sometimes I call my friends, but only if I’m in the mood. D) Find something fun (and perhaps crazy) to do immediately. If I think hard enough, I can totally find a way to get into some trouble…

When I get into trouble, I typically… A) Admit what I did was wrong. B) Take some time to myself. C) Cry. D) Enjoy it.

Add up your score and figure out which Twelfth Night character you would most likely be mistaken for in . As = 1 point, Bs = 2 points, Cs = 3 points, Ds = 4 points 5-7: You are Matter-of-factly MALVOLIO -- You are organized and law-abiding, but you have a hidden passion for romance. In Twelfth Night, Malvolio is the head servant who keeps order in Lady Olivia’s house. But when the other housemates play a trick on him and write him a fake love note from the beautiful Lady Olivia, he does whatever he believes will win her heart (including wearing the most ridiculous outfit). Malvolio is a complex character and therefore one of the most interesting and studied characters in all of Shakespeare’s plays! 8-12: You are Obviously -- You have a big heart, and don’t shy away from your emotions. You embrace your feelings and shout them to the world! In Twelfth Night, Duke Orsino is in love with Lady Olivia, who does not show any interest in him. He deals with his devastation by listening to music alone is his home, surrounded by his favorite people. Duke Orsino is loving, kind, and sensitive to others. He is welcoming of strangers and open to new ideas. 13-16: You are Outstandingly OLIVIA -- You are confident, attractive, and the apple of everyone’s eye. InTwelfth Night, Lady Olivia is a wealthy, beautiful and noble lady who has many male suitors. Like Orsino, she enjoys wallowing in her own misery, but she is also confident in herself in a way that he is not. Olivia is romantic, but never takes romance too seriously. 17-20: You are Totally TOBY -- You love a laugh and enjoy practical jokes. In Twelfth Night, is Lady Olivia’s uncle who lives with her. He loves to be rowdy and cause a ruckus in the household. He and his friend (who later becomes his wife) are the conspirators behind the prank on Malvolio that sends him into madness. Toby brings the play to life with his spirit and is always ready to have a good time!