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Home , Dwarf (Middle-earth), Thorin Oakenshield

Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater and Academy Mainstage Production Study Guide

FANTASY PLAYHOUSE CHILDREN’S THEATER & ACADEMY PRESENTS

Book by J. R. R Tolkien Adapted by Edward Mast Produced by special arrangement with The Dramatic Publishing Company of Woodstock, Illinois

a message from Brief History of the the education director

This study guide is designed to prepare “In a hole in the ground there lived a hobbit.” -J.R.R Tolkien educators and their students for a In a letter dated 1955, John Ronald Reul Tolkien recalls memorable and educational experience. this being the first sentence he wrote in 1930 that inspired We hope this helps jump-start the what would later become known as ; a fictional critical thinking process as you attend tale that takes place in a mythical land called Middle Earth. By Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater’s 1932 Tolkien had finished the story and sent the manuscript to production of “The Hobbit.” In this several friends, including C.S Lewis. The legend goes that in guide, you will find discussion topics 1936, the book made its way into the hands of Stanley Unwin, for before and after the production, a reputable publisher with Allen & Unwin, who then passed classroom activities with curriculum it along to his 10 year old son, Rayner, for a review. Young connections, and resource materials. Rayner’s raving comments settled Allen & Unwin’s decision to Hope you enjoy the show! publish Tolkien’s book in 1937. Encouraged by The Hobbit’s - Candice Cooper, Education Director initial success, the publishers requested a sequel, and the concept for emerged. The works have never been out of print, and their ongoing legacy has been adapted to the stage, screen, radio, board games, and even video games. ELA Common Core Learning/ALCOS Standards Addressed

3RD GRADE: Language Arts: [RL 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4, 3.5, 3.6, 3.7, 3.9] [RI 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.7] [W 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4] [SL 3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.6] [L 3.1, 3.2, 3.3, 3.4]; Math: [3-OA3, 3-OA5, 3-OA7, 3-OA8] ; Social Studies: [3.2, 3.8]; Science: [3.6] Music: [3.7, 3.10, 3.11, 3.16, 3.17, 3.18] Theatre: [3.1, 3.2, 3.4, 3.5, 3.9, 3.11, 3.14, 3.18, 3.19, 3.23] 4TH GRADE: Language Arts: [RL 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.5, 4.7, 4.9] [RI 4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 4.8] [W 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4, 4.9] [SL 4.1, 4.4] [L 4.1, 4.2, 4.3, 4.4] Math: [4- OA2, 4-OA3, 4-NBT2, 4-NBT4] Science [4.9] Music: [4.11, 4.12, 4.16, 4.17, 4.18, 4.19] Theatre: [4.1, 4.2, 4.4, 4.9, 4.13, 4.14, 4.15. 4.16, 4.18, 4.20] 5TH GRADE: Language Arts: [RL 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.5] [RI 5.1, 5.2, 5.9] [W 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4, 5.7] [SL 5.1] [L 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4] Math: [5-NF2] Social Studies: [5.1] Science: [5.11, 5.14] Music: [5.10, 5.11, 5.16, 5.17, 5.18, 5.19] Theatre: [5.1, 5.3, 5.4, 5.9, 5.14, 5.16, 5.17, 5.18, 5.20] 6TH GRADE: Language Arts: [RL 6.1, 6.3, 6.4, 6.6, 6.7] [RI 6.2, 6.3, 6.4, 6.6] [W 6.1, 6.3, 6.4] [SL 6.1, 6.2] [L 6.1, 6.2, 6.3, 6.4] Math: [6-NS1, 6-NS2, 6-NS3] Science; [6.4] Music: [6.15, 6.16, 6.17, 6.18] Theatre: [6.3, 6.4, 6.9. 6.12, 6.13, 6.14, 6.15, 6.17, 6.18, 6.19.]

1 WHO’S WHO

ABOUT THE AUTHOR ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT J.R.R. Tolkien Edward Mast Born on January 3, 1892, in Edward Mast, a fan of J.R.R. Bloemfontein, South Africa, J.R.R. Tolkien’s work since he was 12, grew Tolkien settled in England as a child. up in California and lives in Seattle. He lived most of his life in poverty, His plays for adults and young and was an orphan by the age of ten. audiences have been performed in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, Tolkien enlisted as a lieutenant in Seattle, Louisville, Honolulu and the Lancashire Fusiliers and served in many other cities here and abroad. World War I, making sure to continue writing as well. He fought in Other adaptations besides The Hobbit include Jungalbook, the Battle of the Somme, in which there were severe casualties, Ramayana, A Wrinkle in Time and The House of Usher. and was eventually released from duty due to illness. In the midst of his military service, he’d married Edith Bratt in 1916.

Continuing his linguistic studies, Tolkien joined the faculty of WHO’S WHO backstage the University of Leeds in 1920 and a few years later became a Director - develops the concept of the show, blocks the professor at Oxford University. While there he started a writing show, and helps actors develop their characters. group called The Inklings, which counted among its members Production Manager - manages the production team. C.S. Lewis and Owen Barfield. It was also at Oxford, while Actors- people who perform in the show and make the grading a paper, that he spontaneously wrote a short line about director’s vision come to life. “a hobbit.” Technical Director - oversees the technical staff responsible for the set build of the show.

Scenic Designer - works with the Director to design and WHO’S WHO ONSTAGE create the sets onstage. Costume Designer - works with the Director to design , a hobbit Ori, a all the clothing and accessories worn by the actors in the show. , a wizard Nori, a dwarf Properties - usually shortened to props, this person , Fili, a dwarf gathers any objects carried on by actors or already leader of the dwarves planted onstage for actors to use. Kili, a dwarf , a dwarf Lighting Designer - works with the Director to design Goblin King how to light the stage for the show. Dwalin, a dwarf Dork, a goblin Sound Designer - works with the Director to create the Oin, a dwarf Doof, a goblin sound elements for the show. Gloin, a dwarf , a nocturnal Stage Manager - maintains all information pertaining Bifur, a dwarf creature to the show and is responsible for communicating information to run departments and crew - keeps the Bofur, a dwarf Maxwell, a human artistic vision. Bombur, a dwarf Bard, a human

Dori, a dwarf , a dragon SHARE YOUR CREATIVITY

Share your creativity with us! We would love to hear from you! Please share your work, stories, or pictures from your class by sending to the address below or tagging us on social media with #FantasyPCTA

Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy Education Department 3312 Long Ave. Huntsville, AL 35805

2 BEFORE THE SHOW AUDIENCE Etiquette PAGE TO STAGE activity

Here are ways to help yourself and others get the most out of a The Hobbit was adapted LIVE theatre experience: from a book. In the novel, every new chapter brings Please wait in the lobby to be seated. with it a plethora of new Use the handrails when going up and down the stairs in characters, creatures, the theatre. and adventures. In class, During the performance, please be safe and stay seated. research Middle Earth, the mythical land where The actors love to hear you respond to the action taking place, but please do not talk or whisper during the The Hobbit takes place. performance. Choose several different characters or creatures from the story and write your own short story about an adventure that they go No eating, drinking, or chewing gum in the theatre. on. Here are a few things to consider: Please turn off all cell phones and other electronic devices during the performance. 1 What characters or creatures would you use? Why? Ie. Goblins, Trolls, Elves, Humans, , etc. Actors love to hear applause! Show your appreciation by clapping at the end of the play. 2 Where in Middle Earth does your story take place? *See After the performance, please remain seated until your map above for reference* school is dismissed. 3 What would the conflict in your story be? The resolution?

Pre-Show Discussion Questions SYNOPSIS Bilbo Baggins is a well-off hobbit with a love of adventurous 1 The Hobbit is a live theatrical performance. Discuss how stories. Real adventures, however, are definitely not his cup theatre is different from television and film. What are things of tea. So when Gandalf the wizard knocks at Bilbo’s door, you would not do during a live show that you might do at a movie or a sporting event? bringing with him 13 ragged dwarves, and the prospect of a grand adventure, Bilbo could not be less interested—at first. But 2 Discuss proper theatre etiquette with your class. How should Bilbo’s love of a good story gets the better of him, and before he you behave during the show? knows it, he is off on a perilous quest through Middle Earth over 3 This show is based off of a novel. Think of other stories that mountain and under hill through caves and forest, to defeat the you know, and imagine how you would turn them into a play. overruling dragon, Smaug. What would be easy? What would be challenging? What story would you choose? FUN FACTS In class, do more research about J. R. R Tolkien. What other 4 1 Tolkien heavily revised The Hobbit, especially the scenes novels did he write? What languages was he fluent in? How between Bilbo and Gollum, to make the story work better did his early life impact his writing later on? with its successor, The Lord of the Rings. These changes were reflected in the second edition, published in 1951 in the US and the UK. vocabulary 2 There isn’t a single female character in The Hobbit, and the only woman mentioned by name is Bilbo’s mother, Belladonna Took. Fili and Kili are the sons of Thorin’s sister, BEFORE THE SHOW but you’ll have to go to one of the family trees in The Lord of Consider reviewing the following terms. the Rings to find out that she was called “Dis” – making her the only lady Dwarf mentioned anywhere in Tolkien’s writings. Perilous Grappled Mortified 3 In Tolkien’s first draft, Gandalf the wizard was called Burglar Defrayed Necromancer Bladorthin. Even more confusingly, Dwarf-leader Thorin was going to be called Gandalf. Reconciliation Commission Marrowbone 4 Only three wizards ever appear in Tolkien’s stories – Gandalf “the grey”; “the white” and “the brown”. Usurper Inhospitable Reconnaissance Radagast doesn’t actually appear in The Hobbit, but Calamities Accomplices Fortified the shape-changer mentions that he has met him. 5 The Hobbit was published in September 1937 by Allen & Underestimate Parley Unwin. The original print run of 1,500 copies sold out by December. 3 after THE SHOW

Post-Show Discussion Questions Activity: Math Meets Fiction 1 Gollum caught 10 small fish. He divided the fish to make 4 1 What was your favorite scene or moment from The Hobbit? equal meals. How many fish did he eat at each meal? What did you like about it? What made it memorable? 2 It’s a long way from to the Misty mountains. Using 2 Who are the main characters in the story? the miles from Bilbo’s travel log below, figure out the mean, median, and mode of their miles. 3 Was the play a comedy, tragedy, or both? Bilbo’s Monthly Travel Log: April: 167 miles August: 93 miles 4 What do you think happened after Bilbo returned home? May: 154 miles September: 112 miles June: 178 miles October: 151 miles 5 If you were cast in The Hobbit, which character would you want to play? Why? July: 112 miles

3 Using <, >, and =, determine the greater, lesser, and equal QUIZ value of Smaug’s treasure: 3,525 gold pieces ___ 2,954 red rubies

Multiple Choice 224 marble statues ___ 323 priceless paintings 100 swords ___ 100 shields 1. Where in Middle Earth does Bilbo live? a. c. 472 diamonds ___ 471 emeralds b. The Shire d. The Misty Mountains 549 golden chalices ___ 549 silver chalices

How many pieces of treasure does Smaug have total? 2. Who was the leader of the dwarves? a. Gandalf c. Thorin Oakenshield ACTIVITY: Music and Movement b. Bilbo d. Gollum

Creatures: 3. What did Bilbo have in his pocket during he and Gollum’s scene? 1. a. A ring c. A knife 2. Dwarves b. A button d. Nothing 3. Goblins 4. Wizards 4. What was the name of the town where the humans lived by the Misty Mountains? 5. a. Rohan c. Divide the class into small groups of four-five students. Using b. d. Laketown the above list of creatures from The Hobbit and the list of classical songs from below, have each group choose the song 5. How was Smaug defeated? they think best represents each character. Listen to all the songs a. A magic potion c. He flew away as a class. b. An arrow to the heart d. He wasn’t defeated, but Songs: went on to rule Middle Earth. 1. Fur Elise by Ludwig van Beethoven 2. In the Hall of the Mountain King by Edvard Grieg 3. Moonlight Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven 4. Waltz of the Flowers by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky 5. Four Seasons: Spring Part One by Antonio Lucio Vivaldi

After they assign a song to each character, they must decide on a series of movements that 1) reflect each character 2) match the mood/tempo of the music. After they’ve had several minutes to practice and rehearse, let students perform one or two of their movements for the class. (Answers: B, C, A, D, B) 4 after THE SHOW (CONT.) Activity: Science & Scene Design Collide

Build your own dioramas based off of a place in The Hobbit. Use materials from around your classrooms and at home to bring Tolkien’s world to life.

ACTIVITY: Geography and MAP Making

In order to get to Laketown, Bilbo and Thorin depended on the accuracy of their map to get them there. Research the geography of where you live, and attempt to recreate a detailed map like the one pictured. Don’t forget to include mountain ranges, lakes, rivers, and even roads if possible.

5 ABOUT US

Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater and Academy (FPCTA) provides theatre arts access through production, education and outreach, reaching more than 29,000 residents annually, including 16,000 children and youth. FPCTA enriches the lives of children and families through theatre and arts education, encouraging students to become self-confident, academically successful, creative-thinking citizens who are more likely to invest in their communities as adults. FPCTA’s core programs include live children’s theatre productions, classes, camps, workshops, and educational outreach through after school classes and In-school touring programs. Recognizing the transformative power theatre arts can have in the life of a child, FPCTA prioritizes theatre arts access for all by engaging local underserved communities. fantasy education staff THANK YOU!

Fantasy Playhouse Children’s Theater & Academy gratefully Executive Director Karen Mockensturm acknowledges the support from the following: Education Director Candice Cooper Education Coordinators Dana Clark and Kailey Burkhardt

in-school touring program

By Tom Quinn By Mariah Beachboard By Tom Quinn APPROPRIATE FOR GRADES K-6 APPROPRIATE FOR GRADES 3Ð53-5 APPROPRIATE FOR GRADES 6Ð126-12 Have no fear! In this story, Superheroes The most courageous Alabamian A Story of the Brave Men and Women who save the world by empowering students to community stands against every challenge Fought for Equality! take control of their health! to become an inspiring success story!

Bring Professional Shows to Your School! About Length Our In-School Touring Program introduces students to the Shows are approximately 45 to 60 minutes long and include a art of theatre through age appropriate, curriculum-based pieces, Question and Answer session after the show. which are socially relevant, entertaining and exciting. Our At Your School professional actors will bring to life an experience for each child We bring everything to you! in hopes of stretching the mind, inspiring the heart and promoting education through our plays. Study Guides Our touring shows have accompanying study guide materials and Fees address ELA Common Core Learning/ALCOS Standards. $400 per show/$600 for two shows back-to-back. Schools in need may be granted special reduced fees. Maximum audience size is For booking information, please contact: 250 students. For schools outside of Madison County, additional Candice Cooper, Education Director travel rates may apply. Please call for details. 256-539-6829 [email protected]

6 Educational Opportunities FANTASY IN THE CLASSROOM

FPCTA after-school programs are modifications of our general acting curriculum. Students work on basic acting skills and apply them to a final presentation at the end of each session that inspire creativity and build self-confidence. FPCTA is currently in partnership with Huntsville City, Madison City and Madison County Schools.

ADOPT-A-SCHOOL

In this production-based class, we focus on creating a custom-designed drama program for your school, specific to your needs and budget. This class culminates in a simple, but fully realized play or musical appropriate for any age range.

camps & classes mainstage productions

2020 SUMMER THEATRE CAMP

HUNTSVILLE & MADISON LOCATIONS JUNE-JULY AGES 3-18

Full Day Camps Half Day Camps 3-Day Mini Camps Performance Showcases

PURCHASE TICKETS ONLINE AT WWW.FANTASYPLAYHOUSE.ORG discover your shine!

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