African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 1 Performance Study Guide African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 2 Performance Study Guide

Table of Contents

Performance Evaluation ...... 3 Vocabulary List ...... 4 Character Analysis ...... 6 Flash Cards ...... 9 Around the World ...... 19 Geography ...... 22 Picture Cards ...... 24 Reader’s Theatre ...... 29 African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 3 Performance Study Guide Performance Evaluation Grades 3-6

Use this form to have your students evaluate the play aft er your theater visit or during the read- ers’ theater performance at school.

Check One Box Title of Play

Date

1. Voice Clarity Words clear and easy to understand.

2. Voice Projection Loud enough to be heard.

3. Voice Inflection Voices "rise and fall" like real life.

4. Characters Are Believable

5. Timing Parts read smoothly; NO unscripted pauses.

List your favorite characters/parts. Why?

Title of Play

Date Rate Each 1 (poor) to 5 (excellent)

1. Voice Clarity Words clear and easy to understand.

2. Voice Projection Loud enough to be heard.

3. Voice Inflection Voices "rise and fall" like real life.

4. Characters Are Believable

5. Timing Parts read smoothly; NO unscripted pauses.

List your favorite characters/parts. Why? African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 4 Performance Study Guide Elementary Th eatre Vocabulary

Th e terms in this glossary were selected from the California Department of Education, Visual and Performing Arts: Th eatre Content Standards. Th e words are defi ned in this teacher’s guide to facilitate work with K-5 students. You may access the complete list online at http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/thglossary.asp actor. A person who performs a role in a play or an form. The overall structure or shape of a work that entertainment. frequently follows an established design. Forms antagonist. A person, a situation, or the protagonist’s own may refer to a literary type (e.g., narrative form, inner struggle that stops him or her reaching a goal. short story form, dramatic form) or to patterns of articulation. The clear and precise pronunciation of meter, line, and rhymes (e.g., stanza form, verse words. form). center stage. The center of the acting area. formal theatre. Theatre that focuses on public per- character. The personality or part an actor recreates. formance in front of an audience and in which the climax. The moment of highest drama or a major turning fi nal production is most important. point in the action. genre. In literature and drama, genre refers to the confl ict. The opposition of persons or forces giving rise to main types of literary form, tragedy and comedy. dramatic action in a play. gesture. An expressive movement of the body or costume. Any clothes worn by an actor on stage during limbs. a performance. makeup. Cosmetics and sometimes hairstyles that crisis. A decisive point in the play on which the outcome an actor wears on stage to emphasize facial fea- of the remaining actions depend. tures, historical periods, characterizations, and so critique. Opinions and comments based on predeter- forth. mined criteria that may be used for self-evaluation or masks. Coverings worn over the face or part of the the evaluation of the actors or the production itself. face of an actor to emphasize or neutralize facial cue. A signal that indicates when something else is to characteristics. happen. The cue may be either spoken, such as a line mime. An ancient art form based on pantomime. of dialogue, or a physical act, like a character’s en- Gestures are used to express ideas rather than to trance. represent actions. The performer is also called a dialogue. The conversation between actors on stage. mime. diction. The pronunciation of words, the choice of words, monologue. A long speech given by a single char- and the manner in which a person expresses himself or acter. herself. motivation. A character’s reason for doing or say- directing. The art and technique of bringing the ele- ing things in a play. ments of theatre together to make a play. musical theatre. A type of entertainment containing director. The person who oversees the entire process of music, songs, and, usually, dance. staging a theatre production. objective. A character’s goal or intention. downstage. The stage area towards the audience. pacing. The tempo of an entire theatrical perfor- dress rehearsals. The fi nal few rehearsals just prior to mance. opening night in which the show is run with all technical pantomime. Acting without words through facial elements. Actors wear full costumes and makeup. expression, gesture, and movement. ensemble. A group of theatrical artists who work togeth- pitch. The highness or lowness of the voice. er to create a theatrical production. play. The stage representation of an action or a exposition. Detailed information that reveals the facts of story; a dramatic composition. a plot. playwright. A person who writes plays. farce. A comedy with exaggerated characters, abundant projection. The voice placement, volume, clearness, physical or visual humor, and often, an unlikely plot. and distinctness when speaking to an audience.

Elementary Theater Vocabulary African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 5 Performance Study Guide props (properties). Items an actor carries on stage. Small items on the set used by the actors. protagonist. The main character of a play and the char- acter with whom the audience identifi es most strongly. puppetry. Almost anything brought to life by human hands to create a performance. Types of puppets in- clude rod, hand, and marionette. reader’s theatre. A performance created by actors read- ing a script, instead of working from memory. rehearsal. Practice sessions in which the actors and technicians prepare for a public performance through repetition. script. The written text of a play. stage. The area where actors perform. stage crew. The backstage technical team who are re- sponsible for running the show. In small theatre compa- nies, the same people build the set and handle the load- in. Then, during performances, they change the scenery and handle the curtain. stage manager. The person backstage who is respon- sible for the running of each performance. style. The distinctive and unique manner that a writer ar- ranges words to achieve particular effects. tableau. A silent and motionless portrayal of a scene created by actors. The plural is tableaux. text. The printed words, including dialogue and the stage directions for a script. theatre. The imitation or representation of life per- formed for other people; the performance of dramatic literature; drama; the milieu of actors, technicians, and playwrights; the place where dramatic performances take place. upstage. Used as a noun, the stage area away from the audience; used as a verb, to steal the focus of a scene. vocal projection. The voice placement, volume, clearness, and distinctness when speaking to an audience. vocal quality. The characteristics of a voice, such as shrill, nasal, raspy, breathy, booming, and so forth. volume. The degree of loudness or intensity of a voice.

Elementary Theater Vocabulary African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 6 Performance Study Guide Character Analysis Matrix Grade K-6

Directions: Look at the word list on page 2 of the Character Analysis Matrix and fi nd three words to describe each character in the chart. (Remember, the same words can describe several people.)

Character 123 Father Stepmother Shaniqua - Stepsister Zonita - Stepsister Duke Page Grandmother Shayla - Granddaughter Sherena - Granddaughter

• Character Analysis Matrix • African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 7 Performance Study Guide Character Analysis Matrix Word List father broom midnight sympathy mother bed evening startled people chair dreams dishevelment stepmother clock future disrepair prince left day privilege fairy right breakfast understand daughter work secret conjured girls floors peace embarrass godmother cold forgive recognize baby sad victory awkward princess yes devoted ridiculous child friend respect disposition king noise courtyard merchant wife fun ruin invitation bride love elephant eligible family shoes remember mean-spirited gentlemen glasses helpless compliment queen dress cruel frightened doll gown memory relationship ladies feet stupid incompetent mean head admire mistreatment money hand beautiful requirement beauty arm revealed contemporary bitter she trust proclamation died he kitchen obnoxious pretty sash escape time slow toes question party sweet three shawl biggest happy glass inventing brave gifted sleeve charming rain six poor gallant happy two air thousand name first charm warning gentle three dance stumbled kind pair magical shrieks afraid wand honor daughters lonely salt everybody bandages wry escort hungry gracious good moon worthy wilted mask purple history nervous tease house partner powerful game palace country breathe young home windows medicine ugly story tonight ridiculous lazy toys morning wretched unhappy

• Character Analysis Matrix • African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 8 Performance Study Guide

Word Cards Grades K-6

Teachers: Th e words used on these cards were selected from the Reader’s Th eater script.

1. Print template page 1 on the back of the word pages 2-10. 2. Use cardstock paper. 3. Th en use the words that are appropriate for your students. 4. Cut the cards apart so that your students can use them creatively. African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 9 Performance Study Guide

Flash Cards Flash Cards Flash Cards Flash Cards

Flash Cards Flash Cards Flash Cards Flash Cards

Flash Cards Flash Cards Flash Cards Flash Cards

Flash Cards Flash Cards Flash Cards Flash Cards

Flash Cards Flash Cards Flash Cards Flash Cards

Template Page 1 of 10 - Card Backs African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 10 Performance Study Guide step- father mother people mother

prince fairy daughter girls

god baby princess child mother

king wife bride family

gentle- queen doll ladies man

Template Page 2 of 10 - Flash Cards African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 11 Performance Study Guide mean money beauty bitter died pretty slow sweet

happy gift ed six two fi rst three pair wand

salt escort moon purple

Template Page 3 of 10 - Flash Cards African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 12 Performance Study Guide house palace home story

toys broom bed chair

clock left right work fl oors cold sad yes friend noise fun love

Template Page 4 of 10 - Flash Cards African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 13 Performance Study Guide shoes glasses dress gown

feet head hand arm

she he sash toes three glass sleeve poor air charm dance magical

Template Page 5 of 10 - Flash Cards African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 14 Performance Study Guide

honor every hungry worthy body history partner country windows

tonight morning midnight evening

dreams future day breakfast secret peace forgive victory

Template Page 6 of 10 - Flash Cards African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 15 Performance Study Guide devoted respect courtyard ruin

elephant remember helpless cruel

memory stupid admire beautiful revealed trust kitchen escape

question shawl inventing charming

Template Page 7 of 10 - Flash Cards African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 16 Performance Study Guide gallant thousand warning stumbled

shrieks daughters bandages gracious wilted nervous powerful breathe

medicine ridiculous wretched sympathy

startled dishevelment disrepair privilege

Template Page 8 of 10 - Flash Cards African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 17 Performance Study Guide understanding conjured embarrass recognize

awkward ridiculous merchant invitation disposition

compliment frightened eligible mean- spirited

relationship incompetent mistreatment requirement

contemporary proclamation obnoxious time

Template Page 9 of 10 - Flash Cards African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 18 Performance Study Guide party biggest brave rain happy name gentle kind

sincere afraid lonely wry

good mask tease game

young ugly lazy unhappy

Template Page 10 of 10 - Flash Cards African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 19 Performance Study Guide Cinderella Around the World Level: K-3

Entries in this bibliography contain the title and author. Th e title is written in bold- type and the entries are arranged by the author’s last name. Th e interest level and reading levels are included, when possible.

Th ere are two sections in the bibliography. Section one has folktales and fairytales. Section two includes contemporary tales and a variety of genre: graphic novels, cook books, dual-language, drawing books, etc.

Contemporary Tales & A Variety of Genre Confessions of an Ugly Stepsister. Magu- ire, Gregory. Reading Level: 9.0 Draw 50 Princesses: Th e Step-By-Step Way to Draw Snow White, Sleeping Beauty, - and the Secret Dragon ella and many more. Ames, Lee J. Interest Society. Mah, Adeline Yen, 1937- Reading Level: 5-8 Level: 5.1

Chickerella. Auch, Mary Jane. Reading Level: Pigling: - A Korean Tale. 2.9 Interest Level: K-3 Jolley, Dan. Graphic myths and legends. Reading Level: 3.1 Interest Level: 5-8 Dinorella: A Prehistoric Fairytale. Edwards, Pamela Duncan. Reading Level: 2.5 Interest Ntsuag Nos, ib tug Cinderella Hmoob. Level: K-3 Coburn, Jewell Reinhart. Reading Level: 4.0 Interest Level: K-3 Ruff erella. Gill-Brown, Vanessa, 1970- Read- ing Level: 2.5 Interest Level: K-3 Cinderella = Cenicienta Boada, Francesc. Reading Level: 3.2 Interest Level: K-3 Cinderhazel: Th e Cinderella of Halloween. Lattimore, Deborah Nourse. Reading Level: Cinderella Latina = La Ceniciento Latina 2.5 Interest Level: K-3 Salinas-Norman, Bobbi. Interest Level: K-3 Learn to Draw Princesses. McCaff erty, Cath- erine. Reading Level: 3.8 Interest Level: 3-6 Cenicienta: Es Una Mugrienta?. Amelio- Ortiz, Osvaldo P. Interest Level: K-3 Cinderella Penguin, or Th e Little Glass Flip- per. Perlman, Janet, 1954- Reading Level: 4.6 Cinderella: Th e Graphic Novel Bracken, Interest Level: K-3 Beth. Reading Level: 2.5 Interest Level: 5-8 Cinderella. Smith Barden, Stephanie. Read- ing Level: 4.1 Interest Level: 3-6 Domitila : Cuento de la Cenicienta Ba- sado en la Tradición Mexicana. Coburn, Cinderella and Th e Mean Queen. Bradman, Jewell Reinhart. Interest Level: 3-6 Tony. Reading Level: 3.7 Interest Level: 3-6 Tám Cám, Th e Vietnamese Cinderella Cinderella 2000. Jukes, Mavis. Jukes, Mavis. Story : A Bilingual Vietnamese Classic Reading Level: 7.0 Interest Level: 5-8 Tale. Nguŷẽn, Th i Nhuan. Interest Level: K-3

Around the World African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 20 Performance Study Guide Folktales & Fairytales

Anklet for a Princess - A Cinderella Story Kongi and Potgi: A Cinderella story from Ko- from India. Brucker, Meredith Babeaux. rea. Han, Oki S. Reading Level: 6.1 Interest Reading Level: 4.7 Interest Level: K-3 Level: K-3

Th e Korean Cinderella. Climo, Shirley. Th e Golden Sandal: A Middle Eastern Cinder- Th e Egyptain Cinderella Climo, Shirley. ella Story. Hickox, Rebecca. Reading Level: Th e Persian Cinderella Climo, Shirley. 5.9 Interest Level: K-3 Reading Level: 4.8 Interest Level: K-3 Fountas and Pinnell: J Ella's Big Chance: A Jazz-Age Cinderella. Hughes, Shirley, Reading Level: 4.2 Interest Angkat : Th e Cambodian Cinderella. Co- Level: K-3 burn, Jewell Reinhart. Reading Level: 6.1 Interest Level: K-3 Favorite Children's Stories from China & Ti- bet. Hume, Lotta Carswell. Reading Level: 6.6 Jouanah : A Hmong Cinderella. Coburn, Interest Level: K-3 Jewell Reinhart. Reading Level: 4.8 Inter- est Level: K-3 Fountas and Pinnell: Q Cinder Edna. Jackson, Ellen B., 1943- Read- ing Level: 4.5 Interest Level: K-3 : A Cajun Cinderella. Collins, Th e Way Meat Loves Salt : A Cinderella Tale from Sheila Hebert. Reading Level: 3.5 Interest the Jewish Tradition. Jaff e, Nina. Reading Level: Level: K-3 4.8 Interest Level: 3-6

Ashpet: An Appalachian Tale Compton, Bigfoot Cinderrrrrella. Johnston, Tony, Reading Joanne. Reading Level: 4.3 Interest Level: K-3 Level: 3.5 Interest Level: K-3

Abadeha : Th e Philippine Cinderella. De La Rough-Face Girl : A Native American Cinder- Paz, Myrna J. Reading Level: 5.9 Interest ella Tale. Korba, Joanna. Level: 3-6 . Levine, Gail Carson. Read- Adelita: A Mexican Cinderella Story. De ing Level: 4.2 Interest Level: 3-6 Fountas and Paola, Tomie. Reading Level: 4.6 Interest Pinnell: U Level: K-3 Fountas and Pinnell: W Yeh-Shen : A Cinderella story from China. Th e Salmon Princess: An Alaska Cinderella Louie, Ai-Ling. Reading Level: 4.0 Interest Story. Dwyer, Mindy, Reading Level: 5.7 Level: 3-6 Fountas and Pinnell: P Interest Level: K-3 Ellen: A Wild Western Cinderella. Low- Cinderlily: A Floral in Th ree ell, Susan, 1950- Reading Level: 5.0 Interest Acts. Ellwand, David. Reading Level: 4.4 Level: K-3 Interest Level: K-3 Th e Golden Slipper: A Vietnamese Legend. Dog and her Cinderella Little Glass Slipper. Lum, Darrell H. Y. Reading Level: 4.7 Interest Goode, Diane Level: 3-6

Th at Awful Cinderella. Granowsky, Alvin, Th e Orphan: A Cinderella Story from Greece. Reading Level: 4.0 Interest Level: 3-6 Manna, Anthony L. Reading Level: 4.9 Inter- est Level: K-3

Around the World African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 21 Performance Study Guide

More Folktales & Fairytales

Th e Enchanted Anklet: A Cinderella Story from India. Mehta, Lila.

Th e Turkey Girl: A Zuni Cinderella Story. Pollock, Penny. Reading Level: 4.2 Interest Level: K-3

Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella. San Souci, Robert D. Reading Level: 4.7 Interest Level: K-3 Fountas and Pinnell: O

Cinderella Skeleton. San Souci, Robert D. Read- ing Level: 3.3 Interest Level: K-3

Little Gold Star : A Spanish American Cinderella Tale. retold by San Souci, Robert D.

Sootface: An Ojibwa Cinderella Story. San Souci, Robert D. Reading Level: 4.3 Interest Level: K-3 Fountas and Pinnell: O

Smoky Mountain Rose : An Appalachian Cinder- ella. Schroeder, Alan. Reading Level: 4.8 Interest Level: 3-6

Raisel's Riddle. Silverman, Erica. Reading Level: 3.5 Interest Level: K-3

Sumorella: A Hawai'i Cinderella Story. Takaya- ma, Sandi. Reading Level: 3.1 Interest Level: K-3

Wishbones: A Folk Tale from China. Wilson, Bar- bara Ker, 1929- Reading Level: 4.9 Interest

Around the World - Page 3 African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 22 Performance Study Guide A Cinderella Geography

Over the centuries, Cinderella folktales and fairytales have been written by authors about many cultures and people. Use the bibliography in this Teacher Resource book or one from your school library to: 1. Identify the countries. 2. Locate each contry on the map below. 3. Write the name of the country on the map. 4. Color each country a diff erent color or design.

Here is a master list of the countries found on the Cinderella bibliography:

Anklet For A Princess: A Cinderella Story from India Cindy Ellen: A Wild Western Cinderella

Th e Korean Cinderella. Th e Golden Slipper: A Vietnamese Legend

Th e Egyptain Cinderella Th e Orphan: A Cinderella Story from Greece

Th e Persian Cinderella Th e Enchanted Anklet: A Cinderella Story from India Angkat : Th e Cambodian Cinderella Th e Turkey Girl: A Zuni Cinderella Story Jouanah : A Hmong Cinderella Cendrillon: A Caribbean Cinderella Cendrillon : A Cajun Cinderella Sootface: An Ojibwa Cinderella Story Ashpet: An Appalachian Tale Smoky Mountain Rose: An Appalachian Cinderella Abadeha : Th e Philippine Cinderella Sumorella: A Hawai’i Cinderella Story Adelita : A Mexican Cinderella Story Wishbones: A Folktale from China Th e Salmon Princess: An Alaska Cinderella Story Pigling: A Cinderella Story: A Korean Tale Kongi and Potgi: A Cinderella Story from Korea Domitila: Cuento de la Cenicienta Basado en la Th e Golden Sandal: A Middle Eastern Cinderella Story Tradición Mexicana

Favorite Children’s Stories from China & Tibet Tám Cám, Th e Vietnamese Cinderella Story: A Bilingual Vietnamese Classic Tale Rough-Face Girl: A Native American Cinderella Tale

Yeh-Shen: A Cinderella Story from China

Geography African-AmericanAfriican-AAmeriican SShakespearehhakkespeare CCompanyompany ppresentsresentts • 23 Performance StudStudyy GuidGuidee Geography African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 24 Performance Study Guide Picture Cards Grades K-6

Teachers: Here are the names of the characters from the Character Analysis Worksheet.

1. Print template page 1 on the backs of the character pages 2-4. 2. Use cardstock paper. 3. Th en have students draw a picture of each character. 4. Cut the cards apart so that your students can recreate the play using their cards.

Cinderella

Father

Prince Charming Picture Cards Stepmother

1 2

Shaniqua, Grandmother Stepsister Shayla, Zonita, Granddaughter Stepsister Sherena, Fairy Godmother Granddaughter Duke Page

34 African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 25 Performance Study Guide

Picture Cards Picture Cards

Picture Cards Picture Cards

Picture Cards Template - Page 1 of 4 African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 26 Performance Study Guide Cinderella Father

Prince Charming Stepmother

Picture Cards Template - Page 2 of 4 African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 27 Performance Study Guide Shaniqua Zonita (Stepsister) (Stepsister)

Godmother Duke

Picture Cards Template - Page 3 of 4 African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 28 Performance Study Guide Grandmother Shayla (Granddaughter)

Sherena Page (Granddaughter)

Picture Cards Template - Page 4 of 4 African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 29 Performance Study Guide

Reader’s Th eater Grades 3-6

African-American Shakespeare Company’s Cinderella Adapted by Celena Courtney

CHARACTERS (19 roles) Narrator #1 Narrator #2 Narrator #3 Narrator #4 Cinderella Prince Charming Stepmother Shaniqua, Stepsister Zonita, Stepsister Fairy Godmother Duke Page Fairy Godmother Grandmother Shayla, Granddaughter Sherena, Granddaughter Lady Dancer #1 Lady Dancer #2 Lady Dancer #3

SETTINGS Contemporary living room A magical fairyland Stepmother’s House Th e Royal Palace

Reader’s Theater - Page 1 of 12 African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 30 Performance Study Guide

NARRATOR #1: Cinderella’s story is known SHERENA: No! Th is is mine!!!! world-wide. GRANDMOMMA: Do you mean to tell me that NARRATOR #2: Over the decades, it has been told you’d rather fuss and argue over a doll than play by writers with each other? NARRATOR #3: of many backgrounds, BOTH GRANDCHILDREN: YES!!! NARRATOR #4: from many cultures, and during GRANDMOMMA: My sweet babies, you don’t diff erent time periods. know how lucky you are to have each other. You NARRATOR #1: Th e story usually centers around see, I knew a little girl who had no one to play with Cinderella’s mistreatment and no one to love her. NARRATOR #2: and ends with her well-deserved SHERENA: But what about her family? victory. SHAYLA: Yeah, Grandmomma, didn’t her mom NARRATOR #3: With more than a little help and dad love her? NARRATOR #4: from a fairy godmother. GRANDMOMMA: Yes, they did, very much. But NARRATOR #1: Our Cinderella story is however, her mother died when she was very young. NARRATOR #2: very, very diff erent. SHAYLA: Was the little girl sad, Grandmomma? NARRATORS #3 and #4: Listen closely, to get the GRANDMOMMA: Very sad, baby. But her father, 4-1-1. always knew how to make her feel better. NARRATORS #1 and #2: For our story begins and ends in the same place. NARRATORS #3 and #4: And Cinderella’s point- of-view is unique. NARRATORS 1 and 2: Act 1, Scene 2 NARRATORS 3 and 4: A magical fairyland FATHER: Are you all right, princess? NARRATORS 1 and 2: Act 1, Scene 1 CINDERELLA: Yes, father. I was just thinking of NARRATORS 3 and 4: A contemporary home mother and... I just miss her so much. SHAYLA: You can’t have that! It’s my toy! FATHER: So do I, princess, so do I. But whenever I SHERENA: You weren’t playing with it. see you, I know she’s never very far away. Th ere’s so SHAYLA: Well, I want to play with it now. much of your mother in you. I can see her in your SHERENA: Sure, you can play with it... aft er I put it eyes and always, always in your smile. upside your head. NARRATORS 1: Th ey dance together. SHAYLA: I’m telling Grandmomma and you’re NARRATORS 2: Th e dance ends with his putting gonna get it! her to bed. SHERENA: Not if I get you fi rst! SHAYLA: Grandmomma!!! SHERENA: You know, Grandmomma said we NARRATORS 1 and 2: Act 1, Scene 3 should always share our toys! NARRATORS 3 and 4: A Contemporary Home SHAYLA: What does she know? She’s old!! SHERENA: He loved her very much, didn’t he, GRANDMOMMA: But not deaf! What is going on Grandmomma? in here?! GRANDMOMMA: Yes, yes he did. But although SHAYLA: Hi, Grandmomma. Look, Grandmom- he was a kind and devoted father who gave his be- ma, you lost your shoe. loved Cinderella every comfort he could aff ord, he SHERENA: You’re always losing your shoe Grand- still believed that she needed a mother’s care. So he momma! married again, choosing a woman with two daugh- SHAYLA: Here it is, Grandmomma. ters just about Cinderella’s age. Th eir names were GRANDMOMMA: Th ank you, baby. Now what are Shaniqua and Zonita. Two of the meanest, pettiest you two making all that noise about? little girls you ever knew. BOTH: She won’t give me my doll. SHERENA: You Shaniqua! SHAYLA: Th is is mine! SHAYLA: I’m not Shaniqua. You Shaniqua and

Reader’s Theater - Page 2 of 12 African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 31 Performance Study Guide Zonita! SHANIQUA: Mother, Cinderella put salt in my BOTH GRANDCHILDREN: Sorry, Grandmom- coff ee instead of sugar. She made me ruin my new ma. robe. And I just know she did it on purpose, trying NARRATOR 1: When her father died unexpect- to make me look foolish. edly CINDERELLA: Why would I have to try?! I mean, NARRATOR 2: the stepmother’s true nature was why would I try? I mean... revealed. STEPMOTHER: Slow and incompetent! Or is this NARRATOR 3: She was cold, cruel and bitterly your idea of a joke, Cinderella?!! jealous of Cinderella’s charm and beauty. SHANIQUA: You’re gonna get it! You’re gonna get NARRATOR 4: Th e chateau fell into disrepair and it! the family fortune was squandered. ZONITA: It’s about to get uglier than Shaniqua in NARRATORS 1 and 2: In other words, they tore the morning! that house up, down and sideways! SHANIQUA: Th at’s right! It’s about to get... HEY!! NARRATORS 3 and 4: Th ey went through his CINDERELLA: Th e label looks like it could have money so fast they didn’t have so much as a pot to been sugar. pitch pennies in. STEPMOTHER: How dare you talk back! Keep SHERENA: Was Cinderella sad, Grandmomma? quiet and be still. You clearly have too much time GRANDMOMMA: Yes, she was. But every morn- on your hands if you can come up with witless ing, she heard her father’s words and they gave her practical jokes. hope and happiness to “smile” for each new day. CINDERELLA: But I would never ... NARRATORS 1 and 2: Act 1, Scene 4 STEPMOTHER: Silence! Time for mean-spirited NARRATORS 3 and 4: A Magical Fairyland practical jokes, eh? Perhaps we can put it to better CINDERELLA: Oh, no!! What time is it? Oh Good- use? I’ll teach you to use your time and skills more ness. Th ey’ll be up and hungry and I haven’t even wisely. Upstairs in the hallway there’s a large carpet started breakfast. . . .CLEAN IT. Th e chimney, SCRUB IT. Th e win- STEPMOTHER: Cinderella! Where is our break- dows upstairs, POLISH THEM ALL. And don’t for- fast? get the chores that you failed to complete yesterday. SHANIQUA: Cinderella! Th e mending, laundry, groceries, vegetable garden- CINDERELLA: Coming! ing; and repair those broken bricks on the fi replace ZONITA: Cinderella! before you burn the whole place down! CINDERELLA: It’s coming along, Zonita. NARRATORS 1 and 2: And so her stepmother gave ALL: Cinderella!!! Where is our breakfast!?!! Cinderella a list of work. CINDERELLA: Good morning Stepmother, Shani- NARRATORS 3 and 4: When suddenly she was qua, Zonita. Did you sleep well? Pleasant dreams I interrupted by a knock on the door. hope. PAGE: Invitation by royal proclamation! STEPMOTHER: Didn’t you hear me call you? Once STEPMOTHER: And get the door!!! again, you’ve been lazying about and our breakfast NARRATORS 1: An invitation is slipped under the isn’t ready yet! door, SHANIQUA: If I knew breakfast was going to be NARRATORS 2 and 3: Cinderella crosses the late, I could’ve gotten another hour of beauty sleep room, picks it up, ZONITA: Shaniqua, girl, there ain’t that many Narrator 4: and examines it. hours in a day! CINDERELLA: Stepmother, it’s an invitation to the SHANIQUA: You know, Zonita, jealousy isn’t palace! pretty. Just like your nasty face! STEPMOTHER: Th en why am I not reading it?! STEPMOTHER: Girls! Be quiet! As I was saying, Bring it here, you silly girl! I’m the lady of this Cinderella, you are late again. house. Well, well, well. Th ere’s to be a ball in honor CINDERELLA: I was just coming up to give you of his highness, the prince. And by royal command, your breakfast. every eligible maiden is to attend.

Reader’s Theater - Page 3 of 12 African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 32 Performance Study Guide SHANIQUA: And I’m so eligible. with me? CINDERELLA: Th at means that I can go, too. DUKE: Th at would be nice but, strictly speaking, ZONITA: Her? Miss Rags to Dishes? It said eligible not a requirement for the job. maiden, girl, not maid! PRINCE: Job? You make it sound like being with SHANIQUA: Yeah, what’s she gonna do? me is work. And, what if I don’t meet anyone at his ZONITA: Sweep him off his feet? ball. CINDERELLA: It says that, by royal proclamation, DUKE: We’ll throw you another party in the king- EVERY eligible maiden MUST attend. dom over the hill. You’re right. A loving, lasting STEPMOTHER: Yes. So it does. Well we mustn’t relationship has got to be based on mutual respect disobey a royal command. Of course you may at- and trust. tend, Cinderella, if you do all your work and if you PRINCE: So now you fi nally see what I’m talking can fi nd something suitable to wear. about. CINDERELLA: I will! I will! Th ank you, stepmoth- DUKE: No. But did you see how happy you were er! when I lied? SHANIQUA: Mother, what have you done? How NARRATORS 1: Th e Page enters with the royal can you let her go? sash, ZONITA: She’ll embarrass all of us! NARRATORS 2: He sees the Duke and tries to STEPMOTHER: Settle down, doves. Mommy said escape from the room. IF. DUKE: Hold it. Come back here. Where did you get BOTH SISTERS: Ooooooooohhhh, “IF”. this? PAGE: It was returned by a commoner my lord. A NARRATORS 1 and 2: Act 1, Scene 5 street merchant said that he found it near his stand NARRATOR 1: While all this was going on at the this aft ernoon. Th e prince must have dropped it. chateau, PRINCE: Am I a prisoner now? Can’t I even go out? NARRATOR 2: there was a little drama going on at DUKE: Your highness, you cannot simply go wan- the palace as well. dering around the kingdom! NARRATOR 3: Th e duke was having a hard time PRINCE: How can I hope to ever rule over the convincing the prince that a ball where girls were people if I’m not allowed to know them, to walk “commanded” to attend among them, to be one of them. NARRATOR 4: was a good way to meet a wife. DUKE: Seriously? Your highness, the people love DUKE: My prince, you are of an age to be married. you. Th ey admire you. But they don’t want to know Aft er all, his majesty, the king, won’t be around you. Th ey just want to know that you are up here, forever and he wants to leave knowing that you’ll be locked safely away, far, far away, from them. loved and cared for. PRINCE: I insist on being allowed my freedom. I PRINCE: Th en let him love me and care for me and want to be free to make my own choices. he can go in peace. DUKE: Of course, your highness, certainly... just as DUKE: Your highness, the king believes that it is soon as we fi nd a nice little bride for you. time for you to start a family of your own to con- tinue the royal line. PRINCE: And I want that very much as well. But NARRATOR 1: Meanwhile, back at the chateau, I don’t think this ball idea is a good way for me to NARRATOR 2: the stepmother meet my soul mate. NARRATORS 3 and 4: and those two mean step- DUKE: Soul mate? Your highness, marriage isn’t sisters kept Cinderella working all day. about fi nding a soul mate, it’s about fi nding a wife. Narrator 1: She wasn’t able to get her own clothes PRINCE: Shouldn’t they be the same thing? and hair prepared for the ball. DUKE: Perhaps for the common man but not for STEPMOTHER: Now, is everyone ready? the future ruler of this kingdom. SHANIQUA/ZONITA: Yes, mother! PRINCE: Don’t you think my queen should be STEPMOTHER: Fine, my doves, fi ne. Oh, but what someone I’m in love with? Someone who is in love about you, Cinderella? Reader’s Theater - Page 4 of 12 African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 33 Performance Study Guide CINDERELLA: I’m not going. Dreams are very important. How else would you STEPMOTHER: What a shame, dear. Well, Cin- know what to wish for? Besides, that’s a very nice derella, next time, I suppose you’ll just have to try broom and it dances very well. harder. CINDERELLA: I’m not sure I believe all of this. CINDERELLA: Yes, stepmother. May I be excused, GODMOTHER: If you can believe that this broom please? is a prince, or in any dream at all, you certainly can STEPMOTHER: Of course, dear. Run along. believe in me. SHANIQUA: Don’t worry, Cinderella. When we get CINDERELLA: Oh, but my dreams will never back, we’ll be sure to tell you all about it. It’ll be just come true. like you were there. GODMOTHER: Hold on to your happiness, Cin- ZONITA: But you won’t be, will ya? derella, because that’s the most powerful magic STEPMOTHER: Th at was terribly cruel, girls. there is. So now, let’s take a look at you. SHANIQUA and ZONITA: Th ank you, mother! CINDERELLA: It’s pretty bad, isn’t it? STEPMOTHER: Now let me look at my lovely GODMOTHER: No, no, of course not. It just needs daughters. Shaniqua, pull your tummy in. Tighter! a little... and maybe some... you know, with a thing Well, just try not to breathe too much. Zonita, put here and there. Not a problem. Really. But you let your feet in your shoes. me worry about the dress. I want you to go and fi nd ZONITA: But they are in my shoes. the biggest pumpkin you can and six mice. SHANIQUA: Most of them, anyway. CINDERELLA: Mice? Why mice? STEPMOTHER: All right, girls, all right. Out to the GODMOTHER: To pull the pumpkin carriage, of carriage. You know, Cinderella, standing there in course! those rags, you look just like your mother. Pity. CINDERELLA: Of course. Are you sure I’m not NARRATOR 1: Aft er they have gone, Cinderella dreaming? fantasizes about being at the ball. GODMOTHER: Now you just go do your part. I NARRATOR 2: She sings and waltzes a broom got this, girl. No big thing. I do it all the time. around the kitchen. NARRATOR 1: And so the fairy godmother did NARRATOR 2: Th en she sits sadly on a chair. cast her spell. GODMOTHER: Cinderella, why are you so sad? NARRATOR 2: And she did so quite well! CINDERELLA: You startled me? Who are you? NARRATOR 3:. Conjured a coach and six prancing GODMOTHER: Who am I? Well, I am your fairy horses. godmother, Cinderella. NARRATOR 4: And the most lovely gown for Cin- CINDERELLA: My fairy godmother? derella to wear to the palace. GODMOTHER: Why, yes, Cinderella. Your fairy CINDERELLA: Oh, Fairy Godmother, I’ve never godmother. I’ve listened to your dreams and I have seen such a beautiful dress. come to help you. GODMOTHER: Th ank ya. Th ank ya very much. CINDERELLA: Are you really my fairy godmoth- Well, Cinderella, it’s time for you to be off to the er? ball, so into your carriage you go. GODMOTHER: Of course I am! I think. Let me CINDERELLA: Oh, Fairy Godmother, Th ank you check my notes: Take a left at the palace, a right at so much. No one has ever helped me so. I’ve never the old mill and head to the fi rst tore up, rundown even had a pair of shoes in my life nor a beautiful chateau off the road..... Oh, yeah, this must be the dress. Nor an invitation to the... place. GODMOTHER: Invitation! We forgot the invita- CINDERELLA: I must be dreaming. tion. Here, maybe I can pull one out of my sleeve. GODMOTHER: No child, dreaming is what you Now! Surely that’s everything. So, into your coach were doing a few minutes ago when you were danc- and off you go. ing with that broom. CINDERELLA: Before I go, may I tell you how CINDERELLA: Oh, did you see that? I’m so embar- happy I am? Th ank you, Fairy Godmother. rassed. GODMOTHER: You’re welcome, Cinderella. Oh, GODMOTHER: Embarrassed? Don’t be, child. dear! Th ere’s something else I’m forgetting! What

Reader’s Theater - Page 5 of 12 African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 34 Performance Study Guide have I forgotten this time? Th at’s it! Th e time! Mid- my way! night! Cinderella, the spell will end at the stroke of STEPMOTHER: I am warning both you: my shoe midnight. You must leave the ball by midnight. is coming off !! Now behave properly! Quiet, girls! CINDERELLA: Yes, Fairy Godmother. Goodbye Here he comes! and thank you for making my dreams come true. Your Highness, may I present my beautiful daugh- GODMOTHER: No, my lovely child. You will ters? You’ll fi nd them both exceedingly brilliant of make your own dreams come true. And remember, mind sweet of nature, gift ed and charming. Th is is a true prince will recognize your value. my youngest, Shaniqua. SHANIQUA: “Encantee”, Your Highness. STEPMOTHER: It’s “enchanté,” fool! NARRATORS 1: Act 2, Scene 1 PRINCE: Bon soir. Bien envenue a mon palais. NARRATORS 2: In the Great Hall of the palace SHANIQUA: Uh, valet, bidet, touché, mon sewer. NARRATORS 3: Gentlemen and ladies dance and STEPMOTHER: My, uh, second accomplished mingle. daughter has a lovely disposition and she barely eats NARRATORS 4: Cinderella’s stepmother and step- enough to keep a bird alive. Th is is Zonita. sisters have just arrived. ZONITA: So gracious of you to ask me... to ask us... STEPMOTHER: Stand up straight, Shaniqua and to your... to your... to your what, Mama? stop chewing your nails! Zonita, stop wabbling in STEPMOTHER: To your ball, fool. She’s shy, Your your shoes! Highness. Not much for speaking, but then who ZONITA: But mother, they hurt my feet! Terribly! wants a talkative wife? Now I ask your Highness, SHANIQUA: Th at’s because there’s so much of have you ever seen such beauty before in your life? them! PRINCE: I can truthfully say, Madame that I have ZONITA: Let’s fi nd out how much of them I can not. put in your... STEPMOTHER: And I promise you, sir, that you STEPMOTHER: Girls! Stop your bickering and act never will again. like ladies!! Remember... dignity and poise. I must PRINCE: One can only hope. say that my daughters look a thousand times better STEPMOTHER: I beg your pardon, sire? than any of those wretched creatures. Oh, yes, the DUKE: His highness meant that one can only hope Prince is bound to notice you. that your daughters fi nd someone truly worthy of SHANIQUA: Where is the Prince? I don’t see him them. in the Great Hall. STEPMOTHER: Ah, yes, but what man is deserv- ZONITA: I don’t see him either, mother. What if he ing of such beauty and refi ned feminine quality? doesn’t come to his own party? DUKE: I can honestly say, Madame, that I know of STEPMOTHER: Don’t be ridiculous. He’ll be here no man here who deserves your daughters. and he’ll ask my daughters to dance. Zonita, stop STEPMOTHER: Th ank you, sir. How kind. Perhaps being silly and put your feet back in those shoes. later in the evening, Your Highness would like to Now, both of you watch the ladies and learn what call upon them to sing. not to do when the Prince asks you to dance. Oh, you don’t like singers? Th en, if it pleases your DUKE: His Royal Highness, the Prince, is now ap- Royal Highness, may we save the minuet, and the proaching the ballroom. He will choose his part- grand promenade, for you? ners for the evening and then lead the court in the PRINCE: Th ese then are your daughters? Grand Waltz. STEPMOTHER: Yes, Your Highness, my treasures, STEPMOTHER: Hurry, girls! Over here! I want my jewels, my... him to see you fi rst PRINCE: My deepest sympathy, Madame. You are ZONITA: Shaniqua, you clumsy big-foot! You a very brave mother. And now, if you’ll pardon me. stepped on my toes! STEPMOTHER: Oh, how very nice, sire. “A very SHANIQUA: How could I miss them?! Th ey take brave mother.” How extraordinarily sweet of you to up the whole ballroom! say so. ZONITA: You did that on purpose! Just stay out of DUKE: I cannot help but think, madame, that it Reader’s Theater - Page 6 of 12 African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 35 Performance Study Guide takes a rare type of mother to raise such... ladies. and I will sort though the riff raff for you. STEPMOTHER: True, too true, your grace. I’m afraid that we are few and far between. DUKE: But somehow, not far enough. NARRATORS 1 and 2: Act 2, Scene 2 SHANIQUA: What did the Prince mean, Mother? NARRATORS 3 and 4: Th e Palace courtyard “My sympathy, Madame.”? PRINCE: Good evening, my lady. ZONITA: He meant you’re a loser. CINDERELLA: Good evening, sir. STEPMOTHER: Th e Prince has paid me a very PRINCE: Do you have an invitation to the ball? deep compliment and I shall cherish it all the rest CINDERELLA: Yes, I do, sir. Am I to give it to you? of my life. “You are a very brave mother,” he said. I PRINCE: Yes. For I am the footman who collects tell you, it takes the experience and savoir faire of invitations. Will you enter, My Lady? an older woman to know how to address a man like CINDERELLA: Would you escort me in, sir? that. PRINCE: Escort you? DUKE: Let the music begin! CINDERELLA: Yes, sir. You see, I’ve never been to NARRATOR 1: A waltz is played. a ball at the palace and I feel frightened. NARRATOR 2: No one asks the Stepsisters to PRINCE: Frightened of what? dance. CINDERELLA: Oh, many things, sir. Have you NARRATOR 3 and 4: Th ey stand like wilted fl ow- never been frightened? ers since all the Lords and Ladies have paired off for PRINCE: Yes. Yes, my lady. Many times. the waltz. CINDERELLA: Good. Th en you can understand NARRATOR 1 and 2: Th e Prince questions each of how I feel. the maidens with whom he dances. PRINCE: No, I can’t. What could possibly frighten PRINCE: My lady, the moon is a wonderful shade you about visiting the home of your king? this evening. CINDERELLA: So many things. What if I don’t LADY ONE: Yes. It is your highness. do all the right things at the right times? What if I PRINCE: I just love how the moon’s purple color don’t behave properly, like all the Lords and Ladies? glows. PRINCE: Heaven forbid that you should ever be- LADY ONE: Purple your highness? Yes, yes. It’s a have like them. beautiful purplish color. CINDERELLA: I beg your pardon? PRINCE: My lady, please cover your head. With PRINCE: I said isn’t the moon a lovely shade of all of this rain I am sure you will be drenched and purple this evening? your gown ruined. CINDERELLA: Purple? Oh, I see. You’re teasing LADY TWO: Indeed your highness, this rain is me. sure to ruin my new gown. I had it made especially PRINCE: No, I am not. I say the moon is purple for this evening. and it is purple. PRINCE: Th en you defi nitely should hurry home. CINDERELLA: Th en there must be something PRINCE: Your ladyship must forgive me. I am a wrong with your eyes, sir. Th e moon is as brilliant most awkward dancer. and luminous as a newly polished silver dollar. LADY THREE: Oh, no, Sire, you are not dancing More beautiful than I have ever seen it. Or perhaps awkwardly. I think so because I am so happy. PRINCE: Oh? PRINCE: And why are you so happy? LADY THREE: You’re inventing a new dance that CINDERELLA: Just to be here, sir. It’s my fi rst ball will soon become the rage of the court. and I’ll tell you a secret, if you promise not to tell PRINCE: Please pardon me, my lady. anyone. DUKE: And how are you enjoying the royal ball? PRINCE: I promise. PRINCE: I cannot do this anymore, Duke. I will CINDERELLA: Th is is my fi rst ball gown and my not fi nd true love at this circus. fi rst pair of shoes! DUKE: You are not giving the young ladies time, PRINCE: Tell me another secret, Princess. my prince. Go out; get some fresh air. Th e page CINDERELLA: I am no Princess, sir. Reader’s Theater - Page 7 of 12 African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 36 Performance Study Guide PRINCE: What is your name? PRINCE: You’ll be all right, My Lady. Th e Duke is a CINDERELLA: Tonight I have no name. wry, charming fellow. PRINCE: Not even for a footman? DUKE: How long have you known the Prince, My CINDERELLA: Not even for you. But tonight, you Lady? may call me, mademoiselle. CINDERELLA: I’ve never met him, sir. PRINCE: Are you content to stand out here talking DUKE: Never met him? Oh, I see. What charming to a footman? games you ladies play. CINDERELLA: I like talking to you. And I’ll tell CINDERELLA: Games? you another secret. I snuck in. DUKE: Yes, games. All of you have set your caps PRINCE: I see. Now I believe that you are teasing and traps for the poor Prince. You just might get me. him, you know. You’re a very pretty girl. CINDERELLA: No, I am not teasing. You are the CINDERELLA: Why, thank you, sir. But, I haven’t fi rst person that I’ve met at the palace tonight. seen the Prince yet. Is he here this evening? PRINCE: Ah, I see. Lady, you must rush home. DUKE: My dear child, now I know you’re playing a With all of this rain I am sure you will catch a cold. game with me. CINDERELLA: Rain? NARRATOR 1: Th e Prince returns, wearing a PRINCE: Rain. mask. CINDERELLA: Poor thing. What is the matter NARRATOR 2: He rejoins Cinderella and the with you? Th ere is no rain tonight. Th e night is a Duke. perfect evening. With no clouds in the sky and a PRINCE: My pardon, sir. May I, My Lady? nice breeze. DUKE: Indeed, your Royal... PRINCE: Well, have you come this evening in PRINCE: Hurry along, my good friend. You’ll fi nd hopes to woo the Prince, my lady? three charming ladies and their gallant mother CINDERELLA: No, not at all. I’ve come to the ball waiting for you -- just over there. to meet my very own prince, whether his father is DUKE: Yes, sir, but I think I’ll look elsewhere, un- the king or not. Yet, I have heard that the Prince is less that’s a royal command. kind and gentle . . . and charming. PRINCE: I give no commands. I am only a foot- PRINCE: Have you heard that he is sometimes man. lonely and sad and even afraid? DUKE: Footman? Oh, how very interesting. Every- CINDERELLA: I suppose everyone is sad, lonely body’s playing games tonight. and afraid sometimes. But I think my Prince would CINDERELLA: Th ank you for coming back. be wise enough to know how to change things PRINCE: I thought perhaps with a mask on no one about so he need not be. would recognize me. Even a footman would like to PRINCE: My Lady Princess, may I escort you into dance with a princess; especially a pretty one. the palace? CINDERELLA: Th ank you, sir, but I am not a CINDERELLA: Yes, please, sir. But don’t leave me! princess. I shall be terribly nervous. Please promise you’ll NARRATOR 3: Th e Prince begins to dance awk- stay with me. wardly. PRINCE: But, my lady, I am only a footman. CINDERELLA: What is it? What’s the matter? CINDERELLA: You are my friend. PRINCE: Why nothing, My Lady. What do you NARRATOR 1: Th e Prince off ers his arm to Cin- mean? derella. CINDERELLA: You’re doing it on purpose. NARRATOR 2: She takes his hand and he escorts PRINCE: Doing what? her into the palace. CINDERELLA: Dancing so awkwardly. PRINCE: Why do you say that? CINDERELLA: Because you were dancing so beau- NARRATORS 3: Act 2, Scene 3 tifully, then suddenly you changed. Are you doing NARRATORS 4: In the Great Hall of the palace it to tease me? CINDERELLA: Oh, please, sir, don’t leave me. PRINCE: Indeed I am not. Reader’s Theater - Page 8 of 12 African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 37 Performance Study Guide CINDERELLA: Th ere, you see? not playing a game! I am the Prince! Come back! I PRINCE: My Lady, will you play a game with me? don’t even know your name! CINDERELLA: Of course. What kind of game? STEPMOTHER: (Reviving) Oooohh! Th at wretch- PRINCE: I am only a footman and you say that you ed creature. Has she gone? are but a scullery maid. If I pretend that I am the STEPSISTERS: Yes, Mother. Prince, will you pretend to be a princess? STEPMOTHER: Such ridiculous behavior! Have CINDERELLA: Oh, what fun! But suppose some- you ever seen anything like it? one should notice? SHANIQUA: Imagine deserting the Prince on the PRINCE: Let them. My fairest Princess, I thank dance fl oor! you for the privilege of dancing with me. I am ZONITA: Imagine not obeying a royal command! deeply honored to spend this evening with you, LADY #1: Who was she? Have you ever seen her Princess. Are you enjoying the ball? before? CINDERELLA: Yes, Your Highness. It is a lovely LADY #2: No, never. She must be a Princess from ball. And, if I may say so, Your Highness dances another land. superbly... unless he wants to stumble and be awk- LADY #3: I thought she was quite beautiful. Do ward. you suppose the Prince is serious about marrying PRINCE: Th at was just to tease you. I am the happi- her? est Prince in the world, My Lady. DUKE: Whoever she is, she must have answered CINDERELLA: You are? Why? the three questions. NARRATOR 4: Th e Prince removes his mask and STEPMOTHER: What three questions? Listen speaks loudly. closely, girls. He may ask you someday. PRINCE: Because the Prince has at last found his DUKE: He always asks the same three questions. Princess. More beautiful, more lovely than any he And once he told me that if he ever found a prin- might have dreamed of fi nding. I should like to ask cess who would answer them truthfully, he would you to become my Queen. make her his queen. CINDERELLA: Oh, Footman, you have carried the STEPMOTHER: What are the questions? game too far. Everyone heard you. DUKE: Is the moon purple? PRINCE: I intend to have everyone hear me. My LADY #1: Oh, no! lords and ladies of the court, I should like to pres- DUKE: Is it raining? ent to you the future queen of the realm -- if she LADY #2: Oh, no! I thought he wanted me to agree will only say yes. with him! NARRATORS 1 and 2: Th ere is great commotion DUKE: And three -- is he an awkward dancer? among the lords and ladies. LADY #3: Well, he was dancing awkwardly. NARRATORS 3 and 4: Stepmother shrieks and STEPMOTHER: Th en why didn’t you say so? faints. She is caught by her daughters. LADY #3: Because he is the Prince. NARRATORS 1 and 2: Th e clock begins to strike STEPMOTHER: Now, we know the questions, girls. midnight. Keep them in mind: sun, moon and... what was the CINDERELLA: Footman! Please stop. You will get third one? into trouble. Oh, no! SHANIQUA: Stars! PRINCE: What is it, Princess? ZONITA: Don’t be so stupid. CINDERELLA: What do the chimes say? What STEPMOTHER: Well, what was it, Zonita? hour is striking? ZONITA: Pardon? PRINCE: It is now midnight, My Lady. Exactly the STEPMOTHER: What was the third question? right hour to proclaim our coming marriage. ZONITA: He wanted to know... Shaniqua, you tell CINDERELLA: Midnight! I must go! her. CINDERELLA: Please, let me go. I must be out of SHANIQUA: I’ll never tell. the palace before the clock strikes midnight. Good- ZONITA: She’s just being selfi sh, Mother. bye, sir. And thank you for a lovely evening! SHANIQUA: Don’t you remember, Mother? PRINCE: Come back! Come back, Princess! I was STEPMOTHER: Of course I do. Th e sun: purple.

Reader’s Theater - Page 9 of 12 African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 38 Performance Study Guide Th e rain. And number three... STEPMOTHER: Welcome, gentlemen. Welcome to DUKE: His Royal Highness, the Prince, is now ap- our humble cottage. Pray what is your business at proaching the Great Hall. Make way for the Prince. this happy home? STEPMOTHER: Shaniqua, hurry! What was the DUKE: Good day to you, madame, and to your third question? charming... um-m-m...daughters? We have come DUKE: Where is the Prince? from the palace to...are your daughters barefooted PAGE: He continues to search for the Princess. But for any particular reason, madame? all we’ve found is this slipper. STEPMOTHER: Why, we’re just getting up, sir. DUKE: A glass slipper? DUKE: Just getting up? Madame, the sun is about PRINCE: Tonight, I found the princess whom I to go down. will ask to be my wife. I found her and I lost her. I STEPMOTHER: Yes, I know, but we danced the don’t even know her name. All I have is this slipper. whole night long and this aft ernoon we all took a And so I declare that the royal couriers will travel nap. Pray pardon our dishevelment. the country, to every village and town to fi nd the DUKE: If you were at the ball last night, then you maiden who lost this slipper. And if she will have should know why we have come. me, I will ask her to be my wife. STEPMOTHER: Yes! Oh, yes! Yes, indeed. I think PAGE: I think this Princess must live in another you’ll fi nd all the ladies in this family have exceed- country, sir. We have searched for miles and miles ingly petite feet. And we were all at the ball last and yet no lady’s foot has fi t into this slipper. night. Shaniqua! Zonita! DUKE: We shall continue to search until we fi nd DUKE: Would My Ladies care to try on the slipper? her. Th at is what the Prince ordered. My Lady Shaniqua. PAGE: It’s not working. Perhaps she isn’t the fair NARRATOR 1 and 2: Act 2, Scene 4 maiden we are looking for. NARRATOR 3 and 4: At the run-down Chateau DUKE: My Lady Zonita. NARRATOR 1: Stepmother and Stepsisters ready ZONITA: Let me try it by myself. themselves for the royal couriers visit with the glass PAGE: Would you like a little help? I’ve trained the slipper. royal horses and elephants with feet a lot like yours. NARRATOR 2: Stepmother is being helped by Th ey really are hard to control but you put up a Cinderella to remove tight bandages from her feet. good fi ght yourself...um, uhh... NARRATOR 3: Stepmother hopes the tight ban- ZONITA: You callin’ me an elephant, bruh? No, no. dages to make her feet smaller. I don’t want you to help me. I can do it myself! NARRATOR 4: Zonita soaks her feet in a basin of DUKE: Th ank you, madame and ladies. We do not cold water.) fi nd what we are seeking here and so farewell. STEPMOTHER: Don’t be so slow, Cinderella. Oh, STEPMOTHER: Just one moment! never mind. Here, I can do it better myself. DUKE: Yes, madame? SHANIQUA: Zonita, stop soaking your feet. You’ve STEPMOTHER: Well, now really! Need I remind been sitting there for hours and you know perfectly you that I was at the palace ball last night? well your feet will never fi t that shoe. DUKE: You, madame? ZONITA: No, but it feels so good. STEPMOTHER: Indeed, and why not? SHANIQUA: Here, let me soak mine for a minute. DUKE: What I mean to say, Madame, is that the Hurry, Zonita! Princess was young – not that Madame is old. I ZONITA AND SHANIQUA: Mom!!!! mean to say that we seek a Princess about the age of STEPMOTHER: Don’t stand there like a helpless one of your daughters. lout, Cinderella. I think I hear the couriers coming. STEPMOTHER: Young or old, I insist. I have the Get that towel busy. Dry their feet. Th ere’s no more right to try the slipper. time. DUKE: Very well, madame. STEPMOTHER: Cinderella! I don’t want them to STEPMOTHER: Give me that slipper! Th ere now! see you. Here, quickly! Get behind that curtain, you You see? Th e shoe fi ts and I shall wear it. ugly child. PAGE: Now what shall we do? Reader’s Theater - Page 10 of 12 African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 39 Performance Study Guide DUKE: Madame, will you do me the great honor of foot. He and the Page pull back the curtain to re- dancing with me? veal Cinderella. STEPMOTHER: How charming! How delightful! I DUKE: Page, go get the Prince from the carriage! am pleased to accept. NARRATOR 3: the Prince enters and bows. NARRATOR 3: stepmother could hardly stand in NARRATOR 4: He kisses Cinderella’s hand. the slippers. DUKE: Your Highness, now that we have found the NARRATOR 4: She stumbled into the Duke’s Princess, we must advise the king at once. arms. PRINCE: Advise him about what? DUKE: I think you will understand, madame. If STEPMOTHER: Yes, have the king come at once. you can’t dance for a mere minute with me; how PRINCE: I don’t need him to tell me what to do. could you have danced the whole night with the DUKE: Protocol, Your Highness. Prince? NARRATOR 1 and 2: Everyone starts talking at PAGE: Uh, Duke...uh, there is something I want once. you to see over here, behind this curtain! PRINCE: Enough! DUKE: Madame. Are there any other daughters in NARRATOR 1 and 2: All fall silent as he then your house? turns to Cinderella. STEPMOTHER: What? NARRATOR 3 and 4: He removes his royal sash, DUKE: Have we seen all of your daughters? folds it carefully and places it at her feet. STEPMOTHER: Of course. One, two. Th ere they NARRATOR 1: He takes her hand in his. are. Plain as day. PRINCE: I am a simple man with little of value and PAGE: And ugly as sin. yet what little I have, I lay at your feet. My king- STEPMOTHER: What did you say? dom, with all its glory, I would gladly trade for one DUKE: He said, it’s time for his medicine, Ma- more dance with you. Th en if you will not have me dame. He is not well. for a lifetime, at least I have the memory of having NARRATOR 2: Th e page coughs. held you briefl y in my arms while we danced. DUKE: Madame, are there any other females living Mademoiselle... I don’t know your name. in this house? CINDERELLA: Cinderella. STEPMOTHER: No, sir. PRINCE: Mademoiselle Cinderella, will you do me DUKE: Th en I have one question. the honor of becoming my queen? ZONITA: A question?! He’s gonna ask the question, CINDERELLA: Yes. Mother! I got it! I got it! I know this one!! Okay, Narrators 2: Th ey embrace and start to exit. okay. I’m ready. Go ahead. CINDERELLA: Wait, Your Highness. May I have a DUKE: Whose toes are these? moment? Th ere’s one more thing that I must do. ZONITA: Purple!! I told you I knew this! I told you! PRINCE: Certainly. SHANIQUA: Zonita, you so stupid. Th at’s not the CINDERELLA: Fairy Godmother! Fairy God- answer. It’s rain. Everybody knows that! Torrential mother! rain downpour. GODMOTHER: I’m coming! I’m coming! What is STEPMOTHER: GIRLS!!! Toes? Toes? What toes? it, child? DUKE: Th ese toes, madame. CINDERELLA: Oh, fairy godmother all my wishes STEPMOTHER: Don’t be ridiculous. Th ose belong have come true but one. to our scullery maid. A stupid, ugly, lazy girl who’s GODMOTHER: I know what you have wished for, never been to the palace in her life. Cinderella and I think now is the time for you to do DUKE: Nonetheless, may I have the slipper, Ma- it. dame? CINDERELLA: Stepmother, I have worked tire- STEPMOTHER: It fi ts me and I am wearing it. lessly to make you happy. I have scrubbed your NARRATOR 1: Th e Duke takes the slipper from fl oors, sewn your clothes, and been treated like dirt her foot and bows.) by you and your obnoxious daughters. And all I DUKE: Orders from the palace, madame. wanted – all I ever wanted was for someone to love NARRATOR 2: He slips the shoe on Cinderella’s me. Someone to put their arms around me and say

Reader’s Theater - Page 11 of 12 African-American Shakespeare Company presents • 40 Performance Study Guide that I am worth something. Now I have found that SHAYLA: Me too. person – and that person is me. I have found my SHERENA: Here, you play with the toy. voice, my spirit, and my true self. And I love my- SHAYLA: No, you play with it. self. And because of my self-worth, I have found a SHERENA: No, it's your toy, remember? partner who will share life’s gift s and challenges. SHAYLA: I'm giving it to you. He loves me as a Princess and a scullery maid. I feel SHERENA: You take it. sorry for you. Now I understand what an unhappy, SHAYLA: No, you take it. bitter woman you are. You will never experience GRANDMOTHER: Alright, enough, both of you true love and acceptance because your heart is so off to bed. dark. I am truly sorry for you – and your daugh- NARRATOR 1: Th e children go to bed. ters. Good bye. NARRATOR 2: Grandmomma stands smiling to DUKE: Well, let's get along. Weddings don't plan herself. themselves you know. NARRATOR 3: Th en she takes the Royal sash STEPMOTHER: Well, the dear child is going to from the back of her overstuff ed chair. need her mother. NARRATOR 4: And wraps it around her shoul- DUKE: I don't think so. Humph! ders like a shawl. PAGE: Humph! GRANDMOTHER: Yes, child, the rest is history, SHANIQUA AND ZONITA: Humph! indeed. FAIRY GODMOTHER: Now, I’ve just got one thing to say to you three. You’d better work, sisters THE END because you have two choices: you can be nice... or you can be mice. And we know what happens to mice in this house, don’t we? NARRATOR 1: Stepfamily look shocked and then suddenly burst into action. NARRATOR 2: Th ey argue and fi ght over the mop and buckets. NARRATOR 3: Th ey quickly fall on the fl oor and scrub it. NARRATOR 4: While, the wary Fairy Godmoth- er eyes them and slaps the end of the wand in her hand like a ruler. FAIRY GODMOTHER: Th at’s better. And don’t make me come back here ‘cause I’ll break a wand over all of your... glasses. Where are my glasses? Oh, here they are.... Remember, I’m watching you.

NARRATOR 1 and 2: Act 2, Scene 5 NARRATOR 3 and 4: A contemporary home SHAYLA: What happened next Grandmamma? GRANDMOMMA: Well, you know what they say. Th e rest is history. SHERENA: But did they live happily ever aft er, Grandmomma? GRANDMOMMA: Well, what do you think sweet- heart? SHERENA: I think I'm gonna be good and share with my sister. Reader’s Theater - Page 12 of 12