DPOPEJOYR SCHOOLTIMEEAM SERIESC TEACHINGAT GUIDECH GRADESER PREKS - 12

A VERY ELECTRIC CHRISTMAS

Dreamcatchers Teaching Guides align with the National Standards and the New Mexico State Standards. Standards Addressed By Attending the Performance

NMCAS TH:Re9.1

CCSS ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.2

Curriculum Connections Performing & Visual Arts/ Puppetry, Music, Dance; Science; Mathematics

In the right light, at the right time, everything is extraordinary.”

- AARON ROSE ‘‘Introduction A Very Electric Christmas brightens up the holidays for audiences of all ages. Lightwire Theater combines its unique technologically stunning visual effects with a heart- warming story that puts a new spin on “coming home for the holidays.” The show is performed in complete darkness as the actors and dancers are dressed in all black beneath their extraordinary costumes that use special electroluminescent wire to create spectacular imagery. The storyline follows the adventures of a young bird named Max as he loses his family on their way south for the winter and has to find his way home on his own. The show’s musical score combines timeless holiday classics of Tchaikovsky’s Nutcracker with more modern songs by Mariah Carey, Louis Armstrong, and Nat King Cole, among others. The show’s captivating choreography features dancing flowers and worms as well as electrifying action scenes with matrix-like fighting moves. This delightful holiday production will make children wide-eyed with delight and warm even the coldest of hearts.

2 A Very Electric Christmas TUE | DEC 10 | 2019 TEACHING GUIDE DREAMCATCHERS Synopsis At the opening of the show, Santa’s helpers are putting the final touches on presents as Max and his family are heading south for the winter. A couple of mischievous rats snoop around the gifts and steal a few, but there is even more tragic news: young Max has been blown off course and lost his family! Max’s parents are distraught at the disappearance of their fledgling, but the rats are intrigued. They hatch an evil plan to get to Max before he is rescued. Ignorant of all of this commotion, Max needs to find his way home. His spirits are raised and his adventures truly begin when he encounters a friendly trio of caroling worms. Several other characters join the action before Max is reunited with his family, including dancing poinsettias, nutcracker soldiers, and the sinister Rat King. The show’s finale neatly ties all of the plot lines together and features an epic battle scene that takes full advantage of Lightwire Theater’s famous array of dazzling light effects.

Vocabulary Battery: a device that stores energy and makes it available as electricity Charge: the amount of electricity an object contains Circuit: an electric device that provides a path for electric current to flow Conductor: a substance that allows electric current to pass through it Current: the flow of electricity in an electric circuit Electricity: a form of energy produced by the flow of electrons Fuse: a protective device designed to melt or break when the current flowing through it becomes too strong Gesture: a movement of part of the body, especially a hand or the head, expressing an idea, emotion, or meaning Insulator: a material that does not allow the flow of electricity to pass through it Manipulate: to handle or control (a tool, mechanism, etc.), typically in a skillful manner Puppet: a doll whose actions are a current on or off in an electric circuit Volt: a unit of measurement for electricity; indicates how much pressure controlled by an outside person (i.e. Transformer: an electric device that is there is on an electric current puppeteer) used to raise or lower the voltage of Switch: a mechanical device used to turn electricity

3 A Very Electric Christmas TUE | DEC 10 | 2019 TEACHING GUIDE DREAMCATCHERS What is Electroluminescent Wire? Electroluminescent wire (EL wire) is a thin copper wire coated in phosphor, which glows when an electric current is applied to it. Used in safety and emergency lightning, toys, clothing, and structure decoration, EL wire is unique from other stringed lights in that it produces a continuous stream of unbroken visible light. The wire’s extreme thinness allows for great flexibility – fantastic for use in designing puppets. Interesting Facts for Students All glow-in-the-dark products contain phosphors. Phosphor is a substance that radiates visible light after being energized. The two places where we most commonly see phosphors are in a TV screen or computer monitor and in fluorescent lights. Temperature has a direct effect on glow chemical products. Cooling or freezing a chemical reaction causes Creating the Characters the effects to slow, while heating it speeds up the reaction. The process of building Lightwire Theater’s By placing an activated glow stick in the freezer, you are electroluminescent characters starts with the creators and slowing the chemical reaction. By completely freezing the cast. The designers make many artistic choices when a glow stick, you are effectively shutting “off” the glow they make the characters that determine the kinds of roles effect so that it can be used again. Never defrost it by they play in the story. Some examples are choices of color, using a microwave. size, and shape. The ancient Greek god Phosphorus was known as the They build everything themselves from the ground up, with bringer of light. He was often evoked in reference to Venus when the planet was visible before dawn. The Latin name each sculpture taking nearly 200 hours of intensive labor. for this same god was “Lucifer.” The foundation begins with a base that includes triggers and armatures. They utilize recyclable materials including EL WIRE: aluminum rods, election signs, skateboard wheels, dryer has a decorative safety function used on stairs, walkways, ducting, plumbing supplies, PVC pipes, fishing poles, duct and bike helmets. It is widely used to illuminate and decorate clothing (think glowing suits), bicycle spokes and tape, zip ties, and backpacks to help define peaks and turntables. angles. These common household items help create durable can break if exposed to moisture (water). and pliable sculptures that can withstand the movement of the dancers and multiple performances. Black fabric is powered by alternating current (AC), not direct current is added to the sculpture for dimension and then lined (DC). with electroluminescent wire known as “EL wire,” which is is one of the most efficient forms of lighting on the soldered everywhere the wire is connected. Unlike black market. It burns very little energy, glows cool to the touch lights, “EL wire” can be powered by batteries, requires no and costs relatively little. theatrical lighting, and provides 360-degrees of glowing is durable. Unlike neon or fluorescent light, EL wire has no light. Once the character is “turned on,” it can use up to 16 filament that can break. AA or rechargeable batteries per performance. is popular because it’s fairly easy to create interesting The actors must remain invisible during the performance; effects such as pulsing light, circles, or specific patterns that match a tempo. In order to produce such therefore, they will only be seen where the EL wire is effects, you’ll need to use a sequencer. Sequencers are backlighting their bodies. Considering this is a show without programmable, letting you control your lighting pattern words, the characters are brought to life by the actors and the speed at which it moves through movement and dance set to music.

4 A Very Electric Christmas TUE | DEC 10 | 2019 TEACHING GUIDE DREAMCATCHERS strings to controls that included the puppet move. as many as eight strings. Shortly History of Hand Puppetry—puppets are thereafter, puppetry was divided from controlled by the puppeteer’s hand, Puppet Theater actor theaters and began to compete which is placed directly inside of the with vaudeville and music hall theater. While the precise origin of puppets puppet. is unknown, puppetry dates back In the 20th century, a resurgence of over 3,000 years. Puppets are popular puppetry was seen with the Two-man Puppetry—larger puppets mentioned in Egyptian writings as introduction of The Muppets, created are controlled by two puppeteers, early as 422 B.C.E. Following Egypt, by Jim Hensen, and the musical The typically one operating the head while puppetry became part of popular Lion King, based on the Disney classic the other operates the body. culture in India, Indonesia, Japan, tale. Puppets continue to appeal to Carnival (Body Puppetry)—these and Europe. India included the use of children and families on television, puppets are seen in Lightwire stick puppets depicting Indian epics movies, and stage and are seen as a Theater’s shows, street spectacles, such as Mahabharata and Balakanda. way to relate moral messages about sporting games, or the Lion King. Indonesian puppets were (and still childhood concepts. Puppets are worn as a full-body suit. are) considered sacred and part of Bunraku Puppetry—based in Japan, a ritual ceremonies. In Japan, puppets life-size wooden puppet is illuminated took on more entertainment with Types of by focused light; however, puppeteers ornate designs as well as on a larger can be seen by the audience. scale in street theater. In Europe, Puppets puppets acted out morality tales in Marionette (String Puppetry)— Shadow Puppetry—a paper cutout on plays, behaving in ways that would puppets are suspended by strings a stick is illuminated onto a piece of have been unacceptable for humans from a horizontal bar held in the white fabric, producing shadows that to portray. By the 19th century, string puppeteer’s hand. By manipulating are viewed by the audience and allow puppets had upgraded from two the tilt of the bar, puppeteers make puppeteers to be hidden.

5 A Very Electric Christmas TUE | DEC 10 | 2019 TEACHING GUIDE DREAMCATCHERS Glowing Holiday Crafts Lesson 1 Objectives Grades 3 - 4 • Learn how to make glowing glue. • Create holiday-themed crafts using glowing glue. CCSS Materials ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.2 Glowing Glue • Newspaper • 1-2 bottles of clear glue (i.e. Elmer’s clear school glue) • Ornament hooks NMCAS • Glow-in-the dark paint (i.e. DecoArt Glow in The Dark Glowing Holiday Cards Paint, found at most craft stores and Walmart) VA:Cr1.1 • Construction paper or cardstock VA:Cr2.1 Glowing Ornaments • Pencils, markers, etc. VA:Cr3.1 • Small balloons (water balloons work great!) VA:Cn10.1 Holiday Window Clings • String or yarn • Wax paper • Vaseline • Pencil Procedure Make Glowing Glue: 1. Take 1 bottle of clear glue (white glue can also be used) and mix about .5 oz of glow-in-the-dark paint right in the bottle. Now you have glowing glue! Ornaments: 2. Cover work area with newspaper—this will get messy! 3. Cut yarn or string into manageable strips. 4. Have each student inflate a balloon and rub a little Vaseline on it to prevent string from sticking. 5. Run the string through the glue. Make sure it is covered completely. Use your fingers to remove excess glue from string. 6. Place the string on the balloon. Add pieces until a decorative ball has formed. 7. Allow balls to dry completely, and then pop the balloon. Add an ornament hook to the ball. Glowing Holiday Cards: 8. Cut holiday shapes out of construction paper (Christmas trees, candy canes, menorahs, candles, snowmen, etc.) 9. Decorate the shapes with the glowing glue. You can create borders, decorations, or smear the surface of the shape with the glue. 10. Allow to dry. 11. Glue the shape to the front of a card, made with either construction paper or cardstock. Holiday Window Clings: 12. Give each student a piece of wax paper. 13. Students will use the glowing glue to make holiday shapes on the wax paper. They may want to draw their designs with a pencil before applying the glue. 14. Allow glue to dry completely. 15. Peel the shapes off of the wax paper and they will stick on any glass surface. Extensions/Modifications You can also mix florescent paints with glue to get more color options. The glue won’t glow in the dark, but it’ll glow brightly under a blacklight. Assessment • Quality of participation

6 A Very Electric Christmas TUE | DEC 10 | 2019 TEACHING GUIDE DREAMCATCHERS Human Puppets Lesson 2

Grades 3 - 8 Objectives Students will: CCSS • explore different ways to move their bodies for different effects. ELA-Literacy.CCRA.SL.2 • work collaboratively to tell a story.

Materials NMCAS • An open space for students to work in TH:Cr1.1 TH:Cr2 TH:Cr3.1 Procedure TH:Pr4.1 1. Students will stand in a circle, leaving enough space for them to move their arms and legs without hitting the TH:Pr5.1 people next to them. Have students stretch and shake their arms, legs, and heads to warm up their bodies. 2. Tell students they will be exploring how to move their bodies as if they were attached to strings, just like a type of puppet called a marionette (have them think of Pinocchio). 3. First have students lift their arms and legs normally. Then imagine that they have strings attached to their wrists and ankles. When they move their arms or legs, they are only able to do so because an invisible pup peteer is pulling up on their strings. Ask students to note how their movements are different with their invisible strings attached. Allow time for them to explore different ways of moving. 4. Ask students to get in pairs: one student will act as a puppeteer and the other will act as a puppet. The puppeteer cannot speak and must indicate to the puppet how it is to move by gently tapping the puppet’s wrists or feet and pointing in the direction it would like the puppet to move. The puppet may only make moves that the puppeteer indicates. Give students time to try different ways of moving the puppets around. 5. Allow time for each student to play puppet and puppeteer. 6. Think about some of the puppets and characters from the show. Can you mimic their movements with your human puppets? Extensions/Modifications • Before starting this activity, guide students through a mirroring exercise. Divide students into pairs. Have them take turns being the leader, where they perform a series of movements while their partner tries to “mirror” their movements. Once students get the hang of it, they can alternate leading the activity back and forth without pausing. Assessment • Quality of participation

7 A Very Electric Christmas TUE | DEC 10 | 2019 TEACHING GUIDE DREAMCATCHERS Questions to Engage All About Electroluminescent Materials & Connect Bonus A brief explanation of electroluminescent Explorations materials. How was the music used in Team iLuminate Music, art, and the the show? Did it help the Adafruit Learning System - 10 EL Wire technological magic of iLuminate bring story? Activity Guides and 49 Projects you stories of adventure and romance told Steve Spangler Science - The Science through dance styles from contemporary to What characters from other Behind Halloween Glowing Recipes hip-hop to breaking and using the power of stories were also in this light. Watch clips from the dance team on show? What part did they Kids Activities Blog - 25 Glow-In-The-Dark America’s Got Talent! play? Projects Pinterest - 30 Glowing Activities About the Since the actors didn’t talk, how did you know Company what was happening in the story? Founded by Ian and Eleanor Carney Resources together with Corbin and Whitney Popp, Lightwire Theater launched their first shows What ways could you tell WEBSITES a story or get a message in January of 2011. Aside from appearing in across without words (or Science Kids Check out the exciting numerous performances in their native New if you spoke a different subject of electricity for kids with a range Orleans and being featured on “America’s language)? of experiments, free games, science fair Got Talent,” Lightwire’s puppetry-based projects, quizzes, interesting facts, videos, unique neon creatures can be seen all worksheets and more! Learn about circuits, over the US and at several international What emotions did you lightning, batteries, conductors and all kinds locations. To create each costume, the feel when Max got lost? Did of electricity topics. artists use electroluminescent wire (known they change throughout as “EL wire”) that provides 360-degrees How Stuff Works A fascinating, in-depth the show? of glowing light and an array of recyclable look at EL Wire! materials, from aluminum rods and How would you like to use skateboard wheels to dryer ducting and VIDEOS EL wire? What would you fishing poles. The result is anything your make? Lightwire Theater A short video on the inner-child can dream of, including 16-ft. tall process of building Lightwire Theater’s birds, dinosaurs, ducks, soldiers, swords, Something I want to share electroluminescent characters. and more! with my family about the experience is…

8 A Very Electric Christmas TUE | DEC 10 | 2019 TEACHING GUIDE DREAMCATCHERS The Popejoy Schooltime Series is supported in part About the Schooltime Series by awards from: The Popejoy Schooltime Series brings national and international touring companies and performers to Albuquerque. Each company is selected for youth and family Judith Mersereau audiences from PreK to 12th grade. Our repertoire reflects the cultural diversity of our global community. The Schooltime Series is curated to include new plays, familiar stories, literary works, biographies, mythologies, folktales, science shows, music, dance, and puppetry. These professional performing artists create entertaining educational experiences designed to encourage literacy, creativity, communication, and imagination.. The Dreamcatchers Teaching Guides By their nature, the arts engage young minds in learning through observing, listening, creating, and moving, while offering various ways to acquire information and act on it in a dynamic world. They also offer a natural way to differentiate instruction through multiple modes of representation, expression, and engagement. Additionally, the arts are an authentic context in which students identify and solve problems, reflect, and create meaning. The Dreamcatchers help students embody the lessons and take- action on what they have learned. These guides introduce students to what they will see on stage, provide background information, a basic vocabulary associated with the show, fun facts, vetted resources, and activities providing a connection between the arts and classroom curriculum. Popejoy Hall Popejoy Hall is New Mexico’s premier nonprofit venue for the performing arts and entertainment. Our mission is to provide access to the performing arts for all New Mexicans.

The Eugene & Marion Castiglia Popejoy House Policies & Etiquette Children’s Schooltime Endowment The inside of a theatre where the audience sits is called a “house.” To get along, The Popejoy Schooltime have fun, and enjoy the show, there are rules to follow. Schooltime is a wonderful Education Endowment opportunity to learn how good behavior in a live theater is different from watching television. For guidelines to practice with your class and chaperones, including safety, special needs, food and drink, backpacks, cell phones, photography, recordings, and The Schooltime Series more, go to schooltimeseries.com/house-policies. is a proud member of Dreamcatcher Credits Dreamcatchers are Teaching Guides produced by the Education Department of Popejoy Hall, Albuquerque, New Mexico. Selected Dreamcatcher Teaching Guide materials provided by Lightwire Theater ,Puppets Now, HowStuffWorks, and other resources noted within this guide.

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