REVIEW ACQUIRED KNOWLEDGE

› DISCUSSION OR WRITTEN QUESTIONNAIRE

Circus disciplines What circus disciplines did you notice in Blizzard? Name at least four.

Name original props used in various circus disciplines during the performance of Blizzard. Give two examples, and explain what makes these “original” props.

Contemporary circus Name at least three characteristics of contemporary circus you observed in Blizzard. Then, explain how these characteristics are representative of the contemporary circus (versus the traditional modern circus). Why do we say that contemporary circus artists are versatile? Illustrate your reasoning by describing one or more of the circus artists in Blizzard. While watching Blizzard, did you notice a variety of artistic disciplines, in addition to circus, that was part of the performance? Name three, and give examples from a specific part of Blizzard for each artistic discipline.

Understanding the message What aspect of Quebec culture did you see featured in Blizzard? Illustrate your answer with examples. E.g.: closing schools during a snowstorm, playing sports (hockey), dressing up (with multiple layers), outdoor living (playing with snowballs, shoveling, sticking your tongue on frozen metal). What does the prism represent, in your opinion? Explain your answer by naming the three configurations of the prism (vertical, horizontal, and diagonal). E.g.: home, winter, heaviness, and lightness. Which scenes from Blizzard do you consider realistic depictions of winter life? Which scenes are unrealistic? If a scene is not realistic, how can it represent winter, in your view? Make sure to use the correct circus terms for the disciplines and props in your explanation. Bonus: If Blizzard told a story, what would it be? Find a common thread in the “Petit Bonhomme” story, and create an original ending for his adventures.

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS FOR THE PERFORMANCE

Artists need to concentrate to perform the show without hurting themselves.

Please do the following: › Turn off all devices that may make noise or cause light pollution (cameras, cell phones, etc.).

› Enjoy the show without speaking, but do feel free to laugh and applaud!

APPENDIX I - CIRCUS DISCIPLINES*

IN BLIZZARD

Acrobatics Throughout Blizzard, the circus artists perform a range of routines featuring jumps and feats of balance, strength, and flexibility throughout the performance; these are all acts in the category we usually call acrobatics.

There are several acrobatics disciplines, in two main categories: aerial disciplines, and floor disciplines.

Russian Cradle An aerial acrobatics discipline In this apparatus, a carrier is attached at the waist to one or two gantry posts, and suspended at a considerable height from the ground. The carrier then propels the flyer, who executes aerial acrobatics routines.

*National Circus School, Montreal

Aerial Straps An aerial acrobatics discipline The use of straps originated in Asia. In this discipline, one to two acrobats perform acrobatic figures and tricks by rolling and unrolling themselves in two parallel strips made from several meters of fabric.

Trampoline and Trampoline Wall A floor acrobatics discipline The trampoline makes it possible to perform jumps and various figures while reaching considerable heights.

Trampoline wall is the same discipline with the addition of a “wall” to land on.

Hand-to-Hand A floor acrobatics discipline Hand-to-hand is a rigorous circus discipline featuring a catcher and a flyer. It involves performing a series of feats of balance, flexibility, strength, and elevation, either on the carrier’s hands or on their head.

Jump Rope A floor acrobatics discipline Demonstrations of leaps with one or more jump ropes.

Hula-Hoop A floor acrobatics discipline Demonstrations of agility, balance, and acrobatics with one or more Hula-Hoops.

Balancing and Balancing on Objects Like juggling, balancing is a circus discipline in its own right, distinct from the many other acrobatics disciplines.

It consists of controlling, stabilizing, or maintaining in balance a human body or objects in unusual figures. Balancing has been a discipline since antiquity, and is an essential skill for every circus artist.

Juggling Juggling is a discipline that involves manipulating objects (balls, pins, rings, scarves, plates, diabolos, etc.) that has been in existence since antiquity. Essentially, it involves throwing objects in the air, then catching them and throwing them again.

In Blizzard, the circus artists juggle with balls, shovels, and scarves.

OTHER CIRCUS ARTS

Aerial Hoops An aerial acrobatics discipline The circus artists perform acrobatics routines on a metal hoop, which may be fixed or swinging, suspended in the air at variable heights.

Swinging Trapeze An aerial acrobatics discipline The trapeze is a horizontal metal bar, suspended by two ropes at considerable height from the ground. The acrobat balances on the trapeze to perform leaps and acrobatics according to various patterns.

Chinese Hoops A floor acrobatics discipline In this discipline of Chinese origin, circus artists propel themselves through various hoops balanced vertically one atop the other.

Chinese Pole A floor acrobatics discipline Also Asian in origin, the Chinese pole is one or several vertical metal posts fixed into the ground, generally 3 to 9 meters in height, along which acrobats climb and execute various moves.

Contortion A floor acrobatics discipline This discipline that developed in Asian country fairs involves showcasing extreme flexibility with feats of stretching and bending.

German Wheel Balancing on objects Of German origin, this wheel is comprised of two metal circles spanned by thin crossbars. The circus artist performs acrobatic twists and turns.

Cyr Wheel Balancing on objects Discipline derived from the German wheel, invented by Quebecer Daniel Cyr. The acrobats propel themselves around a single metal circle, allowing for a more fluid rotation.

Tightrope (High Wire) Balancing on objects A metal cable suspended horizontally at a substantial distance from the ground. The acrobat walks with a curved balance pole and performs various balancing routines.

This discipline is distinct from the low wire, where the acrobat moves at a maximum height of 3 meters.

Diabolo Jonglerie A juggling discipline, the diabolo consists of two rods connected by a thread that supports one or more diabolos. The circus artist spins them around and twirls them through the air along various trajectories.

APPENDIX II - TABLES OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES Activities for the Communication Global Competency (Canada)

Competency branch Branches Activities

Develop the ability to In different contexts receive and express › Oral presentations on history › Art project presentations meaning For various audiences (creative works such as poetry, For various purposes drama, or song) › Review with class to consolidate learning

Societal and cultural Understanding various › Independent research on the

contexts history of circus in Local and global perspectives Quebec and in the world › Independent research on Quebec and winter › Independent research on the history of FLIP Fabrique Ability to adapt and change Fair and varied use of different media › Presentations of original artworks (creative works such

as poetry, drama, or

Responsible and safe use of song using digital media) different media (especially digital) APPENDIX II - TABLES OF LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Activities for Learning and Innovation Skills (USA)

Learning and Innovation Branches Activities Skills

Critical Thinking and Problem- Return in class to analyse what Reason effectively › Solving has been learned;

Solve problems

Communication Communicate clearly Articulate › Various homeworks thoughts and ideas using oral, including oral, written, written, and nonverbal numeric and artistic communication skills in a variety presentations; of forms and contexts. › Various themes including Use multiple media and history of circus in the province technologies. of Québec and in the world, history of the province of Québec, winter, and FLIP Fabrique;

Collaboration › Collaborative homeworks; Collaborate with others Flexibility and willingness to be helpful in making necessary compromises. Assume shared responsibility for collaborative work.

Creativity and Innovation › Artistic presentation, Think creatively requiring originality and Elaborate, refine, analyze, and including one numeric evaluate their own ideas. media: work in teams.

Work creatively with others Develop, implement, and communicate new ideas to others.

Implement innovations Act on creative ideas to make a tangible and useful contribution to the field in which the innovation will occur.

Key Competence Activities - Cultural Sensitivity and Expression (Europe)

Competency branch Activities

Appreciation of works of art and services › Review with class to consolidate learning

Link the creativity and the expression of the points of view of a person to the opinions of others › Independent research on the history of circus in Quebec and in the world

› Independent research on Quebec and winter Identify and realize the social and economic › Independent research on the history of FLIP circumstances of a cultural activity Fabrique

Personal expression by a variety of media › Presentations of original art projects (creative works such as poetry, drama, or song) using digital media