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Home , Anansi Boys, Black Orchid (comics), Coraline, David Greenspan, Eban and Charley, Fragile Things

Teacher Resource Guide and Lesson Plan Activities Featuring general information about our production along with some creative activities which will help you make connections to your classroom curriculum, before and after the show.

The production and accompanying activities address North Carolina Essential Standards in Arts, Goal A.1: Analyze literary texts and performances. Look for this symbol throughout the resource guide for other curriculum connections. About the Play Bored by her colorless surroundings, goes exploring through a magic door and gets trapped in a strange, unsettling parallel world. Get scared out of your wits with this creepy musical version of the popular novel by . About the Author Neil Gaiman was born in Hampshire, UK and got his start in writing as a journalist. His first “” with artist Dave McKean was published when Gaiman was 26 and led to a series of graphic novels called “ Orchid,” published by D.C. Comics. The ground- breaking series Sandman followed; the first comic ever to receive a literary award. Coraline was written in 2002. Originally considered “too frightening for children”, it won the British Science Fiction Award, the Hugo, the Nebula, the Bram Stoker, and the American Elizabeth Burr/Worzalla award. More about Neil Gaiman can be found on his website: www.neilgaiman.com. Coraline About the Playwright Based on the book by Neil Gaiman is an American author, playwright, director Book by David Greenspan and , based in . He holds a degree Music and Lyrics by from the University of at Irvine and has received Directed by Mark Sutton six Obie awards over the course of his career, including one for sustained achievement. He’s directed and/or performed About Children’s Theatre of Charlotte in several of his own plays. In addition to adapting the script Founded in 1948, Children’s Theatre of Charlotte has of Coraline, Greenspan played the role of the Other Mother been opening young minds to the wonders of live theatre in the Off-Broadway production. for over half a century. Today it continues to be one of the most technically imaginative and resourceful About the Composer & Lyricist in the country. Annually it reaches nearly 300,000 young Stephin Merritt is the principal singer-songwriter of the people and their families with multiple program areas: band . He recorded and released the Mainstage productions, a professional Touring Company soundtracks to the films and Pieces of April and a full scope of Education classes for both schools as well as the soundtrack to the Nickelodeon show The and the community. Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is Adventures of Pete & Pete. With a different band, the Gothic housed in ImaginOn: The Joe & Joan Martin Center. Archies, Merritt wrote and recorded music for the The facility is shared with the Charlotte Mecklenburg audiobook series of Lemony Snicket's A Series of Library: www.cmlibrary.org. Unfortunate Events.

Children’s Theatre of Charlotte • Teacher Resource Guide • www.ctcharlotte.org “When you’re scared but you still do it anyway, that’s brave.” - Coraline Coraline is a story about a young girl who upon moving into a new home discovers a door. She finds her way into the door which leads her to another world where she has an “other” family. In this other world, Coraline realizes that things are not as they seem and she can’t escape the other world until she saves her real parents. The story of Coraline crosses the genres of fantasy, horror and mystery and is considered by Kirkus Reviews to be “a magnificently creepy story… for stouthearted kids who love a brush with the sinister.”

Female Protagonists in Cast of Characters Imaginary Worlds Coraline, a girl who moves with her family to a flat Mother, Coraline's mother Coraline is a female character who seeks Father, Coraline's father bravery while uncovering an imaginary Cat, a cat—he can talk (in the other flat) world. Compare and contrast Coraline to Miss Spink and the literary characters below: Miss Forcible, downstairs neighbors, former actresses, elderly Mr. Bobo, upstairs neighbor, circus background, East European Alice from Alice in Wonderland and Other Mother, a gruesome entity Through the Looking Glass Other Father, a thing made by Other Mother Other Miss Spink and Dorothy from The Wizard of Oz Other Miss Forcible, parodies made by Other Mother Other Mr. Bobo, parody made by Other Mother Lucy from The Lion, the Witch and the Policeman, a genial if understandably skeptical public servant Wardrobe Tall Girl, Winged Girl, Little Boy } children behind the mirror, discarded by Other Mother  In each example, what is the “other Dogs, belonging to Miss Spink and Miss Forcible: Angus, Hamish, world”? Andrew, Jock and Bruce  What does each character learn about Other Toys, inventions of Other Mother home? Other Dogs, parodies made by Other Mother, they can talk  Explore the role of parents in each Rats, creatures of Other Mother- black, brown or gray story. Bats Mice, musicians in Mr. Bobo's mouse circus  Who are the antagonists of each Musicians story? What do the antagonists have in common?  What other stories mirror the style and structure of female protagonists Vocabulary Enrichment in imaginary worlds? “a house divided into flats”: a house transformed into several smaller apartments (flats) dreary: dull, boring, causing sadness or gloom trivialities: things that are not important irritate: to make someone impatient, annoyed or angry nefarious: evil, immoral, wicked thespian: a person involved in drama or acting sarcastic: sneering tone, using irony to mock or insult eccentric: unconventional, slightly strange or unique abandon: to leave or desert a person or thing exotic: mysteriously different or unusual fiendish: cruel, evil, unpleasant, difficult reassure: to restore confidence zaftig: slightly plump, a rounded figure ponder: to think about, reflect on vermin: small animals or insects that are unpleasant vague: not clear in meaning, not specific beldam: an evil, malicious woman clutches: in a grasp within the man’s clutches scullery: a room near the kitchen used for doing dishes or lure: to persuade someone to do something other messy tasks, often found in older houses

Common Core Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy: SL.K-5.4: Determine or clarify the meaning of unknown and multiple- meaning words and phrases. RL5.9: Compare and contrast stories in the same genre (e.g., mysteries and adventure stories) on their approaches to similar themes and topics. Children’s Theatre of Charlotte • Teacher Resource Guide • www.ctcharlotte.org Questions for Discussion from Harper Collins online reading guide 1. Describe Coraline. What kind of a person is she? How does she like to spend her ? 2. How is Coraline treated by her parents? Who are the other adults in Coraline's life and how do they treat her? What is the difference between how she is treated in the real world and the other world? 3. Before entering the other world, Coraline receives ominous warnings about her future. What are the warnings and from whom does she receive them? What do the messages mean? 4. When Coraline unlocks the door to the neighboring flat she knows she is doing something she is not supposed to, but she does it anyway. Why? What are the consequences? Have you ever done something you knew you were not supposed to? How did this make you feel? What were the consequences of your actions? 5. When Coraline discovers her parents are missing, she calls the police. What does she tell the officer? How does he respond? Why? How would you respond if you were the officer? Why? What would you have done if you were in Coraline's situation? 6. How does Coraline define bravery? In what ways does Coraline demonstrate bravery? What is your definition of bravery? 7. The other mother tells Coraline: "We're ready to love you and play with you and feed you and make your life more interesting." How is Coraline's life with her other family different from life with her real family? What does Coraline find appealing about life in the other world? What family would you choose? Why? 8. Coraline's other mother tells her that if she wants to stay in the other world there is one thing she must do. What is it? What effect will it have on her? 9. Why does the other mother want Coraline? What does the cat think about this? Why has she taken the other children and Coraline's parents? 10. Miss Spink and Miss Forcible give Coraline a special stone. Why? What does the stone look like? What special power does the stone have? How does Coraline use it? 11. What challenge does Coraline present to her other mother? What will happen if she loses? What will happen if she wins? What makes her think winning is possible? Do you think this challenge is wise? Why or why not? 12. Do the mirrors Coraline encounters in the real world and the other world reflect reality or illusion? How do you know? What is the significance of mirrors in Coraline? When Coraline finds her other father in the basement he tells her to flee. When she refuses he turns on her, and tries to harm her. How does Coraline respond? What happens as a result? 13. Coraline explains to the old man upstairs, "I don't want whatever I want. Nobody does. Not really. What kind of fun would it be if we just got everything we wanted? Just like that, and it didn't mean anything. What then?" Do you agree or disagree with Coraline? Explain your thinking. How would you respond to her question? 14. How does Coraline's life change when she returns to the real world with her parents? 15. What does Coraline learn from the experience of being in the other world? After Coraline returns to the real world she receives clues that the other mother's work is not done. What are they? How does Coraline foil the other mother once and for all?

Common Core Standards for English Language Arts and Literacy: SL2: Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media; RL7: Make connections between the text of a story or drama and a visual or oral presentation of the text, identifying where each version reflects specific descriptions and directions in the text.

Children’s Theatre of Charlotte • Teacher Resource Guide • www.ctcharlotte.org Music, Costumes and Puppetry in Coraline A unique sound heard within the score of Coraline comes from the notes of a prepared . The concept of a prepared piano was developed by John Cage and involves the art of adding objects to the inside of the piano strings to alter the sound when the keys are struck. Examples of objects lodged with piano strings to make unusual sounds include forks, knives, spoons, coins, screws, staples, golf tees, bent nails, paper clips, pencil erasers… and the list goes on. When a piano is properly “prepared”, the objects are removed without causing any damage to the instrument. It should be impossible for anyone to tell that one had ever been prepared.

Brainstorm other “objects” that could be placed within piano strings to change the tone. Are there other stringed instruments that could potential be “prepared”?

Costuming is one of the most interesting, complex and intricate elements of the theatrical design process. The Costume Designer begins by researching the text and history surrounding the story and collaborates with the director, Set Designer and other members of the production team to develop a cohesive look and feel for the show. Sketches and drawings called costume renderings are created for each character and costume. The rendering seen here represents the costumes for Mr. Bobo and the Other Mr. Bobo in Coraline. The inventory of all costumes are combined into a wardrobe plot which is a scene-by-scene, actor-by-actor breakdown of every costume piece used in a production.

How many total elements do you think are included in the wardrobe plot for Coraline?

Puppets are used to represent several of the animal characters in the production of Coraline, such as the cat pictured here. Puppets that utilize wires or sticks to manipulate movements are typcially called Rod Puppets and the puppeteer is often visible to the audience instead of invisible.

What was unique about the puppets used in Coraline compared to other puppets you have seen? Which did you find most interesting or effective? Why do you think the director and production team decided to use puppets for these characters instead of dressed as animals?

North Carolina Essential Standards in Theatre Arts AE.1: Understand how the major technical elements of theatre, such as lights, sound, set and costumes are used to support and enhance a theatrical production.

Children’s Theatre of Charlotte • Teacher Resource Guide • www.ctcharlotte.org Theatrical Theatre Corner In the story, Miss Spink and Miss Forcible mention “Trodding the Boards” and warn of two theatrical superstitions: “Don’t wear Every play produced by Children's Theatre of green in your dressing room or mention .” There Charlotte is created in the city of Charlotte by a are hundreds of fascinating superstitions and traditions in theatre. talented team of designers, carpenters, stitchers, “Trod the boards” refers to walking on a stage floor. props masters and lighting technicians, not to mention the director and the actors. Because it In the theatre, it is considered unlucky to wear green backstage. It is presented live, a play is very different from a is also unlucky to knit near the stage, to whistle in the theatre, to television show or a movie. As a class, discuss wear peacock feathers in a play or to say “Good ”. Actors what you experienced when you went to the instead use the phrase “” before going onstage. The theatre. Scottish Play refers to a famous title by that starts with “M” and ends with “-acbeth”. Theatre people believe 1. How were the actors, costumes and set that saying the title or even a quote from the play will bring pieces used to convey the mood, setting and disaster. There are multiple accounts of catastrophes that characters of the story? happened in and around productions of The Scottish Play so the 2. Name three things you noticed about the set. actual title is never spoken aloud in a theatre. Did the set help tell the story? 3. Discuss the special effects that were used in More books by Neil Gaiman this production. Which did you find most Book Corner interesting or fascinating? How do you think A Walking Tour of the Shambles Adventures in the Trade Smoke and Mirrors the effects were achieved? 4. What did you like about the costumes? Did Boys Stories: All New Tales they fit the story? 5. What role did lighting play in telling the Angels and Visitations The Alchemy of MirrorMask Chu’s Day The Dangerous Alphabet story? How did the lights enhance what you were seeing? Chu’s Day at the Beach The Day I Swapped my Dad for Chu’s First Day of School two Goldfish 6. Talk about the actors. Were there moments you were so caught up in the story that you Day of the Dead Don’t Panic The Ocean at the End of the Lane forgot you were watching a play? Talk about Fortunately, the Milk : Book of Dreams those moments. The Sandman Overture 7. Were there any actors who played more than one character? At what point in the play Good The Sleeper and the Spindle Hansel and Gretel The Truth is a Cave in the Black could you tell that it was the same person? What are some ways that you can be the Interworld Mountains M is for Magic : Short Fictions same person but play different characters? 8. If you could adapt a story into a play, which Make Good Art and Disturbances MirrorMask Unnatural Creatures story would you choose? Describe the characters, costumes, set, lighting and special Wolves in the Walls Now We Are Sick effects you would use to create your play.

Write to us! Letters to the cast and crew can be sent to: North Carolina Essential Standards in Theatre Arts Children’s Theatre of Charlotte, 300 E. 7th Street 3.A.1.2: Evaluate formal or informal theatre productions. Charlotte, NC 28202 Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is sincerely grateful to our generous sponsors and supporters:

Children’s Theatre of Charlotte is supported, in part, with funding from the Arts & Science Council and the North Carolina Arts Council, a division of the Department of Cultural Resources.

Children’s Theatre of Charlotte • Teacher Resource Guide • www.ctcharlotte.org