By Joseph Robinette Based on the Book by E.B

A Study Guide for

By Joseph Robinette Based on the book by E.B. White Directed by Tom Ford

Presented by Idaho Theater for Youth, a program of the Idaho Shakespeare Festival Produced by special arrangement with Dramatic Publishing, Woodstock, Illinois.

table of contents

Section one: WELCOME! Section three: AFTER THE SHOW

Using this Study Guide…..………………………...…pg 4 “Terms A’hoy” - sailing vocabulary …………….....pg 11

Special Thanks………..……………………………..…pg 4 Activity: “Characters’ Character”.………………….pg 12

About the Idaho Shakespeare Festival…….….…..pg 5 Activity: Character Comparison…………………….pg 13

A Note From the Director……….………………...... pg 5 Activity: Create a character………………………….pg 14

Activity: Quote Identification………...…….....……pg 14

Activity: “Chairman of the World”…..………..……pg 15

Section two: BEFORE THE SHOW Activity: “Knowing What’s Important”..……..……pg 16

Activity: Finish the Play.………………………..……pg 17 Meet the Cast………………………………….……....pg 6 Discussion topics……………………………………...pg 17 Stuart Little Summary………………....……...…….pg 7 Activity: Think Like a Critic……………………...... pg 18 About the Author…….………...……………...……..pg 7

About the Playwright..………...……………...……..pg 7

Stuart’s World…………………………………...….…pg 8 Section four: APPENDIX

Activity: Exploring New York further...………...... pg 9 Suggested reading………………..………….……….pg 19 Vocabulary Words…………...... pg 9 Sources……………………………..………..……..….pg 19 Activity: Word Search………………………………...pg 10 End Quote……………………….……………………..pg 20

welcome! Using This Guide...

Dear Teachers,

Welcome to the Idaho Theater for Youth study guide for Stuart Little! These materials have been designed to expand your students’ engagement with the performance with a range of information, discussion topics, and activities that can stand on their own or serve as building blocks for a larger unit. The activities are designed to be mixed, matched, and modified to suit the needs of your students.

Inside, you’ll find activities to share with your students both before the show and after the show, indicated by headings at the top of the page. These are designed to help focus your students’ engagement with the performance by giving them specific themes to watch out for, as well as to foster critical thinking and discussion following the performance. During post-show talkbacks, our actors will pull from many of the themes included here to engage your students. Each activity is designed to help meet Idaho Standards of Education to foster critical thinking and problem solving skills.

We encourage you and your students to share your thoughts with us! Any of the artwork or activities your students send will be shared with the artists who created Stuart Little, and any feedback from you will not only help to improve our study guides for future audiences, but will aide in the ongoing pursuit for grants that make these plays possible! Our mailing address is lo- cated on page 18.

Thank you for helping to bring our theater and the Arts to your students!

A Very Special Thank You!

As a part of Idaho Shakespeare Festival’s educational programming, Idaho Theater for Youth (ITY) performances have enriched the lives of well over one million students and teachers since 1981 with productions that convey the unique and impactful voice of theater arts. The magic of this art form is brought to schools across the State of Idaho each Winter/Spring semester with assistance from a generous group of underwriters:  Idaho Commission on the Arts  Idaho Community Foundation and the following Funds:  US Bancorp Foundation -F.M., Anne G. & Beverly B. Bistline Foundation  Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation -James A. Pinney Memorial Fund  Idaho Power Foundation -Perc H. Shelton & Gladys A. Pospisil Shelton Foundation  The Whittenberger Foundation -Gladys E. Langroise Advised Fund -John William Jackson Fund 4 welcome!

About our education programs... A Note From the Director... One spring E. B. White was traveling home from Virginia on a train and

fell asleep. He dreamt of a mouse who was fully dressed in dapper cloth- The Idaho Shakespeare Festival has become an integral ing with a hat and cane. E. B. White wrote it all down. Later, when one of his eighteen nieces and nephews wanted a story, E. B. White would read part of arts education throughout Idaho. The Festival’s it aloud. He named the mouse Stuart……. annual Shakespearience tour brings live theater to more - Some Writer! The Story of E. B. White by Melissa Sweet than 21,000 high-school students in more than 70 Idaho communities each year. Since it began touring in 1986, “I feel that a writer has an obligation to transmit, as best he can, his love of life, his appreciation for the world.” Shakespearience has enriched the lives of nearly 500,000 - E. B White students. “Oh, fish feathers! Size has nothing to do with it. It’s temperament and In 1999, the Festival assumed the operations of Idaho ability that count and knowing what’s important. How many of you know Theater for Youth. This alliance has more than doubled what’s important?” the Festival’s annual educational programming, resulting - Stuart Little And what is important? in the Festival becoming the largest provider of professional, performing arts outreach in the state of Idaho. In Stuart Little, the first of E. B. White’s three classic novels for chil- addition to the statewide Idaho Theater for Youth school dren (the others being Charlotte’s Web and The Trumpet of the tour, which brings professional productions to nearly Swan) is a classic coming of age story about a young boy who looks like and is the size of… a mouse. The story asks us to follow 30,000 students in grades K-6 across Idaho, the Festival along as Stuart begins his life and starts to determine for himself oversees year-round School of Theater programs. This se- the things and people that will matter to him. ries of classes in acting, playwriting and production, for students of all ages, enrolls over 300 Treasure Valley I was drawn to this piece for Idaho Theater for Youth because I think it is first and foremost a fun and funny tale of adventure. But students each year, and includes our one-of-a-kind Ap- underneath the simple story, we find, at its heart, that Stuart Little prentice Company. Look for upcoming student produc- is about embracing whatever might be different about you and tions throughout the summer, fall and spring. making that your strength.

For more information on any of the Festival’s educational Both the novel and the play we will present in your school ends on activities, please contact the Education Manager at the a question mark. What becomes of Stuart? Will he find his way in Festival offices or by email at the world? Will he return home? Will he ever see Margalo again?

[email protected]. E. B. White leads you to a place in Stuart Little where you have to decide for yourself what to make of your unique place in this world.

Enjoy the show!

-Tom Ford, Director 5

meet the artists! Stuart Little Cast

Davey Collins III as Stuart Little

Dakotah Brown Amanda Baschnagel as Margalo as Mr. Little, et al

Director: Tom Ford Assistant Director: Jennifer Caster Sound Design: Patrick Kiernan Set Design: Will Ledbetter Scenic Painter: Angi Grow Costume Design: Darrin Pufall Costume Build: Keri Fitch Luke Massengill Special thanks to: Caitlin Susen as Snowbell BSU Theater Department Costume Shop as Mrs. Little, et al

6 before the show Stuart Little Summary

Stuart Little, “the second son of Mr. and Mrs. Frederick C. Little of New York City,” is a mouse. His family is full-sized and human, but the differences between them don’t stop them from having a happy, and fairly normal, life. In fact, many of Stuart’s “differences” turn out to be uniquely helpful to his family and friends. It’s his special capabilities as a mouse that help him in his journey to save his best friend Margalo, a beautiful and wise bird. The adventure wouldn’t be complete without challenges, all of which challenge Stuart and help him grow. In this production, we don’t know what adventures yet lay ahead of him on his search for Margalo—it’s up to the viewer to imagine the ending for themselves!

About the Author: E.B. White About the Playwright: Joseph Robinette

E.B. White (1899-1985) was a New Joseph Robinette is a Tony Award nominee and Drama Desk Award York journalist, author, and poet. After nominee for the libretto of the acclaimed A Christmas Story, The Musi- many years working for The New cal. He is the author or co-author of 55 published plays and musicals. Yorker publishing his own column and His works have been produced at the Lunt-Fontanne Theatre, The various other works, White published Theater at Madison Square Garden and Lincoln Center for the Per- Stuart Little in 1945. “Many years forming Arts in New York City, the 5th Avenue Theatre in Seattle, the ago,” E.B. White would say, “I went to Goodman Theatre in Chicago, the BBC in Britain, in all 50 states and bed one night in a railway sleeping in 21 foreign countries. Robinette collaborated with E.B. White on the car, and during the night I dreamed authorized stage version of Charlotte's Web, and he wrote the musical about a tiny boy who acted rather like version with Charles Strouse a mouse. That's how the story of Stu- (Annie and Bye, Bye, Birdie). Other art Little got started.” dramatizations include The Lion, the Best known for his children’s litera- Witch and the Wardrobe, Anne of Green ture, White also penned Charlotte’s Gables and Debbie Macomber's A Gift to Web and The Trumpet of the Swan. Last and The Inn at Rose Harbor. He is Mr. White has won countless awards, the recipient of the American Alliance including the 1971 National Medal for Literature and the Laura for Theatre and Education's Distin- Ingalls Wilder Medal, which commended him for making “a sub- guished Play Award for Sarah, Plain stantial and lasting contribution to literature for children.” and Tall and the Children's Theatre Foundation of America medallion for “Real life is only one kind of life — there is his "body of dramatic works for family also the life of the imagination.” audiences in the United States and be- -E.B. White yond." Photo: Summerfield Studios. 7 before the show In Stuart Little, our main character, Stuart, embarks on an adventure to save his best friend, Margalo. Stuart lives in New York City and gets to explore many aspects of the fascinating city. Read on for more information on the city he lives in.

Stuart’s World

Stuart Little and his family reside in New York City! It’s a busy and bustling place with the largest population of any city in the United States. With over 8.5 million inhabitants living in a just over 305 square miles, it’s also the most densely populated major city. New York City is a hub for commerce, finance, media, art, entertainment, fashion, and education as it’s home to the things Our production’s setting features like New York Stock Exchange, Broadway Theater District, New York Fashion Week, several clothing and music from the outstanding schools, and the headquarters of the United Nations. 1940’s and ‘50’s—after the show, imagine what the play would look Founded by Dutch colonists in 1624, New York City has remained a historically significant place in America and around the world. From 1785-1790 (just after the end of the American Revolution) like in a different setting. What New York City served as the capital of the kind of places would Stuart visit if United States. The city is also famously known he lived in your world? What kind for it’s cultural diversity, with the Statue of of music might play? Might some Liberty serving as a symbol of social-inclusion of the vocabulary and phrases of and democracy. the characters change? Of course, Stuart’s adventures aren’t limited to the city limits of New York City. As many birds do during the year, Margalo flies north and Stuart follows her. The play doesn’t say exactly where in northern New York they’re heading, but Stewart is willing to go all the way to Timbuktu— or even Connecticut! - to find her.

explore further

Look up some of New York City’s most popular attractions! Central Park, the Statue of Liberty, the Brooklyn Bridge, Madison Square Garden… the options are endless! You can focus on one place, or multiple—be sure to share what you learned with classmates. For each place or site you research, think about what Stuart might have done there and how it could have added to his adventure!

Bonus lesson: Collaborate! Compile the information collected on each famous attraction, along with pictures, to create a tour guide as a class!

copy this page! vocabulary mourning: noun — the outward symbols of sorrow Create five sentences that use a and grief, such as black garments vocabulary word to help illustrate gait: noun — a manner of walking, stepping, or its meaning. running saunter: verb — to walk with a leisurely gait or stroll 1.______louse: noun — plural of lice, a small wingless insect, parasitic on humans ______detestable: adjective — deserving to be disliked intensely; abominable; hateful 2.______exquisite: adjective — of special beauty or charm, rare and appealing excellence ______protectorate: noun — the office or position of a protector, usually in relation of a strong state 3.______toward a weaker territory resemblance: noun — a degree of likeness, visual ______similarity to something else temperament: noun — the combination of mental, 4.______physical, and emotional traits of a person; natural predisposition ______clamor: noun, verb — a loud uproar or noise; to cry out loudly and make a lot of noise 5.______indulgence: noun — a catering to someone’s mood to make them happy ______disreputable: adjective — having a bad reputation or being dishonorable

9 Find the list of characters and vocabulary words in the word search! activity word search e o l u e s n s g c q o f r d w m g f f

b c m l w l c p l b l w o e i r r a o p copy this page! clamor dentist f d n l e h t a q a f w r t s m x i i e detestable f w i a o b m t g g b t e n r e a t z c disreputable c i j o l o w r i u z p s u e s h s b n exquisite foresail f g n w r b a o h l r v a a p q t t t e gait w e t g p m m q n o b e i s u u y v s g indulgence r t r a u t s e t s l y l c t a c u w l little louse r m o u s e o e s b g w h o a l o w l u Margalo l e p m o i c m a e i z s w b l w l h d mast mourning d j p x x t k t t t r t x k l q p b h n mouse m e b a o z s r t n e m a r e p m e t i protectorate t z n r i e x q u i s i t e i o t t t w repairman resemblance t b a t t r a t c e o v d n i o d n r a saunter t t u e i u m o z x f b n p p l x d h z schooner e i d m y s i a s d n e w a e s o w w n sloop Snowbell h o b b k h t w n z v q n h g p b v o a squall w b b i b q g e n n w t t f z e m h l c Stuart teacher g n i n r u o m v b s o r v r g f w x s temperament r e c d p a v t e a c h e r f z g j g z

10 activity copy this page! terms a’hoy!

Stuart visits Central Park where he gets to race Dr. Carey’s boat against the Lillian B. Womrath—and he wins! One of the reason’s Dr. Carey claims to not like the captain of the Womrath, Leroy, because he is lazy and doesn’t understand sailing (especially the special terms used for sailing). Do you know a squall from squib or a jib from a jibe? Learn about key sailing terms below, then draw your own sailboat on the right, labeling all the essential parts of your boat. Don’t forget to give your sailboat a name!

“Bon Voyage!” — a French phrase wishing someone a safe and pleasant trip bow — forward-most part of the ship deck — the surface covering the hull (body) of the boat dock — to tie the ship up at a dock, especially in order to un- load passengers or cargo foresail — the principal sail on a foremast, the large pole closest to the bow hull — the underbody of a boat jib — a foresail that fits inside the foretriangle and does not extend beyond the mast jibe — to turn the stern (backend) of a boat through the eye of the wind leech — the back edge of a sail; as in: If the leech is flopping tighten the leech line just until it stops luff — the forward edge of sail mast — large pole extending up from the dock, to which the sails are fastened mainsail — the main sail of a boat, often the largest sail and raised on the mainmast schooner — a sailing ship with two or more masts, typically with the foremast smaller than the mainmast sloop — a sailboat with only one mast squall — a sudden, violent gust of wind or a localized storm squib — a small racing boat with a strict design, having a length of 5.79m and a weight of 680 kg vessel — a ship or large boat yaw — twisting of a moving ship around a vertical axis 11 after the show copy this page! character’s character activity

To better understand the characters in a play, book, or movie, it’s helpful to examine their key character traits—what qualities make these characters the way they are? Match the characters from the play with character traits that best describe them and support their actions. A selection of qualities are provided below and you can always add your own!

Students can analyze one character or all of them, and should support their ideas with evidence from the play or observations they made about the character.

Character: Character: Characters:

Stuart Little Margalo

Snowbell Mr. Little

Mrs. Little George Little

Angi the Angora

Traits: Traits: Traits: thoughtful loyal

sneaky determined cunning creative

generous adventurous

caring brave

thoughtful selfish Example: Example:

confident dishonest

wise ______

______

12 activity copy this page! character comparison

Pick two characters from the play (they can be your favorite players or total opposites) and use the venn-diagram below to describe their different traits, morals, and actions to show how they are different, as well as how they are similar.

13 after the show activity copy this page! Identify which characters from the play said the lines below! character-y 1. “I lost the race. Rats! I mean—mice!”

This play introduced you to a variety of different 2. “Just because you can’t travel comfortably in a mouse characters of different shapes and sizes (and hole doesn’t mean that it isn’t a perfectly suitable species!). Create a character for yourself to play place for Stuart.” in Stuart Little. 3. “I like the nighttime more than the daytime . Maybe it’s What kind of character would you be? An animal because my eyes like the dark. Or maybe it’s or a human? Where might you run into Stuart? because so many worthwhile things are always going Would you be one of Snowbell’s friends? on in New York at night.” Draw your character or defining attributes— make it as unique as possible! 4. “Oftentimes people with decayed teeth have sound ideas...”

5. “Fear not, fair friend. I am thy guardian and thy

protectorate.”

6. “The way may be long, but even a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step.” 7. “I admit a cat has a duty toward his own people.”

8. “Paperclips. What an imaginative family. I do like it

here.”

Though Stuart’s size might have made some human-sized tasks more difficult, with his friends’ and families’ help he was able to participate in plenty of regular activities. Like the ice skates made from paperclips, think of something you would create for Stuart so he might participate in an activity you like! Draw it below!

Once everyone has created a character,

introduce yourselves as those personas!

Margalo 8. Cat; Angora the Angie 7. Stuart; 6.

Answers: 1. Leroy; 2. Mr. Little; 3. Snowbell; 4. Dr. Carey, the Dentist; 5. Stuart; Stuart; 5. Dentist; the Carey, Dr. 4. Snowbell; 3. Little; Mr. 2. Leroy; 1. Answers: 14 after the show activity chairman of the world copy this page! Have you ever thought about what the world would look like if you were in charge? Well now is your chance!

What rules or laws would be in place if you were Chairman of the World? Would that even be your title? Create at least 5 laws to abide by for when you are Chairman of the World and then divide into groups. Look at your laws compared with the laws of classmates. Do these laws go well together or do some need to be altered? Are there any punishments for breaking the law? Think about why your laws are important and how they help to create a better world.

______(your title)

1.______

2.______

3.______

4.______

5.______

discuss: What makes a good law? Are there any bad laws? Think about the what makes a law “good” or “bad,” and how they do or don’t help society. What different laws can you think of in your own life? Why are these important laws?

expanding the activity: As a class, create a set of laws for the classroom. Collaborate with each other to create fair laws that help everyone in the classroom. Remember, breaking the law usually has consequences. What consequences will there be for breaking a classroom law? 15 after the show knowing what matters activity copy this page! Just as Stuart asked his students, “How many of you know what’s important?” Everyone has different ideas of what is the most important based on their individual wants and needs. For some, the most important things may be music; for others, ice cream with chocolate sauce. Think about what makes something “important” - does it help someone live? Or just make them really happy? What is important to you?

In the space below, describe some of the things that are most important to you and why they are important.

______

16 discussion “...this is where the story ends, but it’s activities also where our imaginations begin.”

Encourage students to fill in the next chapter of Stuart Little’s adventure! In a collaborative effort or individual assignments, have your students supply the ending to Stuart’s adventure—or even just the next step in his journey!

Stuart Little is an adventure filled with themes of inclusion, courage, and acceptance which provide great methods of talking to students about larger concepts. Theater and the arts strives to generate critical thinking and discussion—we’ve included some jumping off points below that you can adapt to your class.

discuss prejudice: In the play, Stuart meets Dr. Paul Carey, a dentist and boat-building theme to follow enthusiast. Dr. Carey doesn’t like Leroy, the boy who captains a rival boat, the Lillian Friendship is a very important theme in Stuart Little. Discuss B. Womwrath. In a show of friendship with Dr. Carey, Stuart readily declares he hates the various examples of friendship we see in the play and how it the Lillian B. Womrath as well. affects each the characters differently.  Have you ever disliked something just because somebody else didn’t like it?  Stuart seems to easily make friends wherever he goes (with  Should people dislike someone or something just because their friend does? the exception of most cats). Why do you think Stuart can make friends so easy?  What examples do you see of characters disliking or distrusting each other in the play? What are their reasons for not liking each other? Are these valid reasons?  What clear friendships do we see throughout the play? How do you think these friendships developed? What do these characters have in common that helps their relationship? peer pressure: Do you think Snowbell would have given up on eating Stuart and Margalo if Angie didn’t pressure him into it? Or would he  Stuart’s best friend is Margalo and he’s also friends with have gone after them anyway? different humans. Why do you think it doesn’t matter that they’re different types of animals?  Have you ever been pressured into doing something your heart  Think about your friendships—Have you always been friends wasn’t into? How did this make you feel? with these people? Have you had to overcome differences to be or stay friends? theme to follow Though different from his family and friends, Stuart’s individuality is one of his greatest  Near the end of the play, Stuart asks the repairman to take strengths. Because of his unique size, he’s able to do a lot of things his full-sized family Snowbell back home to the Little Family. What do you think can’t, and as a mouse he grows much faster than normal. Stuart and Snowbell’s relationship is like? Would you consider them friends?  What are some things that make you different?  Is there anything you can do that your friends and family can’t?  What does it mean to be a true friend? Think about the ways your individuality and unique talents are your strengths.

17 after the show copy this page! Think like a critic!

This is your students’ opportunity to express their thoughts and opinions about the performance of Stuart Little that they just saw! Invite them to think about their experience and answer the following questions: 1. What is the name of your school? 2. Have you ever seen a play before? 3. Would you recommend this play to your friends? 4. Do you think it is important for people to see plays? Why or why not? 5. Was the story of Stuart Little clear to you? 6. Did you learn something from this play that you did not expect to learn? 7. What was your favorite part of the performance? What did you like about it? 8. Did you have a least favorite part of the performance? Why? 9. Were there any additional aspects of the show that stood out to you (i.e. music, costumes, jokes, etc.)? What did you like most about those aspects of the show? 10.Would you like for ITY to perform at your school again next year?

expanding the activity

Have your students pretend that Idaho Shakespeare Festival they are reviewers for a major Attn: Education Department newspaper. They can name the P.O. Box 9365 Boise, ID 83707 newspaper, format their article, add headlines and “photographs,” and display their publications around Mail your reviews to the the classroom! Education Department at the Idaho Shakespeare Festival!

after the show additional materials

Suggested reading for students who enjoyed Stuart Little

By E.B. White sources

About the Author: http://www.biography.com/people/eb-white-9529308#synopsis; https://www.scholastic.com/teachers/authors/e--b--white/ About the Playwright: http://www.dramaticpublishing.com/AuthorBio.php?titlelink=9793; http://www.schoolofsailing.net/terminology.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_York_City http://puzzlemaker.discoveryeducation.com/code/BuildWordSearch.asp www.dictionary.reference.com https://www.tastekid.com/like/book:Stuart-Little

Adventure and Friendship Fitting In, Being Different

(from left to right) Chrysanthemum by Kevin Henkes; Pippi Longstocking by Astrid Lindgren; James and the Giant Peach by Roald Dahl; The Borrowers by Mary Norton; The Indian in the Cupboard by Lynne Reid Banks

“Size has nothing to do with it. It’s temperament and ability that count.”

the end