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Curriculum Guide April 12-13, 2018 Dear Teachers

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Curriculum Guide April 12-13, 2018 Dear Teachers Photo courtesy Photo courtesy of Fictionville Studio FEATHERS OF FIRE: A PERSIAN EPIC Applause Series Curriculum Guide April 12-13, 2018 Dear Teachers, Thank you for joining us for GUIDE CONTENTS the Applause Series presentation of Feathers of Fire: A Persian Epic. In About the Applause Series addition the setting out to Page 3 create arguably the most complex shadow play ever, Going to the Theater and Feathers of Fire creator Theater Etiquette Hamid Rahmanian was Page 4 inspired to bring new life to this classic Persian tale to Civic Center Field Trip broaden people’s horizons Information for Teachers and understanding of the rich Page 5 cultural history of his homeland, Iran. We hope About the Performance that this ancient adventure Image: Kingorama.com Page 6 tale, its incredible interplay of science and art, and its stirring musical score, fill your students with awe and appreciation for The Story and Characters history, literacy and the human creative spirit. Page 7 We hope that this study guide helps you connect the performance About the Artists to your classroom curriculum in ways that you find valuable. In Page 8 the following pages, you will find contextual information about the performance and Context: Shahnameh & Ferdowsi related subjects, as well as a wide variety of discussion questions Page 9 and activities. As such, we hope that you are able to “pick and choose” material and ideas from the study guide to meet your Pre-Show Exploration class’s unique needs. Pages 10 See you at the theater, Post-show Reflection and Extension Des Moines Performing Arts Education Team Pages 11-12 Resources and Sources Page 13 Support for Des Moines Performing Arts education programs and the Applause Series is provided by: American Enterprise Group, Arts Midwest, Bradford and Sally Austin, Bravo Greater Des Moines, Clive Community Foundation, The Coons Foundation, DuPont Pioneer, EMC Insurance Companies, Ernest & Florence Sargent Family Foundation, Gannett Foundation/The Des Moines Register, Hy-Vee, Inc., Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, John Deere, Judith A. Lindquist Scholarship Fund, Maytag Family Foundation, Richard and Deborah McConnell, Nationwide, Polk County, Prairie Meadows, Principal, U.S. Bank, Union Pacific Foundation, Wells Fargo & Co., West Bancorporation Foundation, Windsor Charitable Foundation, and more than 300 individual donors. This study guide was compiled and written by Sara Perez and edited by Karoline Myers. Adapted in part by curriculum materials by Brooklyn Academy of Music. Des Moines Performing Arts Page 2 of 13 Feathers of Fire Curriculum Guide ABOUT THE APPLAUSE SERIES TAKE THOUSANDS OF IOWA STUDENTS OUT OF ABOUT DES MOINES THEIR CLASSROOMS, PLACE THEM IN A THEATER, PERFORMING ARTS SPRINKLE THE STAGE WITH WORLD-CLASS PERFORMERS, AND WHAT DO YOU HAVE? A Des Moines Performing Arts is RECIPE FOR LEARNING THAT REACHES NEW central Iowa’s premier not-for-profit performing arts LEVELS OF POSSIBILITY—FOR STUDENTS AND organization. TEACHERS. More than 300,000 guests attend WE CALL IT THE APPLAUSE SERIES. performances and events in our four venues each year: Civic Center, 2744 seats BRINGING ARTS TICKET TO Stoner Theater, 200 seats EDUCATION TO LIFE IMAGINATION Temple Theater, 299 seats The Applause Series is a flagship The Applause Series annually Cowles Commons education program of Des Moines delivers 60 age-appropriate (outdoor plaza) Performing Arts. Since its launch performances for pre-school to in 1996, more than a half million high school students. The impact Guests experience a wide variety students and teachers have stretches far beyond the Des of art forms and cultural activities, attended school-time Moines metro, reaching schools in with presentations ranging from performances as part of the over 35 Iowa counties. The Broadway, comedy, professional series. You are joining us for the theater becomes the classroom. dance, to family programming. 22nd season of school One-hour matinees energize performances! students to imagine new ways of Des Moines Performing Arts creative expression, cultural education programs serve more MAKING A DIFFERENCE diversity and even career than 75,000 Iowans annually. Each year, more than 55,000 opportunities. students and teachers attend an Programs for schools, such as the Applause Series performance. BEYOND THE STAGE Applause Series and teacher The actual cost per person is $8, For many Applause Series professional development, help but thanks to the caring performances, we offer the enliven students’ learning. Public contributions of donors, schools opportunity for schools to go education programs such as pay just $1 per ticket. By deeper by exploring an art form or master classes, workshops, Q&A removing the financial barriers to theme that connects with what is sessions and summer camps participation, donors introduce a seen on stage. Invite a allow audience members and whole new generation to the professional teaching artist into aspiring artists to make power of arts in action. That the classroom or visit another meaningful and personal means stronger schools and cultural destination in Des Moines connections to the art they communities now and in the to help students make more experience on our stages. future. meaning of a piece of theater. Des Moines Performing Arts Page 3 of 13 Feathers of Fire Curriculum Guide GOING TO THE THEATER ATTENDING A LIVE PERFORMANCE IS A UNIQUE THEATER ETIQUETTE AND EXCITING OPPORTUNITY! UNLIKE THE CHECKLIST PASSIVE EXPERIENCE OF WATCHING A MOVIE, AUDIENCE MEMBERS PLAY AN IMPORTANT ROLE Do not bring food, drinks or IN EVERY LIVE PERFORMANCE. chewing gum into the theater. The use of cameras and REMEMBER…. WHAT ROLE WILL YOU PLAY? recording devices are not THE THEATER IS permitted. DESIGNED TO Turn off and put away cell MAGNIFY SOUND. phones and other electronics YOUR ROLE AS AN EVEN WHISPERS before the performance begins. AUDIENCE MEMBER CAN BE HEARD! Do not text during the performance. Artists on stage are very aware of the mood and level of engagement of the audience. As such, each Respect the theater. Keep your performance calls for a different response from audience feet off of the seats and avoid members. bouncing up and down. As you experience the performance, consider the following questions: When the house lights dim, the performance is about to begin. Please stop talking at this time. What kind of live performance is this (a musical, dance, or concert)? Talk only before and after the What is the mood of the performance? Is the subject matter serious performance. or lighthearted? Use the restroom before the What is the mood of the artists? Are they happy and smiling or performance or wait until the somber and reserved? end. Are the artists encouraging the audience to clap to the music, move to Remember that this is a special the beat, or participate in some other way? experience. The artists are Are there natural breaks in the performance where creating something just for you. applause seems appropriate? Appropriate responses such as laughing and applauding are appreciated. Pay attention to DID YOU KNOW? the artists — they will let you know what is appropriate. ALTHOUGH NOT REQUIRED, SOME PEOPLE ENJOY DRESSING UP WHEN Open your eyes, ears, mind, THEY ATTEND THE THEATER. and heart to the entire experience. Enjoy yourself! Des Moines Performing Arts Page 4 of 13 Feathers of Fire Curriculum Guide CIVIC CENTER FIELD TRIP INFORMATION WE WANT YOUR FIELD DIRECTIONS/PARKING ARRIVAL/SEATING TRIP TO BE SAFE AND SUCCESSFUL! The Des Moines Civic Center is An usher will greet you at the located at 221 Walnut Street, door and ask for your school Des Moines, Iowa. name. PLEASE READ BELOW FOR IMPORTANT TIPS Directions from I-235: take Exit Adults will be asked to show 8A (Downtown Exits) and the proper identification (such as AND DETAILS TO ramp toward 3rd St and 2nd Ave. rd school IDs or visitor badges as ENSURE A GREAT DAY. Turn onto 3 Street and head applicable) at the door. south. GET ORGANIZED Each group will be assigned a Police officers stationed at the specific location in the theater corner of 3rd & Locust Streets based on various factors. An Double-check that all students, will direct buses to reserved usher will escort you to your teachers, and chaperones were street parking near the Civic section. included in your ticket order. Center. Request an adjustment if your Your school may be seated in numbers have increased. We Buses are not allowed to drop multiple rows. Adults should want to make sure we have groups off in front of the position themselves throughout enough seats for you! theater. Contact us in advance the group. if there is a special Tickets are not issued. Bring a circumstance. Allow ushers to seat your copy of your invoice, which will entire group before serve as your group’s “ticket”. Buses remain parked for the rearranging student seats or duration of the show. Drivers taking groups to the restroom. Schedule arrival for 30 minutes must be available to move the prior to the start of the bus immediately following the This helps us seat efficiently performance. This allows time performance. and better start the show on to park, cross streets, find your time. seats, and go to the restroom. Personal vehicles are responsible for securing their IN THE THEATER Let drivers know that Applause own parking on a nearby street performances are approximately or in a downtown parking ramp. 60 minutes, unless otherwise Adults are asked to handle noted. any disruptive behavior in their group. If the behavior Remind chaperones that persists, an usher may QUESTIONS? request your group to exit the children under the age of three We are happy to help! are not permitted in the theater theater. for Applause Series events. Please contact us at: Please wait for your group to be [email protected] dismissed by DMPA staff prior 515.246.2355 to exiting the theater.
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