a projectofEmpowerAfricanChildren Applause Series SPIRIT OFUGANDA February 7&10,2014 Curriculum Guide
SPIRIT OF GUIDE CONTENTS
UGANDA About Des Moines Performing Arts Page 3
Dear Teachers, Going to the Theater and Theater Etiquette
Page 4 Thank you for joining us for the
Applause Series presentation of Civic Center Field Trip Spirit of Uganda, a project of Information for Teachers Empower African Children. Spirit Page 5 of Uganda is a professional training and touring program that About the Performance tours to major performing arts Pages 6-8 centers and universities in North
America every other year. We are About Empower African Children thrilled your students will and Spirit of Uganda experience this dynamic group Page 9 share vibrant music and dance forms representing their East African cultures. Glossary:
Rhythm and Instrumentation We thank you for sharing this special experience with your Page 10 students and hope that this study guide helps you connect the performance to your in-classroom curriculum in ways that you Glossary: find valuable. In the following pages, you will find contextual Costumes and Implements information about the performance and related subjects, as Page 11 well as a variety of discussion questions and activities. Some pages are appropriate to reproduce for your students; others Uganda Today are designed more specifically with you, their teacher, in mind. Pages 12-13 As such, we hope that you are able to “pick and choose” material and ideas from the study guide to meet your class’s Meet the Artists unique needs. Pages 14-17
See you at the theater, Pre-show Exploration Activities
Pages 18-20 Des Moines Performing Arts Education Team
Post-Show Assessment and Discussion Page 21
Resources and Sources
Support for Des Moines Performing Arts education programs and the Page 22 Applause Series is provided by:
Alliant Energy, American Republic Insurance Company, Bradford and Sally Austin, Bravo Greater Des Moines, Bank of America, EMC Insurance Companies, Greater Des Moines Community Foundation, Hy-Vee, John Deere Des Moines Operations, Iowa Department of Cultural Affairs, Richard and Deborah McConnell, Pioneer Hi-Bred - a DuPont business, Polk County, Prairie Meadows, Sargent Family Foundation, Target, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo & Co., Willis Auto Campus, Windsor Charitable Foundation and more than 200 individual donors.
This study guide was written by Karoline Myers; edited by Michelle McDonald. Adapted in part from Spirit of Uganda 2014 Program Notes.
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 2 of 22 Spirit of Uganda Curriculum Guide ABOUT DES MOINES PERFORMING ARTS
Des Moines Performing Arts is a private, nonprofit organization and is an DID YOU KNOW? important part of central Iowa’s cultural community. It is recognized nationally for excellence as a performing arts center and is committed to More than 350,000 people visit engaging the Midwest in world-class entertainment, education, and cultural Des Moines Performing Arts activities. venues each year.
Des Moines Performing Arts presents professional touring productions, Des Moines Performing Arts including theater direct from Broadway, world-renowned dance companies, opened in 1979. family programming, comedy, and concerts. Des Moines Performing Arts Education and Community Engagement programs are core to Des Moines has three theater spaces: Performing Arts' mission as a nonprofit performing arts center. Civic Center, 2744 seats Stoner Theater, 200 seats Public education programs allow audience members and local artists to Temple Theater, 299 seats make meaningful and personal connections to the art they experience on (located in the Temple for our stages. Guest lectures and Q&As with company members allow the Performing Arts) audiences to explore the inner workings of the performance. In addition, master classes, workshops, and summer camps taught by visiting No seat is more than 155 feet performers give local actors, dancers, and musicians the chance to from center stage in the Civic increase their skills by working directly with those who know what it takes Center. to succeed on the professional stage. Cowles Commons, situated Through its K-12 School Programs, Des Moines Performing Arts strives just west of the Civic Center, is to ensure that central Iowa students have affordable access to high quality a community gathering space arts experiences as part of their education. More than 50,000 students and that is also part of Des Moines educators attend curriculum-connected school matinee performances Performing Arts. The space through the Applause Series annually. In addition, Des Moines Performing features the Crusoe Umbrella Arts sends teaching artists into the schools to provide hands-on workshops sculpture by artist Claes and residencies in special opportunities that engage students directly in Oldenburg. the creative process. And, through its partnership with the John F. Kennedy Center, Des Moines Performing Arts provides teachers with As a nonprofit organization, in-depth professional development training on how to use the arts in their Des Moines Performing Arts classrooms to better impact student learning. depends on donor funding to support facilities, programming, and education programs.
The Applause Series started in 1996. You are joining us for our 18th season of school performances.
Des Moines Performing Arts Page 3 of 22 Spirit of Uganda Curriculum Guide GOING TO THE THEATER . . .
YOUR ROLE AS AN THEATER ETIQUETTE AUDIENCE MEMBER Here is a checklist of general guidelines to follow
when you visit the Civic Center: Attending a live performance is a unique and exciting opportunity. Unlike the passive experience of watching a movie, audience members play an Leave all food, drinks, and chewing gum at school important role in every live performance. As they act, or on the bus. sing, dance, or play instruments, the performers on Cameras, recording devices, and personal stage are very aware of the audience’s mood and listening devices are not permitted in the theater. level of engagement. Each performance calls for a different response from audience members. Lively Turn off and put away all cell phones, pagers, and bands may wish for the audience to clap along while other electronic devices before the performance dancers may desire the audience to focus silently on begins. the stage and applaud only during natural breaks in Do not text during the performance. the performance. Audience members can often take cues from performers on how to respond to the Respect the theater. Remember to keep your feet performance appropriately. For example, performers off of the seats and avoid bouncing up and down. will often pause or bow for applause at a specific When the house lights dim, the performance is time. As you experience the performance, consider about to begin. Please stop talking at this time. the following questions: Talk before and after the performance What kind of live performance is this (a play, a only. Remember, the theater is designed to dance, a concert, etc.)? amplify sound. Other audience members and the performers on stage can hear your voice! What is the mood of the performance? Is the subject matter serious or lighthearted? Use the restroom before the performance or wait until the end. If you must leave the theater during What is the mood of the performers? Are they the show, make sure the first set of doors closes happy and smiling or somber and reserved? before you open the second — this will keep Are the performers encouraging the audience to unwanted light from spilling into the theater. clap to the music or move to the beat? Appropriate responses such as laughing and Are there natural breaks in the performance applauding are appreciated. Pay attention to the where applause seems appropriate? artists