The Jefferson Performing Arts Society Presents 1118 Clearview Parkway Metairie, LA 70001 504-885-2000 www.jpas.org 1 | P a g e Table of Contents Teacher’s Notes………………………..…………..…………..……..3 Standards and Benchmarks…………………..……………….…..5 Background………………………………………..…….………………6 Alice’s Adventures, Comparing and Contrasting ………… 12 Art, Math and Set Design: Alice in Minecraft Land...................................................33 The Science of Color Meets the White Rabbit and the March Hare...................74 Additional Resources…………………………………..…..….….106 2 | P a g e Teacher’s Notes Music and Lyrics by Sammy Fain and Bob Hilliard, Oliver Wallace and Cy Coban, Allie Wrubel and Ray Gilbert, Mack David, Al Hoffman and Jerry Livingston Music Adapted and Arranged and Additional Music and Lyrics by Bryan Louiselle Book Adapted and Additional Lyrics by David Simpatico Based on the 1951 Disney film, Alice in Wonderland, and the Lewis Carroll novels, "The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass," Lewis Carroll's famous heroine comes to life in this delightful adaptation of the classic Disney film. Lewis Carroll was the nom de plume of Charles L. Dodgson. Born on January 27, 1832 in Daresbury, Cheshire, England, Charles Dodgson wrote and created games as a child. At age 20 he received a studentship at Christ Church and was appointed a lecturer in mathematics. Dodgson was shy but enjoyed creating stories for children. Within the academic discipline of mathematics, Dodgson worked primarily in the fields of geometry, linear and matrix algebra, mathematical logic, and recreational mathematics, producing nearly a dozen books under his real name. Dodgson also developed new ideas in linear algebra (e.g., the first printed proof of the Kronecker-Capelli theorem,) probability, and the study of elections (e.g., Dodgson's method); some of this work was not published until well after his death. His mathematical work attracted renewed interest in the late 20th century. Martin Gardner's book on logic machines and diagrams, and William Warren Bartley's posthumous publication of the second part of Carroll's symbolic logic book have sparked a reevaluation of Carroll's contributions to symbolic logic, RETRIEVED FROM: http://www.alice-in- wonderland.net/resources/analysis/story-origins/ 3 | P a g e MATRIX ALGEBRA http://www.sosmath.com/matrix/matrix0/matrix0.html ILLUSTRATIONS BY CHARLES DODGESON http://www.nls.uk/exhibitions/treasures/alice-in-wonderland/alice-by-dodgson https://blogs.commons.georgetown.edu/engl-355-fall2013/2013/09/23/alices- illustrations/ More information on Charles Dodgson can be found here: http://www.biography.com/people/lewis-carroll-9239598 As mathematics was a life-long passion of Charles Dodgson, several of the lessons in this companion explore mathematical concepts, including proportion, ratio, area and perimeter. Lessons begin in story with a comparison between the novel that began it all, "The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland," and this current adaptation, Disney’s Alice in Wonderland, Jr. This is followed by Art, Math and Set Design: Alice in Minecraft Land. In this lesson, students explore the art of John Tenniel, the original animators of Disney’s Studios (otherwise known as The Nine Old Men) and develop their own Minecraft illustrations while learning about area, perimeter and ratios. The following lesson, The Science of Color Meets the White Rabbit and the March Hare, looks at the possible inspiration for Lewis Carroll’s White Rabbit and March Hare, further explores Disney animator Ward Kimbell and introduces the work of modern-day English artist Helen Ahpornsiri. Students learn the scientific differences between rabbits and hares, the importance of complementray colors and how these colors influence human physiology and create their own complementary color illustrations comparing rabbits and hares. The rabbit-hole went straight on like a tunnel for some way, and then dipped suddenly down, so suddenly that Alice had not a moment to think about stopping herself before she found herself falling down a very deep well. Either the well was very deep, or she fell very slowly, for she had plenty of time as she went down to look about her and to wonder what was going to happen next… 4 | P a g e L o u i s i a n a Educational Content Standards and Benchmarks The arts facilitate interconnection. They provide tangible, concrete opportunities for students and teachers to explore academic concepts. The arts are even more critical now with the introduction of Louisiana Common Core. Common Core is replacing the system of Grade Level Expectations and Standards and Benchmarks previously used to measure student achievement. Here is some background information on Louisiana Common Core: COMMON CORE STATE STANDARDS Academic standards define the knowledge and skills that students are expected to learn in a subject in each grade. In 2010, Louisiana adopted Common Core State Standards in English language arts and math. The Common Core State Standards define what students need to learn in reading, writing and math in each grade to stay on track for college and careers. Please visit this site for more information: http://www.louisianabelieves.com/academics/louisiana-student-standards- review All Common Core connections were retrieved from: http://www.louisianabelieves.com/docs/default-source/academic- standards/la-student-standards---k-12-ela.pdf?sfvrsn=2 http://www.louisianabelieves.com/docs/default-source/academic- standards/la-student-standards---k-12-mathematics.pdf?sfvrsn=4 5 | P a g e BACKGROUND 6 | P a g e Disney's Alice in Wonderland JR. Travel down the rabbit hole and join Alice, one of literature’s most beloved heroines, in her madcap adventures. Featuring updated songs from Disney’s thrilling animated motion picture, Disney’s Alice in Wonderland JR. is a fast-paced take on the classic tale. The ever-curious Alice’s journey begins innocently enough as she chases the White Rabbit. Her adventures become increasingly more strange as she races the Dodo Bird, gets tied up with Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, raps with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game! Roles include three Cheshire Cats and dozens of other wonderfully wacky characters— a chorus of kids playing in the park, rock lobsters, talking fish, royal cardsmen, unbirthday partiers, as well as a group of mean-girl flowers. RETRIEVED FROM: http://www.mtishows.com/disneys-alice-in-wonderland-jr Story On a perfect summer day in the park, Alice sees a White Rabbit hurrying by. Curious to know where he is going, Alice follows him into the dark tunnel, thus beginning her adventure. After the Doorknob counsels Alice to drink from a bottle then eat a cookie, Alice shrinks, thus allowing her to fit through a keyhole, beginning her adventures with the Wonderland creatures. The White Rabbit leads Alice into twin jabbering clowns, Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dum, who teach her some manners. Then, she plays a wild game of musical chairs at the Mad Hatter's tea party. Following the advice of the Cheshire Cat, she ends up at the Mad Hatter's tea part along with the evil Queen of Hearts. Waking up, Alice realizes the entire story has been a dream! RETRIEVED FROM: http://www.guidetomusicaltheatre.com/shows_a/Alice-disney.html Character Breakdown Alice Alice, Small Alice and Tall Alice are differently sized versions of the same character. She is a spunky girl who enjoys adventures and is on a journey of self-discovery. Small Alice Alice, Small Alice and Tall Alice are differently sized versions of the same character. She is a spunky girl who enjoys adventures and is on a journey of self-discovery. Tall Alice 7 | P a g e Alice, Small Alice and Tall Alice are differently sized versions of the same character. She is a spunky girl who enjoys adventures and is on a journey of self-discovery. The Cheshire Cat The Cheshire Cat is played by three separate actors who play the head, the body, and the tail of the cat. The Cheshire Cat serves as the Narrator for the story. White Rabbit The White Rabbit is an energetic, worrisome character that hardly ever stops moving. Tweedle Dum Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee are a pair of goofballs similar to old comedy teams like Abbott & Costello or Laurel & Hardy. Tweedle Dee Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee are a pair of goofballs similar to old comedy teams like Abbott & Costello or Laurel & Hardy. Mathilda Mathilda is Alice's older sister and a non-singing role. The Flowers The Flowers (Rose, Petunia, Lily, Violet, Daisy) are the snooty, mean girls who think they are the most important people in the whole world. Caterpillar Caterpillar, part sensei, part diva, the Caterpillar is comprised of five actors who play the head, body and all those hands, which move in synchronized gestures to help emphasize a point. The Caterpillar is one cool character. He provides the heart for the story and really convinces Alice to be herself. Mad Hatter The Mad Hatter is the life of the tea party. March Hare The March Hare is the counterpart to the Mad Hatter and also enjoys a good party. A little less crazy than the Mad Hatter, the March Hare is a happy fun character who enjoys playing. Queen Of Hearts 8 | P a g e The Queen of Hearts is the big mean bully of the story. The Queen of Hearts has a commanding presence and is a little scary, but funny at the same time. King Of Hearts The King of Hearts is the often forgotten ruler of Wonderland. He has some very high-level vocabulary. Doorknob The Doorknob is a wonderful character based somewhat on Jimmy Durante. Dodo Bird The Dodo Bird is the Captain of the Queen's Navy.