THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS! Applause Series Curriculum Guide April 4-5, 2013 THE TRUE STORY OF THE 3 LITTLE PIGS GUIDE CONTENTS About Des Moines Performing Arts Page 3 Dear Teachers, Going to the Theater and Thank you for joining us for the Applause Series presentation of Theater Etiquette The True Story of the Three Little Pigs!. If you think you know Page 4 what really happened during the unfortunate run in between three little pigs and a menacing wolf, think again! This time, experience Civic Center Field Trip the story from the wolf’s perspective in this musical from Dallas Information for Teachers Children’s Theater based on Jon Scieszka’s humorous parody of Page 5 the well-known children’s tale. New songs, piggy puns, and a judge with a love of musical theater bring an extra dose of Vocabulary silliness to the stage. When all the witness statements are in, the Page 6 audience piglets become the jury and must determine the wolf’s fate! About the Performance Page 7 We thank you for sharing this special experience with your students and About Dallas Children’s Theater hope that this study guide helps you Page 8 connect the performance to your in-classroom curriculum in ways that About the Author, Jon Scieszka you find valuable. In the following Page 9 pages, you will find contextual information about the performance and About the People Behind the Musical related subjects, as well as a variety of Page 10 discussion questions and activities. Some pages are appropriate to The History of the Fairytale reproduce for your students; others Page 11 are designed more specifically with you, their teacher, in mind. As such, The People of the Court we hope that you are able to “pick and Page 12 choose” material and ideas from the study guide to meet your class’s unique needs. Pre-Show Exploration Pages 13-15 See you at the theater, Post-Show Discussion Des Moines Performing Arts Education Team Pages 15 Post-Show Assessment Pages 16-17 Support for Des Moines Performing Arts education programs and the Applause Series is provided by: Resources and Sources Alliant Energy, American Republic Insurance Company, Bradford and Sally Austin, Bank of America, Dean and Sandra Carlson, CenturyLink, EMC Insurance Page 18 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, U.S. Bank, Wells Fargo & Co., Willis Auto Campus, Windsor Charitable Foundation, West Bancorporation Foundation and more than 200 individual donors. This study guide was compiled and written by Michelle McDonald and Karoline Myers. Des Moines Performing Arts Page 2 of 18 The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! 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 Public education programs allow audience members and local artists to Stoner Theater, 200 seats make meaningful and personal connections to the art they experience on Temple Theater, 299 seats Des Moines Performing Arts’ stages. Guest lectures and Q&As with (located in the Temple for company members allow audiences to explore the inner workings of the the Performing Arts) performance. In addition, master classes, workshops, and summer camps taught by visiting performers give local actors, dancers, and musicians the No seat is more than 155 feet chance to increase their skills by working directly with those who know from center stage in the Civic what it takes to succeed on the professional stage. Center. Through its K-12 School Programs, Des Moines Performing Arts strives Nollen Plaza, situated just west to ensure that central Iowa students have affordable access to high quality of the Civic Center, is a park arts experiences as part of their education. More than 46,000 students and and amphitheater that is also educators attend curriculum-connected school matinee performances part of Des Moines Performing through the Applause Series annually. In addition, Des Moines Performing Arts. The space features the Arts sends teaching artists into the schools to provide hands-on workshops Crusoe Umbrella sculpture by and residencies in special opportunities that engage students directly in artist Claes 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 17th season of school performances. Des Moines Performing Arts Page 3 of 18 The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! Curriculum Guide GOING TO THE THEATER . YOUR ROLE AS AN THEATER ETIQUETTE AUDIENCE MEMBER Here is a checklist of general guidelines to follow Attending a live performance is a unique and exciting when you visit the theater: 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, musicians, and dancers may desire the other electronic devices before the performance audience to focus silently on the stage and applaud begins. only during natural breaks in the performance. Do not text during the performance. Audience members can often take cues from performers on how to respond to the performance Respect the theater. Remember to keep your feet appropriately. For example, performers will often off of the seats and avoid bouncing up and down. pause or bow for applause at a specific time. When the house lights dim, the performance is As you experience the performance, consider the about to begin. Please stop talking at this time. following questions: Talk before and after the performance only. Remember, the theater is designed to What kind of live performance is this (a play, a amplify sound. Other audience members and the dance, a concert, etc.)? performers on stage can hear your voice! What is the mood of the performance? Is the Use the restroom before the performance or wait subject matter serious or lighthearted? until the end. If you must leave the theater during the show, make sure the first set of doors closes What is the mood of the performers? Are they before you open the second — this will keep happy and smiling or somber and reserved? unwanted light from spilling into the theater. Are the performers encouraging the audience to Appropriate responses such as laughing and clap to the music or move to the beat? applauding are appreciated. Pay attention to the Are there natural breaks in the performance artists on stage — they will let you know what is where applause seems appropriate? appropriate. Open your eyes, ears, mind, and heart to the A SPECIAL EXPERIENCE entire experience. Enjoy yourself! Seeing a live performance is a very special experience. Although it is not required, many people enjoy dressing up when they attend the theater. GOING TO THE THEATER information is adapted from the Ordway Center for the Performing Arts study guide materials. Des Moines Performing Arts Page 4 of 18 The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs! Curriculum Guide CIVIC CENTER FIELD TRIP INFORMATION FOR TEACHERS Thank you for choosing the Applause Series with Des Moines Performing Arts. Below are tips for organizing a safe and successful field trip to the Civic Center. ORGANIZING YOUR FIELD TRIP ARRIVAL TO THE CIVIC CENTER Please include all students, teachers, and chaperones When arriving at the Civic Center, please have an in your ticket request. adult lead your group for identification and check-in After you submit your ticket request, you will receive a purposes. You may enter the building though the East confirmation e-mail within five business days. Your or West lobbies; a staff member may be stationed invoice will be attached to the confirmation e-mail. outside the building to direct you. Payment policies and options are located at the top of Theater staff will usher groups into the building as the invoice. Payment (or a purchase order) for your quickly as possible. Once inside, you will be directed to reservation is due four weeks prior to the date of the the check-in area. performance. Applause seating is not ticketed. Ushers will escort Des Moines Performing Arts reserves the right to groups to their seats; various seating factors including cancel unpaid reservations after the payment due date.