A Teacher’s Guide to “Happily Ever After . A Cinderella Tale” Introduction Dear Educator, As you make plans for your students to attend an upcoming presentation of the Arts for Youth program at the Lancaster Performing Arts Center, we invite you to prepare your students by using this guide to assure that from beginning to end; the experience is both memorable and educationally enriching. The material in this guide is for you the teacher, and will assist you in preparing your students before the day of the event, and extending the educational value to beyond the walls of the theatre. We provide activity and/or discussion ideas, and other resources that will help to prepare your students to better understand and enjoy what they are about to see, and to help them connect what they see on stage to their studies. We also encourage you to discuss important aspects of the artistic experience, including audience etiquette. We hope that your students find their imagination comes alive as lights shine, curtains open, and applause rings through Lancaster Performing Arts Center. As importantly, we hope that this Curriculum Guide helps you to bring the arts alive in your classroom! Thank you for helping us to make a difference in the lives of our Antelope Valley youth. Arts for Youth Program Lancaster Performing Arts Center, City of Lancaster What’s Inside: Introduction ............................................................................................................................................................................ 2 Overview of the California Content Standards for Public Schools ........................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Theatre Etiquette .................................................................................................................................................................... 3 Be a Theatre Critic ................................................................................................................................................................... 5 What’s Important to Know?..................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. What Happened to the Dinosaurs? ......................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Play Your Part .......................................................................................................................................................................... 8 Characters to Know .................................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined. Suggestions for Discussion ....................................................................................................... Error! Bookmark not defined. Arts for Youth is the title for K-12 educational programs at Lancaster Performing Arts Center 2 Happily Ever After Lancaster Performing Arts Center, City of Lancaster A Note from Pushcart Players Rooted in the belief that the arts are basic to many aspects of education, Pushcart Players is delighted to present “Happily Ever After,” based on the classic tale, “Cinderella.” Pushcart was drawn to this enduring story for many reasons. Its origins are informed by the universal longing to overcome adversity and it speaks to all of us who have a vision or a dream yet to be fulfilled. And, we never grow tired of its central themes of goodness, generosity and compassion. While it is filled with beauty, grandeur, magic and wonder, these components provide the backdrop for signifi- cant and timeless learning opportunities for today’s kids and adults. It is no wonder that this tale has been told and re- told around the globe over many centuries (its earliest known telling dates back to Ninth Century China.) More than a thousand years later this beloved story continues to tell us about ourselves, our yearnings for transformation and a happily ever after conclusion. And so we look forward to presenting “Happily Ever After—A Cinderella Tale” which will take young and family audiences on that sometimes happy, sometimes sad – but always compelling journey fueled by inner beauty, courage and kindness as they triumph over greed, arrogance and bully behavior. This study guide is designed to assist teachers, parents and group leaders in preparing students for the pre- sentation. It also offers suggestions for discussion, art and values tie-in activities following the program. It is our hope that the material suggested in this guide will be tailored to the age and interests of your students and presented in a nurturing and supportive classroom, recreation or home setting. Theatre Etiquette Arrive on time Plan for possible delays in travel and parking. Please arrive 30 minutes prior to show time. Students: Leave recording devices of any kind at home or in your backpack at school Video or audio recording and photography, including camera phones, are often prohibited by law and may disrupt the performance. They are not permitted and are considered very rude to the others around you. Teachers: Turn off or silence all personal electronics 3 Happily Ever After Lancaster Performing Arts Center, City of Lancaster Theatre Etiquette (Cont.) Beeps, clicks, tones and buzzes and light pollution emanated by personal electronics such as watches, pagers, Bluetooth devices, cell phones, etc. interrupt the performance and spoil the theatre experience. Observe the instructions of ushers The ushers are present to offer assistance, ensure rules are observed and provide guidance in the case of an emergency evacuation. Please show them consideration. You will be asked to exit to the left of the theatre at the end of the performance. Be respectful While entering and exiting the theatre: Put your hands in your pockets or behind your back. Talk very quietly. Once seated: Do not talk. Keep your feet on the ground. Put your hands in your lap or fold your arms. Abstain from eating or drinking inside the theatre Crackling wrappers and containers and food messes in the auditorium are unwelcome. Food, candy, gum and drinks should never be brought inside the theatre. Avoid talking, waving and shouting during the performance Laughing and applauding are encouraged at appropriate times. Shouting to actors/friends is disrespectful to others. Save personal conversation for after the show. If you must talk, please whisper very quietly. Do not exit the auditorium during the performance except in the case of emergency If you must leave, please wait for an appropriate break in the performance. Teachers, please arrive early enough to escort students to the restroom prior to the start of the show. Do not get onto the stage or place items on the edge of the stage To ensure the safety and security of performers and audiences, this behavior is strictly prohibited unless expressly permitted by a performer or staff member. Dispose of garbage in proper receptacles Help preserve a pleasant environment by depositing all debris in appropriate receptacles. Extend common courtesy and respect to your fellow audience members Civility creates a comfortable and welcoming theatre experience for all. Bring very small children only to age-appropriate performances Small children easily become restless at programs intended for older children, and may cause distractions. 4 Happily Ever After Lancaster Performing Arts Center, City of Lancaster Be a Theatre Critic During the performance watch for: • Facial expressions and actions • Costumes • Props • Music and sound effects • Vivid stories and word pictures Summary This production begins with a spoken Prologue set to music that provides an overview of the characters and events that come together to form the Cinderella tale. The story itself begins with Cinderella at a breaking point, suffering from the verbal abuse and demands of her stepmother and stepsisters. Exhausted and overwhelmed, we see her sobbing quietly. Her barnyard friends hear her and quickly come in to help her. The play moves forward in song and story following the classic sequence in the following scenes and musical num- bers: • Ella becomes Cinder-ella, working day and night to serve the needs of her stepfamily • Announcement of A Ball at the Palace for the Prince to find a Bride • The Step Sisters and Stepmother prepare and then leave for the Ball • A Godmother appears, Cinderella is magically transformed and goes to the Ball. • Cinderella dazzles everyone, especially the Prince, at the Ball • The clock strikes 12 and Cinderella runs home. All is as it was before. • The Prince finds a glass slipper and is determined to find the person who wore it. • The slipper is tried on many maidens, but it fits none, until Cinderella comes forward. 5 Happily Ever After Lancaster Performing Arts Center, City of Lancaster • Justice triumphs and dreams come true. Cinderella leaves for the Palace with the Prince. • Epilogue – also spoken to a musical underscore, this segment tells of what happened after Cinderella is escorted to the Palace to become the Bride of the Prince. • Finale - The Epilogue segues to a Finale that celebrates the story and the concept of reaching for a Happily Ever After conclusion. The Cinderella Story Read a simple, classic version of the Cinderella story to your class. Or present an old fashioned oral telling of the tale with group participation. At various intervals, ask “who knows what happened next?” Build the story through the additions supplied by