David Hohn Illustration 2018-2019 MAINSTAGE PRODUCTION ACTIVITY GUIDE
ABOUT THIS GUIDE Welcome to the Arkansas Arts Center Children s Theatre Activity Guide for Hansel and Gretel s Gingerbread Games. This activity guide is designed for you our audience! It includes exercises that are designed for both families and classrooms. On the following pages, you will find information about the production as well as engaging activities that reinforce themes of the play. Because we are committed to providing educational opportunities to our visitors, all activities align with current Arkansas Department of Education Curriculum Frameworks and Arkansas State Standards. In general, activities in this guide address standards for Kindergarten 5th Grade. The frameworks and standards are listed beneath the activity, but the following icons provide an immediate recognition of the curriculum connections: English Language Arts Foreign Languages Library Media Math Music Physical Education & Health Science Social Studies Theatre Visual Arts NOTE: Art is an ongoing process. Scripts are used as a road map, but the final destination may change based on a variety of factors. Because the activity guides are based on the scripts, please note that the content of the educational materials may vary from the final version of the play. Content is the intellectual property of the Arkansas Arts Center.
ABOUT THE PLAY Ya! Ya! Let s play. Get ready for a whole new look at Hansel and Gretel. This not-so-grim musical adds a fresh and playful twist to an old, old fairytale. Playfully adapted from the story by the Grimm brothers, this jaunty journey of songs and laughs follows our two child-heroes along bread crumb trails, through dark and spooky woods, and finally to a house that you can actually eat! How cool is that? The bad news: this delicious gingerbread cottage belongs to a wicked witch. Yikes! The good news: the wicked witch is none too smart and no match for the hungry heroes. Yay! But I ve said too much. Come see the play! ABOUT THE ORIGINAL STORY Hansel and Gretel is a German fairy tale recorded by Jacob and Wilhem Grimm. It was first published in their collection of fairy tales in 1812 along with other classics such as Rapunzel, Cinderella, and The Bremen Town Musicians. In the Grimm version of the story, Hansel and Gretel are the children of a poor woodcutter. They are taken into the forest by the woodcutter s wife and are left to fend for themselves. They are then kidnapped by a witch who lures the hungry children to her house constructed of cake and other sweets. The two children eventually escape by tricking the witch. Though the exact origins of the story are unknown, the Grimms first heard the tale from Wilhelm s friend (and future wife) Dortchen Wild. It is believed that the fairy tale may have originated in the medieval period during the great famine of 1315-1321 which caused desperate parents to abandon their young children. PLAY SYNOPSIS Brothers Wilhelm and Jacob prepare to tell the dark and scary tale of Hansel and Gretel when they are interrupted by a young girl in the audience. The girl reminds the brothers that this version of the tale includes Gingerbread Games and should therefore be fun! So let the games begin... Hansel and Gretel live at the edge of a dark wood. Their Mama and Papa love them dearly, but are exhausted by their funloving children s endless games. When the children are at last asleep, Mama admits that there is no food left in the cupboard except one loaf of dry bread. She urges Papa to go into the village, but he says that the children s games leave him no time to cut the wood he could trade for food. Mama suggests that she occupy the children with a game of hide and seek in the woods. Meanwhile, deep in the forest, a half-bird, half-witch named Hoopoe hunts for her next meal. Because she is three-quarters blind, she uses her Smell-a-Scope to detect Hansel and Gretel and plans to lure them to her house in the woods with her own set of games. The next day, Mama leads Hansel and Gretel into the woods. She gives them the last loaf of bread for their lunch, but they ruin their parents plan by leaving a trail of crumbs and quickly finding their way home. Realizing that they now have no food for supper, the children are eager to find a way to help. Just then, they encounter Hasbro the Game Meister who invites the children to join Hoopoe s Fun and Fabulous Gingerbread Scavenger Hunt Game. They must find three very special treasures from three very special far away places. If they collect all three items, they will win a grand prize: a visit to Hoopoe s Gingerbread House of Delightful Delights! Sure that this prize will greatly please their parents, the siblings set off on a great gaming adventure. After retrieving all of the items, they finally make their way to Hoopoe s house. They feast on her delicious gingerbread home, but are then taken prisoner. Hoopoe puts Hansel in a cage and orders Gretel to fatten him up by cooking delicious gruel. The brother and sister put their heads together to buy time and use the items from the scavenger hunt to outwit the witch. In the end, Hansel and Gretel win their biggest game yet and learn an important lesson about responsibility.
STATEMENT FROM THE AAC CHILDREN S THEATRE While close, faithful, by-the-letter stage adaptations of literature are an important component of our educational mission at the Children s Theatre, we also believe that fractured, mashed-up, fun-for-the-sake-of-fun approaches have a place too. This can be especially true with stories that are already very well known like Hansel and Gretel. That is why, when planning our 2018-2019 season, we became excited imagining a new musical version of Hansel and Gretel that featured a driving energy of fun and fabulous rather than the traditional dark and scary a play with a 21 st century sensibility that pulled the story out of its mythical shadows and into the glitzy realm of musical theatre. As playwright, I set out in search of an approach that would lend itself to these qualities and soon found it in one of the most iconic events in the story: Hansel and Gretel dropping pebbles and bread crumbs to find their way home. Picturing these trails of crumbs and stones winding their way through the adventure made me think about the paths and obstacles found in children s board games games like Candyland and Chutes and Ladders and (my childhood favorite) Mouse Trap. With this in mind, I began an adaptation of Hansel and Gretel that borrows from the format of a board game. It is a travel adventure that carries the kids through a number of encounters with outrageous and comically scary Halloween types with whom they must contend before finally reaching the ultimate game board goal: Hoopoe s Gingerbread House of Delightful Delights. Scenically and as part of the dramatic action, the play incorporates numerous gaming elements like rolling dice, spinning wheels of fortune, cards of chance, paths of incremental spaces complete with detours and pitfalls, and much more. Keith Smith, Playwright BEFORE THE PLAY PREPARE FOR YOUR ROLE Please turn off your cell phones so you can look at all the little things that make live theatre a great big experience. Also, bright screens in a dark theater can distract actors and other audience members. Save all food, gum, candy, and drinks for after the performance. They are not allowed in the theater and can be used as a reward for good behavior! Sit like a grown up in your seat. That way you won t miss a thing! Great theatre audiences listen, laugh when something is funny, and clap at just the right time. They never talk out loud during a performance unless the performers ask them to. Keep your cameras tucked away and turned off. Photography is not allowed. Camera flashes blind the actors and can cause them to step off the stage. When the play is over, enjoy talking with your friends and grownups about all the details. See who can remember the most about the play. What were your favorite parts? Which characters did you like the most? Parents: What a great time to have a conversation about the difference between theatre, movies, and TV!
READ THE ORIGINAL STORY In order to prepare for the play, read the original tale of Hansel and Gretel as recorded by the Grimm brothers. (Please note that the original story includes violent imagery that may not be suitable for all audiences.) After reading the story, consider these questions: What types of language were used? How did the style of writing contribute to the story? How were the characters described? What actions took place? What was the lesson of the story? CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS: Library Media Personal Growth: Read, Connect, Respond, Reflect; English Language Arts Reading, Literature: Key Ideas and Details, Integration of Knowledge and Ideas, Craft and Structure ABOUT ADAPTATIONS An adaptation is a change made to something so it can fit a new use or situation. This performance of Hansel and Gretel s Gingerbread Games is an adaptation of a story (which is meant to be read or heard) into a play (which is meant to be performed and viewed). Keith Smith is the playwright which means he transformed the ideas from the original story into a stage production which is now performed by the AAC Children s Theatre. Consider these questions for discussion before you attend the play: What kinds of things might a playwright have to consider when writing a script? How might the script for a live stage performance be different than a written story? Describe the characters in the story. What might the characters look like on stage? Draw a picture of your favorite character. What are some objects they might use to help tell the story? Draw a picture of one of the scenes in the original story and imagine how it might appear on stage. If you were to write an adaptation of this story into a play, what choices would you make? CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS: Library Media Personal Growth: Connect, Respond; Theatre Creating, Evaluating, Responding LEARN THE VOCABULARY Below is a list of words included in the play. Reviewing this list will help you gain new vocabulary and also help you better understand the performance. Try saying these words out loud so you will know them when you hear the actors say them. The emphasis should be placed on the part of the word in UPPERCASE letters. Once you know how to say the words, read the definition and try using the words in a sentence or conversation. Cupboard (KUB-urd) a closet with shelves for cups, dishes, or food Dreadful (DRED-fuhl) causing dread or awe; very disagreeable, unpleasant, or shocking Errands (ERR-undz) a short trip taken to do or get something; the object or purpose of such a trip Ferry (FAIR-ee) to carry by boat over a body of water; to carry from one place to another Gruel (GREW-uhl) a thin food made by boiling cereal (as oatmeal or cornbread) in water or milk Jaunty (JAWNT-ee) lively and cheerful in manner or appearance Manners (MAN-urz) polite behavior Misery (MIZ-ur-ee) a state of great suffering and want due to poverty or misfortune; a state of unhappiness Perish (PAIR-ish) to pass away completely; to become destroyed Wretched (RECH-ud) very miserable or unhappy CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS: English Language Arts Reading, Foundational Skills: Phonological Awareness, Phonics and Word Recognition; Language: Vocabulary Acquisition and Use
DURING THE PLAY It wouldn t be a play without you! Your part is to pretend that the play is real. Part of this includes accepting certain things: YOU HAVE AN IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY! 1. Actors tell the story with words (dialogue), actions (blocking), and songs. 2. Actors may sing songs that tell about the story or their feelings. 3. Actors may speak to the audience. 4. An actor may play several characters by changing their voice, costume, or posture. 5. Places are suggested by panels on the set and by props. HERE S HOW TO PLAY YOUR PART: A play is different than television or a movie. The actors are right in front of you and can see your reactions, feel your attention, and hear your laughter and applause. Watch and listen carefully to understand the story. The story is told by the actors and comes to life through your imagination! LET S REVIEW! Thank you for being a great part of our audience and enjoy the show! AFTER THE PLAY Do you remember what you learned about adaptations? Now that you have seen the play, discuss these questions. Share your answers with friends or family who also saw the play and compare your experiences. In what ways was the play different than the original story? Why do you think these changes were made? Describe changes made to the characters in the story. What kinds of things might the costume designers and actors need to consider when bringing a character from a story to life on stage? Describe the set. Did it match the picture you drew before the play? What kinds of things might the set designers need to consider when bringing the story from page to stage? Describe the music. In what ways did the music help tell the story on stage? CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS: Library Media Personal Growth: Connect, Respond; Theatre Responding; Connecting CRITICAL THINKING QUESTIONS Read the following questions and either write your answers or tell someone in complete sentences. Make sure to use correct grammar and spelling. Why did Mama take Hansel and Gretel into the woods? Can you name at least two other Grimm fairy tales referenced in this play? What were the three items Hansel and Gretel collected during their games? How did Hansel and Gretel escape? Why were the characters speaking German words and referencing German foods? CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS: English Language Arts Writing: Text Type and Purposes; Speaking & Listening: Comprehension and Collaboration, Presentation of Knowledge and Ideas; Language: Conventions of Standard English
WRITING EXERCISE Write a brief answer to the following questions. Make sure to write in complete sentences and use correct grammar, spelling, and organization. Has there ever been a time when you felt scared? If so, what was it that scared you? Why was it scary? Did you talk to anyone about your fear? What advice did they give you? Were you able to overcome your fear? If so, how? If not, what do you think you could have done? What advice would you give to someone who might have the same fear as you? CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS: English Language Arts Writing: Text Types and Purposes; Language: Conventions of Standard English DELICIOUS DESIGNS ACTIVITIES Can you imagine stumbling upon Hoopoe s house? What a feast for the eyes and taste buds it must have been! In this activity, design a house made of some of your favorite sweets. Shutters made of chocolate bars? Windows made from peppermints? A garden full of jelly bean flowers? You are only limited by your imagination so let your sweet tooth guide the way! CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS: Visual Arts Creating; Connecting
CRAZY FOR CANDY Hansel and Gretel definitely have a sweet tooth, but who doesn t love candy? In this two-part activity, you will first use your intellect to solve a puzzle. Then, you will conduct a survey to try to determine once and for all which type of sweet treat is the most popular among your family and/or classmates. Each piece of candy has a value as shown below. Work out the total of each horizontal and vertical line of candies. One row is done for you as an example. 1 2 3 4 5 9 = = = = = = = = Ask at least ten people what their favorite type of sweet treat is from the options below. For each answer, fill in the graph by extending the gray bar next to the person s choice: cotton candy, chocolate bar, cupcake, gingerbread cookie, or ice cream. This graph will make it easy to chart the responses and quickly determine which option has the most votes. Which sweet is best? Number of votes 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS: Mathematics: Counting and Cardinality; Operations and Algebraic Thinking; Measurement and Data
WITHIN THE WOODS The story of Hansel and Gretel takes place in a forest environment which means the fun-loving siblings have a daily view of all the animals, plants, and trees in the surrounding woods. In this activity, you will have a chance to spot some of the animals that naturally belong in a German forest as well as those animals that have been placed there by Hoopoe to trick Hansel and Gretel. Locate all of the animals listed below. Then, make a list of all the animals that belong in the forest and a list of those that do not. Find and circle the animals listed below: Chipmunk Deer Fox Lion Penguin Racoon Starfish Toucan Woodpecker Zebra BELONGS IN THIS FOREST: DOES NOT BELONG IN THIS FOREST: DID YOU KNOW? A forest ecosystem is a large area of land that is covered with trees and other woody plants. It is also filled with many living animals. A temperate (TIM-prut) forest is common in the U.S. and has four changing seasons: winter, spring, summer, and fall. As the seasons change throughout the year, so do the trees. A deciduous (dee -SIJ-uh-wus) tree looses its leaves in the fall, and then grows them back in the spring. CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS: Science Life Sciences: Interdependent Relationships in Ecosystems
IF YOU ENJOYED THIS, YOU SHOULD READ... The Truth About Hansel and Gretel by Karina Law, illustrated by Elke Counsell (Ages 4-9) In this reverse fairytale, an old lady tells her side of the Hansel and Gretel story. She isn t a witch after all, and the children are just plain rude or are they? A World of Food: Discover Magical Lands Made of Things You Can Eat! by Carl Warner (Ages 5-7) Carl Warner is a professional photographer known for his miniature landscapes made entirely of edible ingredients. A World of Food presents twelve of his amazing pictures, each one showing young readers what the world might look like if there were only a single color. Playful verse accompanies each image, guiding viewers through the pictures and inviting them to figure out the various foods used. Hansel & Gretel: A TOON Graphic by Neil Gaiman, illustrated by Lorenzo Mattotti (Ages 8-12) Best-selling author Neil Gaiman and fine artist Lorenzo Mattotti join forces to create a book that is at once as familiar as a dream and as evocative as a nightmare. Mattotti s sweeping ink illustrations capture the terror and longing found in the classic Grimm fairy tale. Beware the Gingerbread House by Emily Rodda (Ages 9-12) Sunny has always been terrified of the Gingerbread House, a peculiar pastry shop with a giant cage for trapping naughty children. Now she s been asked to lend the place a helping hand! The rest of the Help -for-hire crew quickly agrees with Sunny as soon as they discover a not-so-sweet surprise: somebody s putting dead things in the tasty treats. A Tale Dark and Grimm by Adam Gidwitz (Ages 10+) In this mischievous tale, Hansel and Gretel walk out of their own story and into eight other classic Grimm-inspired tales. As readers follow the siblings through a forest brimming with menacing foes, they learn the true story behind (and beyond) the bread crumbs, edible houses, and outwitted witches. Visit your local library for more suggestions! CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS: Library Media Personal Growth: Read
IT TAKES A TEAM TO CREATE MAGIC ON THE STAGE! Did you know that the play you saw was the result of many people working together? There are many roles in the theatre department and each of the people in charge of these tasks must do their very best as a team member in order to produce a great performance. Below is a list of some of these roles: The DIRECTOR is the person responsible for the overall artistic vision of a production. The SET DESIGNER is the person responsible for designing and overseeing the construction of the stage setting. The COSTUME DESIGNER is the person in charge of the clothing worn by the actors in a performance. The TECHNICAL DIRECTOR is the person in charge of the technical requirements of a production as well as the equipment. The STAGE MANAGER is the person responsible for overseeing all the backstage elements of a production (scheduling, rehearsals, etc.) The ACTOR is the one who performs a role or represents a character in a play. The CHOREOGRAPHER is the person who designs the dance steps to be used in a play. The MUSIC DIRECTOR is the person responsible for the musical content of a production. Want to learn how to be a part of the play? Ask us about theatre camps, classes, and audition opportunities! CONTACT US ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER CHILDREN S THEATRE P.O. BOX 2137 LITTLE ROCK, AR 72203 501-372-4000 Visit our website to enroll in children s camps and classes, learn about upcoming programs, read about the exhibitions and artworks in our galleries, view the entire 2018-2019 Children s Theatre season, and more! WWW.ARKANSASARTSCENTER.ORG PRESENTED BY: SPONSORS FALL SEASON SPONSOR: SHOW SPONSORS: Martha Logue Julie and Lynn Marshall MEDIA SPONSOR: Little Rock Family PAY WHAT YOU CAN SPONSOR: Arkansas Democrat-Gazette ADDITIONAL SUPPORT BY: Morris Foundation, Inc. Arkansas Arts Center Children s Theatre is supported in part by: the City of Little Rock; the Little Rock Convention and Visitors Bureau; the City of North Little Rock; The Shubert Foundation and the Arkansas Arts Council, an agency of the Department of Arkansas Heritage, and the National Endowment for the Arts.