Educator s Study Guide Hairspray March 14 April 8 HAMILTON FAMILY THEATRE CAMBRIDGE (Formerly Dunfield Theatre Cambridge) Book by Mark O Donnell & Thomas Meehan Music by Marc Shaiman Lyrics by Scott Wittman & Marc Shaiman Based on the New Line Cinema film written and directed by John Waters Directed & Choreographed by David Connolly Music Direction by Steve Lavoie
Table of Contents About... 3 Synopsis... 3 The Characters... 3 About Drayton Entertainment... 3 Language Arts... 4 Questions, Thoughts, Reflections... 4 Creative Writing... 4 Theatre Vocabulary... 5 Social Studies... 6 Word Search... 8 2
About About Drayton Entertainment An award-winning, not-for-profit charitable organization, Drayton Entertainment produces the finest in live theatre at seven venues in southwestern Ontario. Each theatre maintains its distinct identity, but at the same time, combines the strengths and energy of all to provide an entertainment experience that is unparalleled. The stage for success was first set in 1991, with the launch of the Drayton Festival Theatre. Under the leadership of founding and current Artistic Director, Alex Mustakas, the theatre was an immediate success. Since then, Drayton Entertainment has added the St. Jacobs Schoolhouse Theatre, King s Wharf Theatre (in Penetanguishene), Huron Country Playhouse (with two stages in Grand Bend), St. Jacobs Country Playhouse and the Dunfield Theatre Cambridge renamed the Hamilton Family Theatre Cambridge in 2018. Drayton Entertainment s distinctive business model provides protection from the inherent fragility of the theatre industry, while providing an outlet for growth and prosperity. This has positive implications for artists and audiences all of whom enjoy enhanced opportunities both on and off the stage. By successfully balancing the competing demands of quality productions, fiscal responsibility, and community integrity, Drayton Entertainment has emerged as a true innovator and leader for arts and culture in Canada. Synopsis Get ready for something big with Hairspray, the musical-comedy phenomenon that inspired a major motion picture and won eight Tony Awards, including Best Musical. It s 1962 the 50s are out and change is in the air. Baltimore s Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion to dance! She wins a coveted spot on the popular Corny Collins Show, and overnight is transformed from social outcast to irrepressible teen celebrity. But can a trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a television show all without denting her do? TRACY TURNBLAD: EDNA TURNBLAD: WILBUR TURNBLAD: AMBER VON TUSSLE: VELMA VON TUSSLE: LINK LARKIN: MOTORMOUTH MAYBELLE: SEAWEED J. STUBBS: LITTLE INEZ: PENNY PINGLETON: CORNY COLLINS: The Characters A big girl with big hair and a big heart who has dreams of being a star. Tracy s overprotective, plus-size mother (played by a male performer in drag). Tracy s goofy father who owns a joke shop and encourages Tracy to follow her heart. The reigning teen queen on The Corny Collins Show and Link s girlfriend. Amber s scheming mother and the producer of The Corny Collins Show. A teenage heartthrob on The Corny Collins show and Tracy s love interest. The owner of a record store and the host of Negro Day on The Corny Collins Show. A Negro Day dancer and Motormouth Maybelle s son. Penny s love interest. Seaweed s little sister who can t be on The Corny Collins Show because she is a person of colour. Tracy s slightly dorky but lovable best friend. The host of The Corny Collins Show. In favor of Tracy and integration. 3
Language Arts Questions, Thoughts and Reflections Questions for students before the performance: 1. Write about a time when you felt like you didn t fit in. How did it feel? 2. What are some ways you can help people feel welcome and accepted? 3. Have you ever seen a live stage performance before? How do you think this will be the same, and how will it be different? 4. A lot of people work behind the scenes on a musical to make everything come together. Can you guess all the components that go into a show? (Actors, Director, Musical Director/Band, Choreographer, Costumes, Lights, Sound, Stage Managers, Props, Sets, Ushers, Marketing, Box Office, and more). Questions for students after the performance: 1. What are the important themes in the show? 2. Write about (draw, for younger students) your favourite part of the musical. Why was it your favourite? 3. After watching the musical, what have you learned? 4. Write a review for the show. Tell us about what you enjoyed, what you disliked, and anything else you would like to mention. Creative Writing Activity Write your ideas for a new TV show, similar to The Corny Collins Show, that focuses on dancing. What would the set look like? What types of dances would be done, and to what songs? 4
Theatre Vocabulary Actor/Actress someone who performs on stage or screen. Blocking the actor s movements on the stage. Cast all of the actors in the entire show. Character a personality that an actor or script creates. Choreography the organized dance moves. Comedy a work of theatre that is funny. Costume the clothing or outfit worn on stage by performers. Critique opinions and comments that evaluate the actors or their performances. Cue a signal that indicates something else is about to happen. Dialogue the conversation between actors on stage. Director the person who oversees the entire staging of a production. Dress Rehearsal the final rehearsal before the performance with costumes and makeup. Ensemble the group of characters on stage (usually with multiple roles) that support the story. In musicals, this group typically does large song and dance numbers. Gesture an expressive movement of the body or limbs. Libretto the book or text of a musical or opera. Monologue a long speech by a single character. Motivation a character s reason for doing or saying something. Musical Theatre a type of play that contains music, singing and usually dancing. Playwright the person who writes a play or book of the musical (also called libretto). Props the items carried or used by actors. Stage the area where the characters perform - usually containing a set. 5
Activity for Junior Students: Social Studies Questions, Thoughts and Reflections In Hairspray, Tracy is treated unfairly because of what makes her different. Discuss these differences and the behaviours related to bullying with the class. How is Tracy bullied? Define some differences and why we should not judge others for them. Activity for Senior Students: In Hairspray, The Corny Collins Show segregates people based on skin colour, not allowing people of colour to appear on the same show as white people. We know this is wrong, discuss why. Research times in history when barriers such as these were broken down and discuss why these are important moments in History. Are there still barriers that exist today? What part can we play in breaking down those barriers? Questions to spark discussion: All Grades: What do you think a fair society would look like? Do you think it is possible for groups to treat each other with fairness? What is privilege? Do you feel as if you are part of a group that is mostly privileged, not privileged, or in a neutral position? Discuss bullying and respect with your class. Discuss how a person s actions can have adverse effects on another person. Some decisions are easy to make, others are more complicated. When it s a choice between right and wrong, you don t need to weigh the pros and cons. Choosing to do the right thing is an act of self-respect and responsible decision making. Here are some guidelines for deciding what s right: Could it hurt anyone including me? Is it fair? How would I feel if somebody did it to me? How will I feel about myself later if I do it? 6
Signs of the times A lot has changed in the past 50 years. Research some of the differences between the 60 s and now and share them in the chart below. STYLE: 60 s hairstyles and fashions: Today s hairstyles and fashions: MUSIC: 60 s hit tunes and dances: Today s hit tunes and dances: SOCIAL ISSUES: 60 s social issues: Today s social issues: 7
Hairspray Word search ACTIVIST BALTIMORE BEEHIVE BOOGIE DANCE DETENTION DIVERSITY EXPRESSION HAIRSPRAY INTEGRATION MUSICAL PROTEST RACISM SEGREGATION SIXTIES ULTRA CLUTCH 8