lesson plans - musical theatre training & school … · lesson plans 13 interview a character...

3 Introduction 4 Professional Statements 7 Synopsis 9 History 10 Character description 11 Blog

LESSON PLANS

13 Interview a character 13 Make a Marionette 15 Research Whales/Maths activity 15 Habits of mind activity - Lying and responsibility 16 Cartoon Strip 16 Venn diagram 16 Script 17 Who said it? Quiz 17 Lie detectors 18 Theatre review 18 How does Pinocchio’s nose grow?

RESOURCES

19 1 - Estimation Table 20 2 - Cartoon Strip 21 3 - Venn Diagram 22 4 - Script 24 5 - Who said it? Quiz 25 6 - Who said it? Answers 26 7 - Theatre review 27 8 - Theatre review

My Son Pinocchio - Geppetto 's Musical Tale | E d u c a t i o n P a c k | PA G E 2

About

The National Youth Theatre Company Trust (NYTC) is a registered charity dedicated to the personal, social and creative development of young people through the dramatic arts. Since our foundation in 2005, we have engaged with over 2000 young New Zealanders through our programmes, and tens of thousands more as members of our school matinee audiences.

‘Disney’s “My Son Pinocchio”’ is the end result of NYTC’s OnStage programme. Our cast is comprised of 150 young performers aged between 7-21 - they have been working together through our workshop rehearsal programme for the last four months. The OnStage programme is part of our AllAccess initiative - a series of programmes aimed at providing highly accessible opportunities in the arts. There are no auditions to join the cast, and for many this is their first live performance experience. The growth displayed by these young people during the months of the programme is remarkable, and taking to

the stage with NYTC is something they’ll never forget.

NYTC is committed to developing strong, mutually positive relationships with the schools in our community. We do our best to provide performances and support materials that make the experience of live theatre both enjoyable and valuable for a school audience. We would love to talk to you to find out how we can support you and make your relationship with NYTC mutually beneficial. If you would like to speak with an NYTC representative, please don’t hesitate to contact us at the email address below.

From all of us at NYTC, we hope you and your students enjoy ‘Disney’s “My Son Pinocchio”’ and have fun working through the activities included in this resource pack. We look forward to seeing you at the theatre!

For more information, or to speak with an NYTC representative, please email us at: [email protected].



Pinocchio first came to life in a children’s novel by Carlo Collodi in 1883, and even way back then he was a carved wooden puppet made by a toymaker called Geppetto, who dreamed of being a real boy. I doubt Sr. Collodi had any idea that his little wooden character would still be entertaining audiences in 2012 with no sign of it stopping anytime soon.

Of course, Pinocchio became really famous when an animated film was made of his story in 1940 by the amazing Walt Disney. Disney went on to become the most well-known animated film maker of all time, but at that point he was only famous for Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs. The plot of the film is that a blue fairy brings Geppetto’s carved puppet to life as a real boy, and the Pinocchio has a series of scary adventures as he learns about being human. For a cartoon some of them are really scary!

Fast forward to 1957 and a television production of Pinocchio was made, this time with live actors. Geppetto was played by a really popular actor called Mickey Rooney, who made hundreds of movies. Then fast forward again and we land in 2006 when Stephen Schwarz (the composer of the Broadway hit – Wicked, amongst many other musicals) turned the Pinocchio story into a live stage musical – Disney’s My Son Pinocchio.

This time, we still watch as Pinocchio comes to life when the blue fairy waves her wand, but it is his father and maker, Geppetto, who has all the adventures as he comes to realise that being a Dad is not that straight forward, especially when you have a curious son who was only born yesterday!

In bringing the story to the stage it would be easy to copy the cartoon, but that’s not really what making a stage show is all about. We have tried to make a whole new world for the characters to live in that is colourful and surprising. The people are all a bit mad (as are the animals!) and the Geppetto’s adventures are more weird than scary.

Try to imagine what it would be like to have been a puppet all your life, and then suddenly your strings are cut and there is no one making decisions for you or looking after you any more. Now you’re imagining being PINOCCHIO.

Jonathan Alver

Artistic Director National Youth Theatre Company Trust

Jonathan Alver A R T I S T I C D I R E C T O R


Disney's "My Son Pinocchio" has some beautiful new music in it, composed by Stephen Schwartz, one of the most successful theatrical composers of recent times. Best known for the musicals "Pippin", "Godspell" and "Wicked" as well as for the movies "Enchanted", "Prince of Egypt", and "Pocahontas", he wrote a wonderful score for the Disney Movie "Geppetto & Son", which forms the basis of our show. The Disney team also worked in the

iconic songs from the original Disney Classic Movie, "When You Wish Upon A Star" and "I've Got No Strings".

The sound everyone associates with Disney is a large, lush orchestra, and very close beautiful harmonies. We were faced with the challenge of reproducing this sound with a very small band - space is at a premium! Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, and a lot of time spent programming, I hope you'll agree we managed to make a much larger sound than you would expect!

James Doy Musical Director National Youth Theatre Company Trust

James Doy m u s i c a l d i r e c t o r

My Son Pinocchio has been another wonderful experience. This being my third show as Choreographer for NYTC, I am slowly getting the hang of the ins and outs of working with such a large amount of children in dance.

The most rewarding part of this job is the confidence I see grow in students through our programmes, from a place where they are barely able to stand up and say their name when taking the

roll to being able to play a speaking character onstage.

I find each show comes with its own set of challenges, for me and for the cast. My aim for each show is to ensure that every cast member improves and learns new skills. This show is a huge combination of dance styles that vary from the likes of tap and ballet to contemporary and jazz. Our cast is always made up of dancers from all backgrounds, some with extensive dance training and others with none. As there is no audition to be a part of our cast, I consider everyone in the cast as dancers.

I am so proud of each and every one of our cast members for the time and effort they have put into this show over the past few months. From our youngest to our oldest cast member, I know they will all join together to bring this show to life as a team.

I hope that the audience who comes to watch this 'Onstage' Production gets as much enjoyment out of it as we have had putting it all together.

Claire MurphyChoreographer National Youth Theatre Company Trust

Claire Murphy C H O R E O G R A P H E R


“My Son Pinocchio” has been an amazing show to be a part of. It’s a story that is so familiar to us all; the puppet who is brought to life, to fill the hole in the heart of a lonely toymaker. This musical retelling of the tale highlights the individual story of the characters, especially Pinocchio and Geppetto. A boy who is lost and confused and only wants to be loved, a man who learns to be careful what you wish for!

At its heart this is a show about family, and this is what makes this show so relatable, both for audiences, and for the cast.

As Student Director I have been working closely with the cast on their connection with the stories of these characters and the idea of family throughout the show. I wanted the cast to understand why these characters were making these choices, rather than simply acting them out. While the big song and dance numbers are integral to the production, the story is what is at the heart of any show, and what will make this a special show for the cast.

NYTC is all about fun, performing, and self-expression, but it is also about growth. We knew the cast would have a richer experience if they understood the ideas central to “My Son Pinocchio.” Making mistakes is part of growing up, and learning from these mistakes is what shapes who we are as people.

Seamus FordStudent Director National Youth Theatre Company Trust

Seamus Ford S T U D E N T D i r E c T o r


Synopsisact oneThe syrupy-sweet and very self-satisfied Blue Fairy greets the audience (“When You Wish Upon a Star”), and explains that tonight we’ll celebrate the story of a “perfectly granted wish”—the transformation of the puppet Pinocchio into a real boy at the request of his creator, Geppetto. Geppetto arrives and asks the Fairy to take Pinocchio back, explaining that he’s defective. The Blue Fairy is outraged at this request and arranges to take a trip back in time to learn the truth.

The Blue Fairy transports herself back in time, arriving in Geppetto’s toyshop the morning before the wish was made. Geppetto encounters a stream of children eager for his toys (“Toys”). He envies the parents who have children, and is saddened at the fact that he is not a father. Once the children have gone, he puts the finishing touches on his puppet, Pinocchio, but before going to bed, Geppetto wishes for his empty heart to be filled (“Empty Heart”). The Blue Fairy appears and brings Pinocchio to life.

Geppetto insists that Pinocchio was not a success at all, and the Blue Fairy jumps ahead in time to learn more of the story (“Rise and Shine”). Geppetto teaches Pinocchio a song (“Geppetto and Son”) but a meeting with the Town Fathers does not go smoothly. The two again travel forward in time (“Rise and Shine #2”) to when Geppetto tried to teach Pinocchio about toy making (“Geppetto and Son - Part 2”). Pinocchio states that he doesn’t want to be a toy maker, but Geppetto dismisses this idea. Pinocchio then has an accident but lies about it, causing his nose to grow. Geppetto and the Fairy again travel forward in time (“Rise and Shine #3”) to Pinocchio’s first day of school, where Geppetto gives him careful instructions on his behavior (“Geppetto and Son - Part 3”), but a misunderstanding causes Pinocchio to get into a fight. Geppetto takes Pinocchio home from school and meets an out-of-work puppeteer named Stromboli. Stromboli is immediately interested in Pinocchio, but

Geppetto sends Pinocchio home and the Blue Fairy frightens Stromboli away with her wand. Pinocchio becomes distraught when he overhears Geppetto telling the Fairy that he doesn’t want Pinocchio. The Fairy informs Geppetto that the “problem” isn’t Pinocchio; it’s Geppetto himself. He angrily dismisses her, but she assures us that these things have a way of working themselves out (“When You Wish Upon a Star - Reprise”).

Pinocchio runs away from home but leaves a note stating he is going to sing and dance in Stromboli’s show. Geppetto convinces himself that Pinocchio will be happier with Stromboli, but decides that he will visit Pinocchio just once more to make sure Pinocchio is indeed happy with Stromboli. Pinocchio performs with Stromboli’s marionettes (“I’ve Got No Strings”). The performance is a success, but Stromboli is abusive toward Pinocchio. Geppetto arrives, looking for Pinocchio, but Stromboli denies that the boy is with him. Soon afterward, Pinocchio escapes. When Stromboli discovers this, he rages among his marionettes and vows to recover Pinocchio (“Bravo Stromboli”). Meanwhile, as Geppetto searches for Pinocchio, he meets up again with the Blue Fairy, who observes that Geppetto does seem to care for Pinocchio after all. Geppetto denies this, and the Fairy finally agrees to take Pinocchio back if Geppetto can find him. Geppetto demands that the Fairy use her magic to find Pinocchio, but she demurs, explaining that magic is not the answer to everything (“Just Because It’s Magic”).


act twoAfter intermission, the Blue Fairy expresses aloud her regret at having granted a wish to “a moron.” Geppetto overhears this and the two argue until they are interrupted by a pair of well-behaved children, with whom Geppetto is immediately impressed. The children introduce Geppetto and the Fairy to Maria and Bernardo, a couple who are waiting to see Professor Buonragazzo, a man who custom-builds “perfect children”. The Professor’s machine creates “Talia”, a custom-designed child for Maria and Bernardo (“Satisfaction Guaranteed”). The Professor then creates a series of possible Pinocchio replacements, but Geppetto is horrified, rejecting them and running away.

Geppetto and the Blue Fairy next encounter a series of talking animals, all of whom believe themselves to be something they are not, due to the misguided expectations of their parents. Geppetto reflects that parents should allow their children to grow up to be themselves. The Blue Fairy interjects to secretly inform us that she is responsible for the talking animals. A horse directs Geppetto to follow Pinocchio to Pleasure Island. After Geppetto leaves, Stromboli arrives and encounters the Blue Fairy, wishing he had Pinocchio back. The Blue Fairy notes that at least Stromboli wants Pinocchio, unlike Geppetto. She tells Stromboli to go home, and that she will bring Pinocchio to him. Stromboli is surprised and elated (“Bravo Stromboli - Reprise”).

A Ringleader and his Roustabouts introduce us to Pleasure Island (“Pleasure Island”), a place where delinquents run wild. Geppetto arrives, and Pinocchio emerges from the crowd and accuses Geppetto of not wanting him. He states

that Pleasure Island is his new home. At that moment, Pinocchio and the other delinquents turn into donkeys. The Ringleader orders them hauled away. Geppetto, in a rowboat, pursues a ship containing the transformed Pinocchio and the other donkeys leaving Pleasure Island. A whale swallows Geppetto and his rowboat whole.

Pinocchio is restored to his normal self, and he and Geppetto find each other inside the whale. Geppetto promises Pinocchio that their relationship will be different from now on (“Geppetto and Son - Whale Reprise”). They escape and return to the toyshop, only to find Stromboli and the Blue Fairy waiting for them. Geppetto offers Stromboli anything in exchange for letting him keep Pinocchio (“Since I Gave My Heart Away”). Stromboli refuses to cooperate, but the Fairy intercedes, transforming Pinocchio into a real boy, and therefore rendering him worthless to Stromboli.

The Blue Fairy, satisfied that Geppetto and Pinocchio are now a real father and a real son, notes that her perfect wish record is still intact.

Source: Wikipedia


Pinocchio is a fictional character and the main protagonist of the 1883 children’s novel The Adventures of Pinocchio, by Carlo Collodi, an Italian writer, and has since appeared in many adaptations of that story and others. Carved by a woodcarver named Geppetto in a small Italian village, he was created as a wooden puppet but dreamed of becoming a real boy. He has also been used as a character who is prone to telling lies and fabricating stories for various reasons.

Pinocchio is known for having a short nose that becomes longer when he is under stress (chapter 3), especially while lying. In the original story, his clothes are made of flowered paper, his shoes are made of wood and his hat is made of bread (page 16 of Collodi’s Le Avventure di Pinocchio). Pinocchio has appeared in many popular films and movies - most recently, Pinocchio appeared as a supporting character in Shrek, Shrek 2, Shrek the Third, and Shrek Forever After voiced by Cody Cameron, and in the TV show “Once Upon a Time” played by Eion Bailey.

The most famous version of Pinocchio is the Disney Classic Film. It is the 2nd animated feature in the Walt Disney Animated Classics series. It was made after the success of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and was released to theaters by RKO Radio Pictures on February 7, 1940. The film made several changes to the original story - producing the “Blue Fairy” in place of the “Blue-Haired Fairy” from the book, and naming the Cricket “Jiminy” - in the book, the Cricket is a ghost!

At the time of the film’s release, some critics accused the film of being too frightening to children as they had earlier with ‘Snow White.’ Even today some express disturbance over the implied violence of some scenes, and the scenes on Pleasure Island of young boys smoking cigars and drinking beer. Some scenes, like the donkey transformation sequence, are still thought to be frightening, but compared with Collodi’s original

novel, the tone of the film is much lighter

In 1994, Pinocchio was added to the United States National Film Registry as being deemed “culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.” Filmmaker Terry Gilliam selected it as one of the ten best animated films of all time in a 2001 article written for The Guardian and in 2005, Time.com named it one of the 100 best films of the last 80 years. Many film historians consider this to be the film that most closely approaches technical perfection of all the Disney animated features. Film critic Leonard Maltin stated that “with Pinocchio, Disney reached not only the height of his powers, but the apex of what many critics consider to be the realm of the animated cartoon.”

Disney’s My Son Pinocchio: Geppetto’s Musical Tale is a musical based on Disney’s 2000 made-for-television movie Geppetto, which was in turn based on a book by David Stern, and features music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Much like the movie, My Son Pinocchio is a re-telling of the children’s book The Adventures of Pinocchio, but the story is told from Geppetto’s perspective. As in the TV film, when Pinocchio runs away to become a star in a traveling show, Geppetto must negotiate through a maze of adventures and comic encounters to find him.

David Stern and Stephen Schwartz completed the made-for-TV film Disney’s Geppetto in 2000. Several years later, the idea for a child-appropriate stage musical adaptation came up. Schwartz said in production notes for Disney’s Geppetto & Son that he believes that the show “is entertaining while at the same time dealing with such important themes as individuality, self-esteem and the relation of parents and children. I have written several other shows and films that I believe have had a positive impact on young audiences, such as Disney’s Pocahontas, Godspell, Children of Eden, and the current Broadway show Wicked. I believe Disney’s Geppetto & Son is a strong addition to this group.”

History

My Son Pinocchio - Geppetto 's Musical Tale | E d u c a t i o n P a c k | PA G E 1 0

blue fairyThe Blue Fairy acts as the narrator of the show. Supremely confident, always certain she’s right, and has an amazing singing voice (and she knows it!) While she’s always quick to use magic to sort out a situation, she doesn’t like people taking it for granted!

GEPPETTOGeppetto is a lonely toymaker, who has always wanted a child of his own to take over his business. Convinced he’d be a much better parent than the ones who frequent his toy shop, he doesn’t realise how much he has to learn!

PINOCCHIOPinocchio begins life as a wooden puppet, and is brought to life by the Blue Fairy. Very new to the world, Pinocchio means to be a good boy, but often gets into trouble because he has no understanding of what is going on!

STROMBOLIStromboli runs a travelling puppet show – he’s never seen without his Marionettes. Stromboli has been running the show for so long that he really believes the Marionettes are talking to him – even though we can see his lips moving!

ROBIN, JACKIE, CHRIS & JULIAFour children who live in Geppetto’s town – very excited by his new range of toys, but perhaps not the best-behaved children around. Robin and Jackie are such hooligans they run away from home. Runaways always end up on Pleasure Island…

MRS. GIOVANNIMrs. Giovanni is the school teacher. She is not impressed by Pinocchio on his first day!

PROFESSOR BUONRAGAZZO & JUNIORProfessor Buonragazzo is the inventor of the new and improved, fantastical, scientifical, child-making machine – guaranteed to produce a perfect, well-behaved child every time. Junior was the first child out of the machine – Professor Buonragazzo’s ideal sidekick.

RINGLEADERThe Ringleader is the undisputed chief of Pleasure Island – full of runaways, delinquents and bullies. No parents allowed!

BERNARDO, MARIA & TALIABernardo & Maria are shopping for their perfect child – blonde, blue-eyed, and always well behaved. The Child Making Machine produces Talia for them – just what they wanted!

THE ANIMALSJust outside of Idyllia is a large area of farmland, where all sorts of crazy mixed up animals live. None of them seem to be sure what they really are!

Characters


Hi I'm Samyson, I am 15 years old and am an NYTC cast member. I love NYTC and have written about my experiences so you understand what NYTC is all about. Happy reading.

Learning a dance wasn’t easy at first. I have never had a dance lesson, and it took me several minutes just to learn one easy step, and quite often I had no idea what I was doing. After a few shows I started improving though, and now I can learn entire dances pretty quickly. I went from being someone

who had no coordination to one of the extension dance group it is due to NYTC.

Sometimes it is hard learning dances because there is a lot of technique involved. But the thing that is best about NYTC is that Claire will take the time to teach you how it is meant to be done, and will make sure you are doing everything correctly and safely.

The hardest dance I have ever learnt is ‘The Hoedown’ from ‘Joseph’, without a doubt. The dance was so fast but you had to have perfect precision with all of your moves, and there were stunts involved which was a really big step up from what I was used to. After we had learnt the dance, I got more confidence in myself as a dancer and I can honestly say that if it wasn’t for Claire I would not be where I am now with my dance.

Hi, my name is Cole Johnston and I am a cast member at the National Youth Theatre Company.

I started all the way back in 2007 for the Onstage Production of High School Musical. This was my first ever time doing anything to do with singing, acting and dancing on stage, I was very nervous as I was only 9 and I was amongst some amazingly talented people. I came to the very first rehearsal quite nervous and scared. I finished that four month training programme and absolutely loved it to bits! I couldn't believe that it was so fun

and enjoyable. I came back for the next production and the next one after that until now. I am currently doing the Musical, "My Son Pinocchio, Geppetto's Musical Tale". I am playing the lead role of Geppetto and I was also offered the position of Student Instructor for that particular programme. I encourage anyone who wants to be a performer, get experience or even just to have fun to come to NYTC. You won't regret it. I don’t see NYTC as a group of awesome people anymore. NYTC is now a family. Join us!

Blogs


Hi, I'm Lauryn. I have written about my experience at registration day and making friendships at NYTC.

Now, I can’t speak for the rest of the cast, but on registration day for Pinocchio, I woke up incredibly excited to start another new show. I didn’t do the first show this year, so it had been a while since I’d seen everyone, and I was so ready to see everyone again. When I got to the theatre, it was the best feeling. Everyone was exactly the same, it was brilliant.

We learnt part of two songs and people had the opportunity to sing on their own, but I think I was having a bit too much fun with my friends to go up there and sing by myself...We also met our directors and a few questions were answered for all the new people to the cast. I remember when I did my first show, I was so confused and everyone seemed to know exactly how things worked, but it definitely didn’t take me long to figure it out, thanks to the staff and also the cast members. The NYTC cast and staff really are a family, and we try to make things as easy as possible for the new cast members, and it really helps.

The friendships I’ve made at NYTC are some of my strongest. We come from all over Auckland so it’s a great way to meet a whole heap of new people who are all interested in the same things as you are. I definitely could not go up to my friends at school and talk to them about half of the things I talk to my NYTC friends about. The friends I’ve made at NYTC are some of the funniest, nicest and most amazing friends I’ve ever had, and to be able to work with them and actually be friends with them outside of rehearsals is the best thing about NYTC. I hope the friendships I’ve formed will continue throughout the rest of my life.

Blogs

To hear more about the cast members experiences at NYTC, log on to www.nytc.co.nz and go to the education section.


Lesson ideasEach of these activities link to the Key Competencies that underpin the New Zealand Curriculum.

Interview a Character FROMpinocchio 'hotseating'Key Competencies• Thinking• Using language, symbols and texts• Managing self• Relating to others

Materials• A video camera• Costume pieces (optional)

Split the class into pairs. One student will take on the role of the interviewer and the other will become a character from Pinocchio and be interviewed. Allow them time to brainstorm their chosen character and think about how they might feel during key points of the show. What are their likes/dislikes? What do they want or need? What do you want to know about your chosen character? As a pair, create the questions you will ask the character (this allows the person who will portray the character time to think about how they will answer). Once the questions are written, the students can create a script and film their interview with their chosen character. Play these back to the rest of the class and see how they react. Could anything the characters have said change the course of the show?

HOW TO MAKE A MARIONETTEhttp://familyfun.go.com/crafts/how-to-make-a-marionette-674861/

Total Time Needed: 2-3 HoursWith a little practice, you can make this goofy bird waddle, bob, and dance at your command.

Materials • Hot glue gun (for step 1 only)• 2 chopsticks• Pieces of yellow & green craft foam• 2 yellow wooden beads• Sharp pencil• 3-inch styrofoam ball• 2 1/2-inch styrofoam ball• 1 yard of 7/32-inch-wide cotton cord or clothesline• Tape• Tacky Glue• 1 yard marabou feather boa• Embroidery floss• Skewer• Feathers• 15 mm googly eyes

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Instructions

1. Hot-glue two chopsticks together in an X. For feet, cut two 1O-inch circles out of yellow craft foam, then cut a wedge from each. Hot-glue a bead to each circle. With a sharp pencil, poke a hole through the larger ball, then make one 3/4-inch-deep hole in each ball as shown.

2. For legs, cut a 20-inch piece of cord and wrap one end with tape. Thread it through the leg hole in the larger ball. Make sure the legs are even, then squeeze a bit of glue into the hole to secure the cord. For the neck, add glue to the remaining holes in the two balls and insert the ends of a 7-inch piece of cord. Allow the glue to dry.

3. Working on one half of the larger ball at a time, cover it with glue, then coil the boa around it. Trim any excess, then lightly press the boa to the body so it adheres well.

4. Cut two 3/4-inch circles of blue craft foam. Glue googly eyes to them, then glue the circles to the head. Use the side of a skewer to press a groove into the front of the head as shown. Cut two yellow craft-foam triangles and glue them in the groove. Squeeze glue inside the yellow beads and insert the leg cords into them. Dot the ends of several feathers with glue and insert them into the head and body as shown.

5. Cut four 2-foot lengths of embroidery floss. Double-knot a strand to each knee. Tie triple knots in the ends of the other two strands. With a skewer, poke a small hole in the top of the head and the top of the body. Dot the holes with glue, then use the skewer to poke the knots into them. Tie the head and body strings to the ends of one chopstick, then tie the leg strings to the ends of the other chopstick. Wrap the strings around the sticks to adjust their length. When everything is just right, add glue to secure the wrapped strings.


Research whales/maths activityKey Competencies• Thinking• Using language, symbols and texts• Managing self• Relating to others

Materials• Measuring tapes/Measuring wheel• Chalk• Pencils• Whale pictures/comparison pictures for ordering (a man, a bus etc)• Keynote PowerPoint (In the Education section of the NYTC website)• Estimation table (see Resources section)

Teacher shows class Keynote/PowerPoint/pictures of 3 different whales asks questions like “How big is a whale? Could it be as long a car, this classroom?” Then show pictures of whales and compare their lengths with other things eg: a man, a building, and a bus. Get students to order these things from smallest to biggest.

Take children outside and show them chalk marks on the concrete that indicate the length of a blue whale, a humpback whale and a pilot whale. How long do you think these whales are in metres? Record your estimation on your findings table. Now measure the chalk lines and see how close you were. Record the actual measurement on your findings chart.

Extension:

Ask children to choose one of the whales and identify several large spaces (eg: the classroom, hall or school field) that they think would be about the same length as their chosen whale. Allow them time to measure those spaces and see if their estimations were correct. Record on estimation table.

HABITS OF THE MIND ACTIVITY -LYING AND RESPONSIBILITYKey Competencies• Thinking• Using language, symbols and texts• Managing self• Relating to others• Participating and contributing

Ask the class “What is a lie? Why do people lie? How can you tell if someone is lying or telling the truth?”

Give students 2 pieces of paper and instruct them to write something true about themselves on one piece, and on the other piece, to write a lie about themselves. Choose a handful of students to share and get the class to judge; are they lying or telling the truth? How do you know? This is a good time to alert the students to the body language of the person they are observing. What do they do differently when they lie?

Ask the class, “Have you ever been caught caught in a lie? What were the consequences?” Discuss how you could resolve this situation and take responsibility for your choices. Split students into groups and offer them a scenario where one is caught in a lie and how they could take responsibility and fix it. Groups present to class.

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Habits of mind covered:

Persisting, managing impulsivity, Listening to others, Thinking flexibly, Metacognition, Questioning and posing problems, Applying past knowledge to new situations, Thinking and communicating with clarity and precision, Creating, Imagining and innovating.

CREATE A CARTOON STRIPKey Competencies• Thinking• Using language, symbols and texts• Managing self

Materials

• Cartoon strip template (see Resources section)

After reading the story/attending the show, retell the story of Pinocchio. Each student can create a cartoon strip retelling the main events by drawing each major event in a box. They can then add speech bubbles. These cartoon strips can be used as scripts for a puppet show or short play or simply be read aloud to a small group. Alternately you could give each student one scene to draw and narrate and connect the pictures together to make a group/class cartoon strip or book.

Create a Venn diagram showing differences/similarities between the classic fairytale of Pinocchio and the show 'My Son Pinocchio'

Key Competencies

• Thinking• Using language, symbols and texts• Managing self

Materials

Venn diagram template (see Resources section)

In this activity, students think about the similarities and differences between the story they have read at school and the story told in the show of ‘ My Son Pinocchio’. What was different about the characters? The setting? The plot? The ending? Discuss these points with your students and have them fill out the Venn diagram accordingly.

Read the scriptKey Competencies

• Thinking• Using language, symbols and texts• Managing self• Relating to others• Participating and contributing

Materials

Script page (see Resource section)

Students can use this page of dialogue to read aloud in a group, discuss the characters in ‘My Son Pinocchio’ or re enact part of the show for an audience. They could also write a new section for the musical to follow the dialogue given and change Pinocchio’s fate.


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who said it?Key Competencies

• Thinking• Using language, symbols and texts• Managing self

Materials

‘Who said it?’ Questions and Answers (see Resource section)

After seeing the show, can your students identify which characters the dialogue belongs to? Encourage them to use what they know about each different character to justify their choice. This would make a great display of each character on the wall, with their dialogue surrounding them.

Stars: Learn the science behindwhy stars twinkleKey Competencies

• Thinking• Using language, symbols and texts• Managing self• Relating to others• Participating and contributing

Materials• Tin foil• Medium-sized box• Glass bowl• Torch• Scissors

Discuss with class what a star is to test their prior knowledge, record students ideas on the board. Lead discussion into how/why stars twinkle. Conduct the following experiment.

Students from year 1-4 can complete this with the guidance of the teacher as a whole class activity. Students from Year 4 and up can be provided with the materials and complete the task in small groups.

Method

1. Fill up two thirds of the glass bowl with water and set it aside. 2. Cut a piece of cardboard from the box. Make sure it is big enough to fit underneath the

bowl. 3. Cut small pieces of aluminum foil and shape them into little stars. 4. Place the stars on top of the cardboard. 5. Place the glass bowl on top of the cardboard and turn off the lights. 6. Shine the flashlight on the bowl. 7. Tap the bowl and see what happens to the stars when the water moves.

Discuss and note down findings.

Explanation:

When you shine light on aluminum while water is moving, the light travels through the air and makes the aluminum stars twinkle. Similarly, when the starlight moves through the Earth’s atmosphere at night, the air it passes through makes it appear to twinkle.


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review 'my son pinocchio'Key Competencies

• Thinking• Using language, symbols and texts• Managing self• Participating and contributing

Materials

• An internet capable computer• Review template (see Resource section)

Once students have seen the NYTC version of ‘My Son Pinocchio’, they can look online for reviews of other performances around the world. Ask them to highlight anything the reviewers have written that they think applies to the NYTC production of the show. Try www.twincities.com, or www.whatsonstage.com for reviews. Students can then write their own review of the musical using the template provided (or unguided depending on age/ability level).

How does pinocchio's nose grow?Key Competencies

• Thinking• Using language, symbols and texts• Managing self• Relating to others

Ask your students how they think NYTC made Pinocchio’s nose grow. In pairs/groups have them design their own system to make Pinocchio’s nose grow. Remember there is the scene where it only grows a little bit, and then the scene where it grows A LOT and tickles the whales tonsils. Once they have designed their ‘growing nose’ watch the video in the education section of the NYTC website that shows exactly how they make Pinocchio’s nose grow. How different/similar was it to your own design?


Estimation Table

IntroductionBlue Whale

Estimation Actual Measurement

Humpback Whale

Pilot Whale

Choose one whale and estimate spaces around the school where you think it will fit. Measure these spaces with the measuring tapes/measuring

wheel. Will your whale fit in this space?

Space (Hall, court etc) Did your whale fit? Y/N

Actual length of the space

the length of a whale


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BLUE FAIRY

(To the audience:)

I’ve been thinking...

While you were out there having a snack, dishing the show, whatever it is that you people do, I was busy asking myself, “What is the moral of this story?”

(Geppetto begins to cross behind her, rucksack on his back, walking stick in hand, setting out on his journey to find Pinocchio.

When he hears the Blue Fairy speaking, he stops to listen.)

And I realized that beneath all of this granting of wishes and making of full hearts lies a simple truth. A universal lesson for the ages. And that lesson is “Never grant a wish to a moron”.

(She takes a moment to let her brilliance sink in with the audience. As she does, Geppetto walks downstage and squares off against her.)

GEPPETTO

I heard that.

BLUE FAIRY

So what? It’s true.

GEPPETTO

How does your making a defective kid make me a moron?

BLUE FAIRY

It doesn’t. You were a moron long before I ever granted your wish.

(Suddenly, a voice from the darkness behind them-)

PERFECTA

It’s not polite to call people names.

(Geppetto and the Blue Fairy turn to see a small child looking right at them.)

If you don’t have something nice to say, you shouldn’t say anything at all.

(Geppetto gives the Blue Fairy a look.)

GEPPETTO

I completely agree.

(Another child approaches the first one.)

SIMPERA

(To Perfecta:)

Excuse me. I wanted to let you know that you can play with my new horse and wagon now. It’s nice to share.

Script


PERFECTA

Thank you.

SIMPERA

You’re welcome. Would you like to come to my house for dinner tonight? We’re having liver and Brussel sprouts.

PERFECTA

Mmmmm. Brussel sprouts, my favorite.

(Geppetto looks from the Blue Fairy to the children and back again.)

GEPPETTO

(To the Blue Fairy, full of meaning:)

What lovely, polite, and respectful children—don’t you think?

BLUE FAIRY

Oh please.

GEPPETTO

(A dig:)

You know, sometimes it’s just a matter of seeing something done right to see where you went wrong.

BLUE FAIRY

(A dig right back:)

I couldn’t agree more.

GEPPETTO

You know what? This could be a great opportunity for you. Watch and learn.

(The Blue Fairy rolls her eyes as Geppetto approaches the children.)

GEPPETTO

Excuse me, well-behaved children, is there an adult around that I could talk to?

PERFECTA

Yes sir. Right this way.

(Perfecta & Simpera take Geppetto’s hand and as the scrim opens, leads him upstage. The Blue Fairy steps off to the side to watch.)


Who said it?1. You publicly besmirch my reputation and expect me to take it lying down? Not on my dime,

mister.

2. How he embarrassed me? First day out and he’s already misbehaving. He had no respect for the town fathers, no respect for me...

3. I want to be a train engineer! Choo! Choo! All aboard! Choo! Choo!

4. Wow! I slept like a log!

5. Such anger. Such aggression. And we have just the tonic. Stromboli’s Amazing Marionette Holiday Extravaganza!

6. We really cleaned up, my little Pinocchio. And don’t you worry, there’s lots more where this came from. Just think... a thousand pieces of gold for every town in Italy!

7. I’m so glad the new puppet’s gone!

8. The Blue Fairy is a fraud! The Blue Fairy doesn’t know a wish from a weetbix!

9. Magnifico! A classic combination. One blue-eyed blonde coming up.

10. I never said I wanted a perfect child.

11. Tell that to my dad. I mean he became a dog. And so did his father before him. We come from a long line of dogs.

12. Well then you’ll sort of understand this: if you let your children decide what they want to be, they might choose to be a ...

13. Well, that was a wasted entrance.

14. I don’t want to hear excuses. You’re not very good at listening, are you?

15. I heard what you said about me! That I was a big disappointment! That you didn’t want me. Well, now I don’t want you!

16. If only Geppetto had been nicer to me—perhaps I would’ve given him a hand with this little problem.

17. Wait! I’ve got it! We just need to tickle the back of his throat! Then he’ll sneeze us out!

18. See? The puppet is mine!

19. First, you wished for your heart to be full.

20. I’m real! I’m a real boy!


Who said it? Answers1. You publicly besmirch my reputation and expect me to take it lying down? Not on my dime,

mister.

2. How he embarrassed me? First day out and he’s already misbehaving. He had no respect for the town fathers, no respect for me...

3. I want to be a train engineer! Choo! Choo! All aboard! Choo! Choo!

4. Wow! I slept like a log!

5. Such anger. Such aggression. And we have just the tonic. Stromboli’s Amazing Marionette Holiday Extravaganza!

6. We really cleaned up, my little Pinocchio. And don’t you worry, there’s lots more where this came from. Just think... a thousand pieces of gold for every town in Italy!

7. I’m so glad the new puppet’s gone!

8. The Blue Fairy is a fraud! The Blue Fairy doesn’t know a wish from weetbix!

9. Magnifico! A classic combination. One blue-eyed blonde coming up.

10. I never said I wanted a perfect child.

11. Tell that to my dad. I mean he became a dog. And so did his father before him. We come from a long line of dogs.

12. Well then you’ll sort of understand this: if you let your children decide what they want to be, they might choose to be a ...

13. Well, that was a wasted entrance.

14. I don’t want to hear excuses. You’re not very good at listening, are you?

15. I heard what you said about me! That I was a big disappointment! That you didn’t want me. Well, now I don’t want you!

16. If only Geppetto had been nicer to me—perhaps I would’ve given him a hand with this little problem.

17. Wait! I’ve got it! We just need to tickle the back of his throat! Then he’ll sneeze us out!

18. See? The puppet is mine!

19. First, you wished for your heart to be full.

20. I’m real! I’m a real boy!

Blue Fairy

Geppetto

Pinocchio

Pinocchio

Stromboli

Stromboli

Marionette ala Stromboli

Geppetto

Buonragazzo

Geppetto

Pig

Fox Mother

Blue Fairy

Robin

Pinocchio

Blue Fairy

Pinocchio

Stromboli

Blue Fairy

Pinocchio


Theatre reviewInstructions

Identify the title of the play, the genre, the name of the production company and where the show is playing in the opening paragraph. Example: The summer season of the Easy Street Players has just kicked off with a six-week run of “Muriel’s Memoirs” at the newly renovated Crane Performing Arts Center. This contemporary drama directed by Maria Laris stars four accomplished actors whose faces will be familiar to patrons who follow Arcadia’s theater scene.

Provide a brief synopsis of the play which describes the setting, introduces the main characters and tells the audience what the core conflict is. The purpose of this paragraph is to hook the readers’ curiosity about what happens next but should never spoil their own enjoyment of the show by divulging all of the twists and surprises that await.

Share your observations about individual performances, the casting and chemistry, the set design, the costumes and how technical elements such as lighting, sound effects and music enhanced the production or detracted from it. Offer constructive remarks on what might have been done to make the show better. Example: The amplification of recorded music sometimes made it hard to hear what the actors were saying.

Include a reference to the playwright and other plays he or she has written. If there is anything interesting or unique about the inspiration behind the script, its performance history or why the director chose to produce it, mention that as well. Example: Ten percent of box office proceeds will be donated to the Tri-Cities Alzheimer’s Foundation.

Provide readers with information on the performance dates and times, where to purchase tickets and whether there are any elements of the show such as violence, sex or strong language that make it inappropriate for young children.

Read more: How to Write a Good Theatre RevieweHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2188321_write-good-theatre-review.html#ixzz1s0TCB218

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Theatre reviewTheatre review by:

Introduction

Synopsis

Observations

Background information about the creators of the work

Opinion/Show times/Target audience

Theatre review template

For more information, contact [email protected]

The National Youth Theatre Company TrustPO Box 305412

Triton PlazaNorth Shore City 0757

Telephone (09) 948 6982

www.nytc.co.nz

Content by Monique Doy & Rebecca OsborneDesign by Nicky Malone

‘Bringing Confidence and Life Skills to Young People Through the Dramatic Arts’

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