EDUCATOR GUIDE
1
WELCOME TO THE THEATER!
We are very glad to have you at the theater! For some of you, this may be the
first play you’ve seen, but some others may have seen many, many plays before.
Here are some tips about being an INCREDIBLE audience member.
The Audience is an important part of live theater performance. Without the
audience there would be no one to laugh when the show is funny, to gasp when
it is scary, or to applaud at the end. Here are some things you can do to make
this a great experience for everyone:
•
•
•
•
•
•
The house lights (the lights in the theater) dim to signal that the show is
about to start. That is your cue to settle down and get quiet so the play can
begin.
Turn off all cell phones, pagers and electronic devices. Please do not take
photographs or video during the performance.
Try to sit as quietly as possible during the performance. Don’t wriggle around
or stand up. Your movements could distract the actors or others around you.
Please make sure you use the bathroom before the show starts!
Save snacks and treats for after the show. Food and drinks are not allowed in
the theater.
Stay in your seat when the performance ends. The actors will return to the
stage for the curtain call (when the actors bow and you clap). Wait until they
exit for the last time and the lights come up before you leave your seat.
© 2012 Northwest Children’s Theater and School (NWCT). Written, edited, and designed by Jenny Bunce, Sarah
Jane Hardy and Wendy Reznicsek. Poster © Lee Moyer 2011. Unless otherwise noted, all images are © 2012
Lucas Welsh. NWCT encourages teachers and parents to print out, copy and use these guides to enhance and
enrich children’s experiences at NWCT performances. NWCT welcomes questions, comments and feedback.
Contact us by mail at 1819 NW Everett Street, Suit 216, Portland, OR 97209, or email us at [email protected].
2
Discussion Questions: Before the show!
In the days leading up to the show, engage your students in conversation about the upcoming
performance. This will not only get them excited to see it, but it will help you incorporate the
performance into your curriculum. Here are some discussion questions to try:
•
•
•
•
This version of Rapunzel is an adaptation, meaning it is an original version of an existing
story. What have you seen or read that is an adaptation of something else?
How do fairy tales sometimes distinguish between “good” and “evil”? How do you think
Rapunzel is going to make the distinction between these two powers?
The music featured in this musical is written in the indie rock genre. When you watch the
show, see if you can pick out the instruments they use.
Think of the way you have seen Rapunzel and her mother (the witch) portrayed in other
books or movies. What words would you use to describe her? Keep those in mind as you
watch the show.
Discussion Questions: After the show!
Shortly after the show, try to use some of these questions to get your students talking about
what they saw on stage. This will help them retain the experience and hopefully inspire them
to see more shows!
• What were some of the special effects they used during the show?
• What was different about this show compared to other versions of Rapunzel you may
have seen (ex. Tangled)?
• How did the cast use props and set pieces to make the story come to life? How was it
similar to or different than what you expected?
• This was not a traditional fairy tale like the classics we know so well. What was your
favorite part about how this adaptation?
• How was the music different than you expected? What were the instruments used?
• What are some of the lessons Rapunzel learns when she is out on her own?
• What were some of the words you had used to describe Rapunzel and the witch before
the show? Would you use the same words to describe our adaptation of those characters?
3
State Educational Standards
AR.05.CP.01 Use experiences, imagination, observations, essential
elements and organizational principles to achieve a desired effect when
creating, presenting and/or performing works of art.
AR.05.CP.02 Identify the creative process used, and the choices made,
when combining ideas, techniques and problem solving to produce one's
work.
Arts
AR.05.AC.01 Identify essential elements, organizational principles and
aesthetic criteria that can be used to analyze works of art.
AR.05.AC.03 Describe how essential elements and organizational
principles from various arts disciplines are used in an integrated work of
art.
AR.05.HC.04 Describe how the arts serve a variety of purposes and
needs in other communities and cultures.
EL.02.LI.01 Listen to text and read text to make connections and
respond to a wide variety of significant works of children's literature-including poetry, fiction, non-fiction, and drama--from a variety of
cultures and time periods.
Literature
EL.02.LI.02 Demonstrate listening comprehension of more complex
literary text through discussions.
EL.02.LI.04 Identify and describe the plot, setting, and character(s) in
the story.
EL.02.SL.01 Retell stories in own words including characters, setting,
and plot.
Speaking
EL.02.SL.08 Retell in own words information that has been shared
orally by others.
EL.01.SL.03 Retell stories using basic story grammar and relating the
sequence of story events by answering who, what, when, where, why,
and how questions.
EL.00.RE.19 Listen to and experience a wide variety of children's
literature including alphabet books, informational stories, classic and
contemporary literature, and nursery rhymes.
Reading
EL.04.RE.04 Make connections to text, within text, and among texts
across the subject areas.
EL.00.LI.01 Listen, make connections, and respond to stories based
on well-known characters, themes, plots, and settings.
4
The Brothers Grimm
The Brothers Grimm are to Disney as the Brothers Moore are to NWCT. Just as Disney adapted
many Grimm stories into the movies we see today, Richard and James Moore create stage
adaptations for NWCT. Coming off of his recent success with last season’s Robin Hood, James,
along with his brother, is back to bring humor, adventure, and a little electric guitar to the NWCT
Mainstage.
Many know of fairy tales such as Rapunzel thanks to Disney and the magical world that was
created through the movies we now all own on DVD (some maybe even on VHS!) But we rarely
attribute the success of these stories to the brotherly writing duo that
hatched over 200 years ago.
Wilhelm and Jacob Grimm of Germany make up the team more commonly
known as the Brothers Grimm. Their publication, Children’s and Household
Tales, made their stories accessible to all, and more importantly, opened up
the world of adaptations we’ve come to know and love. Movies like Disney’s Snow White and Sleeping Beauty are adaptations of the Grimm tales,
and we are beginning to see even more present-day adaptations pop up in
movies, stage, and film.
At first, the tales written by the brothers were dark and sinister, not exactly what we would
call kid-friendly. However, as the brothers found out that their tales were captivating a younger
audience, they lightened them up a bit. Children’s and Household Tales by The Brothers Grimm,
published in 1828 contains the original fairytales we have seen on stage and screen.
Adaptations—they’re everywhere!
It seems that everywhere you look these days fairy tales are making a comeback! Why even here
in our fair city of Portland, Oregon, we have been made the backdrop around which a few
modern-day adaptations are being built:
NBC’s Grimm
NBC’s new show Grimm takes place here in Portland and centers around fantastical ideas and
characters, including werewolves, monsters, and other supernatural creatures. The title alone
seems to pay homage to the Brothers Grimm. Though not adapted from one particular fairy tale,
Grimm uses the themes of good and evil powers to drive the plot.
ABC’s Once Upon a Time
ABC has jumped on the fairy tale adaptation train as well with their new series Once Upon a Time.
Using the Brothers Grimm tale of Snow White, this show also puts a present day spin on the tale,
by updating the setting, characters, and timeline.
NWCT’s Snow White
Last season, NWCT’s Snow White made its mainstage debut. But this was not the Snow White
audiences were expecting. Milo Mowery, Rodolfo Ortega and Sarah Jane Hardy decided to make it
an anime and manga inspired version of the classic tale.
NWCT’s Hansel and Gretel
In 2009, NWCT premiered this new adaptation of the classic Brothers Grimm tale, with a brand
new script and score by Sarah Jane Hardy and Rodolfo Ortega.
5
The Brothers Moore—Meet Richard!
We tried to get a hold of the Brothers Grimm for an interview, but we just couldn’t track down
their email addresses! Luckily we found their modern-day counterparts. The Brothers Moore have
worked together to produce a tale all their own. Fans of the Brothers
Grimm, Richard and James have gathered inspiration from the original
writers and adapted this humorous, fast-paced, adventurous tale.
Let’s learn a bit about them!
NWCT: What was your inspiration for creating this adaptation of
“Rapunzel”?
Richard: I've always enjoyed the original Grimm stories, and that's
where we started. I had fun with all the magical elements of the
show. Musically, we wanted it to sound more like music you would
hear at a concert, so we were writing a rock album. Inspirations
include The Pixies, The Replacements, PJ Harvey, They Might Be
Giants, and Jonathan Coulton.
Photo credit: David Kinder, 2012
NWCT: What, for you, is the most unique part about your adaptation? What do you think the audience
will like most about the show?
Richard: The way that we deal with magic in the show is pretty unique, and follows its own
internal logic. We tried to take our silly subject matter seriously. It's been fun writing songs in my
regular songwriting style, with distortion and harmonies and everything, but for a silly, magical folk
tale. With a singing lemon tree.
NWCT: It doesn’t seem like there is much sibling rivalry between the two of you. How do you enjoy
working with your brother?
Richard: Working with James has been great. Ever since we were small, we've always gotten
along more like best friends. As we get older we've remained as close, so we actually enjoy each
other's company, and collaborate really easily. Sometimes it's like we can read each others' minds.
It's basically like working with another version of myself. Except I'm taller and more handsome.
NWCT:What are we most likely to find you doing when you’re not creating new play adaptations?
Richard: I do sound design for local theatre, write and record songs in my home studio, and am
working on a few recorded and written projects. So you can find me just about anywhere.
NWCT: What is your favorite part about being a playwright?
Richard: I love being able to create a whole world from scratch, and make up the rules as I go
along. You can be as silly or serious as you like. It's fun to be able to put together the kind of play
that we want to see and be a part of, and build it from the beginning.
NWCT: What is the most challenging part about being a playwright?
Richard: You have to imagine each role in the show, as well as the overall story. So you have to
be an actor in every role, and play every instrument, and direct, and come up with the whole thing
as you go. Then it has to make sense! Then it has to be funny! So keeping that perspective can be
difficult. But it's crazy fun.
NWCT: What part of the show are you most excited to see on stage?
Richard: There are a few songs that I really like, and I'm excited to hear them performed live,
with everyone in costume. I mostly want to see the audience bopping their heads and laughing.
6
The Brothers Moore—Meet James!
NWCT: What was your inspiration for creating this adaptation of “Rapunzel”?
James: I was immediately taken by the story's abrupt transitions, and
it's fairly grim moments before the ending. We were interested in the
journey of the Crone as well as Rapunzel's birth parents. It also had to
have a number of puns and bad jokes (and an occasional good joke,
too!) There were a lot of interesting dynamics to play with.
NWCT: What, for you, is the most unique part about your adaptation?
What do you think the audience will like most about the show?
James: The music, and that Rapunzel has her first real scene about a
fourth of the way into the play. I think the audience will enjoy seeing
where she comes from and what that means for the rest of the
characters as the show progresses. Rapunzel shows off her strength and determination in a way
that isn't always front and center.
NWCT: How did you get your start with NWCT?
James: In 2000 I started teaching at NWCT. I taught for four years, with classes like Mary
Poppins, one called "Magic Friends" and adaptations of Shakespeare. I saw how well the young
actors handled Shakespeare, I thought: well, they can do anything. I’d almost be willing to bet that
NWCT is the only children's theatre that's offered classes that involved a Mac Wellman or a
David Mamet play, or scenes from Waiting for Godot. Kids are brilliant.
NWCT: What else have you worked on for NWCT?
James: I wrote a short play for the Twilight Tales collection in 2009, and last year's full-length
version of Robin Hood. I also directed Bunnicula and Sideways Stories from Wayside School. But my
favorite memory from the NWCT boards is probably the sparkly tights I squeezed my legs into
for The Legend of Sleepy Hollow where I portrayed a Ghost who spoke in rhyming couplets and
generally annoyed people on stage.
NWCT: What is your favorite part about being a playwright?
James: I really love dialogue and writing dialogue, and being able to say "this is how this character
talks" is pretty exciting to me. My favorite part is knowing that well enough while still writing it,
but then seeing the scene take a direction you never intended.
NWCT: What is the most challenging part about being a playwright?
James: Editing is the most challenging part. I think I inevitably over-write things, and they need to
be trimmed down. As a result, I have to take out some of my favorite bits of a script to make sure
it fits as far as time, and what the story needs. Maybe in Rapunzel: Uncut!: UNCUT we’ll see what
didn’t make it!
NWCT: What part of the show are you most excited to see on stage?
James: I’m most excited to see the characters. It's a complete trip to see different people than
you in each of the roles on stage. It can be kind of unsettling in a terrific, exciting way. I watched a
scene with Petrosinella and Persinette, and their listening in the scene was so engaging and funny.
It brought so much life into the scene, making the moment three-dimensional and fun. I look
forward to seeing the whole show like that!
7
Meet Our Rock Stars!
That’s right! Along with a brand new script, NWCT’s Rapunzel has brand new music written by
Richard and lyrics by both brothers. This indie-rock inspired score features two guitars, a bass
guitar, and drums. In order to assemble a rockin’ youth band for the show, we needed some,
well, rockin’ youth! Portland produces some of the most unique music around, and some pretty
talented kids. For Rapunzel, NWCT turned to local music centers School of Rock and Ethos
Music Center to find our rock stars. Let’s take a look:
Shyla Tobiassen
Rhythm Guitar
For four years Shyla has studied music at School of Rock. In 2011 she played guitar
and sang in multiple SOR concerts including: 80s Hair, Queen, Stanky Funk, and 70s
Dance. In addition she plays bass guitar and the piano. When she’s not rockin’ out,
17-year-old Shyla enjoys playing video games, crocheting, and writing. She is privately
tutored and home schooled, and has been her entire life by her mom. She thanks her
mom, dad, brother, and music teacher Guffey for every bit of support and love along
the way.
Spencer Schillinger
Bass Guitar
NWCT welcomes Spencer from School of Rock where he has participated in
camps and performed in concerts. He also played in a band at the Tanasbourne
Farmers’ Market this past summer, and is proficient on the guitar, bass and drums.
A freshman at Lake Oswego High School, Spencer helped build sets for their production of Grease. When he’s not rockin’ out, he enjoys swimming, lacrosse, and
hanging out with his brother, Cole, and their dog Chester.
Taylor Newville
Lead Guitar
Taylor has been playing guitar since she was seven. She studied music at Ethos
Music Center where she was in her first band called The Bang. She also studied
at Rock n’ Roll Camp for Girls and School of Rock (SOR). Now a freshman at
Roosevelt High School, Taylor has been rockin’ Portland venues such as the
Crystal Ballroom, Memorial Coliseum, Berbati’s Pan, Hawthorne Theater, Roseland Theater, and the Satyricon. In addition to writing music and releasing her first
CD, Time, Taylor has hosted the public access television show Ethos Live.
Terran Inman
Drums
NWCT welcomes newcomer Terran to our stage. He currently studies music at
Ethos Music Center, but is no stranger to the theater. Performance credits with
Sun Grout School include: Charlie in Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, an extra in
The Wizard of Oz, a Disco Cow in Cinderella the Melodrama, and the Red Dwarf/
Huntsman in Snow White the Melodrama.
8
Meet Our Rock Stars!
Rebecca Fitzgerald
Rapunzel
Most recently NWCT audiences enjoyed Rebecca’s performances as Kira in Blood
Will Tell (Teens NW) and Nina in I Never Saw Another Butterfly (KidsPro NW.) She
also participated in NWCT’s Summer Nights!, and played Ernestina Money in the
Camas High School production of Hello, Dolly! Rebecca is a sophomore at Camas
High School, and considers NWCT to be her second home. She has studied voice
for three years with Sylvia Manzo, and taken many classes and playlabs at NWCT.
She thanks Sarah Jane for believing in her and giving her this fantastic opportunity.
Joshua James Hooper
Werther
Joshua most recently appeared as Nicholas /Drew in the Teens NW thriller Blood
Will Tell. Previous credits include the ensemble of Robin Hood, and Red Death/Cryer
in Three Roses on the Grave (Teens NW.) At Beaverton Civic Theatre he played
Protean in A Funny Thing Happened…Forum. Joshua is a freshman at Portland
Community College, and remains heavily involved at NWCT with Interns NW, and
as an assistant for KidsPro NW and classes. He thanks his parents and family for
their support.
Rapunzel’s… marshmallow tower?
Rapunzel lived high up in a tower created by the witch’s magic, but let’s see if you can use a bit
more engineering to craft your own version of Rapunzel’s tower, using only marshmallows and
toothpicks? Here’s what you’ll need to do:
Gather Supplies:
-Bag of regular sized marshmallows
-Package of tootpicks
-Timer or stopwatch
-Ruler or measuring tape
-A partner
Your Challenge:
You and your partner will have 5 minutes to construct
the tallest tower possible, using just marshmallows and
toothpicks. Make sure your tower is strong enough to
stand up!
Tips: Play around with different designs. Is it better to
construct the toothpicks in the shape of triangles, or
rectangles?
9
Start your own garden!
Rapunzel may not have been if it had not been for the Crone’s magnificent garden. But you don’t
necessarily need magic (or evil) powers to start your own garden. In fact, there are many
community gardens all around Portland. Here are some gardens around the area, maybe even in
your own neighborhood, and some tips on starting your
own vegetable garden!
1. First, find a spot in your yard where you want to plant
your garden. Make sure there are no major tree roots,
and that it gets adequate sunlight.
2. Choose the vegetables you would like to plant, avoiding
some bigger vegetables that would take up lots of space,
like pumpkins and corn.
3. Buy the seeds for your vegetables, making sure to check
how much sunlight they need, and find the perfect spot
for them in the plot you have chosen to start your
garden.
4. Plant your seeds, water accordingly, and enjoy!
Local Portland Community Gardens are a great way to meet people in your neighborhood, and
have fun gardening in your community! Maybe you’ll even pick up some gardening tips!
North Portland:
Beach Community Garden
Boise-Eliot Community Garden
Johns Community Garden
Patton Community Garden
Northeast Portland:
Cully Community Garden
Everett Community Garden
Kennedy Community Garden
Sumner Street Community Garden
Southeast Portland:
Buckman Community Garden
Clinton Community Garden
Colonel Summers Community Garden
Ivy Community Garden
10
What’s in a name…?
Test your memory! Use the clues to fill in this crossword puzzle.
You can use your Rapunzel Uncut program if you need some help!
ACROSS
DOWN
3. Roswitha is best at growing these
4. The pop star performing at Rote Windmuhle
5. The dance Rapunzel tries to find
6. The genre of music the Magic Veggie Band
plays
10. Rapunzel spends the first 16 years of her
life here
11. A type of spell Roswitha casts on Werther
12. Roswitha’s “eyes” and “ears”
14. Where Rapunzel is banished to
15. The country where our story takes place
1.Roswitha casts a spell that turns him into
an old man
2. Roswitha says this to Rapunzel to get into
the tower
7. Human lemon tree
8. Friedrich sells these “to-go”
9. A courageous girl who was stolen at birth
13. Zitrone always has these handy
11
Answers: Ac ross: 3. vegetables 4. Kedmha 5. Rote Windmuhle 6. Indie rock 10. tower 11. curse 12. Potato and corn 14. desert 15. Germany
Down: 1. Werther 2. Let down your hair 7. Zitrone 8. Schnitzel 9. Rapunzel 13. Lemons