Download Seth Reichgott - Young Audiences NJ

Study Guide For Teachers
Seth Reichgott
In
The Golden Lyre
Presented by
Young Audiences
(866) 500-9265
www.yanj.org
www.yaep.org
ABOUT THE PROGRAM
It was a dragon-like monster called the Gorgon
who not only stole the lyre (pronounced liar), but
turned the King’s daughter to stone. The only way
she can be changed back is by hearing the music
of the lyre. The problem is, no one knows where
the Gorgon’s cave is located, nor is anyone foolish
enough to make such a dangerous journey. It’s
only when a young man named Alex shows up at
the palace that things take a dramatic turn. The
Golden Lyre uses a combination of poetry, masks,
and mime, as well as call-and-response, where
students make a host of wonderful sounds to help
lead the story along.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION FOR
STUDENTS
CHARACTERS IN THE STORY:
King Minos - a sad king whose golden lyre was
stolen
Princess Aleia – the king’s daughter, who was turned
to stone
Alex – a young man from a fishing village
Myia – an enchantress, able to cast spells and look
into the future
Taveus the Fox - a sneaky character who lives in the
forest
LEARNING GOALS
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To offer a live, interactive theatrical
performance appropriate for K-2 students
and teachers
To introduce young students to some
mythological characters and the world of
ancient Greece
To inspire students to learn more about the
myths and fables of ancient Greece
To help K-2 students learn good audience
behavior
Gorgon – a dragon-like monster who turns people to
stone, and who stole the golden lyre.
A NOTE ABOUT THE K-2 AUDIENCE
Early on, we found K-2 to be a special age group. The
challenge was to develop material that dealt with
mythology, but was better suited to the younger students’
needs. We also wanted to achieve the same levels of
success we were experiencing with our older audiences.
The Golden Lyre combines elements from Greek myths,
fables and fairy tales. It’s constructed in a way that helps
young student stay focused, and at the same time, gives
them the chance to fully engage in the live theater
experience.
BEFORE THE PROGRAM
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What do we mean when we say Ancient
Greece? How far back is 2,500 years? How
was the ancient world different than our own?
On a map or globe, can you fine Greece?
Read some of Aesop’s fables. What do you
think these stories mean? Do you know
where Aesop was from?
Find a picture of a harp or lyre. What other
instruments are similar? Did you know that
Greek lyres were sometimes made out of
tortoise shell?
Discuss masks and why people like to wear
them. For kindergarten, bring a mask into the
classroom and let students try it on.
Make sure to talk about the difference
between seeing a live performance and
watching a performance by an actor on
television or in the movies. Students need to
know that they are an important part of the
show they are about to see. The actor gets
energy from them, so they need to make sure
to give their full attention during the
performance.
AFTER THE PROGRAM
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Discuss the story. What were some of your
favorite characters? What parts were most
funny? What parts were most scary?
Talk about the ways the actor was able to
convey the story. What were some of the
things he used? What did he do to make the
story interesting? How did he portray the
magical elements – turning to stone, for
example.
Have the students draw a picture (or create a
diorama) depicting a scene from the show.
Have them present their pictures to the class
and explain why this was their favorite part.
Write a story called The Golden Lyre – Part 2.
What happened to Alex and Aleia? What
happened to all the children who were frozen
in the forest? And the Gorgon?
Much of The Golden Lyre is performed in
rhyming verse. Why do you think the
performer used rhymes to tell the story?
Select a few words and see how many rhymes
you can come up with. Write a small poem in
rhyming verse.
VOCABULARY WORDS
ARTIST INFORMATION
Cave – an opening in a cliff, sometimes inhabited
by animals
Lyre – a stringed musical instrument, similar to a
harp
Map – a representation of the earth, or part of the
earth
Spell – special words believed to have magical
force
Palace – a very large mansion, home to a king
Mirror – a polished surface that reflects images
Reflection – the image of something
Goatskin – a container, as for wine or water,
made from goatskin
Statue – a sculpture representing a human or
animal
Desert – a dry, hot region with little vegetation
River – a large stream of water (larger than a
creek)
Forest - large, densely wooded area
Applause – show of approval by clapping the
hands together
Audience – gathering of spectators and listeners
at event
Actor – one who performs in a theater, on
television, or in the movies
Mask - a covering to disguise or conceal the
face, sometimes worn by an actor.
Seth Reichgott was a member of the Bloomsburg
Theatre Ensemble from 1992 to 1999, where he was
part of more than fifty productions as actor, director, or
writer. Seth was an original member of the touring
street theatre troupe Le Pamplemousse, and his awardwinning slapstick clown show, Man Plans, has toured
extensively in the United States and Canada. Seth has
written several children’s plays about science, and
recently appeared in The Arden Theatre company’s
production of The Baker’s Wife in Philadelphia. He is a
graduate of Wesleyan University and The Dell’Arte
International School of Physical Theatre.
RESOURCES
Ancient Greece – Coloring Book
Bellerophon Books
The Librarian Who Measured the Earth, Vol. 1
by Kathryn Lasky
Growing Up in Ancient Greece
by Crhis Chlepi
Classical Kids: An Activity Guide to Life in Ancient
Greece and Rome
by Laurie Carlson