Download Pippi Study Guide - UNCG College of Visual and Performing Arts

PlayGuide Materials
Pippi Longstocking
FALL
2015
by Astrid Lindgren Music by Roberta Carlson
Lyrics by Roberta Carlson and Thomas W. Olson
CONTENTS:
ABOUT
• About NCTYP..........2
• Biography of Astrid
Lindgren.................3
• Synopsis of Pippi
Longstocking.............4
• Swedish Language
Guide to Pippi........5
• Theater Vocabulary
(The Who) ...........6
ACTIVITIES
• Change Your
World..................7-8
• Write Now................9
• Letter to Family......10
Visit theatre.uncg.edu for ticket prices and showtimes
For more info call 336-334-4392 or Triad Stage at 336-272-0160
Showing at Taylor Theatre, 406 Tate St, Greensboro, NC
Directed by Claire K. Simpson
About
NCT Y
P
The mission of North Carolina Theatre for Young People is to
produce plays that engage young audiences with the art of live theatre. We
strive to present highly mobile and flexible productions that can be presented
effectively in a variety of performance settings. Our plays are specifically chosen in order to acquaint
our audiences with the richness of the theatre for young audiences cannon. We seek to foster the
development of new scripts, develop residencies in Drama in Education and Theatre in Education,
and believe that the live theatre experience is
valuable to young people as a means to elevate and
understand the human experience.
Since its inception in 1962, NCTYP has
reached well over one million children with oncampus stage productions and touring shows that
have gone as far as rural Maryland and
Washington, D.C. The touring shows alone impact
more than 15,000 children every year.
NCTYP began through a partnership
between UNCG and the Junior League of Greensboro. UNCG theater professors Herman Middleton
and Tom Behm, former director of NCTYP, spearheaded the founding of NCTYP. Initially called Pixie
Playhouse, the theatre debuted in 1962 with an adaptation of Hans
Christian Andersen’s “The Red Shoes.”
Recognizing that long tradition of producing high-quality
shows for children, the North Carolina Theatre Conference chose
NCTYP to receive its 2011 Constance Welsh Theatre for Youth
Award, given to one Theatre for Youth company in North Carolina
each year.
“It’s about reaching out to them, coming into their space,”
Rachel Briley, NCTYP artistic director, says of the tours, which go
into schools, museums and other local venues. “It’s a gesture that
says, ‘You matter so much to us that we want to come to you.’
Artistic Director, Rachel Briley
Source: University Relations, UNCG
For Teachers
2
Brief Biography
The Children’s Book Author, Astrid Lindgren
!
Astrid Ericsson was born on November 14,
1907 in a small village in the south of Sweden. Her
family owned a small farm and so Astrid spent many
hours playing outdoors and doing chores.
!
Her father, Samuel, enjoyed telling stories and
it is often thought that his manner influenced Astrid’s
own storytelling tendencies. She wrote some as a
child and teenager. When she was 13-years old, the
local newspaper, Wimmerby Tidning, published her
essay, “Life on the Farm.” By the end of her teenage
years, she was writing reports and articles for the
paper.
!
When she was 19, Astrid gave birth to her first child.
At this time in Sweden, young women that had children
and were not married were often pressured to get
married. Because she did not wish to marry at that time
and wanted to raise her son in a positive environment,
she decided to move to the city, Stockholm. There, she
started a new life and raised her son, Lars. Astrid got a
job in an office as a shorthand typist. In 1931, she met
and married Sture Lindgren. The couple had their first
daughter, Karin.
!
!
During this time, Astrid wrote several fairy tales and
short stories. As a full time mother, many of her stories
were born out of a desire to entertain her children and their
friends. The character of Pippi Longstocking existed in the Lindgren household’s list of favorite
characters long before Astrid wrote the first words of the story down on paper. When Karin was sick
in bed, Astrid wrote a compilation of Pippi stories to present to her bedridden daughter on her
birthday. In 1945, the Pippi Longstocking that we know today was officially published.
!
Many books followed Pippi’s success. Later in life, Astrid became increasingly vocal about the
rights of children and animals. Even 106 years after her birth, she is considered by many Swedish
people to be a national treasure. Her books have been translated into over 60 languages. In honor of
her 60th birthday, the publishing company Rabén & Sjögren established an annual literary prize, the
Astrid Lindgren Prize, awarded annually to an outstanding Swedish author for children’s literature.
!
Astrid Lindgren died in January of 2002 at the age of 94.
Other popular books by Astrid Lindgren:
!
•Karlsson-on-the-Roof series!
•Emil of Lönneberga!
!
•Makicken series! !
!
•Ronia and the Robber’s Daughter
!
•Seacrow Island! !
!
•The Six Bullerby Children
!
•Mio, My Son!!
!
!
•The Brothers Lionheart
For Teachers
3
Synopsis of the Play
WHAT HAPPENS IN PIPPI LONGSTOCKING?
!
It is just a normal day in a small, quiet,
and very orderly Swedish village--or so
everyone thinks. When coming home from
school, Tommy and Annika
Settergren encounter
something unexpected: a
new girl has moved into
the abandoned house in
town. They quickly discover
that this girl, Pippi, isn’t like
anyone they’ve ever met. She is
certainly NOT ORDERLY! Pippi
says that she’s the daughter of a pirate captain that has been lost at sea. She
isn’t the slightest bit worried and is certain that her papa will float to safety. In the
meantime, she’s waiting in her house, Villa Villakula, until her father comes to
find her.
!
Pippi, Annika, and Tommy instantly form a friendship. Pippi has the
uncanny ability to turn the everyday into an exciting day. Adults don’t know what to do
with her as she skips from one adventure to the next.
First, she defeats the mighty strongman at the
carnival. Then she fools two silly policemen, sticks
her face in a cake at a coffee party, and liberates the
village children from their multiplication tables!
! By the end of the play, the village has
finally begun to warm to her in spite (or
because) of her antics.
When her pirate father and his
crew arrive to take her back to
sea, Pippi is faced with an
unexpected struggle: go with
her father or stay with her
dear friends Tommy and Annika. Her
father, Captain Longstocking, has
always trusted Pippi’s ability to make
decisions and so he leaves the
matter in her capable hands. After
securing her father’s promise to visit
often, Pippi decides to stay in the village with Tommy and Annika. At least for now...
For Students
4
LANGUAGE
There are several songs and phrases in the musical that are in Swedish. Here’s a guide for some of the words and songs in PIPPI LONGSTOCKING!
Overture
“PLOCKA VILL JAG SKOGSVIOL”
Plocka vill jag skogsviol och ljungens fina frans, plocka, plocka famnen full och binda Ell en krans. Vintergrön och Emje minna mig om vännen min.
“I WILL GATHER VIOLETS”
I will gather violets and heatherbells and thyme. I will gather wintergreen and golden celandine. I will make a garland for the one I love the best.
Overture
“VEM KAN SEGLA FÖRUTAN VIND”
Vem kan segla förutan vind?
Vem kan ro utan åror?
Vem kan skiljas från vännen sin
Utan a[ fälla (tårar?)
“WHO CAN SAIL WITHOUT WIND?”
Who can sail without wind?
Who can row without oars?
Who can part from his friend
Without shedding tears?
Words
LILLA FLICKA
LITTLE GIRL
GODNATT
GOODNIGHT
KOM HIT
COME HERE
JA
YES
TACK SA MYCKET
THANKS SO MUCH
HEJDA
BYE
For Students
5
Theatre Vocabulary
The “WHO”
ACTORS
are people who come together on a stage
to create different characters and
perform a play.
DIRECTORS
work with actors during the rehearsal to help create believable
characters and relationships. The DIRECTOR also works with the
scenic, sound, lighting, and costume designers to help create the look
and feel of the show.
DESIGNERS
use color, form, line, shape, space, texture, and value to tell a story
visually. The COSTUME DESIGNER is responsible for creating the
look of the costumes that actors wear. The SCENIC DESIGNER
creates everything onstage that an actor touches. The SOUND
DESIGNER is in charge of finding or creating any special sound or
music effects. The LIGHTING DESIGNER brings light to the stage. He
or she works with the director to answer question about time of day
and the mood of a scene.
STAGE MANAGER
is a person that runs the light and sound that happens during a
performance. He or she also takes notes during rehearsals to help the
process stay organized.
THE AUDIENCE
is the group of people who watch the play. This is YOU! Your job is to
watch the action onstage and decide what it means.
Playwright
is the individual that writes the script. Much like the author of a
book, the playwright creates the characters, dialogue, and the setting
of the play.
For Students
6
CHANGE YOUR
WORLD!
The village and villagers who interact with Pippi Longstocking change over the
course of the play. How can you change the WORLD that you live in and the
PEOPLE you meet for the better? Here are some suggestions to get you started!
WRITE A LETTER
Do you feel strongly about something? Do you see
something that is wrong and you want to help make it
right?
Are there children in your community that are hungry?
Are there enough homeless shelters in your area? Are
you concerned about the environment?
Write a letter to your Congress Person and tell them
about it! It is their job to LISTEN TO YOU!
VISIT THE ELDERLY
Sometimes when we get older, it’s difficult to do the things
that we did when we were younger. These older members of
our community might need help with everyday tasks that we
accomplish so easily. If an older person doesn’t have a
family that is able to help them with these everyday tasks,
often the elderly person moves into a Nursing Home.
This can leave the older person feeling isolated or lonely. Do
you think you could visit a local nursing home and read to
one of its older residents? Perhaps do a puzzle with them?
Play a game of checkers? OR, ask them to play their
favorite game from childhood!
For Students
7
CHANGE YOUR WORLD!
PLANT A TREE
Join “THE TREE MUSKETEERS,” a non-profit devoted to
empowering people just like YOU to improve their
environment. Learn more about this organization by
visiting their website:
http://treemusketeers.org
OR start your own tree planting group with family and
friends.
COMMUNITY CLEAN-UP
Trash tends to collect! Especially in public places. I’ll bet
you can think of a place right now that’s looking nasty and
neglected...Got one? There are a lot of good reasons to
clean that place up. It may not be your job, but it is where
you live and helping to keep it nice will benefit everyone
that lives there.
Teachers, follow the website below for a scavenger hunt
checklist--a great way to turn a community clean up into
an adventure: http://www.mykidsadventures.com/
cleanup-scavenger-hunt/
VOLUNTEER @ AN ANIMAL SHELTER
Do you enjoy spending time with animals? Animals in
shelters sometimes just need to spend time with
people and some shelters are simply looking for hands
to help pet the pets! Look into local area rescue
shelters and inquire about their youth programs.
Contact the SPCA of the Triad to learn about ways that
youth can volunteer. Check them out online at http://
www.triadspca.org/volunteer.html
For Students
8
Write Now!
Write a Review or Letter
Write a Review
Create an idea web by discussing everything you remember from the performance. Think about what you saw FIRST. Opinions come later. Here are some questions to get you started: What costumes did the actors wear? How did the different characters move? What did the set look like? What kinds of songs did they sing? What else can you remember? Write a review with the following components:
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
Paragraph one: describe what you saw and heard at the performance.
Rate the show: one to Hive stars. Each star represents something you like about the play.
For each star in your rating, explain one thing you like about the performance (i.e.. a four star rating equals four things you like about the production.) Be speciHic!
For each star under Hive, explain one thing you didn’t like about the performance (i.e. three star rating equals two things you didn’t like about the show). Be speciHic!
Use the stages of the writing process to produce your review: outline, draft, review, revise, edit.
Publish your work by sending it to The North Carolina Theatre for Young People. We would love to hear from you and we will write you back!
Write a Letter
As a way to reHlect on the play, write NCTYP a letter. Our staff and creative team would love to hear what you thought of the play or answer any questions about the production. Send your letter to:
The North Carolina Theatre for Young People
P.O. Box 26170
Greensboro, NC 27402-6170
For Students
9