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SOMETHING FOR
NOTHING???
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Program written, built and performed by Kathleen Jacobs
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Life Size puppets
and impromptu performers from the audience help Kathleen dramatize a
trio of folktales about bullies who scheme, threaten and steal in their
efforts to gain … SOMETHING FOR NOTHING. With the aid of the
audience, our heroes triumph and the “bad” guys end up with
…NOTHING!
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1. |
SOMETHING
FOR NOTHING, opens with Kathleen narrating a delightful old
Irish story, “Pot Of Gold”. A five foot tall puppet known as
Dawdling-Do-Nothing captures a leprechaun (played by a costumed
volunteer from the audience). He demands to know the location of
the
wee man’s fabled pot of gold. The cooperation of the entire
audience is necessary to trick Dawdling-Do-Nothing and save the
leprechaun and his treasure.
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Kathleen
demonstrates how to make simple hand and rod puppets…. with
heads similar to Dawdling-Do-Nothing!
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Young
volunteers join Kathleen on stage and use these same bottle
puppets to act out the adventures of Mischief-Maker and her
brother, Muddle-Head. When the siblings are led astray by greed,
a humorous turnabout play teaches them valuable lessons about
getting along with
those different from themselves.
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| 4. |
The
merriment continues with the play, “Tops & Bottoms”, a
tale that has European, Asian and African-American variations.
An audience member portrays the gutsy Farmer Have-Not. The Bully
Boggart tries to steal the food meant to feed her hungry little
children. It is the audience who must bolster the farmer and
advise her on ways to outwit the four-foot, hairy creature. |
SOMETHING FOR
NOTHING?? "Get rich quick at the expense others", say the
greedy bullies. But their plans are foiled in these folk plays. More
then a few humorous surprises are in store for the audience. While
fortunes are gained and lost, important lessons in humanity are
learned.
SOMETHING FOR
NOTHING???
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| Characters
learn to: |
Outsmart
greedy Bullies |
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Get
along with folks different from themselves.
Treat others, as they would like to be treated. |
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| Literacy: |
Reading, Writing, Creative thinking |
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| Arts: |
Creative dramatics, Creative movement, |
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Rod puppet construction & movement |
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Trickster
Tales from Different Cultures |
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| 1. |
POT
OF GOLD, told in Ireland |
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MISCHIEF-MAKER
& MUDDLE-HEAD, inspired by a Russian tale. |
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TOPS
& BOTTOMS, a tale with European, Asian and
African-American variations. |
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Teacher’s Guide and Puppet Construction
Directions are Provided.
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SOMETHING FOR
NOTHING???
| SAMPLE ACTIVITIES FROM TEACHER’S GUIDE |
| PRE
PERFORMANCE ACTIVITIES |
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Introduce the
program’s title, SOMETHING FOR NOTHING?? Discuss with students its
possible meaning. Why do they think the title ends in question marks?
| POST
PERFORMANCE ACTIVITIES |
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| 1. |
Mischief-Maker
& Muddle-Head schemed to get “something for nothing”… money.
Did they succeed? Did they deserve to succeed? Did they think or care
about the welfare of the One-eyed people?
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Write a note from Mischief Maker and Muddle-Head apologizing to the
One-Eyed people for their bad behavior. Have miscreants read their
letter(s) aloud to the One-Eyed people. What do you think happens next?
Form into groups and improvise the scene, then present them to the
class.
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What was Muddle-Head’s part in the pursuit of the One-eyed people?
What would you have done if Mischief-Maker approached you with the same
offer? Improvise the scene with a partner.
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Share with the group details of a time when you refused to go along
with the crowd. How did you feel about it? Brainstorm ways to say NO
to bad ideas and bad leaders. Write a story based on your inspirations.
Illustrate your tale.
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| 5. |
A role reversal brought about a satisfying conclusion to this tale.
Discuss changing roles with other people in your lives; teacher,
parent, principal, classmate, siblings, policeman, etc.. Think of
typical conflicts that arise. Construct puppets and use to role-play
these situations. Reverse parts. Would you like to be treated as you
treat others? |
SOMETHING FOR
NOTHING???
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| Who? |
PreK
to grade 5 and Family audiences. |
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| Where? |
Schools,
libraries, camps, museums, theaters, festivals |
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and community events throughout the Mid-Atlantic |
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States. Tours on the East Coast are planned. |
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| When? |
Anytime! We tour year round
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| Audience
Size |
up
to 350 people |
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| Program
Length |
Full-length performances are 50 to 55 |
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minutes long. Shorter 25-35 minute shows |
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are available. |
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| Staging
Options |
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| •Preferred:
Raised stage 16 feet wide X 14 feet deep with |
| center stairs
to access the audience. |
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•Floor level space approximately 16 feet
wide X 14 feet deep. |
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Seat children on the floor to insure them an unobstructed |
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view. |
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| Sound |
Performer provides own sound system with wireless |
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microphone. |
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Exceptions: Festevals and large venues. |
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| Electrical |
2 outlets on stage. |
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| Lighting |
Basic lighting. General wash with a concentration of |
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light on center and front of stage. House lights |
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are kept on low because performer travels into |
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the audience. |
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| Setup/Strike
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Set
Up: 1 hour, Pack Up: 45 minutes |
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| Loading/Parking |
Please arrange for our van to unload/load |
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as close as possible to the venue entrance. |
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Provide free parking close to loading area. |
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SOMETHING FOR
NOTHING???
“It is not easy these days to hold the attention of a
roomful of fourth and fifth graders but Kathleen Jacobs does it with flair. …..students were completely
engrossed and having a ball. They hardly suspected that they were also being taught important lessons.”
Prime Times of Harford County, MD
“Excellent performance- clear message…segment on how to make a puppet wonderful.”
Principal, Mother Catherine Spalding School, MD
“What a terrific, creative
presentation! You kept the assembly
moving and the kids involved both on stage and in the audience.
My kids LOVED it!”
5th Grade Teacher, Rheems Elementary, PA
“The stories were delightful. They shared a common theme and taught
valuable lessons. Your follow-up was inspirational.”
Teacher, Colgate Elementary, MD
“Without exception,
everyone I polled for an opinion of your presentation (faculty and
students) requested that we have you back next year.”
PTO Chairperson, Schaeffer Elementary, PA
“I would highly
recommend these assemblies for any elementary program that is
interested in providing their youngsters with great entertainment as
well as an educational experience.”
Coordinator of Elementary Education,
Spring Grove School District, PA
“Teachers liked the tie in to reading and comparisons to different folk tales..Student participation excellent.”
Counselor Perkiomen Valley South Elementary, PA
“The topics covered
fit in well with our behavior and guidance programs - bullying and
treating others with respect.”
4th Grade Teacher, Rheems Elementary, PA
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