Synetic Theater: Pantomine for Youth Presents “Cowardly

Assembly Coordinator: Please Distribute, Post, and Announce!
Assembly Date:
Assembly Time:
For Students in:
Synetic Theater: Pantomine for Youth
Presents
“Cowardly Christopher Finds His Courage”
Artistic Director Paata Tsikurishvili has created one of the only
professional Pantomime Theatre repertories for youth in the U.S. He
uses Georgian (former Republic of the Soviet Union) pantomime traditions combined with
dance, clowning, and music to create a professional pantomime repertoire
for all ages.
Tsikurishvili and
Resident Choreographer,
Irina Tsikurishvili, have
been nominated twelve
times for the prestigious
Helen Hayes Awards in
Washington, D.C. Irina has won four times for Choreography, and
Paata has won Best Director and Best Resident Play.
Contact Young Audiences for more information on this and other programs • 410-837-7577 • www.yamd.org
Young Audiences/Arts for Learning 2601 N Howard Street, Suite 320 Baltimore, MD 21218
Prep Information for Assembly Coordinator
“Cowardly Christopher Finds His Courage”
Artist: Synetic Theater
Grade Level: K-8
* Please pass along the attached teacher program guide to all
participating classrooms.
Setup Requirements
• Performance space: A stage at least 20’ wide and 15’ deep. Can be indoors or outdoors.
• The show may be done in a large room as long as the performing space matches the stage size
given with enough room for a 5’ space between the edge of the performance area and the audience.
• Due to the physical nature of the performance please clean the stage on the da of the performance.
• A closing front curtain is preferred but the show can be done without it.
• Access to electrical outlet.
• Bright general lighting is preferred as well.
Artist Arrival Time
30 minutes prior to performance
Suggested Introduction
Ladies and Gentlemen, Boys and Girls, let’s give a warm welcome to Synetic Theater presenting…
Cowardly Christopher Finds His Courage!
Inclement Weather
DON’T WORRY! Artists will follow school closings/delays.
They will work with you to reschedule the performance if necessary.
Young Audiences Contact Number
410-837-7577
After Hours / Emergency Number
443-562-5815
Contact Young Audiences for more information on this and other programs • 410-837-7577 • www.yamd.org
Young Audiences/Arts for Learning 2601 N Howard Street, Suite 320 Baltimore, MD 21218
Teacher Program Guide
“Cowardly Christopher Finds His Courage”
Artist: Synetic Theater
Grade Level: K-8
Inside this guide:
• Artist Bio
• Performance
Description
• MSC Connectors
• Vocabulary
• List of Resources
Artist Bio
Artistic Director Paata Tsikurishvili has created one of the only
professional Pantomime Theatre repertories for youth in the U.S.
He uses Georgian (former Republic of the Soviet Union) pantomime traditions combined with dance, clowning, and music to
create a professional pantomime repertoire for all ages. Tsikurishvili and Resident Choreographer, Irina Tsikurishvili, have been
nominated twelve times for the prestigious Helen Hayes Awards in
Washington, D.C. Irina has won four times for Choreography, and
Paata has won Best Director and Best Resident Play.
• Pre and PostPerformance
Activities
Performance Description
Christopher is content to stay home all
day, playing video games. But when he
suddenly awakes on the shore of an unknown lake in an unfamiliar land, Christopher must find it in himself to be brave.
Performed in the Synetic style of physical
theater with a lively cast of characters,
Cowardly Christopher transports audiences into a world of youthful imagination. Whether
it’s hurling stones across the planes of Ireland or learning martial arts in Japan, smiles and
laughter abound on this exciting and magical journey.
* Maryland State Curriculum Connectors on next sheet
Contact Young Audiences for more information on this and other programs • 410-837-7577 • www.yamd.org
Young Audiences/Arts for Learning 2601 N Howard Street, Suite 320 Baltimore, MD 21218
Teacher Program Guide
“Cowardly Christopher Finds His Courage”
Artist: Synetic Theater
Grade Level: K-8
Maryland State Curriculum Connectors
Fine Arts Content Standard in Theatre
Standard 2.0 Historical, Cultural, and Social Context
Students will demonstrate an understanding of the history, traditions, and conventions of theatre,
dramatic texts, and other literature of the theatre.
1. Express a broad range of human responses to a variety of stimuli
a. Identify ways in which theatre communicates feelings and ideas and reflects human
experience by comparing dramatic texts from a variety of cultures
b. Identify how oral storytelling traditions reflect the beliefs and values of a given culture
Vocabulary
Physical Theater - performance which communicates a story through extensive use of the body
Pantomime - a dramatic practice in which a performer portrays imaginary objects and/or environments
through bodily movements and facial expression
Dead-Point - in pantomime, a point in space where an isolated body part sticks and remains still
Plasticity - in regard to flexibility and balance, the manner in which a person’s body is able to move
Visual Storytelling - the practice of communicating a story through visual means
Universal Gestures - movements of the body which have universal meaning, i.e. raising both arms in
the air to communicate triumph
Archetype - in theater, a generic, idealized model of a known type of character, i.e. the hero, the villain,
the fool, etc.
Physical Comedy - the practice of comedic performance through bodily movement
Stage Combat (Fight Choregraphy) - a planned out series of movements which create the illusion of
physical combat without causing harm to the performers
Physical Characterization - the use of the body to communicate a specific character and/or personality
Abstract Movement - movement representative of an action, emotion, and/or idea
Contact Young Audiences for more information on this and other programs • 410-837-7577 • www.yamd.org
Young Audiences/Arts for Learning 2601 N Howard Street, Suite 320 Baltimore, MD 21218
Teacher Program Guide
“Cowardly Christopher Finds His Courage”
Artist: Synetic Theater
Grade Level: K-8
Pre/Post Performance Activity Ideas
1. Use the Vocabulary Resource Sheet to define and discuss key concepts from the program.
2. Pick a story that you are reading, or have read in class. Have students act out the story, or a scene
from the story, in pantomime.
3. Ideas/Questions for Discussion
• What was this story about? How did you know that without the actors using any words?
• What, if anything, becomes available when language is taken away?
• What does Cowardly Christopher tell us about sharing the stage?
• What did Christopher learn from his adventure?
• How did the music help tell the story?
• What’s the importance of visual storytelling? Of physical theater?
• Difference between telling a story and visual storytelling?
• What is the significance of body language?
List of Resources:
The Mime Book by Claude Kipnis (Meriwether Pub., 1988)
Beyond the World: The World of Mime by Stephan Niedzialkow-ski (Momentum Books, Ltd., 1993)
Mime Spoken Here by Tony Montataro (Tibury House Pub. 1995)
Talking About Mime: An Illustrated Guide by David Alberts (Heinemann, 1995)
Creative Drama and Theatre Education: http://www.creativedrama.com/
A great website with exercises and activities related to physical theatre and creative drama.
Contact Young Audiences for more information on this and other programs • 410-837-7577 • www.yamd.org
Young Audiences/Arts for Learning 2601 N Howard Street, Suite 320 Baltimore, MD 21218
Teacher Program Guide
“Cowardly Christopher Finds His Courage”
Artist: Synetic Theater
Grade Level: K-8
Physical Theatre Exercises
Abstract Movement Activities
Four Corners - Students stand in a diamond formation, with one student at each corner. All face one
corner in the beginning. The student at this corner leads the group in movement, exploring shape, size,
levels, pace and so on. After a little time has passed, the leader passes the movement to another corner,
making the student at this corner the new leader. The pass must be clear, and must not interrupt the
flow of movement. It is generally a good idea to play some sort of meditative music during this exercise.
Mirror Work - Students pair off and face one another, mirroring each other’s movements. The flow of motion should be continuous, and neither partner should be the leader. For more of a challenge, try groups
of three or four.
Four Emotions - Divide the floor of the space into four quadrants. Designate each quadrant as a different emotion, feeling or idea. Examples: Happy, Sad, Angry, and Afraid; Hot, Warm, Cold, and Freezing;
Fire, Water, Wind and Earth. Students take the stage in groups and divide evenly into the four areas.
Students must represent the them of their area physically. The teacher controls the game by prompting
students to move clockwise from one quadrant to the next (with a clap, a snap, a whistle, or what have
you), until each student has explored every quadrant. Students should be encouraged to explore modes of
expression. The shift between quadrants should be easily identified in the students physicality.
Mime Exercises
Wall Game - Multiple players are stuck on either side of a wall. They must use mime to create it, as well
as find a way through it as a group.
Maze Game - Multiple players are stuck in a maze. They must use their mime skills to create the maze
as they travel through it to a destination.
Physical Characterization
Practice body isolations (moving the chest alone, the head, the shoulders, arms, feet, etc.; also try
combinations)
Pie Lazzi - This exercise requires an object or space that can function as “backstage” for the actors to
walk behind, out of sight of the audience. A student must choose an animal, and then enter the room as
half-human, half-the chosen animal. S/he must represent this character physically. Then, using mime
and physical expression, s/he must notice the pie, inspect the scene, then steal the pie and do something
with it. This exercise is silent.
Contact Young Audiences for more information on this and other programs • 410-837-7577 • www.yamd.org
Young Audiences/Arts for Learning 2601 N Howard Street, Suite 320 Baltimore, MD 21218
Teacher Program Guide
“Cowardly Christopher Finds His Courage”
Artist: Synetic Theater
Grade Level: K-8
More Physical Theatre Exercises
Spicy Lazzi - A student must enter the stage displaying a physical character (an old person, a fool, a hero
– the more specific, the better). Using mime and physical expression, s/he must notice a spicy food, eat it,
realize it’s too spicy, and find a way to solve the problem. NOTE: No getting a cup of water! Be creative! Also, try playing with the type of food.
Find a Penny - Three to five students must enter the stage one at a time, each displaying a different physical character (remember, be specific). As each character comes out, s/he notices a penny on the ground. Each character decides not to take the penny, until the last one, who does. Characters must show why
they did or did not take the penny in their performance. NOTE: This is a practice in variation and creativity! Do you pick up the penny? What do you do with it? Each physical character must be noticeably
different, as well as each interaction with the penny. Explore possibilities!
Character Walks - Practice different ways of walking to express character. Play with levels, posture,
pace, facial expression, and so forth.
Partner work - Partners work together to mime pulling a rope or pushing a wall, either together or in
opposition. Allow one partner to mime a maze, then have the other partner follow it, recreating every
detail. Practice tossing different masks back and forth, using mime and facial expression to take them on
and off. Toss a ball. A Frisbee. A set of plates. Experiment with as many different mimed interactions
as possible.
Visual Storytelling
Picture Game - A student takes the stage and poses as part of a tableau. A second student joins, making
a new pose which adds to the picture. Each student to join makes a new pose until the picture is finished.
Five Frame Fairytales - Students tell a fairy tale in five frames. Students should create five pictures on
stage, using only themselves, which tell a fairy tale, beginning, middle and end.
R&J Lazzi - Students work to retell the story of Romeo & Juliet in less than three minutes. Best done in
groups of five or six. This game can be played with any well-known story.
Team Task - Four players must work together to complete a task on stage, using mime and physical expression. Tasks may include, but should not be limited to… construction, baking, setting a trap, painting
a wall, cleaning a room, etc. Remember: Specificity is key!
Contact Young Audiences for more information on this and other programs • 410-837-7577 • www.yamd.org
Young Audiences/Arts for Learning 2601 N Howard Street, Suite 320 Baltimore, MD 21218
In Depth Activity for Teachers and Students
“Cowardly Christopher Finds His Courage”
Artist: Synetic Theater
Grade Level: K-8
Vocabulary Resource Sheet
Performance
Stage Combat
Pantomime
Dead-Point
Communication
Imagination
Universal Gestures
Theatre
Expression
Agility
Name: _____________________________________________ Date: ______________________
Contact Young Audiences for more information on this and other programs • 410-837-7577 • www.yamd.org
Young Audiences/Arts for Learning 2601 N Howard Street, Suite 320 Baltimore, MD 21218