Every year, the Northwood High School arts faculty and students produce a musical in the Spring; this year’s show was The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.

The lesson plans in this booklet have been created with middle school students in mind, and can be used alone or along with viewing the production.

table of contentsCopyright Information 2Synopsis of The Bee 3Art Lesson 4Dance Lesson 5Instrumental Music Lesson 6Theatre Lesson 7Audience Etiquette 8

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An Arts Study Guide for the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee | 2011 http://bit.ly/vuYlL

© 2011 by Leslie Burwell, Lori Major Carlin,

Eugene Cottrell & Leah Smith

Design & layout: Emily Kerscher

Original NHS Poster Design: Charlotte Harrison

Photos from 2011 Northwood spring musical

production of The 25th Annual Putnam County

Spelling Bee courtesy of NHS Arts Education

Foundation.

Partial funding for this project was provided by a

grant from Chatham Arts and the NC Arts

Council.

Suggested Citation:

Burwell, L., Carlin L., Cottrell, E., Smith, L. (2011)

An Arts Study Guide for The 25th Annual Putnam

County Spelling Bee. Pittsboro, NC: Northwood

High School Arts Education Foundation.

An Arts Study Guide

for

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

An Arts Study Guide for the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee | 2011 http://bit.ly/vuYlL

Fast Facts

HUMBLE ORIGINSThe show started as a non-musical play entitled C-R-E-P-U-S-C-L-E, done by the improvisational group “The Farm.”

The show held its first full production in a cafeteria-turned-theater.

STAR OF THE SHOWWhen the show moved to Off-Broadway’s Second Stage Theatre, it quickly sold out its original stay and was extended due to glowing reviews and powerful word of mouth.

The show broke box office records at Second Stage and won two 2005 Tony awards for Best Book of a Musical and Best Featured Actor.

http:/www.spellingbeethemusical.com/

SynopsisIn a high school gym, long-time hostess Rona Lisa Peretti finalizes the

preparations for the annual county spelling bee. The current crop of spelling contenders arrives; the contestants include last year’s champ Chip (a boy scout), Schwarzy (the youngest and most politically aware contestant), Coneybear (the somewhat wide-eyed offspring of hippie parents), Barfee (an allergy-plagued student), Marcy (an over-achieving Asian-American), and Olive (a tentative newcomer). Rona also calls on four volunteers from the audience to join the competition (these are real audience members who have been selected through an interview process before the show).

Rona introduces Vice Principal Douglas Panch, a last-minute substitute word pronouncer, and Mitch Mahoney, a menacing ex-con who is serving as “Comfort Counselor” as part of his community service sentence.

The contest begins. As the students are individually called upon, Rona provides color commentary, revealing background info about each of them.

One by one, the contestants are eliminated, and eventually only Olive and Barfee remain. After a volley of correctly spelled words, Olive misspells a word. Barfee hesitates before claiming victory, sensitive to Olive’s feelings, but Olive reassures him and he claims the victory. Panch, taking pity on Olive, invents a $25 prize for “runner up.” Olive and Barfee warmly congratulate each other.

A series of epilogues reveals the future fates of the characters, and explains how their experiences during the spelling bee shaped each of their lives.

Adapted from MTI:

http://www.mtishows.com/show_detail.asp?showid=000336

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee-Book by Rachel Sheinkin-Music and lyrics by William Finn-Conceived by Rebecca Feldman-Additional material by Jay Reiss-Originally directed on Broadway by James Lapine-Originally produced on Broadway by David Stone, James L. Nederlander, Barbara Whitman, Patrick Catullo, Barrington Stage Company, Second Stage Theatre

An Arts Study Guide for the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee | 2011 http://bit.ly/vuYlL

ARTWe Are Made of WORDS!

Spelling Bee Inspired Typography Portraits

Author Materials TimeARTWe Are Made of WORDS!

Spelling Bee Inspired Typography Portraits

Leslie Burwell, Northwood High School Visual Arts Instructor, 2011

Adapted from http://www.princetonol.com/groups/iad/lessons/SubPlans/subelem.htm

Computer Typography:

-Dictionary

-Internet

Five 45-minute classes

ARTWe Are Made of WORDS!

Spelling Bee Inspired Typography Portraits

Hand-drawn Typography:

-Pencil & Markers

-White Paper

-Tracing Paper

ARTWe Are Made of WORDS!

Spelling Bee Inspired Typography Portraits

Above: An example of a finished typography portrait.

http://acrisdesign.com/2010/01/wow-typography-art/

We Are Made of WORDS!

PREPARE

Think about the characters in the play and their personalities. Why do you think certain characters spelled out certain words? Using a dictionary, brainstorm a list of words that fit your personality.

PROCEDURE

Option 1: Computer Typography – Use the

internet to download a variety of fonts; some good sites to check out are dafont.com and fontstruct.com. Type your personality words in a word document, experimenting with your different fonts, and also different colors, sizes and spacing.

Option 2: Hand-drawn Typography –

Trace the outline and contour lines of your face from your photograph, but leave a space at the top of the head for where the hair will go (see example). Then draw your hair, but make sure it is big enough for you to have room to develop the typography.

You can add very light contour lines across the face to make a temporary track to write letters. Letters should be smaller and darker at places that go in, and lighter and larger at places where the face is broad, like the cheeks and forehead.

CLOSURE

How did your classmates use their font to express their personality? What words did they use that express their personality?

An Arts Study Guide for the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee | 2011 http://bit.ly/vuYlL

DANCEMAGIC FEET

Author Materials TimeDANCEMAGIC FEET

Leah Smith, Northwood High School Dance Instructor, 2011

-Recording of “Magic Foot” from the musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

Creative preparation: 20 minutes

DANCEMAGIC FEET

Presentation: 20 minutes

DANCEMAGIC FEET

Above: Millicent Barfee and Olive Ostrovsky performing a dance routine for the musical.

MAGIC FEET

This activity is based on the song “Magic Foot,” where the character spells her word with her foot before spelling it out loud. Work with your group members to create a short dance, using your bodies to spell the names of everyone in your group. The more creative the better!

An Arts Study Guide for the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee | 2011 http://bit.ly/vuYlL

MUSICI Speak Six Languages!

Author Materials TimeMUSICI Speak Six Languages!

Eugene Cottrell, Northwood High School Instrumental Music Instructor, 2011

-Recording of “I Speak Six Languages” from the musical The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

15-30 minutes

MUSICI Speak Six Languages!

MUSICI Speak Six Languages!

Above: Speller Chip Tolentino singing during a musical number.

I Speak Six Languages!

When your teacher plays the recording for the first time, just relax and enjoy the music.

The second time the song is played, pay close attention to the way the music sounds. Raise your hand if you hear a change in the main instrument, rhythm, or style of the music. Your teacher will pause the recording so you can discuss what you just heard.

An Arts Study Guide for the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee | 2011 http://bit.ly/vuYlL

THEATREInterviews & Roles

Author Materials TimeTHEATREInterviews & Roles

Dr. Lori Major Carlin, Northwood High School Theatre Arts Instructor, 2011

-Play program (for reference)-Paper, pencil, or computer-Video Camera (optional)

Creative preparation:

30 minutes

THEATREInterviews & Roles

Presentation:

30 minutes

THEATREInterviews & Roles

Assessment:

20 minutes

Above: Spelling Bee host Rona Lisa Peretti, backstage.

Interviews & RolesINTERVIEWSEach of the characters in the

Spelling Bee has a distinct personality. As you view the play, notice the things that stand out about each character (do they have a distinctive way of speaking, are there any nervous tics, how do they handle stress).

After viewing the play, break into pairs. One student will play a newsperson and the other student will select a character from the show. Together, write some interview questions & some responses.

Borrow a video camera to record, or simply present your interviews in front of your peers. See who can portray the characters most effectively. What elements of character are easy to recall? In a class, discuss the different portrayals & determine what the most memorable traits of each character.

ROLESThe characters you see on

stage are just a small part of the larger group of people necessary to put on a production.

Find the definitions for the following theatrical positions:

DirectorProducerMusic Director Assistant Director Choreographer Technical Director Lighting Designer Scenic Designer Grip Stagehand Prop Master Costume Mistress Make-up Designer

In small groups, compare your definitions and discuss how each position contributes to the success of the production.

An Arts Study Guide for the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee | 2011 http://bit.ly/vuYlL

CreditsAdapted from

http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/students/features/field-guides/theater-venue.aspx

Writer

Marina Ruben Original Writer

Editor & Producer

Lisa Resnick

A Field Guide to Theaters

Before the Show

Dress Up. No need for a tuxedo, but do try to look nice.

Bring Warmth. Even if it’s toasty outside, bring a sweater or a jacket. Theaters are usually cold.

Bring your tickets. For obvious reasons.

Bring money. If you want to buy a souvenir.

Go. To see the lobby. To use the bathroom. Do it now, before the show starts.

Turn off your cell phone. And anything else electronic that could cause a ruckus.

Find the “EXIT” signs. Look for the illuminated signs over the doors.

Read your program. This tells you what you’re about to see, who created it, and who’s performing in it.

Don’t munch. At most theaters, no food, gum, or beverages are allowed inside the theater itself. If you think you might need a breath mint or cough drop during the play, unwrap it quietly or, better yet, before the performance.

Thank ushers. These are the people who give you programs, show you to your seat, and answer questions.

During the Show

No pictures, please. Don’t take photos unless you have been told it’s okay to do so.

Rest in peace. Shhh. It’s fine to laugh or cry, but save any chit-chat for later.

Respect the chairs. Don’t put your feet on them, kick them, or make them feel bad about themselves.

Clap on; clap off. You should clap after a play, song, scene, or act, or right before intermission.

Intermission: There’s a break about halfway through most theater productions. This is a great time to use the bathroom, get a drink of water, blow your nose, stretch or eavesdrop.

Power outage? If it’s before the show or the end of intermission, the lights may go on and off several times. This signal means audience members should sit down--the show is about to begin.

Going To See The Show?The Kennedy Center has compiled a helpful list of everything you need to know before you go to an arts event in a theater.

An Arts Study Guide for the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee | 2011 http://bit.ly/vuYlL

CreditsAdapted from

http://artsedge.kennedy-center.org/students/features/field-guides/theater-venue.aspx

Writer

Marina Ruben Original Writer

Editor & Producer

Lisa Resnick

Dramatic Dos and Don’ts

Before the Show

Wish them well. Did you hear anyone say “Break a leg!” to an actor? Though it doesn’t sound nice, it is. To an actor, it means good luck.

Peer into the pit. If the show has live music, it probably has a pit--that hole below the stage where the musicians sit. Before the show starts, go take a peek at it.

Musicals: know the score. Many people read plays before seeing them performed. To prepare for a musical though, it’s more common to listen to the show’s soundtrack. The songs will give you a sense of the plot and mood of the performance. Plus, you’ll be able to sing along during the show (in your head, never out loud!)

During the Show

Listen right away. At the start of a musical, you might hear live music before you see anything happening on stage. What you’re hearing is the overture, which includes little bits of all the songs you’ll hear in the show. Listen quietly--the overture is part of the show.

Don’t talk back. If characters in a play talk directly to the audience, they’re “breaking the fourth wall.”

If you’re happy and you know it. Theater audiences generally clap at the end of acts. An exception: In musicals, you can clap at the end of any song or dance number—or occasionally in the middle of one if a performer does something really complicated. A “showstopper” is when a performer sings or does something so well that it literally stops the show with audience applause.

Time out. Sometimes during a musical performance there is an “11 o’clock moment.” It’s when something really big happens—like a song or special spectacle. Usually the audience recognizes this moment with loud applause.

Going To See The Show?The Kennedy Center has compiled a helpful list of everything you need to know before you go to an arts event in a theater.

An Arts Study Guide for the 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee | 2011 http://bit.ly/vuYlL

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