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InsIde the show/Company • Closer look • where In the world

InsIde the art Form

CreatIvIty page: lIFe Is a song

EN ROUTE AFTERBEFORE BEYOND

INSIDE provides teachers and students a behind-the-curtain look at the artists, the company and the art form of this production. Utilize this resource to learn more about the artists on the New Victory stage, how far they’ve traveled and their inspiration for creating this show. In addition to information that will enrich your students’ experience at the theater, you will find a Creativity Page as a handout to build student anticipation around their trip to The New Victory.

makIng ConneCtIons to learnIng standards New Victory School tool Resource Guides align with the Common Core State Standards, New York State Learning Standards and New York City Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts. We believe that these standards support both the high quality instruction and deep engagement that The New Victory Theater strives to achieve in its arts education practice.

what Is “InsIde” the firework maker's daughter?

INSIDE

inside |

COMMON CORE

Writing: Standard 3; Standard 4Speaking and Listening: Standard 1Language: Standard 1

NEW YORK STATE STANDARDS

The Arts: Standard 4English Language Arts: Standard 1; Standard 4

This section is part of a full New Victory® School toolTM Resource Guide. For the complete guide, including information about the New Victory Education

Department check out: newvICtorysChooltools.org

BLUEPRINT FOR THE ARTS

Theater: Developing Theater Literacy; Making Connections

THE FIREWORKMAKER'S DAUgHTER

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INSIDEBEFORE EN ROUTE AFTER

Closer look at the firework maker's daughter

where In the world Is the firework maker's daughter From?

• Several different companies, The Opera Group, Opera North, ROH2 and Watford Palace Theatre, all teamed up to create this production. The Opera Group is making its return to the New Vic Stage after 3 years with the production of The Enchanted Pig.

• Have you read other works by Philip Pullman? You and your students may be familiar with the His Dark Materials trilogy!

• Pullman loved firework names like 'Incandescent Fountain' so much that he began writing THE FIREWORK MAKER’S DAUGHTER just to have an excuse to use them.

• The show will feature live music performed by New York’s Metropolis Ensemble, conducted by Grammy-nominated conductor, Andrew Cyr.

Based on Philip Pullman’s enchanting novel, this exciting new opera tells the story of one girl’s quest to become a firework maker. You and your students will follow Lila as she travels to the ends of the earth to prove to her father that she is indeed up to the challenge. With the help of her friend Chulak, and the King’s White Elephant, Hamlet, Lila will travel to Mount Merapi and back, finding that her destiny to fill the sky with light is, indeed, closer than she thinks. This explosive, inventive, and heartwarming opera will leave the young firework makers in your classroom soaring into the sky!

• Henry VII’s wedding in 1489 included the first fireworks display in England (The first fireworks recorded in America were set off by an Englishman, Captain John Smith, famous from the legend of Pocahontas).

London, England

BEYOND

[ ] A passionate young girl + an incredible quest + an epic book by Philip Pullman

+ an original opera + shadow puppetry =

the firework maker's daughter

InsIde the show/Company • Closer look • where In the world

InsIde the art Form

CreatIvIty page: lIFe Is a song

inside | THE FIREWORKMAKER'S DAUgHTER

northamerICa

atlantICoCean

paCIFICoCean

IndIanoCean

england

asIaeUrope

aFrICa

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INSIDEBEFORE EN ROUTE AFTER

opera: Opera is a musical form of storytelling, developed at the end of the 16th century. Originally, the inventors intended to re-create the Greek tragic style, fusing music and drama. The earliest operas were based on Greek mythology and ancient history. The basic elements of opera are musical sections and recitative, or sung dialogue. Musical sections can be arias (solo), duets (two people), trios (three people) or quartets (four people).

BalInese shadow pUppetry: Shadow puppetry is considered to be the oldest form of puppetry in the world, dating back thousands of years. Traditional Balinese shadow puppets, or Wanyang, are flat and made of leather. Separate pieces of the puppet are joined together with wire or string, and are controlled by long rods. Certain parts of the puppet are perforated to create the image the audience will see. The puppets appear behind a white translucent screen made of either paper or cloth. On the puppeteers' side there is a lamp, providing the light source that creates the shadow seen by the audience from the other side.

opera lIngo:Opera is a renowned art form that pulls together aspects of theater, music, language, history and technical design. Using the Opera Glossary, you will be able to offer your students the lingo of this legendary style of performance.

• Librettist: Writes the words for an opera.• Composer: Writes the music for an opera, or any other musical score.• Conductor: Coordinates the music of the orchestra with the singers on

stage.• Soprano: The highest female voice. Usually the heroine of the opera and

often in love.• Alto: The lowest female voice. Often plays an old woman or witch.• Tenor: The highest male voice. Usually plays a lover in an opera.• Baritone: The second lowest male voice.• Bass: The person who has the lowest male voice. The bass often plays an

old man or a funny character.• Orchestra: A group of instrumentalists who play music for the singers.• Recitative: Words that are sung to create action in the story.• Aria: A piece of music sung by one person, or solo. It is usually a time for

one character to sing to the audience, accompanied by the orchestra, to give information about who he or she is.

• Duet: A piece of music written for two singers.• Quartet: A piece of music for four singers.• Finale: Last number of an opera. It is usually the biggest and most

extravagant part of the opera.

Prior to exploring THE FIREWORK MAKER’S DAUGHTER with your students, find out how much they already know about opera and shadow puppetry. In addition, allow them to explore the ideas of a quest and overcoming the impossible.

Use the Prior Knowledge questions below, and the Creativity Page handout (next page) to get a sense of your students’ understanding of the art forms and themes in the show. You may be surprised by how much they know already, and in the process of exploring these areas, you’ll spark their curiosity to see the show and enhance their anticipation for the trip.

When do people sing? Why do people sing?

Have you ever been to a play where the actors sing? Why do you think actors sing as part of a show? Did you enjoy that performance?

How do you think singing can enhance a story on stage?

What is an opera?

What are some fun shadows you can make, either with your hands or your body?

Have you ever played with your own shadow?

How can you change the size and shape of your shadow?

THE FIREWORK MAKER’S DAUGHTER uses both opera and puppetry to tell the story of a girl who has gone on a quest to become a Firework Maker. What is a quest? Have you ever been on a quest before?

What were you seeking on your quest?

Who was with you when you went on your quest?

Were you ever scared on your quest? Why?

BEYOND

InsIde the art Formwhat do yoUr stUdents know now?

InsIde the show/Company • Closer look • where In the world

InsIde the art Form

CreatIvIty page: lIFe Is a song

inside | THE FIREWORKMAKER'S DAUgHTER

© The New 42Nd STreeT, INc.

®

CreatIvIty page: lIFe Is a song

LIFE IS A SONGSometimes, our feelings are so strong that we cannot find the words to express how we feel. In this case, we need music! An opera is a type of play that uses music to tell a dramatic story. In opera, the characters never speak words. Instead, they sing

because they are so overwhelmed with emotion. If your life were an opera, what would you sing about?

First, decide on five events in your life that made you feel the most emotion. When were you the happiest?

When were you the saddest? What are the most important things that have ever happened to you?

Now, imagine that each of those events were turned into a song. What would they be called? Who would sing

them? Would they be sung by one singer (an aria), or would multiple voices be needed for some of them?

Write down what the title of the song would be that tells the story of that event. Also, say whether this song would be a solo, duet, trio, quartet or sung by the full ensemble.

After you are finished, give your opera a title!