Another fine teaching tool from:
. Theater Arts For Youth, Inc. Amen can
Arts For Youth, Inc. 0 American Theater
rable of Contents:
Letter from the Producer .............................................................. 3
Before You Go ....................................................................... 4
Theater Etiquette ....................................................................... 5
Scenic Breakdown ....................................................................... 6
Synopsis .......................................................................... ? & 8
History of Aladdin ....................................................................... 9
After the Show ...................................................................... 1 0
Interdisciplinary Activities ...................................................... 11 & 12
Acrostic .............................................................................. 13
Think Theatrically ..................................................................... 14
Fan Letter .............................................................................. 15
Theater Vocabulary ..................................................................... 16
Write a Review ..................................................................... 17
Careers in the Arts ................................ . .................................... 18
Word Search .............................................................................. 19
Draw a Picture .............................................................................. 20
Maze . . .. . . . .... . .................................... . ......................................... 21
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On Stage With
f\tllerican Theater Arts For Youth
Dear Educator:
t letter :frotJ' , ~e Produce!·
This guide contains suggested learning experiences for various grade levels. It is intended to
help your students enjoy and utilize the theater-going experience. Please select those ideas that best
relate to your curriculum and classroom needs. We would appreciate knowing which suggestions
you actually incorporated into your lesson plans and how they worked for you.
Share your fun and ideas with us. We will be pleased to receive any projects that grow from
this experience ... letters, cassettes, original drawings, photos, etc. You may send them to :
American Theater Arts For Youth, Inc. 1429 Walnut Street
4th Floor Philadelphia, P A 191 02
Theater is, indeed, a superb learning tool that you and your students will share, cherish and
remember. We look forward to welcoming you and your classes to the theater.
Cordially,
Laurie Wagman Founder/Chairman
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Arnencan Theat b er Arts For Yout
before You ao: F A SK the students to recall the story of ALADDIN by telling it informally, as they remember it.
Have they recounted the traditional story or an adaptation? Discuss the fact that there are many
versions or adaptations of all tales. Identify the main characters and the basic story using the
attached synopsis.
D ETERMINE if they have seen the story of ALADDIN performed before (On film? On stage?
At school? In professional theater? Maybe on TV or video?) and in what art form. (Play? Ballet?
etc.) Maybe they have read the book? Discuss any recollections in terms of similarities and
differences. Do the different art forms affect their impressions? If so, try to make them aware of
their varying reactions.
S ET a part of the classroom aside for an 'Aladdin Comer'. Ask students to bring in various
books, CD's, tapes, pictures, dolls, puppets, original drawings, etc. for perusing at their leisure.([J
EXPLAIN to students that they are about to see a live, on-stage production of ALADDIN.
There will be songs and dances, as well as acting, to tell the story.
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J Note: This original musical adaptation is presented by American Theater Arts For Youth for I ! audiences across the country. Students can expect to see the traditional Aladdin characters. I , ~
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~ENCOURAGE the students to relax and get into the spirit of the play once they are
in the theater. Tell them they should use their imaginations freely and feel comfortable to respond
openly to the actors on the stage.
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On Stage with
American Theater Arts For Youth 'theater Etiquette:
The audience plays a key part in the overall theater experience. Each audience member affects those around him or her as well as the performers.
Remind your class that everyone will have an especially wonderful time at the performance by remembering their theater manners.
Here is how students can help:
•!• It is important to remain seated throughout the entire performance.
•!• Restroom visits are best made prior to seating.
•!• Photography and recording during the performance are not permitted.
•!• Give your full attention and energy to the performers. In return, the performers give it back to you with a better performance.
•!• Don't talk during the show unless you are asked. Sometimes we think that if we whisper, it is okay. But if everyone in the audience whispers, it can be disruptive to the performers.
•!• Turn watches, pagers and cell phones to silent.
•!• Do not interrupt performers with comments that may disrupt the performance for others.
•!• Show the performers your appreciation for their efforts by applauding.
our cooperation will ensure a well-focused environment for everyone to enjoy, cherish & remember. Thank you.
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On Stage With
j\rnerican Theater Arts For Youth Aladdin
'--Scenic Breakdown:
~·
Book & Lyrics: Don Kersey Music: Robin Fredericks
CHARACTERS
Aladdin Vahishta Genie Caliphar
Princess Leah Vendor Palace Guard Pookie
SCENIC BREAKDOWN/MUSICAL NUMBERS
A Persian Market "MAGIC,, .................................................................... The Company
The Marketplace in the Village of Rahkan " I WANT TO SEE THE WORLD,, ............................... .laddin & Vahishta "UNTIL YOU,VE PLAYED AT THE PALACE,, ......... Caliphar & Company
The Palace Gardens at Jaipet "SWJNG AND SWAY,, .............................................. Leah & Pookie "MAKE A WISH,, ...................... Genie, Aladdin, Vahishta, Pookie & Guard "MAKE A WISH" (reprise) .................. Aladdin, Vahishta, Genie & Company
Palace Gardens, One hour Later "YOU LOOK OUT FOR ME" ............................. Aladdin & Vahishta "SHARE YOUR DREAMS" ........................................... Aladdin & Leah "YOU LOOK OUT FOR ME" (reprise) ........................ Aladdin & Leah
Palace Gardens, A Few Hours Later "THE LAMP,, ....... . ... ....... .. . ................................... The Company "MAGie, (reprise) ....... . ........................................ . ....... The Company
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On Stage . With
f\lllencan Theater Art tb Al s For You
add in
MAG I C ! That's what's in store for
all who experience American Theater Arts For Youth's
production of Aladdin.
The story begins in Rahkan Marketplace with Aladdin and his feisty
sister V ahishta pouring over the mares of a crusty vendor. It's here that
Aladdin buys the titular lamp for V ahishta, so she can "light his way home."
Aladdin then sets forth to find his fortune, and unknown to Aladdin, V ahishta
Moments later Caliphar, the prime minister of Jaipet, arrives in the
market (with his faithful assistant Pookie) to claim a lamp that is so enchanted
that it can make him ruler of all Jaipet. When Caliphar discovers that the lamp
was sold to Aladdin and his sister, he devises a plan to get it back, and get rid
of Aladdin (and anyone else who might get in his way)!
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At J aipet Palace, Aladdin meets Princess Leah, heir to the
throne of J aipet. Here he discovers that Vahishta has tagged
along for the ride. Princess Leah and Aladdin notice some
writing on Vahishta's lamp. They polish it in hope of reading it,
and in doing so; they unleash The Genie of the Lamp! The Genie offers Aladdin 3
wishes, but before Aladdin can make them, Caliphar steals the lamp. After a thrilling
chase, the princess finally sees Caliphar' s hidden agenda and banishes him from the
Palace.
With Caliphar banished, the lamp is returned to Aladdin. When he makes his
final wish, everyone's dreams come true.
Filled with fantastic songs, Aladdin and his Magic Lamp is an experience the
whole family can enjoy!
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llistory of Aladditl: The story of Aladdin is only a small part of a much larger story called The
Arabian Nights (also called The Thousand & One Nights).
It originated as folk tales and fables from Persia, India and Arabia.
These stories were not told to entertain children. They were told to entertain
adults since there were no printed books at the time.
Told over hundreds of years, the earliest written record of Arabian Nights
was written in Arabic in approximately the 800' s.
It was translated into French by Antoine Galland between 1704 & 1717.
It was then translated into English by Edward William Lane in the 1840's as
Arabian Nights & by Richard Francis Burton as The Thousand Nights & a
Night in the 1880's.
Ali Baba and Sindbad the Sailor are two other popular stories that came out
of the Arabian Nights tale.
Scheherazad, a Russian ballet, was based on another story from Arabian
Nights.
Arabian Nights has inspired cartoons, films, literature, art, & fashion across
the centuries.
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;\lllencan Theate tb r Arts For YoU
QUESTIONS FOR DISCUSSION
Ask the students to express their feelings as they recall the story line of the production.
• Why was Aladdin planning to leave Rukhan?
• How did Aladdin find the lamp?
• Why did Caliphar want the lamp?
• How many wishes did the Genie grant? What were the wishes?
• What was the relationship between Aladdin and Vahishta?
• What was special about Leah?
• What happened to Aladdin in the Palace?
• How was Caliphar and his evil stopped?
• How did Aladdin and Leah share their dreams?
• What personality trait caused Pookie to change his allegiance :from Caliphar to Aladdin?
• Why did Aladdin decide to give Genie his :freedom?
ALTERNATE TITLES Have the students be creative and think of some other possible titles for the show.
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MATHEMATICS
•!• Pookie sold the lamp to the vendor for one dinar, Aladdin bought it for two dinars and
Caliphar wanted to buy it from Aladdin for at least ten dinars and even offered him twenty!
Using these facts from the show, look at the idea of profit. You can use simple addition and
subtraction to percentages and fractions to find the profits made on each sale.
LANGUAGE ARTS
•!• WRITING ASSIGNMENTS: a • Write a sequel to the Aladdin story.
~ • If a Genie granted you three wishes, what would they be? Why?
• Have students play the character in the show and other students interview them and
write articles about them.
•!• LITERATURE:
• Aladdin is only a small part of the Arabian Nights tale. Find as many other stories to
read from these stories and keep a reading log of them. Are there common themes
among them? What are the similarities and what are the differences?
•!• VOCABULARY:
• Use a dictionary to look up some vocabulary from the show. Be sure to use them in a
sentence! Adventure, dinar, marketplace, palace
•!• WORD GAMES: r. • Have the students find as many words as they can using the letters in: • <~
ALAD DI N
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• Unscramble these words from the show:
LDINADA (Aladdin) AIMGC (Magic)
IENGE (Genie) ALPM (Lamp)
SPCNSRIE (Princess) SHEIWS (Wishes)
TECHNOLOGY
•!• Use the interviews and articles about the show and character to create a newspaper •
using a word processing program. Include advertisements too! ~
PERFORMING ARTS
•!• After attending the performance, watch other versions of Aladdin. Compare them to our live
production. What are the differences in the way the story was presented? What kind of
things can you do on film and not on stage? What are the benefits/limitations in each of the
art forms?
CRAFT
•!• Create your own magic lamp. Using an old teapot or gravy boat anything you can find. Be
creative! Paint it and add jewels, glitter, sequins ... anything you like.
ART
•!• Make your own drawings of the characters in the show. Photocopy them so you have two of
each, color them and you can then use them to play the memory game.
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On Stage With
j\nlerican Theater Arts For Youth '---f\crostic:
An acrostic is a simple poem based upon a single word. Use the words Aladdin and try to find other words or phrases, beginning with those letters, that pertain to our show.
A MERICAN THEATER ARTS FOR YOUTH
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\t;:.~ ;y ~ TlnNK THEATRICALL~
ABOUT THE PRODUCTION: • Describe the sets and how they establish the scenes for different parts of the story. (What did
you actually see and what did you see with your imagination?)
• How did the addition of music and dance add to the story?
• What kind of dances did you see? (Ballet? Waltz? Etc.) How were they different?
• What d1d the different costumes tell you about each character?
• What do you think was the funniest part of the show? The scariest? The nicest?
• Have you ever been to a live stage show before?
• What role did the audience play in the production?
• If you could be in the show, which role would you prefer?
• What other stories do you think would be fun to see as a play? ~~IIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII#II~~~~~~~/~~~~/~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~W·I~W~~7~~~~,~~WIW/'7
~ Note: American Theater Arts For Youth uses highly technical special effects called intellibeams ~
~ that create special effects with moving patterns of light and color both on stage and in the audience. ~ ~z~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Ari~I7W~/~~~~~~·~~~~I.~W/~I~II.~I.I.IIIIII.W~WIW~I~ZW~~~~~~~~~LW~~~~j
HOW ABOUT YOU: • Do you like to act? Sing? Dance?
• Have you ever been on stage?
• What did you do on stage?
• Share your experience with your class.
• Would you like to be in a show?
CREATE YOUR OWN MUSICAL: Write your own story or choose a favorite storybook and make a musical out of it. Start by writing a
script, music & lyrics. Decide who will play each part, who will sing and who will dance.
Choreograph the song(s). Have the students not playing parts design sets and costumes and make
them. Give everyone a job that best suits their capabilities! Perform your play for another class or
grade.
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Fan Letter: Write a letter to your favorite actor in the show. Express how you feel about the character in the show.
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H ere 1s a li t f d b tth th t ~ s o wor sa ou e ea er or you t t kn t 0 o ge ow.
Actor A theatrical performer.
Applause Approval expressed by the clapping of hands.
Back-Stage The area behind and to the side of the part of the stage where the action of the performance takes place.
Choreographer The person who develops and arranges the dance movements for the dancers and actors.
Composer A person who writes music.
A style of clothes, including garments, accessories and hair Costume style, characteristic of a particular country, period or cultural,
worn on-stage during a theatrical production.
The group of people who run the various technical operations Crew during a performance, including the lighting, curtain, set, scene
changes, sound effects and props.
Designers Individuals who create the set, costumes, lighting and sound effects for the performance.
Director The person who supervises all the artists during rehearsals and instructs all dramatic aspects of the production.
Lyricist The person who writes the words for a song.
Musical Theater A play that uses music, song and dance to tell the story.
Play A staged representation of an action or story.
Playwright The person who writes plays.
Props All the objects used in a theatrical production.
Score The sheet music that the actor memorizes and performs.
Script Pages from which the actors read their lines.
Stage Manager The person who assists the director during rehearsal and supervises the physical aspects of a stage production.
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j\111 en can The at t. er Arts For YoubJ
Write a RevieW:
,..,..,,",/"'£~~,22J! ... Y~2!-~J~~!l~~~ ... !J.J ... ~!/~!,/~~~! ... 2!!~!!!2!-!2!!! ... L~/~~!;_/,/I~ ~ Actors Choreography Makeup Props Singing ~ ~Cast Costumes Music Set Special Effects ~ ~ Characters Lighting Plot Set Designer Theater ~ ~#111111~~~~~~~~~~~AZ~#IIII~IWM711111111~~/~~7WII~LW,~~~~~~~~~#~I~~ZZZ~IAW~~~~~~J
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Accomp~ Actor/ Actress
Artist
Artistic Director
Art Teacher
Band Director
Casting Director i) ~
Choir Director r
tareers i1' the ArtS:
Computer Graphics Illustrator Props Designer
Composer Instrumentalist Publisher
Concert Singer
Conductor
Costume Designer
Critic
Dancer
Dialect Coach
Librettist Scenic Designer
Lighting Designer 1ft Special Effects
Makeup Artist Stage Director
Music Teacher Stage Hand
Musician Stage Manager
Orchestrator Theater Director
Choreographer Extra
Cinematographer Fashion Designer
Painter
Producer
Camera Operator
Vocalist 1:_ Active Learning
What career would you consider interesting? Where do you think you could go to learn more about it?
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AtJlencan Theate tb r Arts For YoU
Word Search:
American Theater Arts For Youth brings many wonderful classics to life on stage. Each musical production is filled with beautiful dance, costumes, sets, song and special effects to tel~ the story. , . ~
Find and circle the names offavorite characters from the word bank below. The names can go up, ~ down, dia onal backwards or forwards. A I p A s B c R R Q 0 D 0 I G A E M Q R p E y M N E I L 0 T G T L I A L G N
Beast Beauty Cinderella Dorothy
E v A c A L N G I B N R u E E s T u D H M 0 0 w R D 0 0 N R T s c H B E y H R G R A R J c z Q s D M E y s w I K c
N T v J N F H D E J F A v z E J z I 0
K N w E u N y T 0 I s c z D M L G D K c K A I F R L u z B A w I X y N c u c J K E H D E u T y K w E K D Q X p J X F I K G y c R z u v J H T 0 M T s G N
Word Bank Huck Finn Knave Lion Little Mermaid Pinocchio Pippi Longstocking Prince
M A T v v T R A X K y F K F H M I s 0
I T y
N Q N s A E H M M p A A p L B I L G N E N 0 R R c E K c D N H N B I I G 0 c w 0 F c L L I B B X A w y L I p
Queen Scare Crow Scrooge Tin Man Tiny Tim Tom Sawyer Wizard ofOz
N I T 0 u A B p Q D L D N N s 0 I F T E T w A v I L X z I T A c M R E F D c c 0 u s F w L 0 N Q z p H E R A p I p
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;\tllencan Theat b · er Arts For Yout Se Creative:
Make a picture of your favorite scene in the performance. Be sure to show costumes, the set and the actors ou like best.
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