Go beyond the theatre experience. Enrich your understanding of our productions with our 2011/2012 Play Guides. Learn about each play's background, history, characters, author, and glossary of terms. Activate your mind with lessons and activities!
Play Guides: 2011/12 Season!
Explore and gain insights into our productions with Play Guides!
PART 1: Enrich your experience! Read our Play Guides to learn about each play's history, creators and artistic development.
PART 2: Activate your mind! Download our lessons and activities created by professional educators.
As a teacher, use and adapt suggested activities and lessons in your classes before or after viewing the performance.
As a parent, enhance your child’s theatre experience.
As a patron, stimulate your own exploration and gain new insight into the production.
The Playhouse Teachers Advisory Board [PTAB] creates lessons and activities based on Playhouse productions.
We thank our PTAB members for their passion, expertise and dedication.
PTAB members:
Dan Adrian | Moscrop Secondary
Kelly Arnold | Moscrop Secondary
Kim Bothen | Capilano University, School of Motion Picture Arts
Denise Clark | Vancouver Technical Secondary
Liz Cochran | Fine Arts Freelance Educator
Julia Giuriato | David Thompson Secondary
Andra Lincke | Uplands Elementary
Ally MacIntyre | Martha Jane Norris Elementary
Eve McBride | David Thompson Secondary
Erin McGinley | Moscrop Secondary
Dr. Warren McKinnon | UBC, Continuing Studies
Heather Robbie | David Thompson Secondary
Sal Robinson | City School
We'd love to hear your questions and ideas: 604 637 3094 or mwickes@vancouverplayhouse.com
Get involved! We welcome new PTAB members at any point throughout the season.
SUGGESTED LESSONS/ACTIVITIES are divided into four categories:
Quick and Easy: intro activities or ice-breakers to do just before viewing a performance
Drama Activities: Up and At 'Em!
Points to Ponder, Discuss or Write About: essay, writing prompts, discussion questions
Creative Assignments/Projects: more comprehensive or creative lessons/projects
Did you know?
You can get your favourite theatre books and play scripts at Biz Books.
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SUITABILITY: Grades 7 and up | Students in Dance, Drama, English, Music.
THEMES: American history, artistic expression, romance, music, dance, beat poetry, opera, time, popular music
PLAY GUIDE (Part 1):
Story, Background, Music History, Creators, Performers...
SUGGESTED LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES (Part 2):
Quick & Easy
Response to Tosca Cafe (post viewing)
Drama Activities
Sense-Memory Activity (pre or post viewing)
Points to Ponder
Paradox and Plot (pre viewing)
Tosca Cafe North (post viewing)
An Archaeological Dig: Part 1 (pre or post viewing)
An Archaeological Dig: Part 2 (pre or post viewing)
Creative Assignments/Projects
I Am Writing (pre and post viewing)
Focused Review (post viewing)
Music of Love and Loss (post viewing)
Exploring our "Enduring Vulnerabilities" (pre and post viewing) LINKS:
The real Tosca Cafe in San Francisco
The American Conservatory Theater VIDEOS:
Scene from Tosca Cafe at Theatre Calgary
Interview with Carey Perloff and Rex Harrington | |
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SUITABILITY: Grades 7 and up | Students in Planning 10, Music, Dance, Drama & LGBT/GSA Clubs
THEMES: family, love, self-esteem, personal empowerment, tolerance, acceptance, gender issues.
PLAY GUIDE (Part 1):
Synopsis, Characters, Music, Creators and more...
SUGGESTED LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES (Part 2):
Drama Activities / Creative Assignments
Lessons on Acceptance (post viewing)
Points to Ponder / Creative Assignments
Predicting & Introducing La Cage aux Folles (pre viewing)
Writing Prompts: Synthesis Skills (pre and post viewing)
"I Am What I Am": Personal Identity - Part 1 of 5 (pre viewing)
"I Am What I Am": Personal Identity - Part 2 of 5 (pre viewing)
"I Am What I Am": Personal Identity - Part 3 of 5 (pre viewing)
"I Am What I Am": Personal Identity - Part 4 of 5 (pre viewing)
"I Am What I Am": Personal Identity - Part 5 of 5 (pre viewing)
SUGGESTED READING / LINKS:
Official La Cage aux Folles Tour Site | |
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RED
JAN. 14 – FEB. 4, 2012SUITABILITY: Grades 9+ | Students in Visual Arts, Art History, Drama, Social Studies, and English.
THEMES: abstract expressionism, artistic integrity, Apollonian vs. Dionysian, mentorship, perception
PLAY GUIDE (Part 1):
COMING SOON!
SUGGESTED LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES (Part 2):
COMING SOON! | |
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SUITABILITY: Grades 7+ | Students in French, Drama, English, History, Music and Social Studies.
THEMES: abandonment, determinism, social strife, justice, existentialism, literary adaptations.
PLAY GUIDE (Part 1):
COMING SOON! SUGGESTED LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES (Part 2):
COMING SOON! | |
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SUITABILITY: Grades 9+ | Students in Career & Personal Planning, Drama, English, Social Studies and Pyschology.
THEMES: aggression, middle-class morality, parenting, appearance vs. reality, inter-personal relationships, domestic reconciliation.
PLAY GUIDE (Part 1):
COMING SOON!
SUGGESTED LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES (Part 2):
COMING SOON! | |
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SUITABILITY: Ages 3-10 yrs | Students in Health & Career Education, Language Arts, Music and Drama.
THEMES: resilience, friendship, adaptations, man vs. nature, survival, and music.
PLAY GUIDE (Part 1):
COMING SOON!
SUGGESTED LESSONS AND ACTIVITIES (Part 2):
COMING SOON! | |
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