Stage of Discovery 2010-2011 Season
The Grand Opera House is pleased to present the Stage of Discovery school matinees. Each show has been carefully selected to complement curriculum standards in science, social studies, language arts, and performing arts. A field trip to The Grand may be your students' first experience of live theater, and it is sure to be a memorable one. We hope to inspire a love for the arts that will continue long after the final curtain.
Both 9:30 and noon performances are offered for most shows. Running time is approximately one hour. Tickets for all shows are only $6 and one ticket is free for every 15 purchased.
Study guides for each show include lessons and activities for use in the classroom before and after your visit. Our education staff is also available to visit your classroom before the show to help prepare your students for their trip to The Grand and facilitate classroom activities.
For questions, to make a reservation, or request a classroom visit please contact the Education Manager, Briana Feinberg, at (302) 658-7897 or bfeinberg@grandopera.org.
Patchwork: The Little House Life of Laura Ingalls Wilder
Theatre IV
Tuesday, October 26, 2010
Grades: K - 5
Laura Ingalls Wilder's tales of outdoor adventure and pioneer spirit will inspire your students as they have millions of boys and girls for over 70 years. Born in 1867, Laura traveled across America's rolling plains in the back of a covered wagon. The Wilders created patchwork quilts that would later help inspire her time-honored books. Laura's quilts still exist today, and their patterns recall her beloved family - her strong and caring Pa, her heroic sister Mary, her warm-hearted Ma - and their adventures as they crossed the wild and often perilous frontier. Join the Ingalls in this adventure (authorized by the Laura Ingalls Estate) as they face the hardships and the triumphs of the wondrous new land, with sometimes only their faith and the love of family to sustain them.
Curriculum Connections: English Language Arts, Geography, History, Theatre, Visual Art
>> DOWNLOAD THE PATCHWORK STUDY GUIDE
Giggle, Giggle, Quack
Dallas Children's Theater
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Grades: Pre-K - 4
When the farmer's away, the animals will play! In this hilarious sequel to the barnyard blockbuster, Click, Clack, Moo: Cows That Type, good ol' Farmer Brown has left his city-slicker brother in charge of his farm while he takes a much-needed vacation. He's left detailed instructions on how to take care of the animals so that nothing will go wrong, including the important warning "Keep an eye on Duck. He's Trouble." But when the instructions fall into the wrong hands (or wings!), Duck takes the opportunity to do a little re-writing - with a few creative embellishments that result in madcap musical mutiny. Soon it's pizza for the hen, bubble baths for the pig and movie night for the cow! Will the Duck be discovered as the true author? What will happen when Farmer Brown returns? This funny and colorful musical for young audiences teaches respect, compromise, and the value of friendship.
Watch a video of Giggle, Giggle Quack.
Curriculum Connections: English Language Arts, Music, Theatre
>> DOWNLOAD THE GIGGLE, GIGGLE QUACK STUDY GUIDE
Illustration by Betsy Lewin; Used with Permission of Pippen Properties, Inc.
Star Trek Live
Mad Science Productions
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Grades: 4-12
Audience members join Captain Kirk and Spock as cadets at Starfleet Academy. As they are introduced to the proud legacy of the U.S.S. Enterprise, Earth comes under attack from alien forces, leaving the fate of the Federation in the hands of the cadets. They'll have to quickly learn the science behind modern space travel, communication and technology, as they draw on the achievements of science in the 21st century. It will require all their knowledge, ingenuity, and logic to discover what is happening and how to set things right before it's too late! Awesome special effects, unrivaled audience interaction and an exploration of real space-age technology take everyone on an unforgettable journey through the Star Trek universe.
Curriculum Connections: Applications of Science, Physical Science, Technology, Theatre
>> DOWNLOAD THE STAR TREK LIVE STUDY GUIDE
The Adventures of Harold and the Purple Crayon
.jpg)
Enchantment Theatre Company
Tuesday, February 1, 2011
Grades Pre-K - 3
"One evening, after thinking it over for some time, Harold decided to go for a walk in the moonlight." So begins Harold and the Purple Crayon, the first of seven delightful picture books by Crockett Johnson, following the zany adventures of an inventive young boy. When Harold discovers there is no moon shining, nor is there a path to walk on, he simply draws them. And thus his journey begins. Resourceful and brave, Harold creates the world he wants to explore, using nothing more than a big purple crayon and his fantastic imagination. Audiences will take a wild ride as Harold jets to Mars, joins a circus, and meets a princess in an enchanted garden. Combining life-size puppets, masked actors, video animation, magic and music, this show will amaze anyone whose heart is young and adventurous.
Watch a video of Harold and the Purple Crayon
Curriculum Connections: English Language Arts, Music, Theatre, Visual Art
>> DOWNLOAD HAROLD AND THE PURPLE CRAYON STUDY GUIDE
Peter and the Wolf: The Making of the Ballet
First State Ballet Theatre
Wednesday, April 20, 2011
Grades: Pre-K - 6.jpg)
Go behind the scenes with First State Ballet Theatre to discover what it really takes to be a ballet dancer. Audiences will get a sneak peek at how dancers train to develop the strength, precision, flexibility, and grace they need to perform on stage. After the demonstration and a Q&A with the dancers, students may even get a chance to come on stage and try some choreography themselves. The performance concludes with the classic Peter and the Wolf. Children will be delighted as the dancers become the bird, duck, and cat who help Peter catch the wolf before the hunters do. Don't miss this unique opportunity to see both the beautiful ballet performance and the process of creating it!
Curriculum Connections: Dance, Music, Theatre
Songs from the Soul
Theatre IV
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
Grades: 3 - 12
This historic collection of African-American music from slave songs to jazz, blues, Motown and rap is not only toe-tapping good fun; it's also a vital history lesson that teaches pride, responsibility and respect. The songs chronicle the experiences of African-Americans in this country and illuminate the impact of music on our American culture.
Curriculum Connections: History, Music, Theatre
>> DOWNLOAD SONGS FROM THE SOUL STUDY GUIDE