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CREATURES GREAT
& small
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Program built and performed by Kathleen Jacobs
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Whimsical creatures of the forest, mighty animals of the jungle, and imaginary beasts all frolic in Kathleen Jacobs & Puppets production of CREATURES GREAT & small. Three lively stories with surprise endings are followed by a puppet construction demonstration.
A comical puppet skit opens the performance. Laughter resounds when an amusingly persistent bird narrowly escapes being eaten by his intended dinner.
During the telling of an African folk tale, volunteers from the audience experience the wonders of theater first hand. Students come on stage and bring to life 3 large puppet animals.
The child-controlled puppet animals are beseeched by a desperate Rabbit to reclaim his home from a terrible CREATURE. “Jinx the Jackal” and “Little Squirt the Elephant” resort to reckless and brutish schemes to help their frantic friend. Just in time, the clever “Hoppy-Go-Lucky the Frog” uses a trick to expose the Creature’s true identity and save the day.
The final story is a wonderful example of the power of the imagination. Esmeralda has a creature in her bag and she
gives a tantalizing description, but she won’t let the children see it. Kathleen and the audience decide to build a model of what they think must be in the bag. A magnificent 15-foot long Creature GREAT evolves and comes to life with the assistance of 4 child volunteers. Anyone who has ever played the game of gossip will appreciate the outcome of this story.
A follow up demonstration shows children how to make Creatures GREAT & small for their own puppet show.
Kathleen uses audience participation techniques to tap the creativity of her audience. With the aid of puppets and humorous lines, impromptu participants animate the show with their spontaneous reactions. The fun and excitement is shared with the spectators who contribute sound effects and chants.
CREATURES GREAT
& small
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Characters learn: |
To face and solve problems. |
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Brains win over brawn.
Fears are affected by our imagination.
Problems often diminish when confronted.
External appearances don't tell the whole story.
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Literacy: |
Reading, Writing, Creative thinking |
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Arts: |
Creative dramatics, Creative movement, |
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Learn how to make Creature “GREAT” &
Creature
“small” puppets |
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African Folktale & Two Fantasy Tales |
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Teacher’s Guide and Puppet Construction
Directions are Provided.
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CREATURES GREAT
& small
SAMPLE ACTIVITIES FROM TEACHER’S GUIDE |
Did you notice examples of exaggeration in the program?
What were the consequences? Our fears grow large in our imagination. That’s what happened to Rabbit and Esmeralda’s friends. Have students tell/write about something that worried
or frightened them until they confronted it. For example: swimming lessons, losing a tooth, getting braces, moving to new home, etc. Have students break into groups to dramatize their stories.
Kathleen designs and constructs all her puppets, costumes and sets. Students can make puppets too. Start by building a simple version of a puppet from the program using the Kathleen’s
printed directions as a guide. Puppet construction should be a creative experience. Each finished puppet should have a unique appearance and personality, which reflects the creator’s own ideas.
A puppet needs a human touch to bring it to life. The puppeteer learns how to express personality traits and feelings through
the puppet’s movements and voice. Some ways to develop performing skills are:
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1. Single Puppet Pantomime Skits |
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Demonstrate actions: wave hello, scratch an itch, rub tired eyes, yawn, sleep, snore, jump up, walk, run, fall, look for something, pick it up, examine it, laugh, sneeze, point , nod yes or no, bow, etc.
Portray emotions through movement: anger, shyness, excitement, sorrow, happiness, fear, impatience, etc.
Etc. |
CREATURES GREAT
& small
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Who? |
PreK
to grade 4 and Family audiences. |
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Where? |
Schools,
libraries, camps, museums, theaters, festivals |
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and community events throughout the Mid-Atlantic |
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States. Tours on the East Coast are planned. |
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When? |
Anytime! We tour year round
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Audience
Size |
up
to 350 people |
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Program
Length |
Full-length performances are 45 to 50 |
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minutes long. Shorter 25-35 minute shows |
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are available for festivals and very |
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young
audiences. |
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Staging
Options |
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Preferred:
Raised stage 18 feet wide X 16 feet deep with |
center stairs
to access the audience. |
Floor level space approximately 18 feet
wide X 16 feet deep. |
Seat children on the floor to insure them an unobstructed |
view. |
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Sound |
Performer provides own sound system with wireless |
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microphone. |
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Electrical |
2 outlets on stage. |
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Lighting |
Basic lighting. General wash with a concentration of |
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light on center and front of stage. House lights |
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are kept on low because performer travels into |
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the audience. |
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Setup/Strike
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Set
Up: 1 hour, Pack Up: 45 minutes |
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Loading/Parking |
Please arrange for our van to unload/load |
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as close as possible to the venue entrance. |
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Provide free parking close to loading area. |
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CREATURES GREAT
& small
"The performance was...absolutely wonderful! The audience
participation, the lovely puppets
and the encouragement given children to create were combined so
beautifully.”
Director, Cecil County Arts Council, MD
“Your love of children was evident
in every segment of your performance and the response from them showed
a real knowledge of what they enjoy!”
Education Coordinator, The Chrysler Museum, VA
"Many thanks for the excellent
performances during Family Reading Nights. Our parents and students
were enthralled! It certainly was a wonderful way to support our focus
of getting parents involved with reading."
Principal, Edgewood Elementary, MD
"This is one of the best
performances we’ve ever presented. Everything was perfect...Great
stories, stunning puppets, masterful work with audience and
volunteers."
Supervisor of Children’s Programming, Staunton Library, VA
“The show was…interactive &
imaginative. The children responded so well. It makes me want to spend
a few days making puppets with the children! (And not just use paper
bags!!)”
Teacher, Navel Academy Primary School, MD
“Normally I
always catch teachers doing their paper work during the
assemblies. But during your show they couldn’t stop laughing
long enough to get any work done!”
Elementary School Cultural Arts Coordinator
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