TEACHERS' RESOURCES

Your first lesson should always be the Mandatory Lesson or a review of that lesson. If you have time for only one other lesson, please make that a review of the synopsis (or plot line) of the play. Rumpelstiltskin is singing theatre. For the history of this art form, go to this link. If you have time for more than one lesson, or if your students already understand the rules of live theatre, please feel free to choose one of the additional lessons. They are divided roughly by general subject matter, e. g. language arts, social studies, et cetera.

This original version of Rumpelstiltskin had as one of its purposes to teach children about opera so it has some very special details. The voices and songs were chosen, in part, to inform students about the variety possible in singing theatre.

Language Arts
Have your students compare and contrast this version of Rumpelstiltskin with other written versions. Be sure they use evidence from both this version (Synopsis) and the written text to support their opinion. Which version do they like better and why?

If you have studied folk tales, have your students decide if this piece is truly a folk tale. Does it have all of the characteristics necessary? Have them provide evidence to support their opinion.

Have your students compare and contrast this version of Rumpelstiltskin to another tale with which they are familiar. If you are able, use the version of The Princess and the Pea done by Carole Burnett. (Once Upon a Mattress) It is available on DVD, is very theatrical, and would make a wonderful comparison piece. Be sure that your students have the opportunity to read the traditional versions of both stories to enrich the contrast between the theatre and the purely written version. Have them provide evidence of the strengths of both versions and the weaknesses. Be sure they present evidence to support their opinion.

Have your students read the biographies of the Grimm Brothers, Dr. Reveles and Mr. Montgomery. Have them choose one of them and write what the student thinks makes him an interesting person. Another option is to have them write a compare and contrast piece about the Brothers Grimm and the contemporary team. In what ways are they similar, and in what ways are they different?

Have your students read about why the Brothers Grimm wrote their stories. Then have them read about the reasons for the current version of Rumpelstiltskin or watch the video. Have them determine if they think the reasons make a difference in the stories. Have them provide evidence to support their decision.

Music
Have your students read the lyrics to the Name Polka or one of the other songs. Have them identify what form (tango, patter song, etc.) the song takes. Have them listen to the excerpts available on San Diego Opera's web site. Have them choose a song and rewrite the lyrics. Be sure they provide evidence for why their version would improve the song.

Opera uses a wide variety of voices. This production uses six specific ones. If your students have had experience with singing, have them listen to the excerpts available through San Diego Opera and attempt to identify the voices. If not, identify the voices for them as they listen. Have a discussion of voices and have students decide what voices “work” for which kinds of roles (baritones for sinister characters, etc.). You may choose to use the lesson provided by San Diego Opera.

Many operas use a motif (or motive)to alert the listeners about a particular character's arrival, etc. Have students brainstorm music that they know that foretells a character's appearance, for example the theme for Darth Vader. You may choose to use the lesson created by San Diego Opera. This opera has several for your students to listen for. Have them decide if they help to enjoy this opera. Have them be specific about which motif was helpful and why.

Choose one of the characters in the story. Decide how you would change that part if you were asked to rewrite the story. Would you give that person a bigger role? a smaller one? make them nicer? meaner? When you have decided, write one scene with your "new, improved" character. Have your class help you to decide if your rewrite would help the story.

Write a newspaper column as a theatre critic. Tell your readers what was good and not so good about the performance you viewed. Be sure to support your opinion with evidence from the performance. Before you begin this assignment, be sure to read several actual newspaper reviews. You do not need to imitate the style of the newspaper critic, only provide the same kind of opinion and support for that opinion.

Social Studies
This fairy tale takes place at a time when kings and queens ruled. The authority of the king was absolute. That is why it is so important for the heroine of this story to become the queen. There are not very many countries with kings and queens today. Have your students find a county that still has ruling royalty and compare the royal family's power to the absolute power of kings in earlier times.

Have your students compare rule by royalty to the democratic form of government the United States has today. Have them offer an opinion as to which type of government is better. Have them provide evidence to support their claim. How do they think the royal family would choose? Why?

Theater has often been used to poke fun at social problems or to criticize public figures such as the nobility or politicians. Discuss what plays and stories your students know that have a social message included. Does Rumpelstiltskin have such a message? Why or why not? Use evidence from the story to support your opinion.

Art
Closely observe the sets for Rumpelstiltskin. Write a paper describing your opinion of the scenery as presented. Be sure to provide evidence to support your opinion. As a follow-up activity, have students design one set they would like to see used for this production. Have them tell why they think the set they have designed would improve it.

Closely observe the costumes for Rumpelstiltskin. Write a paper describing your opinion of the costumes as presented. Be sure to provide evidence to support your opinion. As a follow-up activity, have students design costumes for one scene they would like to see used for this production. Have them tell why they think the costumes they have designed would improve it.

Have your students create a playbill to advertise this opera. Decide in advance if they should use the performance you are to attend (or have attended) or if they should create one from the time of the Brothers Grimm, a possible date in the distant future, or other options. Another option would be to create a handbill.

Careers
The theater offers many possible careers. There are many people other than performers involved in this kind of production. There are two links to help you here. The first link will tell your students about creating the performance itself. There are numbers of people who are involved in this process. The second link will provide you with the people who are rarely, if ever, seen. Have your students look at this list and determine an area that interests them. Have them research the opportunities in that area and write a report on it.

There is a lesson specifically on set designing created by San Diego Opera. You may choose to use that particular lesson.

Ruling: Great Britain is not a good example because the Queen does not rule; the Prime Minister and Parliament do. Chose a country in which the King of Queen actually controls the government.