3

Introduction

Professional Statements

Synopsis

History

10

Character description

11

Blog

LESSON PLANS
13

Interview a character

13

Make a Marionette

15

Research Whales/Maths activity

15

Habits of mind activity - Lying and responsibility

16

Cartoon Strip

16

Venn diagram

16

Script

17

Who said it? Quiz

17

Lie detectors

18

Theatre review

18

How does Pinocchios nose grow?

RESOURCES
19

1 - Estimation Table

20

2 - Cartoon Strip

21

3 - Venn Diagram

22

4 - Script

24

5 - Who said it? Quiz

25

6 - Who said it? Answers

26

7 - Theatre review

27

8 - Theatre review

My Son Pinocchio - Geppetto's Musical Tale

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The National Youth Theatre Company Trust

the stage with NYTC is something theyll

(NYTC) is a registered charity dedicated

never forget.

to the personal, social and creative

development of young people through the
dramatic arts. Since our foundation in 2005,
we have engaged with over 2000 young
New Zealanders through our programmes,
and tens of thousands more as members of
our school matinee audiences.

NYTC is committed to developing strong,

mutually positive relationships with the
schools in our community. We do our
best to provide performances and support
materials that make the experience of live
theatre both enjoyable and valuable for a
school audience. We would love to talk to

Disneys My Son Pinocchio is the end

you to find out how we can support you

result of NYTCs OnStage programme.

and make your relationship with NYTC

Our cast is comprised of 150 young

mutually beneficial. If you would like to

performers aged between 7- 21 - they

speak with an NYTC representative, please

have been working together through our

dont hesitate to contact us at the email

workshop rehearsal programme for the

address below.

last four months. The OnStage programme

is part of our AllAccess initiative - a series
of programmes aimed at providing highly
accessible opportunities in the arts. There
are no auditions to join the cast, and for
many this is their first live performance
experience. The growth displayed by these
young people during the months of the
programme is remarkable, and taking to

From all of us at NYTC, we hope you and

your students enjoy Disneys My Son
Pinocchio and have fun working through
the activities included in this resource pack.
We look forward to seeing you at the
theatre!
For more information, or to speak with an
NYTC representative, please email us at:
[email protected].

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Jonathan Alver
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR

Pinocchio first came to life in a childrens novel by Carlo Collodi

in 1883, and even way back then he was a carved wooden
puppet made by a toymaker called Geppetto, who dreamed of
being a real boy. I doubt Sr. Collodi had any idea that his little
wooden character would still be entertaining audiences in 2012
with no sign of it stopping anytime soon.
Of course, Pinocchio became really famous when an animated
film was made of his story in 1940 by the amazing Walt Disney. Disney went on to become the most
well-known animated film maker of all time, but at that point he was only famous for Snow White
and the Seven Dwarfs. The plot of the film is that a blue fairy brings Geppettos carved puppet
to life as a real boy, and the Pinocchio has a series of scary adventures as he learns about being
human. For a cartoon some of them are really scary!
Fast forward to 1957 and a television production of Pinocchio was made, this time with live actors.
Geppetto was played by a really popular actor called Mickey Rooney, who made hundreds of
movies. Then fast forward again and we land in 2006 when Stephen Schwarz (the composer of the
Broadway hit Wicked, amongst many other musicals) turned the Pinocchio story into a live stage
musical Disneys My Son Pinocchio.
This time, we still watch as Pinocchio comes to life when the blue fairy waves her wand, but it is his
father and maker, Geppetto, who has all the adventures as he comes to realise that being a Dad
is not that straight forward, especially when you have a curious son who was only born yesterday!
In bringing the story to the stage it would be easy to copy the cartoon, but thats not really what
making a stage show is all about. We have tried to make a whole new world for the characters to
live in that is colourful and surprising. The people are all a bit mad (as are the animals!) and the
Geppettos adventures are more weird than scary.
Try to imagine what it would be like to have been a puppet all your life, and then suddenly your
strings are cut and there is no one making decisions for you or looking after you any more. Now
youre imagining being PINOCCHIO.

Jonathan Alver
Artistic Director
National Youth Theatre Company Trust

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James Doy

musical director

Disney's "My Son Pinocchio" has some beautiful new music in

it, composed by Stephen Schwartz, one of the most successful
theatrical composers of recent times. Best known for the musicals
"Pippin", "Godspell" and "Wicked" as well as for the movies
"Enchanted", "Prince of Egypt", and "Pocahontas", he wrote a
wonderful score for the Disney Movie "Geppetto & Son", which
forms the basis of our show. The Disney team also worked in the
iconic songs from the original Disney Classic Movie, "When You Wish Upon A Star" and "I've
Got No Strings".
The sound everyone associates with Disney is a large, lush orchestra, and very close beautiful
harmonies. We were faced with the challenge of reproducing this sound with a very small band
- space is at a premium! Thanks to the wonders of modern technology, and a lot of time spent
programming, I hope you'll agree we managed to make a much larger sound than you would
expect!
James Doy
Musical Director
National Youth Theatre Company Trust

Claire Murphy

CHOREOGRAPHER

My Son Pinocchio has been another wonderful experience.

This being my third show as Choreographer for NYTC, I am
slowly getting the hang of the ins and outs of working with such
a large amount of children in dance.
The most rewarding part of this job is the confidence I see grow
in students through our programmes, from a place where they
are barely able to stand up and say their name when taking the
roll to being able to play a speaking character onstage.
I find each show comes with its own set of challenges, for me and for the cast. My aim for
each show is to ensure that every cast member improves and learns new skills. This show is a
huge combination of dance styles that vary from the likes of tap and ballet to contemporary
and jazz. Our cast is always made up of dancers from all backgrounds, some with extensive
dance training and others with none. As there is no audition to be a part of our cast, I consider
everyone in the cast as dancers.
I am so proud of each and every one of our cast members for the time and effort they have put
into this show over the past few months. From our youngest to our oldest cast member, I know
they will all join together to bring this show to life as a team.
I hope that the audience who comes to watch this 'Onstage' Production gets as much enjoyment
out of it as we have had putting it all together.
Claire Murphy
Choreographer
National Youth Theatre Company Trust

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Seamus Ford
STUDENT director

My Son Pinocchio has been an amazing show to be a part

of. Its a story that is so familiar to us all; the puppet who is
brought to life, to fill the hole in the heart of a lonely toymaker.
This musical retelling of the tale highlights the individual story of
the characters, especially Pinocchio and Geppetto. A boy who
is lost and confused and only wants to be loved, a man who
learns to be careful what you wish for!
At its heart this is a show about family, and this is what makes this show so relatable, both for
audiences, and for the cast.
As Student Director I have been working closely with the cast on their connection with the stories
of these characters and the idea of family throughout the show. I wanted the cast to understand
why these characters were making these choices, rather than simply acting them out. While the
big song and dance numbers are integral to the production, the story is what is at the heart of
any show, and what will make this a special show for the cast.
NYTC is all about fun, performing, and self-expression, but it is also about growth. We knew the
cast would have a richer experience if they understood the ideas central to My Son Pinocchio.
Making mistakes is part of growing up, and learning from these mistakes is what shapes who
we are as people.
Seamus Ford
Student Director
National Youth Theatre Company Trust

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Synopsis
act one
The syrupy-sweet and very self-satisfied Blue
Fairy greets the audience (When You Wish
Upon a Star), and explains that tonight well
celebrate the story of a perfectly granted
wishthe transformation of the puppet
Pinocchio into a real boy at the request of his
creator, Geppetto. Geppetto arrives and asks
the Fairy to take Pinocchio back, explaining
that hes defective. The Blue Fairy is outraged
at this request and arranges to take a trip back
in time to learn the truth.
The Blue Fairy transports herself back in
time, arriving in Geppettos toyshop the
morning before the wish was made. Geppetto
encounters a stream of children eager for his
toys (Toys). He envies the parents who have
children, and is saddened at the fact that he
is not a father. Once the children have gone,
he puts the finishing touches on his puppet,
Pinocchio, but before going to bed, Geppetto
wishes for his empty heart to be filled (Empty
Heart). The Blue Fairy appears and brings
Pinocchio to life.
Geppetto insists that Pinocchio was not a
success at all, and the Blue Fairy jumps ahead
in time to learn more of the story (Rise and
Shine). Geppetto teaches Pinocchio a song
(Geppetto and Son) but a meeting with the
Town Fathers does not go smoothly. The two
again travel forward in time (Rise and Shine
#2) to when Geppetto tried to teach Pinocchio
about toy making (Geppetto and Son - Part
2). Pinocchio states that he doesnt want to be
a toy maker, but Geppetto dismisses this idea.
Pinocchio then has an accident but lies about
it, causing his nose to grow. Geppetto and the
Fairy again travel forward in time (Rise and
Shine #3) to Pinocchios first day of school,
where Geppetto gives him careful instructions
on his behavior (Geppetto and Son - Part
3), but a misunderstanding causes Pinocchio
to get into a fight. Geppetto takes Pinocchio
home from school and meets an out-of-work
puppeteer named Stromboli. Stromboli is
immediately interested in Pinocchio, but

Geppetto sends Pinocchio home and the

Blue Fairy frightens Stromboli away with her
wand. Pinocchio becomes distraught when
he overhears Geppetto telling the Fairy that
he doesnt want Pinocchio. The Fairy informs
Geppetto that the problem isnt Pinocchio;
its Geppetto himself. He angrily dismisses her,
but she assures us that these things have a way
of working themselves out (When You Wish
Upon a Star - Reprise).
Pinocchio runs away from home but leaves a
note stating he is going to sing and dance in
Strombolis show. Geppetto convinces himself
that Pinocchio will be happier with Stromboli,
but decides that he will visit Pinocchio just
once more to make sure Pinocchio is indeed
happy with Stromboli. Pinocchio performs
with Strombolis marionettes (Ive Got No
Strings). The performance is a success,
but Stromboli is abusive toward Pinocchio.
Geppetto arrives, looking for Pinocchio, but
Stromboli denies that the boy is with him.
Soon afterward, Pinocchio escapes. When
Stromboli discovers this, he rages among his
marionettes and vows to recover Pinocchio
(Bravo Stromboli). Meanwhile, as Geppetto
searches for Pinocchio, he meets up again with
the Blue Fairy, who observes that Geppetto
does seem to care for Pinocchio after all.
Geppetto denies this, and the Fairy finally
agrees to take Pinocchio back if Geppetto can
find him. Geppetto demands that the Fairy use
her magic to find Pinocchio, but she demurs,
explaining that magic is not the answer to
everything (Just Because Its Magic).

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act two
After intermission, the Blue Fairy expresses
aloud her regret at having granted a wish to a
moron. Geppetto overhears this and the two
argue until they are interrupted by a pair of
well-behaved children, with whom Geppetto is
immediately impressed. The children introduce
Geppetto and the Fairy to Maria and
Bernardo, a couple who are waiting to see
Professor Buonragazzo, a man who custombuilds perfect children. The Professors
machine creates Talia, a custom-designed
child for Maria and Bernardo (Satisfaction
Guaranteed). The Professor then creates a
series of possible Pinocchio replacements,
but Geppetto is horrified, rejecting them and
running away.
Geppetto and the Blue Fairy next encounter a
series of talking animals, all of whom believe
themselves to be something they are not, due
to the misguided expectations of their parents.
Geppetto reflects that parents should allow
their children to grow up to be themselves.
The Blue Fairy interjects to secretly inform us
that she is responsible for the talking animals.
A horse directs Geppetto to follow Pinocchio
to Pleasure Island. After Geppetto leaves,
Stromboli arrives and encounters the Blue
Fairy, wishing he had Pinocchio back. The
Blue Fairy notes that at least Stromboli wants
Pinocchio, unlike Geppetto. She tells Stromboli
to go home, and that she will bring Pinocchio
to him. Stromboli is surprised and elated
(Bravo Stromboli - Reprise).
A Ringleader and his Roustabouts introduce us
to Pleasure Island (Pleasure Island), a place
where delinquents run wild. Geppetto arrives,
and Pinocchio emerges from the crowd and
accuses Geppetto of not wanting him. He states

that Pleasure Island is his new home. At that

moment, Pinocchio and the other delinquents
turn into donkeys. The Ringleader orders them
hauled away. Geppetto, in a rowboat, pursues
a ship containing the transformed Pinocchio
and the other donkeys leaving Pleasure Island.
A whale swallows Geppetto and his rowboat
whole.
Pinocchio is restored to his normal self, and
he and Geppetto find each other inside the
whale. Geppetto promises Pinocchio that
their relationship will be different from now
on (Geppetto and Son - Whale Reprise).
They escape and return to the toyshop, only
to find Stromboli and the Blue Fairy waiting
for them. Geppetto offers Stromboli anything
in exchange for letting him keep Pinocchio
(Since I Gave My Heart Away). Stromboli
refuses to cooperate, but the Fairy intercedes,
transforming Pinocchio into a real boy, and
therefore rendering him worthless to Stromboli.
The Blue Fairy, satisfied that Geppetto and
Pinocchio are now a real father and a real
son, notes that her perfect wish record is still
intact.
Source: Wikipedia

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History
Pinocchio is a fictional character and the main
protagonist of the 1883 childrens novel The
Adventures of Pinocchio, by Carlo Collodi, an
Italian writer, and has since appeared in many
adaptations of that story and others. Carved by
a woodcarver named Geppetto in a small Italian
village, he was created as a wooden puppet but
dreamed of becoming a real boy. He has also
been used as a character who is prone to telling
lies and fabricating stories for various reasons.
Pinocchio is known for having a short nose that
becomes longer when he is under stress (chapter
3), especially while lying. In the original story, his
clothes are made of flowered paper, his shoes
are made of wood and his hat is made of bread
(page 16 of Collodis Le Avventure di Pinocchio).
Pinocchio has appeared in many popular films
and movies - most recently, Pinocchio appeared
as a supporting character in Shrek, Shrek 2,
Shrek the Third, and Shrek Forever After voiced
by Cody Cameron, and in the TV show Once
Upon a Time played by Eion Bailey.
The most famous version of Pinocchio is the Disney
Classic Film. It is the 2nd animated feature in the
Walt Disney Animated Classics series. It was
made after the success of Snow White and the
Seven Dwarfs, and was released to theaters by
RKO Radio Pictures on February 7, 1940. The
film made several changes to the original story
- producing the Blue Fairy in place of the BlueHaired Fairy from the book, and naming the
Cricket Jiminy - in the book, the Cricket is a
ghost!
At the time of the films release, some critics
accused the film of being too frightening to
children as they had earlier with Snow White.
Even today some express disturbance over the
implied violence of some scenes, and the scenes
on Pleasure Island of young boys smoking cigars
and drinking beer. Some scenes, like the donkey
transformation sequence, are still thought to be
frightening, but compared with Collodis original

novel, the tone of the film is much lighter

In 1994, Pinocchio was added to the United
States National Film Registry as being deemed
culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant.
Filmmaker Terry Gilliam selected it as one of
the ten best animated films of all time in a 2001
article written for The Guardian and in 2005,
Time.com named it one of the 100 best films of the
last 80 years. Many film historians consider this to
be the film that most closely approaches technical
perfection of all the Disney animated features. Film
critic Leonard Maltin stated that with Pinocchio,
Disney reached not only the height of his powers,
but the apex of what many critics consider to be
the realm of the animated cartoon.
Disneys My Son Pinocchio: Geppettos Musical
Tale is a musical based on Disneys 2000 madefor-television movie Geppetto, which was in turn
based on a book by David Stern, and features
music and lyrics by Stephen Schwartz. Much like
the movie, My Son Pinocchio is a re-telling of
the childrens book The Adventures of Pinocchio,
but the story is told from Geppettos perspective.
As in the TV film, when Pinocchio runs away to
become a star in a traveling show, Geppetto must
negotiate through a maze of adventures and
comic encounters to find him.
David Stern and Stephen Schwartz completed
the made-for-TV film Disneys Geppetto in
2000. Several years later, the idea for a childappropriate stage musical adaptation came up.
Schwartz said in production notes for Disneys
Geppetto & Son that he believes that the show is
entertaining while at the same time dealing with
such important themes as individuality, self-esteem
and the relation of parents and children. I have
written several other shows and films that I believe
have had a positive impact on young audiences,
such as Disneys Pocahontas, Godspell, Children
of Eden, and the current Broadway show Wicked.
I believe Disneys Geppetto & Son is a strong
addition to this group.

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Characters
blue fairy
The Blue Fairy acts as the narrator of the show. Supremely confident, always certain shes right, and
has an amazing singing voice (and she knows it!) While shes always quick to use magic to sort out a
situation, she doesnt like people taking it for granted!

GEPPETTO
Geppetto is a lonely toymaker, who has always wanted a child of his own to take over his business.
Convinced hed be a much better parent than the ones who frequent his toy shop, he doesnt realise
how much he has to learn!

PINOCCHIO
Pinocchio begins life as a wooden puppet, and is brought to life by the Blue Fairy. Very new to the
world, Pinocchio means to be a good boy, but often gets into trouble because he has no understanding
of what is going on!

STROMBOLI
Stromboli runs a travelling puppet show hes never seen without his Marionettes. Stromboli has been
running the show for so long that he really believes the Marionettes are talking to him even though
we can see his lips moving!

ROBIN, JACKIE, CHRIS & JULIA

Four children who live in Geppettos town very excited by his new range of toys, but perhaps not
the best-behaved children around. Robin and Jackie are such hooligans they run away from home.
Runaways always end up on Pleasure Island

MRS. GIOVANNI
Mrs. Giovanni is the school teacher. She is not impressed by Pinocchio on his first day!

PROFESSOR BUONRAGAZZO & JUNIOR

Professor Buonragazzo is the inventor of the new and improved, fantastical, scientifical, child-making
machine guaranteed to produce a perfect, well-behaved child every time. Junior was the first child
out of the machine Professor Buonragazzos ideal sidekick.

RINGLEADER
The Ringleader is the undisputed chief of Pleasure Island full of runaways, delinquents and bullies.
No parents allowed!

BERNARDO, MARIA & TALIA

Bernardo & Maria are shopping for their perfect child blonde, blue-eyed, and always well behaved.
The Child Making Machine produces Talia for them just what they wanted!

THE ANIMALS
Just outside of Idyllia is a large area of farmland, where all sorts of crazy mixed up animals live. None
of them seem to be sure what they really are!

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Blogs
Hi I'm Samyson, I am 15 years old and am
an NYTC cast member. I love NYTC and
have written about my experiences so you
understand what NYTC is all about. Happy
reading.
Learning a dance wasnt easy at first. I have never had a
dance lesson, and it took me several minutes just to learn one
easy step, and quite often I had no idea what I was doing.
After a few shows I started improving though, and now I can
learn entire dances pretty quickly. I went from being someone
who had no coordination to one of the extension dance group it is due to NYTC.
Sometimes it is hard learning dances because there is a lot of technique involved. But the thing
that is best about NYTC is that Claire will take the time to teach you how it is meant to be done,
and will make sure you are doing everything correctly and safely.
The hardest dance I have ever learnt is The Hoedown from Joseph, without a doubt. The
dance was so fast but you had to have perfect precision with all of your moves, and there were
stunts involved which was a really big step up from what I was used to. After we had learnt the
dance, I got more confidence in myself as a dancer and I can honestly say that if it wasnt for
Claire I would not be where I am now with my dance.

Hi, my name is Cole Johnston and I am a

cast member at the National Youth Theatre
Company.
I started all the way back in 2007 for the Onstage Production of
High School Musical. This was my first ever time doing anything
to do with singing, acting and dancing on stage, I was very
nervous as I was only 9 and I was amongst some amazingly
talented people. I came to the very first rehearsal quite nervous
and scared. I finished that four month training programme and
absolutely loved it to bits! I couldn't believe that it was so fun
and enjoyable. I came back for the next production and the next one after that until now. I am
currently doing the Musical, "My Son Pinocchio, Geppetto's Musical Tale". I am playing the
lead role of Geppetto and I was also offered the position of Student Instructor for that particular
programme. I encourage anyone who wants to be a performer, get experience or even just to
have fun to come to NYTC. You won't regret it. I dont see NYTC as a group of awesome people
anymore. NYTC is now a family. Join us!

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Blogs
Hi, I'm Lauryn. I have written about my
experience at registration day and making
friendships at NYTC.
Now, I cant speak for the rest of the cast, but on registration
day for Pinocchio, I woke up incredibly excited to start another
new show. I didnt do the first show this year, so it had been
a while since Id seen everyone, and I was so ready to see
everyone again. When I got to the theatre, it was the best
feeling. Everyone was exactly the same, it was brilliant.
We learnt part of two songs and people had the opportunity to sing on their own, but I think I
was having a bit too much fun with my friends to go up there and sing by myself...We also met
our directors and a few questions were answered for all the new people to the cast. I remember
when I did my first show, I was so confused and everyone seemed to know exactly how things
worked, but it definitely didnt take me long to figure it out, thanks to the staff and also the cast
members. The NYTC cast and staff really are a family, and we try to make things as easy as
possible for the new cast members, and it really helps.
The friendships Ive made at NYTC are some of my strongest. We come from all over Auckland
so its a great way to meet a whole heap of new people who are all interested in the same
things as you are. I definitely could not go up to my friends at school and talk to them about
half of the things I talk to my NYTC friends about. The friends Ive made at NYTC are some of
the funniest, nicest and most amazing friends Ive ever had, and to be able to work with them
and actually be friends with them outside of rehearsals is the best thing about NYTC. I hope the
friendships Ive formed will continue throughout the rest of my life.

To hear more about the cast members experiences at NYTC, log on to

www.nytc.co.nz and go to the education section.

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Lesson ideas

1.

Each of these activities link to the Key Competencies that underpin the New Zealand Curriculum.

Interview a Character FROM

pinocchio 'hotseating'
Key Competencies

Thinking
Using language, symbols and texts
Managing self
Relating to others

Materials
A video camera
Costume pieces (optional)

2.

Split the class into pairs. One student will take on the role of the interviewer and the other will
become a character from Pinocchio and be interviewed. Allow them time to brainstorm their
chosen character and think about how they might feel during key points of the show. What
are their likes/dislikes? What do they want or need? What do you want to know about your
chosen character? As a pair, create the questions you will ask the character (this allows the
person who will portray the character time to think about how they will answer). Once the
questions are written, the students can create a script and film their interview with their chosen
character. Play these back to the rest of the class and see how they react. Could anything the
characters have said change the course of the show?

HOW TO MAKE A MARIONETTE

http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/how-to-make-a-marionette-674861/
Total Time Needed: 2-3 Hours
With a little practice, you can make this goofy bird waddle, bob, and dance at your command.
Materials
Hot glue gun (for step 1 only)
2 chopsticks
Pieces of yellow & green craft
foam
2 yellow wooden beads
Sharp pencil
3-inch styrofoam ball
2 1/2-inch styrofoam ball
1 yard of 7/32-inch-wide cotton

cord or clothesline
Tape
Tacky Glue
1 yard marabou feather boa
Embroidery floss
Skewer
Feathers
15 mm googly eyes

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Instructions
1. Hot-glue two chopsticks together in an X. For
feet, cut two 1O-inch circles out of yellow craft
foam, then cut a wedge from each. Hot-glue a
bead to each circle. With a sharp pencil, poke
a hole through the larger ball, then make one
3/4-inch-deep hole in each ball as shown.

2. For legs, cut a 20-inch piece of cord and wrap

one end with tape. Thread it through the leg
hole in the larger ball. Make sure the legs are
even, then squeeze a bit of glue into the hole to
secure the cord. For the neck, add glue to the
remaining holes in the two balls and insert the
ends of a 7-inch piece of cord. Allow the glue to
dry.

3. Working on one half of the larger ball at a time,

cover it with glue, then coil the boa around it.
Trim any excess, then lightly press the boa to the
body so it adheres well.

4. Cut two 3/4-inch circles of blue craft foam. Glue

googly eyes to them, then glue the circles to the
head. Use the side of a skewer to press a groove
into the front of the head as shown. Cut two
yellow craft-foam triangles and glue them in the
groove. Squeeze glue inside the yellow beads
and insert the leg cords into them. Dot the ends
of several feathers with glue and insert them into
the head and body as shown.
5. Cut four 2-foot lengths of embroidery floss.
Double-knot a strand to each knee. Tie triple
knots in the ends of the other two strands. With
a skewer, poke a small hole in the top of the
head and the top of the body. Dot the holes
with glue, then use the skewer to poke the knots
into them. Tie the head and body strings to the
ends of one chopstick, then tie the leg strings to
the ends of the other chopstick. Wrap the strings
around the sticks to adjust their length. When
everything is just right, add glue to secure the
wrapped strings.

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3.

Research whales/maths activity

Key Competencies

Thinking
Using language, symbols and texts
Managing self
Relating to others

Materials

Measuring tapes/Measuring wheel

Chalk
Pencils
Whale pictures/comparison pictures for ordering (a man, a bus etc)
Keynote PowerPoint (In the Education section of the NYTC website)
Estimation table (see Resources section)

Teacher shows class Keynote/PowerPoint/pictures of 3 different whales asks questions like

How big is a whale? Could it be as long a car, this classroom? Then show pictures of whales
and compare their lengths with other things eg: a man, a building, and a bus. Get students to
order these things from smallest to biggest.
Take children outside and show them chalk marks on the concrete that indicate the length of a
blue whale, a humpback whale and a pilot whale. How long do you think these whales are in
metres? Record your estimation on your findings table. Now measure the chalk lines and see
how close you were. Record the actual measurement on your findings chart.
Extension:

4.

Ask children to choose one of the whales and identify several large spaces (eg: the classroom,
hall or school field) that they think would be about the same length as their chosen whale.
Allow them time to measure those spaces and see if their estimations were correct. Record on
estimation table.

HABITS OF THE MIND ACTIVITY LYING AND RESPONSIBILITY

Key Competencies

Thinking
Using language, symbols and texts
Managing self
Relating to others
Participating and contributing

Ask the class What is a lie? Why do people lie? How can you tell if someone is lying or
telling the truth?
Give students 2 pieces of paper and instruct them to write something true about themselves
on one piece, and on the other piece, to write a lie about themselves. Choose a handful of
students to share and get the class to judge; are they lying or telling the truth? How do you
know? This is a good time to alert the students to the body language of the person they are
observing. What do they do differently when they lie?
Ask the class, Have you ever been caught caught in a lie? What were the consequences?
Discuss how you could resolve this situation and take responsibility for your choices. Split
students into groups and offer them a scenario where one is caught in a lie and how they
could take responsibility and fix it. Groups present to class.

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Habits of mind covered:

5.

Persisting, managing impulsivity, Listening to others, Thinking flexibly, Metacognition,

Questioning and posing problems, Applying past knowledge to new situations, Thinking and
communicating with clarity and precision, Creating, Imagining and innovating.

CREATE A CARTOON STRIP

Key Competencies
Thinking
Using language, symbols and texts
Managing self
Materials
Cartoon strip template (see Resources section)

6.

After reading the story/attending the show, retell the story of Pinocchio. Each student can
create a cartoon strip retelling the main events by drawing each major event in a box. They
can then add speech bubbles. These cartoon strips can be used as scripts for a puppet show
or short play or simply be read aloud to a small group. Alternately you could give each
student one scene to draw and narrate and connect the pictures together to make a group/
class cartoon strip or book.

Create a Venn diagram

showing differences/similarities between the classic
fairytale of Pinocchio and the show 'My Son Pinocchio'
Key Competencies
Thinking
Using language, symbols and texts
Managing self
Materials
Venn diagram template (see Resources section)

7.

In this activity, students think about the similarities and differences between the story they have
read at school and the story told in the show of My Son Pinocchio. What was different about
the characters? The setting? The plot? The ending? Discuss these points with your students and
have them fill out the Venn diagram accordingly.

Read the script

Key Competencies

Thinking
Using language, symbols and texts
Managing self
Relating to others
Participating and contributing

Materials
Script page (see Resource section)
Students can use this page of dialogue to read aloud in a group, discuss the characters in
My Son Pinocchio or re enact part of the show for an audience. They could also write a new
section for the musical to follow the dialogue given and change Pinocchios fate.

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8.

who said it?

Key Competencies
Thinking
Using language, symbols and texts
Managing self
Materials
Who said it? Questions and Answers (see Resource section)

9.

After seeing the show, can your students identify which characters the dialogue belongs
to? Encourage them to use what they know about each different character to justify their
choice. This would make a great display of each character on the wall, with their dialogue
surrounding them.

Stars: Learn the science behind

why stars twinkle
Key Competencies

Thinking
Using language, symbols and texts
Managing self
Relating to others
Participating and contributing

Materials

Tin foil
Medium-sized box
Glass bowl
Torch
Scissors

Discuss with class what a star is to test their prior knowledge, record students ideas on the
board. Lead discussion into how/why stars twinkle. Conduct the following experiment.
Students from year 1-4 can complete this with the guidance of the teacher as a whole class
activity. Students from Year 4 and up can be provided with the materials and complete the
task in small groups.
Method
1. Fill up two thirds of the glass bowl with water and set it aside.
2. Cut a piece of cardboard from the box. Make sure it is big enough to fit underneath the
bowl.
3. Cut small pieces of aluminum foil and shape them into little stars.
4. Place the stars on top of the cardboard.
5. Place the glass bowl on top of the cardboard and turn off the lights.
6. Shine the flashlight on the bowl.
7. Tap the bowl and see what happens to the stars when the water moves.
Discuss and note down findings.
Explanation:
When you shine light on aluminum while water is moving, the light travels through the air
and makes the aluminum stars twinkle. Similarly, when the starlight moves through the Earths
atmosphere at night, the air it passes through makes it appear to twinkle.

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10. review 'my son pinocchio'

Key Competencies

Thinking
Using language, symbols and texts
Managing self
Participating and contributing

Materials
An internet capable computer
Review template (see Resource section)

11.

Once students have seen the NYTC version of My Son Pinocchio, they can look online for
reviews of other performances around the world. Ask them to highlight anything the reviewers
have written that they think applies to the NYTC production of the show. Try www.twincities.
com, or www.whatsonstage.com for reviews. Students can then write their own review of
the musical using the template provided (or unguided depending on age/ability level).

How does pinocchio's nose grow?

Key Competencies

Thinking
Using language, symbols and texts
Managing self
Relating to others

Ask your students how they think NYTC made Pinocchios nose grow. In pairs/groups have
them design their own system to make Pinocchios nose grow. Remember there is the scene
where it only grows a little bit, and then the scene where it grows A LOT and tickles the whales
tonsils. Once they have designed their growing nose watch the video in the education section
of the NYTC website that shows exactly how they make Pinocchios nose grow. How different/
similar was it to your own design?

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Estimation Table

the length of a whale

Estimation

Actual Measurement

Introduction
Blue Whale

Humpback Whale

Pilot Whale

Choose one whale and estimate spaces around the school where you
think it will fit. Measure these spaces with the measuring tapes/measuring
wheel. Will your whale fit in this space?

Space (Hall, court etc)

Did your whale fit?

Y/N

My Son Pinocchio - Geppetto's Musical Tale

Actual length of the

space

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Retell the main events in each box.

Cartoon Strip Template

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My Son Pinocchio - Geppetto's Musical Tale

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The musical

Commonalities

The classic fairytale

My Son Pinocchio vs. Pinocchio the classic fairytale

VE NN Diagram

Script
BLUE FAIRY
(To the audience:)
Ive been thinking...
While you were out there having a snack, dishing the show, whatever it is that you people do,
I was busy asking myself, What is the moral of this story?
(Geppetto begins to cross behind her, rucksack on his back, walking stick in hand, setting out
on his journey to find Pinocchio.
When he hears the Blue Fairy speaking, he stops to listen.)
And I realized that beneath all of this granting of wishes and making of full hearts lies a simple
truth. A universal lesson for the ages. And that lesson is Never grant a wish to a moron.
(She takes a moment to let her brilliance sink in with the audience. As she does, Geppetto
walks downstage and squares off against her.)
GEPPETTO
I heard that.
BLUE FAIRY
So what? Its true.
GEPPETTO
How does your making a defective kid make me a moron?
BLUE FAIRY
It doesnt. You were a moron long before I ever granted your wish.
(Suddenly, a voice from the darkness behind them-)
PERFECTA
Its not polite to call people names.
(Geppetto and the Blue Fairy turn to see a small child looking right at them.)
If you dont have something nice to say, you shouldnt say anything at all.
(Geppetto gives the Blue Fairy a look.)
GEPPETTO
I completely agree.
(Another child approaches the first one.)
SIMPERA
(To Perfecta:)
Excuse me. I wanted to let you know that you can play with my new horse and wagon now. Its
nice to share.

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PERFECTA
Thank you.
SIMPERA
Youre welcome. Would you like to come to my house for dinner tonight? Were having liver
and Brussel sprouts.
PERFECTA
Mmmmm. Brussel sprouts, my favorite.
(Geppetto looks from the Blue Fairy to the children and back again.)
GEPPETTO
(To the Blue Fairy, full of meaning:)
What lovely, polite, and respectful childrendont you think?
BLUE FAIRY
Oh please.
GEPPETTO
(A dig:)
You know, sometimes its just a matter of seeing something done right to see where you went
wrong.
BLUE FAIRY
(A dig right back:)
I couldnt agree more.
GEPPETTO
You know what? This could be a great opportunity for you. Watch and learn.
(The Blue Fairy rolls her eyes as Geppetto approaches the children.)
GEPPETTO
Excuse me, well-behaved children, is there an adult around that I could talk to?
PERFECTA
Yes sir. Right this way.
(Perfecta & Simpera take Geppettos hand and as the scrim opens, leads him upstage. The
Blue Fairy steps off to the side to watch.)

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Who said it?

1. You publicly besmirch my reputation and expect me to take it lying down? Not on my dime,
mister.
2. How he embarrassed me? First day out and hes already misbehaving. He had no respect for
the town fathers, no respect for me...
3. I want to be a train engineer! Choo! Choo! All aboard! Choo! Choo!
4. Wow! I slept like a log!
5. Such anger. Such aggression. And we have just the tonic. Strombolis Amazing Marionette
Holiday Extravaganza!
6. We really cleaned up, my little Pinocchio. And dont you worry, theres lots more where this
came from. Just think... a thousand pieces of gold for every town in Italy!
7. Im so glad the new puppets gone!
8. The Blue Fairy is a fraud! The Blue Fairy doesnt know a wish from a weetbix!
9. Magnifico! A classic combination. One blue-eyed blonde coming up.
10. I never said I wanted a perfect child.
11. Tell that to my dad. I mean he became a dog. And so did his father before him. We come from
a long line of dogs.
12. Well then youll sort of understand this: if you let your children decide what they want to be,
they might choose to be a ...
13. Well, that was a wasted entrance.
14. I dont want to hear excuses. Youre not very good at listening, are you?
15. I heard what you said about me! That I was a big disappointment! That you didnt want me.
Well, now I dont want you!
16. If only Geppetto had been nicer to meperhaps I wouldve given him a hand with this little
problem.
17. Wait! Ive got it! We just need to tickle the back of his throat! Then hell sneeze us out!
18. See? The puppet is mine!
19. First, you wished for your heart to be full.
20. Im real! Im a real boy!

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Who said it? Answers

1. You publicly besmirch my reputation and expect me to take it lying down? Not on my dime,
mister.
Blue Fairy

2. How he embarrassed me? First day out and hes already misbehaving. He had no respect for
the town fathers, no respect for me...
Geppetto

3. I want to be a train engineer! Choo! Choo! All aboard! Choo! Choo!

Pinocchio

4. Wow! I slept like a log!

Pinocchio

5. Such anger. Such aggression. And we have just the tonic. Strombolis Amazing Marionette
Holiday Extravaganza!
Stromboli

6. We really cleaned up, my little Pinocchio. And dont you worry, theres lots more where this
came from. Just think... a thousand pieces of gold for every town in Italy!
Stromboli

7. Im so glad the new puppets gone!

Marionette ala Stromboli

8. The Blue Fairy is a fraud! The Blue Fairy doesnt know a wish from weetbix!
Geppetto

9. Magnifico! A classic combination. One blue-eyed blonde coming up.

Buonragazzo

10. I never said I wanted a perfect child.

Geppetto

11. Tell that to my dad. I mean he became a dog. And so did his father before him. We come from
a long line of dogs.
Pig

12. Well then youll sort of understand this: if you let your children decide what they want to be,
they might choose to be a ...
Fox Mother

13. Well, that was a wasted entrance.

Blue Fairy

14. I dont want to hear excuses. Youre not very good at listening, are you?
Robin

15. I heard what you said about me! That I was a big disappointment! That you didnt want me.
Well, now I dont want you!
Pinocchio

16. If only Geppetto had been nicer to meperhaps I wouldve given him a hand with this little
problem.
Blue Fairy

17. Wait! Ive got it! We just need to tickle the back of his throat! Then hell sneeze us out!
Pinocchio

18. See? The puppet is mine!

Stromboli

19. First, you wished for your heart to be full.

Blue Fairy

20. Im real! Im a real boy!

Pinocchio

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Theatre review

1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Instructions
Identify the title of the play, the genre, the name of the production company and where the
show is playing in the opening paragraph. Example: The summer season of the Easy Street
Players has just kicked off with a six-week run of Muriels Memoirs at the newly renovated
Crane Performing Arts Center. This contemporary drama directed by Maria Laris stars four
accomplished actors whose faces will be familiar to patrons who follow Arcadias theater scene.
Provide a brief synopsis of the play which describes the setting, introduces the main characters
and tells the audience what the core conflict is. The purpose of this paragraph is to hook the
readers curiosity about what happens next but should never spoil their own enjoyment of the
show by divulging all of the twists and surprises that await.
Share your observations about individual performances, the casting and chemistry, the set
design, the costumes and how technical elements such as lighting, sound effects and music
enhanced the production or detracted from it. Offer constructive remarks on what might have
been done to make the show better. Example: The amplification of recorded music sometimes
made it hard to hear what the actors were saying.
Include a reference to the playwright and other plays he or she has written. If there is anything
interesting or unique about the inspiration behind the script, its performance history or why the
director chose to produce it, mention that as well. Example: Ten percent of box office proceeds
will be donated to the Tri-Cities Alzheimers Foundation.
Provide readers with information on the performance dates and times, where to purchase tickets
and whether there are any elements of the show such as violence, sex or strong language that
make it inappropriate for young children.

Read more: How to Write a Good Theatre Review

eHow.com http://www.ehow.com/how_2188321_write-good-theatre-review.
html#ixzz1s0TCB218

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Theatre review template

Theatre review by:
Introduction

Theatre review

Synopsis

Observations

Background information about the creators of the work

Opinion/Show times/Target audience

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For more information, contact [email protected]

The National Youth Theatre Company Trust
PO Box 305412
Triton Plaza
North Shore City 0757
Telephone (09) 948 6982
www.nytc.co.nz
Content by Monique Doy & Rebecca Osborne
Design by Nicky Malone

Bringing Confidence and Life Skills to Young People Through the Dramatic Arts