LOADING...


Greek Drama: The Myth of Persephone - How the Seasons came to be (middle)

Last changed: 06/03/2019 3:55pm
Add Favorite
6 , 7
Theater English Social Studies
Grade Level Program Alignment
1 other
Full or half day schedule depending on school's needs. Pre-performance workshops with individual or combined classrooms in one or more grade level, culminating in same-day performance. NOTE: We encourage more than one grade level participating in both the pre-performance workshop and performance, but this is not required!
Combo In-School Performance & In-School Workshop Performance and pre-performance workshops
All year
$10 60
yes Email , In-Person , Phone
Sound system, costumes, musical instruments, scenery, props. Artist also provides study guide and mask patterns in advance for masks to be made in advance of visit.
Two tables on cleared stage, space (a different cleared classroom or larger space to work in), a table in lobby area for our freestanding display, stairs/risers/gym mats on floor, centered, in front of stage for optional access to stage, stage lights in working order (brief meeting with someone who knows how to work them), and cart to carry heavy props and speakers.
I can speak say several words in Greek-including hello, thank you, good and very good! I can name many of the Greek Gods and Goddesses and describe what they did. I can act out using my body and voice -Zeus king of the Gods as well as Persephone, Goddess of spring. I learned the importance of the Greek Chorus in Greek theater.I learned how Goddess Demeter destroyed the earth when she grieved for her daughter, but repaired it when she was reunited with her daughter. I learned the importance and meaning of the word compromise. The Gods compromised to make the seasons!
The Myth of Persephone first premiered in New York City in 1980. Masks are made by Ellen Moon and master puppeteer Bob Flanagan who designs for the Muppets, HBO, Saturday Night Live and is the creator of the OZ head for Wicked on Broadway. This Greek myth dramatizes the classical myth of Persephone's journey and how the seasons came to be. Hades steals Persephone away from her mother, Goddess Demeter- the goddess of agriculture and holds her captive in the underworld, guarded by Cerberus, the Three-Headed Dog. The students in the dramatics workshop enact key roles of Gods and Goddesses as well as becoming the Greek chorus, chanting, singing and helping the gods and goddesses rescue Persephone from the underworld. With their aid, Persephone returns from Hades and we all learn how the seasons came to be. The Grumbling Gryphons will direct students in an interactive theater experience tailored to suit the ages and abilities of each grade level. Students will make their own masks in advance, based on patterns sent, as well as wear the colorful and unique masks from Grumbling Gryphons theatrical production of Persephone. Grumbling Gryphons will perform the one hour show and the students will receive a one hour pre-performance work-shop to train as The Greek Chorus which they will enact during the one hour performance.
Note: Mask making is optional if time does not allow.
The artistic director, Leslie Elias is a winner of the Connecticut Arts Hero Award in 2018.
A brief phone meeting is required . This initial phone contact is KEY to understanding our participatory process and custom design the days schedule TOGETHER. In this conversation we will learn about your schools' specific needs and jointly work out the schedule for both pre-performance workshops and the same day performance.We will follow through with a detailed email outlining simple steps in our participatory process. OPTIONAL Mask Activities: You can choose to have the students make Masks, based on beautiful patterns we provide for your school to be made by students with their art or classroom teacher in advance of our visit and brought to both the workshop and performance. It is a great addition to the arts experience, but not necessary to have a wonderful visit with Grumbling Gryphons!
We encourage teachers, administrative staff and parents to participate and join in on this fun, educational program, both during workshops and the performance. The children enjoy seeing their teachers up on stage with them. Teachers and parents are a great help if they play along in the scene with the students. No prior theatrical experience needed! Adults can help by either being in the scenes, or by handing out masks/props at the beginning of workshops/performance. There is no limit to caregivers' participation, the more the merrier!

Grade 6

Grade 6: Reading Standards for Informational Text 6"“12: Key Ideas and Details #3: Analyze in detail how a key individual, event, or idea is introduced, illustrated, and elaborated in a text (e.g., through examples or anecdotes).
Grade 6: Geography: Global Interconnections: GEO 6"“7.9: Analyze the ways in which cultural and environmental characteristics vary among various regions of the world.
Grade 6:Theater: Performing: Anchor Standard 4: Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation. B. Experiment with various physical choices to communicate character in a drama/theatre work.

Grade 7

Grade 7: Reading Standards for Informational Text: Craft and Structure #5: Analyze the structure an author uses to organize a text, including how the major sections contribute to the whole and to the development of the ideas.
Grade 7: Geography: Global Interconnections: GEO 6"“7.9: Analyze the ways in which cultural and environmental characteristics vary among various regions of the world.
Grade 7: Theater: Performing:Anchor Standard 4: Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation. A. Consider various staging choices to enhance the story in a drama/theatre work.