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Artist will provide scenery, props, masks, costumes, study guide and sound system if needed.


Optional Mask patterns are provided (in advance ) for masks to be made in advance of artist"s visit if school chooses to add this art activity for the children to wear their own handmade masks in the show!

Space and/or Set Up Requirements for Program: 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 act as a character in a story! I can portray this character using my voice and my body. I can act out different characters through the use of masks or by my own facial expressions, my voice quality and through body movements. I can tell the story of how Trickster Coyote brought fire to the Plains Indians. I can act our different characters in the story, such as Trickster Coyote, a fiery Fire spirit or a wise tree. I can perform a simple Indian stomp dance.

Grumbling Gryphons Traveling Children's Theater will present a participatory performance of Trickster Coyote: How Coyote Shared Fire with the People-A Plains Indian Story" with every student participating in the production. On the same day, prior to the performance, Grumbling Gryphons" artistic director- Leslie Elias (2018 Connecticut Arts Hero Winner) and her acting troupe of professional actor/ teaching artists, will conduct pre-performance drama workshop with the students and their teachers in preparation of their performance in the show.The actors serve as teachers, performers and directors guiding the group exploration and rehearsal. Each actor or team of actors trains one or two classes for their part in the performance. A class might play the dramatic parts of Coyotes, another The People of The Plains, others the Fire Spirits, etc. At the end of the day, all the students will come together and perform their parts in this engaging Native American tale, which is appropriate for K-8. Students will have come away from this experience learning about dramatic text, storytelling, acting and working as a team. Mask patterns designed by Ellen Moon, mask designer for Grumbling Gryphons Theater are sent in advance for students to make with their art or classroom teachers. These are utilized both in the pre-performance workshop and during the show. Students can take these masks home with them upon completion of the show. This tale, adapted by Leslie Elias is one of three in the Grumbling Gryphons' production Trickster Tales: Native American Animal Legends, which was researched and developed with the cooperation and support of the Institute for American Indian Studies in Washington, CT. Trickster Tales premiered in 1982 as part of a celebration of the Institute's Founder's Day. Since then it has been performed throughout the U.S. and abroad at schools, festivals, and museums, including a performance at Lincoln Center Outdoors in New York City.

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!