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Middle East Mosaic: A Joyful Journey in Story, Rhythm and Dance, is an interdisciplinary assembly program for K-6, approximately 45-60 minutes with two performers. The student audience enters the audi... Read more

Middle East Mosaic: A Joyful Journey in Story, Rhythm and Dance, is an interdisciplinary assembly program for K-6, approximately 45-60 minutes with two performers. The student audience enters the auditorium to see the stage set with a few props and musical instruments. The performers enter, dressed as Bedouin women, and describe the desert landscape and the Bedouin way of life, touching upon the folk customs of the culture, of which dance holds an important place. They demonstrate a Bedouin dance. Next up is an interactive segment on the rich and diverse variety of rhythms in Arabic music. Students become the percussion instruments, clapping or singing the rhythm. Each section has a short practice session, and one by one, each section joins the "orchestra" and the rhythm is clapped and sung, demonstrating the percussive richness of Arabic music. Following a demonstration of a typical folkloric dance of Egypt is another interactive session, during which students (selected by the classroom teachers) are invited onto the stage. The students are taught a few of the movements of Middle Eastern dance, showing how to isolate different parts of the body (i.e., hand, arm, head, hip) to create the movements and the steps. The art of storytelling is the final segment of the program. "The Scarab Beetle"s Daughter," a Persian folktale, is presented using narrative and dance to tell the story, through MDTC"s signature style of dance/story theater. The tale tells of the beautiful title character who has to choose between several suitors, each travelling from a different region of the Middle East, bringing the dance of his country with which to woo her. Following the story, which runs approximately 18 minutes, students will have a chance to ask the performers questions on the program. The Q&A will last as long as the teacher(s) allow.

In advance: Print quality PDF of study guide; link to online slideshow of Study Guide images with appropriate captions; Performance Day: 2 performers, 1 stage manager/technician; costumes and props, s... Read more

In advance: Print quality PDF of study guide; link to online slideshow of Study Guide images with appropriate captions; Performance Day: 2 performers, 1 stage manager/technician; costumes and props, sound system, backstage table, costume rack, mirrors.

Open Performance area -- stage, gym, cafeteria; private area adjacent to stage (or in wings) to be used as dressing area to accommodate two performers plus costume rack and one 6' table; on-site parki... Read more

Open Performance area -- stage, gym, cafeteria; private area adjacent to stage (or in wings) to be used as dressing area to accommodate two performers plus costume rack and one 6' table; on-site parking space for company van.

Open Performance area -- stage, gym, cafeteria; private area adjacent to stage (or in wings) to be used as dressing area to accommodate two performers plus costume rack and one 6' table. A lavatory i... Read more

Open Performance area -- stage, gym, cafeteria; private area adjacent to stage (or in wings) to be used as dressing area to accommodate two performers plus costume rack and one 6' table. A lavatory is not acceptable.

I CAN explain how elements of dance are used in dances of different cultures. I CAN Isolate different parts of my body to execute some of the dance movements of Middle Eastern dance. I CAN use movemen... Read more

I CAN explain how elements of dance are used in dances of different cultures. I CAN Isolate different parts of my body to execute some of the dance movements of Middle Eastern dance. I CAN use movement and dance to tell a story. I CAN understand that stories from different cultures often are very similar. I CAN create musical rhythms clapping and by singing the rhythm. I CAN tell you how countries within the same region share many similar characteristics, but are very different. I CAN use a map to identify the countries of the Middle Eastern region.