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Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! the Musical! (K - 5)

Last changed: 07/09/2024 4:06pm
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K , 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5
Theater Social Studies English
Grade Level Program Alignment
2 90 min
A pre-show workshop will be conducted at your school on a scheduled date before the performance. This workshop lasts approximately 45 minutes. Following the workshop, students will attend the performance at Playhouse on Park, which has a runtime of about one hour and 15 minutes and does not include an intermission. After the show, students will have the chance to meet the talented cast during a 10-15 minute meet and greet, along with a thrilling Q&A session. Don’t miss this opportunity to dive deeper into the adventure and connect with the stars of the day!
Combo of In-School Workshop & Offsite Performance A dynamic teaching artist from Playhouse Theatre Academy will come to your school to inspire students with a vibrant 45-minute workshop introducing them to the exciting world of performing arts! Through engaging theatre games and activities, students will have fun and develop essential skills to enhance their understanding and appreciation of the upcoming production. This interactive experience is designed to prepare them thoroughly for the show, sparking their creativity and enthusiasm. After the workshop, students will travel to Playhouse on Park on a scheduled day to enjoy a live performance that will bring their learning to life. To ensure every class gets the opportunity to participate, we can arrange multiple back-to-back workshops at your school as needed.

This program features a pre-show workshop held at your school, after which students will travel to Playhouse on Park for the scheduled performance. The venue is located at 244 Park Rd, West Hartford, CT 06119. Buses can find parking available on the nearby side streets.
Shows are scheduled for Tuesdays to Fridays at 9:30 AM and 12:00 PM, with some flexibility in timing. The available dates are April 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, and 30, as well as May 1, 2, 6, 7, 8, and 9. In-School + Offsite,
$10 0
no In-Person , Other , Phone , Email
We are thrilled to provide an exciting array of materials to enhance your students' theatre workshop experiences. Each participant will receive an electronic study guide, carefully crafted to spark their imagination and deepen their engagement with the performance. This guide not only includes vital information such as theatrical terms and character descriptions but also features creative activities like costume design and personal reflection exercises. With elements such as interviews with the cast and crew and insights into the creative process, this guide truly elevates the experience!

In addition to the study guide, teachers can purchase signed copies of "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus," autographed by the cast through Playhouse on Park. Whether it's our engaging study guide or the special books, we ensure that the learning and creativity extend far beyond the stage, making theatre not just a performance but an unforgettable educational journey!
The wonderful thing about theatre is that it thrives on creativity and imagination and requires no materials from your school to conduct our workshops and create magic! For our engaging sessions, we do not need any extensive resources. In fact, we can successfully facilitate fun and interactive activities with just a few basic materials that we bring along ourselves.
To ensure our workshops run smoothly and effectively, we recommend an open space where each child has enough room to stand and stretch their arms without bumping into others. However, we understand that classroom environments can vary, and we’re committed to being flexible. Desks and chairs can easily be pushed against the walls to create more space, transforming even the most confined areas into a suitable workshop setting. It’s important to emphasize that we don’t require much in terms of physical space or materials; our focus is on harnessing imagination and creativity. Whether it's a gymnasium, a classroom, or even an outdoor area, we can adapt to the environment and create an engaging experience that thrives on the enthusiasm and energy of the students. With just a bit of rearrangement, we can turn any setting into a vibrant space for theatre magic!
I CAN learn and use basic theatre terminology to feel more comfortable and engaged in the theatrical environment.
I CAN engage in discussions about the moral lessons presented in the story and relate them to my own experiences.
I CAN demonstrate my understanding of storytelling elements, such as character development and plot progression.
I CAN relate the plot and characters of a play to those of a book, identifying similarities and adaptations.
I CAN identify characters and their actions within the narrative.
I CAN express my thoughts and feelings about the characters and their decisions.
I CAN identify and describe the different emotions depicted in the musical through music and movement.
I CAN participate in role-playing activities that enhance my understanding of character perspectives.
I CAN grasp the role of an actor and understand their responsibilities while embracing creativity and expression in classroom exercises.
I CAN participate in interactive warm-up exercises that help me relax and energize my mind and body for creative participation.
I CAN understand the role of the audience and demonstrate appropriate audience etiquette while recognizing the impact of my reactions.
I CAN grasp the basics of the production process and appreciate the collaborative effort that goes into creating a theatre performance.
I CAN formulate appropriate questions about the play and actively listen for the responses during discussions.
We are excited to offer a 45-minute pre-show workshop and an off-site performance of "Don't Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! The Musical!" tailored for grades K-5. The workshop is designed to engage young audiences through interactive activities that encourage creative expression, collaboration, and an understanding of character perspectives. Students will enjoy hands-on exercises that enhance their appreciation for theatre while delving into the show's themes and characters. Grade-Level Differences: Grades K-1: The focus is on storytelling and basic acting skills. Activities will include simple character exploration and collaborative play, allowing students to express their understanding of the Pigeon’s antics. Grades 2-3: Students will delve deeper into character development and audience engagement. Activities will incorporate improvisation exercises, enabling them to think critically about how they react as an audience during performances. Grades 4-5: This level emphasizes production basics and analytical skills. Students will participate in discussions about the elements of theatre design and critique aspects of the performance, enriching their overall theatrical understanding. Performance Synopsis: Whatever you do, don't let the Pigeon star in his own musical production! With a script written by Mo Willems, the creator of the #1 New York Times best-selling, Caldecott Honor award-winning "Pigeon" picture books, and featuring music by Deborah Wicks La Puma (“Elephant & Piggie's We Are in a Play!”), DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! THE MUSICAL! is even more fun than staying up late and having a hot dog party! It's not easy being the Pigeon-you never get to do ANYTHING. But when the Bus Driver has a crisis that threatens to make her passengers (gasp!) late, maybe that wily bird CAN do something. Featuring an innovative mix of songs and feathers, DON'T LET THE PIGEON DRIVE THE BUS! THE MUSICAL! is sure to get everyone's wings flapping.
If there are any specific requirements for students with special needs, such as wheelchair accessibility or seating arrangements, please don't hesitate to inform us. We are here to ensure that everyone has a comfortable and enjoyable experience.
Our program offers various opportunities for caregivers to be actively involved in the theatre experience. Caregivers are encouraged to attend productions as audience members, providing support and encouragement to their students. The school and the teacher will determine the appropriate number of chaperones to ensure a supportive environment without becoming distracting to the program.

Grade K

Grade K: Reading Standards for Literature: Key Ideas and Details #3: With prompting and support, identify characters, settings, and major events in a story.
Grade K: Speaking and Listening Standards: Comprehension and Collaboration #2: Confirm understanding of a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media by asking and answering questions about key details and requesting clarification if something is not understood.
Grade K: Theatre: Creating: Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work. A. With prompting and support, invent and inhabit an imaginary elsewhere in dramatic play or a guided drama experience (e.g., process drama, story drama, creative drama).
Grade K: Theatre: Responding: Anchor Standard 7: Perceive and analyze artistic work. A. With prompting and support, express an emotional response in dramatic play or a guided drama experience (e.g., process drama, story drama, creative drama).

Grade 1

Grade 1: Reading Standards for Literature: Key Ideas and Details #3: Describe characters, settings, and major events in a story, using key details.
Grade 1: Speaking and Listening Standards for Literature: Comprehension and Collaboration #2: Ask and answer questions about key details in a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.
Grade 1: Theatre: Creating: Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work. A. Propose potential choices characters could make in a guided drama experience (e.g., process drama, story drama, creative drama).
Grade 1: Theatre: Responding: Anchor Standard 7: Perceive and analyze artistic work. A. Recall choices made in a guided drama experience (e.g., process drama, story drama, creative drama).

Grade 2

Grade 2: Reading Standards for Literature: Key Ideas and Details #3: Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.
Grade 2: Speaking and Listening Standards for Literature: Comprehension and Collaboration #2: Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.
Grade 2: Theatre: Creating: Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work. A. Propose potential choices characters could make in a guided drama experience (e.g., process drama, story drama, creative drama).
Grade 2: Theatre: Responding: Anchor Standard 7: Perceive and analyze artistic work. A. Recognize when artistic choices are made in a guided drama experience (e.g., process drama, story drama, creative drama).

Grade 3

Grade 3: Reading Standards for Literature: Key Ideas and Details #3: Describe how characters in a story respond to major events and challenges.
Grade 3: Speaking and Listening Standards for Literature: Comprehension and Collaboration #2: Determine the main ideas and supporting details of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
Grade 3: Theatre: Creating: Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work. A. Propose potential choices characters could make in a guided drama experience (e.g., process drama, story drama, creative drama).
Grade 3: Theatre: Responding: Anchor Standard 7: Perceive and analyze artistic work. A. Recognize when artistic choices are made in a guided drama experience (e.g., process drama, story drama, creative drama)

Grade 4

Grade 4: Reading Standards for Literature: Key Ideas and Details #3: Describe in depth a character, setting, or event in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., a character's thoughts, words, or actions).
Grade 4: Speaking and Listening Standards for Literature: Comprehension and Collaboration #2: Paraphrase portions of a text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
Grade 4: Theatre: Creating: Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work. A. With prompting and support, transition between imagination and reality in dramatic play or a guided drama experience (e. g., process drama, story drama, creative drama).
Grade 4: Theatre: Responding: Anchor Standard 7: Perceive and analyze artistic work. A. Recognize when artistic choices are made in a guided drama experience (e.g., process drama, story drama, creative drama)

Grade 5

Grade 5: Reading Standards for Literature: Key Ideas and Details #3: Compare and contrast two or more characters, settings, or events in a story or drama, drawing on specific details in the text (e.g., how characters interact).
Grade 5: Speaking and Listening Standards for Literature: Comprehension and Collaboration #2: Summarize a written text read aloud or information presented in diverse media and formats, including visually, quantitatively, and orally.
Grade 5: Theatre: Creating: Anchor Standard 1: Generate and conceptualize artistic ideas and work. A. Identify physical qualities that might reveal a character’s inner traits in the imagined world of a drama/theatre work.
Grade 5: Theatre: Responding: Anchor Standard 7: Perceive and analyze artistic work. A. Explain personal reactions to artistic choices made in a drama/theatre work through participation and observation.