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Greek Drama: The Myth of Persephone - How the Seasons came to be (K - 5)

Last changed: 07/09/2024 4:30pm
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K , 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5
Theater English Social Studies
Grade Level Program Alignment
1 60 min
Scenario One: A show only

Scenario Two: A show with a pre-performance workshop

Scenario Three: One Show, multiple pre-performance workshops with one grade level or more!

Scenario FOUR: One drama workshop for one or two classrooms where students enact the Greek Myth as an educational experience, learning about mythology, Greek Culture, ASL and the art of theater and performance!

Full or half day schedule depending on school's needs & desires. Pre-performance workshops with individual or combined classrooms in one or more grade level, culminating in same-day performance. NOTE: If allowed, we encourage more than one grade level to participate in both the pre-performance workshop and performance, but this is not required!
Combo In-School Performance & In-School Workshop Performance with a pre-performance workshop component
Or, instead, a purely participatory drama workshop where one class or two classes
act out the Greek myth, utilizing Masks & Costumes from Grumbling Gryphons, with the help of Grumbling Gryphons teaching artist & director!
All year In-School,
$10 50
yes Phone , In-Person , Email
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. This mask making is NOT required & purely a fun option!
If the teacher chooses to have their students make related mask patterns for the show (which is totally optional!) then
simple art materials can be utilized for advance preparation of the masks such as- multi colored colored construction paper, scissors, stapler, magic markers. Remember these art activities are only optional, not a requirement for the program to be successful!
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 a flatbed 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 is the Greek myth of how the seasons came to be. Lord Pluto steals Persephone away from her mother, Goddess Demeter- the goddess of agriculture and holds her captive in Hades, guarded by Cerberus, the Three-Headed Dog. The students in this 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.
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 K

Grade K: Reading Standards for Literature: Craft and Structure # 4: Ask and answer questions about unknown words in a text. Reading Standards for Informational Text 6-12
Grade K: History: Historical Sources and Evidence: HIST K.4: Identify different kinds of historical sources
Grade K: Theater: Responding: Anchor Standard 9: Apply criteria to evaluate artistic work a. With prompting
and support, actively engage with others in dramatic play or a guided drama experience ((e.g., process drama, story drama, creative drama).

Grade 1

Grade 1: Reading Standards for Literature K-5: Craft and Structure #6: Identify who is telling the story at various points in the text.
Grade 1: History: Historical Sources and Evidence: HIST 1.4: Identify different kinds of historical sources
Grade 1: Theater: Performing: Anchor Standard 6: Convey meaning through the presentation of artistic work.
A. With prompting and support, use movement and gestures to communicate emotions in a guided drama experience (e.g., process drama, story drama, creative drama).

Grade 2

Grade 2: Reading Standards for Literature K"“5: Craft and Structure: #6: Acknowledge differences in the points of view of characters, including by speaking in a different voice for each character when reading dialogue aloud.
Grade 2: History: Historical Sources and Evidence: HIST 2.6: Identify different kinds of historical sources
Grade 2: Theater: Performing:Anchor Standard 4: Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
B. Alter voice and body to expand and articulate nuances of a character in a guided drama experience
(e.g., process drama, story drama, creative drama).

Grade 3

Grade 3: Reading Standards for Literature K"“5: Key Ideas and Details #1: Ask and answer questions to demonstrate understanding of a text, referring explicitly to the text as the basis for the answers.
Grade 3: History: Historical Sources and Evidence: HIST 3.6: Summarize how different kinds of historical sources are used to explain events in the past.
Grade 3: Theater: Performing: Anchor Standard 4: Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
B. Alter voice and body to expand and articulate nuances of a character in a guided drama experience
(e.g., process drama, story drama, creative drama)

Grade 4

Grade 4: Reading Standards: Craft and Structure #5: Explain major differences between poems, drama, and prose, and refer to the structural elements of poems (eg. Casts of characters, settings, descriptions, dialogue, stage directions) when writing or speaking about a text.
Grade 4: History: Perspectives: HIST 4.1: Explain connections among historical contexts and people"s perspectives at the time.
Grade 4: Theater: Performing: Anchor Standard 4: Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
B. Make physical choices to develop a character in a drama/theatre work.

Grade 5

Grade 5: History: Change, Continuity and Context: HIST 5.2: Compare life in specific historical periods to life today.
Grade 5: Theater: Performing: Anchor Standard 4: Select, analyze, and interpret artistic work for presentation.
B. Use physical choices to create meaning in a drama/theatre work.