ENRICHMENT GUIDE - First Stage

ENRICHMENT GUIDE

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Adapted from the RAMONA books by Beverly Clear Adapted by Len Jenkin

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Please be sure to share this guide with all teachers who are taking their students to see this production. Photocopy or download additional copies from www.firststage.org

preparing for the play Synopsis..................................... 2-3

Within this guide we have included a range of materials and activities. As teachers, you know best the needs and abilities of your students; therefore, please feel free to pick and choose and/or adapt any of the suggestions for discussion or activities. We encourage you to take advantage of our photocopy-friendly format and generate copies of the entire guide for each classroom and copies of handouts for your students. Have fun and enjoy the show! YiRen Tsai , Academy/Education Associate (414) 267-2975 or [email protected]

ABOUT THE PLAYWRIGHT Len Jenkin.................................. 4 ABOUT THE AUTHOR Beverly Cleary............................ 5 DIRECTOR’S NOTES Steve McCormick....................... 6

before or after the play THEATER Breaking the Fourth Wall.......... 7 ART Paper Plate Puppet.................... 7 Drawing—My Favorite.............. 8

— Discuss proper audience behavior with your students. While applause and laughter, when appropriate, are appreciated and anticipated, unnecessary noise or movement by audience members can distract the actors and other audience members and affect the quality of the performance for everyone. It is very important that students understand how their behavior can affect a live performance. You, the teacher, and other adult chaperones for your group have the primary responsibility for being sure your students behave appropriately. We ask that chaperones sit among the students, and not together in a group behind the students. Our ushers will react to disruptions and attempt to quell them, and we reserve the right to remove any student causing a distraction from the theater.

*Because of union regulations the use of recording equipment and cameras is strictly forbidden in the theater. *Food, drink, candy and gum are not permitted in the theater.

MATH Learning About Budgeting....... 8 LANGUAGE ARTS Writing: This is My Family......... 8 Leaf Poem.................................. 9 GEOGRAPHY Ramona Needs Your Help......... 10 Who Said It? Answers...................................... 10 Discussion Questions................ 11 Books by Beverly Cleary........... 12 Resources................................... 12

Before and after the play Drawing—My Favorite!............ Math—Learning about Budgeting................................... Writing—This is My Family....... Geography—Ramona Needs Your Help................................... Who Said It? ..............................

13 14 15 16 17

*Any portable radios brought to the theater by students will be kept by the House Manager during the performance and returned to the group leader at the conclusion of the play. *There is no smoking in the theater, by order of the Fire Marshal. *Should a student become ill, suffer an injury or have another problem, please escort him or her to the theater lobby and ask an usher to notify the House Manager immediately. *In the unlikely event of a general emergency, the theater lights will go on and someone will come on stage to inform the audience of the problem. Remain in your seats, visually locate the nearest exit and wait for First Stage ushers to guide your group from the theater. Seating for people with disabilities: If you have special seating needs for any student(s) and did not indicate your need when you ordered your tickets, please call the Box Office at (414) 267-2962 NOW. Our knowledge of your needs will enable us to serve you better upon your group’s arrival Fridays at 7:00 p.m. at the theater. Sept. 9, 30 and Oct. 7

Twenty family performances of Ramona Quimby are scheduled. If you know of friends or colleagues who might enjoy seeing this play, please tell them about these public perf o rmance opport u n i t i e s . For tickets and prices, please call the M a rcus Center box office, 414/273-7206. The number for TDD (deaf and hard - o f hearing patrons) is 414/273-3080.

Saturdays at 1:00 p.m. Oct. 1 Saturdays at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m. Sept. 17 Saturdays at 3:30 & 7:00 p.m. Sept. 24 Saturdays at 7:00 p.m. Sept. 10 and Oct. 8 Sundays at 1:00 & 3:30 p.m. Sept. 11, 18, 25, and Oct. 2 & 9 *the Sunday, October 9th, 3:30 p.m. performance will be interpreted for deaf and hard of hearing patrons.

The play opens with an invitation of friendship as Beatrice “Beezus” Quimby, elder sister of Ramona, delivers a brief introduction of her family, friends and neighborhood to the audience. Beezus is frequently interrupt by her “pesky” younger sister in her presentations. The audience is welcomed with open arms into the life of the Quimby family. Beezus and Ramona trade casual insults as they introduce friends and family, and quarrel over which recent events are important enough to share with their new friends, the audience. Ramona attempts to usurp Beezus’ position of narrator, but she is reprimanded gently by her mother before rushing off to her first day of third grade. Ramona’s classmates, Howie and Susan, congregate at Glenwood School. Susan has just enough time to show off her expensive doll named Tiffany before the third grade teacher, Mrs. Griggs, takes control of the class. After explaining that “fun is not allowed in this classroom,” Beezus appears for a moment, narrating that she forgot to inform Ramona that the first day of third grade is always Show-and-Tell in Mrs. Griggs’ class. The next moment, the announcement is made. Ramona realizes that she is unprepared and frantically begins turning out pockets to find something suitable to show. Howie and Susan show their toys, with Susan’s impeccably dressed doll as the main attraction, and Ramona makes do with a shabby old doll named Chevrolet. Mrs. Griggs insists her overactive imagination will get her into trouble someday. After Ramona returns from school, we find her making mischief at home as well. Beezus was attempting to make dinner for their Aunt Bea, but Ramona sabotaged her lasagna: she hid her doll in the dish because Beezus wouldn’t accept her help in the kitchen. A volley of tears, insults and sibling rivalry is brought to a halt only when Aunt Bea arrives, carrying a bagful of Whopperburger dinners for the whole Quimby family. Ramona is still upset, however, and she tearfully confesses she’s a horrible girl because she hates her sister. The adults assure her that all siblings have times when they don’t love each other, thinking of the spiteful sister dynamic that existed between Aunt

Bea and Mrs. Quimby when they were children. Beezus is relieved that someone like Ramona can grow up to be as wonderful as Aunt Bea, and the crisis is suspended. The scene shifts to another day with Ramona at school, this time making masks for the annual Halloween parade. Ramona, bright and imaginative as usual, is busily crafting a scary owl mask, but Susan begins copying Ramona’s mask. When Susan is given credit for the idea and Ramona is accused of cheating, Ramona cannot control her temper and rips up Susan’s mask. After refusing to apologize, Ramona is sent home in a frustrated sulk. While Ramona dramatically decides she has no future and that nobody understands her, she meets Howie’s teasing uncle, Hobart. Hobart has recently returned from Saudi Arabia after striking oil and becoming rich, and Ramona is excited to meet a millionaire. But she is disappointed and upset to find the real Hobart is a jokester who enjoys singing songs specifically tailored to embarrass Ramona. Hobart is very excited to learn that Bea is Ramona’s aunt, as they were very good friends back in high school. Disenchanted with the idea of an adult who teases like a child, Ramona informs a nonplussed Hobart that Bea moved to Los Angeles “just yesterday.” Hobart is thrilled with the prospect of seeing Bea, and Ramona is even more irritated. Brewing with resentment and ill feeling, Ramona stalks home to find her parents waiting to talk to her about the day’s events at school. After explaining the circumstances, Mr. and Mrs. Quimby remain adamant that she must apologize, and that she certainly must return to school. They explain to her that Susan is the one she should feel sorry for, because she doesn’t have much imagination of her own. With promises of Whopperburger and reassurances that she’s been missed at school, Ramona agrees to apologize for smashing Susan’s owl, which she does the next day. At this point, the Quimby family’s life takes an unexpected turn. Mr. Quimby loses his job and leaves the family without a stream of income. The family gathers for a meeting to discuss how Continued on page 3

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each of them will have to contribute and sacrifice to make their lives work, at least for a little while. At the prospect of no Whopperburger for an indeterminate period of time, Ramona is very disappointed. To add to her eight-year-old woes, Aunt Bea calls and cancels their date for a trip to the zoo the next day, although she promises to come to their house for dinner later and bring a fabulous surprise. The first act ends with Mrs. Quimby’s hope that everything will be better soon Act two opens with the presentation of Aunt Bea’s fabulous surprise: Howie’s Uncle Hobart! Although the Quimby family as a whole is delighted and tries their hardest to make Hobart feel at home, Ramona is obstinately unforgiving of Hobart’s jokester personality and refuses to be polite. Ramona’s life is further complicated with the announcement that her mother will be looking for a job, starting tomorrow. Ramona is informed that after school, she will be looked after by old Mrs. Kemp, Howie’s Grandmother. Mrs. Quimby tells Ramona that being grownup means doing things that you don’t necessarily want to do, but Ramona insists she’s not ready to grow up just yet. Winter falls on Klickitat Street and finds the Quimby family discontented. Mrs. Quimby is the sole breadwinner, and Mr. Quimby stares disconsolately at the television while his daughters grow increasingly nervous. Ramona, determined to help, is inspired by a commercial and decides to become a child star, acting on television to earn money for her family. Unfortunately, her attempts at stardom backfire as she insults her teacher the next day at school by repeating a line from a pantyhose commercial. Just as Ramona asks her Aunt Bea if she knows any talent scouts, the announcement is made: Aunt Bea and Hobart are getting married and then leaving for Alaska in just two weeks! Hobart has oil prospects in Alaska and Bea is sure she can find a teaching job. The two are very much in love, but Bea regretfully informs the girls that there isn’t going to be a wedding; there just isn’t time. Ramona is saddened at the idea of losing Aunt Bea without so much as a good-bye wedding, and wants her favorite Aunt to stay home, even though she knows it’s selfish.

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The Quimby family seems to be falling apart. Mr. Quimby is depressed and aloof, and Mrs. Quimby is tired and grumpy from work. Just as a yelling match seems unavoidable, Mr. Quimby announces that the family needs a break; they’re all going out to Whopperburger for dinner, to have a family meeting! The family has a discussion at dinner about how even though they’ve been grouchy lately, there’s still enough love to go around. The Quimbys reaffirm their love for one another over Whopperburgers and Coke (or, in Ramona’s case, a Doublewhopper, fries and a chocolate shake), and then toast to themselves before asking their waitress for the check. Happily, the waitress tells them that their meals have already been paid for! An old man had thought that they looked like a very loving family, and since he missed his own family, he decided to give them a free meal. The Quimby family decided that they actually are a very loving and happy family, although “nobody’s sweet and loving all the time; if they are, they’re boring.” In the following scene, it’s drawing near to the end of third grade for Ramona, and she and Beezus are having a late-night chat. They both know that their Aunt Bea really wants a proper wedding, even though she leaves the day after tomorrow. So together they plan a surprise. The next day they tell Hobart how much Bea wants a real wedding, and the mad dash is on! With Mrs. Quimby’s old wedding dress, a few crazy shopping trips, frantic phone calls and the neighbors for guests, a three o’clock wedding is planned for that afternoon. Although the bridal shop owner is skeptical at first, Ramona and Beezus’ tearful pleas move her to help them find dresses and suits in record time. One beautiful wedding and a postcard from Alaska later, Ramona’s getting ready for her first day in fourth grade. Mr. Quimby managed to get his old job back— with a promotion to boot— and Mrs. Quimby is really enjoying her work as well. Ramona’s excited for school, but she puts off racing to the schoolyard with Howie to hear her sister’s closing monologue. Beezus wraps up the play, saying that change happens but that “life goes on – in a kind of miraculous way.”

Len Jenkin is a playwright, writer, screenwriter and director. His plays for adults include Dark Ride, Pilgrims of the Night, My Uncle Sam, Blame It on the Night, Welcome to Oblivion and American Notes. His works have been produced throughout the United States, as well as in England, Germany, France, Denmark and Japan. His novel, New Jerusalem, was published by Sun & Moon Press. In 1999, he wrote a children’s book, The Secret Life of Billie’s Uncle Myron, with his daughter, Emily. He has received many honors and awards, including three OBIE Awards for Directing and Playwriting, a Guggenheim Fellowship, an Emmy Award nomination and four NEA (National Endowment for the Arts) fellowships. His most recent works are his collaboration with Big Dance Theatre on Plan B (Bonn Biennale, Dance Theater Workshop NY) and Like I Say (directed by the author at the Flea Theatre, NY). He is currently a Professor in the Dramatic Writing Program at New York University’s Tisch School of the Arts in New York City.

Set designed by Rick Rasnussen

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Beverly Cleary’s works have earned countless awards and attracted generations of fans. However, few are aware that when Cleary was a child, she disliked reading, and struggled with it early in grammar school. But this little girl who hated reading grew to become one of the most critically acclaimed and adored authors of our time. On April 12, 1912, Beverly Bunn was born in McMinnville in Yamhill County, Oregon—a town so small it had no library. Her family moved to Portland, Oregon, where Beverly attended grammar school and high school. She was placed in the “blackbird” reading group, the lower circle of readers in her class. A combination of a kinder teacher, better health and a little extra help from her mother helped Beverly move out of the “blackbird” group in the second grade. While she had become sufficient at reading, Beverly never excelled. She rarely read outside of the classroom because she found children’s literature to be dull. When Beverly was in the third grade, she by chance decided to pick up a book entitled The Dutch Twins by Lucy Fitch Perkins to look at the pictures. Beverly was mesmerized by a story that stretched beyond the usual folktales. She not only finished that book in one day, she also read its sequel, The Swiss Twins, in the same day. That year, Beverly developed a passion for reading, spending most of her time either reading books or walking to and from the library. In 1934, Beverly left home and moved south to attend college. After graduating from a junior college in Ontario, California, and the University of California-Berkeley, she went on to attend the School of Librarianship at the University of Washington-Seattle, where she specialized in library work with children. Working in the library brought Beverly in touch with children from all walks of life, but it was the children who built scooters out of apple boxes and roller skates that truly inspired her. These children sparked her to write her first book in 1950 about a boy named Henry Huggins who lived on Klickitat Street, a real street in Portland close to where Beverly grew up. Her manuscript for Henry Huggins was accepted by the very first publisher she sent it to—a rare occurrence in the world of literature. Soon after she had finished her Henry Huggins series, Cleary felt attracted to a smaller character in the series, Ramona Quimby; she ultimately penned a series revolving around the imaginative little girl. A couple of years later, Cleary witnessed her son racing a miniature toy motorcycle along the stripes on his bedspread, creating his own fantasy world. This vision inspired her to write The Mouse and the Motorcycle series about Ralph the mouse. Other books were written with suggestions from her young readers. Cleary later wrote two autobiographies: A Girl from Yamhill and My Own Two Feet. Beverly worked as a librarian in Yakima, Washington until she married Clarence Cleary and moved back to California. The Clearys have two children and still reside in California. Beverly Cleary now enjoys traveling and needlework. ~by Leslie Rivers, First Stage Intern

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“I don’t want to grow up—not yet. I’m not old enough.” It is hard to believe that Beverly Cleary’s unforgettable character, Ramona Quimby, has been around for 50 years. Especially considering that Ramona was an accident. She first appeared very briefly in Cleary’s book Henry Huggins. At the time, the book featured children with no siblings, and Cleary thought it would be nice if one of the characters—Henry’s friend Beezus—had a little sister. While she was writing, Cleary accidentally overheard someone outside her house call out for someone named “Ramona,” and the rest is history. Over the past 50 years, it has been no accident that Ramona has made her mark as one of the most recognizable characters in children’s literature, due to her spunk and adventurous nature. She is inquisitive and passionate and all the wonderful things we adults remember about being a kid. At the same time, Ramona is also a very real character. She makes mistakes, gets jealous and often loses her temper. In short, she is like any child you know or any child you were—she wants to squeeze all the juice from life and not let any moment pass without making the most of it. Above all else, Ramona loves her family. The play you are about to see is not only about this gregarious eight-year-old but it is also about families of all kinds—not just the people to whom you are related but also those to whom you find yourself turning during times of need. This play takes a look at a year in the life of the Quimby family with all of its ups and downs, smiles and frowns. No matter how tough things seem to get, the Quimbys always seem to find a way to pull through by focusing on what truly matters— family. And at the center of it all is Ramona: questioning, teasing, laughing, pouting, exploring and being true to herself. Let’s all wish her a happy fiftieth birthday as we celebrate the Ramona in all of us. Enjoy the show! ~Steve McCormick

Ramona

Costumes designed by Rick Rasnussen

Mr. Quimby

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Tammy

Breaking the Fourth Wall? What is that? The “Fourth Wall” is a term that theater people use to refer to an invisible barrier between the action on stage and the audience. It is as if the stage is a room, and one of the walls has been removed so that audiences can see the action on stage. The characters do not actively acknowledge the audience, to reinforce the existence of the Fourth Wall. The audience is an unseen and unacknowledged observer. During this play, however, Beezus talks directly to the audience as the narrator. Sometimes, Ramona fights for her opportunity to talk to the audience, too. So, they broke the Fourth Wall by directly addressing the audience as their new friends. This creates a very warm and welcoming environment for the audience. Most plays do not break the Fourth Wall, which makes it a special feature that you could discuss with your students. (If you happened to have seen First Stage’s 2004-2005 productions of: A Christmas Story or Click Clack Moo: Cows that Type, you may have noticed that they also share this feature with Ramona Quimby.)

Ramona and her class made various Halloween masks for their Halloween parade. Following these instructions, you and your students can make owl hand puppets out of paper plates. The puppets are great for storytelling or decorating your classroom. Materials needed: One and one half paper plates (for each student), colored markers, construction paper, scissors and glue. Procedure: 1. Staple the half-plate along the edges onto the back of the whole plate. 2. Add facial features to the whole plate. (Use colored markers, construction paper, or both.) To Operate: Slip one hand or fingers behind half-plate to hold and move puppet about.

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School is a very important part of Ramona’s life. A lot of exciting things happen in her school. Some of them are great and others not so good. (Of course, this is based on Ramona’s perspective.) School is also an essential element to the play being very interesting. Ask your students to draw their favorite activity or place at school. Materials needed: Colored pencils or markers and copies of page 13.

The Quimby family encountered financial hardship because Mr. Quimby lost his job. You may use the math quiz on page 14 to introduce your students the concept of budgeting. Answers: Each of them could spend: $6. 1. Ramona’s Order: 2. Orangeburger $3.15 Black Fries $1.93 Banana Sundae $1.00 Chocolate Shake $1.79 Total: $7.87 a) No b) Either Black Fries or Orangeburger c) Yes, $0.06 or $1.28

Beezus’ Order: Veggiewhopper Strawberry Shake Pumpkin Pie Total:

$3.20 $1.69 $0.79 $5.68

d) Yes e) N/A f) Yes, $0.32

“Hi, my name is Beatrice Quimby and my job is to help you. Usually, at a play like this, or at the movies, we see people really different from us: princesses, or detectives, or presidents or even mermaids. Or people who lived a long time ago, or even in the future.... So I thought, what about us? People like you see in the street every day— or even like your own family. It might be pretty neat if we took a good look close to home. So my idea for this play, Ramona Quimby, is to take us all to my house. Come on, I’ll show you around.” ~Ramona Quimby

The play was written as Beatrice, Ramona’s older sister who’s also called Beezus, telling us the story of her family, the Quimbys. You may use Page 15 to ask your students to write about their own families, schools or neighborhoods. After they are done, ask them to share what they wrote with the rest of the class.

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Ramona Quimby begins in the fall, one of the most beautiful times of the year. Ask your students to write a cinquain — or five-line — poem about leaves and the colors of fall. A cinquain poem is sometimes reffered to as a diamond poem because of its form.

A cinquain poem follows this recipe: Line #1 Line#2 Line#3 Line#4 Line#5

Noun 2 adjectives 3 verbs ending in -ing A sentence Synonym to noun in Line #1

Another type of peom that follows a planned structure is a Haiku , a form of Japanese poetry.

A haiku poem is an unrhymed brief poem of three lines totaling 17 syllables. Line #1 Line#2 Line#3

5 syllables 7 syllables 5 syllables

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Howie’s Uncle Hobart works for an oil company. (Howie is Ramona’s best friend.) Hobart came back to Klickitat Street from Saudi Arabia and is heading toward Alaska soon. Use the questions on page 16 to help your students learn more about the geography around these two regions.

Answers:

Alaska

Saudi Arabia

1. Canada 2. Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Yemen 3. Juneau 4. Riyadh 5. Arctic Ocean and Pacific Ocean 6. Arabian Gulf, Red Sea, and Arabian Sea

Answers: 1) Beezus 2) Mrs. Griggs 3) Ramona 4) Ramona 5) Ramona 6) Hobart 7) Beezus 8) Mr. Quimby 9) Mr. Quimby 10) Mrs. Quimby 11) Mr. Quimby 12) Ramona

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Ask your students the following questions to better prepare them to see Ramona Quimby or help them review and reflect on the play.

Before the performance: Family : 1. What does your family mean to you? Does anyone in your family ever annoy you? If you have an argument with someone in your family, how do you resolve it? 2. Among all of your relatives, who is your favorite? Where does he or she live? How often do you get to see this relative? What makes this person so special? 3. What is your family’s favorite restaurant? How often does your family go there? Why is it your favorite? What is the item that you like most on the menu? School : 1. What do you like or dislike about school? Why? 2. Have you ever copied someone else’s idea? Have other people ever copied your ideas? How did you feel when that happened? What did or didn’t you do? What will you suggest if that happens again? 3. Who is your best friend? How long have you known each other? What makes him or her your best friend? Describe one of the most memorable moments that you had together.

After the performance: 1.

The play begins on Ramona’s first day of school as a third grader and ends on her first day of school as a fourth grader. Do you remember how you felt on the first day of school? How did you prepare for the first day?

2.

In Mrs. Griggs’ classroom, the first day of school has always been a “Show and Tell” day. Students bring in one of their favorite items to share with the class. What would you bring for “Show and Tell,” if your class had one? Why?

3.

How does Ramona react when Susan copies her Halloween mask? Could Ramona have handled the situation differently? How could she have helped her teacher understand that Susan was the one who copied her mask?

4.

Beezus and Ramona get into fights and arguments all the time. How about you and your siblings? Do you ever fight or argue? What do you do when it happens? (If you don’t have a sibling, think about the same situation with your cousins or best friend.) Will you stop loving each other because of that? Why or why not?

5.

Ramona questions why life isn’t fair. Do you think life is fair or not? Why or why not? Is there anything you could do to make life more fair?

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The Ramona Books Beezus and Ramona Ramona the Pest Ramona the Brave Ramona and Her Father Ramona and Her Mother Ramona Forever Ramona Quimby, Age 8

The Henr y Books Henry Huggins Henry and Beezus Henry and Ribsy Henry and the Paper Route Henry and the Clubhouse Ribsy

Ramona Quimby Study Guide, TheatreworksUSA, New York, NY. Beverly Cleary’s Ramona Quimby Teacher Guide, by Ernie Nolan, Chicago Playworks for Families and Young Audiences, The Theatre School—Depaul University, Chicago, IL. Puppetry in Early Childhood Education, by Tamara Hunt and Nancy Renfro, Nancy Renfro Studios.

For more information about Beverly Cleary and Ramona: The World of Beverly Cleary: www.beverlycleary.com/index.html NNDB tracking the entire world: Beverly Cleary: www.nndb.com/people/422/000032326/ For more information about Len Jenkin: University of Wisconsin-Madison Genomic Sciences Training Program: Len Jenkin: www.biotech.wisc.edu/GSTP/events/GSTPPlaywrightinResidence.htm For more information about world map and geography: World Map: www.mjsteffens.qmxhome.de/page10.htm Geography: Land boundaries — Border countries by country: www.nationmaster.com/graph-t/geo_lan_bou_bor_cou

Student Enrichment Guide

Adapted from the RAMONA books by Beverly Clear Adapted by Len Jenkin

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What is your favorite activity and where does it take place at school? _________________________________________________________________________________________ What makes that your favorite? _________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________ Please draw a picture of it:

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Whopperburger is Ramona’s favorite restaurant. Today, the Quimbys decide to go there for a treat even though money is tight. They can only spend $24 total for all four of them. To be fair, each of the family members will get exactly a quarter of the total money. How much could each family member spend?

Each of them could spend:

$___________________________

Whopperburger Menu Whopperburger Doublewhopper Cheesewhopper Superwhopper Chiliwhopper Veggiewhopper Kidwhopper

$2.95 $3.99 $3.56 $4.22 $3.75 $3.20 $1.75

Large Drink Regular Drink Small Drink Chocolate Shake Strawberry Shake Banana Sundae Apple Pie

Ramona’s Order

$1.25 $1.00 $ .70 $1.79 $1.69 $1.00 $.88

Large Fries Regular Fries Small Fries

$1.75 $1.35 $ .99

Orangeburger Black Fries Pumpkin Pie

$3.15 $1.93 $ .79

Beezus’ Order

Orangeburger

$

Veggiewhopper

$

Black Fries

$

Strawberry Shake

$

Banana Sundae

$

Pumpkin Pie

$

Chocolate Shake

$

TOTAL

$

TOTAL

$

a) Does Ramona stay within her budget?

d) Does Beezus stay within her budget?

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

b) What can she decide not to order and stay in budget?

e) What can she decide not to order and stay in budget?

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

c) Does she get change back? How much?

f) Does she get change back? How much?

______________________________________________

______________________________________________

You could also try to figure our what Mr. and Mrs. Quimby could order and still stay within the family budget.

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Beezus introduces her family, the Quimbys, to us in the play. If you had a chance, how would you introduce your family to people who didn’t know you? (How many people are there in your family? What makes your family special? What does your family mean to you? Why? What is your favorite family activity? Did your family do something fun during the summer? You could also focus on one of the family members who means the most to you.) Please write this below.

_________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________ _________________________________________________________________________________________________

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Ramona and Howie need your help! Howie’s Uncle Hobart works for an oil company in two parts of the world, Saudi Arabia and Alaska. Ramona and Howie would like to figure out where Uncle Hobart works on the map. Both of them get really confused about the world map. Please help them circle Saudi Arabia and Alaska on the map.

Can you also help them find out the answers to the following questions? 1. What countries border Alaska?__________________________________________________________ 2. What countries border Saudi Arabia? ____________________________________________________ 3. What is the capital of Alaska?__________________________________________________________ 4. What is the capital of Saudi Arabia?____________________________________________________ 5. What ocean surrounds Alaska?__________________________________________________________ 6. What bodies of water surround Saudi Arabia?____________________________________________ —

How much do you remember about the play? Quiz yourself and your classmates to see who can remember the most about Ramona Quimby. Try to figure out who said the following lines, when they said it and why they said it. 1.

So my idea for this play, Ramona Quimby, is to take us all to my house. Come on, I’ll show you around.

2.

You are now in third grade. Fun is not allowed in this classroom.

3.

Susan is the one I feel sorry for. You’re the one who can think up her own ideas. You have a wonderful imagination.

4.

If you have a million dollars, can you go to Whopperburger whenever you want to?

5.

Howie, do you think it’s fair that some people have a bazillion dollars, and my dad has to work very hard in the cold at the FrostKing Frozen Foods warehouse?

6.

I’ve already met Ramona. She doesn’t care for my singing so I’m on my best behavior.

7.

Mom’s at work. She’s working hard, but money is still tight at our house. …Dad still looks for work, but he hasn’t had much luck.

8.

Being grownup means doing things you need to do, that maybe you don’t want to do—for a while anyway.

9.

Ramona, you and Beezus are very different kids. That doesn’t mean we don’t love you both.

10.

Love isn’t a cup of sugar that gets used up.

11.

Nobody is sweet and loving all the time. If they are, they’re boring.

12.

I don’t want to be like Uncle Hobart, or even Aunt Bea. I want to be like me.

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A professional theater training program for young people ages 3-18.

School Year 2005/2006 Classes

Saturdays October 1—November 19, 2005

Tuesdays October 4—November 22, 2005

Wednesdays October 5—November 23, 2005

Since 1992, thousands of young people ages 5 to 18 have become a part of the Academy family. Every year, hundreds of students come to the Academy seeking theater training, fun, friendship and excitement. And they find it! Our days are rigorous and challenging—and exhilarating and rewarding. Each individual student, working with an ensemble of peers, is guided by the Academy staff to explore a theater curriculum and develop positive life skills. Small class sizes ensure a personal, interactive and focused experience for each student. At First Stage Theater Academy, our students learn skills that will help them on stage: presence, expression, focus, projection and spontaneity. But, more important, they learn skills that will help them in life: self-confidence, discipline, integrity, commitment and team work.

Locations: Milwaukee Youth Arts Center, Milwaukee University Lake School, Hartland

financial aid available FOR A FREE BROCHURE AND/OR FINANCIAL AID FORM Phone: 414-267-2970 email: [email protected]

2005/2006 Season Book Reservations NOW! Call 414-267-2962

By Gary L.. Blackwood

October 21—November 11, 2005 Most suitable for upper elementary and middle school students and teachers

By Kermit Frazier with creative support by Milwaukee Mask and Puppet Theatr e

January 27—February 24, 2006 Most suitable for upper elementary and middle school students and teachers

By L. Frank Baum Adapted for the stage by Alan Keith Smith

November 29—December 21, 2005 Most suitable for lower and upper elementary students and teachers

By Mark Twain Adapted by James DeVita

March 10—April 13, 2006 Most suitable for lower and upper elementary and middle school students and teachers

2005-2006 Touring Production:

Music by Stephen Flaherty Lyrics by Lynn Ahrens Book by Lynn Ahrens and Stephen Flaherty Co-Conceived by Lynn Ahrens, Stephen Flaherty and Eric Idle Based on the works of Dr. Seuss

April 28—June 9, 2006 Most suitable for pre-K and lower and upper elementary school students and teachers

By Karen Abbott Based on the book by Joh Steptoe

February 13—March 24, 2006 Most suitable for lower and upper elementary students and teachers Limited dates available! For more information please call Amy Booth at 414-267-2985