Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, was written expressly for children—a unique literary
innovation at that time. Pinocchio discovers his humanity as he navigates the ...
UE Upper Elementary | Performance Guide
Pinocchio
Photo credit: Jérémie Battaglia
The story of the puppet that becomes a real boy has inspired countless adaptations since it was published in Italy over a hundred years ago. Serialized by an Italian newspaper, Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, was written expressly for children—a unique literary innovation at that time. Pinocchio discovers his humanity as he navigates the world’s temptations. With his newfound strength he stands up against the disagreeable Mr. Fox and Cat and saves his father, Gepetto, from the belly of the whale. Collodi’s characters are brought vividly to life on stage by Montreal-based Théâtre Tout à Trac through the art forms of drama and puppetry.
Ideas for Curriculum Connections CCSS: RL.3.2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 9; RL.4.1, 2, 3, 5, 7 and 9; RL.5.1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7; W.3.3 and 8; W.4.8 and 9; W.5.8 and 9; SL.3.1c and d and 3; SL.4.1d and 4; SL.5.1c and d and 4; L.3.3; L.4.6; L.5.3 and 6
Photo credit: Théâtre Tout à Trac
The Story
The Art of Puppetry
The Adventures of Pinocchio was written for children in 1883 by the Italian writer Carlo Collodi. The woodcarver Geppetto creates Pinocchio as a wooden puppet, but Pinocchio dreams of becoming a real boy. He struggles with telling the truth, and when he lies, his nose grows, giving away his fib. This story of learning right from wrong has appeared in many adaptations in other mediums including Walt Disney’s movie adaptation in 1940. Pinocchio remains one of the most beloved characters in children’s literature.
A puppet is any inanimate figure manipulated by a person called a puppeteer. Puppetry is one of the oldest art forms in existence and is practiced around the world. In ancient times, people used rocks, branches, bones and roots as three-dimensional representations of animals and humans. Ancient Greek and Egyptian puppeteers manipulated puppets with “automata” mechanisms; the puppets were mechanical and moved on their own. In Africa, puppets and masks were, and still are, used in ceremonial dramas. Even very simple puppets are powerful in their ability to bring stories to life. The art of puppetry begins in a good story, imaginative use of stage space and the animation of puppets.
The Performance This production of Pinocchio, written and directed by Théâtre Tout à Trac’s Hugo Belanger, is a stage adaptation of the original work by Carlo Collodi. The story is told with puppets that interact with live actors in imaginative settings. Théâtre Tout à Trac uses a highly theatrical performance style set off by imaginative sets and costumes. The actors use masks and movements to create the highly visual, dreamlike and outlandish world. The performance is a coming-of-age story in which Pinocchio faces the trials of growing up and learns to become human.
Pinocchio / Performance Guide
The Artists Since 1998, Théâtre Tout à Trac (pronounced tay-AH-tra too-TA-trak) has created theater by adapting classic tales amd retelling them with masks, movement and puppetry. Tout à trac is a French expression that means without stopping, abrupt and sudden. The company strives to create theater that embraces imaginary lands, vivid characters and dreams and that invites audiences to reexamine the classics of children’s literature. Théâtre Tout à Trac tours throughout Canada and the United States performing in either French or English.
Learning Activities Before the performance
Honesty
Symbol for a lie
Before the performance, read aloud the
• Honesty means being truthful, trust-
When Pinocchio lies, his nose grows bigger.
story of Pinocchio. Discuss the characters,
worthy and responsible for your own
Pinocchio’s long nose is a symbol for telling
Pinocchio, Geppetto, the Cricket, the Fox
actions. When people are honest, they can
a lie. Sometimes real people have physical
and the Cat. Talk about their relationships.
be relied on to not lie, cheat or steal. When
reactions to lying; they might sweat or look
Many times in the story Pinocchio is
you are honest, other people will trust you
away.
distracted from doing the right thing. Ask
and respect you.
Discuss with students:
students to discuss:
> Discuss literary examples of a character
> What are some other things that happen
> What things and peeople lead Pinocchio down the wrong path?
who lies.
to us when we lie?
> What are consequences to lying?
> What kind of characters are the Fox and the Cat? > What are some ways we get distracted in
> If we lie, is there anything we can do to
> Give some examples of times it was hard
fix it?
for you to be honest but you were able to
> Is it ever okay to lie?
tell the truth.
Ask students to compare Pinocchio with
our own lives?
another literary character who learns from making a mistake.
Honest or Dishonest In groups, ask students to improvise the following scenarios. Ask students to reflect on what happens next then choose their reaction and describe the ending to each scenario. Next, ask each group discuss the outcome and decide if the outcome is honest or dishonest. Present findings to entire class and discuss as a whole. 1. You buy something at the store and the cashier gives you more change than you were owed. 2. You find someone’s wallet at the mall. 3. A friend asks if he can copy your answers during a test. 4. Your mom comes home from the hair salon with an awful haircut and she asks you if you like it. 5. You promised your mom or dad you would clean your room, but you watched TV instead. 6. You borrowed your friend’s toy and you broke it. 7. At the store, you see a friend put some-thing in her pocket without paying for it. 8. Your older brother skips school and you find out.
Writing Response Write this quote on the board:
“You must prove yourself brave, truthful and unselfish.”
Photo credit: Théâtre Tout à Trac
Ask students to answer this writing prompt individually: “What kinds of things could you accomplish if you were always brave, truthful and unselfish? How would life be different if everyone were brave, truthful and unselfish?
[email protected] / www.waltonartscenter.org
Volume 11 Number 8 Colgate Classroom Series performances help students meet Common Core Standards. Photo credit: Théâtre Tout à Trac
Reflect and Assess
Learn more at: www.waltonartscenter.org
Ask students to discuss the following questions in groups. Record the group’s answers on the board and discuss as a whole class. > What did you notice about the performance of Pinocchio? > What did you already know about the story before seeing the performance? > Describe the characters. Who were they? What were they doing? Why?
Walton Arts Center
> What was different about the book and the live performance?
Learning & Engagement
> What did you like most about the live performance? Costumes? Set? Masks? Music?
Laura Goodwin, Vice President
> Would you have performed the story differently? How?
Dr. Patricia Relph, Arts Learning Specialist
> What made the puppet a believable character?
Katie Williams, Manager
> What are some important lessons Pinocchio learned throughout the story?
Shannon Rolle, Schools Concierge
> What event finally gave Pinocchio the qualities to become a real boy? > How did the performance make you feel? > What moment in the play do you remember most? Learn More Online > www.toutatrac.com Théâtre Tout à Trac ‘s Official website. > www.literaturepage.com/read/pinocchio.html Text of The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, translated. > https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pinocchio History of the story of Pinocchio.
Walton Arts Center 2013-2014 Learning programming is generously supported by these funders, sponsors and benefactors:
Education Benefactors:
Colgate-Palmolive
Education Grantors:
Nick and Carolyn Cole
General Mills
Arkansas Arts Council
Jon and Joanie Dyer
Season support provided by
JB Hunt Transport
The John F. Kennedy Center
Murray and Judy Harris
Walmart / SAM’S CLUB
Kimberly-Clark Murphy Consulting, Inc
for the Performing Arts Walmart Foundation
Nestle
Ted and Leslie Belden
Jim and Lynne Walton
J.B. and Rachel Blankenship
Dr. & Mrs. John B. Weiss
Chip and Susan Chambers
Malcolm and Ellen Hayward Rich and Kristin Kley
Arkansas Arts Council is an
Greg and Hannah Lee
agency of the Department of
Prairie Grove Telephone Co.
Education Partners:
Neal and Gina Pendergraft
Arkansas Heritage and the
Shipley Motor Company
Crystal Bridges Museum of
Imelda and J.T. Rose
National Endowment for the
Jeff and Eileen Schomburger
Arts
Tyson Foods Unilever Walmart Foundation
American Art NWAESC
Mechelle and Jack Sinclair Kirk Thompson Jerry and Brenda Walton
Pinocchio / Performance Guide
