Untitled - Lancaster Performing Arts Center

Introduction
Dear Educator,
As you make plans for your students to attend an upcoming presentation of the Arts for Youth program at the
Lancaster Performing Arts Center, we invite you to prepare your students by using this guide to assure that
from beginning to end; the experience is both memorable and educationally enriching.
The material in this guide is for you the teacher, and will assist you in preparing your students before the day
of the event, and extending the educational value to beyond the walls of the theatre. We provide activity
and/or discussion ideas, and other resources that will help to prepare your students to better understand and
enjoy what they are about to see, and to help them connect what they see on stage to their studies. We also
encourage you to discuss important aspects of the artistic experience, including audience etiquette.
We hope that your students find their imagination comes alive as lights shine, curtains open, and applause
rings through Lancaster Performing Arts Center. As importantly, we hope that this Curriculum Guide helps
you to bring the arts alive in your classroom!
Thank you for helping us to make a difference in the lives of our Antelope Valley youth.
Arts for Youth Program
Lancaster Performing Arts Center, City of Lancaster
What’s inside
Introduction
2
Overview of the California Content Standards for Public Schools
3
Theatre Etiquette
4
Be a Theatre Critic
5
What’s Important to Know?
6
Antioquia
7
Cumbia Dance
8
Play Your Part
10
PRE-PERFORMANCE
Overview of the California Content Standards for Public Schools
Our Arts for Youth program addresses and supports California Content Standards for K-12 education.
Curriculum Connections:
Visual and Performing Arts: Dance, Music, Communication, Spanish Language, Cultural Studies, Diversity,
History, Physical Education, Creativity and Teamwork. The use of body language, movement and expression
as communication instead of words. Interpersonal relationships.
Applicable California Content Standards Samples easily applied in your classroom
Visual and Performing Arts, Dance:
Grade K-12:
3.0 Understanding the Historical Contributions and Cultural Dimensions of Dance. Students analyze
the function and development of dance in past and present cultures throughout the world, noting
human diversity as it relates to dance and dancers.
3.1 Describe commonalities among and differences between dances from various countries.
3.4 Describe how costumes and shows influence dance movement.
Grade 9-12:
3.2 Describe ways in which folk/traditional, social, and theatrical dances reflect their specific cultural
context.
LESSON PLAN IDEA: In groups, students chose a cultural holiday from other nations or religions and share
their research with the class.
Content standards adopted by the California State Board of Education.
For more information, visit: http://www.cde.ca.gov/be/st/ss/
Theatre Etiquette
•
Arrive on time
•
Plan for possible delays in travel and parking. Please arrive a minimum of 30 minutes prior to show
time.
•
Students: Leave recording devices of any kind at home or in your backpack at school
•
Video or audio recording and photography, including camera phones, are often prohibited by law and
may disrupt the performance. They are not permitted and are considered very rude to the others
around you.
•
Teachers: Turn off or silence all personal electronics
•
Beeps, clicks, tones and buzzes and light pollution emanated by personal electronics such as watches,
pagers, Bluetooth devices, cell phones, etc. interrupt the performance and spoil the theatre
experience.
•
Observe the instructions of ushers
The ushers are present to offer assistance, ensure rules are observed and provide guidance in the case
of an emergency evacuation. Please show them consideration. You will be asked to exit to the left of
the theatre at the end of the performance.
•
Be respectful
While entering and exiting the theatre: Put your hands in your pockets or behind your back. Talk very
quietly. Once seated: Do not talk. Keep your feet on the ground. Put your hands in your lap or fold
your arms.
•
Abstain from eating or drinking inside the theatre
Crackling wrappers and containers and food messes in the auditorium are unwelcome. Food, candy,
gum and drinks should never be brought inside the theatre.
•
Avoid talking, waving and shouting during the performance
Laughing and applauding are encouraged at appropriate times. Shouting to actors/friends is
disrespectful to others. Save personal conversation for after the show. If you must talk, please whisper
very quietly.
•
Do not exit the auditorium during the performance except in the case of emergency
If you must leave, please wait for an appropriate break in the performance. Teachers, please arrive
early enough to escort students to the restroom prior to the start of the show.
Do not get onto the stage or place items on the edge of the stage
To ensure the safety and security of performers and audiences, this behavior is strictly prohibited unless
expressly permitted by a performer or staff member.
•
Dispose of garbage in proper receptacles
Help preserve a pleasant environment by depositing all debris in appropriate receptacles.
Extend common courtesy and respect to your fellow audience members
Civility creates a comfortable and welcoming theatre experience for all.
•
Bring very small children only to age-appropriate performances
Small children easily become restless at programs intended for older children, and may cause distractions.
Be a Theatre Critic for Dance
During the performance watch for:
•
Facial expressions and actions
•
Use of Stage and Space, Time and Energy
•
Lighting and Music
•
Interaction with audience and each other
•
Appropriate times to laugh, cheer, cry, and sigh
•
Use of special effects, costuming, sets, backdrops, and props
What’s important to know
Republic of Colombia
GEORGRAPHY
Area: 1.14 million sq. km. (440,000 sq. mi.); about the size of
California and Texas combined; fourth-largest country in South
America.
Cities: Capital--Bogota (pop. 8.26 million; 2011). Other major
cities include Medellin, Cali, Barranquilla, and Cartagena.
Terrain: Flat coastal areas, with extensive coastlines on the Pacific
Ocean and Caribbean Sea, three rugged parallel mountain chains,
central highlands, and flat eastern grasslands.
Climate:
Tropical on coast and eastern grasslands, cooler in highlands.
Colombia is the third-most populous country in Latin America, after Brazil and Mexico. Sixty-one cities have a
population of 100,000 or more; four cities have a population of more than 1 million. Most of Colombia’s
population is concentrated around the northern and western departments.
HISTORY, GOVERNMENT, AND POLITICAL CONDITIONS
During the pre-Columbian period, the area now known as Colombia was inhabited by indigenous societies
situated at different stages of socio-economic development, ranging from hunters and nomadic farmers to
the highly structured Chibchas, who are considered to have been one of the most developed indigenous
groups in South America.
Santa Marta was the first permanent Spanish settlement founded in 1525. Santa Fe de Bogota was founded in
1538 and, in 1717, became the capital of the Viceroyalty of New Granada, which included what are now
Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama. Bogota was one of three principal administrative centers of the Spanish
possessions in the New World.
On July 20, 1810, the citizens of Bogota created the first representative council to defy Spanish authority. Full
independence was proclaimed in 1813, and in 1819 the Republic of Greater Colombia was formed to include
all the territory of the former Viceroyalty (Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador and Panama). Simon Bolivar was
elected its first president with Francisco de Paula Santander as vice president. Conflicts between followers of
Bolivar and Santander led to the formation of two political parties that have since dominated Colombian
politics. Bolivar's supporters, who later formed the nucleus of the Conservative Party, sought strong
centralized government, alliance with the Roman Catholic Church and a limited franchise. Santander's
followers, forerunners of the Liberals, wanted a decentralized government, state control over education and
other civil matters, and a broader suffrage.
What’s Important to Know Ctd.
Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, each party held the presidency for roughly equal periods of
time. Colombia maintained a tradition of civilian government and regular, free elections. Notwithstanding the
country's commitment to democratic institutions, Colombia's history also has been characterized by
widespread, violent conflict. Two civil wars resulted from bitter rivalry between the Conservative and Liberal
parties: The War of a Thousand Days (1899-1903) claimed an estimated 100,000 lives and La Violencia (the
Violence) (1946-1957) claimed about 300,000 lives.
Antioquia, the land of beautiful women, is one of the
prettiest and wealthiest regions in Colombia.
The department is located in central-west Colombia and
bordered in the north by the Caribbean Sea and the
departments of Córdoba, Sucre and Bolívar. It is bordered
by the departments of Risaralda and Caldas in the south, by
Chocó in the west and by Boyacá and Santander in the east.
The central and western cordilleras (mountain ranges)
cross the department. This fertile area is ideal for raising
livestock and for growing bananas and coffee beans, which
are the two major agricultural productions in the country,
as well as a wide variety of crops such as rice, yucca,
sorghum, beans, sugar cane and cocoa. The area is also rich
in bauxite and gold deposits.
Industry, commerce, mining and agriculture are the main
sources of income.
During the pre-Colombian period, the territory was populated
by the Quimbayas and other Caribbean family native tribes.
The Spanish conquest of these beautiful lands began with the
arrival on Quimbayan soil of Rodrigo of Bastidas and Juan de
la Cosa in 1501 and Alonso of Ojeda in 1510. Years later, the
region was delimited and given the name of State of
Antioquia. It received the category of department in 1886.
The department has an area of 6,612 square kilometers.
There are more than 5.5 million people living in this region.
Two-thirds of the population lives in urban areas.
The Flag of
Antioquia
It was created at the
University of Antioquia
and made official the
10 of December, 1962
The Emblem of
Antioquia
Adopted in 1812
The territory has several parks of national heritage: Paramillo National Natural Park, shared with the
department of Córdoba, Las Orquídeas National Natural Park and a world heritage place: Los Katios
National Park (between Antioquia and Chocó departments). It is worth saying that the most beautiful
orchids in the world come from Antioquia.
What’s Important to Know Ctd.
Terminology Differential
Baile folklórico, literally "folkloric dance" in Spanish, is a collective term for traditional Latin American dances
that emphasize local folk culture with ballet characteristics - pointed toes, exaggerated movements, highly
choreographed. As mentioned below, baile folklórico owes its inception to Amalia Hernandez. Baile folklórico
differs from danzas and regional bailes. "Folk dances", that is, "dances that you will find in the villages, not on
stage" were researched and disseminated by Alura Angeles de Flores. A good rule of thumb is if the woman
raises her hands about her head (thus showing her legs), it is folklórico. Each region in Mexico, the
Southwestern United States and Central American countries is known for a handful of locally characteristic
Ballet Folklórico de Antioquia, Colombia is a cultural entity that works for the promulgation, re-creation, and
projection of the expressions of Colombian Folklore and the different dance expressions. The Ballet was
established is 1991. It was the brainchild of its first director and founder Albeiro Roldan Penagos who yearned
to create a Folkloric Ballet in the department of Antioquia that would take our country is dance throughout
the world; thus, being able to show in the different settings of the world a positive image of Colombia all-thewhile promoting intercultural dialogues, using dance as the common language. Currently, the consistency in
our work and our vision of the future give shape to an organization, which offers spaces to appreciate,
practice, enjoy dance and promote a lifestyle that co-exists in harmony with the environment.
Cumbia Dance
Cumbia is originally a Colombian folk dance and dance music and is Colombia's representative national dance
and music along with vallenato. Cumbia is very popular, widely known in the Latin music mainstream. The
traditional instruments of cumbia were mainly percussion; different types of drums, claves and a güiro, and
woodwinds; flutes.
Modern cumbia includes instrumental mixing; guitars, accordions, bass guitar, modern flutes and modern
deep-toned drums and other percussions. The basic rhythm structure is 4/4. Cumbia is the net intersection of
two cultures that settled in the region of what is now northern Colombia at different times; the Amerindians
and African slaves. Cumbia began as a courtship dance practiced among the slave population that was later
mixed with the European instruments and influence.
Cumbia is believed to be a variant of the African Guinean cumbe music. Cumbia started in the northern
region of Colombia, mainly in or around Cartagena during the period of Spanish colonization. Spain used its
ports to import African slaves, who tried to preserve their musical traditions and also turned the drums and
dances into a courtship ritual. Cumbia was mainly interpreted with just drums and claves.
What’s Important to Know Ctd.
How to do Basic Cumbia Dance
Ask a friend or someone from your family to join you so you can learn how to do basic Cumbia steps. You can
grasp the solo and partner Cumbia dance collectively. Read more on how to learn Latin dance.
Legs
We will begin learning the basic Cumbia dance by keeping our feet together. The right foot goes back
while the left foot stays in place. Again the right foot comes back together with the left and you will
repeat the same thing over to the left. Let's call this as a "neutral" position where both the feet meet.
We will number the steps, so you can count while you're doing the Cumbia steps. Right foot (1), left
foot (2), right foot (3), and neutral (4).
The left foot will take a step back while the right foot stays in place. Bring the left foot back together
with the right foot. Same counts on the other side: left foot (5), right foot (6), left foot (7), and neutral
(8).
Now there's a pause on counts 4 and 8 when we change sides. So the count goes 1, 2, 3, 4 (pause and
switch to the other side), 5, 6, 7, and 8 (pause and repeat the count).
Pivot
Another element in Cumbia steps is pivot. While dancing, when you take a step back with either leg,
pivot your foot a little bit by turning it on an angle.
You're facing diagonally and turning your entire body, instead of staring straight ahead.
Pivot on each pause; which means you will pivot at counts 1, 4, 5, and 8.
Arms
Those were some leg movements for the basic Cumbia dance. Now let's concentrate on the arms.
They won't be hanging loosely by your side; even the arms have an important role in the entire
dance.
Both men and women have to bend the elbows and bring them a little higher than your waist.
Women will tilt their wrists to give it a feminine touch, while men just keep the arms strong.
Make small circles with your arms between your hips and shoulders. Avoid going outside this frame.
Put all the three elements, legs, pivot, and arms together, and try it as you're counting the steps.
Keep repeating the steps and speed it till you match the tempo of the music.
PERFORMANCE
Play Your Part
You have an important role to play; it wouldn’t be a performance without you! Your part is to pretend the
stories, emotions and feelings depicted by the dances are real. Part of this includes accepting certain
theatrical ways, or conventions:
1.
2.
4.
Performers tell the story with movement, costumes, props, and music (although music is not always
necessary to convey a story or emotions. This can be accomplished by movement alone).
Dance Performers may speak to the audience, call out, sing to the music, make noise or yell.
Performers may play several different characters (doubling) by changing their costume, movement or
posture. This can even be done just by playing different music for each character.
How to play your part: A performance is different from television or a movie. The dancers are right in front of
you and can see your reactions, feel your attention, and hear your laughter and applause. Watch and listen
carefully to understand the dancers, the music and story (although dance does not always have to convey a
story; dance can be movement just for movement’s sake and pure creativity). The stories, emotions, and
ideas are told by the performers through movement and expressions, and come to life through your
imagination.
Study guide created by:
Lancaster Performing Arts Center