Thank - Alberta Theatre Projects

CONTENTS
ALBERTA THEATRE PROJECTS BRAND STORY……………………………………………...……..3
HOW TO FIND THE THEATRE…………………………………………………………………..…..…...4
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS............................................................................................ 5
THEATRE ETIQUETTE ................................................................................................................ 6
CAST, COMPANY, SYNOPSIS…................................................................................................. 7
PRODUCTION BACKGROUND, SETTING, CHARACTERS ....................................................... 8
MEET THE PLAYWRIGHT …….................................................................................................... 9
CAST ………………..………………………................................................................................... 10
THEMES & TOPICS …………..................................................................................................... 12
GLOSSARY …............................................................................................................................. 15
CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES………………………………………………………………………………..22
CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS ....................................................................................................23
2
BRAND STORY
What is art? What is theatre? Why is it important? To ask these questions would be like asking: What
is life? Why are we here? Does it matter what we do with it? Theatre is a mirror of our lives, our
struggles, our pain, our joys and our triumphs.
Theatre is this crazy person who has the courage, or the insanity (the jury is still out) to show up
naked – sometimes literally, to stand in front of an audience and show their work and expose
themselves, without the armour of editing or computer effects but with all the risks of mistakes and
imperfections. They pour their art out and say...”What do you think?”
It’s not that they are not scared, of course they are, terrified sometimes. But that’s the price you
have to pay to have the ability, the honour, the immense pleasure of touching us, perfect strangers, of
moving us to tears, to laughter, to marvel. That’s the price you have to be willing to pay to open
hearts and minds.
In the end, that is why we do what we do.
We all live busy lives, with work, kids, family, chores, and bills. Things seem to move faster and faster
around us. There is so much information, opinions, confusion. It’s hard not to feel lost, scared,
overwhelmed. How do we make sense of it all? How do we find ourselves and each other amongst all
this noise? It’s so easy to be distracted; from us, from what matters.
We’re not here to tell you what to do, to lead you down the right path. Sorry to disappoint. We’re in
the same boat you are. We are here to tell you stories. Sometimes they are funny stories, sometimes
sad or both. But they are all glimpses of us. It’s like peeking at someone’s bedroom, or reading their
diary. These stories let us in; these very intimate, very personal and very honest slices of life. The
funny thing is when we watch these stories, we can see ourselves but most of all, we can see others.
We understand choices, we may not agree, but we can relate.
Theatre is where we see us, where we poke fun at ourselves and laugh at our shortcomings. It’s
where we marvel at the human spirit, where we start to see things from different perspectives. It’s
where we forget where we are for a couple of hours and get transported into stories that touch us,
move us or simply delight us.
These are the stories worth telling. These stories break barriers; of time, backgrounds, opinions...
they help us make sense of what it means to be alive right now. Hopefully they help us find beauty
and peace amongst all the noise and confusion. Hopefully they’ll help us find ourselves, and each
other.
3
FINDING THE THEATRE
Entrance to the Martha Cohen Theatre Lobby is on the south side
of 8th Avenue between 1 St SE and Macleod Trail North. This is
where buses will park for drop off and pick up.
CONNECT WITH US
@ContemporaryATP
Alberta Theatre Projects
atpinsider.blogspot.com
Alberta Theatre Projects
The Martha Cohen Theatre
Arts Commons - 215 8th Ave S.E.
Calgary, Alberta, T2G 0K8
Jonathan Brower
Youth Engagement Manager
(403) 294-7475 ext. 1098
jbrower@ATPlive .com
4
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
1) What time does the performance start? How long is the
show?
The performance begins at 11:30am and runs approximately 90-100 min with one 15
minute intermission; ending at approximately 1:10pm. This performance includes a Q&A
with artists on stage, directly after the curtain call.
2) What time should the bus pick up the students from the school, and from the theatre?
The bus should be at your school to pick up the students at 10:30am and back to the
theatre no later than 2pm.
3) When and where are the students going to eat their lunch?
We open the lobby of the Martha Cohen Theatre at 10:45 for students to eat their
lunches. Please allow at least 30 minutes prior to the matinee start time so students are
able to comfortably eat, and take their seats on time. NO FOOD OR DRINK IS
ALLOWED INSIDE THE THEATRE.
4) Where should I tell the bus company to drop us off?
Stephen Avenue (8th Avenue SE) will be accessible from 10:00am. Please direct bus drivers
to take MacLeod Trail South and turn left onto Stephen Avenue (8th Avenue SE). Please note,
due to limited access we request that all vehicles stop only for drop off and pick up. THERE
IS NO BUS PARKING AVAILABLE ON STEPHEN AVENUE,
5) Where will students leave their coats and backpacks during the performance?
Students are able to leave their coats/backpacks in the lobby or bring them into the
theatre. Coats should be on the back of the seats and backpacks can be under the seats.
At no time should the student take food out of their backpack and eat during the
performance.
6) Are the students able to leave the theatre?
We encourage students to stay in the theatre for the entirety of the performance. However,
if it is necessary for a student to leave, please ask our ushers for assistance in
order to exit safely. Students will have to wait to re-enter until an appropriate break in
the play when an usher will safely escort them in.
Share your art with us!
We would love to receive your feedback
about the performance. Please send
your letters, pictures, cards, etc. to:
Jonathan Brower
Youth Engagement Manager
Alberta Theatre Projects,
220 9 Ave SE, Calgary AB, T2G 5C4
5
THEATRE ETIQUETTE
Before attending the theatre, please take some time to go over
proper theatre etiquette with your students. We know this is common sense, but for some students
this may be their first theatre experience.
RESPECT the actors and your fellow patrons



When the lights go dim, it is time to be quiet and engage with the action on the stage
Be sure to turn off cell phones
Refrain from texting, talking or eating as this is disrespectful to the actors telling the story and
your fellow audience members
RESPOND to what you see through laughter, tears, smiles, giggles or captivated silence.
 The actors feed off your presence and respond with their work on stage.
 Don’t respond by talking to your neighbour; please wait until after the performance to discuss
your thoughts.
6
CAST
Steven Gallagher
COMPANY
Director – Tracey Flye
Set/Lighting Design– David Fraser
Costume Design – Rebecca Toon
Composition/Sound Design – Nicky Phillips
Video/Projection Design – Corwin Ferguson
Stage Manager – Sarah Minor
In a Nutshell; A Funny, Fizzy Romp
Alex is an out of work actor in L.A. who takes a position as the sole employee in the private mall in
Barbra Streisand’s basement. When the star herself turns up, our hero hopes it may lead to show biz
stardom or even an unlikely friendship. One actor plays all the parts and hilariously, pokes fun at all of
our big screen dreams. Although the play is fiction, the physical structures and unique shops actually
exist as part of Barbara’s extravagant materialistic nature.
7
PRODUCTION BACKGROUND
Buyer & Cellar, opened June 24, 2013 at New York City's Barrow Street Theater. Its popularity took it
to a National US Tour including The Old Globe Theatre’s production which gave Buyer & Cellar a
professional in-the-round showcase. The play has since traveled north with productions from Toronto
to Calgary!
Buyer & Cellar, the Off-Broadway hit, comes with so many rave reviews to its credit that it's difficult to
try to see it with fresh eyes. Yes, Jonathan Tolins’ play about Barbra Streisand's expression of her
celebrity is funny, and yes, it most assuredly benefitted from being performed by well-known actors.
The play has crossed cultural boundaries as well as geographical ones in its short lifetime.
SETTING
In Buyer and Cellar, Steven Gallagher plays an actor, Alex More, who takes the bizarre job of working
in a shopping mall that Barbra Streisand has built in the basement of her Malibu home.
Although what happens in the play is fiction, the private shopping mall - with its doll store, clothing
boutique and sweet shop - actually exists.
CHARACTERS (All played by Steven Gallagher)
Alex More – A struggling actor. North of 30.
Vincent – Human Resources; Disney.
Sharon – Barbra’s House Manager.
Barry – Alex’s Boyfriend
Barbra Streisand – Actor
James Brolin - Actor
8
MEET PLAYWRIGHT JONATHAN TOLINS
An interview by Michael Nagle for The New York Times
Tell me about Buyer & Cellar.
JT: Buyer & Cellar is a play that began as a short comic essay I submitted to The New Yorker that got
rejected. A friend suggested I write it as a one-man-show and I thought that could be a good idea.
The play stems from the fact that Barbra Streisand put out a book in 2010 about her house in Malibu,
and in it she revealed that she built a street of shops in her basement to house her various collections
and memorabilia. I thought it would be funny if someone had to work down there and “greet the
customer” whenever she came down. That silly notion became the play. I did some research and
studied the book and tried to make this patently absurd situation as real as possible. It was important
to me to write a play, not a sketch. I wanted it to be about the relationship that forms between these
two people in vastly different stations in life.
Who are or were your theatrical heroes?
JT: It’s a cliché, but Chekhov. I did props for a production of Uncle Vanya at Williamstown in 1984
and I watched the show and cried every night. Peter Shaffer’s Amadeus also had a big influence on
me. I loved how theatrical it was and how passionate the language was. One more pretentious
mention: I love the way Ibsen forces the audience to grapple with impossible questions, leaving them
no easy way to turn.
What kind of theater excites you?
JT: Basically, I love theater that feels like a heightened version of life. I like plays where you can feel
a lively intelligence in the air, where the audience is totally engaged and waiting for the next line, the
next turn of the plot, the next surprise to be revealed. I also think everything should have laughs,
because life does.
What advice do you have for playwrights just starting out?
JT: Write for yourself. Buyer & Cellar looks to be the most successful play I’ve written and it’s
because I didn’t write it for the marketplace. I wrote it for me, and maybe for my closest friends.
People are looking for an authentic voice in the theater, for someone to tell it like it is as they see it.
The more you stick to what makes you happy, the better your play will be.
Playwright Jonathan Tolins
9
CAST
Steven Gallagher
“When I’m acting in something, especially a new play, I
try to really respect what’s on the page, and honour the
writer’s intentions. Writing is hard work, and sometimes
as actors we forget that we wouldn’t have a job without
a script” – Steven Gallagher
Based out of Toronto, Steven Gallagher is both an acclaimed actor and playwright. He has most
recently performed in productions, such as: A Song Cycle (Acting Upstage), Stealing Sam (United
Solo Theatre Festival, NYC), Oliver! (Drayton Theatre Festival), La Cage Aux Folles (Neptune
Theatre-Merritt Award Nomination), The Sound of Music (Theatre Aquarius), and Top Gun! The
Musical! (Toronto Fringe Festival).
Gallagher has also seen great success as a playwright. His first play, Craplicker, won the 2010 Best
of Fringe award at the Toronto Film Festival. He also won the 2013 Trafalgar 24 Play Creation
Festival Jury Prize for his play Memorial. Gallagher’s latest play Stealing Sam (2014) won Best
Drama at the United Solo Theatre Festival in NYC. Moreover, in 2013 Gallagher received the Harold
Award. ATP is incredibly excited to be able to showcase such a talent in Buyer & Cellar! Please
welcome Steven Gallagher!
10
THEMES AND TOPICS
Barbra Streisand’s World
Brooklyn 1950s
From the 1950s through the 1970s, Brooklyn's fortunes and population declined as manufacturing
plants deserted the area and the borough lost residents to nearby suburbs. However, new waves of
immigrants, most notably from the West Indies, South America, and Asia, helped bring about a
population resurgence. In addition, after the 1980s, many of Brooklyn's brownstone neighborhoods
again became popular to live in and were gentrified.
Brooklyn has produced numerous well-known artists, writers, singers, actors, and politicians. Among
them are poet Walt Whitman, writers Bernard Malamud and Arthur Miller, politician Shirley Chisholm,
and singers Barbra Streisand and Richie Havens. It is also home to such important entertainment and
cultural institutions as the Coney Island amusement park, the Brooklyn Academy of Music, and the
Brooklyn Museum.
The Yiddish/Jewish Community
Since the time of the last major wave of Jewish immigration to America (over 2,000,000 Jews from
Eastern Europe who arrived between 1890 and 1924), Jewish secular culture in the United States
has integrated almost entirely with the broader American culture.
Most American Jews today are native English speakers. A variety of other languages are still spoken
within some American Jewish communities, communities that represent the various Jewish ethnic
divisions from around the world that have come together to make up America's Jewish population.
One of these ethnic divisions, America's Hasidic Jews, are raised speaking Yiddish and English.
Yiddish was once spoken as the primary language by most of the several million Ashkenazi Jews
who immigrated to the United States. Yiddish has had an influence on American English, and words
borrowed from it include chutzpah ("effrontery", "gall"), nosh ("snack"), schlep ("drag"), schmuck ("an
obnoxious, contemptible person", euphemism for "penis"), and, depending on idiolect, hundreds of
other terms. Playwright Jonathan Tolins uses many Yiddish words in the script for Buyer & Cellar.
Definitions of these words can be found in the “Vocabulary” section of this guide.
11
Barbara Streisand Career References
Funny Girl (film)
A 1968 romantic musical directed by William Wyler. Streisand played the lead. The screenplay by
Isobel Lennart was adapted from her book for the stage musical of the same title. It is loosely based
on the life and career of Broadway and film star and comedienne Fanny Brice and her stormy
relationship with entrepreneur and gambler Nicky Arnstein.
People (song)
A song composed by Jule Styne with lyrics by Bob Merrill for the 1964 Broadway musical Funny Girl
starring Barbra Streisand, who introduced the song. In 1998, Streisand's version was inducted in
Grammy Hall of Fame. In 2004, Streisand's version on the soundtrack of Funny Girl finished at #13
on AFI's 100 Years...100 Songs survey of top tunes in American cinema.
Back to Broadway (music album)
The twenty-sixth studio album by Barbra Streisand, released in 1993. The album was Streisand's
second collection of songs from Broadway musicals, after 1985's The Broadway Album. It debuted at
number 1 on the Billboard 200 chart and gave her the title of "only female artist to have a number one
album in four different decades." The album sold 189,000 copies in the first week, and has been
certified Double Platinum, her fifth album to do so.
Prince of Tides (film)
A 1991 romantic drama film based on the 1986 novel of the same name by Pat Conroy; the film stars
Barbra Streisand and Nick Nolte. It tells the story of the narrator's struggle to overcome the
psychological damage inflicted by his dysfunctional childhood in South Carolina. Streisand directed
and produced the film in addition to starring in it.
The Mirror Has Two Faces (film)
A 1996 American romantic comedy-drama produced and directed by Barbra Streisand, who also
stars. The screenplay by Richard LaGravenese is loosely based on the 1958 French film Le Miroir à
deux faces, which focused on a homely woman who becomes a beauty, which creates problems in
her marriage.
12
Sunday in the Park with George (film/musical)
Music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by James Lapine. The musical was inspired by the
painting "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" by Georges Seurat. A complex work
revolving around a fictionalized Seurat immersed in single-minded concentration while painting his
masterpiece and the people in that picture.
Little Fockers (film)
A 2010 American comedy and sequel to Meet the Parents (2000) and Meet the Fockers (2004). It
stars Robert De Niro, Ben Stiller, Owen Wilson, Blythe Danner, Teri Polo, Jessica Alba, Dustin
Hoffman and Barbra Streisand.
Yentl (film)
A 1983 romantic musical drama from United Artists, and directed, co-written, co-produced, and
starring Barbra Streisand based on the play of the same name by Leah Napolin and Isaac Bashevis
Singer, itself based on Singer's short story "Yentl the Yeshiva Boy".
Nuts (film)
A 1987 American drama film directed by Martin Ritt and starring Barbra Streisand and Richard
Dreyfuss. The screenplay by Tom Topor, Darryl Ponicsan, and Alvin Sargent is based on Topor's
1979 play of the same title. This was Karl Malden's final film before his death in 2009 and Robert
Webber's final film before his death in 1989.
13
Fame
The Cult of Celebrity
The widespread interest in famous individuals that has become a prominent social phenomenon in
late 20th century Western popular culture. The public fascination with such celebrities, though not
technically a cult, leads to a level of idolatry, hence the use of the religious term. Driven by constant
publicity and exposure in magazines, newspapers and television, fame is an essential prerequisite for
celebrity status, though the principal reason for such fame is often minimal.
The cult of celebrity is often considered representative of deliberate apathy, trivia, and dumbing down
in popular culture. It is associated with an increased focus on celebrity by the entertainment industry,
including the growth of the reality television and talent show genre. While the cult of celebrity refers
primarily to a perceived recent escalation of the phenomenon, the celebration of fame - and the
subsequent attraction for some to become famous - is not new.
GLOSSARY
People Mentioned in the Show
Doris Roberts- a film and TV actress known for maternal and sympathetic characters. Most notably,
she has worked on Angie, Remington Steele, Everybody Loves Raymond. She won two Emmy
awards, in 2001 and 2002, for playing the role of Marie Barone on Everybody Loves Raymond.
Bea Arthur – a film and stage actress who starred as Dorothy in the hit 80s TV show The Golden
Girls about four older women sharing a home in Miami.
Donna Karan- 1985 debuted her namesake collection, 1988 launched DKNY, 2004 received Lifetime
Achievement Award from the Council of Fashion Designers of America. In 2003 she became the first
American to ever receive Fashion Group International's "Superstar Award."
Dorothy Zbornak- One of the four main characters of the 1980’s hit TV show The Golden Girls,
played by Bea Arthur. Dorothy was the strong, sarcastic, sometimes intimidating, and arguably, most
grounded of the four women in the house.
14
Dee Wallace Stone- An American actress. She first specialized in
horror roles, and then landed the role of Lynne Wood in Wes
Craven's controversial gore-fest The Hills Have Eyes (1977). She also starred as Mary, the colorful
divorcée mother of Elliott (Henry Thomas) in his box-office phenomenon E.T. (1982), Karen White, a
sexy blonde TV newscaster who gets more than she bargained for when she heads off to a California
retreat in Joe Dante's ghoulish, werewolf-themed horror comedy The Howling, Stephen King’s horror
Cujo (1983).
Liza Minelli- The daughter of Judy Garland and Vincente Minelli, her film debut was as a toddler in
the musical comedy In the Good Old Summertime (1949). In her first leading Broadway role, Minnelli
appeared as the title character in The Red Menace (1965 Musical). While it only ran for a few weeks,
the musical brought Minnelli a Tony Award for Best Actress in a Musical when she was only 19. She
is well known for her role as Sally Bowles in the film Cabaret (1972) directed by Bob Fosse. The role
earned her the Academy Award for Best Actress.
Cloris Leachman - best known for her Academy Award-winning role in The Last Picture Show
(1971), and for her appearances as a nosy neighbour on The Mary Tyler Moore Show. Leachman
starred in the spin-off sitcom Phyllis from 1975 to 1977. She also had parts on popular sitcoms,
including The Facts of Life and Malcolm in the Middle. Leachman has won eight Emmy awards.
Irene Sharaff- American costume designer. She has received 15 Academy Award nominations and
five Oscars for her designs for An American in Paris (1951), The King and I (1956), West Side Story
(1961), Cleopatra (1963), and Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf (1966). She also won a Tony award for
the stage production of The King and I, As Thousands Cheer, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, and Lady in
the Dark. She is well known for her film work in Madame Curie, Meet Me in St. Louis, Guys and Dolls,
Porgy and Bess, and Hello, Dolly! Sharaff’s last stage designs were created in 1972, and her last film
design was for Mommie Dearest (1981).
Sir Cecil Beaton- Originally a photographer known primarily for his portraits, in the 1920s Beaton
became a staff photographer for Vanity Fair and Vogue magazines. He won an Academy Award for
his costume design in Gigi (1958) and for both his costume design and his art direction in My Fair
Lady (1964). He was knighted in 1972.
15
Barbara Boxer- A prominent US Senator since January 1993.
Causes she supports: environmental issues, global women’s rights,
and children’s education and consumer rights. A democrat, she announced her retirement in January
2015.
Rachel Maddow- Host of the Emmy Award-winning The Rachel Maddow Show on MSNBC.
Maddow’s take on the biggest stories of the day, political and otherwise have been featured
prominently in the new. Her title show was the most successful show launch in MSNBC’s history.
James Brolin- The husband of Barbara Streisand since 1998, he is also a renowned actor. He is
known for starring in the 1966 TV Western The Monroes and his Emmy-winning characterization of
Dr. Steve Kiley on the popular TV medical series Marcus Welby, M.D. He is considered one of the
most respected actors of his generation.
Marcus Welby M.D. – A US medical drama that aired throughout the 1970’s. The show starred
Robert Young and James Brolin as two medical practitioners who attend to house calls.
Rob Reiner— An actor, writer, director, son of comedic genius Carl Reiner. He played Mike
"Meathead" Stivic on the popular sitcom All in the Family for which he won two Emmy Awards
(1974/1978). Reiner directed the 1986 coming-of-age drama Stand By Me, The Princess Bride
(1987), When Harry Met Sally, Misery, and A Few Good Men for which he was nominated for an
Academy Award.
Candy Spelling- Widow of Aaron Spelling, the famed 1980s TV producer. Like her husband, she
pursued a career in television, both in acting and producing. She is also a frequent contributor to the
Huffington Post.
O.J. Simpson- An ex NFL football player and actor, who is now largely known for his famous
televised trial, and arrest for the murder of his wife, Nicole Brown Simpson. Simpson was later
acquitted.
16
Elliott Gould- Best known for his roles in the M*A*S*H movie, the
Ocean’s Eleven series, and Friends. He was married to Barbara
Streisand From 1963-1971.
Shirley Booth—An American stage and screen actress. From the 1930s through the early 1950s,
she was in numerous Broadway plays. During the 1960s, she played the title role on the television
series Hazel.
Arthur Laurents- A playwright, screenwriter and director. Known for his stage musicals West Side
Story (1957), Gypsy (1959) and La Cage aux Folles (1983). Also known for the films Rope (1948) and
The Way We Were (1973).
Places Mentioned in the Show
The Mark Taper Forum – A theatre nationally recognized for work of outstanding quality and its
development of new voices for the theatre, the Taper is both mid-sized and intimate. With a
configuration of 739 seats and a thrust stage, the last seat is only 14 rows from the stage. Located in
downtown Los Angeles at the Music Center.
The Geffen – A regional theatre in Los Angeles where notable television actors like Neil Patrick
Harris and James Van Der Beek have appeared.
The Zephyr – A small intimate 86 seat theatre on Melrose in the Hollywood area
The Matterhorn- One of Switzerland’s most famous mountains and the tenth highest peak in the
Swiss Alps. It also inspired a ride in the Disneyland theme park in Anaheim, California.
European Arcade- In architectural terms, an arcade is a series of arches supported by columns with
a pier or entablature along the top.
Third Arrondissement- A sub section of the city of Paris: The ancient Jewish quarter, the Pletzel
which dates from the 13th century begins in the eastern part of the 3rd arrondissement.
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Socio-Cultural / Pop Culture References in the Show
This American Life – a weekly hour long radio program and podcast where each show has a theme
that is explored in several “acts” consisting of short stories and essays, primarily dealing with
contemporary themes in North American culture
Actors Equity: A labour union representing actors and stage managers in America
The Mad Hatter (Disneyland): Character from Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland.
Passover Seder: A Jewish feast that marks the start of a holiday of Passover (a holiday based on the
liberation by God of all the slaves in Egypt)
Mr. Hooper- Mr. Hooper was the elderly storekeeper played by Will Lee on Sesame Street from 1969
until his death 1982. The New York Times reported that on Sesame Street, Lee's Mr. Hooper ranked
ahead of all live cast members in recognition by young audiences, according to a survey. His bowtie
and horn-rimmed glasses became his trademark.
Jennifer Aniston’s Rachel cut: The hair style that the actress Jennifer Aniston had during the
television show Friends, which ran for 10 seasons from 1994-2004.
Mrs. Robinson (film): Character from the movie The Graduate. The story of a 21 year old graduate
who is being seduced by an older women, Mrs. Robinson. Meanwhile he is falling in love with her
daughter.
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Yiddish Terminology used in the Show
Note: Yiddish is written in the Hebrew alphabet thus the spellings in this glossary are transliterations.
Bashert
Ferklempt
One's beloved; fiancé
Choked up; overwhelmed
Bubbie
Gelt
Grandmother
Money
Bissel
Glitch
A little
A minor malfunction
Bupkis
Goy/Goyim
Nothing
A person who is not Jewish
Chazari
Heymish
Anything bad or rotten; junk
Homey; warm
Chutzpah
Kibitz
Nerve
Meddle
Farfalen
Klutz
Hopeless
Clumsy person
Fahrblunget
Kvetch
Mixed up
Complain
Feh
Mazel tov
Indicates disapproval or displeasure:
Congratulations
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Megila
Long drawn out story
Mensch
Meshugina
One who does good deeds
Crazy person
Mezuzah
Nosh
A scroll inscribed on one side with Biblical
Eat
passages, and inserted in a small case that is
attached to the doorpost of the home
Oy! Oy gevald!
Oh, no!; expression of dismay, pain, grief
Mish mash
Combination, mess, hodgepodge
Schmaltz
Chicken fat: I cook meat with schmaltz instead
Mishegas
of butter to keep a kosher kitchen.
Craziness
Schmaltzy
Mitzvah
Sentimental; corny
Good deed
Schlep
Nebish
Drag around
Unfortunate person
Shabbas goy
Schmatta
A person who is not Jewish who performs
Rags
tasks some Jews are forbidden from doing on
the Sabbath, like turning on electrical devices
Shabbas
Sabbath; which for Jews is from sundown
Sheyner ponim
Friday to sundown Saturday
Pretty face
Shmutz
Shaygetz (male)/Shikse (female)
Dirt
Non-Jewish man or woman
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Shtetl
Village
Tallis/tallit
Shul
Prayer shawl
A synagogue
Tante
Shiva
Aunt
Seven days of mourning
Tchotchke
Shlameil
Gadget, knickknack
Hapless bungler
Tefillin
Shoah
Leather cubes containing scriptural texts
The holocaust
inscribed on parchment; worn on the head and
arm during morning prayers by males over
Shlemazel
thirteen years old
A person with very bad luck
Tochus
Shmooze
Bottom
Chat; network
Yartzeit
Shtick
Anniversary of the day of death of parents or
Routine
other relatives; yearly remembrance of the
dead
Yenta
Busybody; gossiper
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CLASSROOM ACTIVITIES
Creative Conclusions
1.) Draw, write about, perform, sculpt, or make a collage of an event that represents a fame (real
or ideal). What feelings does this evoke?
2.) Challenge yourself to compose a 140-character tweet about this play and send it to
@contemporaryATP.
Questions / Discussion
1.) Tension is a core aspect of all literary art forms and is a key element in performance art. It is
generated on various levels and in multiple and diverse ways. What are two sources of tension
in the play? Explorations of each area prior to the show will enhance a viewer’s experience.
2.) Throughout the play, other people are quoted. What other layers of meaning can we add to
what the characters are saying by knowing some background about where those lines were
originally spoken (or written)?
3.) What elements of metadrama are at work in the performance? Did these add to or detract from
your experience? Did these elements work with or against some of the central ideas and
concerns of the play?
4.) What is the difference between satire and parody?
Post Show Discussion / Activities
1.) What theatrical techniques did you notice during the performance? How did these techniques
generate tension in the audience?
a.) Create a Lighting Design Plot for your schools theatre space or ATP’s! Include
simulated attributes of full scale theatrical lighting fixtures including; color, beam angle,
intensity, projections and gobos. List fixtures needed and plot them on a grid.
2.) How would you describe the relationship between Alex and Barbra?
3.) How does each character feel about the past and the events that have happened to them?
a.) How do they feel about the future?
4.) How would you describe the character of Barry?
a.) How does he fit into the world of the play?
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CURRICULUM CONNECTIONS
JUNIOR HIGH DRAMA
Level I – Beginning (Performance Analysis)
The student will be able to:
1. Demonstrate understanding of the need for analysis of the work of self and others.
2. Identify specific criteria to assess a presentation.
3. Verbalize and write a review.
Level II – Intermediate (Theatre History)
The student will be able to:
1. Recognize that drama exists in every culture.
2. Recognize that “theatre is a mirror of society”.
3. Show awareness of selected periods and playwrights.
To acquire knowledge of self and others through participation in and reflection on dramatic
experience.
• develop a positive self-image
• develop self-discipline
• develop self-confidence
• strengthen powers of concentration
• explore and develop physical and vocal capabilities
• extend the ability to think imaginatively and creatively
• extend the ability to explore, control and express emotions
• extend development of sensory awareness
• extend the ability to explore meaning through abstract concepts
• develop the willingness to make a decision, act upon it and accept the results
• develop a sense of responsibility and commitment
• develop the ability to initiate, organize and present a project within a given set of guidelines
• develop the ability to interact effectively and constructively in a group process
• extend the ability to understand, accept and respect others—their rights, ideas, abilities and
differences
• develop the ability to offer and accept constructive criticism
To develop an appreciation for drama and theatre as a process and art form
• develop awareness of various conventions of theatre
• develop awareness of drama and theatre by viewing as great a variety of theatrical presentations as
possible
• develop the ability to analyze and assess the process and the art
• develop recognition of and respect for excellence in drama and theatre
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SR. HIGH DRAMA
a) extend the ability to concentrate
b) sharpen observations of people, situations and the environment
c) extend understanding of, acceptance of and empathy for others
d) demonstrate respect for others — their rights, ideas, abilities and differences
e) develop the ability to understand and apply the specific presentation techniques demanded by
various dramatic forms
f) explore various approaches to analyzing a script for purposes of study and/or presentation
g) gain knowledge of disciplines that enhance dramatic process and product
h) demonstrate understanding of integration of disciplines to enrich a theatrical presentation.
i) explore various conventions and traditions of theatre
j) broaden knowledge of theatre by viewing as great a variety of theatrical presentations as possible
k) demonstrate the ability to assess critically the process and the art
l) demonstrate recognition of and respect for excellence in drama and theatre
m) develop an awareness of aesthetics in visual and performing arts
JR. HIGH ART
Grade 7
Encounters | Sources of Images
Students will investigate natural forms, man-made forms, cultural traditions and social activities as
sources of imagery through time and across cultures.
− identify similarities and differences in expressions of selected cultural groups.
Transformations Through Time
Students will understand that the role and form of art differs through time and across cultures.
− recognize the significance of the visual symbols which identify the selected cultural groups.
Impact of Images
Students will understand that art reflects and affects cultural character.
− search for contemporary evidence relating to themes studied.
Grade 8
- investigate form and structure of natural and man-made objects as sources of images.
- Articulate and Evaluate: Students will use the techniques of art criticism for analysis and comparison
of art works
Grade 9
Impact of Images: Students will become aware of the importance society places upon various works
of art.
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SR. HIGH ART
1) Articulate and Evaluate
a. use the vocabulary and techniques of art criticism to interpret and
evaluate both their own works and the works of others
b. use the vocabulary and techniques of art criticism to analyze and evaluate their own works in
relation to the works of professional artists
2) Relationships
a. solve teacher- and student-developed problems by varying the dominance of design elements for
specific visual effects
b. use the vocabulary and techniques of art criticism to analyze and evaluate their own works in
relation to the works of professional artists
3) Organizations
a. experiment with various representational formats − be conscious of the emotional impact that is
caused and shaped by a work of art
4) Emotional Impact
a. be conscious of the emotional impact that is caused and shaped by a work of art
b. discover how various materials alter representational formats and processes used in achieving
certain intended effects.
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS: GRADE 9
1) Express ideas and develop understanding
a. talk with others and experience a variety of oral, print and other media texts to explore, develop
and justify own opinions and points of view
b. explore and explain how interactions with others and with oral, print and other media texts affect
personal understandings
c. extend understanding by taking different points of view when rereading and reflecting on oral, print
and other media texts
2) Consider others’ ideas
a. integrate own perspectives and interpretations with new understandings developed through
discussing and through experiencing a variety of oral, print and other media texts
3) Combine ideas
a. examine and re-examine ideas, information and experiences from different points of view to find
patterns and see relationships
4) Extend understanding
a. assess whether new information extends understanding by considering diverse opinions and
exploring ambiguities
ENGLISH LANGUAGE ARTS: GRADES 10-12
1) Explore thoughts, ideas, feelings and experiences
2) Comprehend literature and other texts in oral, print, visual and multimedia forms, and respond
personally, critically and creatively
3) Respect, support and learn about collaboration with others
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KNOWLEDGE & EMPLOYABILITY

Learning within applied contexts, connecting the school with
environments beyond school, and may include tours to local
businesses and industries, mentorships, job shadowing and work experience.

Through experiential learning activities
• when meaningful connections are made between schooling and personal experiences.
SOCIAL STUDIES
1.
2.
3.
4.
PLURALISM: DIVERSITY AND COHESION
CORE CONCEPTS OF CITIZENSHIP AND IDENTITY
SOCIAL STUDIES: LEARNERS AND LEARNING
STRANDS OF SOCIAL STUDIES
- Time, Continuity and Change
- Global Connections
- Culture and Community
- Dimensions of Thinking
a. Critical Thinking
b. Creative Thinking
- Historical Thinking
a. Communication
- Oral, Written and Visual Literacy
Social Studies: Relevance by Grade Level
Grade 7
- intercultural contact
- migration & immigration
- citizenship & identity
Grade 8
- intercultural contact
Grade 9
- citizenship, identity and quality of life
Grade 10
- origins of globalization
- impact of globalization internationally on lands, cultures, human rights and quality of life
Grade 11
- perspectives & understandings of nationalism
Grade 12
- perspectives & understandings on ideology
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Thank you for your support of
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