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EN ROUTE AFTERBEFORE BEYOND

INSIDE provides teachers and students a behind-the-curtain look at the artists, the company and the art form of this production. Utilize this resource to learn more about the artists on the New Victory stage, how far they’ve traveled and their inspiration for creating this show. In addition to information that will enrich your students’ experience at the theater, you will find a Creativity Page as a handout to build student anticipation around their trip to The New Victory.

MAKING CONNECTIONS TO LEARNING STANDARDS New Victory School tool Resource Guides align with the Common Core State Standards, New York State Learning Standards and New York City Blueprint for Teaching and Learning in the Arts. We believe that these standards support both the high quality instruction and deep engagement that The New Victory Theater strives to achieve in its arts education practice.

WHAT IS “INSIDE” THE MARK OF ZORRO?

INSIDE

inside |

COMMON CORE

Speaking and Listening: Standard 1Language: Standard 1

NEW YORK STATE STANDARDS

The Arts: Standard 4English Language Arts: Standard 1; Standard 4

This section is part of a full New Victory® School toolTM Resource Guide. For the complete guide, including information about the New Victory Education

Department check out: NEWvICTORySCHOOLTOOLS.ORG

INSIDE THE SHOW/COMPANy • CLOSER LOOK • WHERE IN THE WORLD

INSIDE THE ART FORM

CREATIvITy PAGE: ARE WE RELATED?

BLUEPRINT FOR THE ARTS

Theater: Developing Literacy; Making Connections

THE MARK OF zORRO

Photos: Douglas McBride

Visible Fictions

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INSIDEBEFORE EN ROUTE AFTER

CLOSER LOOK AT THE MARK OF ZORRO

WHERE IN THE WORLD IS THE MARK OF ZORRO FROM?

Here are a few facts about THE MARK OF ZORRO to familiarize you with the show and build excitement around your upcoming visit:

• You may recognize the masked hero by his black outfit and his signature “Z,” but you may not know that the character was created in 1919 for a story in a pulp fiction magazine. Since then, the dashing character has appeared in books, television, films, and now on stage as reimagined by Scottish theater company Visible Fictions. The legend of Zorro is set in California during the 1800s, when the Spanish ruled the land. This disguised hero fights for justice for the common man and against evil, greedy leaders.

• THE MARK OF ZORRO is an action-packed adventure full of creative storytelling that employs three performers, 2-D puppets and physical comedy to bring the epic story of Zorro to life on stage.

• There is only one set-piece in THE MARK OF ZORRO that is innovatively reconfigured throughout the show to convey multiple settings and environments. Watch for the clever manipulations of this unique design.

• The company believes in telling good stories to stimulate imaginations. These stories integrate theater with live and recorded film, sound, movement and puppetry. The company was last seen on the New Victory stage in 2009 with their production of JASON AND THE ARGONAUTS.

En garde! THE MARK OF ZORRO tells the timeless tale of a mysterious masked avenger battling evil in the name of justice. The show is packed with fast-paced drama, sharp wit and nail-biting suspense. Visible Fictions uses small-scale puppetry and physical ingenuity to bring this renowned fable to life. The audience watches as the performers masterfully take-on the story’s characters of friends and foes faster than Zorro can swoosh his sword. With high-speed horse chases, rooftop battles and a forbidden romance, this rollicking rendition of a classic story is the perfect adventure for the young heroes in your classroom.

• Glasgow is Scotland’s largest city with a population of approximately 600,000, making it the third most populated city in the United Kingdom. The city sits on the River Clyde in West Central Scotland and is home to many of Scotland’s leading businesses.

• Glasgow is home to more than 100 cultural organizations and was awarded the European Capital of Culture in 1990. The city’s arts continue to flourish, making it one of Europe’s most exciting places to visit!

Glasgow, Scotland

BEYOND

[ ]THE MARK OF ZORRO = Action-Packed Storytelling + Small-

Scale 2-D Puppetry + Stock Characters + Adventure

SCOTLANDSyDNEy

NORTHAMERICA

ATLANTICOCEAN

PACIFICOCEAN

INDIANOCEAN

ASIAEUROPE

AFRICA

AUSTRALIA

X

X

INSIDE THE SHOW/COMPANy • CLOSER LOOK • WHERE IN THE WORLD

INSIDE THE ART FORM

CREATIvITy PAGE: THE HERO IN yOU

GLASGOW

inside | THE MARK OF zORRO

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INSIDEBEFORE EN ROUTE AFTER

SMALL-SCALE PUPPETRy: Visible Fictions uses small, 2-dimensional puppets to tell a large-scale, epic story. A puppet is an artificial figure representing a living character that is manipulated and brought to life by a puppeteer through the use of hands, rods, wires, and/or other means. The 2-D puppets in THE MARK OF ZORRO move on the pop-up set to tell a part of the story that is difficult for the three actors to communicate alone. For example, the puppets appear when the story requires blockbuster-style action, large crowds, and heroic horseback riding.

STOCK CHARACTERS: In old heroic stories such as THE MARK OF ZORRO, there are traditionally three types of main characters: The Hero, The Villain, and The Victim (or the “Damsel in Distress”). The history of these stock characters goes back to Commedia dell’Arte, which was a style of street theater that was developed in Italy and later gave way to slapstick. Commedia dell’Arte created a series of stock characters that were recognized throughout numerous plays between the 16th and 18th centuries. The archetypes found in THE MARK OF ZORRO are reminiscent of these early stock characters.

MULTI-ROLE PLAy PHySICAL STORyTELLING: The three actors in the show will each play multiple characters (including some animals) and will bring this story to life through clever use of staging and physicality.

Prior to exploring THE MARK OF ZORRO with your students, find out how much they already know about puppetry and stock characters in theater. In addition, allow them to explore the art of storytelling, and discuss the elements of what makes a good story.

Use the Prior Knowledge questions below, and the Creativity Page handout (next page) to get a sense of your students’ understanding of the art forms and themes in the show. You may be surprised by how much they know already, and in the process of exploring these areas, you’ll spark their curiosity to see the show and enhance their anticipation of the trip.

1. Have you ever been to the theater? What did you see?

2. What is a puppet? What does a puppet look like?

3. Why would you choose to tell a story using a puppet?

4. Have you ever heard the story of Zorro? What do you know about this story?

5. In the play you will see, Zorro is a “hero.” What are the qualities of a hero?

6. Who are the heroes in your life?

7. What are the qualities of a villain? Who are some villains that you know from stories?

8. What is a victim? Who are some victims that you know from stories?

9. If you could perform the role of a hero, villain or victim in a play, which would you choose? Why?

BEYOND

INSIDE THE ART FORMWHAT DO yOUR STUDENTS KNOW NOW?

INSIDE THE SHOW/COMPANy • CLOSER LOOK • WHERE IN THE WORLD

INSIDE THE ART FORM

CREATIvITy PAGE: THE HERO IN yOU

Photos: Douglas McBride

inside | THE MARK OF zORRO

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Help! THe world is in need of your saving!

sTep #1find THe Mission:

What cause needs your help? think of a challenge that the World, your community, or your family is facing.

decide on the mission you Would set out on if you Were a hero.

sTep #2idenTify your sTrengTHs:What skill(s) do you have that Will help you

complete your mission?

your Mask: your face is your most identifiable feature, and therefore, it must be hidden! as a hero, Will you hide only half your face, or Will you need to hide the Whole thing? Will your mask need to serve any other purpose

besides concealing your face?

your CloTHes: Will you alWays Wear your disguise beneath your clothes? or Will it be something you take out of your bag and quickly throW on? Will your outfit

be inspired by your mission? for example: if your mission Were to prevent hurricanes,

Would your outfit be inspired by the Wind?

your sHoes: as a hero, Will you need to move quickly? Jump betWeen buildings? sWim across the ocean? hoW

Will your shoes need to help you complete your mission?

sTep #3CreaTe a MasTer disguise:

to become a hero, you don’t need to change Who you are on the inside, but you do need to disguise yourself on the outside to keep your true identity safe While you are out saving the World.

draW the folloWing to help inspire your neW heroic look and create your alter-ego!

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CREATIvITy PAGE: THE HERO IN yOU