TeacherÕs Guide

for the

University of Kansas Theatre for Young People production of

HomerÕs

THE ODYSSEY

Adapted by Gregory A. Falls and Kurt Beattie

Directed by Dennis Christilles

 

 

Inge Theatre, Murphy Hall

            September 25, 27, 28             1:00 p.m.                                Lawrence schools

            September 26, 29                   9:45 a.m. & 1:00 p.m.           Lawrence schools

            September 27                         1:00 p.m.                                Rural schools

                                                 Tickets for school matinees are $2.50

               Complimentary tickets for teachers and students on free/reduced lunch programs

 

            Saturday, September 30                   10:00 a.m.                              Public performance

            Sunday, October 1                            2:30 p.m.                                Public performance

                      Tickets are $5 for all students, $10 for adults, and $9 for senior citizens

 

                                  Most appreciated by families and children ages 9 and up

 

 

Preview for Teachers and Parents

Monday, September 18, 7:30 p.m.

 

Parents and teachers are invited to attend the final run-through rehearsal of HomerÕs The Odyssey in the Inge Theatre in Murphy Hall. The purpose of this preview is to acquaint you with the play and see its final, actor-rehearsal before finished scenery, costumes, lights, and sound are added during technical week. The rehearsal is scheduled to begin at 7:30 p.m. and will run non-stop until approximately 8:30 p.m. We encourage you to ask questions and to discuss the play and its performance techniques with us so you may prepare children in advance of their attendance the following week. Lawrence teachers may earn

In-Service Points through Ann Bruemmer, Arts and Humanities Coordinator.

 

 

Drama Workshops

Actors from The Odyssey and Jeanne Klein will be available to visit classrooms. A free, one-hour (or less) drama workshop is intended to extend the playÕs themes, to encourage students to role-play analogous situations, and to answer questions about this production. Contact Megan Persinger, TYP Assistant, at kutypassistant@yahoo.com or 864-5576 to schedule a classroom visit.

 

The Story of the Play

 

            The word ÒodysseyÓ has come to mean Òjourney.Ó Our play is the story of Odysseus, a man who takes a long journey to return to his home and his family. He is the leader of the island kingdom of Ithaca in Greece.

            Almost 20 years before the story begins, Odysseus set out with many other Greek soldiers to the far away land of Troy. The Greeks had declared war on Troy and, although he did not really want to leave his wife and son, Odysseus had to obey his countryÕs leaders. He was very brave and clever and soon proved himself to be a great hero. The war lasted for 10 long years, but finally it ended. The Greeks won, but on the way home, a great storm caused Odysseus and his men to become lost. For many years they wandered and had many adventures.

            At the beginning of our play, we learn Odysseus has been gone for so long that many people believe he is dead. Several men, who are living off of OdysseusÕ wealth, want to marry his wife, Penelope. They are growing impatient for her decision and demand that she must marry one of them soon. 

            An old beggar, the goddess Athena in disguise, comes to the house. She has been a great friend to Odysseus and she has come to tell Penelope and her son, Telemachus, not to give up hope. She tells them of many strange adventures that Odysseus has had: his daring and clever escape from the Cyclops, a one-eyed giant; his encounter with King Aeolous, who presents Odysseus with the gift of the four winds and how his sailors unleashed those winds and caused them all to become even more lost. Odysseus is made a prisoner of the witch Circe who turns his men into pigs. They escape with the help of Hermes, the messenger of the gods. Odysseus descends into the underworld in order to receive advice form his mother, Anticlea, and a wise man named Tiresias. As Odysseus continues his journey, he and his men meet the Sirens who attempt to trick them into wrecking their ship.

            Odysseus finally reaches home, but no one recognizes him. His son, Telemachus, declares that the man who can string OdysseusÕ bow shall marry his mother. All fail until a stranger steps up and easily completes the task. Odysseus is recognized and the suitors quickly leave. Odysseus is finally home.

 

Some Characters in the Play

 

Odysseus (Oh-Dis-ee-us)                   The leader of the Greek island of Ithaca

 

Penelope (Peh-NEL-oh-pee)               His wife

 

Telemachus (Tel-uh-MA-kes)             His son

 

Athena (Uh-THEE-nuh)                     A friend to Odysseus and the goddess of wisdom

 

Zeus (Zoos)                                         AthenaÕs father

 

Cyclops (SI-klops)                              A one-eyed giant

 

Poseidon (Poh-SI-den)                       Father of the Cyclops and an enemy to Odysseus

 

Circe (SIR-see)                                   A beautiful witch

 

 

Some Notes About Our Production

 

Many of the actors in this production play more than one role. For instance, the actor playing Circe also plays a sailor on OdysseusÕ ship, and even one of the suitors who wants to marry Penelope. Why do women play menÕs roles?

 

Theatre began in ancient Greece more than 2,500 years ago. The actors at that time were all men. WomenÕs roles were played by men. Our production does just the opposite. How does it work? When we tell each other stories, it is not uncommon to take on the voice of the person about whom we are telling a story. In such a story-telling situation, we often say what a person said–at times we even imitate their voice and movements. Sometimes they are male and sometimes female. In the spirit of good story telling, our production allows women to speak in the voice of men sometimes.

 

Costumes and masks are often used to help the audience tell one character from another. Often the changes come so rapidly that only a sash or a hat may be added to indicate a change of character. Masks are worn by many of the supernatural characters. The actors also work on different ways of speaking and moving for each character.

 

This story takes place in many different locations, but our set shows only a fairly bare space between two tall walls. This adds to the idea of story telling. Fantastic locations can be more effectively suggested in the mind through suggestion than by painted wood and canvas.

 

 

Some Websites for Further Information

 

http://www.mythweb.com/odyssey/

 

http://www.historyforkids.org/learn/greeks/

 

http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/ancientgreece/glossary/index.shtml

 

 

TeacherÕs Guide written by

Dennis Christilles

 


WeÕd love to know your ideas about our production.  Please make copies for students and return to Jeanne Klein, KU Theatre for Young People, 1530 Naismith Dr., Lawrence, KS 66045

 

PLAY REVIEW OF HOMERÕS THE ODYSSEY

 

Reviewed by (name optional)  ________________________________________________

 

School                                                                         Grade ___________________

 

1. During the play, I imagined or felt:

 

 

 

2. At the end of the play Odysseus learned (a main idea):

 

 

 

3. Why did some characters try to stop Odysseus from getting back home?

 

 

 

4. Why did some characters help Odysseus to get back home?

 

 

 

5. How did Odysseus show that he was a brave and clever hero?

 

 

 

6. The thing I liked best about the production was:

 

 

 

Because:

 

 

 

7. The thing I liked least about the production was:

 

 

 

Because: