G oing to a show at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center
I am going to see a First Stage show at the Milwaukee Youth Arts Center. I am going to see the show with
Watching a play is like watching TV or a movie, except people are on stage in front of us. They are called actors. They can see and hear me too. I can t turn the channel or turn the volume up and down.
A play is made up of many interesting things. Costumes Scenery Sound Lighting
When we drive to the arts center, we will park in the parking lot or on the street. We may need to wait in line to pick up our tickets. When we are waiting, I can stay with my family or teachers.
Once we have our tickets, we will go down the long blue hallway into a large and colorful commons area. There are bathrooms in the commons area. If I need to, I can use the bathroom before we go to our seats.
Someone will show us where to sit. 1. I can sit on the floor if my parents or teachers say it s OK. 2. I can sit on the risers with my family or class. The audience area is for all of us. The stage is for the actors only.
When I am in the theater waiting for the show to start: 1. I can talk to my family or friends. 2. I can take a short break in the lobby.
There will be a lot of people in theater and it may get noisy. If it gets too loud: 1. I can bring headphones if I want. 2. I can put my hands over my ears. 3. I can leave the room and take a short break in the lobby. I can come back when I am ready.
During the show: 1. I can watch and listen to the actors quietly. 2. I can applaud if I like something. 3. I can hold things in my hand that make me feel comfortable. If I need to talk: 1. I can talk quietly to my family or teacher. 2. I can write down what I want to say. 3. I can leave the room.
After the show there will be a talkback. The talkback is a chance for me to ask questions. 1. I will raise my hand to show that I want to ask a question. 2. I will wait for the leader to call on me to ask my question. 3. I don t have to ask a question if I don t want. I can ask different kinds of questions: 1. I can ask questions about the show. 2. I can ask questions about the scenery, costumes, lights, or sound.
After the show is finished, I will leave the theater with my family or class.
Meet the characters in
This is the Cat The cat likes to use his imagination.
This is the Fish The Fish wants everyone to stay out of trouble.
This is the Boy. The boy wants to play with the Cat, but he is nervous.
This is the Girl. The girl loves the Cat s games!
This is Thing 1 and Thing 2 The things have great fun!
These are the Kittens The Kittens help the cat!
This is the Stage Manager. She uses computers to make the sounds and lights happen.
What happens in the play? (Notice the words underlined and bolded, those are times the actors and sound might get loud, you may want to cover your ears.) Our story begins on a rainy day with two children who want to go outside to play ball. They leave their house but quickly return when the rain begins to fall harder. The girl, Sally, tells her brother to go outside and get their toys. The boy retrieves the items and both Boy & Sally don t know what else to do. The storm really picks up as we hear the voice of the boy as he describes the dreary mood of the rainy day and the desire to have something to do other than sit. Sally and Boy agree that they did not like this rainy day one little bit. Sitting in their chairs both children fall asleep. Fish falls asleep, too and dreams of being out of the bowl and able to play with the children s toys. Suddenly, there is a whistle and a bump at the door. The children and fish jump and keep their eyes on the door. As the door slowly opens they see a strange sight, the Cat in the Hat! The Cat in the Hat walks in asking why the children are just sitting. He tells them that the lack of sun doesn t stop fun! He exclaims he has games to play, tricks! He begins to share them reassuring the children, your mother will not mind a bit. Cat in the Hat then plays tennis with a magic ball that grows so large it crashes into things! He plays banjo and classical guitar with the racket, breaking the strings. Cat in the Hat plays an umbrella like a flute. He rides a motorbike in the house, too! Fish warns the kids to send Cat in the Hat away! The Cat in the Hat reassures everyone his tricks aren t bad and begins playing a game with Fish. Fish demands to be put down as the Cat in the Hat begins to balance the fish bowl on his foot, holding the umbrella and juggling small balls and reciting, One fish, two fish He then adds books, a cup, tea pot, kitten, rake, toy ship, cake and a fan to his balancing act. Uh oh! Slowly the items begin to fall. Fish falls into the tea pot and tells the Cat in the Hat to get out of the house! The Cat in the Hat refuses to leave because he likes being in the house. He steps onto the porch and
returns with a box. Fun in a Box. He opens the box and out hop Thing 1 & Thing 2. Again, Fish warns the children, Those things should not be in the house. The Cat in the Hat reassures the children that his friends are tame. Thing 1 & Thing 2 greet everyone and immediately begin to make mischief, running through the house flying kites. Boy shows his displeasure and is worried about Mother. Just then Fish looks toward the window and announces, Mother is on her way home. Get rid of Thing 1 & Thing 2. Thinking fast, Boy gets his net to try to catch Thing 1 & Thing 2. But they are too fast. Cat in the Hat is disappointed the children did not like his new game and put Thing 1 & thing 2 back into the box and fasten it with a hook. He then sadly leaves the house, which is a big mess from all the games and tricks. The children look at the mess and are worried when suddenly, there is a whistle. Cat in the Hat returns with a cleaning up machine! In a flash every item is back in its place, including Fish who is back in his bowl. With his job done, Cat in the Hat bids Sally and Boy goodbye. Before Mother walks into the house the children settle back into their chairs As the door opens Mother asks, Did you have fun? What did you do? Sally and Boy ask the audience, Should we tell? What would you do if your Mother asked you?
Before any loud sounds or flashing lights, someone will hold up a sign that looks like this I will know I can cover my ears to prepare for what will happen on stage.
The End.