The Aesop Fables are a grand source of theatrical material. At a point of wondering what to do, I was able to mine Aesop's Fables for ideas. "The Ants and the Grasshopper" was perfect for my situation.
This little musical came about in a burst of inspiration brought on by some desperation. One of the Theater Skills classes I began teaching in the Fall of 2015 had eight First and Second Graders - 7 girls and 1 boy. I was planning to just let them learn theater skills by working with Acting Games, short skits and songs. But it soon became clear that they wanted to do a play with a real performance.
I quickly searched through many materials and decided that I just needed to write them a show. Obviously, I needed to tailor the parts to the personalities and talents I had. The boy had a great voice and could move. It made sense to cast him as the Grasshopper and give him some "Gene Kelly savoir-fare." The girls needed clearly defined traits in order to bring their characters to life. So, I gave each Ant one main emotional character trait such as "Effie, Miss Efficiency," and "Winnie, the Whiner."
I quickly searched through many materials and decided that I just needed to write them a show. Obviously, I needed to tailor the parts to the personalities and talents I had. The boy had a great voice and could move. It made sense to cast him as the Grasshopper and give him some "Gene Kelly savoir-fare." The girls needed clearly defined traits in order to bring their characters to life. So, I gave each Ant one main emotional character trait such as "Effie, Miss Efficiency," and "Winnie, the Whiner."
When working with 6-7 year olds just one hour per week, there are certain things you just plan for. They will not remember directions from week to week, so you drill, drill, drill all of the LINES and BLOCKING while you have them. They tend to be shy and speak with small voices. So, you drill, drill, drill about PROJECTING the voice. They like COSTUMES, so you'd better have them! Costumes really help both the children and the audience imagine the characters and bring them to life. CATCHY SONGS are very important to a children's show. The songs are the loudest, brightest, and most unified part of the production. Better make them the best they can be. The songs must carry the setting, emotions, and message of the tale. The audience should be able to go out singing the songs with the kids on the way home. The message of this version of "The Ants and the Grasshopper' is taken from a quote by John Maxwell. He said, "Play now and pay later, or pay now and play later. Either way you'll have to pay."
I have since directed this show with many different kids and in different venues. It has been nice to add colorful sets and parts for a broader mix of boys and girls. Such a delight to learn that it will be performed again somewhere this year!
I have since directed this show with many different kids and in different venues. It has been nice to add colorful sets and parts for a broader mix of boys and girls. Such a delight to learn that it will be performed again somewhere this year!
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