Stages of Discovery
Esperanza Rising, our 2007-08 play offer
Sadako and her grandmother visit the spirit world on the wings of a crane in Riverside Theatre Works' STAGES of DISCOVERY 2005-06 production of A Thousand Cranes.
Each year, Riverside Theatre Works brings a multi-cultural story to students in schools that will both educate and entertain. These pieces aid teachers in their curriculum as well as expose students to another culture, a time in history, and a piece of literature.
This year, 2007-08, we bring the Mexican story of Esperanza Rising. This story is read by many students across the country as it tells an important tale of learning to appreciate what you have during the historical period of the Great Depression. Esperanza is a young well-to-do girl in Mexico who must move to California after devastation hits their family as a result of the Mexical revolution. She loses all her fineries and must learn to live only on hope. This play features the Spanish language; historical references to the Mexican Revolution, the Great Depression, and the Dust Bowl; a traditional fiesta dance; a craft project of making a yarn doll; and lessons on judging another culture.
The show runs approximately 30 minutes and we offer a demonstration/teaching portion aftewards as well as a question and answer session. Thus, your school has the option of a 30-minute time slot, a 45-minute (with the Q & A), or a 1-hour time slot (with Q&A and the demonstration).
To inquire about bringing Stages of Discovery to your school, museum, or library, please contact Melissa Williams at melw@rtwboston.org or call 617-3
61-7024. All sets are designed to fit in a gymnasium, cafeteria, or even a classroom.
Teachers and administrators can bring a show to their schools for $500.
Here is what other schools have said about past productions, A Thousand Cranes and Hans Brinker or the Silver Skates:
"Thank you for coming to our school and performing. I really liked how you made Kenji sound like a frog!"
Maises Ortiz, 3rd grader George H. Conley school in Roslindale, MA
"I was really sad for the people in the atom bomb. I was surprised Sadako made 644 paper cranes. I'm happy that Sadako's classmates made the rest of the paper cranes."
Metichela, student George H. Conley school in Roslindale, MA
"I couldn't believe how easily the kids stayed attentive throughout the production of Hans Brinker. It was great to see them so intrigued!" Educator, St. Joseph's School in Needham, MA
"Thank you Riverside Theatre Works! WE loved the play and making cranes after the play."
students of Thacher Montessori school in Milton, MA
"It was great! Nice to see so many kids of different ages stay so focused and have so many great questions."
Pat Jackson, educator Thacher Montessori School in Milton, MA
"I couldn't believe how authentic the music and dance were. I felt like I was really in Japan with that music!"
parent sponsor, Montessori School of Quincy, MA
"You could hear a pin drop throughout the whole show. The kids really loved it!"
principal, Glover School in Milton, MA
"I loved the book Hans Brinker growing up and it was so fun to see it brought to life. And it's rare that anyone studies the Dutch culture any more, so it was great to see the kids learn about a culture they might not otherwise ever hear about." parent, St. Joseph's school in Needham, MA
"It was nice to know the book and see the beautiful way the actors handled the story. The flow of it kept the audience entertained and engaged the whole time. Every school and library should pay to have this show done."
Barbara Wicker, branch librarian, Hyde Park Boston Public Library
