A Backstage Guide

Book by P.D. Eastman Adapted for the Stage by Steven Dietz and Allison Gregory Music by Michael Koerner

2

Getting to Know the Team…………………….………….pg 3 Getting to Know Yourself…………………………….…….pg 4 Getting to Know the Theatre……………………….…….pg 5 Dog Dreaming…………….………………………………...pg 6 Time to Hit the Road……………………………………..…pg 7 Onwards to the Party………………………...…….………pg 8 Tools of the Trade………………………………..………….pg 9 All Kinds of Dogs……………………………….…………..pg 10 About Imagine U…………………………….…………….pg 11 This Backstage Guide was created by Adam Brody & Madeleine Rostami as part of the Imagine U Education and Engagement Program.

CONTENTS

3

Getting to Know the Team We asked some members of the team behind the show a couple of questions! Their answers are below. Take some time to read them with the people who are joining you at the theatre today!

What is your favorite moment of the show? Gina Marie Hayes (Director): I love it when Sam (MC Dog) is on top of the ladder singing “Moon River” because it reminds me of my mother.

Moriah Yeh: I always love the moment when we're playing baseball and Daniella and Chris (Spotted and Yellow Dog) do the macarena - it's so wacky and is totally in the spirit of the show! If you could be any color of dog, what would you be and why? Sam Linda (MC Dog): I would be a black and white dog. Black and white dogs look a little like the black and white spotted mime costume and I find particularly appealing. I love the playful energy of clowns and would love to embody that!

Andrea Swanson (Music Director): I would be a purple dog because I love the Northwestern colors! This play is based on a wonderful picture book. What was your favorite picture book when you were growing up? Andrea Canizares-Fernandez (Green Dog): My favorite picture book was called Buttons! It was about a grandpa who lost all the buttons on his trousers and his three daughters went on quests to find him buttons and save the day. I also loved the book Stellaluna--so much so that once I dressed up as her for Halloween!

Chris Jumper (Yellow Dog): I was always a big fan of Dr. Seuss. I had a big book with a collection of his stories that my dad would read to me every night. My absolute favorite was Yertle the Turtle. I’m pretty sure I still have the entire story memorized! The Dogs in the show play all sorts of fun games! What were your favorite games to play growing up? Alex Jackson (Red Dog): I loved to play as a kid. I constantly played imagination games with my sister in the back yard. But I also liked to play other games. Backyard wiffle ball is still an important pastime for my family – we play it whenever we all get together. I also love playing frisbee. It's my favorite way to spend a summer day with my friends.

Daniella Martino (Hattie/Spotted Dog): I loved playing dress up because my sister and I would get up in crazy costumes to explore our favorite stories in the backyard! We would wear long skirts and pretend to be explorers together!

4

Getting to Know Yourself

The Questions! 1. What was your favorite moment of

the show? Why did you like it? 2. If you could be any color of dog,

what would you be? 3. This play is based on a wonderful

picture book. What’s your favorite book to read?

4. The dogs in the show play all sorts of fund games with each other. What are your favorite kinds of games?

A Space to Draw it Out!

A Space to Write it Out!

Now it’s your turn! There’s some space below for you to answer the questions that we asked the actors and director! Talk about your answers with your fellow theatre goers! If you would like to write or draw your answers, you can do that, too!

5

Getting to Know the Theatre Is this your first time at the theatre? Take a moment to explore it with your family and friends so you know what you can expect from the experience! Have you gone to a whole bunch of shows before? Maybe you’ll learn something new!

Some questions to answer together as a family:

1. What are some of the differences between going to see a play and watching a movie or television show at home? 2. How can audience members help to make the show the best it can be? 3. What are some of aspects of live performance that you noticed during the play (lights, costumes, music, etc.)? 4. What is a story that you want to see on stage?

This is the stage. The play is performed on the stage so that everyone can see what happens!

People who watch a play sit in the audience. Audience members are encouraged to clap

and laugh during the show!

The actors are people who perform in the show. They memorize the words and

movements so that they can entertain you!

A curtain covers the front of the stage before the play

starts.

The wings are the sides of the stage,

out of the audience’s view.

Here, actors wait to make entrances.

6

Dog Dreaming

The Dogs in the show dream up an entire carnival in their heads as they have a giant sleepover. What would you dream of? You can fill in the dog’s dream bubble with your wildest dreams! If you want to draw outside the edges, that’s great too!

7

Time to Hit the Road

You Will Need: • One paper plate • Scissors • Construction paper • Markers/Crayons • Glitter, stickers, stamps, felt...any other craft items you want! • Glue

Instructions:

1. With an adult’s help, cut a circle out of the center of the plate. 2. Cut out two 1”-wide strips of construction paper. One should span the whole length of

the plate, and the other should be half as long. 3. Glue the short strip to the long strip so that the long strip forms the top of a “T.” 4. Glue the “T” to the inside of the paper plate. 5. Decorate your steering wheel! 6. Drive! Imagine that you are one of the driving dogs in Go Dog! Go! What sounds might

a dog make when it drives?

It’s Game Time: Red Light! Green Light! Now use your steering wheel to play this fun game with the whole family! Instructions:

1. Select one person to be the “Stoplight.” The Stoplight stands at one end of the playing space while the rest of the players line up across the room as “Drivers.”

2. Gameplay begins when the Stoplight faces away from the Drivers and yells “Green light!” The Drivers can then start to move toward the Stoplight.

3. After a few seconds, the Stoplight can yell “Red light” and turn around to face the Drivers. The Drivers must freeze in place. If the Stoplight catches someone moving, that Driver must return to the starting line.

4. Game play resumes when the Stoplight turns away from the group and yells “Greenlight” again. 5. The game ends when one of the Drivers taps the Stoplight! This winning Driver then becomes the Stoplight, and a

new round begins!

8

Onwards to the Party!

In the show, the dogs end their journey together at a party! Help this dog find his way through the maze to their own party! When you get home from the theatre today, you can make your own celebratory noise

maker with the instructions below!

Make your Own: Colorful Noise Maker You Will Need:

• Empty water bottle • Dry white rice • Food coloring • Construction paper • Markers/crayons • Glitter, stickers, stamps, felt...any other craft

items you want! • Scissors • Glue

Directions:

1. In a small bowl, mix the white rice with a couple drops of your favorite food coloring.

2. Fill ⅓ of the bottle with the colored rice and close the bottle tightly.

3. Decorate the outside of the bottle to make it your own!

4. Start rocking out with your noise maker!

9

Tools of the Trade Some of the dogs in Go, Dog. Go! are hard at work on a construction site. These working dogs have tool belts with hammers, tape measures, and drills to be prepared for their days. If you wore a tool belt, what would you want to have with you? Circle the items to add to your tool belt or draw in other items you’d want in the empty space!

10

All Kinds of Dogs!

This show has all kinds of dogs playing together – each of them is different! Now it’s your turn to color your own dogs. They can be as wonky or as normal as you’d like!

11

About Imagine U

This year, Imagine U has been so excited to introduce education and engagement activities for the entire season! Keep your eyes and ears open for more information regarding next year’s season!

What is Imagine U: Imagine U productions are geared toward children (that’s you!) and their families. Performances often include an opportunity for children to interact afterwards with the cast and receive colorful take-home programs filled with activities, art projects, fun facts and games! Past productions have included THE HUNDRED DRESSES, JAMES AND THE GIANT PEACH (Chicago premiere), A YEAR WITH FROG AND TOAD, CHARLOTTE’S WEB, THE RELUCANT DRAGON, and many more!

Coming up Next with Imagine U: Imagine U presents: WAA-MU COMMUNITY DAY -- “Celebrating all that makes YOU super!” On Saturday, May 6th, the popular Imagine U family theatre series at the Wirtz Center is pleased to partner with The Waa-Mu Show to offer a variety of community engagement activities as well as an accessible friendly performance for audience of all ages and abilities. All events will be held at Cahn Auditorium located at 600 Emerson Street in Evanston. For more information: https://www.communication.northwestern.edu/wirtz/performances/imagine

12

Thanks for coming to see the show today!

Imagine U had so much fun with you in our audience!

If you’re interested in writing to a character or team member that you loved from the show, please write to:

Maddie Rostami

Virginia Wadsworth Wirtz Center for the Performing Arts 10 Arts Circle Drive Evanston, IL 60208

We’ll make sure to send you a letter back if you include a return address.