2. 2
A theatre experience begins long before and continues
long after the performance. Here are some resources and
activities to make How High Is Up? an even richer experi-
ence. Enjoy the guide and enjoy the show!
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Welcome Letters
Khari Shelton, Artistic Director
Pam Kranyak, How High Is Up? Director
Things to Know Before the Show!
Who Are We? PCP!
Going On Tour
Tough Stuff: Saying Goodbye to Ba Gia
Meet the Cast
Pre-Show Activities
Sun and Moon
A Bird Who Has No Wings?
Grow An Indoor Garden
Post-Show Activities—Storytelling Through Movement
I Am A Star
Silent Storytelling
What Did You Think?
Thank You From Purple Crayon Players
Page 3
Page 6
Page 11
Page 17
Page 20
Page 22
4. 4
A Letter From the Artistic Director
How high is up? How deep is down? Which way are we facing when we turn around?
As Artistic Director of Purple Crayon Players, I would like to welcome you to How High Is Up,
our touring production for our 10th
season of Theatre for Young Audiences programming.
Each year, Purple Crayon rededicates itself to the field of TYA by adapting its season mission to
pioneer new trends and reflect the needs of our wide audience base. Our 2014 – 2015 season
of productions, educational workshops, and special events is focused on accessibility and en-
gagement. Our goal is to augment our performances and events with audience engagement
activities within our productions, invited guest speakers, and more in order to make our work
exciting and relevant to all ages. In this model, our audience members participate in a conver-
sation in which all voices contribute equally to the implicitly conscious-raising effort of thea-
tre.
How High Is Up asks us the questions with no answers in the worlds that do not exist. The Bird
Who Has No Wings reminds us that it doesn’t take much to travel to the far places we seek.
All we need is our imagination, one of the most powerful tools that we all carry with us and a
tool that is unique to each person. It’s why we’re special. It’s also what fills our minds with big
ideas like it does with Little Star, who struggles to rectify the inevitability of change with her
desire for things to stay the same. Travel with your mind to the Magicians and discover the
Roaring Winds, the dancing Sun and Moon, and the strength to ask the questions that matter.
Purple Crayon Players aims to foster a passion for using one’s voice to ignite dynamic change
in the world.
How high can you go?
Khari Shelton,
Artistic Director, Purple Crayon Players
5. 5
A Letter From the Director of How High Is Up?
Hello, teachers!
My name is Pam Kranyak and I am the director of How High is Up? I am a junior undergraduate at
Northwestern University studying secondary education for English. I have also participated in the
Northwestern theatre and dance communities. It has been such a joy to gather together so many of
these passions to bring this show to you.
Our goal throughout this process has been to ask tough questions through visually engaging theatre.
We want to start conversations, whether they be with the kids in the audience, the cast, or the
Northwestern community. Now, we have the genuine pleasure of bringing these questions and con-
versations to the greater Evanston community, to you.
From a young age, we’re taught that questions have answers. Eyes wide, we ask the world our most
pressing concerns and eagerly wait to be given some golden coin of knowledge. Parents reply,
“Storks.” Teachers suggest, “Sound it out.” Smug older siblings retort, “You’ll understand when
you’re older.”
But if there’s a universal truth about the experience of being human, it’s that things become more
layered and complex as we grow. We realize that there is a substantial gray area sprawled across
what we’ve always assumed. We doubt. We fall, we break. We experience loss. And, inevitably, we
ask why. We wonder how simple answers turn into rhetorical questions and philosophical explora-
tions. We wonder where the sky ends and how deeply we have to dig to come back to where we
started. We wonder if the world will ever be still again after we’ve turned restlessly so many times.
In those moments of confusion and uncertainty, though, there is beauty. Bittersweet, honest. Hu-
man. We wake up the next day and, somehow,
we continue.
This play explores loss through the eyes of a child. It asks us to remember what it is like to innocently
question. To consider what it means to support and be supported by another (human, bird, celestial
being...). It has been truly incredible to be a part of, and I am honored and humbled to have the privi-
lege of working with such a talented and dedicated group of artists. All of us who are involved in this
production are thrilled to bring this story to you. Thank you for taking the time to play and explore
with us.
With love,
Pam Kranyak
Director, How High Is Up?
7. 7
Who Are We? PCP!
Purple Crayon Players is a student-run theatre and community service organiza-
tion that produces professionally written theatre for young audiences (TYA) within
our mainstage season, as well as special projects and events by, with, and for
youth.
We use theatre as a way to engage, inspire, and educate audiences of all ages. We
produce a mainstage season of high quality professionally written productions for
young audiences, while also sponsoring outreach events, educational program-
ming, and special projects for audiences of all ages both on campus and in the
outlying community. These events support the mainstage season, as well as ex-
plore other aspects of theatre, community service, and learning.
Purple Crayon Players feels that making theatre more accessible, in large part
through our touring show as well as through events during our season, is a neces-
sary aspect of producing theatre for young audiences. We strive to include diverse
opinions, cultures, events, and voices in our season in order to adequately reflect
the diverse world that our audiences and artists come from.
8. 8
Going On Tour
The show you are going to see is the touring version of the same show that we put
up on Northwestern’s campus back in February. There are some exciting challeng-
es that we face in making this show come to life in schools across Evanston. Some
of your students will have already seen lots of theatre (maybe they’ve even al-
ready seen a PCP show!), whereas others may have never been to a live theatre
show before. Since our touring show looks a bit different than our mainstage pro-
duction, you may find it useful to explain to your students some of these differ-
ences.
Overall, the story and the actors remain the same, but the world of the play will
look a little different. In a regular theatre show, there are lots of design elements
(set, costumes, lights, sound, and props). In a touring show, there is only set, cos-
tumes, and props. One of the great things about this is that the audience gets to
use their imaginations even more to fill out the rest of the world of the play. With
fewer design aspects, there is also more emphasis on the words and the story!
Tough Stuff: Saying Goodbye to Ba Gia
In How High Is Up? Little Star goes on a journey to save Ba Gia, whose time is run-
ning out. You may want to discuss this topic with your class. Just like the seeds in
Ba Gia garden, we humans have a life cycle as well. We grow and we wilt, and best
of all, we multiply so that future humans can tell our stories. Losing a loved one,
can be very difficult, however. Though they will always be with us, we miss not
having their bodies to hug and play with anymore. The best medicine for losing a
friend or a loved one is to find support from your friends and family. Reach out to
a friend, teacher, or adult. Talk about how you feel and what you miss. Remember
to sing their songs and tell their tales. Though their bodies are no longer with us,
their love and memories will be with us always.
9. 9
Meet the Cast!
We are so excited to meet you, but before we come, we thought you might like the chance to
meet us! After you’ve seen the show, we’d love to hear back from you about what you
thought.
Adam Brody (Moon)
Support: When I need help, I talk to my friends Shara and Danny. I know I
can trust them with everything, and they always give me support and advice
when I need it!
Character: My favorite part about Moon is that he really cares for Sun, Little
Star, Ba Gia, and The Bird Who Has No Wings. His strong sense of empathy
toward Little Star and her journey is so wonderful to enact.
Advice: I would tell myself to never be afraid of trying new things. I realized
that I loved theatre when I was in elementary school, which was an amazing
discovery! While focusing on theatre, however, I stopped myself from trying other cool things be-
cause I was afraid they would be too difficult. I would go back and tell myself to be open to new ex-
periences.
Universe: If I could live anywhere, I would choose the Irish countryside! I visited Ireland a few years
ago on a school trip, and I fell in love with the country's scenery and the people's warmth. The
countryside is so beautiful, with rolling green hills and stunning cliffs. I would love to live there in
the future.
Who is someone you go to when you need help/support and why?
What is your favorite part about your character?
What is a piece of advice you would give your elementary school self?
If you could live anywhere in the universe where would it be?
Meredith Shadle (Sun)
Support: I call my mom, even when I'm at college, because she always
knows exactly what to say to make me feel better.
Character: Sun is full of love. She loves Moon the most, but she cares about
all of the other characters, too. She cheers for them and worries when
they're in trouble.
Advice: Keep dancing! Take dance lessons or dance with your friends, both
for fun and to stay healthy.
Universe: I would live in a gigantic crayon box that would have every color in the entire world. It
would have sparkle and cheetah print crayons, as well as colors we've never seen before.
10. 10
Courtney Quinn (Little Star)
Support: I go to my sister when I need support because she is a great listener
and always makes me laugh.
Character: My favorite part about Little Star is that she never gives up, even
when she doesn't have all the answers.
Advice: I would tell my elementary school self to never stop reading and dream-
ing and playing!
Universe: I would live inside a black hole so I could watch the entire history of
the universe happen before my eyes.
Lauren Stremmel (Ba Gia / Magicians)
Support: When I need help I go to my little sister, Meredith. Even though I’m old-
er than she is, I like to go to her when I need advice or help solving a problem
because she is a great listener and always wants to make me feel better. The
best part of our relationship is that she knows she can come to me if she needs
support, too.
Character: Ba Gia is so creative and has such a big heart! I love that she’s not
afraid to be silly and play with Little Star even though she’s an adult. When Little
Star runs away, Ba Gia decides the best way to help her is to disguise herself as
the Magicians. She would do anything to make sure Little Star is safe and sound.
Advice: Try not to worry too much about what other people think of you. If you
are not afraid to be yourself— to be goofy and silly sometimes— you will find
people who want to do the same things you do.
Universe: I would live on a planet entirely made of chocolate. There would be a chocolate fondue
river, chocolate mousse grass, and birds would lay real Cadbury eggs on my planet. I would even
have a chocolate spaceship so I could travel back and forth between Earth and my planet for visits!
Emily Wills (The Bird Who Has No Wings)
Support: I usually go to my dad. He is a really good listener, and always takes
time to think about what I have said before giving advice. Also, he's good at
bringing up points of view that I hadn't considered before.
Character: I love how selfless The Bird Who Has No Wings is. Bird doesn't
even think twice before offering to help Little Star. While Bird is very goofy,
she is also very thoughtful and true to who she is.
Advice: Be proud of who you are! Think about the things that you can do re-
ally well or are curious about, and do those things! Stay true to what you are
passionate about and that will lead to success and happiness, not how many
people like you.
Universe: At home, wherever that is! As long as I am close to my family and the people I love I would
be happy to live anywhere! I think living near water especially would make me happy.
12. 12
Sun and Moon
During Little Star’s journey in How High Is Up?, Sun and Moon watch the entire
thing from up in the sky. But where did the sun and moon come from? On the next
page (page 13-14) you will find a folktale you can share with your class to give one
possible answer to this question:
Once you’ve read the story with your class, here are some activities you
can do with this story:
- Have your class recreate the story. Ask your students what they
remember from the story and then assign roles to the class.
More than one person can play each role.
- You can also split the class into groups and have them each per-
form a different part of the story for each other.
- Once the students have retold the story, ask them to write their
own story of how the sun and moon came to be!
13. 13
"Why the Sun and the Moon live in the Sky"
an African folktale from Nigeria
Long, long ago, Sun, Moon and Water were the best of friends.
At that time, Sun and Moon, who were married, lived on the earth.
Sun went to visit Water, almost every day, but Water never returned the visits.
Finally, Sun asked, "Water, my friend, why is it that you
never come to visit?"
Water replied, "Sun, I would very much like to come to
visit. But your home is not big enough for me and all
of my people. Were I to come visit, there would be no
room left for you and your lovely partner, Moon."
Water then told Sun, "If you want me to visit you, you
will have to build a very large house. But I warn you
that it will have to be very, very large, as my people
are numerous and take up a lot of room."
Sun was overjoyed that its good friend Water wanted
to come visit.
"Do not worry, my friend," it said, "I will build a huge
compound so that you and your people can come visit."
Sun soon returned home, where Sun’s partner, Moon greeted Sun with a smile.
"My dearest Moon", Sun said "Our friend Water has promised to visit us, but first we
must build a larger house so that Water and its people will fit."
"How wonderful!" said Moon.
The next day, they began building a very large house to entertain Water and all its peo-
ple. When the house was finished, it was the largest house in the area.
Sun then went to ask Water to come and visit.
Water said it would be there the next morning.
14. 14
When Water arrived, one of its people called out "Sun, we are here. May we come in?"
"Yes," said Sun, "Tell my friend, Water, that you are all welcome in my home."
With those words, Water began to flow in. With Water
came fish, crabs, otters and other water animals.
Soon, the Water was knee-deep in the house.
Water called out, " Sun do you want me and my people to
continue to come in?" Together Sun and Moon answered,
"Oh yes, please come into our home."
And more of Water's people poured into the house: octo-
pi, stingray, eels, starfish and more.
When the Water was at the level of a man's head, Water,
who was becoming a little concerned called to Sun and
said, "Are you sure you want more of my people to come in?"
Wanting to be good hosts, Sun and Moon both said, "Yes, please, you are all welcome in
our home."
More and more of the Water's people came in, seahorses, whales, eels, anemones,
sponges and more.
So many that soon, Sun and Moon had to sit on top of the roof.
Once again, Water asked, "Do you wish us
to continue to come in?"
Sun and Moon answered "Yes, please, you
are all welcome in our home."
So more of Water's people came in. Sea
turtles, sharks, coral, shrimps, urchins,
lobsters...
By now Water overflowed the top of the
roof, and the sun and the moon were
forced to go up into the sky.
...and they have been there ever since.
15. 15
A Bird Who Has No Wings?
Little Star is helped by The Bird Who Has No Wings. When asked if she would like
some wings, The Bird With No Wings says she doesn’t need them. She uses her im-
agination to fly!
Now it’s your turn to use your imagination! Use the blank space below to
draw what you think The Bird Who Has No Wings looks like. How do you
draw a bird if she doesn’t have any wings?
16. 16
Grow an Indoor Garden
You don’t need soil to grow things like Ba Gia does in her garden. All you need is a
glass jar and some seeds, and you can grow your own sprouts in your classroom!
You Will Need:
- 1 Mason jar (with the lid)
- 1 Piece of cheesecloth
- 1 Packet of sprouts, any kind!
(You can order them online or buy
them at Whole Foods.)
Directions:
1. Empty the packet of sprouts into
the mason jar.
2. Fill the jar with water.
3. Cover the jar with the cheesecloth
and use the circular part of the lid to
secure the cheesecloth.
4. Let the sprouts sit for 8 hours or
overnight.
5. With the cheesecloth lid still on, pour out the water, leaving the seeds
in the jar.
6. After the first rinse, refill the jar with water 2-3 times a day.
7. You should see your sprouts starting to sprout after 2-3 days, and they
should be fully sprouted by 5 days!
17. 17
POST-SHOW
ACTIVITIES
We hope you enjoyed our show! The learning doesn’t stop once the curtain comes down. You
can keep the experience going even longer by doing these activities with your class after the
show is over. Have your class explore their own stories through movement, just like the cast of
How High Is Up? You don’t need any materials for these games, just your bodies!
18. 18
I Am A Star
1. Ask your students to stand in a big circle, or a line if you are limited in
space.
2. One student steps out and says “I am a star” while using their bodies
to make a star.
3. Another student then enters and adds to the picture by saying “I am a
(blank)” and adding to the star. The suggestion should be interactive
with the star. An example might be, “I am the sun” or “I am Earth.”
4. Each student then comes in one at a time and adds to the picture—or
tableau—that is being created, by saying who/what they are and then
making that thing with their body. The new suggestion should be di-
rectly related to the suggestion that came before it. So if someone
says, “I am the sun” after the original “I am a star,” the next suggestion
might be, “I am a person sunbathing,” etc.
5. Once the last person has entered the tableau, take a picture of your
students’ star tableau!
6. You can play this game with any “I am a (blank).” Do another few
rounds and ask your students to come up with the starting sugges-
tions.
19. 19
Silent Storytelling
This game can be as long or short as you want. You can skip steps or have the
groups perform for one other group instead of the whole class.
1. Choose a story to tell your students. You can reuse the story from the
preshow activity (page 13-14) or use a favorite story of your own!
2. Split the group into 5. You can assign the groups randomly or have
them pre-assigned.
3. Ask the students to retell the story using only 5 sentences. They can
use their bodies as much as they want, but they must keep to five sen-
tences tops.
4. Pair up the groups and have them perform their stories for each other.
5. In those same individual groups, have the students retell the story, this
time only using 5 words, one word per student.
6. Have each group perform the story for the whole class.
7. Have the groups retell the story again using only their bodies, no
words this time. Once everyone is ready, do another class performance.
8. For the last task, have the students tell a story by making 5 tableaux
(frozen pictures), one right after the other, followed by one last class
performance.
21. 21
What Did You Think?
We would love to hear what you and your class thought of the show!
Your students can write or draw whatever they would like, but here are
some suggested prompts you can use:
You can send any and all letters to:
Purple Crayon Players
1999 Campus Drive
Evanston, IL 60208
I really liked when…
An image I remember is…
I felt sad when…
I felt happy when…
I have questions about…
23. 23
Thank You From Purple Crayon Players 2015-6 Executive Board!
Executive Director: Nick Raef
Artistic Director: Nikki Rosengren
Production Manager: Abby Weissman
Business Manager: Drew Guerra
Literary Manager: Delaney Burlingame
Outreach Coordinator: Maddie Rostami
Marketing Director: Maddie Napel
Team Education: Emily Baldwin, Rebecca Elowe, Julianne Lang
Tour Managers: Adam Brody, Courtney Doyle
Special Events: Daniel Shuffield, Maddy Kelly
Technical Directors: Dominick Mugavero, Alex Dayton
Stage Management Chair: Bailey Sutton
Stay tuned for our 2015-2016 season!
