UNDER THE BIG TOP
by Jan Derbyshire

On Tour: Feb 4th – April 18th, 2008
Appropriate for grades K – 6

Zoo Zoo loves her boyfriend Gerky. At 22 years old she is no longer a circus clown, but she comes from a rich history of circus performers and longs for the days when life Under the Big Top was fun.

This play examines a family that undergoes a parental break-up, with an impressionable young person caught in the middle.  This circus family  delights in making others laugh but they lose their ability to do the same at home. Emotions such as guilt and forgiveness weave their way through this clever play that roller-coasters its way from clown slapstick to the gut-wrenching reality of separation.

The play examines the effect divorce can have on people. It also examines how families can grow and change through love, communication and forgiveness- without losing the family bond.

OPTIONAL WORKSHOP
Start the day with a performance of UNDER THE BIG TOP and then continue with in-class, hands-on workshops to deal with the emotions surrounding a family break up.  The company, trained by Lily Whiteside in Conflict Resolution & Communication, will students in a participatory workshop on resolving conflicts with integrity. Depending on the grade level, students will spend from 20 to 45 minutes in a workshop session.