2019-2020 SEASON P.NOKIO: A Hip-Hop Musical - Study Guide
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2019-2020 SEASON
P.NOKIO: A Hip-Hop Musical
Study Guide
Table of Contents
Introduction and Learning Outcomes …………………………………. 3
Preparing Your Students to Attend a
Performance …………………………………. 4
About The Hobby Center …………………………………. 5
About The Ensemble Theatre and
Show Synopsis …………………………………. 6
Vocabulary ………….……..………………. 7
Discussion Questions …………………………………. 8
Activity: Retell the Story! …………………………………. 9
Activity: You Try It! Making Music
Move …………………………………. 10
Activity: Word Search …………………………………. 11
Related Materials for Further Learning …………………………………. 12
Conclusion …………………………………. 13
Word Search Answer Key …………………………………. 14
[IMAGE]
2
Introduction
Teachers: thank you for joining us for the 2019-2020 season as a
part of The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts’ Discovery Series. The
mission of the Discovery Series is to provide high quality, engaging
performances to students across the Greater Houston metro area, which will
enhance their classroom learning experience. Through this series, The
Hobby Center provides an everlasting impression on the lives of children
who may not otherwise have the opportunity to participate in a live
theatrical experience at a world class facility with first class performers. The
series highlights classroom supported arts integration, interactive sing
along, music, dance and audience Q&A with Houston-based performers.
This guide is designed to help you prepare your students for a trip to the
theater as well as enhance their learning experience in the classroom before
and after the performance. We hope you enjoy the show!
Learning Outcomes & TEKS Addressed
Students who attend P.NOKIO: A Hip-Hop Musical should be able to:
Summarize the plot of P.NOKIO: A Hip-Hop Musical, describing the beginning,
middle and end of the story.
Compare and contrast this version of the Pinocchio fairy tale to the classic
version.
Explain what a “moral” is in storytelling and describe the moral of P.NOKIO.
TEKS addressed during the performance can be found at the following links:
Fine Arts, Elementary
Fine Arts, Middle School
Language Arts, Elementary
Language Arts, Middle School
TEKS addressed in each supplemental classroom activity are listed with the activity
pages that follow in this packet.
3
Preparing Your Students to Attend a Performance
Before you come to The Hobby Center, please take some time to talk
with your students about what to expect. Going to a live performance is a
group experience unlike any other, and many students are more familiar
with going to the movies or sporting events. Please help them prepare for
what they’ll see and how they should act.
Going to a performance is the same as going to a movie:
The lights dim before the performance begins and the theater stays dark during the show.
Audience members are expected to stay quietly in their seats during the performance.
Audience members may NOT take any pictures or video during the performance. This is
distracting to the performers and other audience members and this show contains copyrighted
artistic material.
All cell phones and other electronic devices should be powered OFF or put on SILENT as soon
as you enter the theater.
Going to a performance is different than going to a movie:
This production is performed live. The performers can see, hear and react to the audience!
Audience members can show the performers when they appreciate their performance! If
something is funny, you can laugh! If the performers are doing a great job, then you can clap!
Sometimes, the performers will ask you to participate by singing or clapping; please do not talk
unless the performers ask you to!
At the end of the show, the performers will bow. This is called a curtain call. If you really loved
the show, you can give them a standing ovation to show that you appreciate their hard work!
School clothes are appropriate, but some people like to dress up to go to the theater. Just make
sure you are comfortable.
Other things to keep in mind:
Make sure your students use the restroom before they leave school or at the theater before the
show. If you get up during the performance, you may miss the best part!
The performance runs approximately one hour long with no intermission.
In entering or exiting the theater, safety is the primary concern. Please follow instructions from
the house managers and ushers in taking your seats.
4About The Hobby Center
The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts opened to the public in
2002. The theater is located in downtown Houston on the edge of
the Houston Theater District, which is home to other theater companies
including Houston Grand Opera, Houston Ballet and The Alley Theatre. The
Hobby Center sits next to Tranquility Park and is one block from Houston
City Hall. The Hobby Center is named for former Texas lieutenant governor
and Houston businessman, William P. Hobby, Jr., whose family foundation
donated money in his name. The Center replaced the former Houston Music
Hall and Sam Houston Coliseum, which had been torn down in 1998.
The Hobby Center holds two theaters inside, which were constructed
specifically for theater and musical performances:
Sarofim Hall, a 2,650-seat proscenium theater acoustically designed for
touring Broadway productions. The theater is home to Theatre Under the
Stars and Broadway Across America. Golden latticework surrounds the
hall, while multi-storied, gold-leaf columns contrast with midnight blue
walls. The Joe and Lee Jamail Celestial Dome Ceiling features twinkling
fiber optic stars that replicate the Texas night sky.
Zilkha Hall, a 500-seat proscenium theater. Many local arts organization
perform their season in Zilkha Hall. It is also the home of The Discovery
Series and is where you will see your upcoming field trip performance!
5About The Ensemble Theatre
The Ensemble Theatre was founded in 1976 by the late George Hawkins to
preserve African American artistic expression and enlighten, entertain and enrich a
diverse community. Forty years later, the theatre has evolved from a touring company
operating from the trunk of Mr. Hawkins’ car to being one of Houston’s finest historical
cultural institutions. The Ensemble is one of the only professional theatres in the
region dedicated to the production of works portraying the African American
experience, the oldest and largest professional African American theatre in the
Southwest, and holds the distinction of being one of the nation’s largest African
American theatres owning and operating its facility and producing in-house. The
Ensemble Theatre has fulfilled and surpassed the vision of its founder, and continues
to expand and create innovative programs to bring African American theatre to a
myriad of audiences.
Show Synopsis
P.NOKIO: A HIP-HOP MUSICAL is a contemporary adaptation of The
Adventures of Pinocchio. G.Petto is a video game designer, and P.Nokio is one of his
designs that magically comes to life. Arming P.Nokio with a sacred “Book of Rhymes,”
G.Petto sends his new son to The Old School to master style, originality, and swagger.
However, en route to school, P.Nokio arrives at a Fork in the road and willfully
goes the way of Fun and Trouble. In the end, P.Nokio finally fights for the opportunity
to redeem himself and prove his love for his father G.Petto. Book and Lyrics by
Psalmayene24; Music by Nick tha 1Da; Directed by Steven J. Scott.
[IMAGE]
6Vocabulary
Actor – a person who interprets a role and performs it in a production
Adaptation - a movie, television drama, or stage play that has been remade from a written work,
typically a novel; a different version of the same story
Choreographer – the person who imagines, creates and usually teaches the dancers to perform the
steps and routines in a production
Choreography – the patterns of movement and stillness, including dancing, composed by a
choreographer or director in a production
Composer – the artist who creates original musical themes for scenes in a play or writes the songs in a
play
Director – the person who conceives an overall plan for a production, supervises all of its elements
and guides the actors in their performance
Disco – a 1970s genre of dance club music influenced by funk, Latin and soul that is accompanied by a
steady four-to-the-floor beat, soaring reverberated vocals and an out-front, syncopated electric bass
line
Hip-Hop Theater – a form of theater that presents contemporary issues from a hip-hop generation
perspective by using one or more of the four elements of hip-hop culture: b-boying (dancing), graffiti
writing, MC-ing (rapping) and DJ-ing
Moral - a lesson, especially one concerning what is right or prudent, that can be derived from a story,
a piece of information, or an experience
Musical Score – the complete music for a play, which includes parts for the instruments and voice
Musical Theater – a genre of theater that uses song and dance, in addition to dramatic action, to tell a
story
Old School – refers to 1979-1984 rap that consisted of simple compositions with little emphasis on
lyrical technique
Playwright – the person who writes a play
Props – properties or items used on stage to help create a sense of place
Rap – also known as MC-ing, rap refers to spoken or chanted, rhyming lyrics. It is a primary
ingredient in hip-hop music and reggae.
Scene – a division of a play, often part of an act and usually played without changing scenery
7Discussion Questions
Ask and discuss the following questions about the performance with your
students before and after you see the show.
Pre-Show:
Show your students a recording of Walt Disney’s version of Pinocchio, available online,
through major retailers or at your public library, OR read the original fairytale to them,
available here: https://www.storiestogrowby.org/story/pinocchio-fairy-tale-story-
english-kids/
After viewing or reading, ask your students the following questions:
What is the moral of this story? (Review the definition in the vocabulary list.)
How do you think a hip-hop musical adaptation of Pinocchio will be similar to
this version? How will it be different?
This story is told through singing, rapping and dance. How do you think the
actors will use their movement to help tell the story? How do you tell stories? Do
you like to act out stories?
Post-Show:
After seeing the play, how did each character in this version compare to the
characters in the version you heard/saw before? How were they similar? How
were they different?
Which version of the story did you like better? Why?
How did the music and hip-hop dance change the story? Did you like it? Why or
why not?
Did you hear the same moral in this version of Pinocchio? (If you did not have
time to view or read the story of Pinocchio with your students before seeing the
show, ask them the first question from the pre-show questions here.)
What lesson did P.NOKIO learn about lying? What did he learn about hip-hop?
8Retell the Story! – Language Arts Lesson (K-8)
Lesson Overview
Context
Real world Informal letter writing to a friend
applications Creative expression through drawing and coloring
Lesson Description
Part 1: Have students pick their favorite character from P.NOKIO and have them draw a picture of that character.
Part 2: Have the students (either as a group with the teacher or individually) write a letter to a friend or an essay,
summarizing and telling the story from that character’s point of view. Have them share their letters with their peers to see
how the story differs when it is told from a different point of view.
TEKS Alignment
K-5 Fine Arts TEKS (Part 1), K-5 Language Arts TEKS (Part 2)
Middle School Fine Arts TEKS (Part 1), Middle School Language Arts TEKS (Part 2)
Objectives
Part 1: Students will follow instructions and use their own creativity to make their own drawing based on the characters
from P.NOKIO: A Hip-Hop Musical.
Part 2: Students will be able to summarize and tell a story in chronological order from a different point of view, using
proper sentence structure (if appropriate for the grade level) and friendly letter format.
Grade Level
K-8
Expansion: expand the depth of students’ drawing and essay/letter requirements based on TEKS for each grade level
Approximate Time Needed for this Lesson
Part 1: 20 min
Part 2: 30-40 min (depending on complexity of writing assignment)
Resources/Materials/Tools
Point of View Perspective
Terms/Vocabulary Friendly/Informal Letter Summarize
Technology (hardware,
software, websites,
Technology-Enhanced Lesson
Supports):
Part 1: paper, art supplies
Non-Technology:
Part 2: pencils and paper for writing
Assessment
Rubric
Part 1: Students will be assessed based on completion. Do they complete the drawing and follow all instructions given? Do
they make a creative final product?
Part 2: Students will be assessed based on the content of their letters; whether or not it flows cohesively, properly changes
point of view, and includes the requirements outlined in the grade-level specific TEKS. They will evaluate their peers
based on clarity and understanding. Do the students understand each other’s letters?
Notes and Credits
This lesson was created based on a lesson from Young Audiences of Houston. The material created in this lesson was
made for The Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.
Sources: https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/553c60_a64d274245364ad6931b4f5d0c614db2.pdf
9You Try It! Making Music Move (K-5 Fine Arts Lesson)
Lesson Overview
Context
Real world Exploring musical terms through movement
applications Collaboration with peers
Lesson Description & Instructions
Activity 1: Beat and Rhythm
1. Have students keep a steady moderate beat by clapping their hands. Explain this represents a 4/4 meter. Repeat
for 3/4 meter by having students take a step for the down beat and clap twice for the up beats (step, clap, clap).
2. Once the 4/4 beat is steady, divide the class the class in half. One group maintains the steady beat, while the other
creates a rhythm within that beat (e.g. a ta-ti-ta-ti rhythm within 4 clapping beats). Have them take turns creating
varied rhythms that exist within 4 beats. Can they use more than their hands? Snapping, stomping, walking,
slapping, vocal sounds? This can be done as a call & response. Use the call and response heard in P.NOKIO as an
example. One student creates a rhythm, the others copy.
3. Switch groups and experiment with the 3/4 meter.
Activity 2: Group Choreography
1. Pick a song that you and your students like, perhaps a hip-hop song similar to those heard in P.NOKIO.
2. As a group, decide upon moves that match the words, melody, beat and rhythm of the song’s chorus. Maybe
include moves you saw in the performance today. Have the group remain in personal space (i.e. NOT traveling
around the room). Encourage many students to contribute to the group choreography.
3. During each verse, guide the students to improvise through general space (i.e. traveling around the room). Their
movements should match the words, rhythm, beat, and/0r melody of the music. Be sure to call out examples of
students who are demonstrating creative choices.
4. Every time the chorus returns, the group stops and repeats the choreography in personal space.
5. Extension: select a word or phrase from each verse that the students can emphasize. This will give their
improvisation some unity.
TEKS Alignment
K-5 Fine Arts TEKS (Activities 1 & 2)
Objectives
By the end of these activities, students will be able to:
1. Describe and demonstrate the difference between beat and rhythm;
2. Replicate group choreography in personal space;
3. Improvise independently and safely in general space;
4. Demonstrate self-control while moving in personal and general space;
5. Demonstrate teamwork in movement activities.
Grade Level
K-5
Approximate Time Needed for this Lesson
One full class period.
Resources/Materials/Tools
Beat Personal Space Improvise
Terms/Vocabulary
Rhythm General Space
Technology (hardware, software, YouTube, Apple Music, Spotify or another source of music.
websites):
Non-Technology: Enough classroom space for the students to move around independently.
Assessment
Rubric
Notes and Credits
This lesson was created based on a lesson from Houston Ballet. The material created in this lesson was made for The
Hobby Center for the Performing Arts.
10Activity: Word Search (Grades 2+)
Use the vocabulary page in this study guide to help you find the hidden words about the
performance. Words are hidden vertically, horizontally and diagonally, both forward
and backward.
ACTOR DIRECTOR MUSICAL
ADAPTATION DISCO OLD SCHOOL
CHOREOGRAPHY HIP HOP RAP
COMPOSER MORAL THEATER
V H H M D C P N J R F R A H Y
O G H Z W H T A E B Y O C D R
J C T T N O R T R B T T T I G
B Q S I H R A S L P A C O M N
E C F V A E O F Z D F E R I E
R R Y W H O N X A O F R Z E Y
V Z E T W G D P T H C I D T F
O H E S V R T S K L I D H O M
A A Y T O A L O O H C S D L O
G O Z Z T P Q P D U I Z N M T
R Y T I K H M I N M H P P X P
H X O F B Y S O W H S W H V W
A N B I G C M F C K L A R O M
R H S H O X H V A Z M I P J P
M U S I C A L M C Y I N N R R
Answer key can be found at the end of the study guide.
11Related Materials for Further Learning
Stories and Resources About Hip-Hop and Dance:
Oliver Button is a Sissy by Tomie dePaola. Oliver Button is a sissy. At least that’s what the
other boys call him, but here’s what Oliver Button really is: a reader, and an artist, and a singer, and a
dancer, and more. What will his classmates say when he steps into the spotlight? DePaola’s 1979
picture book about a boy who can’t throw a ball to save his life but who enjoys paper dolls, dress-up,
and (as he discovers to his delight) tap-dancing is as fresh and necessary as ever...the feelings are still
just right.
When the Beat was Born: DJ Kool Herc and the Creation of Hip Hop by
Laban Carrick Hill. On a hot day at the end of summer in 1973 Cindy Campbell threw a back-to-
school party at a park in the South Bronx. Her brother, Clive Campbell, spun the records. He had a
new way of playing the music to make the breaks―the musical interludes between verses―longer for
dancing. He called himself DJ Kool Herc and this is When the Beat Was Born. From his childhood in
Jamaica to his youth in the Bronx, Laban Carrick Hill's book tells how Kool Herc came to be a DJ,
how kids in gangs stopped fighting in order to breakdance, and how the music he invented went on to
define a culture and transform the world. A John Steptoe New Talent Award Winner.
Hip Hop Speaks to Children: A Celebration of Poetry with a Beat edited by
Nikki Giovanni. Poetry can have both a rhyme and a rhythm. Sometimes it is obvious; sometimes it
is hidden. But either way, make no mistake, poetry is as vibrant and exciting as it gets. And when you
find yourself clapping your hands or tapping your feet, you know you’ve found poetry with a beat!
What is Hip-Hop? By Eric Morse and Anny Yi. "In the beginning, there was a beat..." So
begins What is Hip-Hop?--a playful guided tour of one of the most revolutionary pop culture
movements of the twentieth century. Beginning with block parties in the Bronx, What is Hip-Hop?
brings the reader up to the present day, with rhyming verses and engaging 3-D clay illustrations. It's a
fun, accessible, and informative read for B-boys and B-girls of all ages. Author Eric Morse and artist
Anny Yi celebrate the music that changed their lives and the voices that achieved iconic status along
the way. See Run-D.M.C., LL Cool J, Beastie Boys, Salt-N-Pepa, Biggie and Tupac, Eminem, and even
Nicki Minaj and Kendrick Lamar, as you've never seen them!
General Dance Resources from the Educational Technology Clearing House. This website provides
links to different dance organizations and archives about dance for further exploration.
Resources for Dance Teachers. This website has a list of printable pages and activities for young
dancers to enhance their dance experience.
All of these resources can be found for purchase on Amazon.com or at the Houston Public Library.
12We Want to Hear from You!
Thank you for coming to see P.NOKIO: A Hip-Hop Musical with The
Ensemble Theatre! We hope you enjoyed the performance and find this
study guide beneficial to your students’ learning experience.
We welcome your feedback on this packet and any ideas or activities
you may have for the classroom. If you decide to use any of our activities, we
would love to see the end result! Please send any photos, drawings or
recordings of student creations to judi@thehobbycenter.org, for the chance
to win exclusive, advanced registration for next year’s Discovery Series!
If you used your own activities, please send us those as well! As we are
expanding the mission and breadth of the Discovery Series to better support
you in the classroom, you can help to support us by sharing more ways we
can expand our programming and resources.
We are so grateful to you and your students for participating in the
Discovery Series with us. You are the reason why we create art; we hope that
your students will be inspired to create art and blossom into their full
potential.
13Word Search Answer Key:
V H H M D C P N J R F R A H Y
O G H Z W H T A E B Y O C D R
J C T T N O R T R B T T T I G
B Q S I H R A S L P A C O M N
E C F V A E O F Z D F E R I E
R R Y W H O N X A O F R Z E Y
V Z E T W G D P T H C I D T F
O H E S V R T S K L I D H O M
A A Y T O A L O O H C S D L O
G O Z Z T P Q P D U I Z N M T
R Y T I K H M I N M H P P X P
H X O F B Y S O W H S W H V W
A N B I G C M F C K L A R O M
R H S H O X H V A Z M I P J P
M U S I C A L M C Y I N N R R
14You can also read
