Social Narrative: Mr. Popper s Penguins [Image: Mr. Popper s Penguins production banner; the letter o in Popper s is a penguin.] For the February 22 Sensory Friendly Performance on the UnitedHealth Group Stage at Children s Theatre Company Presented by Children s Theatre Company in association with Kenny Wax Family Entertainment and TC Beech Based on the novel by Richard and Florence Atwater Adapted for the stage by Pins and Needles Productions Music by Luke Bateman Lyrics by Richy Hughes Directed by Emma Earle
I am going to see a show at Children s Theatre Company. Children s Theatre Company Entrance [The exterior of the Children s Theatre Company at the main entrance.]
When I get there, I will walk up the long sidewalk to enter the building through the glass doors. EntranceEntrance [The glass doors of the main entrance are shown from an angle. Through them, there is a large circular logo of Children s Theatre Company on the wall.]
I may have to stand in line to get my ticket for the show. Ticket Office [Three people stand in line at the box office. A worker sits behind the glass beneath a sign that says Will Call. ]
When I have my ticket, I will either take the elevator of the stairs to the Target Lobby. The elevator is to the right of the ticket office. The stairs are through the glass doors towards Mia. Cargill Entrance [Image on the left shows elevator with open doors. Image on the right shows staircase; letters on the wall read Children s Theatre Company, with a left pointing arrow up the stairs.]
If I want to, I can get a drink or a snack at the concessions. [Snack shelves and mini fridges are behind a blue counter. Signs with items and prices hang against the windows.]
If I need to go to the bathroom, I can go down the red stairs to the Men s and Women s bathrooms or I can use the All-Gender bathroom near the elevator. [Top image: Doors divided by a wall partition. The left door has a Men s sign, the right door has a Women s sign. Bottom image: Door with a sign designating it as the All-Gender accessible bathroom]
When I am ready to go into the theatre, I will show an usher my ticket so they can scan it. [Ticket being scanned by a handheld scanner.]
Dr. Seuss s How The Grinch Stole Christmas!, 2018 2019 An usher will give me a program with information about the show. Program [A program the size of a magazine is extended in a person s hand.]
When I enter the theatre, I will either walk down or up some steps. If I don t know where my seat is, I can ask an usher or have an adult with me ask an usher. Program [Two kids walk down the theatre stairs to their seats followed by two adults.]
The number on my ticket tells me where I will sit. I may need to go up the stairs to locate my seat number on the benches. When I sit, I keep my feet on the floor and do not kick the seat in front of me. Many people will come into the theatre and locate their seats while I wait for the show to begin. Seating [A ticket for Seat 15 is held next to the number 15 on a theatre seat.]
The lights dim when the show is ready to start. If the sounds of the show or people coming in late are too loud, I can wear ear protection or cover my ears. I stay in my seat during the show. If I have a question, I will ask it very quietly. Audience [Audience members sit in the front row. A small child sits on an adult s lap. They are lit by the stage lighting.]
Some of the sounds in the show will be loud. If they are too loud, I can cover my ears or wear ear protection. Audience [Audience members watch the show. I young child wears a pair of headphones for ear protection.]
If I need to take a break, I can go to the U.S. Bank Take-a- Break Space in the lobby. If I need to leave during the show, I move quietly out of the theatre without touching the things on stage. In the Take-a-Break Space, there are fidgets, weighted blankets, and other calming tools I can use. [A sign with a right-pointing arrow reads This way to CTC s Take-a- Break Space, made possible by US Bank."]
The actors in Mr. Popper s Penguins are from England. Because the actors are from England, the way pronounce words may sound different to you. On the map below, England has a red star and Minnesota has a blue star. [A world map indicates countries with drawn borders and different colors. A red star is placed where England is, and there is a blue star over the area of Minnesota.]
The show I am going to see is about Mr. Popper, a painter who lives in Stillwater, England, and dreams of exploring Antarctica. [Mr. Popper stands next to a ladder wearing his paint apron.]
The penguins in the show are puppets controlled by actors. This means I will see the actors moving the penguins on stage. I can watch what they are doing or I can just focus on the penguins. [One actor operators a penguin puppet s feet while another controls his body and head.]
At the start of the show, I will hear Admiral Drake make an announcement from Antarctica. [An actor with a mustache holds a microphone and stands at the top of a ladder.]
I will see Mr. Popper and Mrs. Popper who live in Stillwater, England. [Two actors hold a window frame with curtain around Mrs. Popper and Mr. Popper.]
Mr. Popper is a painter, and I will watch him do his job. [Mr. Popper kneels in front of his paint part with a paint pail.]
I will hear Mr. Popper sing about his love of different colors. [Mr. Popper peaks through a green jungle curtain held up by other actors.]
When he is at home, I will listen to Mr. Popper talk about his love for Antarctica. [Mr. Popper sits in a chair reading Antarctic Adventure next to a globe positioned so that Antarctica is facing outwards.]
I will see Mr. Popper listen to Admiral Drake s radio program and hear Admiral Drake speak directly to Mr. Popper. [Mr. Popper sits in his chair and leans towards his radio. His eyes are wide.]
I will watch Mr. Popper open a box and receive a penguin. [A penguin puppet operator by two actors pecks at Mrs. Popper. Mrs. Popper passes off a goldfish bowl to Mr. Popper.
I will watch the penguin make a mess in the Poppers' living room. [A penguin operated by two actors stands on the radio causing it to tilt sideways.]
I will listen to Mr. and Mrs. Popper sing to the penguin to try to teach him manners. [The penguin stands on a table and squawks while Mrs. Popper sings to him. Mr. Popper watches.]
I will see Captain Cook make a home in the Poppers' refrigerator. [The penguin stands in a freezer box. Mr. and Mrs. Popper stand on either side looking on.]
I will watch Mr. Popper take Captain Cook on a walk and introduce him to the neighbors. [Mr. Popper walks the penguin which is operated by another actor. The penguin wears a leach and holds a balloon in his beak. Mr. Popper carries a sign that says PENGUIN with and arrow.]
I will listen as Mr. Popper makes phone calls trying to get a penguin license. [Mr. Poppers uses a blue corded telephone. In the background, another actor speaks into a pink cored telephone.]
I will watch Captain Cook get lonely and become sick. [Mr. Popper sits in his chair holding Captain Cook who he has wrapped in a blanket.]
I will listen to other explorers try to give advice to help Captain Cook. [An actor playing Amelia Earhart is rolled across the stage in a chair pushed by another actor.]
After the London Zoo sends the Poppers their lonely penguin, I will see this penguin meet Captain Cook. Mr. Popper will name this penguin Greta. [The Captain Cook penguin puts a flipper around the Greta. They are each operated by one actor squatting behind him.]
I listen to the Poppers sing about living in their house with the windows open in winter to help keep the penguins cold. [Mrs. Popper sits on Mr. Popper s lap. They wear hats and scarves as they sing. In the background, Captain Cook and Greta nestle together operated by one actor each.]
I will watch the penguin family grow and see the Poppers meet eight baby penguins. [Mr. Popper stands with two baby penguins in his apron pockets, and six baby penguins balancing on his shoulders and arms. Another actor helps puppeteer these penguins.]
I will watch Mr. Popper take the penguins with him on his painting jobs. [Mr. Popper looks into one of the paint buckets on his cart. On top of the truck on his cart, two of the young penguins stand together.]
I will listen to an actor talk about how the Poppers decide to train their penguins for an entertainment act. [An actor stands speaking with their hands outstretched.]
I will watch the Poppers and the penguins show up for their audition. [The penguin children sit small carts linked together. Behind them, Captain Cook and Greta are operated by one actor. Mrs. Popper stands behind them looking nervous.]
I will listen to Mr. Greenbaum receive a phone call telling him the closing act of his current show hasn t shown up. I will hear him tell the Poppers their audition will be performing in front of his current audience. [Mr. Greenbaum wears large round glasses and speaks on a blue corded phone. His eyes are wide.]
I will watch the Poppers and their penguins perform their entertainment act. [Mr. Popper lifts four penguins who are hanging onto the ends of a broom with their mouths. Two actors puppet two penguins each.]
I will watch Mr. Popper sign a contract agree to tour their act with Mr. Greenbaum s company. [Mr. Greenbaum holds a large scroll that is titled Contract of Theatrical Engagement." Mr. Popper kneels in front of the scroll to sign his name.]
I will listen to everyone sing about the adventures the Poppers and the penguins go on while touring their show. [Mrs. Popper sits on what was once the paint cart wearing a feather boa. Mr. Popper kneels next to the cart and opens the trunk to reveal a penguin.]
I will see Admiral Drake return to take the penguins home to Antarctica. [Mr. Popper shakes Admiral Drakes hand.]
I will see Mr. Popper and Captain Cook say "goodbye." They will feel very sad. I might feel sad, too. [Mr. Popper kneels down to hug Captain Cook. Captain Cook nestles against Mr. Popper s chest. Captain Cook is operated by one actor standing behind him.]
I will listen to Admiral Drake tell Mr. Popper that he is invited to join them in Antarctica. I will see Mrs. Popper is already on board. [Admiral Drake stands in front of the bow of a ship with the name Drake Explorer printed on the sides. Mrs. Popper stands at the bow of the ship in a large winter coat.]
After he boards the ship, I will hear Mr. Popper sing about his excitement to be going to Antarctica. While he sings, I will see snow fall into the audience. [Mr. Popper stands at the bow of the ship wearing a winter coat. He is singing with his arms outstretched. Captain Cook stands in front of him.]
When the show is over, I can clap and cheer when the actors come out on stage to bow. If the clapping is too loud, I can wear ear protection or cover my ears. Clapping [Audience members smile and clap in their seats.]
After the actors bow, Mr. Greenbaum will come out to teach the audience how to dance like a penguin. I can dance along or I can watch. As the dance ends, I will see more snow fall into the audience. [Mr. Greenbaum stands in front of the ship bow and dances. He has one foot in front of the other and holds up one finger on each hand.]
After the song ends, people may clap again. If the clapping is too loud, I can wear ear protection or cover my ears. Clapping [Audience members smile and clap in their seats.]
When the actors leave the stage, I wait in line to leave the theatre. I can wait in my seat if I want to wait for the crowd to leave before I leave. I ll walk out of Children s Theatre Company the same way I came in. I can talk about the show as soon as the show ends. Leaving [Audience members walk up the stairs of the theatre.]
This season s Sensory Friendly programming is made possible by [US Bank Logo: US is in a red banner next to bank in blue lowercase letters. Beneath is their slogan, the power of possible. Power and possible are in uppercase letters. The and of are in lowercase italics.] [Fraser logo: Beneath Fraser, it reads: Special needs, bright futures. To the left of the words, simple lines depict a person with arms reaching upwards towards a star.] [AUSM logo: large lowercase letters spell ausm; beneath in lowercase letters: Autism Society of Minnesota.