Schools

Pop! Pop!
Parent Guide

By Samantha Megarry

Pop! Pop!
A Carousel Players Production
By Linda A. Carson, with Monica Dufault and Kim Selody
Directed by Monica Dufault

In this colourful underwater adventure, two very different creatures, “Hide” and “Seek”, explore a playfully enchanting new world. Together, the dynamic duo discover uncharted territory – and each other – as fun surprises pop up along the way! Featuring live music and puppetry, this sensory-rich production from Carousel Players is a lively experience for our young audiences and their caregivers or teachers.

The main themes of Pop! Pop! include surprise and discovery, playing together and identifying what is the same and different. Audience members are invited to experience the underwater world of the play alongside the characters as they follow their curiosity and explore together.

Ancestral Teachings of Humility & Honesty

At YPT, our productions explore one or more of the Seven Ancestral Teachings of the Anishinaabe: Respect, Humility, Bravery, Honesty, Love, Wisdom and Truth. These teachings are integral principles by which we can and should live, with ourselves, with each other and all whom we encounter at YPT. Pop! Pop! is connected to the teachings of Humility and Honesty.

Before the Show

Here are some questions to ask your child before the show:

  1. Do you like surprises? Why? Why not?
  2. How do you imagine the world under water?
  3. What is exciting about coming to see a play?

Exercises to Try with Your Child

“The truth is that play seems to be one of the most advanced methods nature has invented to allow a complex brain to create itself.”
– Stuart Brown, Play: How it Shapes the Brain, Opens the Imagination, and Invigorates the Soul

Play the Same (but Different)

Choose a toy your child loves to play with. Perhaps it is a book, a stuffed lion or a crayon and paper. Start by playing with the toy in the usual way that your child expects, such as reading a book, roaring with a stuffed lion, or drawing with a crayon and paper. Then suggest a different thing that toy could be by showing your child how it moves or sounds different. Can the book be a sandwich you are making? Could the lion be a backpack you wear to school? Could the crayon be a racecar zooming around the paper? Encourage your child to make the toy something different. The sillier the better!

Go on an Adventure Walk

Go on an adventure of your own! Take a walk with your child somewhere new. Perhaps go down a street you don’t usually travel on, check out a new part of the park, or maybe explore a rarely played-in area of your home. Get curious with your child about what you see. Does anything surprise them? They can try closing their eyes. What do they hear? Ask them “What do you think is making that sound?” or “What do you smell?” Encourage your child to follow the sights, sounds and smells that interest them as you explore.

Found Object Puppetry

Find an object that interests your child (perhaps on your Adventure Walk). The object does not need to be a toy. Sticks, pieces of fabric, leaves, rocks or shoes all work well. Ask your child “How does the object move? Is it fast or slow? Does it fly or crawl or swim?” Try animating it in different ways to show your child. Let them try. More questions you can ask your child include “What sounds can the object make? What would its voice sound like? Does it have a favourite word or sound? What’s its best dance move?” If you want to take this one step further, use some craft supplies and give your new puppet a face, hair and a name!

After the Show

Here are some questions to ask your child after the show:

  1. What was your favourite creature that we met in the play?
  2. Was there anything that surprised you in the play?
  3. How would you move around in an underwater world?

Feedback – we want to hear from you!

We would love to hear about your experience at the theatre! Any stories or feedback can be shared with us at: online@youngpeoplestheatre.org.

This parent guide was written by Samantha Megarry. We hope you will find this guide to be a useful resource. Should you have any questions or feedback or have enquiries about the use of this guide (which is copyright protected), please feel free to contact Karen Gilodo, Associate Artistic Director, Education at kgilodo@youngpeoplestheatre.org.