2013 W E S T E R N I L L I N O I S U N I V E R S I T Y YPAS SHOW

This packet’s purpose is to

prepare you for your visit to the

theatre. The information on

Japanese myths and culture, as

well as specific guides to the

performance, will help you enjoy

your experience more. We’ve

also included discussion

questions and activities to

explore before and after the

performance.

Based on the book by Christian Garrison Adapted by Kristin KatsuEducation Packet by Kristin KatsuEditing by egla Hassan

This production is brought to you by the WIU Youth Performing Arts Society and Lily Blouin

Study Guide for Students and Educators

PRODUCTION TIMES:

APRIL 11 @ 10AM AND 1PM

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS JAPANESE CULTURE MYTHOLOGY ACTIVITIES

THE DREAM EATER

DREAM EATER THEATRE GUIDE

The Dream Eater takes place in a small Japanese village many years ago where a young boy named Yukio suffers from

bad dreams. He and his stuffed animal, Baku, spend a day asking his family and friends for help, but all of them have

nightmares, too. When Yukio falls asleep beside the river, he accidentally lets his stuffed animal fall into the water. Yukio awakens suddenly to find Baku alive and

crying out for help! Yukio manages to pull the creature out of the water, and their friendship begins. When Yukio

learns that his new friend likes to eat bad dreams, they travel around the village helping people sleep easier!

The myth of the dream eater originated in China, but the Japanese culture embraces the baku since many people

in Japan believe evil spirits cause bad dreams. The dream eater, or “Baku,” is often believed to turn the bad dreams into good luck. In ancient Japan, people

would sleep with a baku pillow to protect them. Now, many people will simply place under their pillows a piece

of paper with “Baku” written on it or cry out for the Baku after their bad dream. Drawings of Baku show him to

look like a bear with a pointed head, legs like a tiger, tail like a cow, and trunk like an elephant.

Synopsis of the Play and the MythJAPANESE WORDS1. BAKU (pronounced: Bah-coo)

The name of the dream eater.

2. KIMONO (pronounced: key-

moe-no) The robe-like garment

that is worn for special occasions.

3. YUKATA (pronounced: You-

kah-tah) A summer kimono.

4. FUNE (pronounced: foo-neh) A

boat: one of the most popular

object to make for origami.

5. KABUKI (pronounced: kah-

boo-key) A form of Japanese

theatre that involves ornate

costumes and stylized movement.

6. MT.FUJI (pronounced: mount

foo-gee) The most sacred mountain

in the country.

D.

B.

E.

C.

F.A.

“Beauty in a Black Kimono” by Torii Kiyonobu

Connect the images with the words below

1.) B 2.)D 3.)E 4.) C 5.)F 6.)A

Pre-Show Questions1. In The Dream Eater, Yukio talks to his

stuffed animal when he feels sad. What are the benefits of talking about your

problems, even if it’s just to a toy?

2. Many people believe that dreams tell us about our true thoughts and feelings.

Do you believe this is true? What evidence to do you have to support your conclusions? Have you experienced a dream that revealed a lot

about yourself?

3. Discuss superstitions in your family, school, region, and country. What is

their purpose? How do you feel about them? Where did they originate?

DURING THE SHOW, RELAX AND LISTEN. IMMEDIATELY AFTER THE SHOW, TAKE NOTE OF YOUR INITIAL REACTIONS.

Post-Show Questions1. Discuss your favorite and least favorite

moments of the show. Why do you think those stuck out to you? What were you feeling before, during, and after the show?

2. Compare and contrast the Japanese characters in the play with your family: How do they react to dreams? How do

they treat each other? What do they value?

3. Why do you think the design team

chose those specific colors for the costumes? How do they help or hinder the character’s individuality?

4. If you’ve read the book The Dream

Eater, how did the performance uphold the story? How did it deter from it?

BUILD YOUR OWNCREATURE

DIRECTIONS: BEFORE SEEING THE DREAM EATER, THINK ABOUT A PROBLEM IN YOUR DAILY LIFE, SUCH AS DISLIKING A CERTAIN FOOD OR HAVING DIFFICULTY IN A CLASS. NEXT, USE YOUR IMAGINATION TO BRAINSTORM ALL KINDS OF CREATURES THAT COULD SOLVE YOUR PROBLEM. BE SURE TO CREATE YOUR OWN CREATURE: IT CAN LOOK AND DO WHATEVER YOU’D LIKE. FINALLY, DRAW YOUR CREATURE, NAME IT, AND WRITE A DESCRIPTIVE PARAGRAPH TO HELP OTHERS UNDERSTAND YOUR CREATURE’S LOOKS AND PURPOSE.

THEATRE WORDS

HOW MANY OF THESE WORDS DO YOU KNOW? - STAGE - GREEN ROOM - INTERMISSION -PROTAGONIST - ANTAGONIST - PLATFORM - SPOTLIGHT - STAGE MANAGER - GOBO - FOURTH WALL - STRIKE - QUICK CHANGES - HOUSE - CUE LINE - MONOLOGUE - ENCORE - UNDERSTUDY - TECH WEEK - CHEAT OUT - RUN THROUGH - PAPER TECH - OFF BOOK -

The Japanese myth about the dream eater originates from people just like you having bad dreams and wanting a solution. Believing in the Baku as a creature who eats bad dreams makes sleeping much better!

IN THE DIRECTOR’S CHAIR

When creating the production of The Dream Eater, the director needed to find a way to portray the bad dreams so the audience could experience them with the Yukio and his family. Consider these questions to think from the director’s perspective:1. Try having a conversation about your dreams with a friend. What other

resources do you use to help your friend feel what you felt in your dream? (gestures, pictures, etc.) How can you use these sources in a play about dreams?

2. What kinds of everyday objects could you use to make a puppet? Which puppets would portray a sad dream? Which might portray a funny dream? Plan your own puppet show of a dream you had.

3. Music and sound effect our feelings as we watch a performance. What song would you use to help a friend feel what you felt in a recent dream?

Carmen the Night Driver.

Origami Boat Directions

A BEAUTIFUL PIECE OF THE JAPANESE CULTURE IS THE ART OF PAPER FOLDING, ORIGAMI. ANIMALS, DECORATIONS, AND TOYS FILL ORIGAMI BOOKS ALL OVER THE WORLD. IN THE DREAM EATER, CHARACTERS DREAM OF POEMS WRITTEN ON PAPER BOATS. USING THE DIRECTIONS ON THIS HANDOUT, WHICH COMES FROM ORIGAMI-FUN.COM, CREATE YOUR OWN ORIGAMI BOAT. BE SURE TO WRITE A POEM ON THE PAPER BEFORE YOU BEGIN FOLDING!

* Also in The Dream Eater, a character dreams of butterflies. Can you create a butterfly by simply folding a piece of paper? Consider checking out an origami book at your local library to try!

What is the Department’s Mission Statement?

The Department of Theatre and Dance is a community of professional artists, scholars, and educators who value and practice the most collaborative art forms

—art forms that explore the human condition, stimulate and engage our audience, and connect to a global, diverse community. Our standard of excellence demands the celebration of individuality within the collaborative process, empowering the student to begin a lifelong career of artistic risk-taking and self-

discovery. These commitments are reflected in the curriculum and the multitude of opportunities we provide for students to develop skills and apply their craft in the crucible of production.

What sorts of programs are available?

The Theatre and Dance Department performs 6-10 plays, musicals, and dance concerts every semester for the WIU campus and surrounding community to

enjoy. Talk-back sessions, tours, and teaching materials are available upon request for most productions as well. Also, WIU offers workshops and touring shows for community members and school groups. For more information about these

offerings, check our website at

www.wiu.edu/cofac or email Kristin Katsu at kr-katsu@wiu.edu to learn more about how you can involve your

classroom or group of teachers in next semesters’ workshops.

Western Illinois University Theatre and Dance Opportunities

RESOURCES

A STUDIO SHOW AT WIU

HIGH SCHOOL THEATRE GROUP WORKSHOPS COMING THIS FEBRUARY AT WIU THEATRE!

Joya, Mock. Quaint Customs and Manners of Japan. Tokyo New Service, Tokyo: 1959

Davis, Hadland F. Myths and Legends of Japan. Dover Publications, New York: 1992.

Kimono paintings: tidbitstrinkets.com

Baku Paintings: jennaabts.com

Mt.Fuji: volcano.organstate.edu

Kabuki: bulldog2.redlands.edu

Boat drawing: siris-archives.si.edu

Children’s Yukata: ocw.mit.edu

More Topics to Research

Japanese Cuisine

Rice Fields

Mount Fuji paintings

Japanese tea ceremonies

Kabuki theatre

Noh theatre of puppetry

Julie Taymor style of theatre

Theatre in your community!