WELCoME To
Post-SHoW
PAGE
Wasn't That Awesome?
TAKE A BoW
Now that you've seen the show, let's think about some of the things you'll want to remember.
1. Guided Questions
What did you Discover?
Grades K-1
-
Tell me about a part in the show that you really liked. Follow-up prompt: What emotion did it make you feel—like happy, excited, or curious?
-
What will you still remember about this later—like next year? Follow-up prompt: What’s one thing that stuck in your brain?
-
If you could help with the play, what would you want to do? Ideas: Act, make costumes, move things on stage, etc.
What are you still wondering about? Follow-up prompt: Is there something you’re still curious about or want to know more about?
Grades 2-3
-
What part felt special or really stood out to you? Follow-up: That means something that made you feel something or made you think!
-
What’s one thing you think you’ll still remember next year? Prompt: Something that made a big impression on you.
-
If you could help with part of the show, what job would you pick? Acting, making costumes, lights, music, etc.
-
What do you wonder about now? Follow-up: What would you like to learn more about or see how it works?
Grades 4-6
-
What resonated with you? What does it mean to resonate?
-
What's one thing you'll remember about this experience a year from now?
-
If you could work on any part of the production, what would you do
-
What do you "wonder?" Meaning - what would you like to learn more about?
Here are some questions to guide the conversation after the show, scaffolded by age group:
2. THEMES IN THE SHOW
What’s the Universe Saying?
1. Teamwork
The Brainstormers learned that exploring space is only possible when people work together, just like they had to do to make their report the best it could be.
When NASA astronauts were asked, “What’s one of the most important things a person has to learn to become an astronaut?”
The answer was often just one word: Teamwork.
And they added, "we need to learn how to work together starting in kindergarten."
Naomi and Ferguson each had their own ideas. How did they compromise for the good of the team?
Can you think of a time you had to compromise to help your team?
2. Creativity
Ferguson's alien ideas might seem silly at first, but big new ideas need creativity and thinking in different ways. His way of doing things might not be so silly after all!
Did you know that Albert Einstein came up with his famous Theory of Relativity by imagining what it would be like to ride a beam of light through space? Thinking in new ways can lead to amazing discoveries!
Can you think of a time you learned a fact that seemed too strange to be true?
3. Finding your Voice
Willa is afraid to speak up at first because her friends have big personalities, and she doesn’t want to cause problems.
She usually helps everyone get along, but sometimes that means others don’t listen to what she wants.
She eventually discovers that it's still important for her to share her ideas.
Can you think of a time when someone didn’t listen to your ideas? How did that make you feel?
3. Quotes to Remember
what did they say?
1. Sun, Earth, and Moon
At the beginning of the play, Willa compares the friendship to the relationship of the sun, earth, and moon. Then they show us how they interact.
2. Black Hole
When Ferguson is playing with the aliens and gets lost in outer space, he talks about a black hole.
But what is a black hole?
A black hole is an area of such immense gravity that nothing––not even light––can escape from it.
3. Naomi and the Sun
Willa compares Naomi to the sun.
We all know the Earth is important, but do you know just how important the sun is?
How do we even get things in space?
We launch things into space by putting them on rockets with enough fuel — called propellant — to boost them above most of Earth’s atmosphere.
Once a rocket reaches the right distance from Earth, it releases the satellite or spacecraft.
Take a Rocket Breath
Willa’s friends start arguing and tell her she has to choose what their group presentation will be about. This makes Willa feel really overwhelmed—kind of like the Mars rover that stopped working.
Willa shows the Brainstormers how to feel calm
again with something called a “Rocket Breath.”
Did you know that paying attention to your
breathing can help you feel better when you’re
nervous, upset, or stressed?
Just like Willa showed us, here are some ways
to feel calm and focused using our breath.
Belly breathing is for everyone!
Colbie Caillat and Common team up with Elmo to help you calm down when you're feeling mad or bad.
Use this tune to exercise the belly breathing strategy for keeping calm.
4. Post-Show Activities
Classroom Activities to unpack the adventure
Here are the fun activities, all in one place, that you can do after seeing the show.
Activity #1:
"Drawing Key Moments"
Visual sequencing of the show's beginning, middle, and end.
(by Alley Theatre)
Activity #4:
"Sun, Moon, & Earth"
Interactive lesson exploring the effects of sun, moon, and earth movements.
(by PBS-NC Science)
Activity #2:
"Tableau Adventures"
Exploring and understanding the themes of the show through tableau.
(by Alley Theatre)
Activity #3:
"Build a Moon Base"
Expressing ideas, thinking creatively, and collaborating in teams to design and build a moon base.
(by Alley Theatre)
Activity #5:
"How Does the Sun Behave?"
Exploring how the sun affects Earth’s weather, seasons, climate, and more.
(by NASA STEM Team)
Share your adventure with us!
5. Deeper dive into the world of Alley theatre
A closer look
Follow us on social media!
Track The Brainstormers as it travels across Houston, and discover what happens behind the scenes at the Alley–one of the USA's largest theatres.
Follow us on Instagram @alleytheatre for updates and behind the scenes about each upcoming production.
Thank you!
"HOUSTON, THIS IS YOUR THEATRE!"
We are committed to serving our schools and community.
Check out our other programs – reach out if we can be of service.
