Uses for Human Artifacts

According to Emily, 6, from Columbia, these clonkers are used for clapping.

Hannah, 12, from Brownsburg, IN shares her knowledge of the triparoo, which is used to trip people. An anonymous tip also suggests that it might be used to hurt people. Those humans can be so violent!

Emily also shared that this stick is used to roll things flat. But Hannah argues that it’s actually a meltyfiradoo, for decorating hair.

Without Hannah’s help, who would guess that this human device (brusheesnooze) serves to make you sneeze? But there’s anonymous dissent; maybe it’s actually for puffing cheeks!

Another great insight from Hannah: this snipahoner is great for plugging those human noses! The use is undisputed so far, but it’s also been suggested that the name may be nick-nack.

This stooper is used for poking. Now the only mystery on this one is who told us.

Ariel’s Grotto Museum Update #1

One weekend into the show, we have a lot of new contributions! Here are our current thoughts on what these objects may be:

a) Clipsywoo
b) Shiabomm
c) Slapclapper
d) Clippertipper

a) Shakeapoo
b) Shiel bo
c) Clonkpitter
d) To 4 hol

a) Pasqueas
b) Ski
c) Boko
d) Thingmadoodle

a) Swizzlerope
b) Foodleeoodle
c) Sophia
d) Zumhop

a) Wickadoodle
b) Fierkom
c) Wixcrakle
d) Wicicr

a) Furdoo
b) Blapooker
c) Blac flufroo
d) Bban

a) Clabuick
b) Chipmunk
c) Walk

a) Bebo
b) Mooze
c) Clickaroo

a) Scuttle told us this is a “dinglehopper.” But what does he know? Everything?
b) Charles
c) Raacoon
d) Copr

What do you think the humans use them for?

Strange Objects from the World Above

We at the Ariel’s Grotto Museum, currently on display in the lobby of Olney Theatre Center, are looking for help in identifying the names and uses of several new acquisitions. Every show night, we’re taking new opinions. After our first preview, here are the suggestions we’ve got. What do you think? Feel free to comment or Tweet your answers with #otcgrotto.

a) Clipsywoo

a) Shakeapoo

a) Pasqueas

a) Swizzlerope

a) Wickadoodle

a) Furdoo

The Chesapeake Bay

Check out some more resources to learn about the Chesapeake Bay and how you can help its recovery.

10 Things You Didn’t Know About The Chesapeake Bay (with gifs)

How Kids Can Make A Difference

Chesapeake Bay Information for Kids

2012 State of the Bay Report

Games and Activities about Water Treatment

Chesapeake Bay Coloring Book

Tolkien’s “On Fairy Stories”

If you liked C.S. Lewis’ thoughts, J.R.R. Tolkien has a lot more to share.

The Cute & The Creepy

A cute article about lessons one can derive from The Little Mermaid

and a creepy yet educational parody of “Under The Sea,” about all the strange things in the deepest parts of the ocean.

Youth Dramaturgs Investigate “The Little Mermaid”

The youth dramaturgs offered insightful ideas that surprised both the director and me. They deeply identified with the Mermaid’s desire to be something more than herself—to go on adventures and see the world and to finally fit into a world that she so badly wanted to be a part of. The students also felt she may have made this decision out of rebellion—a stubborn refusal to follow the path that her father and grandmother laid out for her. Some of them also connected with the idea that perhaps the Mermaid was living a lie—that she was trying to live in a body that wasn’t indicative of who she really was.”

As a dramaturg who is not quite so young, I love this article by Meg Greene.  I hope that we can connect with our audiences—of all ages—in such a complex and compelling, yet playful, way.