Curriculum Connections
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.K.5 Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions as desired to provide additional detail.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.1.5 Add drawings or other visual displays to descriptions when appropriate to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings.
CCSS.ELA-LITERACY.SL.2.5 Create audio recordings of stories or poems; add drawings or other visual displays to stories or recounts of experiences when appropriate to clarify ideas, thoughts, and feelings.
Dear Educator,
Thank you for choosing Northbrook Theatre as your field trip destination. Our theatre, Northbrook Theatre, was built in 1986 and seats 268 people. We are part of the Northbrook Park District and located inside the Leisure Center in Northbrook, IL. Northbrook Theatre is known for entertaining, engaging and high-quality performances for youth and family audiences. The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show is created and produced by Rockefeller Studios, founded by Jonathan Rockefeller. Founded in 2015 with the U.S. launch of The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show (Drama Desk nominee, New York Times Critics’ Pick), Rockefeller Studios began to proudly partner with the most recognizable and beloved brands in the industry to create new stage adaptations featuring their large-scale puppetry that enchants and delights.
Following its initial New York debut, The Very Hungry Caterpillar Show — bringing to life four of Eric Carle’s timeless stories with the help of over 75 beautiful puppets — has gone on to be performed in over 20 countries to over 3 million children.
In this production, we use puppets, costumes, props, sound effects and theatre magic to help tell the story. We are thrilled that you’ve decided to spend time at Northbrook Theatre with the Hungry Caterpillar and his friends. Thank you again for joining us, and we hope you enjoy the show!
Sincerely,
Drew Kambach Visual & Performing Arts Manager
Who Is Eric Carle?
Eric Carle is acclaimed and beloved as the creator of brilliantly illustrated and innovatively designed picture books for very young children. His bestknown work, The Very Hungry Caterpillar, has eaten its way into the hearts of literally millions of children all over the world and has been translated into 66 languages and sold over 50 million copies. Since the Caterpillar was published in 1969, Eric Carle has illustrated more than seventy books, many best sellers, most of which he also wrote, and more than 152 million copies of his books have sold around the world.
Born in Syracuse, New York, in 1929, Eric Carle moved with his parents to Germany when he was six years old; he was educated there, and graduated from the prestigious art school, the Akademie der bildenden Künste, in Stuttgart. But his dream was always to return to America, the land of his happiest childhood memories. So, in 1952, with a fine portfolio in hand and forty dollars in his pocket, he arrived in New York. Soon he found a job as a graphic designer in the promotion department of The New York Times. Later, he was the art director of an advertising agency for many years.
One day, respected educator and author Bill Martin Jr. called to ask Eric Carle to illustrate a story he had written. Bill’s eye had been caught by a striking picture of a red lobster that Eric had created for an advertisement. Brown Bear, Brown Bear, What Do You See? was the result of their collaboration. It is still a favorite with children everywhere. This was the beginning of Eric Carle’s true career. Soon Eric was writing his own stories, too. His first wholly original book was 1,2,3 to the Zoo, followed soon afterward by the celebrated
classic, The Very Hungry Caterpillar. Eric Carle’s art is distinctive and instantly recognizable. His artwork is created in collage technique, using hand-painted papers, which he cuts and layers to form bright and cheerful images. Many of his books have an added dimension — die-cut pages, twinkling lights as in The Very Lonely Firefly, even the lifelike sound of a cricket’s song as in The Very Quiet Cricket — giving them a playful quality: A book you can play with and a toy you can read. Children also enjoy working in collage and many send him pictures they have made themselves, inspired by his illustrations.
“With many of my books I attempt to bridge the gap between the home and school. To me home represents, or should represent; warmth, security, toys, holding hands, being held. School is a strange and new place for a child. Will it be a happy place? There are new people, a teacher, classmates — will they be friendly?
I believe the passage from home to school is the second biggest trauma of childhood; the first is, of course, being born. Indeed, in both cases we leave a place of warmth and protection for one that is unknown. The unknown often brings fear with it. In my books I try to counteract this fear, to replace it with a positive message. I believe that children are naturally creative and eager to learn. I want to show them that learning is really both fascinating and fun.”
– Eric Carle
Meet Our Actors
Nathan Daniel Goldberg
Quinn Kelch
Nathan Goldberg
Isabella Andrews
Eliana Payne
Natalie Rarick (Stage Manager)
Meet Our Director
Kate Sullivan Coombs (Director) returns to Northbrook Theatre after directing Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed: The Rock Experience. A Chicago-based playwright, director, songwriter and performer, Kate is an advocate for the power of representation. Kate served as Resident Director of Chicago’s Drunk Shakespeare from 2019–2023, crafting jokes and curating debauchery for a rotating cast. Previous directing projects include Avenue Q (Redhouse Arts Center), The Maid (NHSI), Finding Belief (Ghostlight Ensemble’s Make/Believe Festival), LezSing (PrideArts), Spring Awakening (glory|struck productions) and the immersive cabaret send-up A Day at The Beaches in Los Angeles. Kate is the creator of The Album Project, under which she created and directed Los Angeles stagings of Rumours, Jagged Little Pill, and Ed Sheeran’s +. Playwriting credits include Snow White (Orphan Girl Children’s Theatre), Click (Fireflower Productions), Family Reunion (Chicago Children’s Theatre), and Sat Nam (MACHA Theatre). Ghostwriting & Script Doctor Credits: [Redacted]. Working with screenwriter Dustin Lance Black, Kate co-wrote 8, the Play, which debuted at Broadway’s Eugene O’Neill Theatre in 2011 (dir. Joe Mantello) followed by a Los Angeles benefit. Kate also produced and directed the Sacramento premier of 8, which has now been performed in hundreds of cities across the world.
Production Team
Kate Sullivan Coombs Director
Natalie Rarick
Caylie Jeruchimowitz
Sara Morrison
August Tiemeyer
Drew Kambach
David Zizic
Rob Proce
Dave Wisniewski
Kathryn Fillman
Stage Manager
Assistant Stage Manager
Costume Designer
Lighting Designer
Visual & Performing Arts Manager
Performing Arts Coordinator
Carpenter/Props
Carpenter/Props
Audio Engineer
Theatre Definitions
What does an Actor do?
Actors are the people who we watch on stage when the play is performed. They receive a script, or book, which tells them what to do when they are performing onstage in the play. This script is learned by heart, or memorized, so that they do not have to bring their script onstage with them when they perform.
What does an Understudy do?
An understudy is an actor who does not always perform in the show. When the actor they are understudying for cannot be there to perform their role, an understudy will perform it for them instead. Understudies rehearse and learn the script the same way all actors do.
What do Directors do?
A Director is responsible for the overall vision, or message, of the play. The director helps the actors create their characters in the play. The director will tell the actors where to move on stage and give them notes on how to say their lines. Sometimes, like in our show, there may also be a movement director.
What does a Production Team do?
A production team is a group of people, led by the director, who create the look and sounds of the play. What will the stage look like during the performance? What will the items the actors sit on or the clothes the actors wear look like? How will the light look and what items, or props, the items an actor uses (like a phone or a cup), will the actors hold when they are onstage? These are all things that are designed with a production team.
What to Expect at Northbrook Theatre
What will happen when I go to the theatre?
When you come to Northbrook Theatre you will be welcomed by one of our staff members and brought into the theatre. If you need to use the bathroom, you will do that before the show. When you come into the theatre the lights will be bright, and the theatre staff will help you find your seat. Then, you will sit in your seat and watch the show.
What will I do when the show begins?
Right before the show starts there will be an announcement. Then the lights will get darker in the audience (where you are sitting). Then the lights onstage will get bright, and the show will start! During the show you will stay seated and watch. If you think something is funny, you can laugh! This show is 45 minutes long and full of action.
What will I do when the show ends?
At the end of the show, you can clap if you would like to. Clapping shows the actors that you enjoyed their performance on our stage and makes them feel good. When the clapping is over, you will stay in your seat and the actors will come out onstage to greet you. They will answer any questions you have about the show. If you have a question, you will raise your hand, and someone will come to you (with a microphone) so you can ask your question. Not everyone will be able to ask a question, so please be patient.
Before the Show
We are so excited to have you visit Northbrook Theatre! We’ve provided some ideas for classroom activities to prepare your students for their visit.
Read the Books!
This production is a combination of four books, all written by Eric Carle: Brown Bear, Brown Bear, Ten Little Rubber Ducks, The Very Lonely Firefly and The Very Hungry Caterpillar
Book Discussion Questions
Before Reading
• Who has read any of Eric Carle’s books before?
• What do you notice about the covers of the books?
During and After Reading
• What colors are the animals in Brown Bear, Brown Bear? What other animals would you add to this book and what color would you make them?
• In Ten Little Rubber Ducks, how do the ducks make it to far away countries? What happens when a big wave lifts up one of the boxes of ducks? What sea creatures interact with the ducks? Do you think real and rubber ducks could really become friends?
• Why do you think the little firefly is lonely in The Very Lonely Firefly? What were some of the lights that the firefly thought were other fireflies? Does this story have a happy ending?
• How does the Very Hungry Caterpillar come out of his egg? What are some things the caterpillar ate? What are some things you like to eat when you are very hungry? What is the caterpillar’s house called? Was the ending of the book a surprise to you?
• You’re about to see these books acted out on stage, what do you think will be different?
Activity Guide
Activity 1: We’re Actors Too!
Shakedown
One way we might warm up our body, or ourselves, would be to play a game like Shakedown
The warm-up game, Shakedown, gets students moving while addressing each other by name. When you introduce yourself to a new person, you would usually say hello and shake hands. In Shakedown, you introduce yourself, but don’t shake hands. Have your students spread out around the room and explain the rules:
• The Teacher will announce a way of moving around the room (creeping, tiptoeing, dancing, leaping, shuffling, crawling, etc.). and the students will move around the room in the manner that the Teacher specifies.
• When the Teacher yells “SHAKEDOWN!” the students will quickly walk (not run) and get into pairs with whoever is closest to them.
• The teacher will yell out the name of a body part such as elbow or knee.
• The student pairs will introduce themselves to each other (“Hi, I’m Amy.” “Hi, I’m Jonathon.”), then shake the body part announced by the Teacher and then they will say, “Nice to meet you!”
• Then the teacher will call out a new way of walking around the room and continue the game for another round.
Yes, Let’s!
One way we might warm up our imagination, or ability to make up new thoughts, ideas and be creative, would be to play a game like Yes, Let’s!
• In the game Yes, Let’s! everyone stands in a circle. One person suggests a simple activity. “Let’s eat ice cream!” Everyone in the circle yells out “Yes, let’s!”
• Everyone joins in and pretends to do the activity at the same time.
• Then, we continue around the circle until everyone has given an idea for a Yes, Let’s! activity.
Activity 2: Egg Carton Caterpillar
Supplies
• 1 egg carton
• Red, green and yellow paint
• Pipe cleaner
• Stapler
Directions
1. Cut each section of the egg carton.
2. Paint five sections green and one section red.
3. Paint yellow eyes on the red section.
4. Staple dried egg carton sections together (open side down).
5. Poke two holes in the red section and insert pipe cleaner.
Activity 3: Caterpillar Necklace
Supplies
• Long macaroni noodles
• Construction paper
• Yarn
• Glue stick
Directions
1. Paint macaroni green.
2. Create the head out of construction paper and glue on eyes and antennae.
3. Create small circles out of red construction paper (poke holes in the center of the circles).
4. String necklace together (as shown).
Activity 4: Rubber Duck Dress Up
Supplies
• Rubber duck (found online or at a discount store)
• Spray paint
• Paint pens
Directions
1. Spray your duck a solid color to create a blank canvas.
2. Add details like eyes, hair, clothes and other fun elements to personalize your duck.
3. Think of transforming your duck into a fun character like a cowboy, astronaut, artist, etc…
After the Show
Post Show Discussion Questions
• What did you like most about the show you saw? Why?
• What did you like least about the show you saw?
• What are some funny moments of the show?
• Did the actors come into the audience and talk to you or one of your friends?
• Who was your favorite character? Why?
• In The Very Hungry Caterpillar, the show has a very happy ending. What made it such a beautiful and dramatic ending?
• What character would you want to play if you were in this show?
• If you were the director of this show, what would you do differently?
References
Show and Eric Carle information from Rockefeller Studios.
Upcoming Performances at Northbrook Theatre
Dragons Love Tacos
Presented by Northbrook Theatre for Young Audiences
Performed by professional actors. Suitable for all ages.
Performances: February 1 – February 22
Individual Tickets: $17 available via nbparks.org/theatre
Group pricing also available; contact David at dzizic@nbparks.org to book your group today!
A boy and his dog are watching a TV show about dragons when they unexpectedly get caught up in the “Dos and Don’ts” of what to serve to dragons to eat. Dragons love tacos, but if they accidentally eat spicy salsa – watch out!
A Christmas Story
Presented by Northbrook Community Theatre
Performed by an all ages cast of community members. Suitable for ages 8 and older with an adult.
Performances: December 13 – 15
Individual Tickets: $15
Witness the timeless charm of Ralphie’s quest for the perfect BB gun, the infamous leg lamp, and all the heartwarming moments in between. Come and celebrate the season with us as we revel in this holiday classic!