Curtain Up!

A Book for Young Performers

Illustrated by France Brassard
Ebook (EPUB FXL CPB)
On sale Oct 25, 2011 | 40 Pages | 9781770490918
Age 8-12 years | Grades 3-7
Young Amaya is auditioning for a role in a professional play. Although she longs to perform, she is about to learn how much team effort and hard work is involved.

As the reader follows her progress from a nervous hopeful at an audition through the fittings for costumes, the rehearsals, the memory work, and even stage fright, Dirk McLean introduces the many people and jobs involved in staging a play. A glossary provides descriptions of terms like casting, choreography, and blocking. Written by an author with extensive firsthand theater experience, this is a must-have resource for young children who are performers. And for those who only dream of a career on stage, it is entertaining to share Amaya's journey and to feel the thrill of a peek behind the scenes.
Dirk McLean was born in Trinidad and came to Toronto as a teenager. He studied creative writing, as well as speech and drama, and since 1978 has focused his attention on theater. He has published plays and screenplays, a children’s book, Steel Drums and Ice Skates, as well as hosted playwriting workshops in Canada, the Caribbean, and South Africa.

Ras Stone was born in Trinidad and has lived in Toronto since 1974. He is a self-taught artist who paints, designs jewelry, and creates pieces in papier mache. He also designs costumes that have appeared in several Carnivals and have been exhibited at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. View titles by Dirk Mclean
France Brassard was born in Quebec. At a very young age, she received, in a Christmas stocking, a tiny picture book. She was enchanted and thought that it was the most wonderful gift. The magical world of illustration has fascinated her ever since. After pursuing studies in both Interior and Graphic Design, she decided to become a professional illustrator. With more than fifteen years of experience in her chosen field, France has now illustrated numerous children's books. She lives in a little city in the province of Quebec with her adorable five-year-old son, Luke. View titles by France Brassard

About

Young Amaya is auditioning for a role in a professional play. Although she longs to perform, she is about to learn how much team effort and hard work is involved.

As the reader follows her progress from a nervous hopeful at an audition through the fittings for costumes, the rehearsals, the memory work, and even stage fright, Dirk McLean introduces the many people and jobs involved in staging a play. A glossary provides descriptions of terms like casting, choreography, and blocking. Written by an author with extensive firsthand theater experience, this is a must-have resource for young children who are performers. And for those who only dream of a career on stage, it is entertaining to share Amaya's journey and to feel the thrill of a peek behind the scenes.

Author

Dirk McLean was born in Trinidad and came to Toronto as a teenager. He studied creative writing, as well as speech and drama, and since 1978 has focused his attention on theater. He has published plays and screenplays, a children’s book, Steel Drums and Ice Skates, as well as hosted playwriting workshops in Canada, the Caribbean, and South Africa.

Ras Stone was born in Trinidad and has lived in Toronto since 1974. He is a self-taught artist who paints, designs jewelry, and creates pieces in papier mache. He also designs costumes that have appeared in several Carnivals and have been exhibited at the Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto. View titles by Dirk Mclean
France Brassard was born in Quebec. At a very young age, she received, in a Christmas stocking, a tiny picture book. She was enchanted and thought that it was the most wonderful gift. The magical world of illustration has fascinated her ever since. After pursuing studies in both Interior and Graphic Design, she decided to become a professional illustrator. With more than fifteen years of experience in her chosen field, France has now illustrated numerous children's books. She lives in a little city in the province of Quebec with her adorable five-year-old son, Luke. View titles by France Brassard