1. Brainstorm a list of ideas and emotions that are associated with the term “fairy tale.” What specific stories or memories come to mind? Which fairy tales are the most well-known? Why do you think these stories have survived? What is their purpose? What do they have to offer a contemporary audience? 2. What themes seem to appear again and again throughout different fairy tales? What are they trying to teach? What story telling devices are recurring? (i.e. talking animals, the mean step-mother, etc.) How do these devices help to tell the story? Make a list of similar devices that you would use if you were to write a fairy tale. 3. Brainstorm a list of “modern day fairy tales” from fiction, movies and news (Shrek, Ella Enchanted, Pretty Woman, Star Wars, for example). What elements of fairy tales do these stories possess? What story elements do these retellings seem to be playing with? What elements have been eliminated? What elements have been modernized and how? Why do you think these specific stories are being retold? Do you think these stories have lost any of their original meaning in their retelling, or that they have been rejuvenated? Explain. 4. To get an idea of the action of the play, read the plot summary included in this guide. Now imagine that you are designing the set for this play. What would be your design concept, the visual idea that ties the whole production together? Is there a feeling or emotion that you would want to express through your design of this production that would help connect the stories? Prepare a design presentation for your class through drawings, visual aides or writing. Be prepared to field your classmates’ questions about your design choices.