Equally Ever After - 2018 Fourth Grade Play
Synopsis
When the Spring hits us in Vermont and the sun starts to create longer days, there is a sudden excitement in the air. The fourth graders know it is our annual play production
season and they cannot wait to become stars on the stage, weaving a musical tale to
educate and entertain our audience.
Equally Ever After has been quite the journey! Our mission was to rewrite the
traditional narrative of fairy tales, to think critically about the stories that are so much
a part of us, to highlight the stereotypes that these stories have inevitably helped
create, and most importantly, to conquer the isms of society that promote hate and
divisiveness. This is an original production with the students not only taking the
stage as performers but also being involved behind the scenes as playwrights, poets,
songwriters, dance choreographers, set builders, scene directors, and more!
We started this journey by examining the stereotypes found in fairy tales and asking
ourselves, “What’s wrong with this story?” Students were quick to understand how the
narrative of the heroic and manly prince who commonly rescues the helpless damsel
in distress promotes sexism in our society. Equally Ever After explores the concept
of gender and gender roles, touching on concepts of domestic servitude, marriage,
beauty, and gender expression and identity. Additionally, the play seeks to dismantle
the narrative of racism and includes scenes and songs to take down the evil dragon
which represents prejudice, bias, and hate.
It is our wish that Equally Ever After makes our audience members think about
rewriting the narrative of history to create a more equitable society. We hope that
you are moved by what you see and hear, that you will laugh a little and maybe even
cry, because knowing that these amazing students are our future leaders gives you a
glimmer of hope.
—Autumn Bangoura
4th grade teacher
Principal's Note
Bedtime stories, read alouds, and movie adaptations that are staples of childhood
fairy tales, are well ingrained into our popular culture. While these stories and tales
conjure happy memories, they also perpetuate many stereotypes. Embedded in these
stories are issues of sexism, racism, gender stereotypes, and racial insensitivities.
It’s easy to take the experiences of reading a book or watching a movie, based on
these tales, as just an enjoyable leisure activity. However, IAA fourth graders want
you “woke” to the messages hidden throughout.
Equally Ever After is an original play by IAA fourth grade students. The play is a
rewrite of classic fairy tales. Students twisted the story lines, characters, and plots to
address the isms of society with a focus on sexism, ageism, classism, and racism. This
is a fairy-tale mashup that rewrites the traditional narrative to expose these social
injustices. Social justice and advocacy through the arts—a truly powerful exercise in
student activism.
With love and admiration,
- Mr. Bobby
Click the link below to view the play
