Students will:

• develop a deeper understanding for the traditions and celebrations that surround the Asian New Year
• collaborate with other students to work on the stage design
• work as a team to produce one aspect of a larger product
• participate in the design process from the first idea sketch to finished product

• parental interviews
• websites zodiac (www.c-c-c.org, www.chinatoday.com)
• community festivals (TET)

• art supplies - craft paper
• corrugated cardboard
• paint
• brushes
• monofilament
• duct tape
• 2x4x8 wood

• stage design: the art of planning theater sets
• set: an artificial setting for a scene of a theatrical or film production
• pho: a type of Vietnamese soup
• mung: a type of bean, common in Asian food
• stage left: the left side of the stage (as from the stage, looking at the audience)
• stage right: the right side of the stage (as from the stage, looking at the audience)
• stage apron: the part of the stage in front of the proscenium arch
• proscenium:  the stage of an ancient Greek or Roman theater; the part of a modern stage in front of the curtain

Have students research the traditions and celebrations of Tet* in Asian communities. Research may include interviews of members of a local Asian society, or museum, or of Asian students and their relatives. Share findings with the class in a story circle. Research is a very important part of the activity, as it will inform what images and ideas the students use in their designs.

Tell the students that the performance they will be designing a set for is a Tet Performance.
Each student can then choose to work in one of three groups:
1) Banners
2) Props
3) Backdrops

Group One
Group One will design and create colorfully painted paper banners to be hung as overhangs. The banners should depict the twelve Zodiac animal portraits, six class years' and their corresponding zodiac animal (i.e. 2008-Year of the Rat), and three very large Happy New Years signs. Students working on the posters will need to research the Tet celebration, as well as the signs of the Zodiac. They should study the different symbols and design their banners based on their findings.

Group Two
Group Two will design large props to fill the massive space on and around the stage. As a group, students should research the Tet celebration and traditions. Through their research, they should decide on appropriate props to create. Students should also consult with the actors in the performance to find out about their needs and how they will use the space on the stage. Using all of this information, students should begin designing the props. They should consider size based upon room on the stage, the needs of the actors, and also the view from the audience. Using cardboard and kraft paper, students can build their designs. Remind them that the props must share the stage with the actors and dancers.