Let's warm up our voices through an activity called Character Roll Call. <v ->In this activity, we'll introduce the main characters</v> from our opera, "Hansel and Gretel." <v ->Let's use our voices and movements</v> to act like each character, show their feelings, and learn their special motif, the music that matches them. The story starts with brother and sister, Hansel and Gretel, who are at home doing chores. They are tired and hungry. Gretel, the most confident of the siblings, says that they should do a dance to cheer themselves up. She sings, ♪ Little brother dance with me ♪ <v ->Gretel is a very good dancer,</v> so let's add a dance move to go with the line. And make sure you're using your most confident voice here. <v ->Yes. </v> Off we go. ♪ Little brother dance with me ♪ <v ->Excellent! Now let's hear from Hansel. </v> Hansel is Gretel's clumsy, younger brother. He sings, ♪ Which is left and which is right ♪ <v ->That must be hard for Hansel. </v> Maybe we can hear the confusion in his voice and show that with our bodies, like this. <v ->Off we go. </v> ♪ Which is left and which is right ♪ <v ->Oh, no. Poor Hansel!</v> And even worse, Mother comes home and catches them not doing their chores, but dancing. She says, angrily, ♪ Hey, you ♪ <v ->Oh, do you think we should add a point</v> to the moment she sees them? <v ->Yes. </v> Off we go. ♪ Hey, you ♪ <v ->She chases them out of the house in a rage</v> and sends them off to the forest. We then meet our next character, Father, who comes home cheerfully with a huge sack of food. He sings, ♪ Tra la la la, tra la la la ♪ <v ->Should we do a cheery walk just to show how happy he is?</v> <v ->Off we go. </v> ♪ Tra la la la, tra la la la ♪ <v ->When Father hears that Mother</v> has sent the children to the forest, he is horrified and tells her of the legend of the Gingerbread Witch, who lives there. The Witch sounds like this. (hands percuss) ♪ Watch me fly ♪ <v ->Wow, I love that body percussion. </v> Maybe we can use that rhythm to cast a spell, which helps us fly. <v ->Off we go. (hands percuss)</v> ♪ Watch me fly ♪ <v ->The forest is dark and scary,</v> but full of magical creatures too. They meet a mysterious figure who is called the Sandman, who sprinkles dust into the eyes of Hansel and Gretel to help them sleep. The Sandman whispers calmly, ♪ I have not come to harm you, shh ♪ <v ->Can you show us that you're a mysterious figure</v> who's sprinkling magic? <v ->Off we go. </v> ♪ I have not come to harm you, shh ♪ <v ->What other magical creatures might be out there?</v> What if Hansel and Gretel encountered the Gingerbread Witch? I don't think they'll be as kind as the Sandman. <v ->We'll find out. </v> But first, it's time for the roll call. Let's remind ourselves of each character. When I call out their name, I want you to perform their motif, their special music that we've learned. Mother. ♪ Hey, you ♪ <v ->Sandman. </v> ♪ I have not come to harm you, shh ♪ <v ->Hansel. </v> ♪ Which is left and which is right ♪ <v ->Gingerbread Witch. </v> (hands percuss) ♪ Watch me fly ♪ <v ->Gretel. </v> ♪ Little brother dance with me ♪ <v ->Father. </v> ♪ Tra la la la, tra la la la ♪ <v ->You have just learned the roll call</v> for the main characters in "Hansel and Gretel." <v ->You've used your voices and bodies</v> to explore how you can become a character and tell their story.