General Introduction to Active ProgramDumplin’ tells the story of self-proclaimed fat girl, Willowdean. Willowdean has always been comfortable in her own skin until she becomes attracted to former jock, Bo. Despite Bo’s affections for her, Willowdean starts to doubt herself and sets out to prove her self-worth by entering the town’s famous Miss Teen Blue Bonnet Pageant. Willowdean idolizes Dolly Parton and channels her confidence in the talent portion of the pageant. In these programs, teens will have an outlet to share their individual passions and talents.

Activity 1: Teens Got Talent

IntroductionTeens will have an opportunity to express themselves in front of peers and their community at this open mic event. Teens can show off their musical skills, stand-up comedy, poetry, dance skills, etc. The more variety, the better.

Books to Display or Book TalkThe Anatomical Shape of a Heart by Jenn BennettBreakout by Kevin EmersonFor the Record by Charlotte Huang This Song Will Save Your Life by Leila Sales

Supply ListStage areaChairs (seating area)MicrophonesSound systemCD player/MP3 playerDecor (based on theme)Signup sheetRefreshments, optionalIncentives for all participates, optional

Detailed Description of ActivityYou must first choose when and where your event will take place. A large space whether outdoors or indoors with an electric connection works best with plenty of space to provide both seating and any possible props or equipment that might be used. Choosing a successful date may depend on your specific library. An after-hours/evening event tends to work best.

Promotional materials such as flyers and social media is important to get the word out about your event. If you do not have a marketing team or you are not familiar with creating flyers with Photoshop or Microsoft Office, there are many easy-to-use websites that will provide free templates such as Canva. If you do have a marketing team, find out if your library already has a social presence; if not, suggest that you create one. Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Snapchat are all free social media sites that can help to spread the word for your event. You should also have the event information posted on your school/library’s website.

Simple refreshments such as fruit punch, water, and pre-packaged snacks like fruit snacks, animal crackers, pretzels, cookies or granola bars are optional but are highly recommended. Seeking out donations from local restaurants or grocery stores can be another option.

Decorations can add ambience to the event. If the event takes place in December, winter might be fun theme. If there is a holiday occurring close to the event such as Valentine’s Day that might be another option.

Having a sign-up sheet or online registration (depending on your location’s capabilities) before the day of the event is highly recommended. This will help determine if you may need any other equipment and/or supplies as well as help to create a schedule of events. A speaker system and microphone, a cd player, and/or a MP3 player are ideal, though not necessary. Pre-registration can also help to avoid having too many similar acts one after another, and it will help to allow time for last minute acts.

Incentives are optional but highly suggested for participants. T-shirts and canvas or drawstring bags can display a school or city logo; this can be great publicity when the teens are seen displaying the item at school or home. Books, especially advanced reader’s copies, can also be an incentive that both the participants and the audience receive.

IncentivesSuggestions:Canvas bags or drawstring bags (with school or city logo)Books (Advanced Reader’s Copies)T-shirts (with logo)

Activity ResourcesTeens Got Talent program flyer

Canva: www.canva.comFacebook: www.facebook.comTwitter: www.twitter.comInstagram: www.instagram.comSnapchat: www.snapchat.com

Activity 2: Duct Tape Dress Design

IntroductionDuct Tape Dresses are all the rage. Fancy dresses are an important part of The “Miss Teen Blue Bonnet Pageant” that takes place in Dumplin’. Creating new and unique looks using duct tape lets teens creative juices flow. Teens are even using duct tape to even create prom dresses. This program will allow teens to create mini creations and display their work on dolls. As a follow up, teens will have information on how they can participate in the Duck Tape Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest.

Books to Display or Book TalkDazzling Duct Tape Designs: Fashionable Accessories, Adorable Décor, and Many More Creative Crafts You Make At Home by Tamara Boykins

Duct Tape Mania by Amanda FormaroOfficial Duck Tape Craft Book: 15 Easy Duck Tape Projects (Design Originals) by LLC ShurTech Brands

Duct Tape: 101 Adventurous Ideas for Art, Jewelry, Flowers, Wallets, and More by Forest Walker Davis

Activity Supply List (assuming 10 participants) 20 Rolls of Duct Tape (multi colors and designs) which will be shared among participantsScissorsNewspaperPaperPencilsSharpies5 Tables10 ChairsRoom10 Barbie-like dollsDirections sheet

Detailed Description of ActivitySet the tables and the chairs so that two people can work at a table. Have 1 roll of duct tape, scissors, paper (if students want to sketch or create a pattern), newspaper (to cover tables), pencils, sharpies and dolls available for each person at the table.

The following directions for this duct tape dress are relatively easy, so if the teens want to create their own pattern, encourage them to do so. Place the directions sheet at each table.

Step 1: Pull off and cut off 4 strips of duct tape (approx. 6 inches each). Overlap them slightly to make a square (or rectangle). Teens can use 2 different patterns if they wish. Step 2: Rip more strips of about the same length and, putting sticky sides together, line up the

pieces of duct tape. When you are finished, you should have one big rectangle or square that is not sticky and is patterned on both sides.Step 3: Trim the edges and make sure everything is lined up and not sticky.Step 4: Use sharpies or other pieces of duct tape to decorate the square. You can line the top and bottom of the square with a different color or pattern of duct tape. Step 5: Use another piece of duct tape to make a strip to be a belt for your dress.Step 6: Put decorated square around the doll and tie it on with the belt.

Activity Resources Duct Tape Direction Sheet

Activity Resources for Teens, Teachers & LibrariansDuck Brand Craft & Décor: http://duckbrand.com/craft-decor Stuck at Prom Scholarship Contest: http://stuckatprom.com/

Activity 3: Flip Your Formalwear

IntroductionDumplin’s Willowdean, along with a few of her classmates, enter the famous Blue Bonnet Beauty Pageant. Willowdean finds an amazing red dress that makes her feel confident and beautiful for the formalwear portion of the pageant. The clothing a person wears may not be in the most important thing about them, but it can be a form of self-expression, especially in the minds of many teenagers. Dances and parties are often the most anticipated moments in teen adolescence. Unfortunately, these milestones in one’s life can be very costly. Hosting a

dress/formalwear swap can help ease some of those expenses and even provide an opportunity for some to attend that may not have thought it was possible.

Books to Display or Book TalkNew Dress a Day: The Ultimate DIY Guide to Creating Fashion Dos from Thrift-Store Don'ts by Marisa LynchLittle Green Dresses: 50 Original Patterns for Repurposed Dresses, Tops, Skirts, and More by Tina SparklesThe Sewing Bible for Clothes Alterations: a step-by-step practical guide on how to alter clothes by Judith TurnerSew Many Dresses, Sew Little Time: The Ultimate Dressmaking Guide by Tanya Whelan

Activity Supply ListGarment racksTickets (or tokens)Hangers (as many as you can get)Full-length mirrorsVolunteers, volunteers, volunteers

Detailed Description of ActivityA clothing swap is a fun way to trade dresses, dress pants, button-up shirts, shoes, and

accessories that a person may no longer wear. “Bring what you can. Take what you need.” is

often used as the mantra for clothing swaps, but you want to be a specific as possible for your

event’s promotional materials. You want to encourage only clean, gently-used items to be

donated. Specify what you WILL NOT accept.

You must first decide what kind of donations you would like to accept. Perhaps space is an

issue and you would just like to swap clothing and not accessories. Either way, make your

decision known on any promotional materials that are created. Promotional material is important

to get the word out about your event and to begin collecting donations.

You must also choose when and where the public can drop off their donations. Discourage any

drop-offs the day of the event. That can be very chaotic. Plenty of storage is key for this type of

event.

Every person who attends the event should be able to take 3-5 items home with them the day of

the event. As an extra incentive to encourage donations, for every item that someone donates,

they will be able to take an extra item (depending on your attendance). As participants begin to

donate items, you can mark down on a spreadsheet how many tickets they will be receive the

day of the event.

Organize the donations beforehand by type of item and even style depending on your space.

Obtaining garment racks and hangers by donations would be ideal, but you may be able to work

with a local department store as well. Creating them out of PVC pipes are also an option, but

that would involve more work and funds. Full-length mirrors would be a great addition for teens

but aren’t really necessary.

A large room or access to multiple rooms is almost a necessity for the day of the activity. If you

are lucky and have multiple rooms available for your event, designating a room or two as a

dressing room is recommended but not necessary. Makeshift changing stations can be created

with room dividers, bed sheets hung from the ceiling, or PVC pipes and bedsheets depending

on your space.

Everyone will need to check in the day of the event. A minimum amount of tickets will be

handed to every participant with those that donated beforehand receiving their share.

What to do with the leftover swap items:

● Goodwill: Contact your local Goodwill to find out whether pickup service is available in

your area (800-664-577), or go to goodwill.org.

● The Salvation Army: Call 800-728-7825 or go to satruck.org to find a local branch or to

see if there is pickup service in your area.

● Dress for Success: This organization accepts women’s interview-appropriate attire.

Drop off items at one of its locations (in 46 states), or mail donations. To find a location

near you, go to dressforsuccess.org.

Volunteers or other employees are a must for this event, both before, during, and after. If you

get teen volunteers, an extra incentive to volunteering would be that they get to check out the

donations first and/or receive extra tickets to redeem.

Activity ResourcesFlyer for program attached separately

Activity Resources for Teens, Teachers & LibrariansGoodwill: www.goodwill.orgThe Salvation Army: www.satruck.orgDress for Success: www.dressforsuccess.org