By Nancy Covert
China’s famous terra cotta warriors visited Steilacoom on March 1-2 as part of a primary school play.
Two-dozen ‘clay’ warriors—created from heavy-duty kraft paper—were part of the stage set for the two-day only performance of “The Day of the Dragon King,” presented at Cherrydale Primary School.
Traditional Chinese legends about the Milky Way, the Dragon plus the story about construction of the Great Wall were all part of the play, adapted from the Magic Treehouse story. The presentation included costumed performers, and scenes at the Great Wall, the Forbidden City and the emperor’s Terra Cotta Warriors.
A huge paper dragon, incorporating the traditional nine parts of the mythical beast, including individual fish scales, “stole the show”.
While working on the play, the students learned about China’s past and present, through lessons encompassing history, geography, civics and economics, said teacher Kathy Thomas.