Week Six - Week Seven 2006
Week Six
(The lovely Darren, and equally lovely Jenny)
I am making the costumes for the insects so
I wanted to share some ideas to get feedback from all of you. I would also
love to hear your ideas for what you think that you should wear. Could you also
please look around at home and see if you have any of the things listed below so
that we don't have to buy them thanks. I have also spoken to some of you about
this already but those that i didn't get to last time do you own black tights
because we thought that it would be good if all of the insects were a bit
uniform in some way.
Bluey - denim cut off shorts, a fly swat, hat with corks
Louisa - a flowing black or white skirt to show that you are sensitive, I am
a bit stuck with this so ideas please.
Mother Bee - knee length yellow skirt, a flowery apron, wooden spoon
Bizzie - shorts and t-shirt with yellow and black as the dominant colours
Lizzie - black shortish skirt over tights with a red top.
Jenny Francis
(From left to right... Glynis, Sandie, Carol, Selina and Jenny... Then Karl and Lauren)
After being absent from Children’s Theatre workshops for two weeks due to being on prac, it was good to get back into the swing of things again. Most people seemed very enthusiastic with their newly appointed roles in the script, whilst the crew seemed equally keen on working at their set jobs. I have been involved in creating the back drop and education package that will be given to teachers attending the production with their class.
We have spent approximately three weeks developing the backdrop which has all together been very enjoyable. Having a backstage view of how theatrical productions props are created in order to bring the entire production together, has been something that has taught me a lot. Meeting new and interesting people along the way and listening to their previous experiences in theatre has made me all the more enthusiastic to be part of such an amazing production.
Within my ed. Pack group, we have all been drawing on each others ideas in order to make an informative booklet. At the moment we have met at the conclusion of lessons in order to construct a basic idea of what shape our ed. Pack will take. Separate tasks have been set to research particular areas in order to bring the entire guide together.
I am thoroughly enjoying being part of such an amazing team, and have learnt a great deal within a span of six weeks. I hope, which I’m sure that the entire team will continue to grow in order to give a successful production which will be enjoyed by many.
Tamar Caro
(
Samantha's 'kiddy drawing' of the bush fairy costume)
I remember back in highschool when I was
doing TEE drama, the teacher for some reason always typecast me as these very
masculine authority figures - strict teachers, policemen, God, etc. As far as
typecasts went it wasn't terrible (one friend of mine would forever be given the
more whorish roles), and in fact it was sort of flattering (which 17 y.o. male
doesn't want to feel like a big man?), but once I went to Curtin then Murdoch
it was fun to be given new things - even if they were the more niche
typecast of the scumbag/spineless wifebeater. Perhaps my directors knew
something I didn't. Anyway, it was interesting this time round to be given the
powerful, male figure to work on again in the form of Oberon. Reading through
the lines on Wednesday with the new finalized script I couldn't help feel some
annoyance to myself in that I haven't fully grapsed the character yet though.
Not that I feel I should have totally gotten him at this point, but rather it
feels like I am sorta close to it, but there is just one missing element, one
idea I need to have, before I feel - "Right, THAT'S Oberon." I have no idea what
that is though, but I bet it's obscure. Last time I did a play I got the one
missing element I needed for a character in a specific scene from watching
wrestling, and watching one wrestlers smug expression as he made his way to the
ring. Actually, a King of the Fairies gimmick in wrestling would so be a license
to print money...
On the finalized script, it was actually pretty exciting to finally get a copy
to hold in my hands, just that confirmation that this was actually happening I
guess. There was never any doubt obviously, rather it was just a psychological
green-flag for me to start really enjoying the process. It was also great to see
how the entire story unfolds. The Puck/Coloumbine sideplot is as cute as
Chris/Tara in reality, and it's really quite impressive how Jenny has managed to
fit in so many frigging characters. I found it interesting that the play took a
far shorter timespan then I imagined though - for some reason just hearing the
story I figured it would be over months in the play, not just days - but I guess
when you switch scenes so often to fill out so many characters, you are given
less chance of chronological progression. Or something. Maybe it's a kid thing -
that they connect easier with a story that is set in a shorter period of time?
Live more in the moment deal? I'm not really sure, I can't remember my narrative
preferences that much as a kid, and I haven't really talked to a kid since...
well, since I was
probably a kid, so really I have no idea.
Kita Iqbal
(Kita (pictured left) works through a scene with his Queen, Belle)
Today we received the finalised script!!! It was great to finally have the whole story so that we are aware of our character’s full journey. The final part of the script really highlights Columbine’s love for Puck and further confirms my vision of her as a romantic, highly energized girl. I think the script is really fantastic; it has great humour, a fast paced storyline, the beautiful secret of the snotty-gobbles and such a wonderfully diverse range of characters. I think the children are going to love it.
Today’s workshop encouraged us to move around the space as our character would. In my play with this, I found Columbine to have a real grace to her, similar to that of a ballerina, with pointed toes and standing high. She likes to twirl and skip and cross her feet behind each other as she walks. She hunches her shoulders up sometimes, she looks up and out to the sky with wide eyes, whilst also always looking around taking everything in. Her walk and movement is very playfully, as despite her usual grace, she can become excited easily which causes her to move quickly and with more of a flick, than a glide. I found this exercise really useful, not for simple developing a walk, but to further develop one’s character. I’m looking forward to furthering the detail of Columbine’s movements, specifically working on gestures and posture in the weeks to come.
I feel that my voice use still needs to be worked on, as I still have the odd moment when I am straining my voice in warm up. I think I particularly need to spend more time before rehearsal focusing on my breath to allow me to properly use my diaphragm. I also need to work on strengthening the projection of my voice when I speak high-pitched, as this is the kind of voice I wish to use for Columbine.
This week I began to research Columbine, particularly looking at her character in Commedia Dell’Arte. I was delighted to see that records of this ancient character backed up a lot of the characterisation I have already adapted. One source noted that her name means ‘little dove,’ which I think is in line with my vision of her as a very graceful, free and pure character. She was described as perky, young, graceful and engaging. The most interesting fact that I came across in regards to Columbine was that one of her lazzi (comic stage acts) was her ability to make her breasts and other parts of her body squeak! Very appropriate for my Children’s Theatre characterisation I believe...ehem!!!!
Tara Walker
(Initial 'Snottygobble' characterisations are looking great)
I have decided to do some research into some
of the names used in the play, first of my name, Mallee. It is an ancient
Hardwood tree that looks like this:
According to Earth Sanctuaries Limited the Mallee tree grows in a rainfall
which is very low - only 250mm per year. It grows very strong. It grows very
heavy. Measurements show that its trunk grows about 100mm every 100 years. Then,
one day for some reason the trunk or trunks are killed. (usually by a fire)The
base of a mallee tree swells and forms a storage for nutrients and this give
rise to new shoots after the old shoots are destroyed.
Most Mallee trees in reserve and national parks are only 30-50 years old as
they get burnt that regularly and therefore they have skinny and solid trunks.
In a sanctuary called
Yookamurra sanctuary, the trees are over a thousand years old and are heavy
and large like the photo above. The wood is so heavy that it sinks in water even
when it is completely dry. Also when it reaches a large size like in the photo
the tree hollows out and animals like numbats begin to live in it.
(http://www.esl.com.au/mallee.htm)
Amanda McLaughlin
(Fatty and Kit strike a pose... again!)
Week Seven
(Snottygobbles... Attention!)
Click here... Act One and Act Two to read the finalised version of the script
(Snottygobble Sarama (Stephanie, second from right) takes 'snotty' to a whole new level)
Here is one of the best Commedia dell'Arte sites ! have found:
http://www.commedia-dell-arte.com/
In particular I will be focusing my characterisation of Cucurucu upon "Pasquariello"
or "Pulcinella".
http://www.commedia-dell-arte.com/pasquariellomask.htm
But great descriptions of all the various masks and characters are on the site
along with a timeline
and basic info stuff.
Kit Sparrow
(Kit Sparrow (pictured centre), near a visibly defiant Fatty!)
I am thoroughly enjoying this unit; the people are great, as
is their enthusiasm for theatre. As you will read in my journal, its been quite
a while since I have been involved in any sort of theatre production, but the
experience is reminding me of how fun it all can be.
John York
(Joe plays his latest ideas for the production's music)
(The following is the first two journal entries from John) New faces everywhere, a daunting thought at first, and then I was able to locate three familiar people; Nikki, Nicole and Justin. At first I felt a little out of my comfort zone, but I’m sure that will change. It’s been 11 years since I have been involved in a theatre production, which was in years 11 and 12! (It seems a lifetime ago) God I feel old writing that! We started off with the good old necessary formality of who are you and why are you here. Then we moved on to some projection and body warm up, followed by some more projection warm ups and finally on to our own group renditions of our allocated fairy tales. As with any exercise, whether it be football, cricket or the use of our bodies for interpretive dance and voice projection, it is imperative that we warm up and these warm up activities have given me some great ideas for my future primary classroom. As a future educator I can see the benefits of the use of drama in the classroom. The collaboration involved in drama activities is great for building friendships, group work skills and confidence in all students.
Our own rendition of the fairy tales today was awesome. It enabled me to really observe the members of the group who are able to improvise, the ones who are very confident, those who are hysterically humorous and those who are still a little shy about the way they interact with other people. Hence the use of these icebreaker activities to help conquer nerves, build friendships and improve our acting, improvisation and voice projection techniques.
John York
(John 'mouse ears' York (pictured far right))
Click here... Page One and Page Two to view the Power Point slides of Samantha's costume ideas
(In week, John begins by saying...) This week saw much the same warm-ups as week one, with more of a focus on voice projection. It was surprising to see that I thought that I was doing the exercise correctly, when in actual fact I was straining my voice a little bit. All with practice, I’m sure! The one that I liked in particular was the ‘receiving game’, which involved us finding a partner and lining up in two lines, with your partner facing you. One person would have to imagine an object, mime the object and then pass that object to their partner. This brought out quite a few comedians in the group, with some very imaginative acts being performed. This exercise really made me think on my feet and would be excellent for developing improvisation and imagination skills in the children. It was also a really great way to meet new people in the group. We were then sorted into groups of our choosing and each group was given a script. With about fifteen minutes to rehearse and devise some sort of movement for the script, a certain amount of freedom and individual interpretation was required.
These types of tasks are sometimes quite challenging, as there are always dominant members in a group who take the reigns of the show- which is sometimes needed as there are always members who will sit on the sidelines and offer very little input. Man, I just used two clichés in that sentence- I appal myself sometimes. These sorts of issues usually balance themselves out and I often have no qualms following someone who shows the initiative to lead, if they have good ideas, which was the case in our group. Considering we only had fifteen minutes to work on these excerpts, the overall standard of performance was very good.
John York
(Fatty tries on the latest costume ideas for Puck... maybe not!)
View other 2006 'Notice Board' entries... Week One - Week Two Week Three - Week Four
Study Break One - Week Five Week Six - Week Seven Study Break Two - Week Eight
Week Nine - Week Ten Week Eleven - Week Twelve Week Thirteen Week Fourteen
...or view other 'Snottygobble' production extras... Julian's Drawings One Julian's Drawings Two
Circus Skills Photo Gallery Mel's Acting CV Geoff Glencross Theatre History
First Draft Second Draft Final Script - Act One Final Script - Act Two
Samantha's Costume One Samantha's Costume Two Paul's Unbanned Suicide Run Costume Fitting
Dance Workshop Darren's Character Profile First Dress Rehearsal One First Dress Rehearsal Two
First Dress Rehearsal Three First Dress Rehearsal Four Jamie at the Final Dress Rehearsal
Final Dress Rehearsal One Final Dress Rehearsal Two Final Dress Rehearsal Three
Final Dress Rehearsal Four Pre-show Make-up Wrap-up
...or view other Notice Board entries... 2005 Children's Theatre Notice Board
Go to Children's Theatre: My Journal History Notice Board Your Work
Contact Andrew @ thechaseison@optusnet.com.au
This page last updated: 30th June 2006