Glynis' Children's Theatre Journal (2006)

Week One - Week Four

23/2/06

Yesterday was our first workshop and although I had a reasonable idea what to expect it was eye opening. The emphasis being on the need for commitment and the time factors involved closer to performance time. I chose acting as my first choice with costume as my second. I would love to be involved in costume design but really feel that I need to be acting to give my self more experience. Besides I actually quite like to perform even if I’m not brilliant at it.

I loved the warm up activities particularly the vocal warm up especially as it was everyone together and choose where you think you fit in. They are great for building confidence as well as warming up the vocal chords. We warmed up by singing parts to “The Lion sleeps tonight.”

 We were then put into groups of 6 and given a fairy/story to reinvent. Some were very inventive. There are obviously some very talented people amongst us.

My group was given the “Three Little Pigs”. While watching others I thought ours was a little ordinary but judging by the audience response it was Ok. I was surprised how my confidence improved as the audience laughed.

 I feel a little daunted by the work load at the semester end especially when I look at what is also happening at the same time for “Drama and the Curriculum” but hopefully everything will fall into place. At least I don’t have any other commitments.

!/3/06

Today’s lesson began in a relatively formal manner with everyone on chairs around the table. Jenny introduced us to Lindsay who has drawn the backdrops for us. These are simple and clean and consist of only 2 backdrops and the side drops. One scene is and English garden the other an Australian garden. I thought the backdrops were beautiful and am looking forward to being involved in drawing (from Overheads) and eventually painting them. I hope to be able to encourage children, particularly my “Tournament of Minds Teams” to be able to work this way.

Jenny then introduced us to Jenny who is to facilitate the costume design. She explained how important it is to collaborate with the other teams in order to get the right effects. I hadn’t really thought about how important it was to match all the colours, costumes and sets. (I should have)

We then began our usual stretches and vocal warm ups. I enjoy this part of the class even though I can’t carry a tune.

I think the Pilates will give me some sore muscles.

Our next focus was on voice projection with some great activities that I would definitely use with kids. This was actually quite challenging at times and I think I’ll need a few more lessons.

The best part of today’s workshop for me was the script Improvisation as not only did I enjoy doing it but I got the opportunity to see just how well some of our group can act. There imagination and talent are amazing.

8/3/06            

Well what can I say about Circus skills? What an absolutely fantastic workshop. I found this workshop an adventure but also quite challenging. For me this workshop began in a very positive manner as we were asked to find a partner and run through the rope. As I looked around to find someone who was on their own a girl came up to me and said let’s go. As probably the oldest person in this workshop, where most people seem to have lots of friends, this felt great.

I don’t think I’m ever going to successfully juggle but I did find it a valuable activity. Reg explained the technique well especially his relating it to throwing baskets. Using his technique I think it would be possible to get children juggling. Using scarves as the second task was unusual. One of the greatest benefits of this workshop was the way people interacted, working together on tightrope, stilts and unicycle. These activities help us to get to know more members of the group something I feel is going to be very important as time goes by.

10/3/06

 Today I helped draw the pictures on the back drops. First we had to move one backdrop to another pole quite a tricky operation. Then attach the side drops so they could be supported while we drew. The scenes look absolutely marvellous I can’t wait to see them painted. Lindsay has done a great job. Every body at this work meeting cooperated really well with some people working at ground level and some on step ladders and everyone trying to stay out of the light of the overhead projector. I found that there was a lot more to the back and side drops than just shining the picture on it all had to be sized to fit and also the sides had to line up with the back even though we had moved the projector back and made them larger. There was also a lot of extra work left for Lindsay who had to fill in the spaces and make it all fir together. It shows that there is an awful lot to consider when putting on a production.

13/3/06 

What a great afternoon I’ve just had painting backdrops. Just like kids with colouring in, only with house paint and much more important. Lindsay has done a great job choosing the colours and the back drops look fantastic. It was also another opportunity to get to know a few more members of the group. Everyone who was there today worked hard and it was interesting to see a group of people working so well together. This sort of activity can also work well with children to help reinforce their collaborative skills. I actually found this task extremely satisfying and relaxing although it is extremely hard on my back and shoulder muscles. I found it interesting to note that Lindsay organised the painting in a similar manner to kids, doing the brightest things first and the background last. Whereas I would have done the whole canvas the background colour first. I actually asked Lindsay about this. She said is what better to do the features first to ensure they stand out. I bow to obviously much greater knowledge and experience.

14/3/06

 Last night I went to see Performing Arts Perspectives. I was very impressed with the standard of work presented. There are some very talented young people out there. I think probably the piece I liked best was “Modern Pirates” by Kohen Grogan. It had lots of energy and movement and was both amusing and thoughtful.

15/3/06

 Auditions

 I experienced many different feelings over the course of the auditions. I wasn’t really sure what to expect never having auditioned for anything since high school. I was actually quite looking forward to auditioning but found the prospect of having to find my own people to perform with a little daunting. Talking to a few fellow students after the class I found they felt the same. Those of us who don’t have much experience were definitely disadvantaged. I was glad I auditioned early but as my choices were based on finding a character I thought suited my age and sex (I wasn’t really suitable to play a baby bee or ladybird) I probably didn’t give a good showing as the character I auditioned for didn’t actually have much to do. I really would have liked to try out for Madame Sosotris but by the time all the others had had a go I had lost my nerve and didn’t think I could get across my interpretation. I know also that I didn’t remember to project my voice when auditioning.

I have no doubt though that Jenny will work things out to get the best casting. As I am doing this subject from a teaching perspective I found myself thinking about how I could get the best out of young students. Ways to encourage them to be able to give of their best and I think that it would be essential to give them a lot longer to prepare and also to organise groups that would encourage the kids to do their best.

View other Glynis' Journal entries...     Week One - Week Four     Study Break One - Week Ten     Week Eleven - Week Fourteen

...or view other 'Your Work' entries...     2006 Ed Pack     Julian's Journal

Lauren Boon's Movement in Education   Nicole Pfeiffer's Theatre Production in the Classroom

...or view other 2005 Your Work entries...     Val's Journal      Jodie's Journal

...or view the...     2005 Ed Pack

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Contact Andrew @ thechaseison@optusnet.com.au