Week Fourteen
Performance Week
Click here... GALLERY to view the photos from the final dress rehearsal
"dont ham it up. we spent these weeks
creating this energy and flow and pace thats just right"
Out of all the possible key messages to be taken from that quote, the one that
sticks in my mind is "we spent weeks". We did 13 weeks to craft out
piece of art, and yet when the music began on our official run of CQAOTHS in
front of a live audience this cast; this cast that watched others, snubbed
others, learnt played and laughed with others, watched a show that they had
never seen before. What changed within the 24hrs of the previous run and this
nights performance...nothing. But the nerves of others and a need for the play
to work without a hitch, people stop watch and listen to a degree Jenny would
never believe if seen. These 1/4 second delayed tv screens are the key to the believability
in there forth coming praises of actors coming back stage (some of whom they had
barely spoken a word to before). These actors, whom yesterday would talk and ho
hum as scenes played on that television now saw a theatre play, one they hadnt
seen for 13 weeks. An interesting observation of the human race....you guys are
weird.
Paul
Grabovac
Check out Paul's website @ www.skp.homestead.com
(It's a fight to the death...but look at the pretty skull)
Greetings katzen, my thoughts on the whole theatre / performance : I think its ... wicked! I cant believe how far this production has come in the past week, to think back to the first few weeks and the whole developing process, I am so impressed to see how the whole production has been put together. I think the performances have been great and its interesting to see how the dynamics work between the actors and the different crowds. Its all good! even though its taken a lot of time & energy rehearsing.
Daniel Stone
(Bree's make-up leaves Susanne working all morning)
Today, was such a thrilling experience for
me. I have never been involved with a children's play before and therefore did
not know how they would react to us. Finally being able to see the children and
their reactions really showed that all of our hard work payed off. They loved
us! I was staring at all of the children from the balcony and every single one
was intrigued in the show, they were not wondering their eyes around or poking a
neighbor, they were really listening. I thought it was amazing how well behaved
they were and how they really believed in us as characters. They laughed at
right places, they did the star fish chant, and even hissed at the pirates, it
was just amazing to see!
Brittany Barnes
(Look at the pretty crab...it's sleeping)
I also forgot to mention that I couldn't
believe how much costuming contributes to developing character! As soon as I put
them ears on, my character and confidence grew immensely (maybe they're just
magic ears I don't know) but to then dress in complete costume, made SO much
difference for me personally, I feel like I am the character and its so much
easier. I think that it boosted many others performances also.
Daniel Stone
(Melissa and Bree get ready to perform for another crowd)
I am so glad that the ed pack is finally finished. It is such a relief for me to
have it off to the printers. However, this morning (June 8) when the ed pack got
back from the printers I got really upset (as several of the people know). It
was printed completely wrong. There was no cover page, it was missing parts and
the layout was completely messed up. So what I ended up doing was to go to
Cheryl Miller's office, fixed it all up, printed off a hard copy of it and then
it was going to be sent off to the printers. It's supposed to be ready by
tomorrow. Hopefully it will be the way I want it to be.
Moving on from that, I am really amazed at how well everything is going and how
the actors are keeping up their energy levels. Every show is just as good, if
not better, that the last. My hat's off to you all. I don't think I could do it.
WELL DONE!!!
Nicole Pfeiffer
(The hail on Thursday gives Aaron something to do...he's a university student!)
Thank you all for making Captain Quokka such a success - and my job so easy.
What troupers!
Valerie O'Neill
(Lunchtime for the cast...)
Hello boys and girls!
To reiterate Val's message, thanks for a great show and a wonderful semester
together!
For those who'd still like to get their hands on a copy of the CD (NB *not*
my crappy demo version!), please let me know and we'll arrange to meet!
Unfortunately we have to charge $5 to cover costs (my original idea was to give
everybody a free copy as a keepsake, but it got too expensive, sorry folks)...
but I think it's a really nice memento (all your names are mentioned in the CD
insert!), and considering you only hear my tuneless croonings on ONE of the
tracks, it wouldn't be altogether a traumatic listening experience! (Plus,
nobody said you had to actually LISTEN to it; use it as a coaster!) :P :P :P
But seriously though, we have plenty of copies for everyone, so if you've been
meaning to get one, let me know and I'll arrange it.
Otherwise, have a good break, keep in touch, take care and all the best!
(...even kittens have to eat)
Hey how y'all going? I just wanna say that I've enjoyed myself
heaps working with y'all for the past 14 weeks. For those who are taking
Shakespeare, I can't wait to see y'all next semester! For those who aren't or
are graduating, I sure am gonna miss ya... :(
Thanks for making my children's theatre experience a memorable one... *hugz*
And not forgetting the photos! You can access them at:
http://photobucket.com/albums/v508/murdochuniversity/Childrens%20Theatre/
http://photobucket.com/albums/a170/murdochchildrenstheatre/
Don't think that they're both the same cos' they're not. I had to register for
another album cos' I maxed out the uploading limit on the 1st one... I just took
way too many photos... ;p
Anyway, do take care & hopefully I'll see y'all around campus soon!
Carol Li-an
(The busy week sees everyone, including Al Ling, sneaking in a nap at any opportunity)
It has been great working with each and everyone of you, and it was a great way
to end my 3 years at Murdoch. If anyone ever comes by Singapore, please feel
free to drop me an email, and youre most welcome to stay at my place, and i'll
be more than happy to bring you out and about too. My email is samanthadawnn@gmail.com
Thank you so much for making this a fantastic show, and a memorable ending of my
student life in Perth !
(Friday afternoon sees the stage receiving a second coat of paint)
iiT wAS GOOD Experience working with you all...Good luck for next semester.
Giulio Rosa
(A long week for everyone, yet we all remain smiling)
My family and friends went to see the first
performance on Saturday and they absolutely loved it. My friend Samantha
(she is in year three) wanted to see it again. Her favourite character was
SOL. Samantha still keeps talking about it. She even used it for her show and
tell at school. (She brought the CD) Everyone loved the backdrops.
I just want to congratulate everyone on the fantastic job that they have done.
All the performances were fantastic. Its amazing to see something that was
only on paper, come to life... It is something that I will always remember.
Best wishes for the future
Sarah Mason
(The view from the sound and lighting department...)
Listening to the speeches at the end of the night and
hearing all of the different names of people doing the many varied jobs truly
encapsulated the enormity of this production and indeed the process that
actually goes on ensuring that shows of this calibre takes place. One thing that
was truly evident was the commitment of all in doing their jobs to the best of
their ability to ensure when combined together the end result would be the
success we achieved.
Waiting down at the drama workshop to pack up the set,
my mind could not wonder back to the start of the unit. My aims were to gain a
further understanding of theatre and the complexity of putting production
together. These aims were definitely achieved but the most important aim was to
further enhance my self esteem and yes I am glad to say that by the way of been
an actor in this production has helped me to be a whole lot more confident in
things that I do. With an idea we have a beginning, with dedication and hard
work we can achieve so much, (now I need to apply this thought for my exams)
thank you Jenny and to all in ensuring that unit has not only provided me with
much valuable information for my future career, but also for providing me with
the most exhilarating experience of my university studies. CHEERS.
John Jarzabek
(... where the lighting guy (Aaron) looks like he just broke something)
The sun has set, the ship has sunk and the land/sea creatures have gone home... I'm so proud to have been a part of Captain Quokka's Adventures On The High Seas and I'm blessed to have done it with y'all... thanks so much for memories!
Carol Li-an
(Lauren and myself get ready for the Saturday performances)
Greetings from the old world freak, personally I thought that the whole unit was a fantastic and rewarding experience! Thanks again to everyone involved whom all made this possible. Good work!
Daniel Stone
(The Saturday performance sees Bella, Hayden, Jessica and Thomas enjoy the show)
It really was the most wonderful experience. A steep learning curve, but this was one unit where I really felt I had learnt something useful by the end of it. I've already been asked to stage manage a show for KADS next year - and I actually feel confident enough to do it.
At the end of my journal I commented on the terrific team we built, and
suggested that corporate trainers out there working on team building should
forget rock climbing weekends and navel gazing and - PUT ON A SHOW!
Valerie O'Neill
Click here... Wrap-up to view the photos after the final performance
(Lauren relaxes backstage before preparation for the cast party)
While I found this semester quite a roller
coaster ride with the workload {mainly due to my limited abilities as a
flutist!}, it has been one of the most rewarding and unique experiences I have
had. Not only was I given the opportunity to meet and work with a lot of very
talented and hard working individuals, but I was also able to contribute to what
I think was an amazing production. I am not claiming that everything was
wonderful all the time, because it wasn't, but at the end of the day the good
out-weighed the bad on a tremendous scale. What makes Children's Theatre so
unique and special is the reaction the children themselves award you, not at the
end of the performance, but continuously throughout it. Being on stage the
entire time allowed me to witness every reaction that came from the audience,
and (although there were a few tears!) I wish that each member of the cast and
crew were able to see the laughter, excitement and desperation of the children
to convince you all that they did believe in magic! As David Moody said in his
wonderful speech on opening night, it is truly a beautiful and amazing thing to
watch children lose themselves in the fantasy; they are not at all
self-conscious and have no inhibitions. Each person involved in this production
contributed to the fantasy and should be very proud of their achievements.
Thankyou all for a amazing experience. Despite the gruelling timetable I will
genuinely miss this production and everyone involved.
Paula Calleja
(Funny...I thought only the male seahorse was able to get pregnant?!?)
What can i say about Children's Theatre?
I have done things I wouldn?t have thought possible. I have worked with an
amazing group of people to produce a fantastic production. The experience has
been wonderful (if you ignore the parts when the director told you what other
props you need just when you thought you had them all) ;) I?ve had actors thank
me for handing out props to them and been told that I didn?t have to. But I did!
Not only would I be bored if I didn?t, but that was my job, to make it easier
for you to focus on performing and remembering your lines. It was an absolute
pleasure to hand out props, or carry them to the other side of the stage, not to
mentio fun. I got to see the different personalities of not only the
characters, but the people who played them, and I?m not just talking about the
actors. I?d love to know if being a back stage hand was ever as much fun as I
had backstage with the set guys, Matt and Brad and fooling around on stage with
the actors when no one could see us.
Arrrgg!!
Basically, this was the most fun I?ve had with a large group of people in a long
time.
Lets do that again!
Emily Burgoyne
(The cast and crew of Captain Quokka have finished a grueling performance week)
Click here... Party to view the photos from the cast party
Well done Andrew on a fantastic web site
John Jarzabek
(Daddy, and his little girl)
View other Notice Board entries... Week One - Week Two Week Three - Week Four
Week Five - Week Six Week Seven - Study Break: Week One Study Break: Week Two - Week Eight
Week Nine - Week Ten Week Eleven - Week Twelve Week Thirteen Week Fourteen
View other 'Quokka' production extras... Draft Music - Act One Music - Act Two
Script and Music - Act One Script and Music - Act Two Photo Gallery Production Wrap-up Cast and Crew Party
Go to Children's Theatre: My Journal History Notice Board Your Work
Contact Andrew @ thechaseison@optusnet.com.au
This page last updated: 22nd December 2005