Thursday, 6 December 2012
The video
Hey just an update on the video it's going to take me a bit because my software isn't that great so I have to split up 54 minutes of video before I can edit it together so please be patient it will all work out
Tuesday, 4 December 2012
'Tis a Gala Night!!
GUYS I"M SO EXCITED!
I woke up this morning and was so happy that today was the day we get to perform! I'm mostly excited because I have never felt as proud of a project that I have done in school as I am of this piece. It's not just a final project, we have created a piece of theatre that I am proud to perform. I have learned so much from all of you over this course, like: how to deal with group work, how to handle stressful situations, how to build something from NOTHING, that BA kids can pull off amazing work despite the stereotypes, that I love devising theatre, that this group is incredibly talented, and that all of you are people I am glad to have worked with. Thank you for this amazing term and for all of the fun we have had. I will miss you all and hope we can keep in touch.
Let's go break us some legs and whoop some BOOTAY!
Love love love love love
I woke up this morning and was so happy that today was the day we get to perform! I'm mostly excited because I have never felt as proud of a project that I have done in school as I am of this piece. It's not just a final project, we have created a piece of theatre that I am proud to perform. I have learned so much from all of you over this course, like: how to deal with group work, how to handle stressful situations, how to build something from NOTHING, that BA kids can pull off amazing work despite the stereotypes, that I love devising theatre, that this group is incredibly talented, and that all of you are people I am glad to have worked with. Thank you for this amazing term and for all of the fun we have had. I will miss you all and hope we can keep in touch.
Let's go break us some legs and whoop some BOOTAY!
Love love love love love
Monday, 3 December 2012
'Twas the Night Before Performance...
Hey Guys,
I thought I'd say that I've really enjoyed working with you all on this project and over the whole term. As stressful as this project was, I have been having actually a lot of fun. We get to do so many cool things on stage, and it looks awesome!
It's been an especially great process since I wouldn't have had the chance to work with many of you if I hadn't wiggled into the class. It was such a refreshing environment to come into after missing the first class or two because there was such a sense of "Yes, Let's!" in the air. The difference between third year and fourth was immediately apparent in a very good way.
This is the first project I've done in school that doesn't just feel like a "project." It really is a complete piece of theatre! It amazes me that we were able to pull this off in the time we had. The show may only be half an hour, but it's an intense half an hour. It's basically all choreographed, we wrote music, designed the show and still manage to do our own tech. It's craziness.
It's funny thinking back to the first two weeks of class where we focused a lot on creating theatre from nothing... well, we did that on a huge scale! I suppose we did have material, but we had a little bit of time, a little bit of money, no technical help, not a great space (for performance or rehearsal!), and we had to all work together! This show is 5% Poe, 95% us, and it's "amaze-balls."
I'm not going to beat around the bush, though. We all know this process has been tough. Performer created theatre is tough. That's why some genius from Meiningen decided to direct shows 200 years ago. But, I imagine that if no one butted heads at all during a devised theatre process, the show wouldn't be that good.
Also, just thought I'd note: the 259 (performer created theatre) class Yilin and I were in had 38 people in it last year. We encountered all of the same problems as with this group, but tripled. It was super-stressful, obviously. Most of our classmates hated that class because of that... but y'know, it really taught me how to work in a group. It's treading on thin ice. It's trust. And, most of all, it's letting it go. I don't pretend to be an expert, because I definitely am not a pro at group work. For instance, I have a tendency (that you all have probably noticed) to get really excited and interrupt people. Anyway, my point: it's stressful, yes. But can we learn from it? Definitely. What didn't work in this process? Probably 10 000 things. So, we know 10 000 ways how not to devise theatre.
The organization I volunteer with has a guideline we call "LUST." I won't go into detail about the acronym, the important thing is that they're universal, longlasting truths about working as a team. Corny? Maybe. True? Oh, yeah. I think a couple of them really apply to devised theatre... though some are in need of slight modification from their context. But whatever, here is my dish of "wisdom" for the term:
I thought I'd say that I've really enjoyed working with you all on this project and over the whole term. As stressful as this project was, I have been having actually a lot of fun. We get to do so many cool things on stage, and it looks awesome!
It's been an especially great process since I wouldn't have had the chance to work with many of you if I hadn't wiggled into the class. It was such a refreshing environment to come into after missing the first class or two because there was such a sense of "Yes, Let's!" in the air. The difference between third year and fourth was immediately apparent in a very good way.
This is the first project I've done in school that doesn't just feel like a "project." It really is a complete piece of theatre! It amazes me that we were able to pull this off in the time we had. The show may only be half an hour, but it's an intense half an hour. It's basically all choreographed, we wrote music, designed the show and still manage to do our own tech. It's craziness.
It's funny thinking back to the first two weeks of class where we focused a lot on creating theatre from nothing... well, we did that on a huge scale! I suppose we did have material, but we had a little bit of time, a little bit of money, no technical help, not a great space (for performance or rehearsal!), and we had to all work together! This show is 5% Poe, 95% us, and it's "amaze-balls."
I'm not going to beat around the bush, though. We all know this process has been tough. Performer created theatre is tough. That's why some genius from Meiningen decided to direct shows 200 years ago. But, I imagine that if no one butted heads at all during a devised theatre process, the show wouldn't be that good.
Also, just thought I'd note: the 259 (performer created theatre) class Yilin and I were in had 38 people in it last year. We encountered all of the same problems as with this group, but tripled. It was super-stressful, obviously. Most of our classmates hated that class because of that... but y'know, it really taught me how to work in a group. It's treading on thin ice. It's trust. And, most of all, it's letting it go. I don't pretend to be an expert, because I definitely am not a pro at group work. For instance, I have a tendency (that you all have probably noticed) to get really excited and interrupt people. Anyway, my point: it's stressful, yes. But can we learn from it? Definitely. What didn't work in this process? Probably 10 000 things. So, we know 10 000 ways how not to devise theatre.
The organization I volunteer with has a guideline we call "LUST." I won't go into detail about the acronym, the important thing is that they're universal, longlasting truths about working as a team. Corny? Maybe. True? Oh, yeah. I think a couple of them really apply to devised theatre... though some are in need of slight modification from their context. But whatever, here is my dish of "wisdom" for the term:
- "The [audience] is the reason that [theatre] exists."
- "Come with an open mind."
- "Many hands make light work."
- "Listen, listen, listen, listen... and then talk."
- "Approach every task with an enthusiastic 'Yes, let's!' attitude--there's a time and a place for questions and a time and a place for getting things done.
- "Criticize ideas--not people--constructively, specifically and with [the show] in mind."
- "Admit it if you make a mistake, and help to correct it."
- "Take good care of yourself physically and emotionally, and don't be afraid to let [castmates] know what you need."
- "Don't [leave] angry or lonely"
- "If you have a problem with someone, talk to that person directly; do not let it fester, it will only get worse."
- "Don't take it personally and don't make it personal; it is important to always remember who or what you are REALLY mad at and why, then deal with that."
- "Watch out for each other, which means knowing each other's limits and letting others know when they have gone too far."
...I didn't realize there were so many that apply. This might seem too little, too late for our project now... but we still have 5 more hours to go! We are an ensemble, and an ensemble is like a family. To quote Stitch (because, let's face it, I'm already being pretty cheezy): "family means no one gets left behind."
We've had our ups and downs as a team/ensemble/family throughout this project, but what I would really like to see for tomorrow is total trust and understanding amongst us all, so that whatever happens, we can deal with it.
Guys, we really do have a sweet show; it is something to be really proud of. Although I've never given birth, I imagine pregnancy is something like theatre. The process is blood, sweat, tears and can be painful as hell... but in the end you get some that's really sweet and that you can't help but love.
Enough with the metaphors, I've talked enough. We've kicked so much ass so far... let's just crank it up a notch for tomorrow!
Love y'all...
Harley
P.S. I don't know why, but I found this hilarious: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ke5KQ-MMGjg
"I'M THE REAL POE!"
Sunday, 2 December 2012
Hi Guys,
Firstly, great job today! We got through it all and no one killed anyone. Seriously after being together 8 hours and for some of us 10 hours that is a huge accomplishment. I am bringing in a thank you card for Brent on Tuesday for everyone to sign, because he already gave me the pictures he took and they are seriously amazing! Or as Tara would say amaze-balls! I am also posting these pictures for everyone to have on the blog and I also have the link to the drop box account https://www.dropbox.com/sh/l5czb1h14erpql3/PRdCak0pH8 and if you don't have drop box here is another link to get dropbox http://db.tt/Y5Z5Tf3. But Brent did such a great job and that was a really really massive favour he did for me today and he said he really enjoyed our show! He also said it was very odd, dark and bloody. We should all be super proud of what we created and I am really looking forward to Tuesday!
The Amazing-ness of Today!
Today was amazing. Even with all the tension and stress that was occurring over the course of the 8/10 hours we were together, I think we can truly say WE HAVE A SHOW!! I am proud to say that I am in Drama 454 with this extremely talented group of people. And as we move into Tuesday's performance we all need to keep a positive spirit alive!!!
So let's give it our all and leave our hearts on the stage!
And because we could all use some motivation...
And last but not least... my pick-me-up-video:
Love you all!!!
Paige
So let's give it our all and leave our hearts on the stage!
And because we could all use some motivation...
And last but not least... my pick-me-up-video:
Love you all!!!
Paige
Saturday, 1 December 2012
One down one to go
Okay so I'm one practicum class down and now all that is left is this project. I'm concerned that tomorrow might end in all of us trying to kill each other so if you are starting to feel annoyed or angry might I suggest taking a time out. You may think I'm kidding but I've been here before and tempers do rise so all I'm suggesting that if someone gets up and leaves the room for a few that nobody questions it.
This is a very serious thing drama brings out the emotions in people so you must be willing to walk away do it for yourself, for others, and for the piece and just go for a stroll.
Side note I looked at make-up and had no idea what to buy so I'm bringing a black make-up crayon its all my male mind could wrap around.
Footnote to the side note can we just do a power line run of Tell tale heart tomorrow I don't memorize well on my own I need to hear it.
This is a very serious thing drama brings out the emotions in people so you must be willing to walk away do it for yourself, for others, and for the piece and just go for a stroll.
Side note I looked at make-up and had no idea what to buy so I'm bringing a black make-up crayon its all my male mind could wrap around.
Footnote to the side note can we just do a power line run of Tell tale heart tomorrow I don't memorize well on my own I need to hear it.
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