Feats of Strength and the Airing of Grievances

Well, it is that time of year again.  The time to remember "Festivus", the holiday invented by George Constanza's father, Frank, after the debacle with the doll.  (Watch old episodes of "Seinfeld" if you don't get the reference.)  Erect your favourite aluminum pole (tinsel is distracting, according to Frank Constanza) and engage in the time honoured traditions of "Festivus", some of which I described in the title.

Whatever holiday you celebrate, let me take this chance to wish all of you a very merry time.  The question of the day has told me that most people treasure the time they spend with family and friends,  the music, the old movies, the food and the cheerful atmosphere in the air more than the presents.  If you know me, you know that I can't let a special time go by without thinking about how lucky we are to be here in Canada where we celebrate peace, order and good government, where we have access to a doctor when we need it, where we welcome frightened and desperate people from across the world, and don't turn them away.  Let us resolve to recommit ourselves to the idea of sharing our good fortune with those who are less fortunate than we are.  Let us realize that the water and air and land are more important than monetary gain.  Let us look at other animals and see there our brothers and sisters and not "the other".  Let us smile at our neighbour and wish him good cheer, even if he gets on our nerves a little.

Well, after that little sermon, I will wend my way off to Cuba with my sons for a week of rest and relaxation.  This has been a very difficult year for us and we hope a change of scenery and time away will help us heal our hearts and take on 2016 with a good will.

I wish you all the happiest of holidays!  Take a moment to sit quietly and be grateful.  Gratitude is good for your health!

Last week before the holidays!

It's spirit week!  Dress up to earn points for your improv team!  Monday -- White Out (dress in white!); Tuesday - Red And Green; Wednesday - Ugly Holiday Sweater Day -- wear your ugliest sweater!! ; Thursday -- Let's pretend it's New Year's Eve!  Dress up in your very best "bib and tucker"!   Friday -- Breakfast with Santa -- get up early, come to school and stay in your pjs all day!

Remember, in your journal, if you have a preference for one person to improv with, write this at the bottom of your journal.

I, (your name here), would like to work with _________.

Journal topics:

Grade 8's:  How do you think the world was created?  Could you make a play about your theory?  Explain how.
What have you and your group decided for your "creation" play so far?

Grade 9 and 10:  What current event would make a good play for our school?  Describe, in detail, what you would do to design a play about the current event you chose.

Theatre Production:

One thing theatre production people have to do is to create sets and props out of common household things.  Last year, we made a fire extinguisher out of a plant spray bottle.  We covered it with red duct tape, trimmed it up with silver duct tape, and attached labels and warning tags, just like an actual fire extinguisher.  This year, we simulated a car with a platform, a big wooden box, an old car seat and a blue cloth.  Even "Charlie's Funhouse" was quite a simple arrangement.

Here are a couple of problems we've dealt with in the last few years staging plays here at Steveston-London:

- how would you create the severed head of a character?  (He appears at the beginning of the play and then is attacked by rebels.  They drag him off and return shortly afterward with his head!)  What would you do?  /5

- a character is locked in a cage and made to think he's in hell, in "foul damp darkness".  A group of four other characters torment him and we need to hear the trapped character and see him.  This is a funny scene.  What would you do?   /5
 
- the opening scene of your play is an airplane crash.  The rest of the play takes place on the beach where the plane has gone down.  What will you do?   /5

- a character kills his best friend and then serves a banquet for a group of acquaintances.  The ghost of the best friend appears at the banquet.  What will you do about the food?  (Be specific.) What would you do to stage this?   /5

It's good if you can draw pictures to illustrate your ideas.

Journal for all!

Comment on the play, "Old Glory".  You can begin with general comments, but please try to focus on something specific - one performance, the music, costumes, the script.   Make sure you include both positive comments and suggestions for improvement.  You may use the program as a reference.  Your report should be about 1/2 page long.

Pay up!

A Block and D Block!  We will be seeing the play "Old Glory" on Thursday (D Block) and Friday (A Block) -- please bring $5 for admission to the play.  If you cannot pay, just tell me and it will be fine, but it is for a good cause.  Ticket receipts fund the Drama Club productions and go to scholarships for deserving Grade 12 graduates.

Please be in your seat in the theatre at 1:15 p.m.  It's going to be a great show!