Hubert Dreyfus, who was a philosophy professor, said that. What do you think? On this 60th Christmas Day of my life, with the snow falling outside and two (yes, two) dogs walked and my sons still cozy in their beds, I like the idea of "aliveness". Just relishing the world around us. We can't be happy or peaceful for an extended period of time. I think we can fulfill our dreams and maybe even ourselves, with good work, but that is something that keeps moving away from us. If I feel fulfilled at this moment, am I just going to sit on my laurels and feel fulfilled forever? I don't think it works that way.
On our walk this morning, I saw the flock of crows making its daily journey to the Inlet. They don't get a day off for Christmas. They have to make a living every day or they won't have a life at all. But like Mr. Allison used to say about his dog, they are fully alive in the moment. I wonder if crows have any idea how wonderful it is that they can fly.
Sometimes, we can't help but get caught up in the minutiae of our daily stressful lives. But think of the wonder of a snowy day (a white Christmas, that we've all been dreaming of!) and the beauty of a crow flying from his roost in Burnaby to the inlet, which is full of all sorts of living creatures -- ducks and seals and fish and different plants and tiny organisms we can't even see. No matter what challenges we face, I think we can find some comfort (and aliveness) in the natural world.
The second dog I mentioned is my friend's dog and he is staying with us for Christmas while she is away. He is a very cute little chihuahua (crossed with something else), but he is quite a different matter from our sweet Daisy. He craves attention and whines when he doesn't get it. But he seems to be calming down at last (he's been here since December 22.) Daisy just ignores him. He gets under her feet sometimes, and she looks very concerned, as if to say, "what is this thing doing here?" He is a slow eater, and so she tries (with little success, because we know what she's up to) to eat the food he leaves in the dish.
What are your plans for the day? We will open our presents when the boys get up and then have some breakfast and watch a Christmas movie (we've already seen "A Christmas Story" and "Scrooge" which are two of my favourites -- Mike and I always used to watch "Scrooge" as we wrapped presents on Christmas eve. We knew the movie by heart. Michael Hordern is fantastic as Jacob Marley -- he just chews up the scenery in the best and most alive hammy way. And although I've seen the movie countless times (maybe 50?), I always cry when Scrooge's niece says, "Dear uncle, you've made Fred so very happy." And her face just beams with love at him.) Late in the afternoon, we are going to go to my sister-in-law's house for Christmas dinner. And then come home and "play with our toys" -- I hope I get a book!
I hear the stirring of a fifteen year old. Time to sign off. Merry Christmas to all and my very best wishes to everyone for a happy, peaceful and fulfilled 2018.
Monday 25 December 2017
Thursday 21 December 2017
Instructions for Show and Tell
Your speech should be 2 minutes long. Practice what you want to say and time yourself to see if you have 2 minutes. More is not better. Brevity is the soul of wit.
Do not start your speech with "so". It is a good idea to start your speech with something that will engage your audience -- a joke, a question, a quotation.
Do not end your speech with "yeah" (as in "so that's what I wanted to say about my carpentry project . . . yeah"). Think of how you can come to a conclusion. "I learned that . . . " "This was one of the most important moments of my life" . . . "I will always remember . . . "
If you have an item that you cannot bring to school, a photograph is fine.
The item should inspire a story or ideas that can engage the audience. For example, you bring your grandfather's medals from the Second World War. You ask us to imagine an eighteen year old boy volunteering to serve in the army, describe a battle in which he took part, or the state he was in when he came back to Canada after the war. You don't need to spend too much time describing the item itself.
The goal of this project is to demonstrate that you've made progress in public speaking. That means you need to speak clearly and project your voice. You need to appear to be confident. You need to prepare a speech that does not use words and phrases inappropriately (phrases like "sort of" and words like "like").
If you are interested in what you have to say, we will also be interested. You need to show that you are interested by speaking with expression, by making eye contact with the audience, and by taking care to prepare your speech.
Do not start your speech with "so". It is a good idea to start your speech with something that will engage your audience -- a joke, a question, a quotation.
Do not end your speech with "yeah" (as in "so that's what I wanted to say about my carpentry project . . . yeah"). Think of how you can come to a conclusion. "I learned that . . . " "This was one of the most important moments of my life" . . . "I will always remember . . . "
If you have an item that you cannot bring to school, a photograph is fine.
The item should inspire a story or ideas that can engage the audience. For example, you bring your grandfather's medals from the Second World War. You ask us to imagine an eighteen year old boy volunteering to serve in the army, describe a battle in which he took part, or the state he was in when he came back to Canada after the war. You don't need to spend too much time describing the item itself.
The goal of this project is to demonstrate that you've made progress in public speaking. That means you need to speak clearly and project your voice. You need to appear to be confident. You need to prepare a speech that does not use words and phrases inappropriately (phrases like "sort of" and words like "like").
If you are interested in what you have to say, we will also be interested. You need to show that you are interested by speaking with expression, by making eye contact with the audience, and by taking care to prepare your speech.
Friday 15 December 2017
Getting close to the end of the year!
Grade 8: What are your comments on "High School Confidential"? Who was the best actor? Explain. What scene was your favourite? How could it be improved? Remember, Ms. Kosar worked very hard on the play and you need to be kind.
Grade 9/10; Theatre Production; Senior Drama: What purpose does learning Drama serve? What is the most important lesson a person can learn from studying theatre as an art form? Explain.
Grade 9/10; Theatre Production; Senior Drama: What purpose does learning Drama serve? What is the most important lesson a person can learn from studying theatre as an art form? Explain.
Thursday 30 November 2017
Truth and consequences
Journals for this week!
Grade 8's: How would you rate yourself on your ability to work in a group? (from 1 - 4, with 1 being not very good and 4 being excellent) Explain why you rate yourself the way you do. What is one good thing about your group work skills? How can you improve? Write about an experience you had working in a group and explain what that experience taught you. (It doesn't have to be an experience in Drama.)
Grade 9/10's and Theatre Production 11: Which heritage performance was the best in your opinion? Why do you choose that one? Write three things (at least) that you liked about it and two ways in which it could improve. Which actor was the best in the class? Explain why. Which scene had the best production? (Lighting, sound, costumes, props, etc.) Explain why.
Senior Drama:
Characters (and regular people) need motivation to do the things they do. In the plays you are working on now, what motivates the character you are playing (or, in the case of the directors, write about one of the characters)? Think about real people -- what motivates them? Choose three people -- they can be famous or people you know -- and write about what motivates them. When you make yourself do something unpleasant, what motivates you?
Don't forget that "High School Confidential" is running on Friday and Monday at 7 p.m. each evening. And D Block -- you will be attending the play on Tuesday at 1 p.m. (don't be late, it's rude). Make sure you bring your $5 a.s.a.p.
Grade 8's: How would you rate yourself on your ability to work in a group? (from 1 - 4, with 1 being not very good and 4 being excellent) Explain why you rate yourself the way you do. What is one good thing about your group work skills? How can you improve? Write about an experience you had working in a group and explain what that experience taught you. (It doesn't have to be an experience in Drama.)
Grade 9/10's and Theatre Production 11: Which heritage performance was the best in your opinion? Why do you choose that one? Write three things (at least) that you liked about it and two ways in which it could improve. Which actor was the best in the class? Explain why. Which scene had the best production? (Lighting, sound, costumes, props, etc.) Explain why.
Senior Drama:
Characters (and regular people) need motivation to do the things they do. In the plays you are working on now, what motivates the character you are playing (or, in the case of the directors, write about one of the characters)? Think about real people -- what motivates them? Choose three people -- they can be famous or people you know -- and write about what motivates them. When you make yourself do something unpleasant, what motivates you?
Don't forget that "High School Confidential" is running on Friday and Monday at 7 p.m. each evening. And D Block -- you will be attending the play on Tuesday at 1 p.m. (don't be late, it's rude). Make sure you bring your $5 a.s.a.p.
Monday 27 November 2017
D Block - Grade 8 Drama - High School Confidential
Hi D Block!
Just a reminder that we will be attending the Tuesday, December 5 matinee performance of "High School Confidential". The ticket price is $5. The funds go to support the drama club and so it is very helpful if you can pay, but if you can't, please tell Ms. Kosar and you can attend the play -- no problem. Try to bring your $5 by Thursday of this week.
Just a reminder that we will be attending the Tuesday, December 5 matinee performance of "High School Confidential". The ticket price is $5. The funds go to support the drama club and so it is very helpful if you can pay, but if you can't, please tell Ms. Kosar and you can attend the play -- no problem. Try to bring your $5 by Thursday of this week.
Thursday 16 November 2017
Getting to know you!
Grade 8 recitation:
All the world's a stage
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances
And one man, in his time, plays many parts.
Journal #1: (Grade 8) What should Ms. Kosar know about you? (Mention any experience you have in Drama, whether you have stage fright or not, have you any experience performing -- even in sports.) What do you think of Drama so far?
Grade 9/10: What have you learned from doing the heritage project? (Think of three things.)
Theatre Production: Provide Ms. Kosar with a detailed outline of your lighting and sound plot.
For example, Scene one -- Paris, 1798 -- a scene in the streets. Actors dressed in shabby clothes, girls in long dresses -- fade wash in to 8 -- fade out music ("Songs of the Revolution"). Julie: I hate the aristocracy! Henri: Me, too. Julie: Let's kill them! (Sound: Blade dropping.) Blackout.
Acting 11/12: What is the worst performance you've ever seen? Write a review of it. Think of one nice thing you can say.
Directing/Scriptwriting: What inspired you to write your adapted play? What are you trying to say with the script? What do you want the audience to get out of the play?
All the world's a stage
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances
And one man, in his time, plays many parts.
Journal #1: (Grade 8) What should Ms. Kosar know about you? (Mention any experience you have in Drama, whether you have stage fright or not, have you any experience performing -- even in sports.) What do you think of Drama so far?
Grade 9/10: What have you learned from doing the heritage project? (Think of three things.)
Theatre Production: Provide Ms. Kosar with a detailed outline of your lighting and sound plot.
For example, Scene one -- Paris, 1798 -- a scene in the streets. Actors dressed in shabby clothes, girls in long dresses -- fade wash in to 8 -- fade out music ("Songs of the Revolution"). Julie: I hate the aristocracy! Henri: Me, too. Julie: Let's kill them! (Sound: Blade dropping.) Blackout.
Acting 11/12: What is the worst performance you've ever seen? Write a review of it. Think of one nice thing you can say.
Directing/Scriptwriting: What inspired you to write your adapted play? What are you trying to say with the script? What do you want the audience to get out of the play?
Friday 10 November 2017
and now we lie in Flanders Fields
Journal for all:
Write your thoughts on Remembrance Day. Is it of value? Explain why or why not. Why do we wear the poppy? Is it significant to you? What do you think of having a ceremony at school when it isn't on the proper day (November 11)? Can there be such a thing as a "just war"? Explain.
What do you think about during the moment of silence?
Write your thoughts on Remembrance Day. Is it of value? Explain why or why not. Why do we wear the poppy? Is it significant to you? What do you think of having a ceremony at school when it isn't on the proper day (November 11)? Can there be such a thing as a "just war"? Explain.
What do you think about during the moment of silence?
Tuesday 7 November 2017
Speak the speech!
Grade 8's, tomorrow many of you will present your show and tell speeches. I know it is nerve-wracking, but I don't want you to stress too much about it. I believe fervently that if you are interested in your presentation, then all of us will be, too.
When I said, "formal" speech, I didn't mean you had to be fancy and speak in a British accent or use big words or anything. I just meant that you should be prepared and that you should not slip into the kind of speech in which you repeat words like "like" or "yeah" or phrases like "sort of" or "kind of".
Remember, if your speech doesn't turn out as well as you hoped, you can always do it again. I know this is difficult, but I really want you to have fun with it. Really.
See you all tomorrow.
When I said, "formal" speech, I didn't mean you had to be fancy and speak in a British accent or use big words or anything. I just meant that you should be prepared and that you should not slip into the kind of speech in which you repeat words like "like" or "yeah" or phrases like "sort of" or "kind of".
Remember, if your speech doesn't turn out as well as you hoped, you can always do it again. I know this is difficult, but I really want you to have fun with it. Really.
See you all tomorrow.
Sunday 5 November 2017
He who hesitates is lost!
I am slogging through report cards this weekend and have discovered a number of you are missing journals!! Hey, I've been nagging for weeks. Get them in. Procrastinators never prosper!!
Thursday 2 November 2017
Brrr!
Did you see the snow falling? As I left school today, there was snow in the air. There was snow in New Westminster as well, but here it's just raining. I wonder what it will be like tomorrow morning.
Here are your journals for the week:
Grade 8's: What have you chosen to speak about for "show and tell" next week? Why did you choose it? What are you thinking of saying? (Just give me an idea, not the whole speech.)
Remember! You will be presenting your 2 minute speeches on November 8 and 9. (I strongly suggest you practice in front of someone you trust. Ask them to time you and tell you honestly if they can hear you clearly.) You will be presenting your Aesop plays on November 6 and 7 -- make sure you know your lines. In order to memorize lines, remember you need to say them OUT LOUD!
Grade 9/10; Theatre Production 11:
Write about the experience of creating "Chiller Horror Theatre". What was the audience response? Did it surprise you? How did your performance develop as you gained experience with different audience responses? What went well? What would you change about the project?
Senior Drama: Lin-Manuel Miranda has said, "my only responsibility as a playwright or a storyteller is to give you the time of your life in the theatre". What do you think of that? What do you think the responsibility of a playwright, director or actor is? Bertolt Brecht thought theatre artists should use drama to make people grapple with social issues. What do you think?
Here are your journals for the week:
Grade 8's: What have you chosen to speak about for "show and tell" next week? Why did you choose it? What are you thinking of saying? (Just give me an idea, not the whole speech.)
Remember! You will be presenting your 2 minute speeches on November 8 and 9. (I strongly suggest you practice in front of someone you trust. Ask them to time you and tell you honestly if they can hear you clearly.) You will be presenting your Aesop plays on November 6 and 7 -- make sure you know your lines. In order to memorize lines, remember you need to say them OUT LOUD!
Grade 9/10; Theatre Production 11:
Write about the experience of creating "Chiller Horror Theatre". What was the audience response? Did it surprise you? How did your performance develop as you gained experience with different audience responses? What went well? What would you change about the project?
Senior Drama: Lin-Manuel Miranda has said, "my only responsibility as a playwright or a storyteller is to give you the time of your life in the theatre". What do you think of that? What do you think the responsibility of a playwright, director or actor is? Bertolt Brecht thought theatre artists should use drama to make people grapple with social issues. What do you think?
Thursday 26 October 2017
Monster, Chiller Horror Theatre
Journals (#6, I think, but for 8's, I think it's #5):
Grade 8's: Which of the morals in the Aesop stories could you stand to learn? Explain why you need to learn that lesson.
Grade 9/10: Which role are you playing in Monster Chiller Horror Theatre? What are you expected to do? How will you look? What is your back story? (Why are you in the horror theatre?)
Theatre Production: Describe what you're going through to try to put the Monster Chiller Horror Theatre together. Describe the good and bad parts of how things are going. (There are lots of good things!)
Senior Drama: What scene are you doing from "The Homecoming"? (What happens in the scene?) Who are you playing? What do you want in the scene? How are you trying to get it? Are you going to be successful? Why or why not? What do you think of the style of the play?
Writers: You need to submit your one act play!
Grade 8's: Which of the morals in the Aesop stories could you stand to learn? Explain why you need to learn that lesson.
Grade 9/10: Which role are you playing in Monster Chiller Horror Theatre? What are you expected to do? How will you look? What is your back story? (Why are you in the horror theatre?)
Theatre Production: Describe what you're going through to try to put the Monster Chiller Horror Theatre together. Describe the good and bad parts of how things are going. (There are lots of good things!)
Senior Drama: What scene are you doing from "The Homecoming"? (What happens in the scene?) Who are you playing? What do you want in the scene? How are you trying to get it? Are you going to be successful? Why or why not? What do you think of the style of the play?
Writers: You need to submit your one act play!
Thursday 12 October 2017
The wonderful world of metaphor
Grade 8 journals
How do you think the world was created? Could you make a play out of your ideas? Explain how.
Grade 9/10; Theatre production 11/12
What is your framework idea? (If your group hasn't discussed it yet, come up with an idea you could present to the group.) How will the stories fit in to this framework?
How did the performance of your second story go? What went well? What do you need to work on?
Senior Drama:
What is the most difficult emotion for you to play? Why do you think it is so challenging? What can you do to find a way to play that emotion?
Think of an actor who has presented the emotion you find difficult. (Give their name and the play, film or show in which they performed the emotional scene.) What did that actor do to show the emotion?
(An example is the one I often use of Marlon Brando's performance in "On the Waterfront". He played a romantic scene with Eva Marie Saint. He didn't kiss her or tell her he loved her. He joked around with her and he PUT ON HER GLOVE. When he did that, you knew he loved her. It was just amazing.)
How do you think the world was created? Could you make a play out of your ideas? Explain how.
Grade 9/10; Theatre production 11/12
What is your framework idea? (If your group hasn't discussed it yet, come up with an idea you could present to the group.) How will the stories fit in to this framework?
How did the performance of your second story go? What went well? What do you need to work on?
Senior Drama:
What is the most difficult emotion for you to play? Why do you think it is so challenging? What can you do to find a way to play that emotion?
Think of an actor who has presented the emotion you find difficult. (Give their name and the play, film or show in which they performed the emotional scene.) What did that actor do to show the emotion?
(An example is the one I often use of Marlon Brando's performance in "On the Waterfront". He played a romantic scene with Eva Marie Saint. He didn't kiss her or tell her he loved her. He joked around with her and he PUT ON HER GLOVE. When he did that, you knew he loved her. It was just amazing.)
Friday 6 October 2017
Instructions for Show and Tell
Your speech should be 2 minutes long. Practice what you want to say and time yourself to see if you have 2 minutes. More is not better. Brevity is the soul of wit.
Do not start your speech with "so". It is a good idea to start your speech with something that will engage your audience -- a joke, a question, a quotation.
Do not end your speech with "yeah" (as in "so that's what I wanted to say about my carpentry project . . . yeah"). Think of how you can come to a conclusion. "I learned that . . . " "This was one of the most important moments of my life" . . . "I will always remember . . . "
If you have an item that you cannot bring to school, a photograph is fine.
The item should inspire a story or ideas that can engage the audience. For example, you bring your grandfather's medals from the Second World War. You ask us to imagine an eighteen year old boy volunteering to serve in the army, describe a battle in which he took part, or the state he was in when he came back to Canada after the war. You don't need to spend too much time describing the item itself.
The goal of this project is to demonstrate that you've made progress in public speaking. That means you need to speak clearly and project your voice. You need to appear to be confident. You need to prepare a speech that does not use words and phrases inappropriately (phrases like "sort of" and words like "like").
If you are interested in what you have to say, we will also be interested. You need to show that you are interested by speaking with expression, by making eye contact with the audience, and by taking care to prepare your speech.
Do not start your speech with "so". It is a good idea to start your speech with something that will engage your audience -- a joke, a question, a quotation.
Do not end your speech with "yeah" (as in "so that's what I wanted to say about my carpentry project . . . yeah"). Think of how you can come to a conclusion. "I learned that . . . " "This was one of the most important moments of my life" . . . "I will always remember . . . "
If you have an item that you cannot bring to school, a photograph is fine.
The item should inspire a story or ideas that can engage the audience. For example, you bring your grandfather's medals from the Second World War. You ask us to imagine an eighteen year old boy volunteering to serve in the army, describe a battle in which he took part, or the state he was in when he came back to Canada after the war. You don't need to spend too much time describing the item itself.
The goal of this project is to demonstrate that you've made progress in public speaking. That means you need to speak clearly and project your voice. You need to appear to be confident. You need to prepare a speech that does not use words and phrases inappropriately (phrases like "sort of" and words like "like").
If you are interested in what you have to say, we will also be interested. You need to show that you are interested by speaking with expression, by making eye contact with the audience, and by taking care to prepare your speech.
Happy Thanksgiving
What are you thankful for? It helps us to think of all the things in our lives that make them beautiful things. Think of how much your family helps you, or how lucky we are to live in a safe place like Canada, or about the wonders of the natural world. All things that make our lives better!
Here are your journals:
Grade 8's:
Which fairy tale mime impressed you the most? Give two reasons why.
What was good about your own mime? What needed improvement?
Grade 9 and 10's:
Which of the heritage stories will you perform on Tuesday? Why did you choose it? Who will you play in the story? How will you create the character?
Theatre Production:
Which heritage story impressed you the most? Why? When did the story take place? Where? How will you give the audience a sense of time and place?
Senior Drama:
What emotion were you assigned for the upcoming scenes? Write about your experience with that emotion? When you experience that emotion, what physical results does it have?
(Writers: You will eventually have to come up with a realistic one act {under ten pages} that deals with a real life event. This is a good place to look for inspiration.)
Here are your journals:
Grade 8's:
Which fairy tale mime impressed you the most? Give two reasons why.
What was good about your own mime? What needed improvement?
Grade 9 and 10's:
Which of the heritage stories will you perform on Tuesday? Why did you choose it? Who will you play in the story? How will you create the character?
Theatre Production:
Which heritage story impressed you the most? Why? When did the story take place? Where? How will you give the audience a sense of time and place?
Senior Drama:
What emotion were you assigned for the upcoming scenes? Write about your experience with that emotion? When you experience that emotion, what physical results does it have?
(Writers: You will eventually have to come up with a realistic one act {under ten pages} that deals with a real life event. This is a good place to look for inspiration.)
Thursday 28 September 2017
Journal #3 (or 2 if you're in grade 8!)
Journal #2: (Grade 8's)
How is the work for your extended mime going? How did you decide which story to do? How did you decide on a cast? Is there a leader? Who is it? How can you tell? Is anyone presenting difficulties for the group? Explain. How do you sort out conflicts in general (not just in this group)?
Journal #3: (Grade 9/10)
Write out your heritage story. You need to have this ready to present to your group on Tuesday!
Make sure you know background on the event. When did it happen? Where? If it takes place in wartime, for example, you should know which war it is and some of the circumstances of the war.
Journal #3: (Theatre Production)
Write about your ideas for the haunted house. Provide a sketch of the entire theatre space and what will happen in each section. Which actors will you use in the different places? Explain why.
Journal #3: (Directors)
Write your comments on the first "something happened" scenes (the one written by Ms. Kosar). How are your rehearsals going for your own "something happened" scenes? Provide details!
Journal #3: (Acting 11/12)
Who are you playing in the director's "something happened" scene? Name three personal qualities that your character shows in the scene (for example, honesty, leadership, etc.) How will you show these characteristics? What stage business are you employing to give us insight into your character? (It can, and perhaps it should, make use of metaphor.)
Grade 8's, remember you need music for your extended mimes!
Grade 9 - 12: You will be reciting your Shakespeare passages on Monday!
How is the work for your extended mime going? How did you decide which story to do? How did you decide on a cast? Is there a leader? Who is it? How can you tell? Is anyone presenting difficulties for the group? Explain. How do you sort out conflicts in general (not just in this group)?
Journal #3: (Grade 9/10)
Write out your heritage story. You need to have this ready to present to your group on Tuesday!
Make sure you know background on the event. When did it happen? Where? If it takes place in wartime, for example, you should know which war it is and some of the circumstances of the war.
Journal #3: (Theatre Production)
Write about your ideas for the haunted house. Provide a sketch of the entire theatre space and what will happen in each section. Which actors will you use in the different places? Explain why.
Journal #3: (Directors)
Write your comments on the first "something happened" scenes (the one written by Ms. Kosar). How are your rehearsals going for your own "something happened" scenes? Provide details!
Journal #3: (Acting 11/12)
Who are you playing in the director's "something happened" scene? Name three personal qualities that your character shows in the scene (for example, honesty, leadership, etc.) How will you show these characteristics? What stage business are you employing to give us insight into your character? (It can, and perhaps it should, make use of metaphor.)
Grade 8's, remember you need music for your extended mimes!
Grade 9 - 12: You will be reciting your Shakespeare passages on Monday!
Friday 22 September 2017
Speak the speech . . .
Grades 9 and 10: This is the selection you should be working on:
Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to you, trippingly on the tongue; but if you mouth it, as many of your players do, I had as lief the town crier spoke my lines. Nor do not saw the air too much with your hands, thus, but use all gently. For in the very torrent, tempest and, as I may say, whirlwind of passion, you must acquire and beget a temperance that may give it smoothness.
Say it out loud two times a day and you'll know it without any further effort.
Speak the speech, I pray you, as I pronounced it to you, trippingly on the tongue; but if you mouth it, as many of your players do, I had as lief the town crier spoke my lines. Nor do not saw the air too much with your hands, thus, but use all gently. For in the very torrent, tempest and, as I may say, whirlwind of passion, you must acquire and beget a temperance that may give it smoothness.
Say it out loud two times a day and you'll know it without any further effort.
Thursday 14 September 2017
Home again, home again!
Grade 8's! Welcome home. I hope you had a great time at camp. I had fun with the Grade 8's who remained behind. We did some drama activities in the theatre. There is no journal for this week since we didn't get to have class on Friday. Make sure you practice the Shakespeare and we will see your conflict mimes on Monday, I hope.
Grade 9/10 Drama: What scares you? How do you feel when you're scared? Describe the sensations in detail. What do you do when you're really scared?
Theatre Production 11/12: What enhances a scary scene? Think of at least three things and explain why you think they help make something even more scary than it already is.
Acting 11/12: If you were going to create a two minute mime for a performance of your own, what would you do? Describe a mime you could create by yourself. What would you wear? What would you do? What would the story be?
Directing and Scriptwriting 12: Write your one page scene in which something big happens!
Grade 9/10 Drama: What scares you? How do you feel when you're scared? Describe the sensations in detail. What do you do when you're really scared?
Theatre Production 11/12: What enhances a scary scene? Think of at least three things and explain why you think they help make something even more scary than it already is.
Acting 11/12: If you were going to create a two minute mime for a performance of your own, what would you do? Describe a mime you could create by yourself. What would you wear? What would you do? What would the story be?
Directing and Scriptwriting 12: Write your one page scene in which something big happens!
Sunday 10 September 2017
Season of mists and mellow fruitfulness
It's funny how certain bits of verse stay with you. At this time of year, that line of Keats from Ode to Autumn always pops into my head. I don't know the rest of the poem, but today, on my walk with dear Daisy (my dog), it was very misty in the park and the geese were congregating, getting ready for their big trip south, and I said it out loud as I looked out at the inlet and could only see the rocks closest to me -- everything else was misty white.
My brand new furnace came on of its own accord this morning. Good to know that it works! All the stuff we had done to the house this summer is finished and now, I hope we can enjoy it.
Since it was raining yesterday, I got a DVD from the library (I know I'm living in the past, man) of the tv show "Mad Men". I know most people have already seen it, but I haven't and I heard it was great. I find it quite shocking. I wonder if it catches that time period as it was. I suppose almost everyone smoked. Both my parents smoked and my sister smoked (I never did, thank goodness). Everyone in movies smoked -- there's that crazy, supposedly romantic, scene with Bette Davis and Paul Henreid in "Now Voyager" where he lights two cigarettes and then gives her one -- ooo! The way they treat women! It makes you think we have come a long way -- I read an article this summer in The Guardian about how much better the world is now than it was fifty years ago -- how there are many fewer people living in poverty and life expectancy is going up and we have figured out how to cure many diseases and things like that. When you experience the smoke of forest fires hovering over our city and hear about the succession of hurricanes causing havoc and worry about intercontinental ballistic missiles, you think things are terrible, but perhaps it's the glass half empty-half full argument all over again. I worry about all those things, but I am definitely in the glass half full camp.
Hope you had a great weekend! I wonder how all you graduates from Steveston-London are doing in your new lives. I hope it's all very exciting and wonderful. Try not to get overwhelmed and give yourselves time to adapt to all the changes. I read that one of the scourges of university is loneliness. It is natural to feel lonely when you've left everything and everyone you know, but soon, you will know people and get used to your new normal. Trust me -- I know whereof I speak.
Here's the whole poem if you need some lovely imagery to start your day:
My brand new furnace came on of its own accord this morning. Good to know that it works! All the stuff we had done to the house this summer is finished and now, I hope we can enjoy it.
Since it was raining yesterday, I got a DVD from the library (I know I'm living in the past, man) of the tv show "Mad Men". I know most people have already seen it, but I haven't and I heard it was great. I find it quite shocking. I wonder if it catches that time period as it was. I suppose almost everyone smoked. Both my parents smoked and my sister smoked (I never did, thank goodness). Everyone in movies smoked -- there's that crazy, supposedly romantic, scene with Bette Davis and Paul Henreid in "Now Voyager" where he lights two cigarettes and then gives her one -- ooo! The way they treat women! It makes you think we have come a long way -- I read an article this summer in The Guardian about how much better the world is now than it was fifty years ago -- how there are many fewer people living in poverty and life expectancy is going up and we have figured out how to cure many diseases and things like that. When you experience the smoke of forest fires hovering over our city and hear about the succession of hurricanes causing havoc and worry about intercontinental ballistic missiles, you think things are terrible, but perhaps it's the glass half empty-half full argument all over again. I worry about all those things, but I am definitely in the glass half full camp.
Hope you had a great weekend! I wonder how all you graduates from Steveston-London are doing in your new lives. I hope it's all very exciting and wonderful. Try not to get overwhelmed and give yourselves time to adapt to all the changes. I read that one of the scourges of university is loneliness. It is natural to feel lonely when you've left everything and everyone you know, but soon, you will know people and get used to your new normal. Trust me -- I know whereof I speak.
Here's the whole poem if you need some lovely imagery to start your day:
| SEASON of mists and mellow fruitfulness! | |
| Close bosom-friend of the maturing sun; | |
| Conspiring with him how to load and bless | |
| With fruit the vines that round the thatch-eaves run; | |
| To bend with apples the moss'd cottage-trees, | 5 |
| And fill all fruit with ripeness to the core; | |
| To swell the gourd, and plump the hazel shells | |
| With a sweet kernel; to set budding more, | |
| And still more, later flowers for the bees, | |
| Until they think warm days will never cease, | 10 |
| For Summer has o'er-brimm'd their clammy cells. | |
| Who hath not seen thee oft amid thy store? | |
| Sometimes whoever seeks abroad may find | |
| Thee sitting careless on a granary floor, | |
| Thy hair soft-lifted by the winnowing wind; | 15 |
| Or on a half-reap'd furrow sound asleep, | |
| Drowsed with the fume of poppies, while thy hook | |
| Spares the next swath and all its twinèd flowers; | |
| And sometimes like a gleaner thou dost keep | |
| Steady thy laden head across a brook; | 20 |
| Or by a cider-press, with patient look, | |
| Thou watchest the last oozings hours by hours. | |
| Where are the songs of Spring? Ay, where are they? | |
| Think not of them, thou hast thy music too,— | |
| While barrèd clouds bloom the soft-dying day, | 25 |
| And touch the stubble-plains with rosy hue; | |
| Then in a wailful choir the small gnats mourn | |
| Among the river sallows, borne aloft | |
| Or sinking as the light wind lives or dies; | |
| And full-grown lambs loud bleat from hilly bourn; | 30 |
| Hedge-crickets sing; and now with treble soft | |
| The redbreast whistles from a garden-croft; | |
| And gathering swallows twitter in the skies. |
Friday 8 September 2017
Tomorrow . . .
The recitation for Senior Drama:
Tomorrow, and tomorrow and tomorrow
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death.
Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow,
A poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more; it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury
Signifying nothing.
That's from Macbeth.
Tomorrow, and tomorrow and tomorrow
Creeps in this petty pace from day to day
To the last syllable of recorded time
And all our yesterdays have lighted fools the way to dusty death.
Out, out, brief candle! Life's but a walking shadow,
A poor player that struts and frets his hour upon the stage
And then is heard no more; it is a tale
Told by an idiot, full of sound and fury
Signifying nothing.
That's from Macbeth.
Welcome (back)!
I hope your first week of September was just stupendous. I always find it a terrible shock to get so busy so fast! From lazy summer days of reading and walking and lounging, to making my lunch and driving my car and preparing and teaching my classes, it's from 0 to 110 in what seems like minutes!
Anyway, sorry I didn't post this last night. My son will tell you our WIFI is terrible and I couldn't get onto the computer. . .
Here are your journal topics for week one of September. This is JOURNAL #1. Do them weekly and it won't be an issue.
Grade 8:
What should Ms. Kosar know about you? You should certainly include any drama experiences you've had (elementary school plays, classes in public speaking, reading Shakespeare in your spare time . . . ) You can include anything else you think might help me teach you and understand you better. Also, please tell me whether or not you have stage fright. Lots of people do -- you won't be the only one. Perhaps you could add what you expect from Drama this term.
All the world's a stage
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances
And one man in his time plays many parts.
If you say that daily, you'll learn it!
Everyone else:
Write about a movie or a play you've seen recently. It doesn't have to be new, just fresh in your mind. It doesn't have to be in English.
Provide the title and a brief (two sentences tops) summary of the plot. Describe the setting or settings. Choose one actor -- what was their performance like? (Provide details, like describing one scene.) Who is the director? Find out something about the director -- style, how they became a director, etc. Did you like it? Why or why not?
Anyway, sorry I didn't post this last night. My son will tell you our WIFI is terrible and I couldn't get onto the computer. . .
Here are your journal topics for week one of September. This is JOURNAL #1. Do them weekly and it won't be an issue.
Grade 8:
What should Ms. Kosar know about you? You should certainly include any drama experiences you've had (elementary school plays, classes in public speaking, reading Shakespeare in your spare time . . . ) You can include anything else you think might help me teach you and understand you better. Also, please tell me whether or not you have stage fright. Lots of people do -- you won't be the only one. Perhaps you could add what you expect from Drama this term.
All the world's a stage
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances
And one man in his time plays many parts.
If you say that daily, you'll learn it!
Everyone else:
Write about a movie or a play you've seen recently. It doesn't have to be new, just fresh in your mind. It doesn't have to be in English.
Provide the title and a brief (two sentences tops) summary of the plot. Describe the setting or settings. Choose one actor -- what was their performance like? (Provide details, like describing one scene.) Who is the director? Find out something about the director -- style, how they became a director, etc. Did you like it? Why or why not?
Saturday 19 August 2017
Brothers (and sisters) in arms
Almost another month since I wrote -- very bad (as Trump might tweet). But I've been busy, folks. My sister was here and we were out and about almost every day. And I have all these prosaic house matters to deal with -- new windows, blah, blah, blah, which take a great deal of time . . . and money!
Today is a day to demonstrate our love for all of our brothers and sisters in the world -- there is a rally at the Vancouver City Hall at 12:45 to show that we embrace our country's true nature -- that we are diverse and that we embrace that diversity -- that it makes us stronger and happier and safer and better. We are going to go -- maybe some of you will be there, too. After all the racial strife and the ugliness of the events last week in Charlottesville in the United States, I think it's important for all of us to stand up for what we believe in.
In other news, we went to the Bard on the Beach twice last week and saw "The Winter's Tale" and "The Merchant of Venice". The two productions were very different -- "Winter's Tale" was quite regal and traditional. It looked spectacular and I liked how the director was able to theatricalize it -- I don't think it works otherwise. If it's not theatrical and clearly told as a story, then the ending is quite silly. (Of course, it is one of the "problem" plays and presents lots of problems to those brave enough to tackle it!) My sons liked it but hated the ending. I won't tell you what it is -- you'll have to see for yourself. I really liked the female friendship angle that it presented and the performance of the woman who played Paulina (I am not sure which actor it was, as there were two performing the role through the run) was terrific.
"Merchant of Venice" was just alive with energy and nastiness. Antonio and Bassanio were part of a really repellent gang of young toughs, taunting Shylock in the streets and photographing the results with their phones. When Shylock entered the court room, they all yelled viciously at him and it was quite shocking and powerful. Although, as a comedy, it ends with a wedding, the weddings were not completely happy ones and the finale was an uneasy peace, at best. Very thought-provoking.
Okay, I'm off to get ready to go to the rally. It is called "Stand Up to Racism Metro Vancouver" if you are looking for more information.
Today is a day to demonstrate our love for all of our brothers and sisters in the world -- there is a rally at the Vancouver City Hall at 12:45 to show that we embrace our country's true nature -- that we are diverse and that we embrace that diversity -- that it makes us stronger and happier and safer and better. We are going to go -- maybe some of you will be there, too. After all the racial strife and the ugliness of the events last week in Charlottesville in the United States, I think it's important for all of us to stand up for what we believe in.
In other news, we went to the Bard on the Beach twice last week and saw "The Winter's Tale" and "The Merchant of Venice". The two productions were very different -- "Winter's Tale" was quite regal and traditional. It looked spectacular and I liked how the director was able to theatricalize it -- I don't think it works otherwise. If it's not theatrical and clearly told as a story, then the ending is quite silly. (Of course, it is one of the "problem" plays and presents lots of problems to those brave enough to tackle it!) My sons liked it but hated the ending. I won't tell you what it is -- you'll have to see for yourself. I really liked the female friendship angle that it presented and the performance of the woman who played Paulina (I am not sure which actor it was, as there were two performing the role through the run) was terrific.
"Merchant of Venice" was just alive with energy and nastiness. Antonio and Bassanio were part of a really repellent gang of young toughs, taunting Shylock in the streets and photographing the results with their phones. When Shylock entered the court room, they all yelled viciously at him and it was quite shocking and powerful. Although, as a comedy, it ends with a wedding, the weddings were not completely happy ones and the finale was an uneasy peace, at best. Very thought-provoking.
Okay, I'm off to get ready to go to the rally. It is called "Stand Up to Racism Metro Vancouver" if you are looking for more information.
Monday 24 July 2017
Dunkirk
Okay, so I go a whole month without one blog post and now I make two in one day, but I saw "Dunkirk" and I must say, it was fantastic. Right from the start, it was completely terrifying and shocking and very emotional. The episodic style was so compelling and I felt like Christopher Nolan had put the film together like you were actually there -- it felt confusing and unbelievable and terrible and yet there were lots of really beautiful scenes -- the sweep of the beach and the peacefulness of the little town with all the fliers falling from the sky, fliers that said, "you are surrounded". There isn't much dialogue, but all the actors are terrific and I think it catches both the heroism and the senselessness of all of it. I like that he chose this moment of the war -- not a big victory in battle but a retreat in which all the "little boats" saved the broken army. He captured the navy, the army and the air force and tried to show the nightmares that each faced and even the civilians, with Mark Rylance playing a man who had a small boat that he took to help the cause. I understand that it is a huge hit, even in the United States, and well deserved, I think.
It is fairly easy to make me cry, but I cried throughout the movie and I wondered partway through if I could stand it, because it was so terrifying and emotional. But I was glad I stayed for the end. If you are thinking of seeing a movie, this is the one to go to.
It is fairly easy to make me cry, but I cried throughout the movie and I wondered partway through if I could stand it, because it was so terrifying and emotional. But I was glad I stayed for the end. If you are thinking of seeing a movie, this is the one to go to.
Summer's lease hath all too short a date!
Wow! I have been remiss in writing in my blog these days. I see I haven't written for almost a month which might well be a record for me. It isn't that I have been particularly busy, although I have been up to all sorts of things. Here is a bum's rush version of my activities so far this blissful summer holiday. The first week of July, I went away with a couple of other teachers to Mayne Island. We stayed right on the beach and watched the birds and went cycling (gruelling -- lots of hills and I am used to relatively flat cycling at Rocky Point Park) and kayaking (I was concerned about this beforehand, as I am not a swimmer AT ALL, and wondered how I would manage if the kayak tipped over -- I was assured that would not happen {it being quite difficult to tip a sea kayak, I was told} so off we went and it was lovely and I really enjoyed it -- we saw seals and their pups and a variety of sea birds -- until we tipped {we hit the incoming tide!} and had to be RESCUED!!) I got a stellar bruise on both my legs from falling out of the kayak, but was unscathed except for that. (Although the water was super cold, and as we struggled to shore, I wondered how long it takes for hypothermia to kick in.)
I have a big list of "to do's" for the house and have made a good start on all of that. (Boredom alert -- the following paragraph is news for me, but perhaps not interesting to anyone else on the planet.) I got our furnace replaced and have had people come in to measure the floor in our entranceway and tomorrow a man is coming to measure some windows which need to be replaced. Then, I need a new washing machine and a dishwasher. My only real comment on this is that I find it very difficult to have people clumping around in the house, looking underneath things and finding out what a bad housekeeper I am, etc. I don't think I am alone on this. Today, I'm taking my car in for an oil change (fascinating stuff, huh?) and I am going to see "Dunkirk" while I wait for the car. I have heard it is excellent ("Dunkirk", not the car).
I went to see "The Drowsy Chaperone" at Theatre under the Stars in Stanley Park last week. As many of you know, I am not a wildly enthusiastic musical fan, but if you are looking for some good theatre in a beautiful spot, this is really an ideal outing. The show is heaps of fun -- very funny and with lots of great singing and amazing dancing -- and it's CANADIAN (written as a gift for somebody and then suddenly, there it is on Broadway and winning Tony Awards and all sorts of things). I try to see one of the offerings from Theatre Under the Stars every year and I am never disappointed. If you're having guests from out of town, it is really ideal because it combines Stanley Park (which is so iconic, of course) and also some pretty lively entertainment. I was particularly impressed with the tap dancing in this show -- I don't know many kids who are accomplished tap dancers, but everyone in this production seemed to be able to tap up a storm, and it's like Steve Martin used to say about the banjo, you can't be sad when you're tap-dancing (or watching tap dancing!)
My sister is coming next month and we are planning to see "The Winter's Tale" and "Merchant of Venice" at Bard on the Beach. I don't think I have ever seen a production of Merchant of Venice, and so I'm looking hugely forward to that. And of course, to my sister's visit, as well.
I have been attending aquafit classes religiously at the local pool. It is outdoors so while you're aquafitting, you can watch the birds and look at the trees, so it isn't like being stuck in a smelly old pool, which I hate.
Daisy and I have been really enjoying our walks, of course. On the hot days, we go early in the morning (I can't sleep in, even when it's an option) and see all the birds and look at where the tide is and try to avoid other dogs! Then, one of us takes her out in the evening again. She gets very overheated if she tries to go in the middle of the day -- that's when she goes to one of the many creeks in Port Moody where she can lie down in the cold water.
I've seen several older movies which I will review briefly here: "What We Do in the Shadows" is a New Zealand "mockumentary" about these vampire flatmates and their adventures. Quite funny and entertaining, although perhaps a bit gory (not anything too disturbing, though); "A Beautiful Mind" which amazingly I had never seen before. I did not like it. It is about a math genius who struggles with mental illness. I did not like Russell Crowe's performance (I felt like it was soulless), and I did not like the story, which I thought made everything so clear and simple (and I don't think the real guy's life was clear or simple AT ALL). I think this simplification is something that Ron Howard does (he's the director, in case you didn't know), and I am looking for ambiguity, not pat answers, at this point in my life (I can't remember if I have always looked for it, but maybe I have); "Her" with Joaquin Phoenix, about a guy who falls in love with an operating system, played by Scarlett Johannson. I did not like this one either. I read a review that said that the idea of the movie is more interesting than the execution, and I agree with that. I liked the scenes of the Los Angeles skyline and I liked his apartment and the elevator, but I found "Samantha" (the operating system) really irritating and the long shots of Joaquin Phoenix staring did not evoke much in my consciousness. The movie seemed very long and that is not a good sign.
I have been reading a lot, of course. I am presently reading Between Us, by Richard Ford. It is a memoir about his parents and so naturally, it leads one to think of one's own parents. I feel very lucky in that my parents were the people they were. Firstly, they loved my sister and me whole-heartedly (if you think that's true of all parents, think again). Secondly, they were both enthusiastic and lively story-tellers, which I think my sister and I have inherited. They were both very interested in politics and passed that on to us. My mother was the person who taught me to relish the beautiful small things in life -- the things that bring us joy. She taught me to love to read (one of the great loves of my life). She taught me to count my blessings (I have said this before -- I can never feel sorry for myself for long, because I hear my mother's voice in my head saying, "you are so lucky! Think of all the good things in your life!" and there are always many more good things than bad.) She taught me to try to walk in other people's shoes before you judge them. My dad taught me that it is never too late to change (he had an epiphany late in life and it made his whole life better and happier), that you have to stand up for yourself, that you can say what you think, that you can yell what you think, and that people will still like you. That you can change your mind. That you can be forgiven. That it's okay to show people that you love them. (And that it's good to love people.) They were both dear, good people and I think of them every day, even though it has been a long time since they died. And every day I am grateful to them for what they gave me.
That's a nice note to end on, I think. I will report on "Dunkirk" after I see it.
I have a big list of "to do's" for the house and have made a good start on all of that. (Boredom alert -- the following paragraph is news for me, but perhaps not interesting to anyone else on the planet.) I got our furnace replaced and have had people come in to measure the floor in our entranceway and tomorrow a man is coming to measure some windows which need to be replaced. Then, I need a new washing machine and a dishwasher. My only real comment on this is that I find it very difficult to have people clumping around in the house, looking underneath things and finding out what a bad housekeeper I am, etc. I don't think I am alone on this. Today, I'm taking my car in for an oil change (fascinating stuff, huh?) and I am going to see "Dunkirk" while I wait for the car. I have heard it is excellent ("Dunkirk", not the car).
I went to see "The Drowsy Chaperone" at Theatre under the Stars in Stanley Park last week. As many of you know, I am not a wildly enthusiastic musical fan, but if you are looking for some good theatre in a beautiful spot, this is really an ideal outing. The show is heaps of fun -- very funny and with lots of great singing and amazing dancing -- and it's CANADIAN (written as a gift for somebody and then suddenly, there it is on Broadway and winning Tony Awards and all sorts of things). I try to see one of the offerings from Theatre Under the Stars every year and I am never disappointed. If you're having guests from out of town, it is really ideal because it combines Stanley Park (which is so iconic, of course) and also some pretty lively entertainment. I was particularly impressed with the tap dancing in this show -- I don't know many kids who are accomplished tap dancers, but everyone in this production seemed to be able to tap up a storm, and it's like Steve Martin used to say about the banjo, you can't be sad when you're tap-dancing (or watching tap dancing!)
My sister is coming next month and we are planning to see "The Winter's Tale" and "Merchant of Venice" at Bard on the Beach. I don't think I have ever seen a production of Merchant of Venice, and so I'm looking hugely forward to that. And of course, to my sister's visit, as well.
I have been attending aquafit classes religiously at the local pool. It is outdoors so while you're aquafitting, you can watch the birds and look at the trees, so it isn't like being stuck in a smelly old pool, which I hate.
Daisy and I have been really enjoying our walks, of course. On the hot days, we go early in the morning (I can't sleep in, even when it's an option) and see all the birds and look at where the tide is and try to avoid other dogs! Then, one of us takes her out in the evening again. She gets very overheated if she tries to go in the middle of the day -- that's when she goes to one of the many creeks in Port Moody where she can lie down in the cold water.
I've seen several older movies which I will review briefly here: "What We Do in the Shadows" is a New Zealand "mockumentary" about these vampire flatmates and their adventures. Quite funny and entertaining, although perhaps a bit gory (not anything too disturbing, though); "A Beautiful Mind" which amazingly I had never seen before. I did not like it. It is about a math genius who struggles with mental illness. I did not like Russell Crowe's performance (I felt like it was soulless), and I did not like the story, which I thought made everything so clear and simple (and I don't think the real guy's life was clear or simple AT ALL). I think this simplification is something that Ron Howard does (he's the director, in case you didn't know), and I am looking for ambiguity, not pat answers, at this point in my life (I can't remember if I have always looked for it, but maybe I have); "Her" with Joaquin Phoenix, about a guy who falls in love with an operating system, played by Scarlett Johannson. I did not like this one either. I read a review that said that the idea of the movie is more interesting than the execution, and I agree with that. I liked the scenes of the Los Angeles skyline and I liked his apartment and the elevator, but I found "Samantha" (the operating system) really irritating and the long shots of Joaquin Phoenix staring did not evoke much in my consciousness. The movie seemed very long and that is not a good sign.
I have been reading a lot, of course. I am presently reading Between Us, by Richard Ford. It is a memoir about his parents and so naturally, it leads one to think of one's own parents. I feel very lucky in that my parents were the people they were. Firstly, they loved my sister and me whole-heartedly (if you think that's true of all parents, think again). Secondly, they were both enthusiastic and lively story-tellers, which I think my sister and I have inherited. They were both very interested in politics and passed that on to us. My mother was the person who taught me to relish the beautiful small things in life -- the things that bring us joy. She taught me to love to read (one of the great loves of my life). She taught me to count my blessings (I have said this before -- I can never feel sorry for myself for long, because I hear my mother's voice in my head saying, "you are so lucky! Think of all the good things in your life!" and there are always many more good things than bad.) She taught me to try to walk in other people's shoes before you judge them. My dad taught me that it is never too late to change (he had an epiphany late in life and it made his whole life better and happier), that you have to stand up for yourself, that you can say what you think, that you can yell what you think, and that people will still like you. That you can change your mind. That you can be forgiven. That it's okay to show people that you love them. (And that it's good to love people.) They were both dear, good people and I think of them every day, even though it has been a long time since they died. And every day I am grateful to them for what they gave me.
That's a nice note to end on, I think. I will report on "Dunkirk" after I see it.
Wednesday 28 June 2017
You Begin
I am thinking of the end of yet another year and the passage of time and the fact that many of you are off to new adventures that those of us who are left behind can only imagine. For those of you who are leaving Steveston-London, I wish you all the very best. For those of us who remain behind, let's make sure we have a wonderful restful summer, full of days with no activity and no "to-do" lists, and let's come back in September ready to work and learn and do our best to cooperate with each other.
Here's one of my favourite poems about learning:
You Begin (by Margaret Atwood)
You begin this way:
this is your hand,
this is your eye,
that is a fish, blue and flat
on the paper, almost
the shape of an eye.
This is your mouth, this is an O
or a moon, whichever
you like. This is yellow.
Outside the window
is the rain, green
because it is summer, and beyond that
the trees and then the world,
which is round and has only
the colours of these nine crayons.
This is the world, which is fuller
and more difficult to learn than I have said.
you are right to smudge it that way
with the red and then
the orange: the world burns
Once you have learned these words
you will learn that there are more
words than you can ever learn.
The word hand floats above your hand
like a small cloud over a lake.
The word hand anchors
your hand to this table,
your hand is a warm stone
I hold between two words.
This is your hand, these are my hands, this is the world,
which is round but not flat and has more colours
than we can see.
It begins, it has an end,
this is what you will
come back to, this is your hand.
Isn't that lovely? There are, indeed, more words than you (or I) can ever learn and the world is fuller and more difficult to learn than I (or anyone) have said. But it is marvellous and wondrous and I wish you all the best in discovering its wonders and marvels.
Here's one of my favourite poems about learning:
You Begin (by Margaret Atwood)
You begin this way:
this is your hand,
this is your eye,
that is a fish, blue and flat
on the paper, almost
the shape of an eye.
This is your mouth, this is an O
or a moon, whichever
you like. This is yellow.
Outside the window
is the rain, green
because it is summer, and beyond that
the trees and then the world,
which is round and has only
the colours of these nine crayons.
This is the world, which is fuller
and more difficult to learn than I have said.
you are right to smudge it that way
with the red and then
the orange: the world burns
Once you have learned these words
you will learn that there are more
words than you can ever learn.
The word hand floats above your hand
like a small cloud over a lake.
The word hand anchors
your hand to this table,
your hand is a warm stone
I hold between two words.
This is your hand, these are my hands, this is the world,
which is round but not flat and has more colours
than we can see.
It begins, it has an end,
this is what you will
come back to, this is your hand.
Isn't that lovely? There are, indeed, more words than you (or I) can ever learn and the world is fuller and more difficult to learn than I (or anyone) have said. But it is marvellous and wondrous and I wish you all the best in discovering its wonders and marvels.
Friday 16 June 2017
Last journal of the year!
Grade 8's: Whose "show and tell" speech was most memorable? Explain why.
Grades 9 - 12: Finish all the journals you are missing! If you're up to date, good on you!
Let's keep pushing on until the end! Don't fall off the boat. Keep your oars moving things forward! (Great metaphor.)
Grades 9 - 12: Finish all the journals you are missing! If you're up to date, good on you!
Let's keep pushing on until the end! Don't fall off the boat. Keep your oars moving things forward! (Great metaphor.)
Thursday 8 June 2017
In Someone Else's Shoes
Drama 8: Write about one of the characters you are playing in the Aesop's Fables plays. Describe the character and how you will portray it. How will you make us think of the animal? What happens to your character?
Also, what do you plan to speak about in the show and tell? Tell me what you think you will say (in one or two sentences.)
Drama 9/10, Theatre Production 11/12:
Who did you play in the extended role play? What did you do to portray your character (costume, props, facial expressions, voice, activities, interactions with other actors)?
Describe, in detail, one interaction you had with another person in the room. Who did the other person play? Do you think they were believable as their character?
Is there anything else you noticed about the activity? Just to let you know -- I do realize it is quite chaotic -- I don't think you can do an activity like this without it being quite chaotic. Sometimes art is chaotic and I think we learn a lot when we just let ourselves explore.
Also, what do you plan to speak about in the show and tell? Tell me what you think you will say (in one or two sentences.)
Drama 9/10, Theatre Production 11/12:
Who did you play in the extended role play? What did you do to portray your character (costume, props, facial expressions, voice, activities, interactions with other actors)?
Describe, in detail, one interaction you had with another person in the room. Who did the other person play? Do you think they were believable as their character?
Is there anything else you noticed about the activity? Just to let you know -- I do realize it is quite chaotic -- I don't think you can do an activity like this without it being quite chaotic. Sometimes art is chaotic and I think we learn a lot when we just let ourselves explore.
Friday 2 June 2017
Show and tell speeches
Your speech should be 2 minutes long. Practice what you want to say and time yourself to see if you have 2 minutes. More is not better. Brevity is the soul of wit.
Do not start your speech with "so". It is a good idea to start your speech with something that will engage your audience -- a joke, a question, a quotation.
Do not end your speech with "yeah" (as in "so that's what I wanted to say about my carpentry project . . . yeah"). Think of how you can come to a conclusion. "I learned that . . . " "This was one of the most important moments of my life" . . . "I will always remember . . . "
If you have an item that you cannot bring to school, a photograph is fine.
The item should inspire a story or ideas that can engage the audience. For example, you bring your grandfather's medals from the Second World War. You ask us to imagine an eighteen year old boy volunteering to serve in the army, describe a battle in which he took part, or the state he was in when he came back to Canada after the war. You don't need to spend too much time describing the item itself.
The goal of this project is to demonstrate that you've made progress in public speaking. That means you need to speak clearly and project your voice. You need to appear to be confident. You need to prepare a speech that does not use words and phrases inappropriately (phrases like "sort of" and words like "like").
If you are interested in what you have to say, we will also be interested. You need to show that you are interested by speaking with expression, by making eye contact with the audience, and by taking care to prepare your speech.
Do not start your speech with "so". It is a good idea to start your speech with something that will engage your audience -- a joke, a question, a quotation.
Do not end your speech with "yeah" (as in "so that's what I wanted to say about my carpentry project . . . yeah"). Think of how you can come to a conclusion. "I learned that . . . " "This was one of the most important moments of my life" . . . "I will always remember . . . "
If you have an item that you cannot bring to school, a photograph is fine.
The item should inspire a story or ideas that can engage the audience. For example, you bring your grandfather's medals from the Second World War. You ask us to imagine an eighteen year old boy volunteering to serve in the army, describe a battle in which he took part, or the state he was in when he came back to Canada after the war. You don't need to spend too much time describing the item itself.
The goal of this project is to demonstrate that you've made progress in public speaking. That means you need to speak clearly and project your voice. You need to appear to be confident. You need to prepare a speech that does not use words and phrases inappropriately (phrases like "sort of" and words like "like").
If you are interested in what you have to say, we will also be interested. You need to show that you are interested by speaking with expression, by making eye contact with the audience, and by taking care to prepare your speech.
Words, words, words
Journals this week:
Grade 8: What is a lesson you need to learn? Tell a story or relate an anecdote about yourself that demonstrates why you need to learn this lesson?
Grade 9/10: Work on the script for your final project.
Theatre Production: Work on your script for the sound and light show.
Grade 8: What is a lesson you need to learn? Tell a story or relate an anecdote about yourself that demonstrates why you need to learn this lesson?
Grade 9/10: Work on the script for your final project.
Theatre Production: Work on your script for the sound and light show.
Wednesday 31 May 2017
Monologues for Grade 9/10
from the tv show “Seinfeld”)
Girls:
Mary: Remember me?
Mary Contardi.
No? Doesn’t ring a bell,
Jerry? We had a date, three years
ago. You took me to one of your shows. Told me you had a great time! Said you’d call me the next day.
Liar! Liar! You were never going to call me! You thought you could waltz through the rest
of your life and never bump into me again!
But you were wrong, Jerry! You
were wrong! What do you think, I’m some
sort of poor pathetic wretch? Some
person who could be dismissed and ignored?
Some insignificant piece of dust?
Some person who doesn’t deserve your respect and your attention? You’re the one that doesn’t deserve my
respect and my attention! You’re the
insignificant piece of dust!
Boys:
So, you remember I made the initial call on Sunday. She doesn’t call back. I call again Monday. I leave another message. I call Tuesday. I get the machine again, “I know you’re
there, I don’t know what your story is.”
Yesterday, I’m a volcano. I try
one more call, the machine comes on and I let fly like Mussonlini from the
balcony. “Where the hell do you get the
nerve? You invite me up for coffee and
then you don’t call me back for four days?
I don’t like coffee! I don’t have
to come up! I’d like to get one more
shot at the coffee just so I can spit it in your face!”
I lost it.
Friday 26 May 2017
B/C Block accents
C Block: On June 5, we will be doing accents of our own choice. On June 6, we will be trying Indian accents (if you can't do one, look at Youtube -- they have great tutorials for all the accents!); on June 7, we will be trying Australian or British accents. Do your best! That's all anyone can ask. It is helpful for an actor to be able to do a variety of accents and character voices. That is why we are doing this activity.
B Block: On June 5, we will do accents of our own choice (stay with the same accent for the whole block). On June 6, we will do a "street" accent (I think if you listen to rappers, that might help, although Youtube probably has materials on "Learn to use a 'street' accent", since it seems to have everything!) On June 7, we will try German accents. Just try your best. No one expects you to be an expert on either one. Accents help us create interesting characters.
B Block: On June 5, we will do accents of our own choice (stay with the same accent for the whole block). On June 6, we will do a "street" accent (I think if you listen to rappers, that might help, although Youtube probably has materials on "Learn to use a 'street' accent", since it seems to have everything!) On June 7, we will try German accents. Just try your best. No one expects you to be an expert on either one. Accents help us create interesting characters.
Thursday 25 May 2017
Winner Take All
I haven't watched much of the Stanley Cup Playoffs this year, but I am watching the Ottawa Senators in tough with the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 7. The winner gets to play against Nashville. I like Crosby (he was an A student and his vice principal said he was a very kind person who treated everyone with respect, so I do like him) but of course, Ottawa is Canada's only representative in the playoffs so I would like to see them advance and beat Nashville, too.
Here are your journals for this week:
Grade 8: How do you think the world was created? Could you make a play about it? Explain how.
How did you decide who would play the different characters in your "Creation of the World" play? Are you happy with your role? What ideas do you have to make your character interesting and believable? Are you happy with how things are going in your group? Why or why not?
Grade 9/10 Drama (B Block): How did your comedia del'arte play go? Was it funny? Explain why or why not. What were you supposed to do as your character? Were you successful? Explain. Rate the success of your play and explain why you rate it the way you do.
Which other play impressed you the most? Explain why.
Theatre Production 11/12 (B Block): How did your comedia del'arte play go? Was it funny? Explain why or why not. What did you do (be specific) to put the play together? Do you feel like you were successful? Explain why or why not. Which other play impressed you the most? Explain why.
Make sure you hand in your concept for your sound and light show. Include the names of actors you would like to use.
B Block: If you would like to be the teacher in the extended role play, please let me know. (I will explain this in class.)
Grade 9/10 Drama (C Block): Describe what happens in each of your Shakespeare scenes. In each scene, who did you play? What did you do to create a character? On a scale of 1-5, where would you rate yourself? Explain why.
Which other actor impressed you? Why?
Theatre Production 11/12: Create a sketch of your set for your sound and light show. If you are using the whole theatre, show what it will look like. Include curtains, furniture and anything else which will help you set the scene.
C Block: If you would like to be the teacher in the extended role play, make a note of that please.
Here are your journals for this week:
Grade 8: How do you think the world was created? Could you make a play about it? Explain how.
How did you decide who would play the different characters in your "Creation of the World" play? Are you happy with your role? What ideas do you have to make your character interesting and believable? Are you happy with how things are going in your group? Why or why not?
Grade 9/10 Drama (B Block): How did your comedia del'arte play go? Was it funny? Explain why or why not. What were you supposed to do as your character? Were you successful? Explain. Rate the success of your play and explain why you rate it the way you do.
Which other play impressed you the most? Explain why.
Theatre Production 11/12 (B Block): How did your comedia del'arte play go? Was it funny? Explain why or why not. What did you do (be specific) to put the play together? Do you feel like you were successful? Explain why or why not. Which other play impressed you the most? Explain why.
Make sure you hand in your concept for your sound and light show. Include the names of actors you would like to use.
B Block: If you would like to be the teacher in the extended role play, please let me know. (I will explain this in class.)
Grade 9/10 Drama (C Block): Describe what happens in each of your Shakespeare scenes. In each scene, who did you play? What did you do to create a character? On a scale of 1-5, where would you rate yourself? Explain why.
Which other actor impressed you? Why?
Theatre Production 11/12: Create a sketch of your set for your sound and light show. If you are using the whole theatre, show what it will look like. Include curtains, furniture and anything else which will help you set the scene.
C Block: If you would like to be the teacher in the extended role play, make a note of that please.
Friday 12 May 2017
the flood prevails, and then the wind
Kind of a wet day today. Where do you get a good umbrella that won't fall apart after a couple of weeks? Just asking.
Journals today:
Grade 8: Comment on your fairy tale mime. What went well? What needed improvement? Who provided leadership for your group? Did anyone hinder the progress of your group? Explain your answers. Which other group's performance was the best? Explain why.
Drama 9/10 (B Block): What is each of your Shakespeare scenes about? What is the mood of each scene? Explain how you will make the audience feel the appropriate mood.
Theatre Production (B Block): Give a description of your concept for your sound and light show. Be as detailed as possible.
Drama 9/10 and Theatre Production 11/12 (C Block): Comment on your commedia del'arte performance. What went well? What needed improvement? Who provided leadership for your group? Did anyone hinder the progress of your group? Explain your answers. Did your presentation succeed in being funny? Actors: What stock character did you play? What was your lazzi? Was it funny? Theatre Production: What did you do to help the entertainment value of the presentation? Did it work? Everyone: Which other group's performance was most memorable?
Journals today:
Grade 8: Comment on your fairy tale mime. What went well? What needed improvement? Who provided leadership for your group? Did anyone hinder the progress of your group? Explain your answers. Which other group's performance was the best? Explain why.
Drama 9/10 (B Block): What is each of your Shakespeare scenes about? What is the mood of each scene? Explain how you will make the audience feel the appropriate mood.
Theatre Production (B Block): Give a description of your concept for your sound and light show. Be as detailed as possible.
Drama 9/10 and Theatre Production 11/12 (C Block): Comment on your commedia del'arte performance. What went well? What needed improvement? Who provided leadership for your group? Did anyone hinder the progress of your group? Explain your answers. Did your presentation succeed in being funny? Actors: What stock character did you play? What was your lazzi? Was it funny? Theatre Production: What did you do to help the entertainment value of the presentation? Did it work? Everyone: Which other group's performance was most memorable?
Monday 8 May 2017
Shakespeare for all!
Grades 9 and 10: We will be working on Shakespeare scenes this week and here are the scenes:
M: I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise?
LM: I heard the owl scream and the cricket cry.
Did not you speak?
M: When?
LM: Now.
M: As I descended?
LM: Aye.
M: Hark! Who lies in the second chamber?
LM: Donalbain.
M: This is a sorry sight.
LM: A foolish thought to say a sorry sight.
*****
A: Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
S: I do bite my thumb, sir.
A: Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
S: No, sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, sir, but I bite my thumb, sir. Do you quarrel, sir?
A: Quarrel, sir! No, Sir.
S: If you do, sir, I am for you: I serve as good a man as you.
A: No better.
S: Yes, better, sir.
A: You lie.
S: Draw, if you be men.
*************
B: Who's there?
F: Nay, answer me: stand, and unfold yourself.
B: Long live the king!
F: Bernardo?
B: He.
F: You come most carefully upon your hour.
B: 'Tis now struck twelve; get thee to bed, Francisco.
F: For this relief much thanks: 'tis bitter cold,
And I am sick at heart.
B: Have you had quiet guard?
F: Not a mouse stirring.
**********
I: My noble lord-
O: What dost thou say, Iago?
I: Did Michael Cassio, when you woo'd my lady,
Know of your love?
O: He did, from first to last. Why dost thou ask?
I: But for a satisfaction of my thought;
No further harm.
O: Why of thy thought, Iago?
I: I did not think he had been acquainted with her.
O: O, yes, and went between us very oft.
I: Indeed!
O: Indeed! ay, indeed. Discern't thou aught in that?
Is he not honest?
I: Honest, my lord!
O: Honest, ay, honest.
I: My lord, for aught I know.
***************
O: My lord, I have remembrances of yours,
That I have longed long to re-deliver;
I pray you, now receive them.
H: No, not I;
I never gave you aught.
O: My honoured lord, you know right well you did;
And, with words of so sweet breath composed
As made the things more rich. Their perfume lost,
Take these again; for to the noble mind
Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind.
There, my lord.
H: Ha, ha! Are you honest?
O: My lord?
H: Are you fair?
O: What means your lordship?
H: That if you be honest and fair, your honesty should admit no discourse to your beauty . . .I did love you once.
O: Indeed, my lord, you made me believe so.
H: You should not have believed me; for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it. I loved you not.
********
C: Charmian!
Ch: Madam?
C: Ha, ha! Give me to drink mandragora!
Ch: Why, madam?
C: That I might sleep out this great gap of time
My Antony is away.
Ch: You think of him too much.
C: O, 'tis treason!
Ch: Madam, I trust, not so.
C: Did I, Charmian, ever love Caesar so?
Ch: O that brave Caesar!
C: Be choked with such another emphasis!
Ch: The valiant Caesar!
C: By Isis, I will give thee bloody teeth,
If thou with Caesar paragon again
My man of men.
Ch: By your most gracious pardon,
I sing but after you.
C: My salad days,
When I was green in judgement, cold in blood
To say as I said then!
You need to concentrate on what the actors are talking about, what each line means, and the mood of each scene! Do at least 3 scenes!
For those of you who are away, if you use your phone at all, take a look.
M: I have done the deed. Didst thou not hear a noise?
LM: I heard the owl scream and the cricket cry.
Did not you speak?
M: When?
LM: Now.
M: As I descended?
LM: Aye.
M: Hark! Who lies in the second chamber?
LM: Donalbain.
M: This is a sorry sight.
LM: A foolish thought to say a sorry sight.
*****
A: Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
S: I do bite my thumb, sir.
A: Do you bite your thumb at us, sir?
S: No, sir, I do not bite my thumb at you, sir, but I bite my thumb, sir. Do you quarrel, sir?
A: Quarrel, sir! No, Sir.
S: If you do, sir, I am for you: I serve as good a man as you.
A: No better.
S: Yes, better, sir.
A: You lie.
S: Draw, if you be men.
*************
B: Who's there?
F: Nay, answer me: stand, and unfold yourself.
B: Long live the king!
F: Bernardo?
B: He.
F: You come most carefully upon your hour.
B: 'Tis now struck twelve; get thee to bed, Francisco.
F: For this relief much thanks: 'tis bitter cold,
And I am sick at heart.
B: Have you had quiet guard?
F: Not a mouse stirring.
**********
I: My noble lord-
O: What dost thou say, Iago?
I: Did Michael Cassio, when you woo'd my lady,
Know of your love?
O: He did, from first to last. Why dost thou ask?
I: But for a satisfaction of my thought;
No further harm.
O: Why of thy thought, Iago?
I: I did not think he had been acquainted with her.
O: O, yes, and went between us very oft.
I: Indeed!
O: Indeed! ay, indeed. Discern't thou aught in that?
Is he not honest?
I: Honest, my lord!
O: Honest, ay, honest.
I: My lord, for aught I know.
***************
O: My lord, I have remembrances of yours,
That I have longed long to re-deliver;
I pray you, now receive them.
H: No, not I;
I never gave you aught.
O: My honoured lord, you know right well you did;
And, with words of so sweet breath composed
As made the things more rich. Their perfume lost,
Take these again; for to the noble mind
Rich gifts wax poor when givers prove unkind.
There, my lord.
H: Ha, ha! Are you honest?
O: My lord?
H: Are you fair?
O: What means your lordship?
H: That if you be honest and fair, your honesty should admit no discourse to your beauty . . .I did love you once.
O: Indeed, my lord, you made me believe so.
H: You should not have believed me; for virtue cannot so inoculate our old stock but we shall relish of it. I loved you not.
********
C: Charmian!
Ch: Madam?
C: Ha, ha! Give me to drink mandragora!
Ch: Why, madam?
C: That I might sleep out this great gap of time
My Antony is away.
Ch: You think of him too much.
C: O, 'tis treason!
Ch: Madam, I trust, not so.
C: Did I, Charmian, ever love Caesar so?
Ch: O that brave Caesar!
C: Be choked with such another emphasis!
Ch: The valiant Caesar!
C: By Isis, I will give thee bloody teeth,
If thou with Caesar paragon again
My man of men.
Ch: By your most gracious pardon,
I sing but after you.
C: My salad days,
When I was green in judgement, cold in blood
To say as I said then!
You need to concentrate on what the actors are talking about, what each line means, and the mood of each scene! Do at least 3 scenes!
For those of you who are away, if you use your phone at all, take a look.
Saturday 6 May 2017
Our revels have ended . . . again!
Shakespeare always says it so well, doesn't he? My mom always used to say that if you heard a really good quotation and you weren't sure who said it, if you guessed Shakespeare or the Bible you'd have a 50% chance of guessing correctly. And there is some speculation that the King James version of the Bible (which is the one I grew up on) made use of the writing talents of the poets and playwrights of the time, which would include our friend, William Shakespeare.
I just wanted to congratulate you all on a terrific show. I am so proud of each and every one of you and all your hard work and creative energy and determination. Let's all give Janice a big pat on the back for jumping in and doing such a great job with the new role (to her) of Prudence on closing night! Her bravery in taking on that task helped us make our last show just as fun and charming as all the others.
As you know, this play has special meaning for me because it is my baby and I love Shakespeare so much and am so grateful to him for all the joy and beauty he has brought to my life. I was so gratified at how all of you took on your roles and acquitted yourselves so beautifully throughout the performances and it is always such fun for me to see the growth in the characters as you work through the run of the show.
We have a great history in the theatre at Steveston-London and it is always wonderful to see our "old kids" return and hear their news. Our tradition of great theatre is set on their shoulders and continues to be carried on with pride by all of you.
It's not quite over, even though "For My Name is Will" has breathed its last (for now). Grade 7 Fun Day is on May 17 and we will be entertaining our future freshmen with some improv in the theatre. If you're interested in helping out, come to the theatre at lunch on Tuesday, May 9. In addition to that, the Fine and Performing Arts Departments are planning a celebration of the arts on June 14. If you are interested in putting something together for that, we'll discuss that on Tuesday as well.
And with that, "parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say goodbye till it be" . . . Monday! (I'm not a poet and I know it!)
I just wanted to congratulate you all on a terrific show. I am so proud of each and every one of you and all your hard work and creative energy and determination. Let's all give Janice a big pat on the back for jumping in and doing such a great job with the new role (to her) of Prudence on closing night! Her bravery in taking on that task helped us make our last show just as fun and charming as all the others.
As you know, this play has special meaning for me because it is my baby and I love Shakespeare so much and am so grateful to him for all the joy and beauty he has brought to my life. I was so gratified at how all of you took on your roles and acquitted yourselves so beautifully throughout the performances and it is always such fun for me to see the growth in the characters as you work through the run of the show.
We have a great history in the theatre at Steveston-London and it is always wonderful to see our "old kids" return and hear their news. Our tradition of great theatre is set on their shoulders and continues to be carried on with pride by all of you.
It's not quite over, even though "For My Name is Will" has breathed its last (for now). Grade 7 Fun Day is on May 17 and we will be entertaining our future freshmen with some improv in the theatre. If you're interested in helping out, come to the theatre at lunch on Tuesday, May 9. In addition to that, the Fine and Performing Arts Departments are planning a celebration of the arts on June 14. If you are interested in putting something together for that, we'll discuss that on Tuesday as well.
And with that, "parting is such sweet sorrow, that I shall say goodbye till it be" . . . Monday! (I'm not a poet and I know it!)
Friday 5 May 2017
For My Name is Will - journal
Everyone will be writing the same journal this week. You had the chance to see the play produced by Steveston London's Drama Club and I hope you took advantage of the opportunity. It is fun to see a play and this is so easy because it's right here and you don't have to pay very much!
If you weren't able to see the play, please explain why. If you didn't, you will have to try to write about the set, with which you have lived for about a week! You can look at a program to get an idea of what the play is about and write about that.
I hope most of you were able to see it. If you did, these are your questions:
In two sentences, explain the plot of the play. Which actor did the best job? Explain why.
What did you like about it? Explain why you liked it. What is one suggestion for improvement? (Remember that I worked very hard on the play, and so your comments should be sensitive to that. I'm willing to listen to constructive criticism, but if you say the whole thing sucked and it was a complete waste of time, that will hurt my feelings.)
Describe one aspect of the production in detail. (It can be a plot point, the costumes, lighting, music, a performance, or anything else you remember.)
If you weren't able to see the play, please explain why. If you didn't, you will have to try to write about the set, with which you have lived for about a week! You can look at a program to get an idea of what the play is about and write about that.
I hope most of you were able to see it. If you did, these are your questions:
In two sentences, explain the plot of the play. Which actor did the best job? Explain why.
What did you like about it? Explain why you liked it. What is one suggestion for improvement? (Remember that I worked very hard on the play, and so your comments should be sensitive to that. I'm willing to listen to constructive criticism, but if you say the whole thing sucked and it was a complete waste of time, that will hurt my feelings.)
Describe one aspect of the production in detail. (It can be a plot point, the costumes, lighting, music, a performance, or anything else you remember.)
Friday 28 April 2017
Pay for Play!
Grade 8's: Don't forget you are attending "For My Name is Will" on Wednesday afternoon. The ticket price is $5.00.
Thursday 27 April 2017
Notes from run of "Will"
Scene 1;
Lights: fade the wash to 5, don't just flip it to 5.
We need to place an arrow on the stage.
Learn your lines!!!
Lucy, keep your sword arm straight.
"Come along, my dear." is to Anne.
Anne when you are singing, look at the silhouettes.
"By your will" -- be a little shocked, Anne.
QUIET BACKSTAGE, EVERYONE!!!
"Don't hit me" good - Gilbert
Will, make a choice when to use your hands and when to keep them still.
The hankie is on the prop table, Anne -- put it in your pocket.
Scene 2: We need to move the Shakespeare family downstage.
Mr. Cottom -- enjoy the Latin a lot.
Great entrance, Will and Gill.
AY-VON
Rabbit hunt should be an adventure for Richard -- Will, make it exciting.
When all the Shakespeares are on stage, think about the stage picture. Let's see you all and DON'T UPSTAGE ANYONE!!!
Better on "Clottin' Cottom" -- you can go further than this.
Richard, call your mother "mother" or "momma"
Scene 3
Good, Walter Museum. Nice attitude from patrons.
Make sure we have enough cups.
Patrons, laugh that John is hiding.
Walter M. needs a bit of water in his cup. Actors, remember the cups have a drink in them. Act accordingly.
This was a nice scene.
Scene 4: Stay on the "bridge"
Will, choose when to use your right hand.
Great exit, Anne.
Stay on the strips for street and bridge. Well sung.
Use the pillars on the bridge to hide, Will and Anne.
Scene 5: we need water in the bowl and a cup for Will.
After washing, Joan, put the basin and stool away. Move stage right a bit, Mary.
"There's hope still"... plead with the audience.
Music should come in faster.
Scene 6:
Prudence, find stillness.
"Cat got your tongue . . . my name's Kit" this is a joke.
Actors -- come in on your cues.
Fade the music after the actors start to set up. Use the pillars.
Actors should use wine glasses, not tavern mugs.
Kit and Will, come downstage for your conversation. Prudence, keep looking at Kit.
Actors, don't touch the Bible.
More drama on "Feats of daring," etc., Kit.
DO NOT UPSTAGE THE FOCUS OF THE SCENE.
Scene 7:
Diction! Blue dress should be there.
I'll go to the play whether he will or no. Anne -- don't turn upstage. Say it to the audience.
Scene 8: Everyone should have an instrument, except those who have other things.
Make a nice arrangement of yourselves, Will and "boys".
Pee thing good, Walter.
Make the V tighter, Actors.
Samuel D. -- hit the lion with the sword. Lots of sound, Lion.
Actors, shake your heads in pity at Pyramus's pain and sadness.
Pick up the cues.
Actors -- good taking your bows.
Scene 9: Everyone should have boots.
I missed the next few scenes for interviews.
Scene 12: Try to fit in to the Shakespeare house. Watch where you are!! Make a nice picture.
Cheat to the audience.
Scene 13: Arrange yourselves in interesting clumps.
DO NOT UPSTAGE THE SCENE!!!!
BE READY TO GO RIGHT AFTER SCHOOL TOMORROW.
Lights: fade the wash to 5, don't just flip it to 5.
We need to place an arrow on the stage.
Learn your lines!!!
Lucy, keep your sword arm straight.
"Come along, my dear." is to Anne.
Anne when you are singing, look at the silhouettes.
"By your will" -- be a little shocked, Anne.
QUIET BACKSTAGE, EVERYONE!!!
"Don't hit me" good - Gilbert
Will, make a choice when to use your hands and when to keep them still.
The hankie is on the prop table, Anne -- put it in your pocket.
Scene 2: We need to move the Shakespeare family downstage.
Mr. Cottom -- enjoy the Latin a lot.
Great entrance, Will and Gill.
AY-VON
Rabbit hunt should be an adventure for Richard -- Will, make it exciting.
When all the Shakespeares are on stage, think about the stage picture. Let's see you all and DON'T UPSTAGE ANYONE!!!
Better on "Clottin' Cottom" -- you can go further than this.
Richard, call your mother "mother" or "momma"
Scene 3
Good, Walter Museum. Nice attitude from patrons.
Make sure we have enough cups.
Patrons, laugh that John is hiding.
Walter M. needs a bit of water in his cup. Actors, remember the cups have a drink in them. Act accordingly.
This was a nice scene.
Scene 4: Stay on the "bridge"
Will, choose when to use your right hand.
Great exit, Anne.
Stay on the strips for street and bridge. Well sung.
Use the pillars on the bridge to hide, Will and Anne.
Scene 5: we need water in the bowl and a cup for Will.
After washing, Joan, put the basin and stool away. Move stage right a bit, Mary.
"There's hope still"... plead with the audience.
Music should come in faster.
Scene 6:
Prudence, find stillness.
"Cat got your tongue . . . my name's Kit" this is a joke.
Actors -- come in on your cues.
Fade the music after the actors start to set up. Use the pillars.
Actors should use wine glasses, not tavern mugs.
Kit and Will, come downstage for your conversation. Prudence, keep looking at Kit.
Actors, don't touch the Bible.
More drama on "Feats of daring," etc., Kit.
DO NOT UPSTAGE THE FOCUS OF THE SCENE.
Scene 7:
Diction! Blue dress should be there.
I'll go to the play whether he will or no. Anne -- don't turn upstage. Say it to the audience.
Scene 8: Everyone should have an instrument, except those who have other things.
Make a nice arrangement of yourselves, Will and "boys".
Pee thing good, Walter.
Make the V tighter, Actors.
Samuel D. -- hit the lion with the sword. Lots of sound, Lion.
Actors, shake your heads in pity at Pyramus's pain and sadness.
Pick up the cues.
Actors -- good taking your bows.
Scene 9: Everyone should have boots.
I missed the next few scenes for interviews.
Scene 12: Try to fit in to the Shakespeare house. Watch where you are!! Make a nice picture.
Cheat to the audience.
Scene 13: Arrange yourselves in interesting clumps.
DO NOT UPSTAGE THE SCENE!!!!
BE READY TO GO RIGHT AFTER SCHOOL TOMORROW.
Journal Time!
Grade 8's: Are you good at working in groups? What three qualities do you have that help you in group work? How could you improve? Are you a good leader? Explain. Write about one "group work" experience you had and explain what you learned.
Drama 9/10: What have you accomplished so far in the comedia plays? List the required components and explain how you are bringing your ideas to fruition. (You don't have to write out each joke, but give me an idea that you are getting ready to present the play you've created.)
Theatre Production: You know you are to create two sets (at least) for the comedia performance. Where does your play take place? What are your two sets going to look like? (A sketch is good.) They do not have to look exactly like the places (and often it is best if they are not). Think of how you can make your locales funny, in some way. (Like in the old Batman tv show, the villains' lairs were at an angle.) What do you need (props, etc.) to create the impression of two places?
Drama 9/10: What have you accomplished so far in the comedia plays? List the required components and explain how you are bringing your ideas to fruition. (You don't have to write out each joke, but give me an idea that you are getting ready to present the play you've created.)
Theatre Production: You know you are to create two sets (at least) for the comedia performance. Where does your play take place? What are your two sets going to look like? (A sketch is good.) They do not have to look exactly like the places (and often it is best if they are not). Think of how you can make your locales funny, in some way. (Like in the old Batman tv show, the villains' lairs were at an angle.) What do you need (props, etc.) to create the impression of two places?
Thursday 20 April 2017
Writing ourselves out
Journal Day! (Yay, yay!)
Grade 8 Drama: What should Ms. Kosar know about you? You might want to include descriptions of your experience (if any) in theatre -- did your elementary school do any drama? Have you been in a play? Have you ever performed in front of a crowd (in music, in sports, in dance)? Have you ever made a speech in front of an audience? Do you have stage fright? (Lots of people, even professional actors, do.) How does that feel? What do you think of Drama so far? Just write about things that you think Ms. Kosar should know in order to teach you!
Drama 9/10: Watch someone performing a current events spoof. (I would suggest Melissa McCarthy's star turn as Sean Spicer on Saturday Night Live, as a great one, or for a Canadian angle, Mary Walsh as Marg Delahunty on "This Hour Has 22 Minutes" or Gavin Crawford playing "Mark Jackson".) You can access these on You Tube, or you can watch Saturday Night Live (which is doing some great spoofing of the White House these days) on Saturday at 11:30 p.m on NBC or "This Hour Has 22 Minutes on Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. on CBC. Say who and what you watched and describe the lazzis the actor uses.
Theatre Production: Watch someone performing a current events spoof. (See above.) Describe what the person wears, the set that they use, and how effective the spoof is.
Grade 8 Drama: What should Ms. Kosar know about you? You might want to include descriptions of your experience (if any) in theatre -- did your elementary school do any drama? Have you been in a play? Have you ever performed in front of a crowd (in music, in sports, in dance)? Have you ever made a speech in front of an audience? Do you have stage fright? (Lots of people, even professional actors, do.) How does that feel? What do you think of Drama so far? Just write about things that you think Ms. Kosar should know in order to teach you!
Drama 9/10: Watch someone performing a current events spoof. (I would suggest Melissa McCarthy's star turn as Sean Spicer on Saturday Night Live, as a great one, or for a Canadian angle, Mary Walsh as Marg Delahunty on "This Hour Has 22 Minutes" or Gavin Crawford playing "Mark Jackson".) You can access these on You Tube, or you can watch Saturday Night Live (which is doing some great spoofing of the White House these days) on Saturday at 11:30 p.m on NBC or "This Hour Has 22 Minutes on Tuesdays at 8:30 p.m. on CBC. Say who and what you watched and describe the lazzis the actor uses.
Theatre Production: Watch someone performing a current events spoof. (See above.) Describe what the person wears, the set that they use, and how effective the spoof is.
Wednesday 19 April 2017
Welcome to Drama -- Best of luck!
First of all, to all of you departing Grade 8's -- I hope you have a great time in Art. Thank you so much for all your hard work and creativity. It was great to watch all of you doing your best and learning and working together.
For you newbies, welcome to the theatre. For the next 9 weeks, we're going to have a great time and do a lot of fun stuff that will build confidence, teach you how to work with each other and to present your ideas and hopefully, will unleash a lot of creative energy!
Firstly, here is a little something for you to practice. Say it out loud every day and in no time, you'll have it memorized!
All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances
And one man in his time plays many parts.
For you newbies, welcome to the theatre. For the next 9 weeks, we're going to have a great time and do a lot of fun stuff that will build confidence, teach you how to work with each other and to present your ideas and hopefully, will unleash a lot of creative energy!
Firstly, here is a little something for you to practice. Say it out loud every day and in no time, you'll have it memorized!
All the world's a stage,
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances
And one man in his time plays many parts.
Tuesday 18 April 2017
Speak White by Michèle Lalonde, 1970, translated Albert Herring, 2001–2012
This is a poem that is recited at the end of a production by one of Canada's greatest theatre personalities and authors -- Robert Lepage. My sister saw a production of "887", which is about Robert Lepage's childhood (887 is the house number of his family home) and about his father's struggles to raise the family and support them on a taxi driver's wages. "Speak white" is apparently what overseers would say to African slaves on the plantation when they tried to speak their own languages and it was also said by Anglo employers to French workers in Quebec in the old days. It's a challenging poem -- I have read it several times and am still grappling with it -- but things worth doing are oftentimes not easy to do.
Speak White
Speak white
It sounds so good when you
Speak of Paradise Lost
And of the gracious and anonymous profile that trembles
In Shakespeare's sonnets
We're an uncultured stammering race
But we are not deaf to the genius of a language
Speak with the accent of Milton and Byron and Shelley and Keats
Speak white
And forgive us our only answer
Being the raucous songs of our ancestors
And the sorrows of Nelligan
Speak white
Talk about this and that
Tell us about Magna Carta
Or the Lincoln Memorial
The grey charm of the Thames
The pink waters of the Potomac
Tell us about your traditions
As a people we don't really shine
But we're quite capable of appreciating
All the significance of crumpets
Or the Boston Tea Party
But when you really speak white
When you get down to brass tacks
To talk about gracious living
And speak of standing in life
And the Great Society
A bit stronger then, speak white
Raise your foremen's voices
We're a bit hard of hearing
We live too close to the machines
And we only hear the sound of our breathing over the tools.
Speak white and loud
So that we can hear you
From St-Henri to St-Domingue
What an admirable tongue
For hiring
Giving orders
Setting the time for working yourself to death
And for the pause that refreshes
And invigorates the dollar
Speak white
Tell us that God is a great big shot
And that we're paid to trust him
Speak white
Talk to us about production profits and percentages
Speak white
It's a rich langauge
For buying
But for selling
But for selling your soul
But for selling out
Ah!
Speak white
Big deal
But to tell you about
The eternity of a day on strike
To tell the story of
How a race of servants live
But for us to come home at night
At the time that the sun snuffs itself out over the backstreets
But to tell you yes that the sun is setting yes
Every day of our lives to the east of your empires
There's nothing to match a language of swearwords
Our none-too-clean parlure
Greasy and oil-stained.
Speak white
Be easy in your words
We're a race that holds grudges
But let's not criticize anyone
For having a monopoly
On correcting language
In Shakespeare's soft tongue
With the accent of Longfellow
Speak a pure and atrociously white French
Like in Vietnam, like in the Congo
Speak impeccable German
A yellow star between your teeth
Speak Russian speak call to order speak repression
Speak white
It is a universal language
We were born to understand it
With its teargas words
With its nightstick words
Speak white
Tell us again about Freedom and Democracy
We know that liberty is a black word
Just as poverty is black
And just as blood mixes with dust in the steets of Algiers
And Little Rock
Speak white
From Westminster to Washington take it in turn
Speak white like they do on Wall Street
White like they do in Watts
Be civilized
And understand us when we speak of circumstances
When you ask us politely
How do you do
And we hear you say
We're doing all right
We're doing fine
We
Are not alone
We know
That we are not alone
It sounds so good when you
Speak of Paradise Lost
And of the gracious and anonymous profile that trembles
In Shakespeare's sonnets
We're an uncultured stammering race
But we are not deaf to the genius of a language
Speak with the accent of Milton and Byron and Shelley and Keats
Speak white
And forgive us our only answer
Being the raucous songs of our ancestors
And the sorrows of Nelligan
Speak white
Talk about this and that
Tell us about Magna Carta
Or the Lincoln Memorial
The grey charm of the Thames
The pink waters of the Potomac
Tell us about your traditions
As a people we don't really shine
But we're quite capable of appreciating
All the significance of crumpets
Or the Boston Tea Party
But when you really speak white
When you get down to brass tacks
To talk about gracious living
And speak of standing in life
And the Great Society
A bit stronger then, speak white
Raise your foremen's voices
We're a bit hard of hearing
We live too close to the machines
And we only hear the sound of our breathing over the tools.
Speak white and loud
So that we can hear you
From St-Henri to St-Domingue
What an admirable tongue
For hiring
Giving orders
Setting the time for working yourself to death
And for the pause that refreshes
And invigorates the dollar
Speak white
Tell us that God is a great big shot
And that we're paid to trust him
Speak white
Talk to us about production profits and percentages
Speak white
It's a rich langauge
For buying
But for selling
But for selling your soul
But for selling out
Ah!
Speak white
Big deal
But to tell you about
The eternity of a day on strike
To tell the story of
How a race of servants live
But for us to come home at night
At the time that the sun snuffs itself out over the backstreets
But to tell you yes that the sun is setting yes
Every day of our lives to the east of your empires
There's nothing to match a language of swearwords
Our none-too-clean parlure
Greasy and oil-stained.
Speak white
Be easy in your words
We're a race that holds grudges
But let's not criticize anyone
For having a monopoly
On correcting language
In Shakespeare's soft tongue
With the accent of Longfellow
Speak a pure and atrociously white French
Like in Vietnam, like in the Congo
Speak impeccable German
A yellow star between your teeth
Speak Russian speak call to order speak repression
Speak white
It is a universal language
We were born to understand it
With its teargas words
With its nightstick words
Speak white
Tell us again about Freedom and Democracy
We know that liberty is a black word
Just as poverty is black
And just as blood mixes with dust in the steets of Algiers
And Little Rock
Speak white
From Westminster to Washington take it in turn
Speak white like they do on Wall Street
White like they do in Watts
Be civilized
And understand us when we speak of circumstances
When you ask us politely
How do you do
And we hear you say
We're doing all right
We're doing fine
We
Are not alone
We know
That we are not alone
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