Don't neglect your journal -- it is a good way to think about what we're doing in class. Make sure you answer all the questions and put your name on your work!
Grade 8 Journal:
Which fairy tale did your group choose to perform for its extended mime? Why did you choose that story? What role are you going to play? How will you create your character (think of facial expressions, movements, costumes, actions and reactions)? How is your group doing? Is anyone the "leader"? How can you tell? Is anyone presenting problems in making progress? Explain.
Grade 9/10:
What current event have you chosen for your play? Why is it an important event to present? How can you make it serious? Funny?
Theatre Production:
Having read "Twelfth Night", do you think the set design will be a good framework for the play? What problems might it present? What would you do if you had to design a set for the play? (You can sketch it.) Google the "Swan Theatre" thrust stage design. What do you think of it? Our SLSS stage is a "proscenium" design. Which design do you like best? Explain why.
Thursday 26 February 2015
Thursday 19 February 2015
Think, when we talk of horses . . .
Grades 9/10:
No excuses:
Think, when we talk of horses, that you see them,
Printing their proud hooves i' the receiving earth,
For 'tis your thoughts that now must deck our kings,
Carry them here and there, jumping o'er times,
Turning the accomplishment of many years, into an hourglass,
For the which supply, admit me chorus to this history,
Who, prologue-like, your humble patience pray,
Gently to hear, kindly to judge, our play.
Say it four times a day and you will know it by Wednesday!
No excuses:
Think, when we talk of horses, that you see them,
Printing their proud hooves i' the receiving earth,
For 'tis your thoughts that now must deck our kings,
Carry them here and there, jumping o'er times,
Turning the accomplishment of many years, into an hourglass,
For the which supply, admit me chorus to this history,
Who, prologue-like, your humble patience pray,
Gently to hear, kindly to judge, our play.
Say it four times a day and you will know it by Wednesday!
Live, from New York, it's Saturday Night!
It was the 40th anniversary of the sketch comedy show, Saturday Night Live, on February 15! I watched the anniversary show and it disappointed me a bit because it seemed sort of like the Oscars awards show, without the awards being given out. Awkward speeches and forgettable musical numbers were the order of the day. What I wanted to see was my favourite characters -- like the guy who ran the lunch counter that John Belushi played, who said, "Coke, no Pepsi! Chips! Chips! Chips!" and all the Dan Ackroyd characters. Another one that I loved were the Czechoslovakian brothers -- "we're two wild and crazy guys". They did show Roseanne Roseannadanna, at least. And the land shark! It was sad because some of the big guns from the past have not held on to their ability to be funny -- Chevy Chase and Eddie Murphy were uncomfortable and unfunny and sort of elderly and embarrassing. Maybe they take themselves too seriously now. Steve Martin is still funny and that's gratifying. He still has that energy and the ability to be ridiculous.
I have always watched the opening sequences of "Saturday Night Live" and wondered what it would be like to be young and funny and creative and living in New York and working these crazy hours on a big tv show and then going out afterwards to some funky New York deli or bar or whatever with all your funny castmates. The opening sequences show scenes of New York inhabited by the cast members and it all looks so intensely cool and artsy. I guess that's what they're going for and it sure works.
Forty years is a long time. Paul McCartney and Paul Simon sang. Two great songs, but Paul McCartney can't sing "Maybe I'm Amazed" the way he used to. It is too high for him, now. Paul Simon sang "Still Crazy After All These Years" -- he was great. Miley Cyrus was great, too. She sang another Paul Simon classic, "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" and it was very bluesy and edgy. My favourite part was Andy Samberg and Adam Sandler singing (in terrible wigs and big parkas) "That's When You Break" about how actors corpse in certain stressful or particularly funny moments. It contained clips of lots of the cast members in funny moments. That's what I wanted to see.
Tomorrow is our district conference. I am going to one session called "The Adolescent Brain" which, I have heard, is excellent. We auditioned people over the last week and today we hashed out a cast. I hate the process of casting and of course, I wish I could give everyone the part they want, but it doesn't work that way. We have considered people's auditions, and how dependable they are, and whether they soldiered through a small part in "Fawlty" and what part would suit them. I hope you all remember that you can do a lot with a little and that we will have fun, no matter what.
I have always watched the opening sequences of "Saturday Night Live" and wondered what it would be like to be young and funny and creative and living in New York and working these crazy hours on a big tv show and then going out afterwards to some funky New York deli or bar or whatever with all your funny castmates. The opening sequences show scenes of New York inhabited by the cast members and it all looks so intensely cool and artsy. I guess that's what they're going for and it sure works.
Forty years is a long time. Paul McCartney and Paul Simon sang. Two great songs, but Paul McCartney can't sing "Maybe I'm Amazed" the way he used to. It is too high for him, now. Paul Simon sang "Still Crazy After All These Years" -- he was great. Miley Cyrus was great, too. She sang another Paul Simon classic, "50 Ways to Leave Your Lover" and it was very bluesy and edgy. My favourite part was Andy Samberg and Adam Sandler singing (in terrible wigs and big parkas) "That's When You Break" about how actors corpse in certain stressful or particularly funny moments. It contained clips of lots of the cast members in funny moments. That's what I wanted to see.
Tomorrow is our district conference. I am going to one session called "The Adolescent Brain" which, I have heard, is excellent. We auditioned people over the last week and today we hashed out a cast. I hate the process of casting and of course, I wish I could give everyone the part they want, but it doesn't work that way. We have considered people's auditions, and how dependable they are, and whether they soldiered through a small part in "Fawlty" and what part would suit them. I hope you all remember that you can do a lot with a little and that we will have fun, no matter what.
Thursday 12 February 2015
All the world's a stage
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.
This is the short piece of Shakespeare that the Grade 8's will be reciting in a couple of weeks. We will practice every day but make sure you check that you are getting all the words absolutely right. This is Shakespeare and if you add or leave out words, the rhythm will be affected.
Your journal this week, for Grade 8's, is:
What should Ms. Kosar know about you? Obviously I'm interested if you have any background in theatre, if you've attended classes at the Richmond Academy of Dramatic Art, or at Gateway Theatre (or anywhere else). Perhaps your elementary school had an enthusiastic teacher who liked to do plays and you played the lead. Another thing you might like to write about is whether you have stage fright or not. Lots of people have it, and it is something we will try to deal with, so that you all have fun in Drama and don't feel scared. Other types of performing (like as a musician or an athlete) are also interesting to me. Whatever you'd like to share -- your journals are just between you and me, so don't be afraid to tell me about feeling nervous on stage or how much you like drama or whatever.
Grade 9/10's and Theatre Production 11
Our first plays are based on the phrase "Love is . . . " What is love? Use a metaphor to describe it and then explain what you mean. Is this the metaphor your group is using? If not, describe your group's metaphor. If so, what is your group going to do with it?
And all the men and women merely players;
They have their exits and their entrances
And one man in his time plays many parts.
This is the short piece of Shakespeare that the Grade 8's will be reciting in a couple of weeks. We will practice every day but make sure you check that you are getting all the words absolutely right. This is Shakespeare and if you add or leave out words, the rhythm will be affected.
Your journal this week, for Grade 8's, is:
What should Ms. Kosar know about you? Obviously I'm interested if you have any background in theatre, if you've attended classes at the Richmond Academy of Dramatic Art, or at Gateway Theatre (or anywhere else). Perhaps your elementary school had an enthusiastic teacher who liked to do plays and you played the lead. Another thing you might like to write about is whether you have stage fright or not. Lots of people have it, and it is something we will try to deal with, so that you all have fun in Drama and don't feel scared. Other types of performing (like as a musician or an athlete) are also interesting to me. Whatever you'd like to share -- your journals are just between you and me, so don't be afraid to tell me about feeling nervous on stage or how much you like drama or whatever.
Grade 9/10's and Theatre Production 11
Our first plays are based on the phrase "Love is . . . " What is love? Use a metaphor to describe it and then explain what you mean. Is this the metaphor your group is using? If not, describe your group's metaphor. If so, what is your group going to do with it?
Monday 9 February 2015
Welcome to my parlour!
Just as we bid goodbye to the first semester, we move on to the second semester! Welcome to all you newcomers and returnees to Drama! I hope we'll have lots of fun and learn a lot over the next few months. Remember, it's hard to fail Drama, but it isn't impossible and if you don't show up, that's a pretty bad situation. You've got to be involved in your own life in order to actually live it. Don't let the chances for new experiences pass you by.
My son has been watching "The Walking Dead" over the weekend. You probably know all about it, but it has been quite a revelation for me. The characters are very well drawn and I find the stories quite compelling. I hate the zombie stuff -- the gore and the short scenes where they show the zombies eating -- they're really horrible. And I think that there are holes in the idea of zombies -- how come they don't eat each other? I understand they prefer fresh meat, but if they can't get it, why wouldn't they eat some other sort of meat? They eat dead animals sometimes, don't they? Anthony says the graphic novels are better than the tv show (I know -- you can't really compare them), but I think the tv show is pretty well written and it seems like quite a departure from most tv.
Did you have a pleasant Family Day? I went to the hospital to visit my husband -- he had asked for a vanilla shake, so I brought him one and he seemed to enjoy it, although he couldn't get through the whole thing (not like him at all -- he never had trouble finishing his food) and then I spent most of the day preparing for tomorrow -- back to school! I won't dwell on it, but I must say, it is very hard to do without the company of someone on whom you've depended for many years. I often think, "oh, I have to tell Mike this!" and then I realize that he's not here and I can't tell him.
I finally took down the Christmas stuff yesterday. Usually I would have done it long ago, but I was waiting for Mike to come home and now it looks like that won't happen for a long time and the boys were starting to think we would never get it done. Here's a tip for all you adolescents out there. If you see your mother working really hard and struggling with something, don't wait to be asked -- jump up and help her. She'll really appreciate it. You get tired of asking for people to help and having to tell them exactly what you want them to do.
Our report cards have been delayed because we have this new computer system and it has gone down for a period of time. I'm not sure when it will be up and running again, but if you still have work for me to mark, you might be able to slip it under the wire. Check with me and see if you want me to mark something.
We are starting to audition for "Twelfth Night" this week, so learn the monologue I've left in the blue folder and present it with lots of energy and zip when you audition. There are 18 speaking parts, so competition is likely to be stiff! I am happy to say that Ms. Levin has agreed to co-direct with me. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do a second show this year with my husband's health being the way it is, but with Ms. Levin's help, I am confident we'll have a great show. Mr. Price has created a beautiful model for a magical set and he has thought of costumes for lots of characters, too, so that's a big load off my mind as well. In rereading "Twelfth Night", I am really excited about it. It is very funny and I think we'll really enjoy putting it together.
Both my sons have sports tonight, so Chauffeur Jean will be busy motoring around the Tri-cities. See you tomorrow!
My son has been watching "The Walking Dead" over the weekend. You probably know all about it, but it has been quite a revelation for me. The characters are very well drawn and I find the stories quite compelling. I hate the zombie stuff -- the gore and the short scenes where they show the zombies eating -- they're really horrible. And I think that there are holes in the idea of zombies -- how come they don't eat each other? I understand they prefer fresh meat, but if they can't get it, why wouldn't they eat some other sort of meat? They eat dead animals sometimes, don't they? Anthony says the graphic novels are better than the tv show (I know -- you can't really compare them), but I think the tv show is pretty well written and it seems like quite a departure from most tv.
Did you have a pleasant Family Day? I went to the hospital to visit my husband -- he had asked for a vanilla shake, so I brought him one and he seemed to enjoy it, although he couldn't get through the whole thing (not like him at all -- he never had trouble finishing his food) and then I spent most of the day preparing for tomorrow -- back to school! I won't dwell on it, but I must say, it is very hard to do without the company of someone on whom you've depended for many years. I often think, "oh, I have to tell Mike this!" and then I realize that he's not here and I can't tell him.
I finally took down the Christmas stuff yesterday. Usually I would have done it long ago, but I was waiting for Mike to come home and now it looks like that won't happen for a long time and the boys were starting to think we would never get it done. Here's a tip for all you adolescents out there. If you see your mother working really hard and struggling with something, don't wait to be asked -- jump up and help her. She'll really appreciate it. You get tired of asking for people to help and having to tell them exactly what you want them to do.
Our report cards have been delayed because we have this new computer system and it has gone down for a period of time. I'm not sure when it will be up and running again, but if you still have work for me to mark, you might be able to slip it under the wire. Check with me and see if you want me to mark something.
We are starting to audition for "Twelfth Night" this week, so learn the monologue I've left in the blue folder and present it with lots of energy and zip when you audition. There are 18 speaking parts, so competition is likely to be stiff! I am happy to say that Ms. Levin has agreed to co-direct with me. I was worried that I wouldn't be able to do a second show this year with my husband's health being the way it is, but with Ms. Levin's help, I am confident we'll have a great show. Mr. Price has created a beautiful model for a magical set and he has thought of costumes for lots of characters, too, so that's a big load off my mind as well. In rereading "Twelfth Night", I am really excited about it. It is very funny and I think we'll really enjoy putting it together.
Both my sons have sports tonight, so Chauffeur Jean will be busy motoring around the Tri-cities. See you tomorrow!
Monday 2 February 2015
Time flies
We have completed (almost) our first semester of the year, except for this last week of wrapping up. A lot of water has passed under the bridge and we have encountered rocks and fast rapids along the way.
My "office hours" (when I'm available in the theatre) are from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday. You can come in and finish up any work that you haven't done, or redo something you think needs redo-ing. The last journal for Drama 9 - 12 is to write about how you created your role play character. You can include things about what you wore or how you conducted yourself. It really helps me, because I wasn't able to interact with each of you during the chaos that is the extended roleplay.
I am going to be working on your marks this week. As you know, I am not adept at using technology and we have just switched over to the new marks program and so I imagine it will be another whitewater experience for me, but I have learned in my many years that somehow things get done and I won't let myself be defeated by it.
Now that you have semester one under your belt, take a moment and think about how things went. What did you do well? Where could you improve? When we make these transitions, it is good to look back and take stock. I realize more and more as time goes on that a lot of success is just showing up. If you miss a lot of classes, you might be able to pass, but you won't really learn, especially in Drama. The experience is what teaches. You might think that I arrive every day with a sunny outlook, but that isn't necessarily true. There are lots of mornings when I would much rather stay in bed, just pull the blankets over my head and sleep the whole day. But like Tom Wingfield, "I go". You have to be present in your own life to live it. Sometimes it's good to get out of yourself and out of your own head. Once I'm in class, I find it quite absorbing. I know, for lots of you, it is hard. You've got lots of burdens and baggage to carry. Maybe you find school boring. Maybe you wish you had a job instead. Maybe you have trouble making connections with other kids or with your teachers. I heard this piece on the radio yesterday about "right livelihood" which is a Buddhist philosophy in which you put the best of yourself into whatever you do. You put the best of yourself into your work (hinayana) and you open yourself up to others and the world and try to create a better world that way (mahayana) and we try to learn from what we do (vajrayana). Of course, I just heard this person talk about it for a half an hour, so I might be misinterpreting it, but I think the perspective would help all of us embrace our work and accept it as an integral part of our lives, not just that horrible time from Monday to Friday when we don't get to do what we want. It takes so much of our time, if we're just waiting for the weekend, it's as my mother would say "wishing our lives away". The person who was talking about it on the radio was named Lodro Rinzler and his book is called The Buddha Walks into the Office: A Guide to Livelihood for a New Generation.
My "office hours" (when I'm available in the theatre) are from 10:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Monday to Thursday. You can come in and finish up any work that you haven't done, or redo something you think needs redo-ing. The last journal for Drama 9 - 12 is to write about how you created your role play character. You can include things about what you wore or how you conducted yourself. It really helps me, because I wasn't able to interact with each of you during the chaos that is the extended roleplay.
I am going to be working on your marks this week. As you know, I am not adept at using technology and we have just switched over to the new marks program and so I imagine it will be another whitewater experience for me, but I have learned in my many years that somehow things get done and I won't let myself be defeated by it.
Now that you have semester one under your belt, take a moment and think about how things went. What did you do well? Where could you improve? When we make these transitions, it is good to look back and take stock. I realize more and more as time goes on that a lot of success is just showing up. If you miss a lot of classes, you might be able to pass, but you won't really learn, especially in Drama. The experience is what teaches. You might think that I arrive every day with a sunny outlook, but that isn't necessarily true. There are lots of mornings when I would much rather stay in bed, just pull the blankets over my head and sleep the whole day. But like Tom Wingfield, "I go". You have to be present in your own life to live it. Sometimes it's good to get out of yourself and out of your own head. Once I'm in class, I find it quite absorbing. I know, for lots of you, it is hard. You've got lots of burdens and baggage to carry. Maybe you find school boring. Maybe you wish you had a job instead. Maybe you have trouble making connections with other kids or with your teachers. I heard this piece on the radio yesterday about "right livelihood" which is a Buddhist philosophy in which you put the best of yourself into whatever you do. You put the best of yourself into your work (hinayana) and you open yourself up to others and the world and try to create a better world that way (mahayana) and we try to learn from what we do (vajrayana). Of course, I just heard this person talk about it for a half an hour, so I might be misinterpreting it, but I think the perspective would help all of us embrace our work and accept it as an integral part of our lives, not just that horrible time from Monday to Friday when we don't get to do what we want. It takes so much of our time, if we're just waiting for the weekend, it's as my mother would say "wishing our lives away". The person who was talking about it on the radio was named Lodro Rinzler and his book is called The Buddha Walks into the Office: A Guide to Livelihood for a New Generation.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)