Lord, what fools these mortals be!

 

We used to say that if March comes in like a lamb (the first day of March is mild and pleasant), it will go out like a lion (stormy).  How did March "go out"?  (What was the weather like?) How would you create a storm on stage?

If we were to have a day to celebrate April Fool's Day at Steveston-London, what would it look like?  Describe what you would plan if you were given the job of creating a celebration for April Fool's Day.  Remember, bullying would not be allowed.

Grade 8's -- please also say how you feel your Creation of the World performance went.  What was successful and what could have been improved?

The Creation of the World - story

 

Spring at Rocky Point Park

 

Some of you expressed some interest in my nature videos.  I just finished my latest opus -- "Spring in Rocky Point Park".  Here is the link if you are interested: https://youtu.be/Jzg9o_pLX_c 

I hope all of you are enjoying this lovely spring day.  I have an infestation of ants in my bedroom!  I have been taking each ant outside and setting it free, but there are too many now and it is awful to have an ant drop on you while you're reading before you go to sleep (!) so I might have to resort to something more permanent.  I hate the idea of killing anything though.

Kim's Convenience

 I had a conversation with a friend a while ago about how to combat the rise of Asian hate crimes. We concluded that in tandem with reactively condemning such abhorrent behaviours, the proactive part was continuing to write stories and mentor younger AsianCanadian storytellers. Through stories we see into the lives of others wholly different from ourselves and realize how similar we all are. Through stories we are entertained as a group and comforted to know we’re not alone both in our struggles and what we find funny. Through stories, chasms can be bridged, truths can be heard and reconciliation is possible, strengthening our country for the next generation to surpass our dreams and efforts. 

                                                                                                Ins Choi, playwright

I saw "Kim's Convenience" last night at the Arts Club Theatre and it was terrific.  Thanks so much to Madeline for recommending it.  It was strange (and a bit scary) to be in a theatre again and watching live actors on stage and hearing the people in the audience laughing and reacting to what was going on, but it was wonderful!  I love what Ins Choi said about telling our stories and of course, that's what the theatre does and that's why it's so important and so worthwhile to study and experience.

The tv show is based on this play and I have never watched one episode of the show (although I have heard it's really good, but I have a problem with tv -- when I start watching something, I instantly fall asleep -- this is an outcome of age, I think!) Anyhow, it tells the story of a family who runs a convenience store and explores their relationships and the different customers that come in and it's just a beautiful and funny and sweet family story.  They talk about their family history (just like I want you to do in the heritage drama project) and it runs the gamut between humour to deep discoveries about how we interact with the people we love and I urge you to go and see it, because you won't be disappointed!

Turning your lived experience into a play!

 If you like drama, this should be fun!  Turn your rehearsal time (for either "Creation of the World" for Grade 8's or "Heritage Drama" for Grade 9's and 10's) into a scene from a play.  Try to make sure all the people in your group are in the scene.  The scene should be at least 1/2 a page.  Here's an example:

Scene opens in the SLSS theatre.  Allan, Susie, Jordie (sleeping) and Charlotta are on stage.

Allan:  Okay, here we are at PLT time and where's Ardena?

Susie:  It's not PLT TIME.  It's PLT.  PLT stands for PERSONAL LEARNING TIME, so if you say PLT TIME, you're saying personal learning time TIME.  Which is stupid.

Charlotta:  Okay, okay.  You know Ardena's always late.  (Ardena rushes in.)

Ardena:  Sorry I'm late!  I saw Larry in the hall.  He's coming.

Charlotta:  Oh good!  Larry's coming.  That will really help.  He's such a great actor.  And a great person.

Sam:  I think Charlotta likes Larry a little bit.

Charlotta:  So what?  Shut up.  Let's set up the stage.  Get the stairs.

Larry:  Here I am.  We can start now!

Jordie:  (waking up) Huh?  What's going on?

All:  JORDIE!  

Journal #4 -- Critical Thinking!

 We still have several performances to see, so you won't be able to do your journal until we see them all on Friday!

Grade 8:

Which performance of the fairy tale mimes was the best?  Say why.  (Think about acting, music, costumes, set, tableaus, miming, etc.)

How did yours go?  Think of what went well and what could have been improved.

Grade 9/10:

Of the preliminary heritage plays we saw which story was the best to perform?  What would you have done with it?

How did your own performance go?  What went well?  What could have been improved?

Which performance was the best?  Why?