By now, you will have heard that school are closed for the next while -- we don't know when they will reopen. As you all know, I am quite fond of school and was dismayed to hear that we will not be back to normal after spring break. At this point, we don't know anything else. I think the people who run things will be discussing it over spring break and making their decisions according to the science and the doctors. I hope it will not be a long time away, but they have said that those of you on a path to graduate will graduate and those of you who are passing will go on to the next grade. They have also said that they will be communicating with post-secondary institutions and advising them of our situation, and of course, this is not isolated to BC or Richmond -- everyone in the world is dealing with the same problem.
I will post any information I get as I get it, but at this point, you just need to try to enjoy your spring break and not think about any of it too much. There is nothing we can do about it anyway.
Tuesday, 17 March 2020
Did not see this coming
No, I did not. I am a pretty optimistic person and although I realize that a virus that is spreading like this is a huge problem, I did not imagine that we would find ourselves with all these responses to the contagion. I went for my usual grocery shop on Saturday, and the store was absolutely crammed with people with full grocery carts and the toilet paper aisle was empty. (I am not sure I understand why toilet paper is the thing people think they need more than anything else. I could understand if it was soap, because that is our best weapon against the virus, or beans, because they keep and are a staple food, but the toilet paper grab is beyond me.)
Also on Saturday, my friend and I went to our usual Aquafit class and the pool was quite empty and there were very few people there for the class. It seemed rather spooky to be in the pool without a lot of little kids splashing around. So far, the community centres and pools are still open out here.
It is scary when you see the number of cases on a graph but I think we need to remember that there are only around a hundred cases in BC and only four people have died. It is terrible that people are sick and tragic that some have died, of course, but the numbers do not make me feel panic. We have a good health system and our government officials are listening to doctors and scientists and we need to listen to them and wash our hands and cough into our sleeves and not touch our faces and not gather in large groups and hope for the best. I think a positive attitude is helpful in challenging times.
It's a good time for reading (I finished The Yellow House last night so I can start on The Decameron and Albert Camus's The Plague would also be a topical book for these days), spring cleaning, learning how to cook something or bake, doing something creative (I am thinking a play based on The Decameron, in which a group of modern Canadian teens leave Vancouver and go to their grandmother's cabin to escape the coronavirus, would be good -- I've started it already -- the theatre will have guards dressed like "grim reapers" but in those medical suits we see with the non-touch temperature takers {whatever those are called}) -- maybe during the play, the guards could be alerted that someone's temperature has gone up and they could take the person out of the theatre!)
Anyway, I hope you are all enjoying the pleasant weather after our rainy winter and that you are finding things to do and getting good amounts of sleep and taking care of yourselves and washing your hands (it is amazing to read about the power of soap and water). No matter what troubles we face, the world is a beautiful place!
Also on Saturday, my friend and I went to our usual Aquafit class and the pool was quite empty and there were very few people there for the class. It seemed rather spooky to be in the pool without a lot of little kids splashing around. So far, the community centres and pools are still open out here.
It is scary when you see the number of cases on a graph but I think we need to remember that there are only around a hundred cases in BC and only four people have died. It is terrible that people are sick and tragic that some have died, of course, but the numbers do not make me feel panic. We have a good health system and our government officials are listening to doctors and scientists and we need to listen to them and wash our hands and cough into our sleeves and not touch our faces and not gather in large groups and hope for the best. I think a positive attitude is helpful in challenging times.
It's a good time for reading (I finished The Yellow House last night so I can start on The Decameron and Albert Camus's The Plague would also be a topical book for these days), spring cleaning, learning how to cook something or bake, doing something creative (I am thinking a play based on The Decameron, in which a group of modern Canadian teens leave Vancouver and go to their grandmother's cabin to escape the coronavirus, would be good -- I've started it already -- the theatre will have guards dressed like "grim reapers" but in those medical suits we see with the non-touch temperature takers {whatever those are called}) -- maybe during the play, the guards could be alerted that someone's temperature has gone up and they could take the person out of the theatre!)
Anyway, I hope you are all enjoying the pleasant weather after our rainy winter and that you are finding things to do and getting good amounts of sleep and taking care of yourselves and washing your hands (it is amazing to read about the power of soap and water). No matter what troubles we face, the world is a beautiful place!
Monday, 16 March 2020
Spring is springing!
I hope you're enjoying your first day of spring break. It is a strange feeling with the many closures for the coronavirus, but the weather is lovely and a nice walk is always in order. You can go out and walk along the water's edge and listen to the birds and smell the fresh air, and it's all free! My crocuses are up in the backyard and that always makes me feel optimistic.
I have a "to do" list for the holidays and I've told many of you that a list is helpful in a campaign against procrastination. I read this morning that procrastination is more an emotional problem than motivation or scheduling or organization and that's why my particular listing techniques might help. I always put a variety of things on my list, like to read a certain book I'm interested in (something I want to do), and then clean the bathroom (which is easy to do) and then things like calling the plumber to fix our sink in the basement (I don't like to call people or use the phone, in general) and my income tax (which fills me with ennui and is hard and takes a long time). Then I always have the pleasure of ticking things off the list, even if I haven't done the hard or unpleasant things.
On my list this break was see "Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again." at UBC. A couple of our alums were involved in the production and I was eager to see it. Unfortunately, it closed early because UBC is going online while the COVID19 emergency is happening. But FORUNATELY, I was able to see it on closing night (Saturday). The performance was so full of life and so energetic and I was so glad to have been able to see it. It is a thought-provoking play about what a mess we've made of the world, especially with regard to women's issues, but don't get the idea that it isn't fully engaging as theatre, too. It was very funny and edgy and made the audience sit up in its seat (when you walked into the theatre, the actors were on stage warming up and they actually acknowledged us and waved and made eye contact -- even for an old "break the fourth wall" kind of actor like me, it was a bit unnerving, which is just what you want.) There was a lot of fun word play and a variety of well-played characters who were funny and also recognizable and relatable. I have been thinking about it since I saw it and wishing I could have a discussion about it with the playwright, because I would like to hear what she thinks about what it all says, and obviously, that is a great outcome for a play which really wants to shake up your worldview.
Anyway, I hope you are getting lots of sleep (which many of you sorely need). I am reading a book right now that I don't like (The Yellow House by Sarah Broom) but I am determined to finish it, and then I'm going to reread The Decameron, which is about ten young people who flee Florence during an outbreak of the plague and head for the countryside -- sounds rather appropriate for these days, right?
I have a "to do" list for the holidays and I've told many of you that a list is helpful in a campaign against procrastination. I read this morning that procrastination is more an emotional problem than motivation or scheduling or organization and that's why my particular listing techniques might help. I always put a variety of things on my list, like to read a certain book I'm interested in (something I want to do), and then clean the bathroom (which is easy to do) and then things like calling the plumber to fix our sink in the basement (I don't like to call people or use the phone, in general) and my income tax (which fills me with ennui and is hard and takes a long time). Then I always have the pleasure of ticking things off the list, even if I haven't done the hard or unpleasant things.
Anyway, I hope you are getting lots of sleep (which many of you sorely need). I am reading a book right now that I don't like (The Yellow House by Sarah Broom) but I am determined to finish it, and then I'm going to reread The Decameron, which is about ten young people who flee Florence during an outbreak of the plague and head for the countryside -- sounds rather appropriate for these days, right?
Tuesday, 10 March 2020
Women in Film and Television
As part of my prize package for winning the BC Drama Teacher of the Year (thanks for all of those who voted for me!), I got eight tickets to the Women in Film and Television Film Festival which was held last week in Vancouver. There are lots of films to see and of course, eight tickets just scratches the surface. For those of you who made films for the WAG Film Festival, there were lots of "shorts" featured and maybe some day one of you will have your film showcased at a film festival!
I saw a variety of features and it was great fun. I didn't love all the films, but they were challenging in different ways and it was great to see films about dystopias and historical events and different places in the world, all through the eyes of people who were compelled to tell the stories.
These were my favourite films:
"A First Farewell" (directed by Lina Wang) was a film about the Uighurs, who are an ethnic minority in China and central Asia. It was a lovely film that focused on the rural world in which the Uighurs live with vast expanses of land and sky and the hard work of farming and the hopes and dreams of two families. It was beautiful and gave me a chance to see a different world from the hustle bustle of our world.
"The Rabbit House" (directed by Valeria Selinger) was set in Argentina during the "dirty war" in which the military junta in Argentina hunted down and "disappeared" Peronists and leftists who defied the agenda of the military. It is a horrible story and many of the members of the junta are in jail for war crimes after having been found responsible for torturing and killing many of Argentina's citizens.
"Black Conflux" (directed by Nicole Dorsey) was set in Newfoundland in the 1980's and is about how the lives of a disillusioned girl and a disconnected guy converge. I loved the performances and the writing and also how the director used natural scenes as metaphors for what was happening in the lives of the people.
It is exciting to see things like this taking place in our city. I wouldn't have known about it without having received the tickets and am so grateful to have been able to go and see the world through the eyes of these talented women.
I saw a variety of features and it was great fun. I didn't love all the films, but they were challenging in different ways and it was great to see films about dystopias and historical events and different places in the world, all through the eyes of people who were compelled to tell the stories.
These were my favourite films:
"A First Farewell" (directed by Lina Wang) was a film about the Uighurs, who are an ethnic minority in China and central Asia. It was a lovely film that focused on the rural world in which the Uighurs live with vast expanses of land and sky and the hard work of farming and the hopes and dreams of two families. It was beautiful and gave me a chance to see a different world from the hustle bustle of our world.
"The Rabbit House" (directed by Valeria Selinger) was set in Argentina during the "dirty war" in which the military junta in Argentina hunted down and "disappeared" Peronists and leftists who defied the agenda of the military. It is a horrible story and many of the members of the junta are in jail for war crimes after having been found responsible for torturing and killing many of Argentina's citizens.
"Black Conflux" (directed by Nicole Dorsey) was set in Newfoundland in the 1980's and is about how the lives of a disillusioned girl and a disconnected guy converge. I loved the performances and the writing and also how the director used natural scenes as metaphors for what was happening in the lives of the people.
It is exciting to see things like this taking place in our city. I wouldn't have known about it without having received the tickets and am so grateful to have been able to go and see the world through the eyes of these talented women.
Friday, 6 March 2020
Thinking makes it so
Grade 9/10: Write about your first presentation for the heritage plays, in terms of your own performance. What went well? What needed work or improvement? When you redo the performance, how will you make it better?
Grade 8: Which lesson from the Aesop stories do you need to learn? Explain why.
What are you thinking of talking about for the show and tell?
Theatre Production 11: Prop project. (Handout) Which prop have you chosen? Why is it important in the play?
Grade 8: Which lesson from the Aesop stories do you need to learn? Explain why.
What are you thinking of talking about for the show and tell?
Theatre Production 11: Prop project. (Handout) Which prop have you chosen? Why is it important in the play?
Monday, 2 March 2020
Show and Tell!
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SHOW AND TELL:
You should be preparing your "show and tell" speeches! Practice your speech OUT LOUD and make sure you have two minutes of material! This is very important. It should not be more than two minutes (more is not better) and it should not be less than two minutes.
You will stand centre stage and not fidget! You will appear to be confident. You may use cue cards, or even have your whole speech written out, but you must make eye contact with the audience. You must speak clearly and make sure I can hear you and understand you from the back of the theatre. Think about communicating to the audience. Tell them a story that features your item. Showing the item is not enough!
You may speak about anything you like, but if it is not allowed at school, you will have to show a photo or picture of it.
You MUST not start the speech with "so" or end it with "yeah". Think of a joke or a quotation or a question to start things out and then at the end come to a conclusion -- "this is what I learned", "this is why this thing is so important to me", "as you can see, it is important to 'look before you leap'. Something like that.
Use something that inspires a story to tell. Just describing the item will not engage your audience. That's the basis of theatre - a good story. We've talked at length about how the plot line works -- that will help you here. If you are interested in the story, we will be, too, so choose something that inspires a good story.
This is a chance for you to demonstrate that you are a good public speaker! Make sure you have TWO MINUTES of material. Don't speak too fast!
You should be preparing your "show and tell" speeches! Practice your speech OUT LOUD and make sure you have two minutes of material! This is very important. It should not be more than two minutes (more is not better) and it should not be less than two minutes.
You will stand centre stage and not fidget! You will appear to be confident. You may use cue cards, or even have your whole speech written out, but you must make eye contact with the audience. You must speak clearly and make sure I can hear you and understand you from the back of the theatre. Think about communicating to the audience. Tell them a story that features your item. Showing the item is not enough!
You may speak about anything you like, but if it is not allowed at school, you will have to show a photo or picture of it.
You MUST not start the speech with "so" or end it with "yeah". Think of a joke or a quotation or a question to start things out and then at the end come to a conclusion -- "this is what I learned", "this is why this thing is so important to me", "as you can see, it is important to 'look before you leap'. Something like that.
Use something that inspires a story to tell. Just describing the item will not engage your audience. That's the basis of theatre - a good story. We've talked at length about how the plot line works -- that will help you here. If you are interested in the story, we will be, too, so choose something that inspires a good story.
This is a chance for you to demonstrate that you are a good public speaker! Make sure you have TWO MINUTES of material. Don't speak too fast!
We will present our speeches on April 7, 8 and 9.
Sunday, 1 March 2020
Thanks!
I was notified on Thursday that I have been named "BC Drama Teacher of the Year" (!) and that the way the organization (Vancouver Academy of Dramatic Art, Arts Club Theatre, Vancouver International Film Festival, and Women in Film and Television Vancouver) chooses the recipient is by students writing in and nominating their teacher. The person who told me I had been chosen sent me some really nice comments from some of you which touched me a great deal. As most of you know, I work quite hard, but often, I feel like I'm spinning my wheels and I wonder if I'm doing things properly and if I'm helping or hindering and although this won't allay those concerns, it is really nice to be nominated by my students and to receive all the great prizes (two passes to the VIFF, tickets to Arts Club performances, tickets to the WIFT film festival and an award given out at the end of next month). Apparently, I can have students at the gala which is at 7 on March 31, so if any of you (past and present) are interested in attending let me know and I can arrange it.
Thank you to all of you who thought of me and of course, thank you to those of you who show up every day (or most of the days!) and take creative risks and get up on stage and share your ideas and try to do what is best for your group or for the play and to all of you who like Drama (which we all know is a terrific learning ground for life skills)! My new mantra seems to be "never doubt the ability of the theatre to change lives".
Thank you to all of you who thought of me and of course, thank you to those of you who show up every day (or most of the days!) and take creative risks and get up on stage and share your ideas and try to do what is best for your group or for the play and to all of you who like Drama (which we all know is a terrific learning ground for life skills)! My new mantra seems to be "never doubt the ability of the theatre to change lives".
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