Final Words, SnowLullaby Signing Off

This is going to be the last post on this blog.

This is going to be the last post about theater102.

It felt like yesterday that I posted my first ever blog post on this blog. And now here I am doing my last post on this blog. No I don't think I'll ever be blogging again, cuz let's face it. I don't really like writing blogs. Well at least not posts about my life.

But this blog has been very dear to me. The documentation of what I did in theater102 in ADP in Winter 2012; the reflections I did, the things I learned, the things that I did wrong, the things that I did right, everything is documented right here and now.

So since it has most of the things I've learned so here's one last post about Rey's feedback of Teck Sern's and my adaptation of The Man Who Couldn't Dance.

So, we decided that we were going to talk to Rey today at 10am about our performance on Wednesday. I wasn't that scared, because whatever marks I'll get, its the marks that I believe I'll deserve, because I know I gave my 110% on that stage.

So we walked in, and we began talking. Rey asked us how we felt we did, and obviously we were very open about it. We felt that we both did well, we felt that we both gave it our all on Wednesday.

So Rey gave us our feedback. He felt that we both did well, despite having a hard script. There were many layers to the script and he doesn't blame us for getting only 80% of the way, because it was so deep and there were so little time.

He also thought that Teck Sern did well, with that character that he was given so late. Rey turned his problem into its own solution. Instead of making him stay still, Rey made him move around instead. Even more than before. But the difference was the movement were strong grounded movements, and deliberate. The only problem was that because he got that character so late, he couldn't really find the moments to do those movements. But regardless, I thought that Teck Sern did great! I'm so proud of him.

So, after Wednesday's performance, we got *drum rolls*

A HIGH B

Well, I'm ok with it. Considering the fact that we had a hard script and heck we both were completely our of our comfort zone unlike some of the other's characters. But Rey felt that if we had given more time, we could have achieved that A, and over time we would have done better than what we did on Wednesday.

I'm not sad that we only got a high B. I'm very satisfied.

I just wanna say to my awesome partner, Teck Sern, a big thank you. Thank you for being such an awesome, committed partner. I know I haven't been the best partner, but thank you for sticking with me through ups and downs that we go through in the rehearsal period. I'm sorry if I've said anything or done anything wrong. But I want you to know, I'm very proud of you. I'm very proud of the things that we've done as partners and the things that we've achieved throughout the duration of this finals. 


And now that theater 102 is finally finished, its time for me to sign off. 


This blog may not have anymore updates from now on. But it has been a pleasure writing and updating this blog. I know that later on in life, I can always go back here and read what I've done at one of the starting points of my theater life, and be proud of what I've done. I'll be able to appreciate where I came from and appreciate what I've done. I'll know that I would have come far, from an antisocial nerd to whatever I'll be in the future.


To my theater class,


I'll miss you all, and best of luck in the future. Thank you all for giving me the best last semester in ADP I can ever ask for. I certainly do hope that we will cross paths again somewhere in the future and perhaps get to work with you all again.


To Rey,


Billions of thanks for the things you have taught me. Theater taught me more things than what I could have learned inside the classrooms. Thank you for giving me the chance of becoming a stage manager, and I've certainly benefited from it. Thank you for rekindling the passion for stage that I've put off years ago. I know I didn't make a mistake taking theater 102. Best of luck in the future, and I certainly do hope that I'll get to work under you again.

~SnowLullaby, Celine Letizia Taslim, Signing Off.

DRAMATURGY - THE REAL THEATRE

[Wednesday, 2nd May 2012]

So its the big day. Damn.

One of the poster for Dramaturgy.

(Design by David C. Photography by Celine LT)

The past 3 months flew by so fast and here I am at the end of the my last semester down at ADP.


Damn it all feels so weird and surreal. In a couple of months and I'm going to be in the US.


But heck, I have to focus on this finals first. Wow my first ever role on stage that is not myself or close to myself. I mean in a public performance.


I've never really played anything out of my comfort zone really. I suppose Gail is probably my first character that has something that I completely have not experience. The joy of being a mother, having  a daughter, marriage life with the man I don't love; I mean I've never experience any of these before, and to be honest, I didn't think I would be able to pull them off. I'm very proud of myself of coming thus far. And now I am attached to this Abigail Lynn character, and I know that she will always be inside of me no matter how long after the performance.


So we decided that everyone has to come in by 8.30 to actually do bump and tag because we didn't get to do those yesterday. So yea, I got my ass there real early as usual, and just dumped my stuff backstage, before going out to do some errands. I had to print out the onsite script and prepare the RESERVED signs for our guests of honor tonight. Then I sort of just hang outside for a while till around 8.30.


I came back in and I saw Lih Seng, Leanne and a couple of others folding the program book. Damn. It looked good. Good job David for the designs :)


So, since majority was in, we began bump and tagging the floor. Eric and Josh came late, so we already bumped for them. The rest of the bumping went pretty smoothly, except for Stuck's bumping. Well let's just say Lycel was being a little bit difficult, so we didn't really bump for her. I mean she pretty much just left us halfway bumping. Heck I'm not gonna run after her and chase after her to stay and finish the bumping. If the running crew placed their props at the wrong places, not my problem, and neither it is the running crew's fault. It's because she didn't even bother bumping the floor herself.


Oh wells moving on. David, Vhina and I were running around like mad man trying to get everything sorted. I actually forgot to slid 3 program books underneath Rey's office, and when David called me, I had to rush to the office in the middle of the rain. And it doesn't help that everywhere is sooo damn slippery!


Pretty soon it was 2.45pm already. 45 minutes before the opening of the stage for the theater 101. The backstage crew from theater 102 were all in already. Vhina and I made sure that there were no hindrances and then we were set to go. Rey was already inside the theater, and he called out all the theater 101 people while the theater 102 people set up whatever they need to set up.


By the time 3.30 came, the door was opened. Leanne and Zong Yong was down at the entrance welcoming the people. Vhina was down at her post and I went around to double check if everything was ok. I also wished the 101s best of luck and to go out there and have the time of their life.


We started late, obviously, because even by 3.45, the house was only half filled. It was raining, can't be helped. But of course the show must go on. So they went on, and I can tell that the audience loved it! Good for them. But half way, the standing colored lights went out. Shit. There goes the lighting. URGH! Everything just has to go wrong these past few days.


Then by 4.15 they were done. They took the curtain call and rushed back to the changing room and changed to their black shirts. Oh no wait, they were already wearing black. HAHA. oh wells. Obviously, me and Vhina has to go and chase the audience out of the theater so we can actually set the stage and stuff like that.


Pretty soon it was 5. We were scheduled to start at 5.10 and looks like Rey told us to start earlier. Damn, our videographer wasn't in when we started. Because she had class that ended at 5. So she missed the first 2 performances. Apologies to Josh, Eric, Filza and Wei Lim. That was poor planning by me.


Damn the first 2 performances went pretty fast and pretty soon I found myself already right behind the entrance screen, waiting for the 3rd performance to finish. OMG it was even more nerve wracking being there, than on stage. I kept myself breathing and calm, and focused on Gail. I remembered the times that I spent with Eric, whats inside that room that I'm going into etc. Of course I also prayed. It's one of my rituals before going on stage.


Pretty soon the 3rd performance ended, and it was our turn. I stood behind the screen and with Vhina's cue, walked into my scene. Teck Sern forgot to make the noise though. HAHA.


That 10 minutes on stage was probably one that I won't forget, and one of the longest. I was Gail. I wasn't Celine. I was Abigail Lynn; mother of Elizabeth Young, wife of Frederick Young, and ex-girlfriend of Eric Evelyn Cooper, and damn it felt good.


I could feel myself getting hot when Eric said the lines, "You don't love Fred". You know, that sense of heat at the back of your head when you just got caught doing something bad? Yea that feeling. I could feel it. I felt that I was in character.


Yea, there were minor slip ups, but I'm proud of myself and Teck Sern for pulling through and ad-libbing when we did make mistakes. Obviously, given more time, we could have done better. But I think that we made the most of the time we had and obviously we didn't give the audience a half-assed show. We gave them our best.


I was pretty scared that it was too draggy and too boring for some of the people. I mean I saw two guys down in the front row playing with their phone. Seriously? Come on, that's not nice. But heck, I have a show to run and a whole house of audience to entertain. I really couldn't careless about two guys at the sidelines. 


By the time we finished, I was exhausted. Gail really took much out of me. When I let go of Eric, I became myself again. I couldn't help but smile at Teck Sern because we both know that it was finally over, and we both know that we've given them the best that we could have had. I have no regrets.


The only regret would be the fact that I probably, shouldn't have worn the shawl. I didn't practice with them and heck I looked really awkward with them.


Note to self. NEVER USE A PART OF COSTUME THAT YOU'VE NEVER PRACTICE IN.


When we took a final bow, I couldn't hide the genuine smile of joy that I had on my face. Sure it was over, but it always feels great to hear the applause of the audience. And it felt great; standing in front of these people with my talented and awesome classmates. It was a great feeling. Its a great feeling, knowing that we've given it our all that night.


It was an awesome night, we finished actually finished earlier than planned, thanks to the quick change of scene by our running crew, which consisted of Dharen, Kelvin and Tarang, as well as the accurate cues by our light and sound crews which consisted of Amanda, Gloria, and Debra. Of course not forgetting the leader of this crew, Marissa. Many thanks to the theater 101 people that helped us out. It wouldn't be such a success if it weren't because of you all.


Thank you to Sarah Yong for being our make up artist and did some of our make up as well :) And then to our photographer Au Xin Ni and our videographer, Momoko Uchimura as well. Looking forward to the photos and videos.


I thought some people were great. I thought Leanne and Adam was amazing. Lih Seng was on fire yesterday. He was literally crying on stage. Filza was on fire. When Leanne and I were preparing ourselves in the changing room, I could hear her shouting at Wei Lim.


I thought we all did well last night. No one screwed up real badly, but there were some really exceptional ones. Overall, I think we all did a good job and gave it our all on that stage. I love my class and this is definitely one class I will miss.

All the theater classes and their respective Lecturers.

Above, Theater 101 Section 4, 5 & 6, with Ms Pat Chan

Middle, Theater 102 (cast of Dramaturgy) and Theater 101 Section 3 with Rey Buono

Bottom, Theater 101 Section 1 & 2, with Ms Pat Chan 

(Photo by Au Xin Ni)

THE PROGRAM BOOK

Design by David C. 

Photography by Celine Letizia & Joshua Wong 

Photos in the program book taken by Nikon D7000

 The Cover Page

 First 2 pages, hey I see me :D

 3rd and 4th Page

 5th and 6th Page

 Last page about Rey :D

If you ask me, I still can't believe that it is all over. When we finished, we had a group hug and to be honest, I wanted to cry. But I didn't want to. Dude, my make up's gonna go all over the place and shit like that. And plus, let's not get all sentimental. I might not see all of them again. I mean this is my last damn semester, I sort of didn't want it all to end. If I could, I would stay in theater for the rest of my life because that is something I really like doing. 

Its such a sentimental and sad post. I mean no one likes goodbyes anyway, and no one likes separation. I always feel this way. I mean whenever I finished a performance, I would miss the days where I would spend hours rehearsing. Somewhere in my head, I would want to go back to the time before the performance, and redo the performance again and again.

I've ran out of things to say, I've got one more post about Rey's feedback to me and Teck Sern, then after that, this blog is shutting down. I feel kinda sad, because I know that I've given in my 110% in this class and now its all over already. It all seemed too fast.

I want to go back to the days where we would have our theater classes and then go out for breakfast.

I'll miss you all, my theater buddies.

Rehearsal Notes - Labor Day, NOT

Labor Day, Yippeeee~!!!

Not for us. We're laboring. We're working. HAHA.

Majority of us arrived at around 10am, and we were down to work.

Rey was looking at the theater 101's show first. After what happened yesterday, looks like they really bucked up :)

Then it was our turn. We were one of the groups that he wanted to see. So we went back in, set up the stage and got started.

But before we got started, Rey told us that he wanted Teck Sern to be a lot more dramatic, almost comical in fact. Rey wanted him to move more, add some more exaggerated hand expressions and be a lot more crazier.

So we did. He acted a lot more, "bitchier", more comical and exaggerated. When I said Pictionary, he acted as if he got hit by some bullet and fell on the floor. He acted like a little kid. It was hilarious. I couldn't help but let out a couple of giggles when I acted next to him. Because it was just so silly! It really brought in the once nonexistent humor into the play.

But of course, the most important part of the play was the break down. We didn't work on that much because he already did worked with us on that part. But we did work on it.

Because of the shortage of time, we had to move out to allow other groups to work in the theater. Teck Sern and I moved out somewhere else and worked on our beginning bit.

Later on that day, we had a full dress rehearsals too. Laced in the end with a curtain call where all the casts and crews comes out to take a final bow.

Oh one more thing! When Teck Sern and I were doing our play, the ceiling light broke. It broke right above us, when we were doing our last scene. OMG it was scary. I thought a balloon popped. HAHA. You couldn't see if there's any glass shard, because there was only one piece on the floor. I immediately took action, and got those wearing shoes to get the shoes for those who are barefoot. Phew Thank God nobody got hurt. It'll be a disaster. But of course, there goes some of the plays. We have to now either with the yellow lights and the ambient lights or the working lights.

OBVIOUSLY, it'll be the yellow lights :D

Rehearsal Notes - Weekend Rehearsals

When people are sleeping, here we are ready to work.

Theater is never easy work. It has always and always been hard work.

SATURDAY

So by around 3pm we had the theater to ourselves on Saturday. We straightaway allowed those who wanted to work on stage work, and the others worked by themselves outside. We also arranged the backstage so that its easy for people to move around in. Preparation, preparation for the Ms Pat's 101 and ours as well :D See what we do for you 101 people?! hahahahaha joking :)

We didn't exactly have the chance to practice this time. We were busy cleaning up offstage, and setting up the backstage for the running crew.

Then at 4pm, we had our full dress rehearsal. I actually forgot to bring my shoes along. SMART. This went on all the way till about 7pm and then we cleared up the space for the 101 to practice

SUNDAY

I got to college too early. My slot was at 2 and I was there at 12. Heck, and I was already driving slowly.

We had to share the slot with David and Vhina because there weren't enough slots for everyone. But we ended up taking up Filza's and Wei Lim's time. Sorry about that.

But Rey helped us get some blocking points and we got practicing. He helped us through the confessions bit. He told us that we were too fast when we speak and that we need to speak slower. Much, slower and enunciate more.

PRONOUNCE EVERY SYLLABLE.

By 6pm everyone was done and we went on to do our second full dress rehearsals. We went through the whole entire program and we were done for the night.

Worst part was that the changing room's door got locked and we couldn't get inside. The security doesn't have the key to open them. Thank God Donovan was there and he climbed over and opened it from the insides.

Phewwww.. Eventful day.

And more to come *dies*

Rehearsal Notes - Enunciation

Enunciation.

Something that I have a problem with. So the this practice, on Thursday after the previous class, was dedicated to enunciation.

Teck Sern and I listened to each other, without the script and see if we could understand each other.

Teck Sern helped me with one of my lines. I kept on saying "absolutely" instead of "absolute". And I had problems saying "quintessential". Dude the first time I read of that word was when I read that play. I don't even understand what it meant until I looked it up.

But pronouncing it, was hell. I couldn't get it right, and Teck Sern seemed to be doing it pretty easily. Not fair :( But I tried and Hallelujah, finally I got it :DD

Teck Sern doesn't have much problem with enunciating. He just needs to be louder and opened up his mouth more. :D

Transitions

[Wednesday, 25th April 2012]

So I heard Mohammad's out.

OH FUCK YES!

I know I'm not being subtle at all here, but heck. That guy has been giving everyone the middle finger, especially Adam and Leanne. And to be honest, I never see the dude as a part of the class. I just think that they should have dropped him sooner, and those two would have done sooooo much better in the dress rehearsals.

So yea, today's another round of working with Rey. Filza and Wei Lim went first, because they didn't get the chance to do so on Monday, and plus they were the weakest one among us all from last week. But it seemed like they bucked up today. Which is good :D

Then Lih Seng and Valerie got their turn. Apparently they have to do the kissing scene. Ho danggg.. This is why I was careful not to choose a scene where I had to kiss Teck Sern. I don't think I want to anyway. Leanne, Adam and I were inside there when they practiced. But obviously we were chased out when they had to choreographed the kiss. Oh man, I wanted to see it :P

I'm being a kid :P

Ok. Then after that it was our turn. We did the beginning of the fight scene and it seems that Rey has no objection to it. He then stopped us halfway and made us go all the way to the hard scene. I would say that the hard bit would be the transition between the angry to letting out the dam.

So we worked on that scene, and I swear I nearly cried, because I felt it. I felt Gail's pain and how much she yearned to be with the one she loves. It was powerful.

Finally, times up, we had to go. We were called out for our usual briefing and was briefed off. With one week till the deadline, the pressure's on.

Rehearsal Notes - NO MORE SCRIPT NEEDED

Yeap you heard me. WE HAVE OUR LINES DOWN.

So we met up on Monday to practice as usual. We went through the lines once and decided to call it a day because Teck Sern has an exam later and he was not exactly in the right mindset to rehearse now. On the good part, when we went through our lines, we didn't even need our script in front of us.

So we decided to practice more on Tuesday, and obviously we did. We practice and this time, we focused on Teck Sern's ground. I got him to stand up and say his lines, to me as if he would have done it on stage. If he were to start to fidget and move about, I would point out which part is moving. I would shout out things like "Hands", or "Legs", while he's standing upright right in front of me.

He did it though. Haha. and he gave me a loud, "HA!" in the end, because he managed to get himself not moving for the whole entire monologue :D

Well done Teck Sern! :D

Four teams out of Eight

[Monday, 23rd April 2012]

Damn its raining again today. URGH. So that would mean that a lot of people would be late and stuff like that, and then I'll get scolded. NOOOOOO!!! hahahahahaha

And as predicted people came in late. Reasons varies too. Great. Because of this, people were kicked out of class, because he was going to work with individual groups.

Teck Sern nearly came late. When he burst through that door, I can only heave a sigh of relief, and continue trying to reach the other people.

Guess what, by the time that Rey wants to start, 4 people weren't here yet. And from 8 people, they were down to 2. Leanne, Lih Seng, Adam, Lycel and Filza was kicked out of class. That makes the second time for Lih Seng now. It pains me to see them having to go out like that.

But on the good side, Rey wants to work with me and Teck Sern first. He got us doing our scene, but not even halfway, he made us run around the theater like some crazy kid while shouting our lines to each other. He also made us fight with each other. We had to push each other while we were shouting  our lines. This was because previously the energy level wasn't high enough, and Rey was giving us an idea of how it should be like, minus all the running around and the pushing. 

The half an hour spent with us went by pretty fast. Now we both know that we need to keep the energy level high for it to work. He sent us outside to do our own practice and called out the other group.

So,

KEEP THE ENERGY HIGH!

Rehearsal Notes - A day after the Dress rehearsal

So, we decided to take Wednesday off and come back on Thursday to work on our scene. Of course we weren't completely inept.

We actually looked up performances of The Man Who Couldn't Dance by other people. We looked at what worked and what didn't and incorporated what worked into our own adaptation.

For example in one adaptation, there was one time that Eric goes up to Gail and hugs her from behind. It was when he asked her if she loved Fred or not. We thought that it worked. So we tried it out. One thing I found out about Teck Sern is that, he might be 19, but he has never, ever had a girlfriend before in his life. So he had to ask me how he was to hug me from behind. To be honest, there is nothing wrong with never having a girlfriend, its just that its really rare these days. And he is one of those really rare ones.

We also worked on Teck Sern's groundedness. We did our blocking and every time he were to start fidgeting, I would say things like, "hands" or "legs". It frustrates him sometimes, but it works in some ways :)

On the Right Track

[Wednesday, 18th April 2012]

So it has come to this.

First dress rehearsals.

We have to show Rey what we have done.

Yea.

Scareeehhh...

I was shit scared. I was wearing my costume today, which was a blue sundress and a white cardigan.

Something like that. You can't see the bottom. There wasn't any nice pictures at all of my full body. Damn the low lighting and low shutter speed. All the pictures turned out blurry and shaky. URGH.

Anyway, Filza and Wei Lim went first. OMG. Maybe it was the pressure of being first or it was because they didn't have enough time to practice. They screwed up so badly. I felt so bad for them.

Lih Seng and Valerie went next and then followed by the trio. Lih Seng and Valerie was ok, but the trio. Oh man. I tell you, whenever Adam and Leanne were acting the risk increases. The moment it reached Mohammad, the whole thing just dropped. URGH.

Yea so we went last.

I honestly have no opinion on how we did, but we did it. Rey walked in during our scene to stop Teck Sern from moving so much. And guess what? Teck Sern remembered all his lines!! I'm so proud of him!

So 10 o'clock came and we had to leave because Ms Pat's class is coming in, so yea. So we stood outside as each and everyone gets their review. Everyone's getting below a C. I'm starting to get nervous man ><

Then he came to us. He said we brought in something with us and hence thats why he felt it was a good idea to walk in during our performance. Teck Sern needs to stay more grounded and not fidget so much. Rey said that by fidgeting, he is escaping the feeling. He doesn't like it so that's why he fidgets. He needs to be more grounded.

But the best thing I've heard all day...

HEADING TOWARDS A B!!!!

I'm a happy girl. I mean at the rate we're going, we can make it! :D

I'm so proud of both of us ! :D

Rehearsal Notes - Bucking up

So because Rey wanted to see the whole 10 minutes play by Wednesday, we decided to add our practice time. Instead of the usual Tuesdays, and Thursdays 1-3pm, we also added on one hour on Monday. The extra one hour really helped!

So on Monday, we got started with the script reading again. Only this time, we tried without actually having the script in front of us. By this time, I had majority of my lines down, with minor mistakes and a few of them only. But Teck Sern was still having trouble remembering his. Because he had 3 huge monologues that he has to remember. Urgh, I'm so glad I'm a girl. hehe.

We focused on the script today and we decided to do the blocking tomorrow due to the lack of time and space.

Tuesday, we came back and we managed to secure ourselves BG20, which has so much more space compare to the other room that we usually use. This time too, we had a baby doll. We used the table as the cradle and at first we worked on how to handle babies. Teck Sern has no idea, and I mean NO idea how to handle babies. The poor babies. I was scared at the way he handles them. He is soooo not gentle with them at all. I'm scared.

Because we had more space this time, we used the area to work on our blocking. We did it like how we did it on Wednesday, except that because of the smaller space, there were minor changes. But nothing big. Regardless, we still practiced the blocking and we had 2-3 run through with pauses in between due to us directing each other. I was also wearing something like my costume, just so I can get use to wearing a dress and shoes on stage. :D

Well I'm nervous for tomorrow. Let's just hope we do well.

Directed by a Professional Director

[Monday, 16th April 2012]

For the first time!! :D

We are finally working with Rey, and he is personally going to direct us. So we were called in one group at a time. Mine was called in 3rd.

He helped us worked on our intonation, such as when I come in and said "Not too loud". And then helped us with our blocking as well. We only got to show very little of our play because we had to keep on starting over and over and over again. But it was good because now we had an idea of what he wants, and with repetition, we were getting better with our entrances.

I need to work more on my own intonation. I tend to deliver it in an inaccurate way and it kills the scene. It took him 5 minutes just to get me to do it the right way. The first time, I introduced my baby as if I'm introducing someone for a business deal. whoopsss!

The play is always about the past. We have to come in with all the past of our characters. I know Gail's past, but if I don't internalize it and remember it automatically with coming cues, I'm screwed. I need to work on my timing and cues as well. :D

Thank You Rey, for working with us today! :D

Rehearsal Notes - 10 minutes

No, the rehearsal did not last for 10 minutes only. I meant we were doing the whole 10 minutes thing. Because we haven't got the lines down, we began with script reading. The first 1/3 of the play was easier because we've done it before. But just to make sure, we read it anyway.

We then began working with the second thirds of the script at the same time, tried to do the blocking as well. We made progress here because by the end of our rehearsals, we at least got the intonation for the second part down. We still need to work on the blocking though. I'm a bit scared of the blocking part because to be honest I have no idea how to do them. Oh wells, I guess I'll just wait till the next rehearsals.

The 8 Efforts

[Monday, 9th April 2012]

We're about 3 weeks away from finals. 3 WEEKS!! OK I'm starting to feel the pressure now.

So let's skip all the bulls and get on with what happened with theater.

So 11th April turns out to be a holiday, and because of that, the Wednesday class must be able to show the whole entire 10 minutes play by next week Wednesday. THE WHOLE ENTIRE 10 MINUTES PLAY. I'm regretting not meeting up with Teck Sern on Thursday now.

So today we learned about the 8 Efforts. It was made by some dancer, who I can't remember their name. Urgh I feel so disrespectful. Sorry, Mr 8 Efforts creator! So there are 8 main ways that a person can move in. So each character usually can be categorized under this light. This is suppose to help with characterization.

So the 8 Efforts are:
- PRESS - Heavy, Direct, Slow
- THRUST - Heavy, Direct Fast
- WRING - Heavy, Indirect, Fast
- SLASH - Heavy, Indirect, Fast
- FLOAT - Light, Indirect, Slow
- GLIDE - Light, Direct, Slow
- FLICK - Light, Indirect, Sudden
- DAB - Light, Direct, Sudden

So we had to move in these ways that Rey had specified, and we had to show him a couple of things. We had to show him how we sit, how we get dressed in the morning, how we walked in the mall and how we sing in a karaoke.

I remembered when we did the Thrust character, I turned into a lawyer. It was cool. I felt in control and high status. I sat upright, walked with my heads held high and my chest out. Fuyoohhh!! I felt like a total royalty. When I sang, I sang Rolling in the Deep. HAHA I could see Rey's hand went along when I drop the notes. :P

For the Glide character, I played a exam individulator. HEHEHE, it felt good pressuring my students. I walked slowly, and silently. My steps were light, but brought a certain feel of pressure on them. I was direct to where I am going, but slow in my pace, because I want to make sure that the students are being fair. I can't remember what song I sung, but I think I sung Faithfully by Journey. <3 that song.

I remember for the Flick Character, I was playing a 5 year old child. I was jumping about, skipping, light on my feet and stuff. God knows what I was doing. I was just having fun on my own, thats why I'm indirect. I follow whatever I feel like doing, hence sudden. And I was skipping about as if I was light on my feet. Truth was I felt light on my feet. I felt like a 5 year old having fun by myself. I remembered I sung ABC.

For the Wring character, I played a fashion director. I don't know why but I suppose because they never really talk in a straight forward demeanor. So I did. I was heavy in my footsteps, but was indirect and fast. Doing things however I feel like doing it, is my specialty. I think I sung Toxic by Britney Spears for this one. 

For the Dab character, I played a cheerleader. I was dancing around, being direct but still sudden and sharp in my movements. I was light in my steps. Heck I'm a cheerleader, you don't see a cheerleader going around walking and the grounds shakes right? They're like nymphs; running around, and climbing on each other as if it's nothing. I can't remember what song I sung but it was cool.

I couldn't remember what else I played on that day. But when I thought back about it again, I had an idea of what Gail would be like. I realized that Gail is probably a Dab character. She's light and sudden, but direct in her ways. Yes! I think this exercise had helped me out in figuring out my character more! :D

Look into my eyes

[Wednesday, 4th April 2012]

I thought we were going to perform our first third today. I guess we're not.

I came early as usual, but was too lazy to make my way to the theater just yet. So I settled around the food court area and was on my computer in a flash.

By 7.40, I made my way to the experimental theater, and by 8, the class was going to start. As usual, I had to call those that weren't in, and Valerie was one of them. I tried calling her 3-4 times and so did Lih Seng. Finally he managed to get through to her, and turns out she's not coming to class. Why? Because she overslept. Damn, how could she be so irresponsible to her own partner like that. I mean, you could see the frustration in Lih Seng's face when she wasn't coming. And it didn't help that Rey kicked him out.

REY KICKED HIM OUT

The poor boy. It sucks watching him, only able to sigh at the fact that he couldn't do work today because his partner wasn't in. All I could do was watch, feeling sorry and gave him a hug, trying to make him feel better. He gave Rey a helpless smile, as Rey explained why and what's going to happen to his attendance that day. The rest of the class, could only watch him left.

But regardless, class must go on. The trio was sent outside to work on theirs. While Teck Sern, Filza, Wei Lim and I was left inside. Rey had Filza and Wei Lim sit as close as possible on a chair. Their feet grounded to the ground and they sat upright, looking only at each other's eyes. Teck Sern and I had to feed them their lines. This was a tough session as many walls were broken down. By the end of it Wei Lim ran off to the toilet as he was having stomach ache. HAHA. No but that's not the point. When Filza was alone, Rey got her to close her eyes and imagined what happened between them in the play. It was such a strong emotion that she actually cried. I wasn't looking at her, but sitting next to her, I was affected. I was angry and I could feel I had a lump on my throat.

Next it was my turn with Teck Sern. We sat closely with each other and look into each other's eyes. Problem is he kept on looking away for a second then comes back, and he has such a bored face that I find quite amusing to be honest. HAHA. But regardless, I felt that I could understand my character more through this exercise. I could feel her sadness, and I began to question why he left me. I actually could feel my face getting a bit warmer. I felt that I was going to cry, but I didn't. It just wasn't strong enough to come out.

The next one was the trio. I had to feed Mohammad's and Leanne's line. They did theirs pretty fast because we were running out of time.

This was some pretty intense stuff going on. Wow. I found things that I didn't find in my character before. But now that I know, I have to dig more to find more stuff about my character so I can portray her better. :)

Rehearsal Notes - First one third of the play

Sooooo, we decided that we're going to do The Man Who Couldn't Dance by Jason Katims. It is such an emotional play, but I know that Teck Sern and I are going to pull it off. We have to.

So just as Rey had instructed, we have to divide the play to 3 parts, so that we can practice one part at a time. Which I thought was a great idea. So we discussed that and within 5 minutes we had all 3 parts separated and got started on the first one third.

We read out the lines to each other to try to get a feel of the character more. We did that 3 times and then tried out the blocking as well. It was hard because there wasn't much space inside the classroom due to all the tables and chairs inside there. Urgh. Regardless, we tried to make it work. But we didn't focus on the blocking much this time; we focused more on the dialogues and the intonation of the lines.

My name is Gail. Abigail "Gail" Lynn

[Monday, 2nd April 2012]

This is such a late posting. Only because I have been procrastinating. Hey I can't help it ok! :P

Regardless, its a Monday morning again. Bleh. I always hated the start of the week. But heck, what better way to start it with a little bit of art? So there I was early again, hanging around ADP office only because I didn't want to go to the experimental theater just yet.

Because we already had our plays, I was wondering what we will be doing today. I mean, will we be starting our work on our script or what. Apparently we're still working on characterization so that's why.

Half of us were late. Heck its a Monday morning and it was literally raining cats and dogs. I had to call a couple of them who didn't have enough audacity to actually inform me that they were coming in late. Oh wells, the job of the stage manager. Luckily, Rey actually stalled enough time for almost everyone to get in.

So we started with the usual walk in the space exercise for warm ups. Soon enough Rey actually made us run around like mad people and freeze when he told us to. Luckily for me, I wasn't exactly caught in some random position that was hard to hold. hahahaha

Then we were on the floor. I've done this in theater101, and it felt real good the first time I did it. So I was kind of looking forward to the lying down part :P. So we had to get as much part of our body in contact with the floor and just let loose. We closed our eyes and breathe, and as we breathe, Rey instruct us to think of the word "empty". Bit by bit, I could feel my body relaxing, like it was made of air. I could feel the stress going away with every breath and it felt like it was just me in the universe, at peace.

Every breath I take seemed to resonate within me, like wind passing through a hollow tunnel. I felt empty inside, and to be honest, it felt good. We then had to imagine a forest. I imagined a forest that I've seen inside those children books I've read. Green trees towering over the pathway, clear of any plants. It was beautiful. I wished I could really walk in that forest and I sort of did; in my head at least. I had to walk in it, and the path twisted and bended in front of me, and I followed. I could hear the soft chirping of the birds, the sounds of the insect and the cool breeze. It felt good.

Soon I reached the end of the forest. I was standing at the end of a cliff that stretches far below and makes the river down below looked small. In front of me, there was a bridge. It was one of those wooden bridges that has ropes. Though these bridges usually seemed like it was going to break down anytime soon, this one looked sturdy. On the other side, I saw Gail. Dressed in her summer dress and cardigan, hair neat as always, just standing there, with a baby in hand, looking at me, as I was looking at her.

"Cross the bridge"

And so I did. Each step was taken very carefully, as if I was afraid of destroying this little reality. I took more steps. As I reached the other side, I reached out to her, as she did with me. I closed my eyes, and when I opened, I was wearing that blue sundress and a cardigan, a little baby in my hands. I am Gail.

The once empty, young college girl named Celine had become a thirty six year old mother of a beautiful baby, Gail. I looked around, in this peaceful forest. This was the place I want to be, but I know that someday I have to return to my home in Connecticut and face reality.

"Stand up"

I wiggled my toes, mentally standing up, and then slowly, very slowly, gets myself up, physically. I was upright, my feet firmly on the ground. I can feel the fabric of my dress touching the skin of my legs.

"Open your eyes"

I opened my eyes. The dimly lit room was somewhat unfamiliar. But yet I knew where this place was. Rey asked us to do various of activities, such as counting to 10, and how I searched for something. I acted as if my baby's pacifier had gone missing and she wouldn't stop crying. So I searched frantically for it and when I do, I heaved a heavy sigh of relief before washing them and returning them to Elizabeth.

Rey also asked how we are in our "happy place". I realized where I found myself. In my garden, alone, reading a good book with my loyal dog. It was silent and peaceful, and for once I have a time to myself, away from Fred, Eric and my baby.

Rey then asked us how we slept. I got on the floor and slept on my side, curled up like a cat. I don't know why but I always felt much more safe and secure that way. Something unexpected happens. I heard Elizabeth cry, and I jumped out of the bed running to her. It was 3 in the morning and she had her midnight dose of milk already. I rushed out of bed to see whats wrong and calmed her down. Once she calmed down, I put her back in her baby crib and went back to my bed, before waking up in a couple of hour's time.

Then it was the day that the scene was set on. I got up and took the ever so familiar path to the bathroom quietly. No one's awake yet, so I got into the shower and gave myself a nice warm shower before stepping out to brush my teeth and get dressed. I took my sundress and cardigan as well as my underwear and wore them. Then, I went downstairs to get breakfast ready for myself and Fred, my usual ritual. Then I realized that it was time to do my weekly grocery shopping. So I took Elizabeth with me and went down to the nearest grocery store. I looked around and found the things that I need and made my way home

Afternoon came and it was about time that Eric came. Elizabeth was sleeping in her crib peacefully. The door bell rang and there he was, dressed in his usual checkered t-shirt, looking somewhat scrubby, and careless. The usual Eric. I led him upstairs to where Elizabeth was, whilst making small talks with him; the works.

Just when I was about to open the door;

"STOP! Break out from your characters"

Instantly, my once erect shoulders loosened up. I was Celine again. I heaved a heavy sigh, smiled at myself and got myself moving in the way Celine would. I was back as the 17 year old girl in her theater class again. Not as Gail, the mother of Elizabeth.

We gathered around Rey, and discussed what we've done. Rey actually asked us to get back into characters again. It felt a bit weird, because I wasn't fully into Gail. Rey then asked us about us. He asked us what we like to do, what we do. Basically anything about the character. Interesting huh. I answered how I liked spending my time alone, in peace with my loyal pet dog. :D I wish I have a dog.

Script Reading

[Wednesday, 28th March 2012]


So it's been two weeks since we got our anthologies, so that means we had to show our choices today. Teck Sern and I had already met up to do some script readings, and came down to two choices; Flop Cop by Laura Cunningham and The Man Who Couldn't Dance by Jason Katims.

We went on with Flop Cop first. It's about a deranged playwright, who had lost his mind due to his constant downfall in life, and a cop, that's trying to capture him. I personally liked this play because it's dark, and there's a lot of possibility in the playwright character. It's up to the person, how they want to play them. Its interesting. But , the play is meant for two men, and there were too many references to testicles. If we were to choose that one it would mean having to change a lot of the script, because I'm a girl (you don't say :P)

So we ended up with the second one. The Man Who Couldn't Dance. It's about two people who used to be in each other's life, but had something along the way that tore them apart. Now she's married with a beautiful daughter, and he is living a simple life on his own. They took a walk down the memory lane, confesses to each other, and thought of what could have been if they hadn't screwed up along the way. I liked it because it's in a way sweet, and it taught me not to do something that you would regret :)

A Scene from another adaptation of The Man Who Couldn't Dance by Alma College

Other pieces that we considered included Ferris Wheel and Stars. We didn't go with Ferris Wheel because it had 3 kissing scenes in it, and I don't think I'm comfortable enough to kiss Teck Sern on stage or let him kiss me on stage. Nevertheless, I find the story very cute, and I could so imagine the girl as Emma from Glee. The kind of neurotic, awkward but cute at the same time kind of girl. Stars, I just didn't really get Stars. So that's why we didn't choose it.

The Face Of The Mask

[Monday, 26th March 2012]


It's Monday again, and that means theater day. Yea I do kinda look forward to the Monday class more than the Wednesday class. Why? Cuz we get to do all sorts of fun stuff on Mondays. So apparently we're gonna be starting work on characterization today. I actually don't know what to expect.

So let's just cut the chase and get going. So Rey started with his usual morning talks. He mention how we as an actor, we act out verbs and not emotion. We have to have a reason for doing something and we're constantly are doing something. The emotion comes from the action and not the other way around. This was something I've done in the past but I don't think I do that all the time.

So Rey got us to do all the random movements again. I started skipping, jumping, this, that, all the random shit I can think of. Oh no wait, I wasn't even thinking. I probably looked like some deranged bird or something HAHA. Oh wells. Then we had to play Malaysian character in Pavilion. That was funny. I played a lady who I suppose just came into the city and stuff. I was like so awed at Pavilion, like it was the greatest thing I've seen. LOL. Then we had to freeze and when Rey call our names out, we had to act that particular character that we've chosen. Josh' was funny. He played the spoiled little brat that doesn't want to go out; he dragged himself all over the floor and stuff. It was funny. When Rey called my name out, I sorta just rushed to one side of the room and shouted, "OH MA GOSH! IS THAT A LOUIE VUITTON?!" Yeaaaa. Don't ask.

So, I noticed that Rey brought with him a black box. Well it looked like a toolbox, but with hair jutting out. Probably a wig. I had no idea what he was gonna do when he had that box with him, but now I get it.

He took out a red piece of cloth and placed it over the table, and then started arranging masks on the cloth. There were about 10 masks all with different expressions and faces. We had to go up there, pick a mask, stand in front of a mirror as we put it on, and let the masks into ourselves.

Lycel and Lih Seng went first. Lih Seng picked this blue mask that reminded me of those jokers or Pierrot, while Lycel picked a very feminine, mask. So they began and I thought they were good. I thought that if I had picked Lycel's mask I would have done pretty similar things to her.

My turn came and I was paired with Adam. I picked this pink mask, that had huge nose and a one sided smile. We had to go on to the mirror and see ourselves in the mask, and slowly morph ourselves into that mask's character. Rey helped us do that; giving us instructions and all. I realized that my mask was that of a content person with a bit of arrogance. The center of this mask was the stomach.

I was kinda, urgh, I don't know. I didn't know what I was doing. I just did what felt right. Even if that includes doing a hip trust despite being a girl. I thought I didn't do that well though. Adam on the other hand, was hillarious. I could see him and he was entertaining! Bleh I wished that I could re-do mine. I don't know, pick a different mask or something. I mean it was pretty fun, being behind the mask and all. hehe.

It didn't help that despite using the sponges, my mask kept on coming loose. It constantly reminded me of how I was wearing a mask and all. I couldn't completely go into the world that the mask was trying to take me to. But of course there were times where I did, but that was only a little bit. They called me George.

Then we had to leave.

George walked back to the mirror, and slowly took the mask off. Gosh, even that little bit, I was breathless. I heaved a huge sigh, and boy I was sort of glad to see my face again. I did kind of forget how my faced looked like after I put on the mask. It was as if the mask had become my face.

Filza was another good one. I thought she was completely in character. She had that awkwardness and that quirkiness that came with the mask. I thought the ballet scene with Wei Lim was so good. Another one that I thought was good was Sam. He chose the same mask as Lycel did, and he was entertaining!

Even better was when Rey added a little twist. When Josh and Zong Yong was preparing for theirs, Vhina and I had to go up to them and put on wigs for them. HAHA! Josh had a long blond wig on and Zong had this curly, short brown wig on. It was interesting; they went for bra shopping and all. haha.

Well certainly this was an interesting class. There are a lot of masks in the world, and the ones we used was called silent masks. We couldn't make any sound. I hoped that I would be able to do this exercise again somewhere in the future. Though maybe not as George again, but as a different characters. But its a good feeling to know that George is now and will always be a part of me, living inside of me.

Don't you think this mask is just stunning? It's a Venetian Mask :D

no, No, NO!!

[Wednesday, 21st March 2012]

NO!! For once I actually don't want to go for theater. Why? Because I personally think our script sucks. I felt so unrehearsed, despite actually practising and spending time with it. URGH!

Well I'm just gonna cut the chase and get straight to the class stuff. Warm up today was different. Pretty fun though. Rey had us walking around in space at first and then made us jump around and move in a crazy way. We all were jumping around like mad people. HAHA. Good exercise early in the morning. The hard part was that we had to freeze at the exact point when Rey said Freeze. Shoot, I'm so bad at this. Thank God I never found myself in some stupid one legged position. Phewww~

Then we had to act like we're drunk trying to walk in a straight line. I think we're all looked like kookoos.. HAHA But who cares?! We were having so much fun. Some of us pretended like we're falling. It was funny. I was saying things like, "I'M OKAY! I'M OKAY!" and pretended like I'm shoving the hands of whoever's giving me help. Haha.

Then we had to act as Burglars. First alone, then with a partner. I partnered with Leanne because she was the closest person around. It was fun though, crouching about and stuff. I could really imagine in my head the dark room, with lights coming out of the edges of the door towards the room. Me and Leanne were hiding behind the couch that faces the door. We peeked and made sure there were nobody around and began moving. It was soooo coool!! Not that I want to be a burglar or something :P

Then Rey told us to change partners and then start something new. I partnered with my own partner, Teck Sern! And if I'm not mistaken we did the whole I don't want to be with you kind of scene. Boring scene. Meh. He then asked us to freeze and gather around Valerie and Adam. Valerie was hugging Adam from the back and Adam seemed like he wants to get away from her. So we had to stand in a circle around them. They started the scene and we had to shout a freeze and somebody walked in. I was so bad at this, I swear. It's either that or I'm just really out of it today. I couldn't do shit in there. Urggghhhh ><. It's like I just blank out in terms of mind and body. Urgh. I don't know how to react or how I want to react. Grrr..

Next thing was our performances. We had 10 minutes to rehearse and stuff. I was rehearsing with Teck Sern when suddenly Leanne called me out. Turns out the comb was stuck on her hair LOL! So we tried untangling it but in the end Leanne just kinda pulled it out.

So the 10 minutes was up and Leanne and Adam went first, followed by Lih Seng and Valerie. Teck Sern and I had to go last. That sucks, especially seeing how the other 2 groups did so well. That doesn't help at all. But we have no choice but to go and do it right. So we did. It was I suppose, ok. Not the best. I mean it went as rehearsed, but I thought parts were bad and needed to work on. Luckily we have our pro director, Rey with us. He re-directed everything, and even made me so called "pole dance". Well the pole wasn't exactly there, but still I had to pretend that the pole is there. HAHA. I was so self conscious. I'm so out of it today. This is not good.

Blehhh, mental note. I need to stop thinking so much and let my body do the talking. Dude it's just theater class. No one's gonna judge you for being sexy for a change. Urgh. Oh wells.