[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
Thursday, 3 May 2012
Rehearsal Notes - Holidays! Or not.
Yea, there won't be a break for us theater students. When people are at home being a couch potato, we were doing work. Not that I mind.
So Teck Sern and I decided to use the room at 1pm, and luckily enough it was empty. The theater had no one in them so we took control MUAHAHAHHAHAHAA.
So obviously we set up the stage, and we practiced our blocking and worked on them for about an hour. It's just a rough blocking, it still needs work on them. But at least now that we've tried it out on stage, I feel a lot more secure. We have an idea of how it was going to look like in the end.
We also went on to do the whole entire play. We block for majority of the 10 minutes scene and now we're finally making good progress.
By the end of our rehearsals, we were both tired! Urgh. So we decided to just script read to one another and then underline the words that we're giving emphasis upon. With that our rehearsals ends. :)
So Teck Sern and I decided to use the room at 1pm, and luckily enough it was empty. The theater had no one in them so we took control MUAHAHAHHAHAHAA.
So obviously we set up the stage, and we practiced our blocking and worked on them for about an hour. It's just a rough blocking, it still needs work on them. But at least now that we've tried it out on stage, I feel a lot more secure. We have an idea of how it was going to look like in the end.
We also went on to do the whole entire play. We block for majority of the 10 minutes scene and now we're finally making good progress.
By the end of our rehearsals, we were both tired! Urgh. So we decided to just script read to one another and then underline the words that we're giving emphasis upon. With that our rehearsals ends. :)
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
Wednesday, 2 May 2012
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.
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.
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