Well, we made it to the North Island champs! This was exciting as last year we had plays selected, and then we entered a lockdown, and we didn’t get to go on any further. This year the celebrations were real. The struggle though was indeed improving the 2 plays that were selected in a short time period – just 2 weeks between the regionals and … Continue reading North Island One Act Play Championships
Just this last week, we took part in the Wairarapa Regional competition of the Theatrefest One Act Play competition. We had 9 plays, and 7 of these were ready for performance (covid-19 strikes again) for the competition. Some of our successful original pieces are as follows. In the coming weeks, links to these performances will be shared, with further information about the plays. Backseat – … Continue reading Wairarapa Regional One Act Play Competition
Heya all – it has been a time I am aware. However, things have somewhat settled, and I have been digitising and uploading more teaching resources. Why? Well, we had 2 massive lockdowns in my neck of the woods. I spent the first one as our schools digital teaching expert helping the teachers prepare and engage our rural students online. The second one, well, I … Continue reading Resources for Teaching Drama
Yeah, it has been crazy busy! Day 6: Pepeha Day Today was designed around preparation for our trip to Kohunui Marae. We worked on our Waiata, and talked about the pepeha of the song. So, a pepeha is basically a genealogy that connects to your family as well as the area you are from. When you introduce yourself with a mihimihi, you share your pepeha, … Continue reading The Arts Project: Day 6 and 7
Today we challenged the students even further. We walked up to a local outdoor museum, “Cobblestones Early Settler Museum” and challenged them to be inspired by something, and create a work within 2 hours. The point of this was 2 fold. Firstly we want to dig further beneath the surface of what it means to be a New Zealander. We have already investigated Te Papa, … Continue reading The Arts Project: Day 5
Today began with a look at refining and improving. We discussed how things could be refined and improved, from adding detail, to rehearsing, to improving the script, to adding technical elements, to changing the direction. Then we gave the students 3 hours to do just that. What they came up with was amazing. From costumes to dance routines to layered vocal sounds to slam poetry … Continue reading The Arts Project: Day 4
Today we challenged the students to create “a thing” whether it be Dance, Drama, Music or Visual Art. The most important part was the set up, the how-do create things. We covered how you can use things directly, such as quotes, or the stories of different people. Looking at art, and trying to create the story of the people in the picture. Then we discussed … Continue reading The Arts Project: Day 3
Today we took 80 teenagers to the capital city, Wellington. And it was great. We started by going to Circa Theatre for a tour of the space. This was interesting for the Drama students who could see how a professional performance space was laid out, as well as looking at behind the building facade. (Long story… but BP paid for a heritage wall to be … Continue reading The Arts Project: Day 2
Okay, so today we began a new and innovative programme. We have 84 students. Who are not in any regular classes for 3 weeks. In this time we are going to create Art. The plan is relatively simple. We are going to give an overview of the Arts (Dance, Drama, Music, and Visual Art) and bombard the students with EOTC experiences… getting them to create … Continue reading The Arts Project: Day 1
I go on the road a lot in performance. We have taken groups to different areas to perform, including overseas. I have performed shows that have different venues on different days. As well as difficult locations to perform in. What do I take with me? To be completely frank with you, I am a master at preparing for a performance; as a director, stage manager … Continue reading Performing on the Road – What’s in my Performance Box?
Beyond Theatre 