As you may have noticed on the bulletin board, the audition notice has been posted. The sign-up sheet is beside it.
Here's what's required, i.e. these are the instructions: study one of the following two links (Romeo's soliloquy Act 2, Scene 2 or Juliet's soliloquy Act 3, Scene 2). Make sure you are able to understand them (that's why the modern English version is beside it). DO NOT FREAK OUT OVER MEMORIZING IT!!! IT'S NOT REQUIRED (I mean neither the freaking out, nor the memorizing).
You will be asked to come in to a room, one by one, and present to me, Mr. Sawatsky, and possibly one other teacher. You will also be asked to read a passage from the script which we will be using. You will get that script on Wednesday. You will need to understand that we are all in this together, and there can only be one person playing one character at a time, but ALL the characters are NEEDED. I can't change the play to include two Juliets, 10 Narrators, 3 Mercutios, 5 Heffalumps, and 6 Sugarplums, and no Romeos - it is what it is...... "To be; or not to be - that is the question."
Romeo: http://nfs.sparknotes.com/romeojuliet/page_78.html
Juliet: http://nfs.sparknotes.com/romeojuliet/page_154.html
Here's what I'm looking for - fluency, understanding what you're reading, projecting your voice without yelling, applying emotion, clarity of speech (HERE'S A HINT - SLOW DOWN!!!) and being able to take direction!
Good Luck!
PS You will be asked to memorize your part in the script by the end of October, or a little sooner - just in case you were wondering. :-)
Mrs. Deras
PPSS I will have a label with your name, written in calligraphy, made for Wednesday's class. Make sure you have your black duotangs as I will attach your labels. If you have a label already, you don't have to have mine.
Saturday, September 25, 2010
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
Second Class - Wednesday, September 22, 2010
JK's
The class practised putting emotions into speech through onomatopoeic presentations.We studied and really enjoyed The Three Little Kittens and had excellent responses/performances. The class made formal presentations once again and tried to say more than just their names. We need to overcome some shyness when speaking by ourselves. Overall a job well done.
SK's
By reciting the poem Pat-a-Cake, the children worked on synchronicity as well as speed. We tried very hard to say it quickly and slowly, but together. It was tough, but we did. Once again, we practised proper presentation with a focus on clarity and volume. You did some excellent work. We have some very eager performers.
Grades 1 and 2
Today we listened to and discussed the poems Schoolitis, by Brian Patten and Chicken Poxed by Valerie Bloom . We also started preparations for the Christmas concert/production. The class listened to our special poem and is to think about presenting it and acting in it (both will be done by all children). We went to the auditorium again to learn about walking on stage, stage courtesy, stage presence, and projection of our voices. HOMEWORK: Practise any nursery rhyme that is easy. Remember, I just want something SHORT to which you easily know the words so we may practise using your voice, adding emotion, entering and exiting, etc and not worrying about the words. Memorization of more difficult pieces will start shortly......... do not fret.
Grade 3
We have decided to study Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Although the grade 3's have one more year before they will partake in the school play, we will study the play in class. Today we listened to Peter Dixon's Teabag. The students all decided that being a teabag would end tragically, if the teabag were to meet its purpose in life. Each student had the opportunity to read aloud from Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham, something easy and familiar in order to practise voice projection, stance, posture, and clarity. We need much work in this department and a few students will need to read next week. HOMEWORK: please learn Humpty Dumpty, Twinkle Twinkle, Mary Had a Little Lamb, etc. We need to work on our presentation skills before we hit the hard stuff!!!! After next week the dramatics will get more dramatic.
Grade 4
The above applies to all of you too! We discussed the play in which you will play a part: The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet, by Peter Bloedel. You will receive your scripts next week. The workload will be heavy. HOMEWORK: If you do truly want a major role, you will need to auditon before the class. You must learn (not by heart, but well) the soliloquy of either Romeo or Juliet. Please search my blog for a link. It will appear shortly, probably near the bottom. To those who did not present their poem today, you will do so next week.
Grades 5, 6, & 7
It's official - the play is underway. We will be performing Peter Bloedel's The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet, a lighter version of the heavier original. Hopefully we can combine learning, education, and fun........hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Remember there are many good parts and we must all work together. Romeo and Juliet had feuding families, without which there would be no Romeo and Juliet - only a very elegant wedding. Once again emotions, voice modulation, and presentation were forefront as we tried to put ourselves in other people's situations, learned emphasis on dialogue, and presented our nursery rhymes. We discussed soliloquies. HOMEWORK: Please read everything in your black drama folder. All the pages must be read. Bring your questions to class. You must have a solid understanding of the characters and the synopsis. If you wish to audition for a major role, please learn either the soliloquy for Romeo or Juliet which I will post shortly. Memorization is not necessary, though it's not a bad idea; for it truly is a beautiful piece of work to know. We have much toiling to do............be prepared!!!! There are only two months before we appear on stage.
Mrs. Deras
The class practised putting emotions into speech through onomatopoeic presentations.We studied and really enjoyed The Three Little Kittens and had excellent responses/performances. The class made formal presentations once again and tried to say more than just their names. We need to overcome some shyness when speaking by ourselves. Overall a job well done.
SK's
By reciting the poem Pat-a-Cake, the children worked on synchronicity as well as speed. We tried very hard to say it quickly and slowly, but together. It was tough, but we did. Once again, we practised proper presentation with a focus on clarity and volume. You did some excellent work. We have some very eager performers.
Grades 1 and 2
Today we listened to and discussed the poems Schoolitis, by Brian Patten and Chicken Poxed by Valerie Bloom . We also started preparations for the Christmas concert/production. The class listened to our special poem and is to think about presenting it and acting in it (both will be done by all children). We went to the auditorium again to learn about walking on stage, stage courtesy, stage presence, and projection of our voices. HOMEWORK: Practise any nursery rhyme that is easy. Remember, I just want something SHORT to which you easily know the words so we may practise using your voice, adding emotion, entering and exiting, etc and not worrying about the words. Memorization of more difficult pieces will start shortly......... do not fret.
Grade 3
We have decided to study Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet. Although the grade 3's have one more year before they will partake in the school play, we will study the play in class. Today we listened to Peter Dixon's Teabag. The students all decided that being a teabag would end tragically, if the teabag were to meet its purpose in life. Each student had the opportunity to read aloud from Dr. Seuss's Green Eggs and Ham, something easy and familiar in order to practise voice projection, stance, posture, and clarity. We need much work in this department and a few students will need to read next week. HOMEWORK: please learn Humpty Dumpty, Twinkle Twinkle, Mary Had a Little Lamb, etc. We need to work on our presentation skills before we hit the hard stuff!!!! After next week the dramatics will get more dramatic.
Grade 4
The above applies to all of you too! We discussed the play in which you will play a part: The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet, by Peter Bloedel. You will receive your scripts next week. The workload will be heavy. HOMEWORK: If you do truly want a major role, you will need to auditon before the class. You must learn (not by heart, but well) the soliloquy of either Romeo or Juliet. Please search my blog for a link. It will appear shortly, probably near the bottom. To those who did not present their poem today, you will do so next week.
Grades 5, 6, & 7
It's official - the play is underway. We will be performing Peter Bloedel's The Seussification of Romeo and Juliet, a lighter version of the heavier original. Hopefully we can combine learning, education, and fun........hmmmmmmmmmmmmm. Remember there are many good parts and we must all work together. Romeo and Juliet had feuding families, without which there would be no Romeo and Juliet - only a very elegant wedding. Once again emotions, voice modulation, and presentation were forefront as we tried to put ourselves in other people's situations, learned emphasis on dialogue, and presented our nursery rhymes. We discussed soliloquies. HOMEWORK: Please read everything in your black drama folder. All the pages must be read. Bring your questions to class. You must have a solid understanding of the characters and the synopsis. If you wish to audition for a major role, please learn either the soliloquy for Romeo or Juliet which I will post shortly. Memorization is not necessary, though it's not a bad idea; for it truly is a beautiful piece of work to know. We have much toiling to do............be prepared!!!! There are only two months before we appear on stage.
Mrs. Deras
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
Just to keep you informed grade by grade about our FIRST CLASS
JK's
We began with introductions and speaking loudly and clearly. Everyone practised saying their name enthusiastically and with a smile. We looked at the Chinchilla's eyes to understand that our eyes can show different emotions. Added to that were a few songs that also helped us show emotions. The class listened to the poem, What is Pink?, by Christina Rossetti and discussed how thinking about different colours makes us feel different things. Way to go JK's!
SK's
The Senior Kindergarten class introduced themselves one by one. The idea of "stage left" and "stage right" was introduced through their approach to our "centre stage". Introductions were made confidently and clearly followed by a bow or curtsy. Those curtsies need work as we try not to topple over. The Chinchilla made his debut to this class and we studied how his eyes tell us what he feels. Everyone got to give him a hug to make him feel less afraid. We studied the poem, What is Pink? by Christina Rossetti, as well as the entire five verses of the lullaby Twinkle Twinkle, known as The Star, by Jane Taylor.
Grade 1's and 2's
The grade ones and twos were very eager to get started. We discussed different types of theatre, and have some opera afficionados in the class. Introductions were made very confidently, as were the entrances and exits from the stage. We went to the auditorium and looked at the different physical aspects that make up a theatre. All were very excited to see the "back stage" area. HOMEWORK - all the children were asked to prepare a very short nursery rhyme or poem. It needs to be short as we just need to know the words, and work over and over on proper presentation.
Grade 3's and 4's
The boys and girls had a very fun time presenting themselves at centre stage (in our classroom). Each introduction was repeated until we were confidently able to hear a name and a personal interest. We expanded our likes and dislikes by stressing emotions through voice modulation, volume, and posture. We have a lot of work ahead of us when the giggles found their way among us. The poem of the day was: Vegetable Strike Back, by Steve Turner. Who would have thought a poem about vegetables could be quite so distressing and scary. We will be returning to that poem again. HOMEWORK - both grades were asked to know a very short poem or nursery rhyme. GRADE 4'S - you will be participating in the school production based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, please browse through the link at the bottom of the blog.
Grade 5's, 6's and 7's
Double, double toil and trouble. We started with quick introductions and jumped right into discussions about the theatre and different types of performances we have seen. We compared the dry version of In Flander's Fields with one that shows emotion. We read through Shakespeare's Witches' Song from Macbeth, several times, discussing how voice modulation can make the verse more frightening. We read through Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss in order to practise using our voices while reading something very familiar. HOMEWORK - a very short poem or nursery rhyme needs to be memorized for next class. I stress the word SHORT! As all of you will be participating in the school production based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, I encourage you to click on the link at the bottom of the blog. Till we meet again, dear class; till we meet again.
Mrs. Deras
We began with introductions and speaking loudly and clearly. Everyone practised saying their name enthusiastically and with a smile. We looked at the Chinchilla's eyes to understand that our eyes can show different emotions. Added to that were a few songs that also helped us show emotions. The class listened to the poem, What is Pink?, by Christina Rossetti and discussed how thinking about different colours makes us feel different things. Way to go JK's!
SK's
The Senior Kindergarten class introduced themselves one by one. The idea of "stage left" and "stage right" was introduced through their approach to our "centre stage". Introductions were made confidently and clearly followed by a bow or curtsy. Those curtsies need work as we try not to topple over. The Chinchilla made his debut to this class and we studied how his eyes tell us what he feels. Everyone got to give him a hug to make him feel less afraid. We studied the poem, What is Pink? by Christina Rossetti, as well as the entire five verses of the lullaby Twinkle Twinkle, known as The Star, by Jane Taylor.
Grade 1's and 2's
The grade ones and twos were very eager to get started. We discussed different types of theatre, and have some opera afficionados in the class. Introductions were made very confidently, as were the entrances and exits from the stage. We went to the auditorium and looked at the different physical aspects that make up a theatre. All were very excited to see the "back stage" area. HOMEWORK - all the children were asked to prepare a very short nursery rhyme or poem. It needs to be short as we just need to know the words, and work over and over on proper presentation.
Grade 3's and 4's
The boys and girls had a very fun time presenting themselves at centre stage (in our classroom). Each introduction was repeated until we were confidently able to hear a name and a personal interest. We expanded our likes and dislikes by stressing emotions through voice modulation, volume, and posture. We have a lot of work ahead of us when the giggles found their way among us. The poem of the day was: Vegetable Strike Back, by Steve Turner. Who would have thought a poem about vegetables could be quite so distressing and scary. We will be returning to that poem again. HOMEWORK - both grades were asked to know a very short poem or nursery rhyme. GRADE 4'S - you will be participating in the school production based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, please browse through the link at the bottom of the blog.
Grade 5's, 6's and 7's
Double, double toil and trouble. We started with quick introductions and jumped right into discussions about the theatre and different types of performances we have seen. We compared the dry version of In Flander's Fields with one that shows emotion. We read through Shakespeare's Witches' Song from Macbeth, several times, discussing how voice modulation can make the verse more frightening. We read through Green Eggs and Ham by Dr. Seuss in order to practise using our voices while reading something very familiar. HOMEWORK - a very short poem or nursery rhyme needs to be memorized for next class. I stress the word SHORT! As all of you will be participating in the school production based on Shakespeare's Romeo and Juliet, I encourage you to click on the link at the bottom of the blog. Till we meet again, dear class; till we meet again.
Mrs. Deras
Monday, September 20, 2010
JK - Grade 7: Wednesday, September 15, 2010
Dear Parents,
Today was a very exciting and dramatic first day, as formal introductions were made. All the boys and girls were individually brought to centre stage to introduce themselves to the class and to me. Throughout the year, we will be working on clarity of speech, voice intonation and modulation, as well as stage presence, while studying children's poetry, plays, and forms of improvisation. We will also be very hard at work preparing for our school productions.
Shortly I will post the specific poems and activities that were studied by each grade. Stay tuned, as we will always have some dramatic activity to practise for homework.
It was wonderful to meet all the smiling faces on the eager young actors.
Today was a very exciting and dramatic first day, as formal introductions were made. All the boys and girls were individually brought to centre stage to introduce themselves to the class and to me. Throughout the year, we will be working on clarity of speech, voice intonation and modulation, as well as stage presence, while studying children's poetry, plays, and forms of improvisation. We will also be very hard at work preparing for our school productions.
Shortly I will post the specific poems and activities that were studied by each grade. Stay tuned, as we will always have some dramatic activity to practise for homework.
It was wonderful to meet all the smiling faces on the eager young actors.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)