"Take a seat please..."

                  -Arvo Hex (from the gypsybird speaks)

Artemis Wolfe & Philena (picknick scene) 

This year I was fortunate to be a participant in a play written and directed by Derek Mitchell. The play is title "The Gypsybird speaks".

The set for the play was truly incredible, and it was an engineering feat I would say in getting in put together. I was able to help with some odds and ends but the true showcase of artistic elitism goes to Amelia Redmond and the director Derek Mitchell. They put in many long and strenuous hours to get the set completed in time for the performance and in the end it was definitely a success. 

The character who's role I played, was Artemas Wolfe. Artemas was a character I was particularly drawn to because of his complex history. It is never fully stated in the script what exactly Artemas has been through, but it is certain that whatever it was, it had turned him into a monster, at least in his eyes. It was a challenging role for me to play because it was so difficult for me to become a character that I knew so little about. In the end, with help from the director, I was able to come up with my own story of how Artemas came to be who he is today, a "Genesis of the Wolf" you might say. This strategy helped me better connect with Artemas and soon I found I was having little troubling getting into character. This character allowed me to experiment with some new acting techniques. Because some of the scenes were set in a dream like fantasy world created by the mind of the main character Philena, I got to explore the different ways of transforming myself into something that wasn't exactly real. Exploring the use of voice control and focusing on creating abnormal contrasts in my personality helped me to accentuate the unworldly essence of my character. This was a very difficult task. Artemas' final scene is in fact the best representation of the character himself as it is presumably the only one where he is not just a memory twisted and manipulated by another character's mind. The final scene was very rewarding as it allowed me to take what I had explored earlier, regarding the history of my character, and really transmit those ideas and emotions to the audience. 

and just like that it was over

Well, it was worth it. Now it is time to reflect. 

Two days ago, our theater group completed yet another incredible feat. We came together as a single driving force creating a story that not only created an incredible atmosphere on stage but was able to brighten the entirety of our campus with an energy so amazing that all the thoughts of exams, university applications, homework and internal assessments seemed to dissolve away. 

Although I have been in plays before, I consider this one my first true production. Something about the creative work, team spirit, and delicate framework I found in Metamorphosis, was something completely new. I remember the last week of classes before the winter holidays, and my class and I being given our respective duties. I clearly remember thinking that it was going to be a messy, not synchronized, impeded undertaking. I had no experience whatsoever in set design, and I knew that most of us first years were in the same boat, be it lights, sound, or costumes. Maybe it was great delegation and leadership. Maybe it was fear and panic. In fact it was most likely a combination of many things but the one thing that is certain is that at the end of it all each one of us had something beautiful in front of us, a show that we could all be proud of. There were definitely things that didn't go according to plan, and looking back there are things that we could have done differently, but the illuminating journey that we took together was the biggest and most rewarding part of the whole show. We had done a good job, for our first time at least. And with our work came the necessary complications giving us the experience we need to continue our theatrical adventures. 

Building the set and helping to create an appropriate atmosphere for our story was a magical experience. The directors had a pretty clear vision for the set and I can proudly say that we were able to follow the vision out until the very end. It was nice to have a picture in my mind that I could work towards, but also to know that there was room for me to be creative and resourceful in my own ways. I was able to meet the directors needs but also have the chance to display some of my own ideas. The importance of getting to work immediately after the design is ready is critical.

I began working on the set construction about three and a half week before the production day and although I thought that it would provide me with ample time, and in the end was able to finish in time, I regret not starting earlier. In building a set you can never be sure that the original design will not need any changes along the way. Our set was altered from time to time which meant work that I had not anticipated. This led to late nights and sleep deprivation, which as any Pearson student knows, is extremely dangerous. I am simply preaching to the choir as I say this but make sure, if nothing else, to avoid procrastination and plan for your work to take longer than expected.

The set was almost entirely built with recycled materials, the only exception being the spray paints used for graffiti on the flats. Everything else was built from items taken from the costume room (clothing, tent frame, sheets), students rooms (ropes), or the school's junk pile/recycling (screen doors, cardboard, garbage can). The fact is that the college is full of building materials all around, and when undertaking a project such as this it is extremely valuable to use the resources around campus. Not only will this save you money, but also valuable time. I was thankful for the generosity from students and our maintenance staff members, Josh and Wayne. 

After the set was finished it was time for me to sit back, relax and enjoy the show. I, personally, love METAMORPHOSES. The idea of setting the play in an occupy camp was brilliant as it ties into the message of love and greed so perfectly. I was lucky however to have watched the scenes many times, and just through working with the class I was able to develop a firm understanding of the piece. It wasn't until after the show, taking to audience members, that I began to think of what maybe we could have done differently. Keeping in mind that we were a young theater class with a very little amount of time I think that one thing that may have been a possible alteration is to bring to story of occupy back to finish off the show. Many of the people I talked to were still unclear of how the occupy story was related to the story of METAMORPHOSES. Maybe if we had have been able to connect the story at the end it would have made the Meta character idea more clear to the audience.

Having fun while you work is something that is maybe not experienced enough in schooling, but alot of the enjoyment weaved into the IB is up to you to discover. This, for me, was a perfect example of an assignment given to me that I thoroughly enjoyed. Working on the set gave me the chance to work independently on a project that would help bring a piece of art together which would be there for the entire college to see. Just the idea of this, for me, is exciting. Knowing that my work would be there on stage for my peers to hopefully enjoy and criticize I think really inspired me to produce my best work and maybe that is one of the main underlying reasons why I enjoy theater so much. When I write a math test, and score a good grade I feel accomplished. When I work in theater and put on a show, and see the enticing environment and story I have helped engaged our audience in, Its breathtaking.

OCCUPY MAX BELL

Through discussions with the directors, we have decided not to have water on the stage for the production METAMORPHOSES, at least not a pool or fountain. Instead we will attempt to set up an occupy camp. This exciting new vision evolved from an attempt to further modernize the story, and with the occupy movement so big right now it seemed appropriate, especially seeing as both the story of METAMORPHOSES and the occupy movement target greed, I think that it will be extremely effective. After working with derek we came up with a general concept for the stage. It would consist of three "flats" that would crate entrances and exits. There would be a tent on stage left where the shadow scene with Myrahh and her father would take place. On stage right, there would be a mattress and milk crate. (Below is the original concept)

The plan is to build the flats with plywood and hinges, and hopefully the materials for the tent, mattress and crate can be found around campus. The decision was also made that the large blue curtains on either side of the stage should be covered with sheets of white fabric. This will require the scaffolding to clothes-pin the sheets. Clothes lines will be needed to hang costumes on, they will be located on stage or on stage/ off stage. 

CHANGE IS GOOD

Well, I can now, three days before the production, say that the set for the second year production of METAMORPHOSIS is complete. After three weeks of work it's finally time to sit back and watch the show, but their were definitely bumps along this adventure. 

The concept for the set changed in ways.

1. There are still three flats, but only the middle section is a two-piece fold. The stage left 

    section is now three pieces, and the stage right section, four.

2. The tent is no longer alone on stage left, but now attached to the last piece of the stage      left section, with access from behind the flat. This will allow for Nathan (ASM, PROPS)      to control the light dimmer for the tent. 

3. The milk crate has been replaced by a garbage can that will remain on stage for the      whole show, the mattress has stayed but will be brought on only for one scene.

4. There are now three clothes line that reach from stage left to the back of audience,      stage right to the back of the audience, and stretching from side to side upstage. They      no longer have costumes on them but instead random items such as sheets, t-shirts      shoes, and pants.

5. To make entries from upstage invisible to the audience, two cardboard box walls were      constructed on either side of the stage to act as wings, and for Nathan to work behind         as he does the tent lights.

      (6). We also talked running barbed wire along the top of the flats, but decided that it would      change the atmosphere into something more aggressive and hostile than we wanted.

After these changes, it is important to note the materials that I used to build the flats and tent. The flats were made using frames of old recycled screen door and then covered in cardboard. They were then spray painted in blotchy white, grey, and black with graffiti. (PICTURE OF FLAT PROGRESSION BELOW)

FLAT PROGRESSION

FINISHED PRODUCT 

As for the tent, it was definitely on of the trickiest things to find supplies for. I ended up finding an old detachable clothing rack frame in the costume room. I took the pieces apart and managed to reassemble them into a frame for the tent. It also worked well because the pieces were capable of sliding and changing length even after construction. This made it easy to take on stage and fiddle around to see which size looked best and maximized the audiences viewing capability. (PICTURE OF TENT BELOW)

After the tent was assembled with sheets over the frame, I texturized the exterior with grey and white spray paint, and hung some spanish moss over the top. I was try pleased with the way this integrated the tent into the rest of the set giving it a worn, used and crude look.(PICTURE BELOW)

        The light for the tent was perfect thanks to the great work from Ariana and Miguel (LIGHT CREW). It was set with a transformer to allow dimming and brightening. (PICTURE OF SHADOW SCENE IN TENT)

The garbage can was actually a discovery I made when out for a walk. I found it tucked behind a shed in the bushes and I decided to take it to they Max Bell and see how it looked. With a quick spray paint job, it completed the look of the camp. I really liked it, and so did the directors so it stuck. (PICTURE OF GARBAGE CAN)

The clothes lines were made of rope that I had accumulated from friends on campus. They were difficult to attach way up high in the front, but I was able to lasso the rope up there with a few try's. The clothing items that I hung on the lines were taken from the costume room. 

The two cardboard walls, made with over 50 boxes, were relatively simple too build once I had the materials. I simply stacked the boxes one on top of the other and then added a couple graffitis and spray paint cans in.

With everything now in place and the dress rehearsal on our doorstep, it was perfect timing. Now I could grab a set in the audience and take it all in. With actors, lights and sound, the occupy movement was coming alive. It's time to put on a show. (PHOTO OF COMPLETED SET BELOW)

Second Year Production

            Well, the next adventure has begun and excitement is in the air. The second year production is on its way and this year the piece that our theatre classes will be presenting is a Mary Zimmerman play entitled METAMORPHOSIS. This play from the American playwright was first seen in 1996 and since has been a hit, playing on Broadway and winning the 2002 Tony award for best play. Metamorphosis, first named 6 greek myths, is an ancient greek inspired story about the transforming power of love and the devastating consequences of greed. 

So far we have discussed possible ways by which our group can present this piece. As first years, we are responsible for lighting, sound, stage management, props, and costumes. I was given the responsibility of set design and props. For the most part it takes place in a pool, this immediately creates a problem for us. Whether or not we will use water in a pool or just as a major motif is soon to be decided. We may, however, decide to just take it in an entirely different direction. This will give me ample room to be creative, but will no doubt be a challenge to construct. I will be working with Nathan who is an assistant stage manager. I am looking forward to the exciting new project and working together with my classmates to create something that we can all be proud of. 

1st Year production

            Seeing as i was a crew member backstage, I never got a chance to fully watch the production but i feel as though I still learned a lot about theatre. Until now I had never realized the amount of teamwork and communication that is necessary if a theatre piece is to be a success. I was amazing to see how much work goes into the little things that you really take for granted as an audience member and sometimes maybe even an actor. I know that personally I know admire the thought and planning that goes into lighting, sound, backstage work and stage management. Each of these sectors is a working organ that must me tweaked, prepared and organized for the entire body of the production to operate.

            Being backstage was completely new to me and right off the bat I was informed and taught what my role was and how I could execute it properly. The backstage leaders were extremely helpful in teaching me “the ropes” and they created a calm but attentive atmosphere that helped the entire team relax and do their job efficiently. I realized how critical communication was between the team, and also the people outside. In the notes sessions after rehearsal’s I saw how directors kept effective notes and were always full of suggestions for the crew and actors. I would like to have seen the show to comment on the performance of the actors themselves but from the feedback by the directors and audience I think that it went quite well. All in all I was very pleased with the outcome of the show and I can’t wait for the next project.