Things are starting to move forward for some in the Chrysalis Programme – looking back at the photos Pauline shared with me on Sky Drive from last week’s session – I can see that “drama” change is in the air.
When you only have 6 weeks to make an impact – you need to have a “theatrical” objective. This objective is the reason you make performance progress. Why you want to attend the programme instead of a group.
Last week’s ” ExostrachiSmenos ” styled theatre piece was embraced with general enthusiasm by the programme members- all participated to different degrees – but still …many just walked in circles round the spires 1 space – unsure what they should do.
What should you do? A question that only “you” can ever answer because this is your decision to be here ? Isn’t it?
But here is some friendly advice to help you on your way:
“You can walk in drama or you can RUN at it – eyes up – body wide open – heart beating”
The first way is an ‘okay’ improvised drama workshop – the kind of thing you have probably being doing a lot in your previous pace life of group work.
The second way – the run – with a better and clearer vision of your future in PACE – becomes edgy and more exciting theatre PERfORMANCE – “such stuff as dreams are made on ” as Prospero utters in Shakespeare’s The Tempest ( and the motto that Theatre School is built on)
Vulnerable – dangerous – sensual – intelligent (creative)
VIDS – that word again – remember…from a “right start” place?
The second way – the running way – means you need to “care less” . Not care less about what you do – but care less about what it is or WHO it is that is stopping you from doing it the way you want.
Easier said than done – but what has to be done – to make a difference.
A good theatre picture – taken in a session will always capture the truer essence of the personal performance – when the subject is lost somewhere else and unaware of the lens that zooms in on them.
It is as if we are right there with the “emotion” of the moment. And you just can’t help looking at it because of this – the viewer’s creative eye sees something more than just the faces of those that were present on a cast register.
This picture – the one I choose above – was one of a just a few I looked at that let me see more – beyond the face.
It maybe just happened in an instant in that outcast situation but isn’t that the premise of Instagram? As if you were there right and then to share…
It let me see a tiny peek of good acting – in a sea of drama photo pretending.
Now this is not meant as seeming criticism of what was quite a good thursday night drama session – rather a gentle reminder that time is short in this programme and you must move quickly with your objective for being part of it?
Change has to be your prime reason for being here. Physical – Vocal or Mental. If not… you are – just pretending. Aren’t you …?
With 3 weeks to go – waiting till the last minute to do something is never a good idea – like Firefly and their inconvenient module logs to write – things should be acted on immediately. Otherwise you will forget and it will be over and done before you realise.
As the ” Stella Adler” quote of the feature image says – the theatre is a seeing place – one that reflects the social situation and the truth of it.
And it won’t be any different in panto – make sure you understand this.
Spires 1 to me is always “a seeing a place” and be it with Chrysalis on a Thursday night – Firefly or Dragonfly on a Sunday – Panto from now till Christmas – I will “always be watching” – watching the way young people act – in and out the space – to determine what’s best for them to do next.
Even if you are quite happy with just “walking” around a programme you will always be encouraged into a “jog” urged on to break into a “sprint” then pushed hard to the finish of this gold standard performance race.
If this is not your idea of drama then don’t come to the STS starting line. We want runners not strollers – eager for more – not content with less.
Week 3 appears on the horizon chrysalis -one of you has already gone to dragonfly – 3 are now part of Verona chorus work – who is next for change?
I hope the opening to Verona that was given out in last week’s session is ready “to say” in this week’s rehearsal.
…. and that if you hadn’t bothered finding out about Verona before – (about the place or more importantly about the competition itself) – that you have perhaps made more of an effort for this week- to do so.
Thank you to Mr Philps for his effort here – it was noted.
“Oh Why the research before taking part in a play?”
It’s a bit like turning up at party in your pyjamas – when every one else is done up to the nines – and you look like you are just out of bed.
You have to make the effort to look good in everything – the research is the outfit – the performance the make up.
( Dragonfly take note – you are lazy to do this too!!!!)
This Verona Cup Challenge performance 2013 – although relatively small in terms of involvement for both Dragonfly and Chrysalis – marks something very very special in terms of PACE heritage. From 2005- 20013 – excellence has always been the hallmark of this project and over the years the best of PACE have taken part.
Let’s make this programme you are on – count as part of the bigger picture here. Even if you launch it – you set the bar high for what will come.
And one more thing chrysalis ….here’s to a few more Spires 1 “butterflies” bursting onto the Spires Theatre Scene from now on…
See below’s Instagram for inspiration!
Watch you Thursday! – please wear a combination of white / black or red.Bring your script( Verona speech) with you.
And be ready to jog.