Theatre

Theatre

Theatre is separated into 3 different classes. Firstly, P & P (Performance & Practice) taught by Ms Ho and Ms Sim. Secondly, C & D (Concept & Design) taught by Mr Fared. Lastly, T & C (Theory & Context) taught by Ms Michelle.

In P & P, we learn how to deliver a natural and believable performance to the audience. When we first began theatre at the very start of the year, we already knew that repetition was going to be a huge part of our theatre experience. When we started learning new pieces and scripts, every single lesson would be repeating the same scenes over and over again. The process is super tiring but we do realise why it is so important. We have to ensure we know our lines well so during a performance, we would be able to blurt out lines naturally and only have to focus on our body movements and tone.

(Below are some behind the scenes photos of our end of year showcase rehearsals.)

In C & D, we learnt how to design a stage set on our own. We did this project for our mid-term performance, Flying To The Sunset, a duologue. We were given a script and from what we interpreted, we had to form a stage set.

Here’s a description of the piece “Flying To The Sunset” so you do not get lost: Flying to the Sunset is a duologue performance that we did in the middle of the year. It revolved around two teenagers, a girl named Rachel, and a boy, named Ian. They both live in the same poverty stricken neighbourhood and have been friends for many years. Ian has a troubled home life with an abusive father that constantly hurts Ian and his mother. Rachel is a kind friend who just wants to help Ian.

Apart from set designs, we also learned how to use blocking to our advantage. We use height and space to show relationships between characters. We also used sound and light cues to make the show more interesting and make the change of scenes or locations more apparent.

In T & C, we learned how to write and annotate scripts. In this class, we learned how to find the deeper meaning from a script and we realised how much a character’s dialogue can reveal their personality. We also learned how to combine several ideas together to form a nice performance.

For example, for our last assignment of the year, we started off by writing monologues based on certain topics. Next, we were assigned to random groups and we had to combine all the monologues together into an enjoyable play. In T & C our teacher helped us explore new and creative ways to do things and gave us hints on how to move forward.

Flying to the Sunset

by Gloria Powell

Characters:

IVY (Played by Tiara, originally was Ian, pronouns might be inaccurate): A troubled teen trying to escape his chaotic home life.

RYAN (Played by a student from another class, originally was Rachel, pronouns might be inaccurate): A childhood friend and neighbour of Ivy. She has been a constant mediator of his problems and is in general a caring and understanding soul.

Setting:
A sidewalk in a tired, poverty-stricken neighbourhood. It’s in the evening, during the fall.

Hostile yelling is heard off stage, and then stops abruptly. Ivy enters quickly with a suitcase; he gets halfway across the stage when Ryan comes running after him.

RYAN: Hey, Ivy, wait up!

IVY: (He stops.)You following me?

RYAN: Maybe… I heard the screaming from my porch (she eyes the suitcase he is carrying.) What’s that for?

IVY: What do you think? I’m leaving, Ryan. Getting away from here.

RYAN: (Sighs.) I don’t think I can count how many times I’ve heard you say that.

IVY: Yeah, well I’m not joking any more. I’ve had it here. Every day gets worse and worse...

RYAN: Was it your dad? Did he hit you?

IVY: No, he wouldn’t hit me. He has to beat on someone weaker than him.

RYAN: So he hit your mom?

IVY: No! He didn’t hit nobody.

RYAN: Then what happened? (Pause. He puts down the suitcase and runs his fingers through his hair and over his temples.)

IVY: He doesn’t want me here. He thinks I should leave. And you know what I think? I think maybe he’s right. (He kicks the suitcase.) I hate it here! Day after day, I work my butt off, and for what? I’m just trying to live Ryan. I don’t need people screaming at me because their life is screwed, you know?

RYAN: Yeah.

IVY: Anyway, there’s no reason to stay. No one wants me here.

RYAN: That’s not true. I want you here, and so does your mom.

IVY: My mom? Ha! She’s ashamed of me!

RYAN: She’s not ashamed of you, Ivy. Jeez! Why would you say something like that?

IVY: She hates the fact that she can’t provide for me like she wants to… can’t give me all the things she’s dreamed of getting me.

RYAN: She still loves you though; nothing will change that.

IVY: You know she wanted to be a singer? She was going to school for it, then she got pregnant with me and had to drop out. Now she hums these sad-sounding songs around the house, knowing her dream will never come true, and I’m the reason for it.

RYAN: She doesn’t blame you for that, Ivy. Stop blaming yourself for everything you can’t change! You just can’t carry everyone’s problems on your shoulders. Eventually, they’ll fall, and you won’t have changed a thing. (She looks him straight in the eyes.) Your dad’s a jerk. You know it, I know it… heck the whole neighborhood knows it! But guess what? It’s not your fault. Yeah, your mom had you at a young age; she wishes things might have turned out differently, but so what? It’s not your fault, IVY!

IVY: Thank you for the inspiration… but I’m still leaving.

RYAN: (Loudly.) Yeah?!

IVY: (Louder.) Yeah!

RYAN: (Biting back frustration.) Well, where you gonna go? West to California? That’s what you told me last time.

IVY: No… I figured I might join the army.

RYAN: The army? The army, Ivy? Great. Now I really know you’ve lost it.

IVY: I’m serious.

RYAN: Yeah, that’s why I’m afraid

IVY: I don’t want to be a bum like my dad… I need to be someplace where I can make something of myself. You know, do something constructive.

RYAN: Yeah, like blow up something? Real constructive, Ivy. (Overlapping.)

IVY: What’s it to you Ryan? Why should you care?

RYAN: Because I’m your friend, that’s why! (Softly.) I don’t want to see you get hurt.

IVY: I’m already hurt! I’ve been hurt for a long time now.

RYAN: I’m sorry, Ivy.

IVY: It’s not your fault. You care. I appreciate that. You’ve been there for me, you know? Listening to all my sap stories… always trying to make me feel better. God knows you have your own problems to deal with.

RYAN: I don’t mind, I never did.

IVY: You know as much as I’ve hated it here, you were the one that’s always kept me from leaving.

RYAN: Then don’t go, Ivy.

IVY: I don’t see any other way.

RYAN: You could stay with us! My mom wouldn’t mind. And my uncle could get you a job at his shop… we’d work something out.

IVY: You’d do that for me?

RYAN: You know I would.

IVY: Thanks, Ryan, but we both know that wouldn’t work.

RYAN: Yeah, I know… this… this really sucks. (They stand quietly, both absorbed in their own thoughts. Ivy clears his throat in an attempt to break the silence.)

RYAN: (Close to tears.) I don’t want you to go.

(They gently break away.)

IVY: Well, I do. I’m ready.

RYAN: Promise, promise, promise you’ll write to me!

IVY: I don’t really write letters…

RYAN: Ivy, promise!

IVY: (Laughing.) Yeah, I promise. (He pulls her into a final hug.) I’m going to miss you. (Pause.) It’s not the end for me, Ryan. It’s just the beginning. (He playfully jabs her in the arm.) I’ll see you at the sunset.

(Ivy picks up his suitcase, walks to the other end of the stage. He shares another knowing stare with Ryan before exiting. Ryan looks after him and pulls her jacket closer. The warmth that the encounter has brought has gone, and she quietly exits the stage.)

END OF PLAY