We were so lucky today, Luke, Heather and Josh from the Auckland cast of Hairspray came to talk to us about performing, theatre, being true to yourself and standing up for what you believe in. What was the biggest message you took from them speaking today? What meant the most to you? What did you learn?
A plenary is an activity that you do at the end of a rehearsal / session - that helps consolidate the learning that has happened for you - and enables you to reflect on your learning.
Please use the following Plenary - to share what learning has happened for you today....
The Senior School item - One More Angel In Heaven - is taking shape just beautifully. Excellent lesson, as well as some powerful learning conversations at the end of rehearsal about focus, working together as a team, supporting each other and having fun whilst performing. Alfriston School IS the place to be!
Meet Joel GC - Playing the role of Gad. Joel is doing a fantastic job at rehearsals and is learning a lot along the way. 'The thing I am enjoying is all the songs. The feeling of being in the process and it's my first time being a lead part, so I'm really nervous!'
Say hi to Emma Child, one of our talented specialist dancers. 'I am enjoying learning all the dances, and I was a specialist dancer last year.'
Peter Lang is playing the role of Dan. 'I am enjoying performing the songs to the teachers, and seeing the set taking shape!'
Lennox Moss is playing the role of Reuben, the eldest of Jacob's sons. Lennox says - 'Reuben is a snobby older brother who doesn't like many of his other brothers. 'I have enjoyed learning all the songs. I think this production will be the best of them all because this production has many different songs that look great when performed. '
And finally today, meet the lovely Lucy Sly, another of our wonderful dancers. 'I am really enjoying Sunday rehearsals and I have learnt so many new things - like - always looking switched on while performing.'
Lunchtime today saw LJay, Kayla and Jade having a singing rehearsal with Mr V. Mrs McCarty and Mr V spoke to the students about the importance of diction and clarity when singing - as it is so very important that the audience can hear all of the words that are being sung.
Did you know there is no speaking or dialogue in Joseph - the entire show is sung - from beginning to end.... A true musical celebration.
Thanks to the hard work of Mr Christie and Mr Perry - our singing troupe now have the perfect 'perch' to watch the show from, and to share their fantastic singing voices with the audience. So exciting!
The PAC was a hive of excitement today, with a lot of things happening. Mr Perry and Mr Christie were hard at work, designing and building some amazing seating for our wonderful singing troupe.
The Intermediate School started their Go Go rehearsal in the PAC and then we moved outside, making the most of the sunny afternoon.
Meet Joshua Child, who is playing Asher. You may remember Josh from his starring role as the Cat in the Hat from last years production - 'A Night @ The Gallery!' 'I am enjoying watching everyone develop their acting, watching the set improve, as the production creeps closer! Choreographing new songs is a lot of fun.'
Kiaora to James Winiata- Brown who is playing the role of Judah. James is one of our youngest lead parts - and we are all so proud of what he is doing! 'I learnt that I need to sing and dance at the same time! I also learnt how to do a proper ye ha! #BestDirectorMrV I enjoy working with people I don't normally work with. I am making new friends!'
Ryan Hardaker is a very talented young man playing the role of Simeon. 'I have been in both big Alfriston musicals. In Broadway Bound - I was a Thriller Zombie - and in A Night in The Gallery I was Richard Rome.co.nzmylaptopismylife#ICT rules! I will keep performing for as long as I am at Alfriston!'
Finlay Montgomerie is playing the role of Potiphar. 'I am looking forward to performing on the nights in front of a massive crowd, and acting to fun songs with lots of rhythm and beat.'
In the comments section / or on the google doc below... - please write what you learnt from rehearsal today. Remember to get an adult to proof check what you have written please! Thanks.
If you want to add to the google doc - you will need to get my permission to write on the document - I will give it to you as soon as I have received the request - so please check on your Google drive from time to time... Thanks.
Hi all - a friendly reminder - please ensure your parents / caregivers pick you up at 4pm on Sunday rehearsal day. That way the teachers will get to have the later part of the afternoon with their families! Thanks so much. Mr V
Some of R12 - workshopping some rock n roll moves on the turf. This dance started in groups of three - each group choreographing 8 counts. Then groups joined together, teaching each other their dances - culminating in this! Awesome stuff!
We had another fun and vibrant Sunday rehearsal. We focused on the Mega Mix, travelling to Egypt, and the specialist dancers worked with Miss Luck on 'A Pharoah's Story!' A great way to spend a Sunday afternoon.
Daniel - "I am enjoying swapping in and out with Tevita, even though it is a bit tricky having to sing Joseph, and then having to sing as a brother straight after. Something else I am enjoying is knowing I have a lot of confidence in myself because of being a cool boy - Jimmy - in last years production."
Tevita Sila is also playing the role of Joseph.
Tevita - "I enjoy dancing and singing at the same time!. I am really looking forward to the Pharoah's songs because all of them have a lot of spunk. I really enjoy swapping in and out with Daniel."
Our Narrators are played by Kayla and Jade Parkin.
Kayla - "I am really enjoying the learning process of this amazing production. I have been in three productions before, but I think this one will be the best!"
Jade - "I am enjoying everything especially all the singing I get to do, it's really fun! This experience is great and I love being a lead part. I think this years character is a lot closer to my personality than last years character - just for the fact that last year I wore a skirt!"
After a full on morning of Cross Country - the Senior School had a fun and informative afternoon - learning singing and movement for their item - 'One More Angel In Heaven!'
We looked at the singing of the song, the different parts, the melody, the key and the specialist singing troupe adding their wonderful part.
We then added a Country and Western 'accent' to the lyrics, and lots of 'yeee haaaa's!' It sounded really cool!
Then we learnt some choreography.
A great way to finish a wonderful week at Alfriston!
I have included links from the New Zealand Curriculum - to share some the Performing Arts Themes and Objectives being covered as part of this production.
Dance: Apply the dance elements to extend personal movement skills and vocabularies and to explore the vocabularies of others. Combine and contrast the dance elements to express images, ideas, and feelings in dance, using a variety of choreographic processes. Prepare and present dance, with an awareness of the performance context.
Drama: Present and respond to drama, identifying ways in which elements, techniques, conventions, and technologies create meaning in their own and others’ work.
Specific Learning Outcomes – With Strand Links for Drama, Dance & Sound Arts
The students will learn how a production is staged PK / UC
The students will be involved in planning for and performing in a major production. PK / DI / CI
The students will be involved in the rehearsal period of a major production.
Some students (Lead Parts) will be involved in editing & ‘fine tuning’ the script. PK / DI
The students will learn songs. (Lead Parts / Singing Troupe / Group Items) PK / CI / DI
The students will learn movement / dances. (Specialist Dancers / Lead Parts / Singing Troupe / Group Items) PK / CI / DI
The students will learn the ‘art’ of performance. (Specialist Dancers / Lead Parts / Singing Troupe / Group Items) PK / CI / DI
Watching and analyzing a professional performance. Unpacking the show and looking at characterization and staging. UC / CI – Responding to Drama / Dance
Learning Intentions:
We are learning to – work effectively as a school community to produce, rehearse and perform in a major musical production – involving singing, dancing and acting.
Context – vehicle for the learning – A musical production and Ancient Egypt
Success Criteria:
We know we will have achieved our learning intention when:
We have committed our lyrics, choreography and staging to our movement memory (off by heart) ((this will be further unpacked with students during rehearsals))
We don’t feel nervous when we are performing to an audience
We are able to talk about our characters or items with confidence
We can use Performing Arts vocabulary when discussing our roles in the production