8 MARCH 2016
FROM THE DESK OF THE
ARTISTIC DIRECTOR - ANNA
I am a bit late writing the intro to this
week’s newsletter, but it is quite
serendipitous as I had the pleasure of
attending the Catholic Schools week
Mass this morning and being
immensely proud of our ASPIRE
vocalists who looked and more
importantly
sounded
beautiful
alongside the choir from St Pius X,
Adamstown. Thanks to all our vocalists
and especially to Jeanette and Michael
for working on this with them over the
past few weeks.
If you read my blog this week you will
have seen I was banging on about
finding the truth in your performance. I
won’t repeat the entire blog here but
please give it a read and really think
about who you’re playing in the
performance (this may be multiple
roles) and if you are unsure then ask
your ensemble director or myself. The
latest draft of the script is available in
the google drive link I sent you all,
please have a read of it. It’s really
important so that we all know what
we’re working towards.
Finally the only important date I have
th
noted this week is Tuesday March 29 .
I would like everyone to come from
4.30pm – 7.30pm this week, each
ensemble will welcome a special guest
tutor, who work with them for 2 hours
and then we will come together and
have some much needed social time
and pizza! If you have any special
dietary requirements please let me
know in the next week.
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE ENSEMBLES
DRAMA:
Much of the work that we have been doing in the drama ensemble has been related to devising
theatre. It is quite a difficult thing to do really, to create meaningful and entertaining scenes with
little preparation. We have seen some powerful and moving scenes, some very funny scenes and
some scenes that certainly fall into the cuts section. But everything that we do in Drama is
important as we learn from our creations what works and what we possibly should avoid next
time.
Last week in the senior hour, I organised a mock robbery. Michael from the band ensemble
agreed to come to the room, “steal” my phone and make a run for it. It was an interesting
experiment based on the notion of observation. I had been talking to the seniors about the
importance of observation for actors because the things that we see, witness, observe and
notice often form the basis of our character work. I hope I proved my point when the suspect
identification forms indicated that the thief had red hair, no brown hair, no, maybe it was
blonde. He wore a blue or black or green or white t-shirt. He was aged from 8 to 20; only a minor
difference really. I am glad it was a staged robbery because the police have no chance of finding
the offender based on senior drama’s descriptions. So this week we plan to be much more
observant. Thanks Michael for your help!
It is really my favourite three hours each week working with the Drama Ensembles. The time flies
by, and the work that we have produced has been great. We hope to begin working on the script
this week. Finally I want to remind all performers that even if your part seems small, there is lots
of stage time for the entire group. So please don’t worry. If you feel worried speak to Rachel,
Anna or myself.
Have a great week. It is now time to start learning lines. We want this done as soon as possible –
so start now! Stay happy
Lisa Hall and Rachael Moore
WHAT’S HAPPENING IN THE ENSEMBLES CONTINUED
DANCE:
Aloha Dancers! I hope you are having a great time practising your choreography at home
throughout the week. Remember to think about the little bits that make a huge difference to
your movement. When you are practising, please don’t just go through the dances in your head.
You need to go through the choreography at 100% to make sure it gets into your muscle
memory.
EXCITING AND
IMPORTANT DATES
AND NEWS
We have spoken about special awareness and working as an ensemble lately which means you
need to really pay attention to those around you. So while you’re walking through school or out
and about, start to pay attention to things happening around you. Pay attention to your
environment and the people in it, how they move, how they hold themselves, start to use your
peripheral vision to make observations in order to develop these skills to use in your ensemble
work.
Tuesday 29th March – All
cast 4.30 – 7.30 for special
guest tutors evening. Dinner
will be provided!!!
Keep pushing to take yourselves out of your comfort zone as this is how we will grow as
performers.
"Today is your day! Your mountain is waiting. So. . . get on your way." Dr Seuss
Lauren Wheatley and Kirsty Williams
MUSIC:
"Rehearsals are not for you to learn your part. Rehearsals are there for you to learn everyone
else's part"
This is so important to remember. Everyone needs to be practising their music at home before
coming to rehearsals so that at rehearsals we can focus on how each of your parts fit in with the
rest of the ensemble and the overall sound. Don't let the team down!
Overall, the band is progressing well. In the next few weeks, you will be receiving more songs to
learn. You must have a look at these at home to learn the notes so you are prepared for
rehearsals. We will also be starting to work with the singers in the next few weeks, which will be
an exciting time as we'll get to listen to how our parts all work together.
Happy practising!
Jess Lopez and Dominique Cunningham
VOCAL:
One of the best ways to improve our singing and "telling the story" is to work with a new or
different Musical director or conductor. It is always wonderful to hear someone else's ideas,
options and opinions about the way we sing and perform.
The members of the Vocal Ensemble have had the pleasure over the past couple of weeks, of
working closely with two very talented and professional musicians - Ms. Avigail Herman & Mr
Craig Wattam. Both these muso's have brought out the very best in our students, encouraging
them to be the very best they could be! They have inspired the students to create amazing
sounds and to have confidence in themselves ... "To sing songs with passion, understanding both
the technical and performance requirements, and how to inspire them to take risks, to raise the
stakes and enjoy the journey." (A. Herman)
I would encourage all of the Aspire students to know exactly 'what the song is about' so you can
tell the story ... then we will be totally believable & authentic!
Thank you to Craig and Avigail for sharing this very special Aspire journey with us!
Jeanette Chapman and Michael Nolan
............................................
ANNA RECOMMENDS:
Anna will list production she
thinks look interesting for
cast members. Please let her
know if you are in a
production so she can
advertise it for you and
celebrate that involvement!
26 March – 8 May Fiddler on
the Roof at the Capitol
Theatre, Sydney
28 – 30 April Babe: Pig at the
Symphony film with live
orchestra presented by the
Sydney Symphony Orchestra
at the Sydney Opera House