The Climbers

This was a rehearsal where I tried hard not to call out any instructions or reminders! Not easy but people have to think for themselves! On the whole it was pretty smooth - the few odd rough bits add a little character! We may manage to smooth them out on Monday!

Quick costume changes were causing some concerns - necks in arm holes and garments inside out -that kind of thing! A new Deakin uni student - Emma - joned the team for this rehearsal and will be helping stage manage and handle quick costume changes, props etc. YAY for Emma!

After the run through we had the famous tea break, I read the recent blog entries and asked for some final comments to go on the blog.

Here is what some people wanted me to write in the blog:

Debbie: It’s good!

Vicki: I’m feeling good about it. I haven’t performed since I was at school.

Andrew: Been there done that! I’m as cool as a cucumber! (Andrew is feeling great because of lots of performance experience.)

Pauline: I love everyone! People should come and see the performance. Especially people with disabilities.

Cheryl: I think families should come and watch our show.

Margot: I think Kevin is coming.

One more rehearsal and then the season! There is no turning back! Break a leg and all that!

Jo

Well, it was not the rehearsal we were expecting to have. The Deakin students had a big problem that kept them away but the cast pushed on without them! Well done guys! We love our Deakin students though and look forward to having them back with us!

We tried the costumes - a bit of work was involved in that and getting the changes right. It all just takes a bit of getting used to!

Lost of last minute details to attend to - as with any production - somehow it all comes together! Must go and make some props!

Jo

 

Dramability – Museum Mythica

Final rehearsal and performance schedule

*please arrive promptly – early if possible.

 

Please note:

·        Actors will need to wear black or dark coloured long pants for final rehearsal and performances. We have purchased T-shirts for all so that the chorus will have the same basic costume. Other costume to be added over the top for different characters is provided.

·        We will be using some theatrical make-up so please let Jo know if there are any concerns about this.

·        Actors are encouraged to bring a water bottle and possibly a light healthy snack and for performance sessions as they will be at the theatre for around 4 hours.

 

Most of the costumes are now made and we’ll be using them during rehearsal this week to see how they go and to practice getting them on and off during the performance. There will be some quick changes.

Last week we had Adric doing the sound and he did a great job! Amara and Kate were in fine form having rehearsed that morning. We did a little demonstration for of what not to do and what to do. Trouble was some people thought our ‘what not to do’ was quite funny - but we said it’s not funny when you’re not meaning to muck up!

After the break we were able to spend some time with a few individual actors. The performance is getting a little faster but still needs a lot of sharpening up. I’m looking forward to a productive rehearsal!

Jo

Well, tonight will be one of only three more Wednesday rehearsals to go - we have a dress rehearsal on the Monday 4th and then the performances on the 5th and 6th December.

Now our rehearsals involve trying to get the performance running smoothly. We need to get the transitions working well. There is a lot of refining to do. Some people are still struggling to remember their lines and action but it is beginning to sink in! Some actors have to be reminded not to introduce too many new ideas at this stage.

On Friday my friend Lisa and I spent the day working on costumes and props. The ensemble/chorus all have charcoal grey T-shirts now and will be asked to wear black pants. We were making the outer garments and robes for the various characters in the story scenes. These have to be easy to put on over the basic pants and shirt and easy to remove. Props are coming together and we are on mark II of the Icarus and Daedalus wings! Amara is going to make her own costume and one for Kate too. We’ll have to have all the costumes ready to rehearse with next week as getting them on and off will require some practice.
Last week Adric popped in to meet the gang. Adric is another Deakin Uni Drama Ed student and he has offered his assistance in the technical area. We are really happy to have him on board! Stay tuned for other Deakin students who will be helping out.

Now that uni assignments and assessments are out of the way, Amara, Kate and I found time to meet for a special rehearsal at Deakin today. We went through the script and made special annotations to it and generally rehearsed their roles as the mischievious little gods they are! As many actors don’t read, the script  sometimes serves as a structure and exists mainly for the purpose of cues. We are looking forward to the whole group rehearsal tonight.

Its a cold and blustery day but I hope everyone will be focussed tonight so we can have a smooth run through.

Byee

Jo

Well, I haven’t blogged the process in a little while because of being flat out with the doing of it all. It is great to see how actors in the group are really rising to the challenge now - like Icarus they are soaring - hopefully not too close to the sun…because you know what happens!
We have really created quite an epic with a play that involves magic, mystery and mythology, time shifts of thousands of years as well as theatrical styles that range from naturalism to stylised, movement, sound image and even puppetry. In doing all this have we opened Pandora’s Box? Ah well, if so… remember… there is always HOPE!

Last week I handed out the details of rehearsals and performances etc.- the contents of the note are below in case people have lost their copy.

Publicity material is on its way and  pretty soon tickets will be on sale so lets get back to rehearsals!

25th October, 2006

Dear Dramability actors, families and carers,

Fusion Theatre presents
Boxxed In

This year we have been fortunate to book the Chandler Theatre as our performance venue. Once again we will be performing a double bill with Dramatts. Dramability’s production Museum Mythica will be the second part of the program.

The dates for the performances are:

Tuesday, December 5th at 7.00pm
Wednesday, December 6th at 1.00pm and at 7.00pm.

Actors will be advised how much earlier they will need to be at the theatre on the performance days.

In addition to our regular rehearsals at Dandenong Community Art centre on Wednesdays, we have also organised for a rehearsals at Chandler Theatre on Wednesday November 29th and Monday, December 4th from 5-7pm. We also have an option for a dress rehearsal in the Chandler Theatre on Tuesday the 5th before the performance at a time to be confirmed.

It is imperative that actors attend all the rehearsals leading up to the performance as well as the three performances. If anyone has concerns about doing this please speak to Jo Raphael.

Costumes, props and make-up are being organised but we ask that actors wear basic black pants and black shirt (long or short sleeve) for the performance. Other costume pieces will be added to this. If anyone has difficulty getting black pants and shirt for themselves please speak to Jo about it soon.

Publicity material and information about ticket sales and bookings will be provided soon.

Here’s looking forward to a great show!

Jo Raphael

Check out our production blog at:
http://dramability.vineblogs.net

Rehearsal was a little frustrating this week due to some key people not being there - perhaps this was a result of the recent week off and some people thinking there may have been two weeks off.  I don’t know but I do know here is no time for laziness and lack of commitment now as we are on the last leg of the production process.

However, we managed to go through the Icarus and Daedalus scene and can see the shadow puppets working here. The music seems to work well. Icarus and Daedalus are kind of jet propelled! Paul is working hard at getting Daedalus right. Vicki stood in for Cheryl as Icarus and played the role as a cheeky son! Andy is having a go at Minos! Debbie is working at becoming a sensational sun. We are more than half way through. Every week we are just that bit closer!

Voice was the focus of the warm-up tonight with a few new exercises brought back from the conference.

Jo

This week brings a well earned break from rehearsals and just as well for me as I’m off to the Drama Australia conference which is held in Sydney this year and there is a lot to do in preparation for that. The conference is held at NIDA.

Regarding our performance - it feels like the pressure is on now and people are stepping up to the mark. We have been rehearsing the first couple of scenes over and over and they are looking good.Paul make s a goood ‘Thimker’ - its challenging being still for so long but he is giving it a good go! Andrew and Katrina are developing their characters well for the linking scenes. Vicki has been doing a sensational job in her new role and is supported well by her fellow actors in that scene. We are adding a little bit of new stuff each week. Now everything seems to be coming together but there is oh so much to do - and everyone really needs to try to remember things from week to week! How nice it would be to be able to rehearse every day in the weeks leading up to the performance!

People are beginning to understand the ensemble approach and getting used to playing multiple parts. This way there is something for everyone!

Cheers

Jo

Last Wednesday we began to shape up the show. Starting with the prologue and moving into the transition for scene 1. Hmmm how much should I say about the performance on the blog??? We’d better keep some surprises for those who can come to our performance in November. The rehearsal went quite well - the actors will have to really concentrate and work hard from now on but it is an exciting time.

Kate asked the group if she could take some portrait photos of everyone for her photography class and of course, being so shy (not!) of publicity, everyone said YES!!!! So Kate will have her camera ready for this week. We will be able t use the photos for our performance publicity too.
Fusion Theatre will also have its first Board meeting since its incorporation on Wednesday 13th at 7pm at the Community Arts Centre after the workshop.

Jo

I’m finally back in Melbourne. Darwin was deliciously hot and I had a busy time but it was good - I saw a lot and I learned a lot. Here is a sunset at Mindil beach in Darwin  - as the sun sets on my time away!!

Larry has filled me in on what you have been doing in the workshops while I was away. I expect you all to know about how to find your way around the stage now - and lots of other things.

Look forward to seeing you all on Wednesday.

Jo