The Little Prince Summer Camp 3, 7/28-8/1

Dear Parents of Summer Camp 3, 

I am looking forward to working with your children this coming Monday through Friday, 7/28-8/1, 9am-12pm.



Monday through Thursday we'll be at Cassand Ballet. The studio's address is 223 Moffett Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043, but the entrance is in the back of the building so please type on your GPS "Santa Rosa Ave, Mountain View". At the corner of Corto street, you'll see a green garage door with a white panel saying "Cassand Ballet" and that's where we are. 

On Friday we'll be at Theater You, 1045B Linda Vista Ave, Mountain View, CA 94043. Please plan to drop off and pickup the children at the theater. 

Please pack for your children snack and water, and send them in comfortable clothing that's close to the body, hair tied back, bang away from eyes. Children may wear dance or gymnastic shoes or barefoot (Socks may be slippery when running.)

What we do on a typical day:

• 9-10am - Movement warmup & exploration, Choreography practice.
• 10-10:30 - Drawing, wording, sharing
• 10:30-10:45 - Snack

• 10:45-11:15 - Practice scenes in small groups.  
• 11:15-11:30 - Mini performance and Valuaction 
• 11:30am-12pm - Sing.

This album would give you a rough idea of what the children do on a typical day : https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.244080195802383.1073741841.128327544044316&type=3 (except that we won't have time to go to a park for a half-day camp.)

During each camp, the children practice a part of the play The Little Prince until they are comfortable to perform it. I only give them as much as they can handle.

At the end of the camp, on Friday at 11:45am, the children give a 10-15 minutes Recital at Theater You, 1045B Linda Vista Ave, Mountain View, CA 94043. 
Please park in the street because on weekdays Theater You share the parking with some offices. 

More info on the musical project is at http://www.haoexpression.org/musical.html. If you have any question please don't hesitate to contact me. 

Looking forward to seeing your children,

Hao

Hao Bach-Thai Lueckhoff

Expressive Coach & Artistic Director

HaoExpression || www.HaoExpression.org

Follow me on Facebook || www.facebook.com/HaoExpression

The Little Prince Summer Camp 2

Dear Parents, 

I am looking forward to working with your children Monday through Friday, 9am-3pm or 12pm-3pm for some. 

The studio's address is 223 Moffett Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043. 

The entrance is in the back of the building and there's no official address. Please type in your GPS "Santa Rosa Ave, Mountain View". At the corner of Corto street, you'll see a green garage door with Cassand Ballet and that's where we are. 

Please pack for your children lunch, snack, and water (12-3pm doesn't need to pack lunch), and send them in comfortable clothing that's close to the body, hair tied back. They may wear dance or gymnastic shoes but most of them are fine barefoot.

Last week we went to Jackson park for lunch (just a few minutes drive), andthe children loved it. Since I know you all personally, I assume you are fine that my assistant and I drive your children for the short way to the park. If you have any worries about this please let me know.

During each camp, the children practice their part till they are ready to perform it. After the camp and during the time I won't see them, they should rehearse on their own so that when we meet again they are ready to perform in the run through with everyone. 

What we do on a typical day, (but may change with the flow:) 

AM - Preparing Resources

• 9-9:30 - drama warmup games
• 9:30-10:30 - movement ritual, movement & drama expression exploration 
• 10:30-11 - drawing, sharing
• 11-12 - lunch at the park

PM - Scoring for performance, Performance & Valuaction

• 12-12:30 - Learn & practice lines. The children gather by scene and practice. Children who have signing parts practice with a musician. Children whose scene partner is absent practice with an assistant. Hao gives a score to each group. This week we wish to nail the scenes: snake, vain main, fox; and hope to start the lamplighter.
• 12:30-1:30 - Performance and Valuaction (children perform their scene to the group and get notes on how to improve). 
• 1:30-1:45 - Snack
• 1:45-2:30 - Practice group dances (This week: nail Storm dance, start Roses dance)
• 2:30-3 - Practice Finale text, Bow, Encore song.

This album would give you a rough idea of what the children do on a typical day https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/113618937332456909551/albums/6034437278895522001

The children will give parents and friends a short performance on Friday at 2:45pm.

If you have any question please don't hesitate to contact me. 

Looking forward to another fun week!

Hao

Hao Bach-Thai Lueckhoff

Expressive Coach & Artistic Director

HaoExpression || www.HaoExpression.org

Follow me on Facebook || www.facebook.com/HaoExpression

The Little Prince - Newsletter #4

Recital Sunday 6/8/2014

Congratulations to all actors for a awesome performance! Only 4 weeks and we could all notice your growth in expression and artistry!
There were many beautiful images to remember but I was unfortunately too busy to capture :/

Summer Camps

Camps 1, 2, and 3 - 7/7-7/11, 7/14-7/18, 7/28-8/1

I am reorganizing my Summer Camps and adding more availabilities. All camps are now for 6-16 yrs old, and all weeks give possibility to attend half camp (AM or PM) or full camp. 
The 3 weeks offered are 7/7-7/11, 7/14-7/18, 7/28-8/1 and are all taking new students. 
Full camps: 9am-3pm, $300; Half camps: 9am-12pm or 12pm-3pm, $150 
All campers are eligible to perform in the full length production of The Little Prince in September at Theater You.
Please check the new dates and availabilities, and I hope your child will take part of this exciting journey! 
Info and Registration click here.

Camp 4 - 8/4-8/8 transferred to Sunnyvale Community Center

I was offered to teach Int/Adv Musical Theater Camp at the Sunnyvale Community Center  8/4-8/8 have accepted. The few students who have signed up for that week may take the camp at the Center or choose to attend one of my other camps on 7/7-7/11, 7/14-7/18, or 7/28-8/1.  I am sorry if this causes you any inconvenience.
This Int/Adv camp is offered to children 8-17 years old who have attended 2 Musical Theater camps at the Center, but exception would be made to my students if I refer them.
Please contact me if your child (7 y-o and up) has worked with me and needs referral to sign up there.

Performances

SUN   Sept 21 - 2pm

SAT  Sept 27 - 7pm

SUN  Sept 28 - 2pm

Theater You - Mountain View

Have a nice rest, and I'll see some of you in July!

Hao Bach-Thai Lueckhoff

Expressive Coach | Artistic Director

HaoExpression || www.HaoExpression.org

Follow me on Facebook || www.facebook.com/HaoExpression

The Little Prince - Newsletter #3

We are week 3 of the Sunday series and I am quite pleased with what I see.  The studen have learned several techniques to improve acting and stage presence.

Next Sunday, the last of the series, all students to attend 3pm-6pm.  It's a long session so please pack a snack and water.

Performance & potluck:
We invite you all to attend an informal studio performance at 5:30pm

• 5:30pm - Performance.  The students will present a short excerpt from each of the scenes they have practiced.
• 5:45pm - Potluck.  Please bring a snack or drink to share. I'll provide paper goods. 

At the end of the performance I will give more info on the theater performances, and during the potluck I will answer any questions you may have.
If you know anyone interested in being part of the project, please invite them as well.

Performers:

1. Learn and practice 3 lines of your part. Remember to apply all you've learned today, and do bigger each time.
2. Practice the song "Everything you search" (listen to the music)
3. Help me translate " The eyes are blind, one must look with the heart" in your parent's language: add the sentence in The Little Prince - Shared Doc (the sentences in black are from Google translate and not reliable. I count on ... human beings to help translate correctly :)). Once you are sure the sentence is usable, please turn the cell into green.
4. If you play the role of the Little Prince, please bring/wear white top and bottom. No pressure if you don't have. It's a casual performance. Other roles: dress the nearest to your character. Bring your props.

Show order:

On My Planet'

The King

The Businessman

The Snake

The Rose Garden

The Fox

The eyes are blind

Curtain Call

Everything you search

Useful Links:
If you need to access any document info, please go to my website, page Musical, and on right column, click on The Little Prince Doc. All documents are on going process (i.e. casting) so please take it lightly!
- sheet Link: link to the script and other documents.
- sheet Songs & Music: link to the songs that the students need to listen to and practice.
- sheet Sunday performance: the Sunday performance program.
- sheet Musical Numbers: the show program. Cast is tentative, I am trying to adjust according to availability and ability of the students.

Notes on script:
I write the script based on the performers I have: availability, commitment, ability.  All singing parts have an equivalent speaking part.  I am aware the songs are difficult and sometimes I added per students wish.
You may switch back to the speaking version if you find the songs too challenging. Please keep me posted on your choices, because I'd have to change the script: the speaking text is taken from Antoine de Saint-Exupery's book, and the songs are from Rachel Portman's opera.
You may simplify the sentences to fit your age and era. I find the English official translation too complicated. The original French version is plain simple and goes straight to the heart.

Last but not least:
Mrs Nolwenn and Mr Maxim won't make it next Sunday.  We'd like to send a big thank you to Mrs. Nolwenn for her fun warmups and lively theater techniques coaching, and to Mr. Maxim for his beautiful guitar accompaniment.

Hao Bach-Thai Lueckhoff

Expressive Coach | Artistic Director

HaoExpression || www.HaoExpression.org

The Little Prince - Newsletter #2

Summer Camps

New:

- All camps are now for open to ages 6-16 years old

- Possibility to take half day instead of full day camp. Half day camps are 9-12pm or 12-3pm, $150. (Full camps are 9-3pm, $300.)

I may hold a camp on 6/16-6/20 if there is enough interest. Please shoot me an email if you would like to sign your child up for that week. 

All camps create scenes towards the production of The Little Prince in September.

More details and registration please click on https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1IKa7IYrI4OQFLTkQZhC-7FUOsWVPwoyAynzUKk_10Hk/viewform

If your child has started and you have not filled the form yet, please do! I need all the detailed information, and we are producing a public event so I need your agreement on using your children's images.

Sunday Workshops

We've had two Sunday practices and I've been quite pleased with what I see! The students are focused and willing to "play the game", and the result is pleasant!

Students who've missed a practice, please plan to stay for 3 hours this coming Sunday 5/30 - 3pm-6pm.

All Sunday students, please plan to attend all 3 hours on Sunday 6/8, 3pm-6pm. This is the last day of the workshop, and we'll put back to back all the parts we've been working on.

Parents are welcome to observe the last 10 minutes.

Homework, due Sunday 6/1

Homework 1: Learn & practice 

If you have speaking lines: Learn 5 lines of your part.
Click here for Script.  

While learning, practice:
- take a deep breath, at the exhale say one sentence, from the tummy up.
- pause, take another breath, at exhale say the next sentence, and so on.

Once you know your lines, practice in front of the mirror:
- Keep looking in your own eyes while saying the line.

This book is written like a poem, each word must be pronounced with clarity and intensity. (Only the business man may speak fast).

If you have singing lines: Learn 5 lines of your part.
Songs are in Dropbox or on http://www.pinterest.com/haoexpression/the-little-prince/ If you have difficulty finding, please email me.

- Listen over and over again to the song
- Learn 5 lines
- Sing out loud, pressing air from the tummy up
- Once you know your lines, sing in front of the mirror while keep looking into your eyes

If you have singing and speaking lines, learn 3 lines of each.
Once you know well your lines we can add body movements and staging.

Homework 2: Translate 

"The eyes are blind. One must look with the heart"

Parents please help: Browse for "The Little Prince" "Saint-Exupery" in your language, go to chapter 25, at the middle of the chapter, you'd see
And the little prince added:

"But the eyes are blind. One must look with the heart . . ."

Please copy the translation of "But the eyes are blind. One must look with the heart . . .",  print it for your children, and teach them how to say it.  
Please also email me the translation (and language) so I can include it in the script.

In the studio we will practice the scene where this will be used.

Sneak Peek

You may have a sneak peek through the rehearsals by following me on Facebook, Instagram or Tumblr:
https://www.facebook.com/HaoExpression    http://instagram.com/haoexpression/   http://haoexpression.tumblr.com

The Little Prince - Newsletter #1

Dance, sing, act, and put up a show!

All camps and workshops work toward the full length performance of The Little Prince, text Antoine de Saint Exupery, music Rachel Portman.

Workshops and Camps are for 6-16 years old.

Workshop 1: 5/18-6/8.  Sun 3-4:30pm. $75
Workshop 2: 5/18-6/8.  Sun 4:30-6pm. $75
Camp 1:  7/7-7/11.   Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm. $300
Camp 2:  7/14-7/18.   Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm. $300
Camp 3:  7/28-8/1.   Mon-Fri, 9:30am-12:30pm. $150 (FULL)
Camp 4:  8/4-8/8.    Mon-Fri, 9am-3pm. $300
Final Workshop:   8/24 - 9/14.    Sun, 3-6pm $120.  (Must have participated in one of the previous sessions)
Performances: 9/20-9/29, exact dates & times TBA

Wear comfortable clothing. Dance shoes or socks. Hair tied back. Bring water.
Practices: Cassand Ballet studio. 223 Moffett Blvd, Mountain View, CA 94043
Performances: Theater You, Mountain View

ABOUT US
     Hao's background in writing, music dance, and acting allowed her to be a driving force in the creation of full length story ballets at Cassand Ballet. Today an Expressive Coach, and multiple artistic director for Musical Theater programs, she wants to share the spaciousness in her heart and quietness in her mind with the children so they can meet, and express their true self.
     Nolwenn has been part of a theater troupe for 8 years. Her experience in acting techniques helps the children warmup while having fun, and to be ready to perform without apprehension or inhibition. Nolwenn has experience in dance, and played piano at the conservatory in Saint Germain en Laye, France and performed solos and chorus singing in both US and France.

To sign up:
1. Fill the Registration form.
2. Send payment to HaoExpression, check payable to HaoExpression.
Tuition is due upon registration. Places are limited, first come first served, please register early.

If you have questions, please contact Hao at hao@haoexpression.org or 408-636-3123
www.haoexpression.org

Notes from Hao:
I don't necessarily cast skilled singer, actor or dancer. I rather look for people who are committed to personal growth. I will cast people who: 
- can focus
- has team spirit
- has interest in developing self expression through performing arts 

Treasure Island Newsletter #12

Dear All,

Sorry for the long silence. A week after the show, I fell sick with a fever, stayed in bed for several days, and needed two weeks to fully recover. After that I had to catch up with all businesses I'd left aside to focus on the musical. 

I do miss your children and the view of their pictures on my computer fills me with joy. Too bad that per school district rules we are not allowed to share pictures on internet, because I have some beautiful ones to share, ones that it would make no sense to blur before posting because I want to share the pictures of the children's bright smiles and how happy they felt.

I offer Summer Camps, and hope you'll consider to sign your children up, please check my website www.haoexpression.org

Cast party is this Wednesday April 9, 12:15-1:15 in the GLC.
All children, teens and Adults who participated in the making of Treasure Island are invited!

The children need to bring their own lunch and drink (from home or from hot lunch) to the GLC. Mrs Harvey will provide popsicles, and we will watch the DVD of the show.

The cast party happened later that we originally thought because we waited for the DVD to be ready (big editing work: Kudos to Aaron and his mom Sherry Tucker), and we also wanted to wait for the 5th grade helpers to be back from their Science Camp. 
Michelle and Serena were very touched my the card and the flowers, and the will also be at the party!

We need parents to help duplicate a copy of the DVD so every family will receive one.  Parents can do it at school on Wed or Thurs  when Mrs Harvey is there all day or at other times if you have the expertise to do so. Please email Linda Harvey at harvey_linda@cusdk8.org if you want to volunteer for this project.

Looking forward to seeing the children again,

Hao

Hao Bach-Thai Lueckhoff

Expressive Coach & Artistic Director

HaoExpression || www.HaoExpression.org

Follow me on Facebook || www.facebook.com/HaoExpression