jeudi 4 décembre 2014
dimanche 16 novembre 2014
Shakespeare Rocks! Newsletter #4
Performances
For school students:
Tuesday Nov 18th, 8:45-10:00 and 10:45-11:45am,
Tuesday Nov 18th, 8:45-10:00 and 10:45-11:45am,
Wednesday Nov 19th, 8:45-10:00 and 10:45-11:45am
Thursday Nov 20th, 1:30-2:30pm
For parents:
Thursday Nov 20th, 7:00-8:00pm
For parents:
Thursday Nov 20th, 7:00-8:00pm
Please reply to the Evite that has been sent to you with the number of attendees, that helps us set up accordingly.
Show program
Please check your name in the show program and edit or email hao@haoexpression.org when needed. (Tech crew names will be added by Tuesday morning).
Volunteer
We need parents backstage and on the sides to help children get in costume, have their hair tidy, wait quietly, and be on stage promptly with proper props and costumes. The children know all they need to know, parent chaperone's role is to support them. No experience needed.
Please put your name/ your child's name in the blue cells in Volunteers signup list
Please put your name/ your child's name in the blue cells in Volunteers signup list
Wish list
- ink pot
- luth
- home painting brushes (used or new)
- luth
- home painting brushes (used or new)
Costume
Actors: Wear close fitting clothing, plain white or black. NO JEANS! Hair tied up. Boys with bang please apply gel to clear the eyes. Bring script.
Costume & tech crew: wear plain black.
Please handle props gently to avoid breaking them. They are just props, not real tools!
Hang up your costumes properly after each of the 6 performances.
Show in the globe: Ben, Zain and Amit are added as lead dancers, they will stand on both sides of the singer. All other chorus stand on the risers.
Builder scene: at announce of the queen, all builders kneel down. Others bow their head respectfully. Release only when the queen takes place next to Will.
Change in costume:
- apple seller and root beer seller: use grey costume (Naomi got something else), and leave the brown costume to builders.
- Suzanna and Judith: wear hats that I put on your hangers
- Nic & Burbage: wear the cloak I prepare for you. Without it you look too contemporary
- Medha bow in Romeo dance costume
- Nic & Burbage: wear the cloak I prepare for you. Without it you look too contemporary
- Medha bow in Romeo dance costume
During the play:
- there is enough space on both sides of the stage for you to sit and wait for your entrance. Sit there one scene before yours. If you see the audience, they can see you, so sit behind the curtain.
Remember:
- act face to audience, eyes up chin up
- project your voice and articulate, stand on blue marks to be heard.
- when singing, pay attention to the soundtrack and sound of the beat.
- be courteous on stage: use peripheral vision to avoid blocking someone else
- end of scene: freeze and wait for black out
- beginning of scene: try to come on stage during black out, and do not wait. (Al and Aubrey need to come on stage promptly).
Bow
- if you forget the bow order, check file Shakespeare Rocks!
- bow: look at the audience, acknowledge them, bow, then move to your place.
- as long as there is applaud, stay in place, look at audience, hold hands and bow respectfully when Amit & Nikkhil do.
- when applaud cease, run off stage toward art room, in neat rows.
- never chat/discuss on stage among yourselves. Wait until you are in the art room to talk.
On Tuesday and Wednesday, after dropping your bags in your classroom and roll call, go to the art room and put your first costume on.
From now to performance days, get good sleep, keep hydrated, eat healthy, exercise, stay calm and focused.
To Pursue Acting Aspiration
Some children said they wish to pursue further training in acting with me. Please check Movement Based Acting class in the Theater section at recreationclasses.
Actors who showed focus and leadership may be invited to be my assistants for the 4th grade musical. More info TBA.
Actors who showed focus and leadership may be invited to be my assistants for the 4th grade musical. More info TBA.
Hao Bach-Thai Lueckhoff
Movement Based Acting Instructor | Sunnyvale Community Center
Musical Theater Artistic Director | Stocklmeir Elementary School
Artistic Director | HaoExpression
dimanche 2 novembre 2014
Shakespeare Rocks! - Newsletter #3
Schedule Changes
Please note that due to district and school schedule conflicts, the performance dates have changed to
Tuesday Nov 18th., 8:45-10:00 and 10:45-11:45am,
Wednesday Nov 19th., 8:45-10:00 and 10:45-11:45am
Thursday Nov 20.th , 1:30-2:30pm and 7:00-8:00pm
And, due to Book Fair, tech crew does not meet this week, actors will practice in room 20 at the same dates and time.
Rehearsal
A reminder that I need all hair tied up. Bring script to all rehearsals to follow the play.
I will be available at lunch time to brush up small groups. Actors who wish to practice some more may meet me after they finish eating their lunch, for 30 minutes, in room 20 or on stage (location will be announced with the morning announcement.
- monday: scene 5
- tuesday: scene 6
- wednesday: scene 7
- thursday: scene 2
- friday: scene 3
Actors who sing in tune and are able to memorize more lines may audition for solo singing parts. Meet me any day after lunch.
I will be available at lunch time to brush up small groups. Actors who wish to practice some more may meet me after they finish eating their lunch, for 30 minutes, in room 20 or on stage (location will be announced with the morning announcement.
- monday: scene 5
- tuesday: scene 6
- wednesday: scene 7
- thursday: scene 2
- friday: scene 3
Actors who sing in tune and are able to memorize more lines may audition for solo singing parts. Meet me any day after lunch.
If you need to listen to a song, the complete play is at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/568368415447017664/ . Other clips are at http://www.pinterest.com/haoexpression/shakespeare-rocks/.
Costumes
All actors need to wear their own clothing for the first layer, white or black, tight fitting.
Hair tied up, bang cleared. Clean socks.
Exception: sorcerers wear hair down, only when wearing sorcerers costume.
Exception: sorcerers wear hair down, only when wearing sorcerers costume.
Volunteer
I've added volunteer spots for performance days. Please put your name/ your child's name in the colored cells in this list: https://docs.google.com/
We would also need a parent volunteer to supervise the making and gathering of props and sets.
We would also need a parent volunteer to supervise the making and gathering of props and sets.
Wish list
- ink pot & quill
- lute
- home painting brushes (used)
- gaudy high heel shoes
- cymbals
- drum
- trumpet
- white shirts with large sleeves (old style)
- old style pants
- red dance dress
- lute
- home painting brushes (used)
- gaudy high heel shoes
- cymbals
- drum
- trumpet
- white shirts with large sleeves (old style)
- old style pants
- red dance dress
Donation to PTA
If you have not donated to PTA for this program, it is still time to bring a check to the office or to me, payable to Stocklmeir PTA. This is after school program and is funded separately from donations to the school program. No child will be denied for lack of fund, if you have any question or concern please contact me or the PTA president.
Acting Class
This week my Acting classes at the Sunnyvale Community Center is free. Feel free to bring your children for a try out, if they like you can enroll them before the 2nd class.
Acting uses your whole body! This process-oriented class employs Anna Halprin's Tamalpa Life-Art technique, similar to method acting, to help young actors discover and convey a character's emotions.
Class begins with a ballet-based warm up and meditative centering and incorporates modern dance, acting exercises, drawing, word play and other creative activities. Parents are invited to watch the final class meeting.
Class sessions build toward a performance of The Trojan Horse in the spring. Materials fee of $15 is due to instructor at first class meeting.
Level 1 - suitable for those with little or no performing experience.Level 2 - for those who have taken at least one year of dance or movement, or have participated in a HaoExpression theater production.
For more info check with Sunnyvale Classes and Activities, and if you get the catalog, it's on page 18.
Hao Bach-Thai Lueckhoff
Movement Based Acting Instructor | Sunnyvale Community Center
Musical Theater Artistic Director | Stocklmeir Elementary School
Artistic Director | HaoExpression
lundi 20 octobre 2014
Shakespeare Rocks! - Newsletter #2
Tech Crew & Scenery Crew
First meeting next Wednesday 10/29, 3:15-4:30 until performance days.
As a reminder, performance days are
Nov 19. 8:45-10:00 & 10:45-11:45am,
Nov 20. 8:45-10:00 & 10:45-11:45am & 7:00-8:00pm
Crew members please bring a small flash light to read the scripts in the dark.
Crew members wear all black on performance days. If crew move scenery on stage, I'd like the top to be solid black, else wear inside out.
Rehearsal
Wednesday run-through in performing time. The entire show must be played within 45 minutes, else cuts will be made. This is a requirement from the school for all daytime performances. Now you know why you need to enter/exit stage very quickly, and to speak without any hesitation.
No book on stage. You must nevertheless bring your script and follow the scenes and be ready when needed.
Stand in the wing one scene before yours, and one scene before Finale.
Actors need to be solid and ready to run-through with tech crew starting next week.
If you lost your script, you may print it again from https://www.icloud.com/pages/AwBWCAESEDIfWsTU3L8Oy-HwzbOPuKgaKgMPKLTGav1clGMv-YNf91ygt6rskdV_4fHPfiDJqCGN-RTXpjDti5uF_QMCUCAQEEIGGIzL2Gy4gV6EBMcSQOG3OBswz31RC0dCUjBA_07sK3#Shakespeare_Rocks!_Script_Hao_2
If you need to listen to a song, the complete play is at http://www.pinterest.com/pin/568368415447017664/ . Other clips are at http://www.pinterest.com/haoexpression/shakespeare-rocks/.
Costumes
Bring a grocery bag labeled with your name for costumes.
We need white shirts with large sleeves. If you have any at home please consider to loan or donate.
All actors need to wear their own clothing for the first layer. I like girls to have T-shirt that's close to the body, and legging. Boys wear T-shirt or shirt and pants. All must be solid color. If T-shirt has imprint then wear inside out.
Clean socks. Hair tied back unless specified by the director, bang cleared.
Volunteer
We need parent volunteer to check in and check out children.
3pm-3:30pm: stand at the door starting 3pm to take check students in. Call parent of absent children, except those marked "Excused".
4:20pm-4:50pm: two parents to stand at the door and check children out. One for children allowed to check out by themselves, one for children not allowed to check out by themselves (only release them to a parent).
We are using much less volunteer time than previous years, and this is a short commitment task so I'd appreciate you'd be on time. Children often come to the door shortly after 3pm, and some leave at 4:15 to other programs.
Please put your name/ your child's name in the colored cells in this list: https://docs.google.com/
Donation to PTA
If you have not donated to PTA for this program, it is still time to bring a check to the office or to me, payable to Stocklmeir PTA. This is after school program and is funded separately from donations to the school program. No child will be denied for lack of fund, if you have any question or concern please contact me or the PTA president.
Acting Class
FYI, I teach Acting at the Sunnyvale Community Center starting Nov. 3rd.
Acting uses your whole body! This process-oriented class employs Anna Halprin's Tamalpa Life-Art technique, similar to method acting, to help young actors discover and convey a character's emotions. Class begins with a ballet-based warm up and meditative centering and incorporates modern dance, acting exercises, drawing, word play and other creative activities. Parents are invited to watch the final class meeting. Class sessions build toward a performance of The Trojan Horse in the spring. Materials fee of $15 is due to instructor at first class meeting.
Level 1 - suitable for those with little or no performing experience.Level 2 - for those who have taken at least one year of dance or movement, or have participated in a HaoExpression theater production.
Registration is now open, please check with Sunnyvale Classes and Activities, and if you get the catalog, it's on page 18.
Hao Bach-Thai Lueckhoff
Movement Based Acting Instructor | Sunnyvale Community Center
Musical Theater Artistic Director | Stocklmeir Elementary School
Artistic Director | HaoExpression
dimanche 19 octobre 2014
The Little Prince - Newsletter #8
Again my heartfelt congratulations on your wonderful performances of The Little Prince. Words that I often hear from audience members on the performances were authentic and poetic - they could feel the emotions of the story because you were authentic in your acting.
It is time to plan for a cast party so we can all meet again and watch together the videos from the shows. Ben's parents have generously offered to host at their house. They are available November 21 and 22, we just need to pick a time and date.
Please check all of your availabilities in this Doodle survey http://doodle.com/
If you like to embark with me again on another enriching adventure, starting November 3rd I will teach at the Sunnyvale Community Center. As with The Little Prince, we build the scenes over the months, and at the end will produce a full length performance of The Trojan Horse. Registration is open, please sign up with Sunnyvale Recreation http://sunnyvale.ca.gov/Departments/CommunityServices/ClassesandActivities.aspx
Don't worry about the dance requirement for Level 2, all students who have been in The Little Prince are eligible, just shoot me an email and I'll notify the center.
I am also collaborating with L'ecole de Danse on two easy dance pieces that would be performed in their Showcase at Cubberley Theater on May 12-13. The pieces need 7 children, 7-11 years old, and I am sure all of my performers in The Little Prince can do it, because I'll be the one teaching the choreography. I'll give more details soon, but if you are interested please let me know.
And, last but not least, for your pleasure, below are the testimonials on The Little Prince performances. (If you get any too, please send them my way :))
Thank you for this show full of poetry. CL
Very touching and successful show. I spent a great time. -RDM
Wonderful show. You touched a lot of people. -ART
It was a beautiful show! It Moved me to tears. IC
Bravo, the show was really great! Loved the scene with the little prince flying through the clouds, the lamplighter!!! -SBW
We were really impressed by the quality of the show which touched by its authenticity, candor and talent on all artistic plans. It was a real moment of freshness that allows us to reconnect with pure and natural poetry. Congratulations for successfully staging children playing in a very contagious way!
Also, I LOVED the multilingual scene at the end! How many cultures and languages present on stage?? Brilliant! -MC
I really enjoyed the show. It was very artistic and well made! More surprisingly, S and P are great performers. I thought they must have been trained acting professionally. I'm really looking forward to your next production! -NM
Wonderful show. You touched a lot of people. -ART
It was a beautiful show! It Moved me to tears. IC
Bravo, the show was really great! Loved the scene with the little prince flying through the clouds, the lamplighter!!! -SBW
We were really impressed by the quality of the show which touched by its authenticity, candor and talent on all artistic plans. It was a real moment of freshness that allows us to reconnect with pure and natural poetry. Congratulations for successfully staging children playing in a very contagious way!
Also, I LOVED the multilingual scene at the end! How many cultures and languages present on stage?? Brilliant! -MC
I really enjoyed the show. It was very artistic and well made! More surprisingly, S and P are great performers. I thought they must have been trained acting professionally. I'm really looking forward to your next production! -NM
Looking forward to see you all again soon!
Love,
Hao
Hao Bach-Thai Lueckhoff
Movement Based Acting Instructor | Sunnyvale Community Center
Musical Theater Artistic Director | Stocklmeir Elementary School
Artistic Director | HaoExpression
mardi 7 octobre 2014
Shakespeare Rocks! - Newsletter #1
Dear Parents,
Welcome to the 5th grade musical program 2014-2015. We are excited to get in the skin of William Shakespeare and people of his time: his wife Anne, his actor Burbage, Queen Elisabeth I, ...
Info
If you know me from last year, you'd know that I work in a rather transparent way. All of my plans and thoughts are recorded in documents that are accessible online.
- short announcements and statements are posted on my Twitter, hashtag #stocklmeirmusical
- other announcements are on my Facebook page or Google+
- newsletters are on my Blogspot
- I pin Youtube links of the play and costume ideas on my Pinterest
- I pin Youtube links of the play and costume ideas on my Pinterest
All of those links, including Doc where all lists are recorded, are accessible from my website, haoexpression.org, page Musical, where you can also click on "Script" to print if your child lost his/hers, or if he/she missed the first day of rehearsal.
And you'd know too that I have a rather stern writing and attitude, because I know the sweetness and reward will come on the performance days when the show will be a success!
Policy
- dress code: hair tied back, bangs cleared (I must see eyes). Wear clean socks and done clothing thats closed to body and comfortable to move in.
- students are responsible of their script, parents will be responsible to provide replacement
- students are responsible to know their parts by beginning of October, else they may loose the parts to a group or to another actor. (They are still cast in chorus will still be visible on stage as such.)
- all students to work collaboratively together.
- Zero Tolerance Policy applies. Any child who hurts another, physically or verbally will be excluded from the activities.
What means "Know thy Lines" ?
How many times I've heard children saying proudly "I know all my lines!", to discover that when it was their turn to be on stage, or to say their line, they were nowhere to be seen, or no voice to be heard, and the rehearsal got stuck, waiting for that magic line or that phantom actor. And that is not fair to the children who are focused and know their parts.
So, now I'll say: "Know thy Part", and that means:
- know after what scene I'll be on stage (and go stand in the wing)
- know after who I'll be speaking - that means, the actor needs to know 5-10 lines before theirs, in order to response in a timely manner.
- and of course, know the lines.
And a trick to not miss one's entrance is to stay focus and anticipate.
"Call back" this week
Starting this week, actors who are not on stage when they are needed, who don't speak when they are expected to, or who don't know their lines, may loose their parts to their teammates.
Actors who are already comfortable playing their parts may get extra if available.
A reminder that during conference week, we'll meet 1:15-2:30pm, Wednesday and Thursday.
More lines
Many parents and children have been approaching me for more lines. In performing arts, it is not uncommon that beginners get smaller roles. My daughter started out in 4th grade having zero lines, then one line in 5th grade, but she had fun and learn a lot, and with time and practice she eventually got an important role in 8th grade and I am now very proud of her acting capacity!
In this year's musical, I have 53 children to cast for a 45 minutes performance. Do your maths and you'll see there're not a lot of speaking time for everyone to share. While there may not be enough time for solo lines, there are plenty of time to be seen and heard through acting and singing (acting is not just speaking).
I recently produced a 60 minutes musical play with 16 actors, there of course, everyone had plenty of lines. In November I'll start teaching at the Community Center toward the production of a 60 minutes play with a similarly small sized cast, and there'll be more chance for everyone to get more lines.
But I'll tell you a secret: lines are not important. In my recent production of The Little Prince, the prince's departure was a two-minute-scene with no lines, but it had the power to make people cry.
So, please trust the director, and you will see your children come out of this three-month journey, grown and blossomed!
Hao
Hao Bach-Thai Lueckhoff
Movement Based Acting Instructor | Artistic Director
mardi 2 septembre 2014
The Little Prince Newsletter #7
Calendar
Where to find info
- Sunday 9/7 3pm-6pm. Please bring a snack and water.
3pm-4pm
- Finalize all songs: practice in small groups with Mrs Susan and/or Mr Maxim
- Finalize movement scenes (roses, baobabs, birds, storm, final birds): practice in small groups with Serena
- Finalize acting scenes: check with Hao
- Finalize costumes: check with parent volunteer?
- Individual "But the eyes are blind...": check with Darragh
4-5:15pm: Run-through
5:30-6pm: Brush up particular scenes as needed
- Saturday 9/13 1pm-4pm: Dress rehearsal. Please bring a snack and water.
1pm-2pm: get ready2pm-3:15pm: run through. Parents welcome to take pictures3:15pm-4pm: re-run what needed
Volunteer
As mentioned, camera and video devices are not allowed on performance days (this is common rule to all theaters, for the enjoyment of the audience), with the exception of authorized staff member who capture on behalf of HaoExpression.
We got the pictures covered for all 3 shows. Any parent volunteer to videotape the performances for all?
I'd love to have one or two parents to help on 9/7 to check on costumes: check that all children have the appropriate costume and props in their bags, which they will cary to each rehearsal and performance. I'd also use some craft skills to cut some fabric (I planned for the children to do this because they love it, but I am wanting to give priority to rehearsal practice).
On the performance days, I'd need some volunteers to manage the house (let late comers enter at end of scenes only).
Show Tickets
I just talked with the theater and they were kind enough to add 10 more seats to each show, so there is more room to bring family and friends again. But don't wait too long because tickets are going fast. As I am writing now, we have about 10 seats left for each show. Tickets buying through me are $10 each.
Show Program
Click here for the Show Program draft. If your child didn't get a chance, please ask her to check that her name is spelled correctly, and appear where it should. Please email me all correction needed.
Costumes, Hair & Makeup
Top & Bottom
I'd like everyone to wear fitting clothing so it'll be easy to put a costume on top.
- Girls: white fitting T-shirt, white capri, leggings or dance shorts
- Boys: white fitting T-shirt, white or black fitting shorts or pants
Costumes
- Fox: orange T-shirt, orage shorts or pants if possible, else keep white or black shorts, leggings or pants.
- Little Princes: Mrs Mary Massee is making 10 Little Prince costumes. In case she wouldn't finish on time, plan B would be white top and white pants (like Amit and Ben at Camp 3).
Feet: dance shoes, gymnastic shoes, barre feet or white socks
Hair tied back except Little Princes who have short or mid length hair. In any case eyes must be seen from all audience: all bangs need be pull back.
Makeup:
Face: Foundation, color near to skin tone.
Eye shadow: warm color (no blue). Color combination advised:
- gold, pink and brown.
- gold, beige, brown: for costumes in orange, green, yellow
- light grey, dark grey
Lips: Natural color lipstick (raspberry) and gloss (no bright red!).
Cheeks: light touch of apricot or peach color. (No pink circles!)
Nails: Remove all nail polish before dress rehearsal and performances.
Remove all jewelries except instructed by the director.
Where to find info
I'm rather transparent in my process: all my work documents can be found on my website www.HaoExpression.org. Details on project The Little Prince are on page Camps. To access the script and other info, look on right column, click on Script or The Little Prince Doc.
- The script has evolved throughout Camps 1-4. If your child's part has changed, she/he may use the version they've learned during their camp.
- I expect everyone to know all of their lines at the next rehearsal on 9/7: it's the last run-through before the dress rehearsal at the theater. And after that it'll be the performances!
- Finale: I am adding just one word to the sentence: "but". I find it sounds more powerful. The new sentence is now "But the eyes are blind, one must look with the heart." Please check one last time that the below translation is correct in your language. (Note that the original words in French are "chercher aver le coeur", the word "look" in the English translation should mean "to look for", not "to look at")
English / Darragh Jacqueline Jon But the eyes are blind. One must look with the heart.
German / Serena Paul Aber die Augen sind blind. Man muss mit dem Herzen suchen.
Hebrew / Amit Ben אבל העיניים עיוורים. צריך להסתכל עם הלב.
Hindi / Ramita Sharada आँखें अंधीं हैं, दिल से विचार करना चाहिये|
M… / Ananya?
Persian / Saira اما چشم کور. باید با قلب است.
Romanian / Catrinel Dar ochii sunt orbi. Unul trebuie să se uite cu inima.
Russian / Sofya Но глаза слепы. Нужно смотреть с сердцем.
Spanish / Alana Pero los ojos son ciegos. Hay que mirar con el corazón.
Swedish / Clara Men ögonen är blinda, måste man se med hjärtat
Vietnamese /Danchi Dananh Nhưng đôi mắt vốn mù loà. Cần phải tìm kiếm với cả trái tim.
French / Clara Danchi Dananh Serena Paul Mais les yeux sont aveugles, il faut chercher avec le coeur
Please send the correct sentence to me if you find any error. Thanks!
You'll find here all kinds of lists:
- songs
- cast list for each show
- acting check list
- costume, etc...
In short, if you need to know anything, it's in it.
Thank you for reading this long letter! I hope you are enjoying the ride as much as the children and I do!
Love,
Hao
Hao Bach-Thai Lueckhoff
Movement Based Acting Instructor | Artistic Director
HaoExpression || www.HaoExpression.org
Follow me on Facebook || www.facebook.com/
Inscription à :
Articles (Atom)