The Trojan Horse - Newsletter #4

I have been revamping my website and in the meanwhile I lost access to my emails to addresses @haoexpression.org. If you have sent me an email through these addresses and have not seen a reply from me, please send again. 

For now please use haoexpression@gmail.com to correspond with me.

The show program is ready for print, please ask the children to check their names on  page 2 of the program and let me know if any think needs to be change. The program is on http://www.haoexpression.org/students.html

On the new website I've added a page for Students to check for late news. The page is accessible through a button "Students Page" at foot page of the website www.haoexpression.org

On the Students page, you will also find the Script, the theater day schedule, and more useful info.

Photos and videos are allowed for this performance for family and friends. Please do not use flash! I'd need to have some good pictures for public information purpose. If you are willing to take photos or videos for the entire show and share them to me please contact me. 

This week the children take home a HaoExpression bag with 7 complimentary show tickets, costumes and props that they'll need for the show, 1st layer brown if they need from us. 

At the end of the performance, please help them put back everything in the bag and return it to Serena Lueckhoff. We'll give them out again for the August show.

The children may keep the brown 1st layer for $10, additionally to the $15 performance material fee. All other costumes and props must be returned. 

During this school year the children have learned to find goodness within themselves, to find strength within quietness, and to bounce off of each other. They've made huge progress in expression and I hope you will enjoy the show, and will be proud of them. I am.

Happy Expressing!

Hao

Hao Bach-Thai Lueckhoff

Performing Art Instructor | Expressive Coach | Artistic Director 

HaoExpression | www.HaoExpression.org | www.facebook.com/HaoExpression

The Trojan Horse Project - Newsletter #3

Upcoming performances

The Trojan Horse, private performance, Tuesday, June 2 - 7pm, Sunnyvale Theater

The Trojan Horse, public performances, August 29-30, Sunnyvale Theater.

The June performance is open to students having taken Movement Based Acting at the Sunnyvale Recreation season 2014-205. 

To attend rehearsal classes, register through the Sunnyvale Recreation Center, codes  624601-MP & 624602-FP (MP Monday, FP Friday). Performance fee $15 to HaoExpression. Students gets 7 complimentary tickets for family and friends. 

The August performances feature the more focus and expressive HaoExpression students from all locations. 9 y-o up and by invitation only, double casting. We plan to run 2-4 shows depending on interest. Show dates: SAT 5/29 4PM, SUN 5/30 2PM. Additional dates: SUN 5/30 4PM, SAT 5/29 6PM.  

Register through the Sunnyvale Recreation Center, codes 124603-MP. Performance fee $100 to HaoExpression.

Performance guidelines

Please check the Performance guidelines here.

We may like to try braids https://www.pinterest.com/haoexpression/braids/

All Cast Rehearsals

All is encouraged to attend class on Monday 6/1 4-5pm for an all cast rehearsal.

Work Ethics

I'd like to see the students coming to class ready to start, with hair tied up. 
They should remember to bring their script to class.
The script can be accessed on HaoExpression website, at the bottom of Acting page.
Please also try to be on time, attending warm up is important to becoming an expressive actor.

Private coaching

It takes inner strength and quiet self confidence to be an expressive actor. 
Each of the children and teen comes in with their own gifts and weaknesses. At this point of the training, most of the Friday students could use some private lessons to enhance their stage presence ans showmanship.

More info at http://haoexpression.org/coaching.html. 

To schedule a session: http://doodle.com/d6n9mpx344w3nnsk

Hao Bach-Thai Lueckhoff

Performing Art Instructor | Expressive Coach | Artistic Director 

HaoExpression | www.HaoExpression.org | www.facebook.com/HaoExpression

The Trojan Horse - Newsletter #2

This week is the last one of the January-February session. Parents are invited to watch a short studio recital 

Level 1: Monday 4:30pm 

Level 2: Friday 5:00pm 

Recital Program

Monday 

The apple of discord 

- Legends and heroes,

- Thetis' wedding, 

- Eris' anger, 

- Fight for the Apple

Friday

The Trojan War

- On mount Ida: the judgement of Paris

- City of Sparta: Paris and Helen

- Achaean cities: Agamemnon forming allies 

- Troy: the arrival of the Achaean, the battle and revenge, the prayer. 

Level 2 students are invited to perform in Level 1 recital, and vice versa.
Performing dress code: white or black tight fitting clothing, hair tied up (if possible in bun), bang cleared from eyes. Dance or gymnastic shoes or barefoot.

Click here for Script

Mark your calendar:
- End of school year show case: Monday June 1st, 7pm. (or Tuesday June 2nd, 7pm.)
- Public performance: Aug 29-30, Sat-Sun

March-April session starts next week, please remember to sign up. 

All newsletters can be found at http://haoexpression.blogspot.com

To better understand my method, please take a few minutes to view video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOO5g5bTmBU

Hao Bach-Thai Lueckhoff

Movement & Acting Instructor || Sunnyvale Community Center | Stocklmeir Elementary School | Bachrodt Charter Academy

Artistic Director, Producer || HaoExpression

www.HaoExpression.org | www.facebook.com/HaoExpression

The Trojan Horse - Newsletter #1

Dear Parents, 

Next week is the last one of the Nov-Dec session. Time flies ! 

You are invited to a short studio recital 

- Monday 4:45pm (for the Monday group)

- Friday 5:15pm (for the Friday group)

I would also like to invite the Friday students, if available, to attend the Monday performance. And I'd like to invite the Monday students, if available, to attend the Friday performance.

They would then have the opportunity to see how two groups interpret the same story in two different ways. They may also be invited to act in the recital as support/ensemble. 

Particularly, I would like the Monday's Hera to fill in for the Friday's Hera who will be out of town next week.

To better understand my method, please take a few minutes to view video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mOO5g5bTmBU

Dress code actors: white tight fitting clothing, hair tied up (if possible in bun), bang cleared. Dance or gymnastic shoes or barefoot (socks are slippery).

Parents please plan to remove shoes prior to entering the dance studio, thanks!  :)

If you haven't done yet, a kindly reminder that I am collecting a one time $15 material fee, cash or check payable to HaoExpression. Thanks!

I have complementary tickets for Cassand Ballet's full length story ballet Gerda in the Land of Snow, today Sunday at 2pm and 7pm, at Cubberley Theater.

If you'd like to use them, please let me know how many and which show, I will leave the tickets for you at will call. You are welcome to give Cassand Ballet a small donation to offset the cost of the show. For more info on the performance, check http://gerda.brownpapertickets.com

Have a great weekend! And I'll see you soon,

Hao

PS: All newsletters can be found again at http://haoexpression.blogspot.com

Hao Bach-Thai Lueckhoff

Movement & Acting Instructor || Sunnyvale Community Center | Stocklmeir Elementary School | Bachrodt Charter Academy

Artistic Director, Producer || HaoExpression

www.HaoExpression.org | www.facebook.com/HaoExpression

HaoExpression presents The Little Prince - a 1:34-minute synopsis in pictures

Movement Based Acting

Shakespeare Rocks! Newsletter #4

Performances

For school students: 
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

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

Wish list

- ink pot
- 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.

Notes to actors

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

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.insunnyvale.com  We are working on The Trojan Horse project. Current session started two weeks ago, the next session starts after the holidays break.

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

www.HaoExpression.org | www.facebook.com/HaoExpression