Hakuna Matata! | Festival of The Arts 2017

As the performance day nears closer and closer, we are bustling to get our show done! That involves lots and lots of practise, which is exactly what we did today!

We have been learning our cues (i.e when we come onstage) how we come onstage, how to pronounce and act out our lines, and how the show will run in general. So today we had our first run through of the script, which involved a lot of line reading and acting, as well as waiting for our cues. 

Thankfully I don't have a lot of lines to learn, just a few songs which I've nearly learned off my heart already, however all of the actors are learning theirs quickly! The show only had a few bumps along the way. The most difficult thing is not so much the cues or our lines, but acting onstage in front of people can definitely be a nerve racking experience. 

After going through the script a couple times today, it's safe to say that we are on the right track to having a successful show. My next steps are to learn all of my lines and cues off by heart and be able to perform confidently. I also want to work on my duet with Faith, and my calling, as that will be a big part of the show. The barb choir chorus is coming along just fine, and I'm really excited for what we get to perform!

Here are some photos from our recent practises. 

Rafiki Costume Ideas! | Festival of The Arts 2017

It's The Circle of Life! | Festival of The Arts 2017

Today was another jampacked session for Festival of The Arts. We worked on a number of new things; including The Circle of Life Finale,  my Afrikaans call at the beginning, and the Barb choir's harmonies in 'I Just Can't Wait To Be King'. 

I am learning how to be more confident with my singing, especially during my call and duet with my 'Rafiki twin', Faith. 

My goal is to not use my head voice in The Circle of Life and belt it out instead to really open the show really amazingly. My other goal is to learn all of my lyrics and stage positions by the end of next week. Not only do I have to learn an entire song, I have to learn harmonies and be onstage for some of the performance including three musical numbers.

Being Rafiki is much more elegant than first thought - when entering the stage during the finale it is my goal to look elegant and powerful, to hail the homecoming of Simba and his noble lioness, Nala, as they arrive on Pride Rock. 

Rafiki Fact File | Festival of The Arts 2017

This year for Festival of The Arts's 'The Lion King' production, the character I am portraying is Rafiki. 
Rafiki is a wise, old monkey that first appeared in the original Lion King Movie, all the way up to the most recent. 
In this production, Rafiki has a very significant role, particularly in the 'Circle of Life' number at the beginning. You may already have seen the iconic scene - Rafiki proudly holding up Simba, the future king, for all of the land to see on the iconic Pride Rock.

What does Rafiki look like?
Rafiki has a diverse colour palette, including blue around the eyes and a prominent red nose, also sporting a tall stick and vibrant blue fur with a white mane. In the Broadway version of The Lion King, Rafiki can be seen wearing beaded bracelets and long claws for hands and feet. I personally love the design of this character and can't wait to be able to see what I'm wearing!

How does your animal walk and move?
Rafiki's walk is much more of a hobble - much like what you would expect an old, wise monkey or even ancestor to move. Grasping a his tall stick for support, this character hobbles at an unsurprisingly slow speed with a minor limp. 

What are the personality traits of your character?
Rafiki can be defined by many of his peers as wise and ancient - well known for giving cryptic advice and rather cheeky answers to questions. Despite his old age, Rafiki is an energetic character and takes joy in the advice he gives.

The makeup shown on Rafiki in the Broadway production is very bold and colourful, sporting a yellow eye socket, blue cheeks with a sharp white contour, and a red mouth, nose, and forehead region. Don't forget the bold black eyeliner, lips, and spots over the eyes!  

As you can see here, Rafiki adorns long wooden claws, beaded jewellery, and a more cultural twist to their outfit. Extra features include a cool woven crown!

Rafiki wears a belt with various items hanging off of it, frays on their clothing, and a skirt. You can also see the iconic stick - a symbol of wisdom for the old monkey. 

Learn more about Rafiki the wise old monkey by visiting this link. Feel free to leave some feedback in the comments!

All Hail Your Future King! | Festival of The Arts 2017

Today was another session for Festival of The Arts. 

As our performance slowly begins to take its shape, there are a number of things we have to do leading up to the big night. This includes choreography, learning our lines and songs, as well as designing and creating our costumes and props. 

Today was focused on the big 'Circle of Life' number - a part that the whole cast is involved in. I am honoured to be cast as Rafiki, which is the role I longed to play ever since seeing the show.

 I have a solo in the Circle of Life and was naturally very excited to play the role. I'm also working with Faith, as we are sharing the role and get to sing the solo together onstage. As we went outside and began learning the choreography, I was hardly nervous, but I'm expecting that to all change on the night! 

I've already learned what parts I am going to sing, and how to express myself on stage. As Rafiki I have to use big arm movements, be dramatic, and 'draw the audience in'. 

I really enjoy the number we're all doing and I've definitely found a new passion for acting and performing. I can't wait for tomorrow's rehearsal!

My next steps are to learn the Afrikaans/Zulu call I am doing, be able to sing this confidently onstage, and work on my 'movements' to make me look more like an animal. Here are some pictures of today's rehearsal! 

It's a Lion! | Festival of The Arts 2017

Today was the second session of Festival of The Arts. 

I learned a range of different vocal warms up, as well as what the Broadway show looked and sounded like after watching a video. I instantly fell in love with everything about it - from the costume and makeup to the powerful voices and characters they portray, I'm so excited to be able to be part of the show. In fact, I changed my mind. I don't want to stage crew anymore. I want to sing in the show, which is something I never thought I would ever do because I've never really been part of such a performance like this. 

So I was so excited when me and two of my close friends were chosen to audition for a singing role for the performance. It was unexpected but I really hope that I did well and can get a part I want. My favourite character is Rafiki - the Broadway show featured a woman as this role with such a strong, powerful voice that I would love to do onstage. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0OdIcCQG9I

Above is a link to a YouTube video of the Broadway performance. As you can see, the set is absolutely amazing. The colour palette is so unique and I loved the prop giraffes, elephants and cheetahs. The vocals are absolutely incredible, and it added to the show enormously. Everything about this performance is amazing. 

This is a photo of Rafiki on Broadway. Her outfit is wildly creative and magnificent - effortlessly capturing the stunning African beauty that 'The Lion King' is all about. 

Rafiki isn't on the official casting role, but I would love to be able to play Simba. I'm really proud of myself for stepping up and taking such a big step - signing up and auditioning for a singing role. This is something out of my comfort zone but I couldn't be more excited for it!

Drama Performance Plot

Focus
Someone is being bullied.

Action
A girl moves away and the girls that stays is being bullied by two other girls. 

Roles
Alliah - Bully 
Chloe - Bully
Jaime - Girl that moves away
Jaylin - Girl that stays

Tension
The tension is that a girl gets bullied because one girl, that used to protect her, had to move away. However, a new girl moves to the school and they become best friends. 

Different Types Of Choirs

This morning, after returning from my favourite event of the year, the Music Festival's rehearsal, we were given the task of writing about two different types of choirs.

1. Gospel choir
"Gospel music is deeply rooted in the rich traditions of the African-American church. During the late 1800s, African-American churches in the southern United States started fusing various styles of music into their worship services, including African-American spirituals, hymns, and sacred songs."

2. Jazz choir
"A vocal jazz ensemble usually consists of the choir, normally made up of 8–16 singers, and a Rhythm section most often consisting of a pianist, a bassist, a guitarist, and a drummer. Singers either each hold a microphone or sing with area microphones."

🌲🌸 ~A Spring Haiku~ 🌲🌸

Spring Haiku

Cool breeze is blowing,

Bare branches full of colour-

Spring is finally here.

By Chloe, Jade, Chyna, and Jaime.

 Learn more here.

Centring Exercises & Yoga

Centring exericises/yoga 
Centring exercises and yoga is good for posture, releasing tension and stress, develop focus, concentration, and belief.
You use stillness, controlled movement, and isolate body parts. Examples include spine roll, pendulum, and zen rock garden.

Laughing Yoga

Laughing Yoga is a form of Yoga that initiates laughter. Laughter is good for you, it promotes happiness, releases dopamine in your brain, and gets air into your lungs. 

Visualisation

Visualisation is using the power of imagination in your everyday life. You may have a picture of how something may look, taste, feel or smell. People use visualisation to forget things, and replace them with good memories, and to help release stress and pressure from work/school/relationships. 

Improvisation

Improvisation is making something up on the spot. Commonly used in drama, some examples include actors being given a prompt, and then having to act in a play around that prompt immediately. 

Why we play games: The importance of warm ups

What are the purposes of warm ups?

Warm ups are found in drama and musical theatre, P.E, sports, and singing. 

* Prevent injury. 

* Relax mental and physical tension.

* Prepare physically and mentally for performance work.

* Help you be more expressive with your body.

Warm up ideas:

Danger men at work tongue twister
Used in: Drama, theatre, musical performances, singing, narrating

Zombie game

Used in: Drama, theatre, dance

Sneak Up On Granny

Used in: Dance, drama, theatre