"The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is practice." - Vladimir Horowitz With only a few classes left before the big Spring Performance, it's time to evaluate how prepared your child is for the big day! Have you been practicing with them? Do they know their lines? Do they know their cue lines? How about their movements? Are they making big character choices as they practice? Are they projecting their voice?
If you aren't sure of the answer to these questions (or if the answer is no!) now is the time to really buckle down and practice practice practice! I'm sure we sound like a broken record at this point. No doubt you have heard us announce this spiel after class, but we really cannot stress it enough! We get a lot accomplished in 2-3 hours, and if our students don't practice what they've learned each night throughout the week, they simply don't retain the information for the next class. This causes us to have to go back and re-teach parts of the play rather than polishing scenes and moving forward. Not only is it detrimental to the rehearsal process, it's also quite frustrating for the other actors as well. Remember - our plays are not about one character shining on the stage. Our plays are a total team effort! The strength of our ensemble relies on the dedication and enthusiasm of our players. Think of our rehearsals as a team-sport practice. On a team you want each player to be able to trust each other and work together. If someone isn't doing well, they are expected to practice to improve their skills so they can play the game to the best of their abilities. The same principles apply to drama as well! Of course, the possibility of disappointing the ensemble shouldn't be the only motivation to practice! Practice is the path to true growth and improvement. Practice hones abilities, strengthens confidence, and improves overall performance! Sure, it might not be the most exciting part of Drama Kids... but the benefits are totally worth it! We promise your child will feel infinitely more excited and prepared on the day of their performance if they put in the extra work at home. Plus, the sense of pride they will feel at the end will be priceless! That being said... are we expecting perfection? Nope! We know mistakes happen - heck, us teachers even flub onstage from time to time! However, we sincerely believe that practicing a few minutes every night will allow our Drama Kids to feel more comfortable on stage, even in the event of a mistake or a missed line. If they put in the effort now, they will have much more FUN at the Egg! So how can you help prepare your Drama Kid for the big day? Read our tips below to help you get the most out of your rehearsal time!
View all of our Spring Performance Dates and Times down below. All Performances will be held at the EGG in Downtown Albany from May 28nd - 31st. Not exactly sure which class your Drama Kid is in? Please don't hesitate to contact us at [email protected]. COMMUNITY PROGRAM PERFORMANCES AT THE EGG THURSDAY, MAY 28, 2020
FRIDAY, MAY 29, 2020
SATURDAY, MAY 30, 2020
SUNDAY, MAY 31, 2020
EXPRESS YOURSELF! We encourage our Drama Kids to bring their character alive with their own personal touch! That being said, please do not go to any great expense for this costume. Their performance is what will make them shine onstage - not the costume! So now is the time to start raiding your closets (or grandma's). All Drama Kids costumes should cost little to no money to make. Old clothing/Halloween costumes, thrift stores, dollar stores and party stores are great places to check out. Or reach out to your Facebook friends! You'd be surprised how many are happy to loan or give away old costumes. We provide the props and main signature pieces and whatever else we can for each child's costume. Your child's teacher will also have specific details on what we have on hand. Please refer to the suggestions below for more details. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact your child's DKI teacher or email our Artistic Director, Jillian, at [email protected]. The Grasshopper and the Ants COSTUME IDEASAnts will be dressed in basic black (black shorts/leggings, black t-shirt or black leotard for the girls). Grasshoppers will be dressed in green. ***Headgear to be provided by Drama Kids Each ant then accessorizes based on their character. Be creative, and ask your kids for input. Let THEM design their costumes—they’ll be SO proud of the outcome! And remember, we’re not looking for expensive, time-consuming costumes! We’re about the kids, not the costumes! If you need any further advice or help, please don’t hesitate to let us know. The Cleanest Town in Texas COSTUME IDEASPlease refer to your child’s characterization sheet for further costume suggestions. This is where you can find what type of Western character your child is playing (cowboy/girl, Southern Belle, Saloon Dancer, etc.) Cast your minds back to those old T.V. Westerns! And remember, costly costumes are not necessary! Many mothers will have something hiding in the closet that could be adapted quite simply. Otherwise, try a secondhand store. COWBOY/COWGIRL ATTIRE - Jeans, cowboy hat/boots, button-down shirt, vest, bandanas, etc. No Guns! SOUTHERN BELLE/SALOON DANCER - Full skirt/prairie skirt, pinafore, petticoat, sash & bow in hair, etc. Slice of life COSTUME IDEASPlease refer to your child’s cast list for suggestions. This is where you can figure out their decade/costume design, etc. Women's 50s costume designs Men's 50s costume designs Women's 60s costume designs Men's 60s costume designs Women's 80s costume designs Men's 80s costume designs Molly Sculptor COSTUME IDEAS
Performance time is fast approaching, which means *very soon* your Drama Kid will discover which exciting character they will portray! While practicing lines with your Drama Kid you may think to yourself, "Why does my child only have a few lines?" or "Why is the script only 10 pages long?" Well... for starters, we only spend about 12 weeks of class rehearsing for the Fall & Spring Performances. Seem like a long time? Well consider this - that's only 24 HOURS of rehearsal time - technically one day! (Not to mention we still spend a portion of that time playing our popular skill based drama games!) It's amazing what our Drama Kids can accomplish in that short amount of time, and it's all thanks to the Drama Kids difference! Another reason why each child only has a few lines is we believe in focusing on QUALITY over quantity. Think of a play like Annie. With all of the lines that Annie has, do you think the director has time to focus on each and every one of her lines with her? (Trust me, I speak from experience - NO!) Well, at Drama Kids we do! Our passionate teachers spend precious time with each and every one of our students, encouraging them to analyze every word that comes out of their mouth. Helping them to discover their character's motivation, what interesting body movements or facial expressions to deliver their line with, or what different emotions to bring out in the tone of their voice. Meanwhile encouraging them to project their voice so that the world will stop and take notice of just how special YOUR child is! But do you think we stop there? NO! Even when your child is NOT saying a line, we aim to teach them that they are always "ON." What is your character "saying" non-verbally? In other words, how are you reacting to what is happening in the story? What background stories are you telling the audience through your body language? (Wow...just think of how these skills are applied in the real world!) We are proud to instill in our Drama Kids that they are an important part of this team no matter how many lines they have and that it doesn't always matter what you say - but HOW you say it! As in years past, our fabulous theatrical make-up artists will be on hand so that the kids can be made up to look like the STARS they truly are! This is completely optional, and is only a service we provide to make the kids feel extra special the day of their show. So there is absolutely NO pressure for them to get their make-up done.
For those that would like to take advantage of this, please note that it will be a very QUICK process (we have only 3-5 minutes per child!!!). The kids will have a few samples to choose from, but we do not have time to give them a completely customized look. If that is what they desire, I recommend that they have their make-up done at home. Or if your child has any sensitivity or allergies, please provide your own make-up or do it at home. We will be sectioning off an area of the upstairs lobby for make-up. Parents, please stay with your child while they are waiting to get their make-up done. Once they are finished, you may escort them into the theatre where you both may quietly sit and watch the rehearsal in progress. (NOTE: Only ONE Parent is allowed to accompany the child in the theatre!) EXPRESS YOURSELF! We encourage our Drama Kids to bring their character alive with their own personal touch! That being said, please do not go to any great expense for this costume. Their performance is what will make them shine onstage - not the costume! So now is the time to start raiding your closets (or grandma's). All Drama Kids costumes should cost little to no money to make. Old clothing/Halloween costumes, thrift stores, dollar stores and party stores are great places to check out. Or reach out to your Facebook friends! You'd be surprised how many are happy to loan or give away old Hawaiian or pirate costumes. We provide the props and main signature pieces and whatever else we can for each child's costume. Your child's teacher will also have specific details on what we have on hand. Please refer to the suggestions below for more details. If you have questions, please don't hesitate to contact your child's DKI teacher or email our "Desk Fairy" Julie at [email protected]. PARADESIA Costume IdeasTropical island attire: Bathing suits w/sarongs, colorful tank tops, shorts, skirts or grass skirts, board shorts or a bright bathing suit. Sandals on feet (flip-flops are not recommended for safety purposes) Want to save the hassle and buy online? I personally love aliexpress.com for costumes at cheap wholesale prices: www.aliexpress.com/popular/hula-costume-kids.html BOLD BUCCANEER COSTUME IDEASPIRATES Colorful or striped shirts paired with ripped pants/cut-off jeans or skirts; accessorized with sashes, pirate hats, beaded necklaces, eye patches, etc. Boots, shoes or sandals on feet. COSTUME INSPIRATION LINKS: www.marthastewart.com/908812/how-create-pirate-costume Pirates of the Carribbean Hair, Make-up & Costume tutorial aliexpress.com has cheap wholesale prices on costumes and accessories IMMORTAL CHARACTERS Most of the play our immortals will be in human form - so mermaid tales are not necessary! (We will provide certain props for the transformation scene, so you do not have to worry about that!) They can dress as pirates or in Greek style togas - or better yet, a creative mix between the two! For instance, our mermaids could wear a pair of brightly colored leggings (ala fish scales) paired with a white toga top. You can easily turn a piece of fabric or old bed sheet into a toga with safety pins and ropes! See the DIY links below. Sandals or ballet slippers on feet. COSTUME INSPIRATION LINKS: Greek Goddess Video Tutorial Easy Greek Goddess Costume DIY Tutorial Wikihow to Make a Quick Greek God-Goddess Costume Move Over Hercules - a Greek Hero DIY The 30 min. Mermaid Skirt tutorial MURDER AT MORNINGTON MANOR COSTUME IDEASSOCIALITE WOMEN/GIRLS (40s elegant)
Old evening dresses or prom dresses. Any color. Thrift stores are a great resource for these dresses. Or check out this DIY video tutorial: DIY Hollywood Glamour Dress GENTLEMEN Tuxedos or suits. Please let me know if you would be interested in borrowing a tuxedo jacket. I may be able to borrow a few sizes from a theatre friend of mine. SERVANTS We will provide aprons and caps, you are responsible for knee-length (or longer) black dress or skirt & black shirt, black tights and shoes. Gentlemen servants should wear black dress pants with a black button down shirt (Col Moss can wear a tuxedo). Please feel free to accessorize as per your character! *We will provide a "disguise" for Melvin/Mildred character - a trench coat and Fedora. There have been many questions about costumes this year for our immortal sea creatures. It is admittedly confusing because they are mermaids who become pirates. The trouble is they transform on stage and have a lot of movement to do while still sea creatures. For example, if your child is a mermaid, and they have a mermaid tail as a costume, they must be able to walk and move in it. Below I have included some links to suggestions on how to costume those characters. They will all have time off stage to quickly add a piece or two of pirate gear. Perhaps a sash, hat or sword? But they will not have time to completely change into a new pirate costume. (We do have a collection of various pirate props that the kids are welcome to use for the how - we just can't guarantee what they'll get to use!)
For this play, while costumes are always a fun part of performing, they are not as important as their CHARACTERS! The kids have all been doing such great character work that these character have really come to life. If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to ask our "Prop goddess" Ms. Jillian at [email protected]. Our youngest Drama Kids are very lucky, because Paradesia is a truly magical play! It's full of strong and fun characters, like the goddess Pele or the young dreamer Pahu. It even has some pretty unforgettable musical dance numbers! But if you ask us - the most memorable part of the play is the story.
Storytelling is a vital part of Hawaiian culture, as in many cultures around the world! Hawaiian legends are rich with stories of traditions, values, history, and morals. To the Hawaiians, storytelling is not just about talking. They pass down their ancient stories through hula, chants, songs, and verse. There are even professional storytellers in Hawaii that dedicate their whole lives to this tradition! One of the most popular topics is the role of community in Hawaiian culture - which is a value our play Paradesia focuses on as well! Community was important to the ancient Hawaiian tribes, and everyone had a role to play. A great example of this is in the movie Moana. (If you haven't seen this movie with your little ones, we strongly suggest you do!) In Moana there are fisherman, harvesters, cooks, weavers, chiefs, etc. - and each person plays a very important role! This philosophy should sound very familiar... not only do each of the characters in our play Paradesia have equally important roles to play, so do our young actors! One of our favorite sayings at Drama Kids is, "There are no small parts, only small actors!" We always teach our students that no matter who they play on the stage, they are all important to the production! Ensemble building, teamwork, and collaboration are just a few of the Drama Kids #FUNdamentals we teach each and every week in class. Our students will quickly realize that these are also the values we teach in our play Paradesia! While their characters are working together to gather fish and food for the island, our Drama Kids will also be learning how to work together to learn choreography and dance in unison as an ensemble! When the character Pahu announces that everyone can share his/her newfound wealth, our Drama Kids will be sharing the spotlight equally on the EGG's stage. And when our students take their final bows, we hope they are just as proud of their fellow cast-mates' performances as they are of their own! Click here for some #FUNFACTS about Paradesia! Your Drama Kids will love this post - be sure to share it with them! CHARACTER FUN FACTS
PELE is not only the goddess of fire, she is also the goddess of lightning, dance, wind, and volcanoes! Legend says that Pele created the Hawaiian islands with her control over volcanoes! NAMAKA is the goddess of the sea, and sister of PELE in Hawaiian mythology. The shark god KAMOHO is the brother of Pele and Namaka. Not only can he turn into a shark - he can turn into any fish he wishes! LONO is the god of food - as well as rain, music, and peace! Another sister of Pele is LAKA - the goddess of the hula! The "dreamer" character PAHU is also the name of a popular instrument in Hawaiian culture. All of our characters have names inspired by Hawaiian culture and mythology - we encourage you to research your child's name origins with them as a fun activity! HAWAIIAN FUN FACTS Aloha can mean "hello", "welcome", "love", "best wishes" or even "goodbye". It is impolite to refuse a lei or remove it in front of the person who presented it. It should be returned to the earth by hanging as a decoration, burying, or burning. There are only 12 letters in the Hawaiian alphabet Under-sea volcanoes that erupted thousands of years ago formed the islands of Hawaii. There are more than 100 beaches on the island of Honolulu. Hawaii is home to the largest dormant volcano, Haleakala Crater and the world’s most active volcano, Kilauea volcano. Hawaii Island is getting bigger by about 42 acres each year because of the continuous eruption of the Kīlauea Volcano. (It's been erupting for 30 years!) MACADAMIA NUT FUN FACTS Most of the world's macadamia nuts are grown on the island of Hawaii. September 4th is National Macadamia Nut Day! It takes 300 lbs. per square inch to break the macadamia nut shell, hardest of all nut shells! |
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