Hi All!
So here are my final thoughts on the CAO process this time around:
For my first attempt at Create an Opera, I think I did well. I spent time introducing the kids to opera, discussing different forms of opera around the world, and reviewing components necessary in the creation of an opera. Later, when introducing the task of libretto writing, I used examples from The Magic Flute to illustrate the functions of song when combined with story-telling, as well as the relation between music and text in opera. The kids surprised me with the readiness and enthusiasm with which they approached the task of libretto writing and song development. We discussed various musical styles and made decisions regarding the style of music and text correlations.
In Sona's class, I took a group of students who wanted to drum, and we worked on fitting their drum rhythms with the melodies I had written for the songs. One talented student even came up with a melody of her own, used in the third song, "Anansi's walking song." In Amanda and Mubeen's class I worked with the 'music group' on song-writing, and encouraged them to make decisions regarding the style of music, mood, character, tempo, etc. of each song. I then composed their songs taking these decisions into account. A student in this class also created a melody for the "Victory Song." The students' creation of melodies has inspired my to encourage more melody-writing from the students themselves next time, rather than doing all the composition myself. I have worked on making a tapestry of music to accompany all dialogue...there seems to be a lot of dialogue in the student's operas, since they have a lot to say and they have some intricate stories to relay.
For my next crack at the Create an Opera program, I have many new ideas, and there are many things I'll attempt to do differently. Opera is, by its traditional definition, a musical form, and I'd like to have a more heavy-handed approach in the music side of this collaboration. I learned the importance of providing supporting material for the teachers and classes, and in future I'd like to furether emphasise the traditional body of opera works by providing CDs for the students to listen to outside the hour-long CAO class. I found the teachers to be invaluable in their activities with the class outside our scheduled hour, so long as Sedina and I clearly outlined our expectations from the students over the week; often the classes came with extra work prepared! I'd like to use this outside class time for the students to explore opera, just by listening to examples I would provide for them. With more early exposure to the world of opera, hopefully the kids can gain a deeper appreciation for this amazing art form.
In class time, I'd like to cut to the 'work' part of the class more quickly, so the students have some more substantial pieces of work started in each class. This way, they will be better 'on-track' to finish up their weekly assignment. Sedina and I did a lot of warm-up, which was valuable in teaching healthy singing, but could be distilled down a bit in future to leave more class time for big task of creating an opera! In general, I think the program should move more quickly in the first few weeks, so there is a firmly established story and script and we can get down to libretto-writing quite soon. This way, the songs can be written sooner and the students can start learning the music earlier. It would be my hope that with a more accelerated beginning, there would be more time later in the program to work with the students on the accompanying musical background to the piece.
I would try to provide supporting material earlier; CDs of the music with and without the melody line, for example. I would also stress the importance of the students having the latest copy of the script with them at every class.
I appreciated very much the resources provided for the artists by the COC. In general, I felt supported by the program, and the blog provided a great way to stay in communication. The information and suggested lesson plans provided were extremely useful, and I would, in future, stick more closely to the suggested schedule of classes, now that I have a better idea how the whole program unravels over the eight weeks.
In the end, Create an Opera has been a fantastic and rewarding experience for me. I have always felt comfortable around children, but the students at Kipling made me really enjoy working with children. Their friendly enthusiasm in welcoming Sedina and I into their class and their level of commitment to this project made this a truly memorable experience.
I look forward to the final performances of the operas on March 27th, and I know both classes will create something truly unique. It is my hope that they all enjoyed the process and got to take a look into the world of 'collective creation,' as Sedina calls it.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
March Madness Monday
I guess I'm trying to be creative with my blog titles. LOL.
Monday's classes were hectic and energetic. I had the task of rehearsing both of their operas in 1 hour for a performance that day. It took a lot of energy and the students saw a side of me they weren't expecting as we really had to get down to business.
First up was Amanda and Mubeen's class. We finished blocking their piece as we didn't get to the end last time. Then we had a chance to run through the opera once. They did a good job, although it was difficult for me to rein in some of the chorus members who had a habit of not paying attention if they weren't doing anything. I have had some challenges in this class with respect to just that, participation. They have great ideas, but it is disheartening to see some students slacking. So saying those who were into it, did well. For the final performance, I want to see this class work at confidence and energy as they are good performers, but tend to be shy onstage. This could come with some rehearsal and lots of encouragement to take the stage and do it like you mean it.
Next was Sona's class. This class was challenging as we had the task of teaching the drummers how to drum with singing and teaching the performers how to sing with drumming. Adam and I are so glad that we are incorporating the drumming and dancing, in addition to dialogue and singing, but one hour never seems like enough. We managed to go through all of the music once and then do a run through of the show. Focus was an issue on this Monday and I had to remind the students repeatedly to pay attention and speak only when needed as they tended to be chatty. I will attribute this to their excitement about the piece. For this class, for the final performance, their biggest challenge will be to integrate the drumming with the music as well as making sure that everyone is focused and on task. This will come with rehearsal and I am confident they can do a great job of performing their opera.
Amanda and Mubeen's class performed for Sona's class and then Sona's class was supposed to perform. However, we ran out of time and only M & A's class performed. They did a great job and I was sad that Sona's class wasn't able to present. However, I feel that Sona's class was probably motivated by seeing the other classes perform and Sona has said that they will find time to do this performance another time.
All in all, I have had a great time working with North Kipling. A very artistic and creative school and the students have been fab. I will miss my Tuesdays with them, but I hope to stay in touch and see their final performances if they end up doing something splashy at the end of the year.
Monday's classes were hectic and energetic. I had the task of rehearsing both of their operas in 1 hour for a performance that day. It took a lot of energy and the students saw a side of me they weren't expecting as we really had to get down to business.
First up was Amanda and Mubeen's class. We finished blocking their piece as we didn't get to the end last time. Then we had a chance to run through the opera once. They did a good job, although it was difficult for me to rein in some of the chorus members who had a habit of not paying attention if they weren't doing anything. I have had some challenges in this class with respect to just that, participation. They have great ideas, but it is disheartening to see some students slacking. So saying those who were into it, did well. For the final performance, I want to see this class work at confidence and energy as they are good performers, but tend to be shy onstage. This could come with some rehearsal and lots of encouragement to take the stage and do it like you mean it.
Next was Sona's class. This class was challenging as we had the task of teaching the drummers how to drum with singing and teaching the performers how to sing with drumming. Adam and I are so glad that we are incorporating the drumming and dancing, in addition to dialogue and singing, but one hour never seems like enough. We managed to go through all of the music once and then do a run through of the show. Focus was an issue on this Monday and I had to remind the students repeatedly to pay attention and speak only when needed as they tended to be chatty. I will attribute this to their excitement about the piece. For this class, for the final performance, their biggest challenge will be to integrate the drumming with the music as well as making sure that everyone is focused and on task. This will come with rehearsal and I am confident they can do a great job of performing their opera.
Amanda and Mubeen's class performed for Sona's class and then Sona's class was supposed to perform. However, we ran out of time and only M & A's class performed. They did a great job and I was sad that Sona's class wasn't able to present. However, I feel that Sona's class was probably motivated by seeing the other classes perform and Sona has said that they will find time to do this performance another time.
All in all, I have had a great time working with North Kipling. A very artistic and creative school and the students have been fab. I will miss my Tuesdays with them, but I hope to stay in touch and see their final performances if they end up doing something splashy at the end of the year.
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Busy Week
This week has been very busy with a trip, me being at a meeting during the day and my student teacher trying to get her lessons taught and report card time!
I made time on Friday to work on our opera. The goal was to focus on having the students know the lines, speaking chorally and saying them expressively. This alone took us the entire afternoon which I didn't think it would. The students still require alot of practise speaking clearly, together and expressively. We listened to the songs and most of the students know them. We didn't get to practising the movement that was practised last week because we ran out to time.
Because our songs were broken up, at times there are only 2 lines that need to be sung. I had the students repeat it twice so it soungs like a song. Sedina and Adam, you can decide on Monday if this is necessary. As for the students who are drumming or using the shakers, I had them sing along only if they were not drumming for that part. This helped with projection.
I will practise once again on Monday. IF the students know the songs and their lines then it will make it easier to practise the movements.
See you on Monday.
Sona
I made time on Friday to work on our opera. The goal was to focus on having the students know the lines, speaking chorally and saying them expressively. This alone took us the entire afternoon which I didn't think it would. The students still require alot of practise speaking clearly, together and expressively. We listened to the songs and most of the students know them. We didn't get to practising the movement that was practised last week because we ran out to time.
Because our songs were broken up, at times there are only 2 lines that need to be sung. I had the students repeat it twice so it soungs like a song. Sedina and Adam, you can decide on Monday if this is necessary. As for the students who are drumming or using the shakers, I had them sing along only if they were not drumming for that part. This helped with projection.
I will practise once again on Monday. IF the students know the songs and their lines then it will make it easier to practise the movements.
See you on Monday.
Sona
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Anansi Learns An Important Lesson
Anansi Learns An Important Lesson
Onstage we five groups of villagers. Group 1 is downstage right, Group 2 is upstage right, Group 3 upstage centre, Group 4 is upstage left and Group 5 is downstage left. All groups are carving a drum (one person from each group acts as the drum that is being carved).
Grade 2 class performs their piece onstage as villagers look on and actively participate. When the class is finished, everyone applauds.
Anansi lounges lazily centre stage.
Movement Piece
(As group 1 of drummers drum, the villagers are doing their daily pdrum carving activities. Anansi lazes about. Group 1 drums through out this first section piece.)
First part of the Song 1
Villagers (all):
We carve our drums all day
Anansi turns his head away.
Anansi 1:
Working hard is not for me
Tricking people is the key
The charming spider that I am
I get my way whenever I can
As small as I appear to be
I’m very smart … just wait and see!
Beginning – in Guinea
Anansi 1: My fellow villagers, gather around. All villagers gather close to Anansi.
Villagers 1: Yes Anansi. What do you want from us now?
Anansi 1: I have a small request to ask of you. I need your help.
Villagers 2: What kind of help are you looking for?
Anansi: Well I need to carve a drum for the emperor. He will be paying me with gold. If you help me, I will share the gold with all of you.
Villagers 3: Anansi, is this another trick to get us to do all of your work for you?
Anansi: Of course not! I would never trick my fellow villagers.
Villagers 1: Okay Anansi. We’ll do this for you one last time because we would like to have some gold. If this is a trick though we will make you pay!
Anansi: I’ll take the drums along with me.
And bring back all the gold you’ll see.
One villager steps forward with the gold. (They should have this prop from the beginning.)
Anansi: Go and rest now because you have worked so hard. I will take care of everything!
Villagers go back to their original spots.
Anansi scampers off stage right
Villagers (not in unison):Where’s Anansi? He took our gold!
Villagers (all):
Selfishness fills his greedy heart.
Happily he goes to make a brand new start.
Groups 1 and Group 5 change places. All groups do their respective farming activities and sing as they are doing them.
Anansi weaves around the groups to upstage right, then goes to group 5. One villager is examining the potion bottle (They should have this prop at the beginning of the show.)
Middle – In Sierra Leone
Movement Piece
(As group 2 drums their rhythm, the farmers do their farming movements in rhythm. Group 2 drums through out quietly.)
Farmers (all):
Anansi arrives in Sierra Leone
(Anansi walks among them and discovers the magic potion.)
Farmers (all):
He sees a potion that makes things grow
Villagers gives him the potion.
Anansi: I hope the potion works. If I were bigger, no one would make fun of me
(Anansi drinks the potion)
Anansi 1: gulp gulp gulp gulp….ahhhhh! Oh what’s happening….I am feeling kind of weird. I think the potion is working!
KPOM! (drums!) All of a sudden Anansi is big!
Farmers (all):
A gulp of potion makes him tall
Now he feels like the king of all!
Anansi: I better run away before the farmers return and realize that I tricked them. They will be very angry!
(Anansi runs away)
Anansi goes to upstage right.
Farmers 1: I wonder if the crops have grown
Farmers 2: Let’s go see if the spider has finished spraying the crops
All Farmers: Oh NO!
Farmers 3: What has happened? What has Anansi done?
All Farmers: Where is he?
Farmers 1: Our crops have not grown!
Farmers 2: I think that we’ve been tricked.
All Farmers: (general expressions of disappointment)
Farmers (all):
Eight legs he has to do things faster
We didn’t think it would be a disaster
(Sadly the farmers walk away. Shaking their heads in disappointment.)
Farmers now become trees and animals like forest. Lion slinks out from group 3 to meet Anansi. (Should have a bag of coco beans) Anansi comes from upstage centre to meet lion.
Ending – in Ghana
Movement Piece
(Group 3 drummers (shakers) provide a rhythm as the chorus becomes a living forest. Shakers shake through out this section.)
(Anansi is walking proudly, hopping along tossing his bag of gold in the air. The evil lion is watching from the corner around the bush.)
Evil Lion: You’re pretty small for a spider
Anansi: NO, I’m not!
Evil Lion: I know of a way that you can become the biggest insect in the forest
Anansi: REALLY? How?
Evil Lion: I know of some magical cocoa beans that can do this
Anansi: Where is it?
Evil Lion: They’re growing on the largest tree closest to the Niger River. Look, can you see it?
Anansi: Ummm, I don’t think I can see it
Evil Lion: Don’t worry, if you get lost, just ask my villagers. In return for this secret, you must give me a few pieces of your gold
Anansi: Here you go.
Anansi gives Lion a few pieces of gold.
(And off he goes happily on his journey as the Evil Lion is laughing.)
Lion goes to upstage left and watches the scenes unfold.
Anansi: Walking, walking tall and lean
Villagers 1: Walking, walking all day long
(He comes across a group of villagers who are cooking a meal)
Groups 1 & 2 come forward to centre and are cooking a meal. Two people become the pot they are cooking.
Anansi: I’m lost. Can you help me get to the Niger River?
Villagers 1: Only if you give us something in return?
Anansi: Here is a golden nugget for your help.
One villager from the group comes forward to take nugget and points Anansi to stage left. Anansi stays to sing song and then leaves.
Anansi:
Walking, walking tall and lean
Can’t wait to find my cocoa bean
Villagers 2:
Walking, walking all day long
The cocoa bean will make him strong
(Anansi comes across a group of villagers who are having a celebration.)
All groups come forward to watch a dance. They form a semi circle and watch 1 solo dance and one duet. Then Anansi comes forward by breaking through the group centre stage.
Anansi: I’m lost. Can you help me get to the Niger River?
Villagers 2: Only if you give us something in return?
Anansi: Here is a golden nugget for your help
One villager comes forward and takes the cocoa bean. Points to stage left.
Anansi:
Walking, walking tall and lean
Can’t wait to find my cocoa bean
The groups return to their original places except for group 5 who take their places centre stage doing weaving or sewing motion.
Villagers 3:
Call: Walking, walking all day long
Answer: The cocoa bean will make him strong?
Anansi walks around the stage from stage left to stage right and meets group 5.
(Anansi comes across a group of villagers who are weaving fabric.)
Anansi: I’m lost. Can you help me get to the Niger River?
Villagers 3: Only if you give us something in return?
Anansi 2: Here is a golden nugget for your help
A villager comes forward and takes the nugget. She points upstage. Group 5 goes back to their original places. Anansi walks around the stage and returns to centre stage. One of villagers steps forward to become a tree.
(He finally arrives to the largest tree by the Niger River.)
Anansi 2: Finally, I made it!
The tree drops cocoa beans into Anansi’s hands and she eats them.
(As the cowbell beats a steady beat, Anansi climbs the tree and starts to eat as many cocoa beans as he/she can fit in his/her mouth. Slowly he/she starts to shrink in size.)
Anansi 3: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! What’s happening? I’m shrinking!
All the villagers and the evil lion are laughing at Anansi.
Villagers (all): WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND!
Dancers come forward and perform 3 dance moves as other villagers create an atmosphere of celebration. After they are finished, all villagers come forward to form a long line and bow. Lion comes forward to bow. Anansi comes forward to bow. They point to the musicians and bow.
THE END.
Onstage we five groups of villagers. Group 1 is downstage right, Group 2 is upstage right, Group 3 upstage centre, Group 4 is upstage left and Group 5 is downstage left. All groups are carving a drum (one person from each group acts as the drum that is being carved).
Grade 2 class performs their piece onstage as villagers look on and actively participate. When the class is finished, everyone applauds.
Anansi lounges lazily centre stage.
Movement Piece
(As group 1 of drummers drum, the villagers are doing their daily pdrum carving activities. Anansi lazes about. Group 1 drums through out this first section piece.)
First part of the Song 1
Villagers (all):
We carve our drums all day
Anansi turns his head away.
Anansi 1:
Working hard is not for me
Tricking people is the key
The charming spider that I am
I get my way whenever I can
As small as I appear to be
I’m very smart … just wait and see!
Beginning – in Guinea
Anansi 1: My fellow villagers, gather around. All villagers gather close to Anansi.
Villagers 1: Yes Anansi. What do you want from us now?
Anansi 1: I have a small request to ask of you. I need your help.
Villagers 2: What kind of help are you looking for?
Anansi: Well I need to carve a drum for the emperor. He will be paying me with gold. If you help me, I will share the gold with all of you.
Villagers 3: Anansi, is this another trick to get us to do all of your work for you?
Anansi: Of course not! I would never trick my fellow villagers.
Villagers 1: Okay Anansi. We’ll do this for you one last time because we would like to have some gold. If this is a trick though we will make you pay!
Anansi: I’ll take the drums along with me.
And bring back all the gold you’ll see.
One villager steps forward with the gold. (They should have this prop from the beginning.)
Anansi: Go and rest now because you have worked so hard. I will take care of everything!
Villagers go back to their original spots.
Anansi scampers off stage right
Villagers (not in unison):Where’s Anansi? He took our gold!
Villagers (all):
Selfishness fills his greedy heart.
Happily he goes to make a brand new start.
Groups 1 and Group 5 change places. All groups do their respective farming activities and sing as they are doing them.
Anansi weaves around the groups to upstage right, then goes to group 5. One villager is examining the potion bottle (They should have this prop at the beginning of the show.)
Middle – In Sierra Leone
Movement Piece
(As group 2 drums their rhythm, the farmers do their farming movements in rhythm. Group 2 drums through out quietly.)
Farmers (all):
Anansi arrives in Sierra Leone
(Anansi walks among them and discovers the magic potion.)
Farmers (all):
He sees a potion that makes things grow
Villagers gives him the potion.
Anansi: I hope the potion works. If I were bigger, no one would make fun of me
(Anansi drinks the potion)
Anansi 1: gulp gulp gulp gulp….ahhhhh! Oh what’s happening….I am feeling kind of weird. I think the potion is working!
KPOM! (drums!) All of a sudden Anansi is big!
Farmers (all):
A gulp of potion makes him tall
Now he feels like the king of all!
Anansi: I better run away before the farmers return and realize that I tricked them. They will be very angry!
(Anansi runs away)
Anansi goes to upstage right.
Farmers 1: I wonder if the crops have grown
Farmers 2: Let’s go see if the spider has finished spraying the crops
All Farmers: Oh NO!
Farmers 3: What has happened? What has Anansi done?
All Farmers: Where is he?
Farmers 1: Our crops have not grown!
Farmers 2: I think that we’ve been tricked.
All Farmers: (general expressions of disappointment)
Farmers (all):
Eight legs he has to do things faster
We didn’t think it would be a disaster
(Sadly the farmers walk away. Shaking their heads in disappointment.)
Farmers now become trees and animals like forest. Lion slinks out from group 3 to meet Anansi. (Should have a bag of coco beans) Anansi comes from upstage centre to meet lion.
Ending – in Ghana
Movement Piece
(Group 3 drummers (shakers) provide a rhythm as the chorus becomes a living forest. Shakers shake through out this section.)
(Anansi is walking proudly, hopping along tossing his bag of gold in the air. The evil lion is watching from the corner around the bush.)
Evil Lion: You’re pretty small for a spider
Anansi: NO, I’m not!
Evil Lion: I know of a way that you can become the biggest insect in the forest
Anansi: REALLY? How?
Evil Lion: I know of some magical cocoa beans that can do this
Anansi: Where is it?
Evil Lion: They’re growing on the largest tree closest to the Niger River. Look, can you see it?
Anansi: Ummm, I don’t think I can see it
Evil Lion: Don’t worry, if you get lost, just ask my villagers. In return for this secret, you must give me a few pieces of your gold
Anansi: Here you go.
Anansi gives Lion a few pieces of gold.
(And off he goes happily on his journey as the Evil Lion is laughing.)
Lion goes to upstage left and watches the scenes unfold.
Anansi: Walking, walking tall and lean
Villagers 1: Walking, walking all day long
(He comes across a group of villagers who are cooking a meal)
Groups 1 & 2 come forward to centre and are cooking a meal. Two people become the pot they are cooking.
Anansi: I’m lost. Can you help me get to the Niger River?
Villagers 1: Only if you give us something in return?
Anansi: Here is a golden nugget for your help.
One villager from the group comes forward to take nugget and points Anansi to stage left. Anansi stays to sing song and then leaves.
Anansi:
Walking, walking tall and lean
Can’t wait to find my cocoa bean
Villagers 2:
Walking, walking all day long
The cocoa bean will make him strong
(Anansi comes across a group of villagers who are having a celebration.)
All groups come forward to watch a dance. They form a semi circle and watch 1 solo dance and one duet. Then Anansi comes forward by breaking through the group centre stage.
Anansi: I’m lost. Can you help me get to the Niger River?
Villagers 2: Only if you give us something in return?
Anansi: Here is a golden nugget for your help
One villager comes forward and takes the cocoa bean. Points to stage left.
Anansi:
Walking, walking tall and lean
Can’t wait to find my cocoa bean
The groups return to their original places except for group 5 who take their places centre stage doing weaving or sewing motion.
Villagers 3:
Call: Walking, walking all day long
Answer: The cocoa bean will make him strong?
Anansi walks around the stage from stage left to stage right and meets group 5.
(Anansi comes across a group of villagers who are weaving fabric.)
Anansi: I’m lost. Can you help me get to the Niger River?
Villagers 3: Only if you give us something in return?
Anansi 2: Here is a golden nugget for your help
A villager comes forward and takes the nugget. She points upstage. Group 5 goes back to their original places. Anansi walks around the stage and returns to centre stage. One of villagers steps forward to become a tree.
(He finally arrives to the largest tree by the Niger River.)
Anansi 2: Finally, I made it!
The tree drops cocoa beans into Anansi’s hands and she eats them.
(As the cowbell beats a steady beat, Anansi climbs the tree and starts to eat as many cocoa beans as he/she can fit in his/her mouth. Slowly he/she starts to shrink in size.)
Anansi 3: Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaawwwwwwwwwwwwwwwwww! What’s happening? I’m shrinking!
All the villagers and the evil lion are laughing at Anansi.
Villagers (all): WHAT GOES AROUND, COMES AROUND!
Dancers come forward and perform 3 dance moves as other villagers create an atmosphere of celebration. After they are finished, all villagers come forward to form a long line and bow. Lion comes forward to bow. Anansi comes forward to bow. They point to the musicians and bow.
THE END.
Mount Olympus Showdown - Amanda & Mubeen's Class
Mount Olympus Showdown
Onstage, we see four distinct groups and their posses, Zeus and posse is downstage right, Hera and posse is upstage right, Ares and posse is upstage left and Athena and posse are downstage left. Hades is upstage left, watching and observing.
(The chorus enters excitedly with fan signs along the lines of I love Zeus etc. talk excitedly about the upcoming performance.)
Two halves of the chorus enter on either side of the audience, group one stage left an group two stage right, they remain in the audience.
Chorus / Fans:
This is a story
of heartache and glory,
Watch and learn,
how their fates always turn.
This golden apple,
Which causes discord,
Is very potent
And must not be ignored.
Announcer upper stage right, comes to centre stage.
Announcer: Are you ready?
Chorus: (cheers).
Announcer: Ladies and Gentlemen, Gods and Goddesses, mortals and monsters, welcome to the Mount Olympus concert and ultimate battle. Let’s begin!
Chorus: (cheers.)
Zeus, Hera, Ares and Athena take centrestage with one attendant each in tow.
Ares: (complaining) Man, I hate Zeus! Why does he get to be ruler?! Why not me?? Hmph! I'll give him a piece of my mind!
(Ares walks up to Zeus)
Zeus: (bored, sitting on his throne being fed grapes by Hera): Good afternoon son (yawn), what brings you here?
Ares: I’ve come to challenge you!!!!
Zeus: Fool! Who are you to challenge me?
Ares: F.Y.I, I’m the god of war.
Zeus (shakes his head and mumbles to himself): I should have thrown you off the Mountain instead of Hephaestus.
Ares (in a whiny voice): Mommy (talks to Hera), Daddy is hurting my feelings. I don’t like him. One day I’m going to rule Mount Olympus and throw daddy to the underworld.
Hera (sounding very bored as well): Good I’m becoming tired of him too! (Eats the grape she was about to feed Zeus)
Zeus: I’ll accept your wimpy challenge and open the competition to all the other gods and goddesses as well. I will show you all who’s boss!
All goddesses and gods go back to their respective corners, accept Zeus who mopes around the stage, starting at stage right and then going to stage left. Hades comes down to stage centre to meet Zeus for a “sketchy” exchange.
(as the chorus talks about the following sequence, it is being acted out onstage.)
Chorus 1:
It seems like Zeus is beginning to feel unusual. He isn’t sleeping, he isn’t eating. He doesn’t even enjoy throwing his thunder bolts. He’s riding his chariot to the underworld in secret.
Chorus 2: Zeus meets his brother Hades at the entrance. He asks Hades to help him. Zeus promises that if this is done, he will allow Hades to do anything he wants for a day. Hades accepts. (with an evil, exaggerated grin to the audience)
Announcer (like a boxing ring announcement): Now it is time for the battle! Introducing our competitors: First up, Zeus!
Zeus: (comes in like a boxer with a hoodie/cape and his entourage, then bares his muscles, his posse enters afterward.)
Zeus and posse take centre stage doing their boxing prep stance. Zeus sings 1st verse alone and then posse sings 2nd verse with him.
Zeus the king
with his thunderbolt ring
keeper of the high
and controller of the sky
Zeus the grand
with his ultimate command
with his mighty hand
he rules all the land
Chorus: (Cheers)
Zeus and posse return to downstage right.
Announcer: Ares!
(Ares enters with his war loving posse.)
Ares and posse enter from upstage left and take centre stage. Ares sings 1st verse solo and then with posse 2nd time
Ares:
I’m the god of war
I’m evil to the core
I want to rule the earth
I’ve known it since my birth
I know that I am beastly
But what do you expect me to do, really
Chorus: (Cheers)
Announcer: Introducing Hera!
(Hera enters with posse, a rockin’ all girl group.)
Hera enters from stage right, strikes the goddess pose and posse follows and strikes pose again.
Hera:
I run things `round here, yeah you better be scared
Hera: I GOT THE POWER!
Other goddesses: Yeeah
Hera: I GOT THE POWER!
Other Goddesses: Yeah! She got the power, she got it
All goddesses: Watch yourself YEAH!
Hera goes back to spot stage right.
Chorus: (Cheers)
Announcer: Last, but not least, Athena.
(Athena enters with posse.)
Athena with posse takes centre stage from stage downstage left. Athena sings first two lines solo and then posse joins in/
Athena:
There once was a goddess
her name was Athena
She always won
in the battle arena
But she never had a mate
and never went on a second date
Now this one Athena was the goddess of war
but many gods knew she could do much more
Announcer: Let the games begin! First up, the dance competition!
Gods dance, most dance very awkwardly in a variety of styles (e.g., hippie, disco, Egyptian, headbanging, ballet, etc.)
Announcer: Well that wasn’t pretty. And the winner is… Ares
Chorus 1: This rock battle has been going on for hours. The gods and goddesses are tied evenly. What will happen next?
Announcer: Are you all ready for the final battle? I said, are you all ready for the final battle?
Chorus: (Cheers.)
Announcer: Here we go!
( A matrix like battle ensues, with the goddesses coming out victorious because Hades helps them from the sidelines, represented by a matrix style dance/movement)
Hera’s posse & Zeus’ posse send out an imaginary fire ball to Ares’ and Athena’s posse who dodge it in matrix style poses. Ares and Athena fire back and all groups fall except Hera and posse. Hades is still upstage right watching.
Announcer: I now declare the winner of these games to be Hera and her fellow goddesses!
Hera and posse take centre stage and strike a pose.
Hera (making a speech to the crowd, including all the gods): As you may have heard, we WILL make Mt. Olympus a much, much, better place! (Applause) Thank you once again! (Waving to everyone)
(To Hades) Thanks for all your help, we couldn’t have done it without you.
Chorus: (all gasp and look surprised as well): Hades! (all point to Hades)
Hades comes centre stage.
Hades: Muah, ha, ha! No prob. It was real fun… to CHEAT that is! Ha, ha, ha, ha!
(raps.)
I’m a god; I’m a straight up G. The underworld is the life for me. Torturing by day; stealing souls by night. Being Hades is just alright. I left Mount Olympus at the age of 4, but everyone knows I’m the one they adore. I walked around town with huge acceleration, even though I didn’t get any education. I’m Hades.
(enter Zeus, who is outraged at seeing that Hades has double-crossed him, Zeus roars in anger)
Zeus: You! (points to Hades) I can’t believe it! You promised to help me win! Why have you betrayed me????
Hades: Actually, I promised to help you, not help you win. As to why I betrayed you, well you try ruling the filthy underworld! Now you will learn!
Chorus 2:
Hades drags Zeus down, down, down to the underworld. (Hades locks Zeus up and throws away the key) Mount Olympus is enjoying a time of peace and happiness while Hera and the other goddesses rule.
Hera and posse create a lounging tableau centre stage.
The gods are also busy… cooking, cleaning, and doing all the work that the goddesses used to do…Things stay this way for a long, long, time.
Zeus’ posse makes a scrubbing the floors action, Athena’s posse makes
Then, one day, the gods served a huge banquet
Food covered the table like a warm thick blanket
On Hera’s plate was the most beautiful fruit,
A golden apple that was really cute.
She couldn’t resist and took a bite,
even though there was something not right
about the way the gods were grinning
just as they had when they were winning.
(Hera starts to feel unwell. Almost immediately, she starts yelling at the other goddesses and bossing them around. Soon, they are all screaming at each other, arguing over how things should be done and fighting over the golden apple. The goddesses start throwing food at each other)
Annnouncer: Now Eris enters the stage. What’s he doing here?
Eris: Wait a minute, wait a minute! Everyone STOP! (the goddesses turn to her and stop what they are doing) Has anyone seen my apple of discord?
(the goddesses all look to Hera, who is holding the half eaten apple of discord raised up in the air)
Chorus: (Surprise Ah!)
Announcer: And that concludes our concert battle for today. Come back tomorrow for part two. Let’s give it up for our goddesses and gods:
Zeus! (Zeus and posse take a bow)
Ares! (Ares and posse take a bow)
Hera! (Hera and posse take a bow)
Athena! (Athena and posse take a bow)
See you next week for the finale!
Chorus / Fans:
This was a story
of heartache and glory,
We watched and learned,
how their fates always turned.
This golden apple,
Which caused discord,
Was very potent
And must not be ignored.
(Chorus/Fans leave the stage.)
Onstage, we see four distinct groups and their posses, Zeus and posse is downstage right, Hera and posse is upstage right, Ares and posse is upstage left and Athena and posse are downstage left. Hades is upstage left, watching and observing.
(The chorus enters excitedly with fan signs along the lines of I love Zeus etc. talk excitedly about the upcoming performance.)
Two halves of the chorus enter on either side of the audience, group one stage left an group two stage right, they remain in the audience.
Chorus / Fans:
This is a story
of heartache and glory,
Watch and learn,
how their fates always turn.
This golden apple,
Which causes discord,
Is very potent
And must not be ignored.
Announcer upper stage right, comes to centre stage.
Announcer: Are you ready?
Chorus: (cheers).
Announcer: Ladies and Gentlemen, Gods and Goddesses, mortals and monsters, welcome to the Mount Olympus concert and ultimate battle. Let’s begin!
Chorus: (cheers.)
Zeus, Hera, Ares and Athena take centrestage with one attendant each in tow.
Ares: (complaining) Man, I hate Zeus! Why does he get to be ruler?! Why not me?? Hmph! I'll give him a piece of my mind!
(Ares walks up to Zeus)
Zeus: (bored, sitting on his throne being fed grapes by Hera): Good afternoon son (yawn), what brings you here?
Ares: I’ve come to challenge you!!!!
Zeus: Fool! Who are you to challenge me?
Ares: F.Y.I, I’m the god of war.
Zeus (shakes his head and mumbles to himself): I should have thrown you off the Mountain instead of Hephaestus.
Ares (in a whiny voice): Mommy (talks to Hera), Daddy is hurting my feelings. I don’t like him. One day I’m going to rule Mount Olympus and throw daddy to the underworld.
Hera (sounding very bored as well): Good I’m becoming tired of him too! (Eats the grape she was about to feed Zeus)
Zeus: I’ll accept your wimpy challenge and open the competition to all the other gods and goddesses as well. I will show you all who’s boss!
All goddesses and gods go back to their respective corners, accept Zeus who mopes around the stage, starting at stage right and then going to stage left. Hades comes down to stage centre to meet Zeus for a “sketchy” exchange.
(as the chorus talks about the following sequence, it is being acted out onstage.)
Chorus 1:
It seems like Zeus is beginning to feel unusual. He isn’t sleeping, he isn’t eating. He doesn’t even enjoy throwing his thunder bolts. He’s riding his chariot to the underworld in secret.
Chorus 2: Zeus meets his brother Hades at the entrance. He asks Hades to help him. Zeus promises that if this is done, he will allow Hades to do anything he wants for a day. Hades accepts. (with an evil, exaggerated grin to the audience)
Announcer (like a boxing ring announcement): Now it is time for the battle! Introducing our competitors: First up, Zeus!
Zeus: (comes in like a boxer with a hoodie/cape and his entourage, then bares his muscles, his posse enters afterward.)
Zeus and posse take centre stage doing their boxing prep stance. Zeus sings 1st verse alone and then posse sings 2nd verse with him.
Zeus the king
with his thunderbolt ring
keeper of the high
and controller of the sky
Zeus the grand
with his ultimate command
with his mighty hand
he rules all the land
Chorus: (Cheers)
Zeus and posse return to downstage right.
Announcer: Ares!
(Ares enters with his war loving posse.)
Ares and posse enter from upstage left and take centre stage. Ares sings 1st verse solo and then with posse 2nd time
Ares:
I’m the god of war
I’m evil to the core
I want to rule the earth
I’ve known it since my birth
I know that I am beastly
But what do you expect me to do, really
Chorus: (Cheers)
Announcer: Introducing Hera!
(Hera enters with posse, a rockin’ all girl group.)
Hera enters from stage right, strikes the goddess pose and posse follows and strikes pose again.
Hera:
I run things `round here, yeah you better be scared
Hera: I GOT THE POWER!
Other goddesses: Yeeah
Hera: I GOT THE POWER!
Other Goddesses: Yeah! She got the power, she got it
All goddesses: Watch yourself YEAH!
Hera goes back to spot stage right.
Chorus: (Cheers)
Announcer: Last, but not least, Athena.
(Athena enters with posse.)
Athena with posse takes centre stage from stage downstage left. Athena sings first two lines solo and then posse joins in/
Athena:
There once was a goddess
her name was Athena
She always won
in the battle arena
But she never had a mate
and never went on a second date
Now this one Athena was the goddess of war
but many gods knew she could do much more
Announcer: Let the games begin! First up, the dance competition!
Gods dance, most dance very awkwardly in a variety of styles (e.g., hippie, disco, Egyptian, headbanging, ballet, etc.)
Announcer: Well that wasn’t pretty. And the winner is… Ares
Chorus 1: This rock battle has been going on for hours. The gods and goddesses are tied evenly. What will happen next?
Announcer: Are you all ready for the final battle? I said, are you all ready for the final battle?
Chorus: (Cheers.)
Announcer: Here we go!
( A matrix like battle ensues, with the goddesses coming out victorious because Hades helps them from the sidelines, represented by a matrix style dance/movement)
Hera’s posse & Zeus’ posse send out an imaginary fire ball to Ares’ and Athena’s posse who dodge it in matrix style poses. Ares and Athena fire back and all groups fall except Hera and posse. Hades is still upstage right watching.
Announcer: I now declare the winner of these games to be Hera and her fellow goddesses!
Hera and posse take centre stage and strike a pose.
Hera (making a speech to the crowd, including all the gods): As you may have heard, we WILL make Mt. Olympus a much, much, better place! (Applause) Thank you once again! (Waving to everyone)
(To Hades) Thanks for all your help, we couldn’t have done it without you.
Chorus: (all gasp and look surprised as well): Hades! (all point to Hades)
Hades comes centre stage.
Hades: Muah, ha, ha! No prob. It was real fun… to CHEAT that is! Ha, ha, ha, ha!
(raps.)
I’m a god; I’m a straight up G. The underworld is the life for me. Torturing by day; stealing souls by night. Being Hades is just alright. I left Mount Olympus at the age of 4, but everyone knows I’m the one they adore. I walked around town with huge acceleration, even though I didn’t get any education. I’m Hades.
(enter Zeus, who is outraged at seeing that Hades has double-crossed him, Zeus roars in anger)
Zeus: You! (points to Hades) I can’t believe it! You promised to help me win! Why have you betrayed me????
Hades: Actually, I promised to help you, not help you win. As to why I betrayed you, well you try ruling the filthy underworld! Now you will learn!
Chorus 2:
Hades drags Zeus down, down, down to the underworld. (Hades locks Zeus up and throws away the key) Mount Olympus is enjoying a time of peace and happiness while Hera and the other goddesses rule.
Hera and posse create a lounging tableau centre stage.
The gods are also busy… cooking, cleaning, and doing all the work that the goddesses used to do…Things stay this way for a long, long, time.
Zeus’ posse makes a scrubbing the floors action, Athena’s posse makes
Then, one day, the gods served a huge banquet
Food covered the table like a warm thick blanket
On Hera’s plate was the most beautiful fruit,
A golden apple that was really cute.
She couldn’t resist and took a bite,
even though there was something not right
about the way the gods were grinning
just as they had when they were winning.
(Hera starts to feel unwell. Almost immediately, she starts yelling at the other goddesses and bossing them around. Soon, they are all screaming at each other, arguing over how things should be done and fighting over the golden apple. The goddesses start throwing food at each other)
Annnouncer: Now Eris enters the stage. What’s he doing here?
Eris: Wait a minute, wait a minute! Everyone STOP! (the goddesses turn to her and stop what they are doing) Has anyone seen my apple of discord?
(the goddesses all look to Hera, who is holding the half eaten apple of discord raised up in the air)
Chorus: (Surprise Ah!)
Announcer: And that concludes our concert battle for today. Come back tomorrow for part two. Let’s give it up for our goddesses and gods:
Zeus! (Zeus and posse take a bow)
Ares! (Ares and posse take a bow)
Hera! (Hera and posse take a bow)
Athena! (Athena and posse take a bow)
See you next week for the finale!
Chorus / Fans:
This was a story
of heartache and glory,
We watched and learned,
how their fates always turned.
This golden apple,
Which caused discord,
Was very potent
And must not be ignored.
(Chorus/Fans leave the stage.)
7th Class Heaven...Sort of
We are nearing the end of this process and I have to say it has definitely been a learning experience for me and fun too!
This week was a bit chaotic, but as Adam said productive as well. Amanda and Mubeen's class was up first. Most of their roles had been cast, but there had been a few still left, so we took some time to figure that out. I also thought it would be a good idea to run through the music once. The students are still learning the songs and because they had had a busy last few weeks, I don't think that they had a chance to rehearse very often. They did very well with some refreshing of the material and I have every confidence that they will be able to pull it off well. I got right into blocking with this group and tried to keep it as simple as possible. We managed to get through about three quarters of the piece though and I hoped to get to the end, but we will finish it next week.
For Sona's class, things went similiarly. They had completed all the casting and it was done very well! I will echo Adam's sentiment that Kaya who is playing Anansi is very talented in singing and acting. I have no doubt she will shine. Sona's class is very enthusiastic about the project which resulted in a little too much talking. Because we had to get through the blocking, I had to make it clear that now was the time to concentrate and to keep quiet and not move unless told to. This worked fine and we managed to block the entire piece and run the blocking once with instructions from me. We also did manage to integrate the music on the second run of the blocking, but this needs to be refined further. Music wise, Kaya had created her own melody for the walking song and it was excellent! Adam and I were delighted. Sona's class also needed a refresher on the music as they too had had a busy week.
It was a tiring day for me as trying to get that amount of students to concentrate, go to their spots and retain some of the blocking was a challenge. I will stand by the fact that I don't know how teachers do their job and so well! After two hours, I needed a nap.
Anyway, for both classes it is super important that they take 30 minutes minimum to rehease the music and be familiar with it. Sona's class should also review the ending dance if they have the time. I have inserted the blocking into the scripts, so if by some miracle they have the time to rehearse the play with blocking, great. If not, I'd say that this is not top priority, reviewing the music is.
Next week is our last official week, but Adam and I will be returning on March 30th for a final performance for a larger group of students. I think for next week, we will spend 45 minutes with each class refining the piece before they present the operas for each other. They can definitely be on book, (i.e with scripts in hand) for next week and hopefully off book and memorized for the performance at the end of the month.
Looking forward to next week to see them do their thing.
I will post the scripts in a seperate post!
Sedina
This week was a bit chaotic, but as Adam said productive as well. Amanda and Mubeen's class was up first. Most of their roles had been cast, but there had been a few still left, so we took some time to figure that out. I also thought it would be a good idea to run through the music once. The students are still learning the songs and because they had had a busy last few weeks, I don't think that they had a chance to rehearse very often. They did very well with some refreshing of the material and I have every confidence that they will be able to pull it off well. I got right into blocking with this group and tried to keep it as simple as possible. We managed to get through about three quarters of the piece though and I hoped to get to the end, but we will finish it next week.
For Sona's class, things went similiarly. They had completed all the casting and it was done very well! I will echo Adam's sentiment that Kaya who is playing Anansi is very talented in singing and acting. I have no doubt she will shine. Sona's class is very enthusiastic about the project which resulted in a little too much talking. Because we had to get through the blocking, I had to make it clear that now was the time to concentrate and to keep quiet and not move unless told to. This worked fine and we managed to block the entire piece and run the blocking once with instructions from me. We also did manage to integrate the music on the second run of the blocking, but this needs to be refined further. Music wise, Kaya had created her own melody for the walking song and it was excellent! Adam and I were delighted. Sona's class also needed a refresher on the music as they too had had a busy week.
It was a tiring day for me as trying to get that amount of students to concentrate, go to their spots and retain some of the blocking was a challenge. I will stand by the fact that I don't know how teachers do their job and so well! After two hours, I needed a nap.
Anyway, for both classes it is super important that they take 30 minutes minimum to rehease the music and be familiar with it. Sona's class should also review the ending dance if they have the time. I have inserted the blocking into the scripts, so if by some miracle they have the time to rehearse the play with blocking, great. If not, I'd say that this is not top priority, reviewing the music is.
Next week is our last official week, but Adam and I will be returning on March 30th for a final performance for a larger group of students. I think for next week, we will spend 45 minutes with each class refining the piece before they present the operas for each other. They can definitely be on book, (i.e with scripts in hand) for next week and hopefully off book and memorized for the performance at the end of the month.
Looking forward to next week to see them do their thing.
I will post the scripts in a seperate post!
Sedina
Hi All!
So here's the update from my end...
Yesterday's classes were busy and productive. The first class was Amanda and Mubeen's class, and we started by enquiring where the kids were at with the project, since it has been two weeks since we saw them last. They have evidently made some cool costumes and props, and they had worked on learning the script. They were broken up into 'posses' to go along with each god/goddess, and the roles were cast for Zeus, Aries, Athena, etc. Sedina and I then ran through the songs with the kids...they didn't have the chance to really listen to the music I sent them, but both teachers should have the cd by tomorrow via Sedina (since she lives close by). If they can listen lots over the next week, they'll be able to get those songs in their heads. Once we had reviewed the songs, Sedina started to run through with blocking, and with the incoporation of music. I have been taking the themes of each god/goddess's song and weaving this out into incidental music on the piano. We didn't make it through the whole piece, but they got a substantial part of the opera blocked.
Sona's class was a little different; they already had assigned a girl the role of Anansi, and she proved to be quite the talent both in acting and singing. We went through the songs first and then Sedina took the actors/dancers for blocking and I took the drummers for work on the accompanying drumming. We talked about drumming at different dynamics to accomodate/accompany the singers. Near the end of the class, we joined forces and ran through the whole thing. It was a bit haphazard, but for a first run-through all together, it went very well.
I'm looking forward to continuing to develop the pieces now that they are all coming together as a whole.
Adam
So here's the update from my end...
Yesterday's classes were busy and productive. The first class was Amanda and Mubeen's class, and we started by enquiring where the kids were at with the project, since it has been two weeks since we saw them last. They have evidently made some cool costumes and props, and they had worked on learning the script. They were broken up into 'posses' to go along with each god/goddess, and the roles were cast for Zeus, Aries, Athena, etc. Sedina and I then ran through the songs with the kids...they didn't have the chance to really listen to the music I sent them, but both teachers should have the cd by tomorrow via Sedina (since she lives close by). If they can listen lots over the next week, they'll be able to get those songs in their heads. Once we had reviewed the songs, Sedina started to run through with blocking, and with the incoporation of music. I have been taking the themes of each god/goddess's song and weaving this out into incidental music on the piano. We didn't make it through the whole piece, but they got a substantial part of the opera blocked.
Sona's class was a little different; they already had assigned a girl the role of Anansi, and she proved to be quite the talent both in acting and singing. We went through the songs first and then Sedina took the actors/dancers for blocking and I took the drummers for work on the accompanying drumming. We talked about drumming at different dynamics to accomodate/accompany the singers. Near the end of the class, we joined forces and ran through the whole thing. It was a bit haphazard, but for a first run-through all together, it went very well.
I'm looking forward to continuing to develop the pieces now that they are all coming together as a whole.
Adam
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