Design Day

WOW to all those who those who participated in design day today!  2.5 hours passed so quickly it seemed like 5 minutes.  All of the students worked very hard to create their sets and costumes for their operas, I had great helpers setting up, and I found that everyone was excellent at assisting with clean-up.

Both classes were introduced to design and we discussed how props, sets, and costumes can help to tell the story as well transform the characters on stage.

In Amanda and Mubeen's class the students weren't given roles yet, so we assigned each of the students to a design job, which may or may not become their final role.  I felt like most of the students did know who they would like to be though, and that hopefully their won't be too many problems with switching, if at all, later on.

The designs made included:

Headpieces for Zeus, Hera, Hades, Athena, Ares, and Eris characters.

A giant golden apple, a giant key, as well as "fan" signs.

In Sona's class students collaborated to create a giant mosaic of the Niger river, which will later have fish, seaweed and electric eels added to it (I believe they are done but not glued on yet).

Other designs included:

Hand-made African print sashes for all the villagers, spider legs for Anansi, a mask for the evil lion, as well as a potion bottle.

I had a lot of fun and look forward to hearing how the designs turn out once they are all finally completed.  I think there are probably a few staples and a bit more glue that will have to be added, but not too much.

Thanks for a great day!

Andy Miller

Design Preparation

Hello All!

Looking forward to design day Tuesday Feb. 17th.

I've planned a great workshop day for your classes and have spoken to Sedina about working on some fun projects to get your groups underway with the design portion of their operas.

As mentioned in my email as well, it would be great to have your students assigned to parts so that they know who their characters are before I arrive on Tuesday.

Sona: for your class the students will be working on -

1. A spider headpiece or costume that works for 3 characters playing the part

2. An evil lion headpiece or costume

3. A giant backdrop with trees (and possibly huts) that the other students will be working on

Mubeen and Amanda: for your class the students will be working on -

1. Headpieces for the Gods & Goddesses and possibly some props such as scepters and lighting

2. Rock n' Roll fan posters that the chorus group will be working on.

Also, with regard to the email that I sent with a list of materials to prepare, let me know if there is anything that you will need us to provide beyond what you have there in stock.  The COC will prepare a kit but I will have to know by Friday Feb. 13 what you do or don't have.  

Looking forward to working with all of you!

Andy Miller