SOCIAL NIGHT 2009 – MOST HIGHLY ANTICIPATED EVENT OF THE YEAR

A ONE NIGHT EXTRAVAGANZA

Social Night Invitation SOCIAL NIGHT 2009 – MOST HIGHLY ANTICIPATED EVENT OF THE YEAR

MAKE RESERVATIONS WITH R.R.PRAVIN at R_R_Pravin@hotmail.com to be part of SOCIAL NIGHT 2009

THE WAIT IS OVER

THE BIGGEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR IS NOW HERE

BE PART OF THIS SPECIAL EVENT FOR YOU

ACSIS Reflections – 26/08/09

Today’s drama workshop was awesome, as always. We started off with the usual walk-around-the dance-studio-doing-this activity. This time it was to fall down three times in a count of ten and make sure it looks as natural as possible. Ouch but interesting.

The next activity was miming. We were split into two groups and as a group we were to pretend that we were pushing something very heavy and the other group had to figure out what we were pushing. Then my group had to pretend to fill up a bucket with water and pretend that we had to carry it back (by the way, the bucket was very heavy).The other group had pretend to fill up a basket with anything they wanted to until it was full and carry it back. Through this activity we learnt that our body language was very important in making the simplest of actions seem real.

Then we had this activity where one person had to act as a foreign shopper who doesn’t know English and he has to buy an item with detailed descriptions. The two shopkeepers have to figure out what the foreigner is trying to buy. This was a hilarious activity and the audience sure had a good laugh. The foreigners came up with interesting languages and ways of communication to get their ideas across to the shopkeepers. The shopkeepers too let their creative juices flow and came up with many possible products that they thought that the foreigner wanted.  Everyone did a good job and De Zhong was the most successful foreign shopper and his efforts surely must be commended.

The last activity for the day, of course, was the performances. In small groups of about four or five we had to work around given parameters to produce a short skit. Within the group there must be two distinct groups of people. The first group must be engaged in an activity which they are all happily, or rather comfortably doing. Then the other group enters and they are not welcome. Nonetheless, the first group has to be hospitable and yet somehow get rid of the second group without them knowing that they’re being gotten rid of.

All the groups added some comical elements to their skits for a change instead of the angst filled performances we typically came up with. The plots that the groups came up with were all original and well thought out even though we were only given a short period of about forty minutes to prepare for it. The performances were about a loud cousin and her friends interrupting a business discussion, a family new to the neighbourhood visiting their neighbours ( the wives happen to be secondary school classmates) and a husband bringing his wife to meet her ex husband. The last plot was performed by Jin Yee, Si Yinn, Raja and Joel and it was the best performance. This group delivered their lines clearly and it was evident that they had utilised their time well and rehearsed well.

Of course it wasn’t just all play. We learnt the importance of using space well and also how foreground and background could be used to enhance the performances. The session ended happily with all of us learning something new about drama. Oh yeah! Drama camp is just a few days away! I am totally excited and can’t wait for Friday. I hope all of you are looking forward to it tooJ

- K G Lavanya

SOCIAL NIGHT 2009 – MOST HIGHLY-ANTICIPATED EVENT OF THE YEAR

A ONE NIGHT EXTRAVAGANZA

Social Night Invitation SOCIAL NIGHT 2009 – MOST HIGHLY ANTICIPATED EVENT OF THE YEAR

MAKE RESERVATIONS WITH R.R.PRAVIN at R_R_Pravin@hotmail.com to be part of SOCIAL NIGHT 2009

THE WAIT IS OVER

THE BIGGEST NIGHT OF THE YEAR IS NOW HERE

BE PART OF THIS SPECIAL EVENT FOR YOU

 

LuluLala Si yinn’s Reflection

The main activity we undertook for drama this week comprised of a short dialogue between two characters. After being split up into pairs, each group was handed a different script. This was indeed a challenging and exciting exercise as although we were putting up a scripted ‘play’, we had the freedom to come up with the specific settings, characterisation and a rough idea of our storyline. The lines given were relatively ambiguous and could have occurred under various circumstances. It was therefore, exceptionally interesting as my partner and I had different perceptions of the script and had to act out the few interpretations before deciding on the most suitable one. This short and succinct script has enabled us to exercise our creativity, and hone our spontaneity and drama skills. This duo performance has also taught me how essential it is to build a good rapport (‘chemistry’) with your fellow team-mate. With both roles being equally vital, every line has to be delivered well and every emotion has to be felt from within. Also, good interaction between characters is crucial in creating a smooth flow of conversation, enabling audience to be immersed in the atmosphere of the story to be told.

A segment of the workshop that I would always look forward to is when the entire drama club comes together after rehearsal time and is treated to enjoyable presentations by each group. Sure enough, each and every item, being unique and special in its own way, is a joy to watch. As no two performances are exactly the same, audiences gain a more intriguing and pleasant experience. Besides appreciating the creativity, wit and humour of every performance, we were more importantly, given an opportunity to learn from one another. The enriching feedback sessions by both teachers and club members are something I truly value. We have come to learn to accept both criticisms and praises with an open heart, keeping in mind our strengths and weaknesses, and continuing to strive to do better at the next performance. This is in my opinion, what spurs ACSIS to excel and soar to great heights. Details pointed out may seem insignificant like the handling of stage space for example. However, it is pointers like these that definitely go a long way in ensuring the success of future shows to come. Till now, every single session has been an unforgettable experience, a journey that has thought me that just as we can never stop learning, we can never stop growing. Every insight we have gained, every skill we have developed will I believe, mould us into better stage performers.

The session ended on a positive note. As drama camp begins in two weeks’ time, we will get a chance to strengthen our bonds with our peers, get to know one another better, create an identity as a Year 5 cohort and have lots of fun together! Seniors’ night will also be an absolutely awesome event as we show our appreciation for our beloved Year 6s who have certainly been greatly missed at workshops! Once again, I would like to say A BIG THANK YOU TO ALL YEAR SIXES! I want to say so many things but I don’t know where to start haha but sometimes I really cannot imagine what the club would be like without you guys around, your talents, humour, advice, support etc and the countless amazing things you guys have done are something I will always remember (: We year 5s, indeed have large shoes to fill Haha all the same, we will do our very best to live up to your legacy and uphold the good name of the club! J All the best year sixes with all that you all are facing now, IOC, EE, IAs and what not, know that the club will always be behind you guysJ

H IS FOR HANTU – ACSIS CLUB OUTING 21/08/09

Dear One & All,

On the 21^st of August 2009, a group of ACSIS members together with our teacher Mr. Ferdinand Quek, went to Alliance Franςaise Theatre to watch the musical-comedy H IS FOR HANTU. The musical comedy was about a young Malay boy who did not want to upgrade from kampong to HDB. He wanted to fight for the rights of the Hantus who resided in the kampong. Even though the odds were against him, the Hantus helped him to save the kampong. However, the HDB officer is a stubborn woman who wants to get rid of the kampong. However, every night she mysteriously returns to the kampong looking for something. She is possessed by her best friend who died many years ago in that very kampong…

Directed by Mr. Jonathan Lim, one of Singapore’s leading directors, H IS FOR HANTU is one of the best local productions I have personally seen in my life. The cast was excellent and so full of life. The quality of acting was amazing. Each character was as humorous as ever. The audience roared with laughter and many almost fell of their seats because this play was a satire of urbanisation and technology. The characters interacted with the audience and this enhanced the ambience in the theatre.

The script was flawless. It injected comedy at the right points of time and the flow of the story was indeed praiseworthy. The dialogue was relevant and the setting was awesome (especially the cute little MRT at the back). The stage came alive and the props were beautiful. Moreover, this was no ordinary musical. It involved the skilful use of Indonesian Shadow Puppetry and other forms of puppetry which were really effective.

Personally, I never watch locally-produced musicals because I do not really think that they can match up to the standards of international ones but my opinions have since changed after watching H IS FOR HANTU. I could not stop laughing throughout the play and I felt that those who did not get an opportunity to watch the play, YOU HAVE MISSED A ONCE-IN-A-LIFETIME opportunity because the audience were heavily involved- we were singing and clapping along with the characters. This musical was a unique experience for me because it had a Singaporean flavour to it and it was very well incorporated with the supernatural stuff. Furthermore, the songs in this play were really catchy and the singers were Xcellent!

If we had a chance to do H IS FOR HANTU, I think we would surely enjoy doing it as a club. After this play, I had an entire new impression of Hantus and trust me, if you watch it, you would to. Congratulations to ALL the cast and THANK YOU to everyone who took time off their busy schedules to come down. I think you’ll agree with me that we had a WHALE OF A TIME and we learnt alot of Malay words too.

By the way, if you still have no clue about what this musical comedy is about and you are eager to know more, go and GOOGLE it out:)

Written By: R.R.Pravin, 5.04 Numbers, 23 August 2009

Nikhil:

DE BOMB…one word to describe the Festivle Of Arts . Life suddenly feels so empty and it ‘reverbs the hollowness’ of the fact that my journey in ACSIS has come to a memorable end. FOA was just so awesome. The collaboration between ACDC and ACSIS resulted in an experience i would never forget.  Working with a senior from the boot polish era all the way till working with feasants from year 1. The whole journey has been brilliant! Ever since the FOA, I’ve begun to have a penchant for Michael Jackson songs! That definitely brings back memories of the crazy atmosphere backstage and during the interval where everyone was “letting themselves go”. All in all, the friendships forged, the jokes cracked, the drama room destroyed, will forever remain etched in my heart. Special mention to the feasants. You people were brilliant! gave the show a whole new dimension. As we rehearsed more and more, i just got more interested in the play. The british accents, the blackadder humour and of course the facial expressions of MANY actors. I too fear that theatre in college will be no where as fun and crazed as ACSIS. Drama is truly a part of my identity I’d always resonate with.

 The Thwarting of Baron bolligrew was a holistic amalgam of fun, craze, entertainment and mirth. Right from the costume camewhoring all the way to the prop making, I’d remember every single second. The teachers, Mr Connor AKA dragon, Mr Ferd Quek, and Mdm Herzog were exceptional and without their guidance, direction and support, we’d all have been lost. I really look up to them and hope that some day I too would be able to inspire passion and life into others the same way they have done in me.

 The seniors who helped us with our acting and blocking were awesome and made the whole experience even more fun than it already was. I would definitely emulate them by lending a hand in future productions! For ACSIS has truly been the zenith of my 5th and 6th year in ACSI. I vehemently beleive that the year 5’s and the ACDC will carry on the legacy and brand name we have established. As for me, I will treasure my place in ACSIS for life and look back at the memories with collosal amounts of nostalgia. Hopefully i’d have a chance to work with these people again as they have been simply wonderful.

 

The curtains of theatre draws to a close,
Surely something I would miss I suppose.
Memories forever etched in my heart,
An experience I’d call state-of-the-art.
So The Thwarting of Baron Bolligew,
I hope we all could have a Deja-vous.
Thank you everyone, you have been so kind,
Journey has your life and mine intertwined.

 ~Nikhil Srinidhi~

Reflections/Extended Essay by Bingei

DISCLAIMER: As cliché as this will sound, time flies by like a lightning flash, especially in IB. Since this is my last drama post, this will be self-indulgent and a long and boring read. (I’m kidding.) Drama has always been a fundamental part of my school life in ACS(i), and no doubt, a CCA which has taken up the largest proportion of my time. If I could sum up my experience in ACSIS in the past 2 years in a word/phrase/sentence, it would be.. beyond summation. (No, I’m serious this time.) Instead I would like address the 3 lessons (actually much more but I don’t this to be an EE) I have learnt from my experiences in drama.

The 3 lessons I learnt in drama:

1. Playing the role of an actor in drama productions has helped me to develop confidence on stage. With increasing exposure and experiences in drama productions, I felt that my self-consciousness and stage fright slowly disintegrated throughout the 6 years of performance. I recall when I was Secondary 1 (yes, I was in Drama since Sec.1), I would literally shake in sheer trepidation before I went on stage, to act as a young boy fantasizing about being a soldier and pretending to shoot with a toy gun. I started the play, and it was tremendously scary experience, especially the moments leading to the start. As the MC clinically reads out the opening message, I was trying to grab hold of any person on stage left to hug in a valiant but futile attempt to calm my nerves. However, once the curtains open and it’s time to go out and do your thing, the nerves magically began to disappear. I had undergone this same experience but in less dramatic extent in my 6 years, such that it feels natural, or even feels good. Acting in Baron Bolligrew was an enriching challenge. Trying to keep myself awake for almost 1 hour in my bird costume, constrained within a claustrophobia-inducing space with my mind precariously about to fall asleep was definitely something novel. Thank heavens for RedBull. To cut the cock and bull story short, I learnt that anyone can be an actor if they want to, as long as you grab a hold yourself, take the chance, take the risk of possibly shaming yourself on stage. Who knows it will not be a farce but actually become something impressive? You’ll never know until you try. Above all, always remember to chill and HAVE FUN pretending to be another person/animal/alien/boss/pirate. J
2. Directing is much harder than I thought. I have never understood the full extent, the massive requirements and expectations, the numerous aspects of a play until I directed ‘An MRT Ride’. There are so many things on your plate, which you have to be responsible for. It was a definitely a stressful experience for me and I finally understood the pressures of delivering a good play on the teachers, by getting the opportunity to be in their shoes. It drove home the message that the turning a play into reality is not a 1-person job. If there was one thing to take away from it, it would be a reminder that I had to further develop a more perceptive eye for acting. As a director, one must be clear and sensitive to the knitty-gritties of acting, or the simple but extremely essential things which I tended to overlook, such as the positioning of actors, body language, etc.. to put up a good show. I was reminded that there are always better ways of executing a line or a scene. I ultimately learnt that a ‘good’ actor does not equate to a ‘good’ director, and was humbled by the experience.
3. 3.       Apologies if my reflection seems biased because my experience in drama is largely acting-based. However, I also understand the pains and struggles of the process behind-the-scenes. I painted rocks, perspired like a dog in a microwave when I was in Secondary 1, and had paint all over my t-shirt which could not be removed by the toughest of detergents. This year was de ja vu, but it was a pity the rocks weren’t used. Too bad. Doing lights and sounds for ‘An MRT Ride’ was really tough. Getting the cues executed at the right time is very tough; you have to keep your focus throughout the whole length of the show (unlike acting where you can afford a little ‘breathing space’ to relax before the next time you appear on stage. That is like F1 racing; one moment of distraction could ‘screw up’ the race, in this case the performance. So basically, respect to y’all (Thumps chest), the Stage Crew, the Prop-makers, the Sound & Light Team, the Costume Team, the Make-up team. You are in no way peripheral. You are fundamental in the process and you deserve the respect for your contribution in your area.
4. I could have done much, much more as president. So, Mr.Chong, this part is ‘dedicated’ to you. The key lesson I learnt or have yet to continue improving after my experience as president, is that a leader has to be assertive. A leader has to have a strong personal opinion on matters and not sway easily to the numerous contrasting views of other members, but at the same time, to have an open mind for others’ opinions. A leader must have good judgment, be decisive and quickly execute once a decision is made.

All these lessons could have never been inculcated into me without the help of the ACSIS teacher-advisors: Mr. Ferdinand Quek, Mr. Brian Connor and Mdm. Manjit Kaur, and will be impossible to put all of them in black and white. The most important lessons I have learnt from these teachers, other than those which I have already mentioned above, are firstly, their critical eye of objective judgment which has earned my respect, as well as, their ability to balance humour and seriousness during production. I thank you for your immeasurable contributions to the club and to my personal growth through drama.

ACSIS EXCO and ACSIS Members, thank you for making drama really fun and exciting with all your idiosyncrasies. That’s what the drama club needs – retarded, crazy eccentrics (I’m half serious, half joking on this one ). Variety breeds creativity. We all have our own talents and we want to bring something new and different to the plate. A ham sandwich here, a salad dressing there and we have a palatable meal. So, thank you for the colourful friendships and bonds we have made through drama, for the encouragements, for sharing late-night rehearsals, eating fried rice at 10pm whilst getting lectured, for singing and dancing on stage like a mad-man during intermission, for painting eggs together and so much more.

Once again, thank you Sirs, Mdm, EXCO and the members of ACSIS (2008-2009) for the privilege to serve you and be part of the ACSIS family in these 2 years.

FOA: Pravin’s Reflection

The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew was a British Play written by Robert Bolt. This year, ACSIS & ACDC did a combined performance and made the play their own. Time, effort and money were spent on making the play one of the best plays in ACS history. Diverse talents ranging from the budding juniors to the seasoned seniors were showcased in the play which left an indelible mark on all in the audience.

Sir. Oblong embarks on a voyage to save the Bolligrew Islands where the notorious Baron Bolligrew and his loyal assistant Brainless Blackheart rule with an iron fist over destitute peasants. A truly animated play enhanced by vibrant lighting effects, entertaining musical tunes and wonderful props, Festival of Arts Drama 2009 was (in my opinion) the greatest legacy the Year 6s left behind for the Year 5s to emulate.

Hard work was paramount to success. Teachers Mr. Brian Connor, Mr. Ferdinand Quek, Mdm. Andriany Tee, Mdm. Herzog and Mdm. Bose toiled laboriously and the astounding success of this production was purely a fruit of their labour. Seniors and juniors alike worked hard day and night, perfecting lines, working together to construct complex props and working towards making the show a great one!

As the Lord Mayor, it was an amazing experience for me altogether. I could feel the oneness of drama both past and present culminating in the show. The prolific acting, the immense effort and the drama onstage and backstage was simply terrific! Everyone played their roles both on and offstage. Through the thick and the thin, I learnt from my seniors that perseverance is vital. To make a show the best show ever, one has to maximise his potential and go all out.

Initially, the show was an unpolished rough diamond but after everyone did their best, the show was the brightest diamond ever. A man’s gotta do what a man’s gotta do and likewise, everyone did what they had to do; GIVE IT THEIR BEST and in my opinion, ALL OF YOU did more than your best and my heartiest congratulations to thatJ even from the poorest peasant to the sinister Molocha to the timidly Lord Mayor to the Dignified Duke and to of course the knights in shining armour.

After the show ended, everyone bid farewell to each other. We were all filled with relief but we will definitely miss the Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew. I will truly miss working with the fun-loving juniors whom I really cherished my time with. The Year 6s, without whom the show would not have survived, the new generation of ACSIS will try their best to emulate you since you are our role-models. We wish you from the bottom of our hearts ALL THE BEST for your IB ExaminationsJ

Here are some quotes from the cast and crew. I felt that everyone needed to chip in because my reflections would not be complete without including some words from the best of ACDC and ACSIS, the best of both worlds.

“Staying until midnight to do the lights was exhausting but when everyone clapped after seeing the moon came out during the show, I felt an indescribable joy”

• Yr 5 Ooi Zi Hao, Spot-Lights I.C.

“A truly enriching experience, the juniors learnt from the discipline and the experience of the seniors. Hopefully working together on the play will spur ACDC onto greater heights in the future”

• Mark Ong, ACDC President, Peasant

“I never knew I could paint until I did this show – Obidiah’s eggs were so beautiful I almost cried when they shone on stage – I am so proud of drama and the Yr 6 cast was AWESOME la”

• K G Lavanya, Props I.C.

“Taking on an interesting roles with no lines to memorise was a new experience! Stage make-up for the peasants was unforgettable-the boot polish, poster paint from Cao, our wonderful seniorJ It was difficult but after a lot of hard work, I learnt that every character is equally important and without focus, nothing can be achieved!”

• Clement Yue, ACDC President, Peasant

“This FOA really saw the efforts of all the members working together to put up a great show and that was very heartwarming – I was moved to tears and am so proud to be EXCO 08-09”

• Yvonne Mak, ACSIS Vice President, Molocha

“Exhausting and time consuming as it may have been, the FOA production we put up was very educational, an unforgettable eye-opener and an amazing experience. I enjoyed almost every second of it. More pleaseJ”

• Chester Chong, ACSIS Incoming President, Assistant Stage Manager

As you can see, it was a wonderful experience none of us will ever forget for a long time but once again, “Here I come Dragon, Fear Me Dragon, Rrrrao” – ooo scary right? Well if it wasn’t, don’t blame me, I’m delicately situatedJ

The End.

Written By: R.R.Pravin, 2009-08-10

Danyal of ACDC: Working with ACSIS

My time among my usual ACDC members and with some old, some new, friends from ACSIS was amazing.  The FOA rehearsals leading up to the FOA was nothing more than sheer delight as I attended them. Although some tiring, I enjoyed every moment. I will never forget the cheers and laughs of the audience, dancing backstage to Michael Jackson music, hearing “a man’s got to do what a man’s got to do!” a trillionth time. The 3 performances were just fantastic. No words can describe the number of new and old friends I met and what enjoyable times we had before and during the performances. GOSH, I will really miss FOA! I’ll surely miss the great friendships formed and just being together with everyone, on stage, backstage, or in the make-up room. “Bobblenob, the egg painter” thanks ACSIS for the most wonderful experience I could not have gained any where else.

Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew