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.