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

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.

Shubbit:

Wow.

I lie here on my bed, overwhelmed by IOC, listening to Michael Jackson and reminiscing about all the thrill and excitement that life had during FOA. Exactly one week back, we were all standing anxiously backstage while Chester uttered the words, “The Thwarting of Baron Bolligrew”, almost drowned out by the cheer of the crowd. I continuously see flashing images of the crowd that night, repeatedly hear Edward successfully delivering his last line, and feel chills running down my spine every time I remember the curtains finally closing for the last time. I recall telling myself over and over again that that was the best, most rewarding day of my life, and I still stand by that claim.
I cannot begin to imagine, if that one day in ACSIS could present experiences so fulfilling, what two whole years have given me. I honestly believe that joining the club late in year 5 has made me cherish my place here so much more. Going through such a struggle to join the club last year has made me savour every moment being in it. Being around such awesome teachers and friends has instilled in me a passion for acting and performing that I could never have attained from anywhere else.

I must thank the teachers Mr Connor, Mr Quek and Mrs Herzog for being such great inspirations to me throughout my time in the club. Without your guidance at every step, I don’t think every member could have developed such astounding talent that was shown during the performances. Of course the fundamentals come from workshops, and I believe that everything you have done so consistently every Wednesday has led to the magnitude of what we are today.

To members of ACSIS: I love you guys more than words can wield the matter (mind the unnecessary reference). You all are hands down the coolest, most talented, most accommodating, most creative, most resourceful, most amazing, most inspiring people I know. A huge part of my life in IB would be incomplete without you guys. For the Year 6s, as we are about to graduate from school and part our ways, and it is my only fear that I may never meet people like you again because you all just make life so much more worth living. Honest!

Of course, to the Year 5s: I hope you understand that you have a huge legacy to carry on. You have to sustain the club’s image as the coolest, most fun and exhilarating CCA in school. Period. Now that the Year 6s leave, I hope you feel a greater sense of responsibility on your shoulders; you are the next seniors. I remember when we had our first workshop without our seniors last year. It was awkward at first but gradually, we developed a stronger sense of ownership towards the club. Now, you have no seniors to shelter or mask you. You are ACSIS. Make the club your own, and take it to where it has never gone before.

At this point, I find that I still cannot move on. I still have the desire to go for workshops every Wednesday, and I still feel like stepping into the shoes of Bolligrew now and then. I actually have this uncontrollable urge to twitch my eyebrows all the time, its scary! Well, there’s nothing left for me to do now but struggle to find ways to live without drama.

Farewell, as I try to come to terms with this loss. Shubhit

Yvonne:

where do i begin. it’s starting to sink in now.
no more:
-330 wednesdays and whining
-pre-foa-week 10pm nights in the drama room slaving away constructing things like sniperly and rocks
-dover market escapades to buy life-essential glue and nippon paint
-thinking of excuses to cover up for exco malfunction
-being lady macbeth michael jackson during intermission
-mass red bull consumption
-indian > chinese
-doing exercises like pretending to be seed and growing into a tree or “curling up like a foetus”
-point circle which always, always failed
-overload of inappropriate jokes
-breaking into small groups and the short performances which permanently involved gays, sex or both. (somehow they were always managed to be weaved in)
-miming exercise. there was only one. painting a box around ourselves and then painting a door and emerging from it.
-sleeping on the drama room couch with the mysterious dirty pillow
-prancing around dance studio
-cleaning drama room
-screaming at people to take their shoes off in the drama room
-stealing drama room key

there is so much more that i am going to miss about acsis. so much i have learnt.
stupid as it sounds, this has honestly been the most exhilerating journey of my life. you have all been such a family. a solace where i am always and completely myself: this space and culture we have moulded into our own. this warmth just made all the stress and late nights and suffering and sacrifice worth it.
to sexco: you are all honestly the greatest people i have met in my life. i don’t know what last year was, but this year you all morphed into godlike beings, unleashing this slew of talent, creativity, commitment, and resourcefulness. i think it’s only a pity the teachers and the rest of the club never get to witness this amazing side of you.
to teachers: thank you for your guidance this one and a half years. i would not have grown so much as a performer without your help and the opportunities you’ve given me. also thank you for the occasional injections of the very-un-teacherly casual sides of you which make rehearsal/workshops all the more hilarious.

i’m so glad our last performance (and night together) turned out so flawless. the independence we had this time really brought us together as an entire club, and it made this play so much our own.
thank you guys. for all the fragments of beautiful, for creating this picture perfection. people always ask me if i made the right decision coming to this school and i never knew what to say. but now, if i had to find a reason, i guess this would be it.

xx
yvonne

Amil:

It is no understatement when I say that my two years in ACSIS were the most exciting of my life. I will long remember the excitement (and last-minute panic) of productions as well as the weekly buzz of workshops. Sacrificing sleep, staying in school late with my friends has all been worth it. There have been difficult times, but I love my stint in the club no less. I owe much of my experiences in ACSIS to our talented teachers Mr Connor, Mr Quek, Mrs Yeo Mrs Herzog, and thank them. I will surely be part of the alumni, and hope to be able to contribute more to the club in the future.

Amil

Eileen: First workshop without the Y6s

Today’s drama session felt a little empty- it was our first session after the end of our Festival of Arts performance, also our first session without the Year 6s. Suddenly, there seemed to be an abundance of space in the Drama Room, which fitted all of us snugly before. Nevertheless, the Year 5s learnt a precious lesion after doing various workshop activities, starting with a facial warm up and ending with a short act.

Everyone had fun at first, having to neigh like a horse and at the same time gallop like one around the room, but still conscious of the space between us and others. We saw each others’ “unglam” sides, laughed at our silliness, and learnt to incorporate the skills we learnt from previous workshops- the ability to sense and perceive distance. Next up was the point circle, which we, regretfully, after five tries, still did not succeed in completing the task. Perhaps it was the nerves, or simply because we were not yet coordinated, but in the end we had surely gained one thing- unity. Everyone thought not just about getting yourself across the circle, but everyone else too.  We learnt to begin with the end in mind.

For me, the most interesting part of the workshop was the mannequin challenge- we were divided into two teams, and each team had to decide on the sale of an item and set up members of the other teams as mannequins to reflect the item that we had in mind. Within a short timeframe of just 5 minutes, my team discussed and came up with the concept, as well as our action plan. Through this, I saw for myself the power of one simple action and the volume it speaks. I had fun arranging my drama mates as mannequins, as well as being arranged. It was hard to keep a straight face, and many of us were trembling with laughter at the ridiculousness of the picture we formed, but a few of us exercised professionalism and self control in this aspect. This, we should all learn from.J

The most challenging part, however, was the act we had to put up after being given 35 minutes to plan and rehearse- THE PRINCESS WHO COULD NOT SMILE. The conditions were that the storyline had to be followed and the entire play had to be done in a language consisting of only one word- Ruba. There was infinite possibilities of the meanings and emotion range we could inject into this word, but this technique, which most of us have not yet mastered fully, has to be worked on. We loved being able to introduce little twists and turns, to add humor and illicit laughter from our audience, and we learnt one very valuable lesson from the teachers in the end- it is more important to tell a story, then to simply get a laugh. Through this, we saw how a few members pushed their acting skills to another level by taking on a very different role than they usually do, as well as to develop their character to the max. Si Yinn took up the role of a disgusting, unhygienic female gangster and acted the part, always staying in character despite the laughs from the audience. Chester used the right stretch of time to develop his character, and even sang the school song in the Ruba language.

At the end of today’s session, everyone became more aware of their strength and weaknesses as an actor, and were armed with two new tasks- one, to successfully complete the point circle activity next week and two, to clean up the drama room.

ACSIS Assortments

As the name suggests, it combines the best mishmash of our weekly doses of ACSIS goodness. The purpose of Assortments is to share the good stuff with our friends and family, the joy and fulfillment that we ACSIS members get on a weekly basis. Also, Assortments allows us to look at an old script from a new perspective; a new cast, a new treatment…a breath of fresh air into a classic (MRT ride is a classic…right? At least I think so…)

 

Amidst the joy and excitement in putting up a show in less than 2 weeks (well, effectively we only had about 10 days..) there was the desperate rush for time, running around from one rehearsal venue to another, switching roles faster than you can say Anglo-Chinese School Independent Stage, but all in all, a fruitful experience.

 

Lots of the things that we’ve put up on Assortments materialized in a matter of minutes, during the workshops that we go to every week. Deep within the club is a wellspring of fresh ideas: the lift scene, the fight scene, duets, interview… it’s a pity we can bring all of the stuff we do behind closed doors to share with the rest of the world. =[

 

The senior students directed all of “Birthday of the Infanta” I and II. MRT Ride was directed by one of the members of the old cast, our very own President of ACSIS Edward Bingei. The Year 6s also supervised all of the remaining sequences and performances, except for the opening and closing sequence. So, Assortments is pretty much a student-initiated effort. It was a good opportunity to uncover some of the backstage talent buried beneath the brilliant onstage performances of our members.

 

Kudos to everyone, a good job indeed =] 

 

I hope the juniors amongst us have made friends with the seniors, and vice versa. Maybe we can look forward to another ACSIS Assortments towards the later half of 2009 =]

 

I’m proud to be a part of this great family =]

 

†Godspeed,

Everett