air and rage Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 So...who's doing it? Anyone got any good tips as to how non-teacher types can successfully engage with hordes of teenagers? Thought it might be useful to share some ideas! I'm currently desperately trying to think how to make a stage management workshop interesting, as it's bound to be the most dull one of the day... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kerry davies Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 I was teaching theatre tech to a performing arts class that began a lesson by slagging off "technicians". One by one in front of their peers I had each do a 10/20 second skit on the stage. The tabs came in and out, the PA spluttered and swooped, the lights just didn't or blinded. Their appreciation of the backstage roles was immeasurably enhanced by being made to look like idiots in front of their mates. We all sat in the stalls and discussed how the "show" could be improved and they naturally came round to electing a "leader" who, funnily enough, we might label Stage Management. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
paulears Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 I've found dancers are actually quite good a technical operating - they pick it up quickly and have the right feel to predict beats and buttons on the end of songs. One, who I'd known for a long time was pretty experienced in all sorts of professional shows, and volunteered to op the board once when we were badly short of people - afterwards she said that was the most stressful show she'd ever done in her life - the responsibility of pressing one button, and two faders, to headset cues was harder than dancing, she said. Probably the more shows you do, and the more aware you are of how things should go, makes for real appreciation of what we do. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scjb Posted September 29, 2011 Share Posted September 29, 2011 I can think of at least one pro dancer who turned to the dark side. He's a nimble little bugger up the truss... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fliggygeek Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 I can think of at least one pro dancer who turned to the dark side. He's a nimble little bugger up the truss... You were doing WHAT to him on a truss? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
erroneousblack Posted October 1, 2011 Share Posted October 1, 2011 Typical Dancer career path is work sporadically for a year or two, then join wardrobe department of West End musical! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
scjb Posted October 2, 2011 Share Posted October 2, 2011 I can think of at least one pro dancer who turned to the dark side. He's a nimble little bugger up the truss... You were doing WHAT to him on a truss?** laughs out loud **! Even if I were that way inclined, it wouldn't happen without the aid of a two tonne point! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
boardingbob Posted October 7, 2011 Share Posted October 7, 2011 Kerry's idea sounds great. My version of the same (at a summerschool for teenagers) was to write a v short script with some cues in it. Each group of 8 or 9 actors was given a role (snd, lx, stage tech, dsm, performer) with a couple watching and they took turns doing each of the roles. All quite basic but, as with Kerry's plan, it got them stuck in and showed them how a performance makes little sense if the technical details are all off. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.