The Visions of Simone Machard - Year 13 Drama

We have been working steadily on "The Visions of Simone Machard" all term, and it is hard yakka.

However, dealing with Brecht has it's own rewards, and now that the end is nigh, it's starting to make sense.  In terms of Epic Theatre and in terms of Political theatre.

That time we met with Gandalf

This year we performed "King Lear".  2 years ago, Finn was told he was too short to be in "The Hobbit".  This last weekend, our luck was in, and we met with the man who links both parts- Sir Ian McKellan.

Ian was in Carterton raising money to rebuild the Royal Theatre in Christchurch.  We were not far behind because we love a chance to talk Shakespeare with a legend.  A group of 10 of us headed out to see him on Sunday, sitting in the front row.

The highlights were many, but when we all had a chance to join him on stage, we thought all our dreams had come true!  He was superb onstage, humble offstage, and incredibly generous with his time with us.

We had a blast, and gained a new appreciation for a legend of Stage and Screen.

With Sir Ian McKellan from left:  Travis Brown, Oliver Healy, Mr. Buckham, Juanita McLellan, Finn Shepherd, Chris Buckham and Izabelle Brown.

Theatresports 2012

Phew!  It has been an epicly busy week with Theatresports.

We entered 3 Junior teams, 2 Senior Novice teams and 3 Senior Open Grade teams.  All of the competitors worked hard leading up to their competitions learning the games and sharing the coaches.  Then we set for performance, and we did well.

The Junior teams each competed fairly and provided a great deal of fun for the audience.  The Senior Novice teams worked well together and amazed the crowd and our Open teams, including people who had never competed before, stood up to the standard required nicely.

We ended up with 3rd in the Senior Novice section and winning the Junior division this year.  Our Open grade teams all did well, with "Girls Just Want to Have Fun With Finn" making the finals.  Their ballet in performance achieved a nearly perfect score.

All in all, we had a great time and the kids went above and beyond the call of duty.  Oliver Healy worked the scoreboard all week, Zoe Renor and Dan Carlisle took turns time keeping.  Mary was brilliant, driving the school van and dropping our team home in the evenings.

We would also like to congratulate Chanel College on their win in the Theatresports competition.  This is the first time since the competition began in the early 90's that Chanel have won the overall trophy, and it was a well deserved win indeed.

Warming up backstage

"The FFG" performing for the first time - Connor, Cheryl-Kay, Jacob and Nadia.

The Year 9 team - "The International Chicken Unit"

Camille Healy and Moana Braithwaite in "Wordball" - Moana is of course a unicorn.

Finn Shepherd, Zoe Renor and Jasmine Turner performing "Gibberish Interpreter"

Ale Giorgioni (with Jasmine arms) and Travis Brown (with Finn arms) performing a riotous "Hands Interview" in the final.

The Overall Junior Champions - "The Milkshake Ninjas" in "Slow-Mo Commentary".  Connor Taumoepeau, Joe Garratt, Nicky Carlisle and Toyah Churton.

The Winters' Tale

This year has been a fantastic year for Shakespeare!  We have been working on our Shakespeare production of King Lear for the competition, and all Drama students from Year 10 upwards have been working on a student directed scene.

The Bard is the Word- that is for sure.

Recently we travelled to Wellington to see the Propeller performance of "The Winters' Tale".  The cast was all male, so it was more like Shakespeare as his audiences would have seen it.  While some of the students couldn't follow the difficult storyline, but the acting and technical effects made it all easy to understand.

We had a great time, but unfortunately had to cancel our viewing of "Troillus and Cressida" due to weather.

Rarotongan Dance

This year the 201 Dance class are working on Rarotongan Dance for their unit on Social or Ethnic Dance.  It has been a challenge for the class to get their heads, and bodies, around the subtle movements of the dance form.  However, it has been a really popular dance style.  Setty and the boys are getting right into the difficult male part of the dance.  

Shortly this class will be assessed on their work which will be worth Achievement Standard credits for their NCEA.

Playing with Fire

As part of the Level 2 Dance curriculum, students have to perform an Ethnic or Social dance.  This year has seen a huge number of performance options.  We have had Chinese Sword Dancing, the Highland Fling, Rarotongan Dance and now Samoan Fire Dancing.

Anthony Fa'afoi and Daniel Carlisle both completed this Dance assessment in front of the main offices, with Oliver Healy on the fire extinguisher.  Travis Brown and Dominic Hawke completed a musical performance on the Congas during the performance.  It was a terrific way for 3 subject areas to work together to a students strengths in performance.  The performance counted as part of assessments for Dance, Performing Arts and Music, which was terrific.

Independent Juggling Routines

Juggling has become a popular pastime here in the Drama room.  (Along with Unicycling and Diabolo).  Hopefully over the coming weeks we will be able to present some of the independent routines students have been working on in their spare time.

This is Jasmine Turner, Year 12, and her routine she has developed for a Juggling performance.

The Boys at Dance NZ Made

We were amid a throng of girls chorusing the ol' chant, "We wish the boys at our school would dance!!!!" when our boys team walked onto the stage.

Crowd pleasers from the start, the boys put on a great performance.  Travis Brown choreographed the routine.  His dancers were Wiremu Aitken, Eli Thorenaar, Dallas te Rangi, Anthony Prince and Setty Sammonds.  We thought we should share their routine entitled, "Taniwha o te Ao" (Monsters on Earth).

Dance New Zealand Made

This was the 3rd year that we participated in Dance NZ Made, and again, we had a great time.

The event is held in Palmerston North, and focusses on Dance, unlike Stage Challenge which also includes Drama and set design elements.  We entered 4 teams in the competition this year.  Ms. de Croy choreographed 2 of the dance routines, both in a contemporary style, the Year 11-12 "Sensations" and the Year 12-13 "Darkness and Light".  Travis Brown choreographed the boys' Hip Hop routine, entitled "Monsters of the Earth".  Jamie Howatson followed in her Stage Challenge role as choreographer and put together, "Our Toy Story".

All the routines were well receieved by the audience as well as our competitors.

While we were unplaced in a competition of many, many schools and routines, the students all had a fantastic time and performed and behaved admirably.

Wearable Arts 2011

We were thrilled when Mr. Thompson said he was organising the 2011 Intercollegiate Wearable Arts awards.  Even more thrilled to find that we were hosting the event at Kuranui College.

Mr. Thompson, Ms. Price and Ms. Beecroft worked tirelessly with Art students to create the Wearable Arts for display.  And we were not short of talent! 

Mr. Thompson saw the event as a chance to showcase the whole of the Arts.  Ms. Webster was cheif D.J. and Maestro, Ms. de Croy supplied and danced on stage, and the Circus troupe from Drama had another opportunity to shine.  Oliver Healy and the set crew boys constructed the stage and a series of picture frames that the dancers and performers did their routines in and behind.

Some of our talented students took out major awards, including Renee Cheesman, Marcus Patena, Eilish Hogan and Isabelle Brown.  Jess Swan took out an X-Factor prize for her overall look.  Several students included prizes for the way they moved on stage in the Artworks.

Ariane, Ms. de Croy and Jashanna preparing to dance onstage

Some of the creations preparing to walk the catwalk

Chaedyn Dukes modeling Jess Swan's "White Rabbit"

Travis Brown on stage

Theatresports 2011

With the intercollegiate Theatresports competition always a highlight on the Arts calendar, a little snow may have postponed the tournament, but did not cancel it completely.  This year we were the most represented College, with 13 teams entered into the competition.

Our junior teams performed admirably, and were stunning to watch.  Stand out performances by Civic Cruz - completing the full splits on stage, Cameron Hawke weaving a wonderful storyline in Pop-up Storybook, Walter Barber and Emma Jenkins's Hands Interview.  The juniors definitely have raised the bar on what is possible in the next few years.

In the Senior Novice division we had our most nervous groups, the Year 12's and Year 11's.  Most of the teams had never performed before, but did a wonderful job.  Mikaela Osborne held her team together nicely, Connor Henare will not be forgotten for his dolphin training any time soon, and the spontaneous rap by the Year 12's was insane. 

In the Open Division, we had 3 teams, "Oops Crazy baby did it again", "Power Cheese" and "The Boogiemen".  While the Boogiemen got off to a fantastic start with their team introduction, and energetic performances in Stunt Doubles, the judges scored them lowly.  Choruses of boo's were heard from the crowd.  The boys were unperturbed, as they were the reigning champions from 2010.  Power Cheese were well prepared and had a great get-on-with-it attitude. 

Each of the Open Division teams knew they were likely to have to challenge each other in the competition, so preparations were kept secret.  Each team had 2 specialist games that the other teams did not know about.  The Year 13 boys played energetic physical games - Stunt Doubles and Human Props.  The Girls team played more subtle, highly specialised games - Ballet and Madrigal, and the mixed team worked with their own particular strength with words - playing Hands Interview and Song.  They each brought something special to the table, and entertained a crowd, as well as their own classmates.

At the end of the day, only one team can be victorious, and the winners for 2011 were "Oops Crazy Baby did it Again".  The team consisted of Zoe Renor, Chaedyn Dukes, Lexie Fleming, Sara Morasurat and Julia Dahlgren.  Sadly, only Zoe will remain at Kuranui next year to defend her title.

Dom Hawke and Callum Moore

Jan Meyer, Jasmine Turner, Oliver Healy and Finn Shepherd, in Atlantis

Swedish Julia, Zoe Renor, and Italian Sara in Gibberish Interpreter

Jan Meyer, German Julia, Finn Shepherd and Jasmine Turner in Hands Interview

Italian Sara in Props.

And it's all been remarkably busy again....

While a theme of this blog has become, "Being too busy to blog", we would love to change it all.

There are photos to follow, which are waiting on a set of genius's's's to recover from a memory card that insisted on dying at the worst-possible-moment.  These include some of the magnificent things we have had a chance to do recently.

At the end of last term, the Year 12 Drama class put on their performance of "Mother Courage and her Children".  While the Epic theatre form is a complete departure from what our students were used to, it was ultimately quite successful.  Mother Courage was played by Dominic Hawke, which was a supreme surprise to us all during the audition phase.  He was a beautiful Mother Courage.  Zoe Renor performed admirably as the mute Kattrin, and Chaedyn Dukes was a stand-out performer as Yvette.  Oliver Healy was particularly proud of his sign, which was particularly nice.

Dom Hawke as Mother Courage

Our Ukulele Orchestra had the chance to perform on TV as part of the Rugby World Cup Roadshow.  And the senior Performing Arts class worked on providing facepaint for the crowd.  It was a lot of fun, as well as taking random Unicyclers, which became the focus for many a photo.  The best aprt was looking like the ultimate "Where's Wally" comic!

Supporting Georgia

The auditions for the school production went ahead, with 38 people auditioning for the 8 key roles!  Ms Webster is currently adding roles to her original production.

Term 3 brought in the Education Review Office, and the Year 13 performance of "Once on Chunuk Bair".  James Owens was born to play the role of Frank, and Darren Dingle did a fantastic job of playing Colloney.  Katie James once again was relegated to a character who dies, this time in the first 2 minutes, then re-appearing as Otaki George.

The Senior Dance classes are gearing up for "Dance New Zealand Made" later this term, and the routines are looking amazing.  Ms de Croy will now be hunkering down beneath a pile of costumes.  Jamie Howatson is once again choreographing a routine with a dedicated bunch of dancers, assisted by Danielle Kennedy.

Theatresports has suffered a delay, mostly due to snow, but it looks positive for the intercollegiate event for Year 11's tonight.  We have 4 Year 11 teams this year, though with the weather, this may drop to 2 teams in the competition tonight.  We have to defend our title tomorrow night in the Senior Open grade competition.

The Rockquest again went well, with 2 bands competiting.  The Intermediate band did well, and the Junior band was a stand-out.  We have a great deal of talent in the Junior College. This year we were unplaced, but had some of the youngest competitors in the division.

Wearable Arts is on Friday night, which is held at Kuranui this year.  There are a number of entries from all the schools, which is a delight to see.  The Dancers and Circus troupe have been working on entertainments for in the background, and are quite excited about the event.

Watch this space for theatresports results, and to see how Katie James goes at the National Shakespeare in Schools Production in the school holidays.  Also, a big hello to Pakuranga College in Auckland, who could become the next big excitement for Senior Drama at Kuranui!

Clowning 2011

Clowning has become such an integral part of the Drama curriculum, and always a highlight of the tour calendar.  This year we took 25 clowns down to Greytown Primary School to perform their assessment routines.  The clowns were nervous, but did a terrific job, and the kids loved each and every one of them.

Alessandra Giorgioni

Lexie White

Katelyn, Alysha and Lesley

Most of the cast

Dan Carlisle and Oliver Healy

"The Rubber Room"

Today the Year 12 and 13 Drama students went to Wairarapa College to see "The Rubber Room"

Our reflections on the performance can be found on the Drama homework blog.


Read our Reflections here...

The set of the play:

Shakespeare in Schools: 5 Minute Scene

Well, with the Regional event in 3 weeks, it is time to announce who will be representing us in the Intercollegiate event.  It was a tough decision, and one that we debated for some time.  In the end we chose Darren Dingle and Lexie Fleming with their interpretation of "King Lear".

Congratulations.

There scene was selected because it was the most original interpretation of a script, with a concept that would work well for the play as a whole. 

Acting performances of note during the school show were Alessandra Giorgioni as Lady MacBeth, Dominic Hawke as the Porter, Finn Shepherd as MacBeth, Liam Nixon as Queen Gertrude and Connor Henare as Romeo.  Well done, one and all.

Shakespeare in Schools

Kaden Saywell and Alessandra Giorgioni in "MacBeth"

This Monday we are holding our school competition to see who will represent Kuranui at the Regional Sheillah Winn Shakespeare in Schools Festival in April.  There are so many great scenes to choose from this year.

On Monday night, starting at 7:30, an invitation-only audience will be endulged in Shakespeare with a student-directed flair.  However, here are a few images of our dress rehearsals.

Liam Nixon and Oliver Healy in "Hamlet"

Chaedyn Dukes in "Two Gentlemen of Verona"

Katie James and Callum Moore in "Hamlet"

Scholarship in 2011

In the Arts Department, we have had success in the past in Scholarship assessments.  This year we were thrilled to have both Barney and Christina attempt the Scholarship Drama examination performance.  And there is good news for next year as well.

In 2011, Dance and Samoan join the ranks of subjects with Scholarship examinations.

When paying your exam fees, you get 3 Scholarship exams in the package for free.  I recommend that everyone take at least 1 Scholarship class, because it is a good experience, improves your skills, and costs you nothing.  Scholarship awards are given out in amounts from $500 to $6,000.

The subjects offered in the Arts at Kuranui where you can attempt Scholarship in 2011 are:

• Art History
• Dance
• Drama
• French
• Music 
• Te Reo Maori
• Visual Arts – Design
• Visual Arts – Painting
• Visual Arts – Printmaking
• Visual Arts – Photography
• Visual Arts – Sculpture

The best part about Arts Scholarship examinations is that the exams are prepared.  In Dance and Drama, there will be a performance of your choice.  The Visual Arts include portfolios prepared as part of a course of study over the year.

Whatever you chose, think seriously about taking a Scholarship subject or two.... the advantages far outweigh the difficulties.

NZ Juggling Convention and Championships 2011

Well, it is official.

We are going!

Yes.

Personally, I am excited.

The National Juggling Champs and Convention in 2011 is being held in Levin.  The event goes from February 17-20.  We are going along to be involved in performing, learning, teaching and watching.  This is going to be EPIC!  On the Thursday we will teach small children, on the Saturday we will teach the rank amateurs coming along to the event.  We will be taking part in workshops, showcases and in general helping out around the venue.

We will be camping at the Levin A&P Showgrounds.

So a couple of things people- you will need tents.  And, we are only taking about 20 people.  Seniors are the first choice because they can already juggle, diabolo, spin plates and hoop.  This is a public venue, with other people camping as well, so perfect behaviour is expected.

The whole 4 days should be amazing.  This is a major opportunity for us to showcase our skills, as well as helping out the NZ Juggling Association.  This will be our Kuranui in the Community project.

There will be a cost attached to the camp, so start putting your pennies away.  And there will be a contract.  And there will be heaping helpings of fun. 

Follow the convention on Facebook for more details over the holidays.


NZ Juggling Convention 2011

And if you want your own juggling supplies, head over to Fling Juggling, supporter of us and the convention.  Their gear is really good quality, and they are always happy to lend a hand.

Fling Juggling Website

Exams and all that jazz

Well, with Art students creating portfolios, it is a timely reminder of the serious side of the Arts.  This week has been all about the academic side of the Performing Arts.

Miss Pratt revises with the Year 11 Dance class

Drama students sitting their Level 2 examination

The Performing Arts have a great deal of academic content, and exams are an integral part of the course.  It is not necessarily something people think of when they choose their subjects.

We have also been getting ready for the production in a BIG way.  Mr Thompsons set looks amazing.  It will be awesome to see Dorothy's house rolling around in the cyclone.... and the spooky trees.... and things on wheels.  Great fun. 

I am lucky to have a terrifically talented sister who has taken on the challenge of the costumes for the Lion and the Tinman this week.  Juggling 2 small children and 2 large costumes has been tough, but she has done a great job.  Thanks Katrina, you rock.

Arjun gets measured for his costume on Monday afternoon

Arjuns completed Lion outfit on Tuesday evening!