Performing Arts
Communicating with the Specialist Team
We look forward to partnering with you in 2021, and welcome your input:
Penelope Lang (Performing Arts) penelope.lang@education.vic.gov.au
Happy New Year!
I hope you had a wonderful break with your family and enjoyed the steady return to our new Covid normal. I know I am looking forward to kicking off 2021. It's going to be a BIG year.
Our whole school production will be performed at Burrinja Cultural Center in Term 3. At this stage we are planning for two performances; one on August 3rd and one on the 4th. Please pop those dates in your diary now. We are also participating in this years' State Schools Spectacular (dance and choir) and applications for interested students will close on 9th February. Check compass for more information. Our instrumental program has started back up and we are so happy to have Jordan, Amaris and Jed back on our school premises. Lessons are available (see advertisement in this newsletter) for guitar, drums, keyboard, violin, singing and Glee club. Contact Jordan (or me) for more information.
Foundation
The Foundation students enjoyed exploring the Performing Arts room for the very first time. There is so much to see and do! We began by learning each other's name through our rhythmic clapping game. These claps will eventually turn into 'Ta and Ti-ti' when we explore music patterns during the term. We sang 'If you're happy and you know it' and incorporated different animal names and actions. We then did a relaxation exercise called 'Wild Swans'.....they looked very tired!
Level One/Two
Our focus this term is on developing our creative imaginations through using drama as story telling. This week the students explored the meaning of 'drama' and the role of an 'actor' and 'director'. They experimented with using their body to portray an action (without using words) in our game, 'What on earth are you doing?'. Our focus was on creating real but exaggerated movements that communicated an idea or an event.
Level Three/Four
Our focus this term is on expanding our understanding of the 'Actor's Toolbox' with particular emphasis on the actor's voice. This week the students focussed on using clarity and projection when delivering a small presentation called, 'All About Me". They took in turns of introducing someone to our class and sharing some fun facts to keep the audience alert and engaged. Using the stage blocks in my classroom is a fun way of preparing students for performing in front of an audience and adds an element of stagecraft to our activities.
Level Five/Six
We spent some time discussing this year's school production (the name will be revealed very soon!) and ascertaining how many student's would like a speaking part. All parts and scripts will be confirmed before the end of Term 1 in time for lines to be learnt over the Easter break. This term we will be consolidating the student's understanding of stagecraft skills and their ability to follow direction and vary their acting voice. We used the simple script 'Grandma's Cake' to have some fun with changing acting voices for dramatic impact.
