Wednesday 30 December 2009

A recent uproar was sparked when a comment was publicly made by a member of the British National Party, about Chickenshed theatre company using a black actor to play the character Pinocchio in this years Christmas production. This comment left me asking the question is this just prejudice racism? Or does the colour of Pinocchio’s skin affect the show s performance?


Putting my own views and thoughts on the matter to one side, I tried to see why people would think any different to my own views. The one conclusion that I came to was people don’t like to see something they already know interpreted differently. I believe in some peoples cases, that they have seen a version of Pinocchio, for example Walt Disney’s and believe that every Pinocchio should be interpreted exactly the same.

However my opinion on the matter, is that having a black Pinocchio instead of a white Pinocchio does not affect the performance in any way. I believe the performance quality is due to the actor and not the colour of the actors skin. Chickenshed interpretation of the story is different to Walt Disney’s as well as the colour of the puppet, yet why did this not spark a debate? Leading me to the conclusion, in my opinion, that the issue of Pinocchio being played by a black actor instead of the traditional white actor was a truly racist and prejudice way in thinking.
Its Sunday the sixth of December seven twenty five pm, palms are sweating, hearts are racing. It was five minutes before the dress run of our Christmas show Pinocchio. Back stage was manic, people where pacing with nerves, children running round with excitement, teachers getting stressed and trying to calm down over excited children and teenagers.

Finally we hear the all so familiar bing bing bong of the over head announcer, we get the call we had all been waiting for, beginners. A sudden silence sweeps the room. Interrupted by the voice informing us to make sure we have all our group together and to check that we all have the correct costume on. A burst of energy renters the room as people rush to find their group. Once everyone is assembled in their groups with correct costume, which for our group is rolled up skinny jeans, with white socks, tucked in white polo shirt, brown waste coat and a neck chief. Our costume and style of our character group based on the eighties pop group Madness. Once costumes have been checked, we start to head down to our starting positions back stage. Waiting quietly backstage we anxiously wait for our queue from the band, so we can enter and perform what we had been rehearsing for a month prier the show. All standing alert we hear our queue. We burst onto stage ready to perform our part of the story for the Christmas show Pinocchio.
Don’t miss out this Christmas!

Come see our most amazing Christmas show yet. PINOCCHIO is this years Chickenshed production. Pinocchio is running from December 9th through till January 16th at Chickenshed theatre Southgate.

A fun filled family show, packed with signing puppets, a mechanical donkey, hop spinning blue fairies, a giant bouncing grasshopper, cheeky robbers plus lots more.

Pinocchio has something for every one this Christmas. An action packed family show that will keep the whole family entertained. Follow an acrobatic Pinocchio on his journey from a naughty puppet to real boy. Meet the strange and magical characters he bumps into along the way, and see the mischief and adventures Pinocchio gets himself into.

Celebrate this Christmas at Chickenshed a unique and pioneering inclusive company. In this years performance of Pinocchio Chickenshed has incorporated BSL, for our deaf audience. Captioned performance will also be available on selected dates call our box office for further details.

Facilities include disabled access and toilets, a bar serving food and drinks before during and after the show.

Chickenshed theatre, Chase Side, Southgate, London, N14 4PE
Box office: 0208 292 9222
Email bookings: Chickenshed.org.uk
Text phone: 18001 0208 292

Tuesday 3 November 2009

Description of reflective cycle

Concrete experience

My concrete experience was last year at university. I was given the task to be responsible for two groups of six, during the Christmas performances and rehearsal period. These processes would last the duration of approximately four months. The two groups consisted of a range of ages (from 6 yrs -22 yrs) and abilities. Throughout the rehearsal period, my roll was to be in charge of teaching, (one group at a time) the set chorography, help stage the groups, and to help create interesting and dynamic shapes with the group. I would correct the group on miss positioning of their bodies if it was out of character, and give one on one help to any person struggling with the chorography. I would also be helping the groups to learn their lines, deliver their lines clearly and make sure they where in connection to their character they where playing. I was to help those given sign language for the performances, by making sure their hand shapes where correct and strong and making sure their lip movement and facial gestures where clear, which are all key factors so that the deaf audience can understand. Besides teaching and staging the groups I would also be performing along side them in the shows.

Reflective observation

During the rehearsal period, once I had taught the set chorography, I took the time to sit out of the dance and scene my groups where performing, to examine the group. Whilst observing the groups I would watch every individual and make notes on what they where doing good, what they where struggling with and what could be improved on. When I was joining in with the group, although certain members of the group where relying on what I was doing to remember their own part, I was unable to know what the groups needed improving on to produce a better performance. Having the time to observe the group was really important as I had the chance to see what was working with the groups and what was not. Also with me not rehearsing all the time with the groups, the individuals had to rely on their own memory, not mine. Which helped strengthen the group as they eventually grew confident with their part, instead of relying on me. As I had two separate groups learning and performing the same material it was important for me to observe and compare both the groups. This was to see whether it was working with both groups or just the one, and if so to establish why this was.


Abstract conceptualisation

After observing both my groups, I realised the two groups in comparison where completely different. This was because to the diversity of the individuals in the groups. I realised that some of the individuals responded to the direction I was giving differently to others. I realised that the pace and direction I was using, was manageable for the majority of the group, but quickly realised some individuals where getting left behind. I also discovered that the energy in one group was different to the other. I found that one of my groups energy came across as focused and seemed to follow the direction well, on the whole a mature group, but at the same time a Phlegmatic group. My other group however was a lot more high energy, but found it hard to maintain focus and challenging to control their energy into their performance.


Active experimentation

After analysing where my groups needed extra help or more guidance, I thought of how I would accomplish this task. I understood that the only way that the groups would reach their full potential was for me to recognize where they where going wrong and how I would best manage to direct the two very different groups. I decided to deliver my direction and exercises to a pace that was suitable specifically for each group. For example with the more lethargic group I realised that it was more of a confidence issue. I got them to open up to each other and made them feel comfortable, encouraging them and giving them confidence by praising them and picking up on small vocal, gestures or movements, but then making sure they made it even bigger as a whole group.

With the less unfocused group I came to the conclusion that it was more the case that a few individuals where struggling to understand and keep up in result getting lost and losing concentration. The way I over come this was to turn the movements they where doing into a story. Making sure they understood the purpose of the movements, enabling a more affective way for them to remember the actions. I have learnt that you have to be open as a teacher and willing to adapt your style or approach of teaching to different individuals and groups, to achieve full potential.

Wednesday 21 October 2009

people i admire

People I admire


Jamie Alexander Treays



Jamie Alexander Treays is a Twenty three year old singer/songwriter from south London. I like to refer him as a musical genius who covers a wide range of styles such as reggae, Indie rock, hip hop, and post-punk. As you can see he’s got a bit of a multi personalities disorder when it comes to music. You would think someone with this wide range of diversity he would be stronger in some areas then others, but on the contrary all of his songs are written and performed exceptionally and succeeds to pull off the style of music he is going for every song.

I admire Jamie as I feel the issues he discusses and stories he tells through his lyrics are relative to the generation of today. Witch in my opinion I feel many icons out their today lack the ability to achieve. Jamie is also a bit of a rebel in the music world, whilst being attached to Virgin record label he has produced his own record label called peacemakers. This is so he can produce the music he wants without any restrictions or interference. I admire his determination to produce the style of music he wants to create, through finding his own avenues and not just listening to his record label. From listening to his music, i feel inspired to go and achieve what i want to accomplish from life, with the confidence of knowing that i can only learn from my mistakes.


Lloyd Newson

Loyd Newson is the director of a physical theatre company with a difference. Many of the members employed by the company have disabilities. Which makes the chorography and performances of this company uniquely amazing to watch. Newson uses dance to portray his own interests such as politics, social and physiological issues. I admire Newson for taking risks with his company by using a verity of dancers that you would not see in most dance companies. For example able bodied people dancing along side people who are in some way physically impaired. The company DV8 has produced many dance pieces for film and stage. DV8 are constantly employing new people for their company, normally holding open auditions. I think this is a great way of keeping their work fresh and exciting. Where as other companies who use the same employees year after year to perform, I find it can become boring and repetitive. Loyd has inspired me to go experiment with new styles and to be diverse with the people i work with. To achieve a more unique, dynamic and interesting way of working.




One of my favourite pieces called the cost of living witch was made into a film.


Fred Astaire

Fred Astaire was an American who was famous for being a film and Broadway dancer. Besides this he was a chorographer, actor and a singer. I have grown up like many others watching many of his films. Astaire amongst others such as Gene Kelly was one of my influences witch got me interested in dance in the first place. I admire Fred for becoming one of the worlds most famous dancer/performer known to the world. I would one day like to inspire someone like Fred inspired me.






Mary Ward

Mary ward is someone I greatly admire. Mary started a company called chickenshed from scratch. She was a primary school teacher who had a dream to start her own performance company. Mary wanted to start a company that would not exclude anyone no matter how different they were. Mary started a small youth group. In time she decided the group was not diverse enough and contacted a local special needs group, Witch were only to delighted to put the new company forward to their service users. After time the company became bigger and bigger. Chickenshed were and still are unable to get founding from the arts council as they do not tick a “box”. By this I mean because Chickenshed does not cater just for specifics such as, disabled people or children, instead they cater for any one who would like to join no matter their age or ability. I admire this lady for not giving up on her dream and for finding other ways of funding her pioneering company. I would one day like to start and accomplish a dream like Mary has done so successfully.





J.k. Rowling

J.K. Rowling is a British author best known for her fantasy series Harry Potter. Harry Potter has become arguably the best fantasy book of its time, being made into a series of successful films. I admire Rowling for her audacity to produce stories of great interest, whilst receiving immense pressure to finish her novels from not only the press but also her adoring public. I feel for someone to cope with this extreme pressure has to have determination as well as thick skin to proceed to continue their vision. I admire Rowling for following her creative mind and not Succumbing to the pressures received by the public to manipulate her trail of thought. Rowling has inspired me to listen to others and to take on their advice, but at the same time follow my own vision.

links of intrest and resources

Links of interest and resources


Google

Google is a expense free, world wide, safe reliable search engine, with a wide range of resources. For instance images, maps, e-mail, news, videos plus lots more. I use Google on a daily basis to accomplish daily tasks from research to internet banking. I’m a user of Google because its simple to use and Google always succeeds in producing what I’m searching for quickly and safely.





Mobile phone

My mobile phone has to be the most used and useful tool to myself out of all my resources. My phone allows me to access the internet and alerts me when I receive an email. As I am a mother, student and work a job I’m always on the go and its important for me to be on top of things and with my mobile I can do exactly that. My phone stores all my important contacts and their address. I can also listen to music on my phone, and when driving it connects to my car witch reads out any messages that may be sent to me whilst driving as well as receiving calls through the transmission.



Wikipedia

Wikipedia is a expense free encyclopaedia accessible via the internet. I frequently use this site when researching people or places, as it gives me factual information on who or what I am researching. Not only is this site giving you accurate information, its also being updated with new information on the subject matter all the time so you know your receiving the most current information on what ever subject you are researching. I use Wikipedia so frequent because its easy to access, its free, and it gives a clear easy to use web site.





TalkSPORT

TalkSPORT is a radio station that I am a frequent listener to. Not only does talkSport keep me up dated with commercial sports, talkSPORT puts forward daily, different subject matters on witch listeners can phone in and debate on. I like listening to talkSport as I find listening to other peoples views and opinions helps broaden my mind and my own way of thinking. TalkSPORT also has a website that is a good means for catching up on weekly news and for accessing media for sport related issues.





Library

I feel you cant go wrong with reading a book for information therefore the library is an important place for me to access information. Library’s offer a wide range of sources from books to audio tapes. They also offer different resources, such as access to the internet and most library’s have free services or information on local services. Joining a library is free and every borough has at least one library. Te library has weekly meetings for advents or developments in the local area as well as book reading session for young children. I use the local library for a reserving and other things such as photocopying and events. Its mainly expense free and is a great asset to the community.

CV

Curriculum Vitae



Name: Lauren Cambridge


Personal Profile: I am a hardworking, fast learning and reliable person. I enjoy being part of a strong and supportive team, I am enthusiastic and easy going. My hobbies include The performing arts in all different areas, which I have been doing from a young age. socialising with friends and meeting new people. I am also learning British Sign Language.





Education: Bishopstopford school Sept 1997- June 2002
Brick lane
Enfield

Qualifications: GCSE
Drama A
Dance A
Religious Education B
Textiles B
English Literature C
English Language C


Further education: Chickenshed Sept 2002 - July 2004
Chase side Sept 2007-July 2009
Southgate
London
N14 4PE

Qualifications: BTEC National diploma in performing arts
Triple grade: DDM

Foundation degree in inclusive performance
Grade: Merit


Current Job titles: Inclusive development assistant
Relief worker






Inclusive development assistant

Employer:
Chickenshed Chase side Southgate
London
N14 4PE

Job description: I have many different roles as an inclusive development assistant. I take part in performances at the theatre and also take extra responsibilities. I work with a wide range of ages, a part of my job is to lead workshops and rehearsals with them and work on performance development for groups and individuals.




Relief worker


Employer:
Cheviots Children’s Disability Service sept 2008 - Present day
31 Cheviots Close
Enfield
EN1 3UZ

Job Description: Starting as a relief worker, duties include understanding the needs of every individual service user and ensuring that they are in a environment suitable for them and ensuring their needs are being met. Also ensuring the requirements are being met in accordance to the policies and procedures put in place by the local government and the service itself.


Other: Full British driving licence