Fw: TIME FOR REVOLUTION? WILL THE PLAY GO ON?

[dkeith]

----- Original Message -----
From: "mervin hermit" <whatwentwrongagain at hotmail.com>
To: <dkeith at SILK.NET>
Sent: Wednesday, February 06, 2002 10:45 AM
Subject: Re: TIME FOR REVOLUTION? WILL THE PLAY GO ON?


> Hi there-
> I'm a postsecondary theatre student at Concordia University, and your
> message hit home in a couple of different ways.  First, when I was in my
> final year of high school in Calgary, the Alberta Teachers' Association
went
> on work-to-rule, and voluntary services were withdrawn. Although we were
> 'cheated' out of a fall production, we stood behind our teachers and their
> fight, and took the hit in solidarity, just as your students are.  After
the
> strike was over, my particulary enthusiastic and committed group of peers
> put on a collective creation for the regional high school drama festival,
> and it was the highlight of my high school career.  we wrote, directed,
and
> acted in several short vignettes which ranged from satire to poetry, which
> all circled around ideas of identity (of particular resonance to high
school
> students).  It was a roaring success with our peers, and allowed us to
> reclaim the agency that was denied us by the government's stubbornness
> during the strike.  So, that's one suggestion.  My other suggestion is to
> look into Augusto Boal and Forum theatre techniques, and to think about
> maybe creating a Forum piece around the issues of labour negotiations,
> political protest, censorship, or whatever strikes the strongest chord.
> This would be a great way to spark discussion among your students, and to
> extend that discussion to other staff and students within the school
through
> participatory demonstrations.  And in Forum, there's always room for a
> polished aesthetic to showcase the talents of your stundents and further
> their theatrical studies, as well as challenging their improv skills.  So,
> best of luck, and may the play go on.
> Kari Olson
>
>
>
> >From: dkeith <dkeith at SILK.NET>
> >Reply-To: dkeith <dkeith at SILK.NET>
> >To: CANDRAMA at LISTSERV.UNB.CA
> >Subject: TIME FOR REVOLUTION? WILL THE PLAY GO ON?
> >Date: Tue, 5 Feb 2002 17:41:19 -0800
> >
> >I am a high school drama teacher with 31 years of experience. I need your
> >help and support.
> >
> >I have never cancelled a show, and I have worked under many political
> >dicatorships , yet this year because of the recent events in B.C.
Politics
> >I am facing the withdrawal of all my voluntary extra-curricular work, aka
> >directing a play.
> >
> >Our school is well known and respected for the high quality of our work,
> >and over the last 20 years we have produced some of the greatest plays of
> >dramatic literature, from Sophocles to Shakespeare, Brecht to Miller.
> >
> >Our recent repertory included The Crucible,The Good Woman of Setzuan,
> >Aristophanes' The Birds, an original production of Frankenstein (written
> >and directed by my colleague), and my personal favorite, Our Country's
> >Good,
> >
> >We always try to pick plays which have a strong social or political
context
> >because we enjoy teaching our students that theatre has an important
social
> >function, and should challenge the audience to think.
> >
> >This year we decided to dedicate the entire year to Shakespeare, and we
> >have already mounted a production of Twelfth Night.
> >The second play, Much Ado About Nothing has been cast, the sets and
> >costumes designed, ready to go into rehearsal, and we are faced with the
> >possibility of canceling the show as a protest to the B.C Government and
> >their draconian legislation. Drama teachers are withdrawing their
voluntary
> >services in many school districts.
> >
> >I have a wonderful group of talented students, and they have already
> >indicated  that if we cancel the play they are behind us 100%. They want
us
> >to stand up for what we believe in. They put it in writing, and are
> >following up with some individual political protests of their own.
> >
> >After many sleepless nights I have decided that we should continue with a
> >play, maybe not Much Ado, but something a bit edgier, a play about civil
> >rights, or oppressive governments, or standing up for yourself. These are
> >the lessons I want to teach my students through theatre. I want to wake
> >them from their feeling of helplessness. Me too. This is the only way I
> >know to teach. I don't want to miss an opportunity to give the students a
> >special voice in this difficult time.I have a plan, but I am struggling
to
> >find a script.
> >
> >I welcome suggestions of scripts - ensemble works are preferred. (25-35
> >actors)I will direct it class time only (this is a Performance class, and
> >we meet outside the timetable) so I am limited to a few hours a week. Our
> >protest only covers extra-curricular, voluntary time.The production dates
> >are late April, so we have time to produce "one hell of a barn storming
> >50-75 minute, shake your bones, noisy protest." Suggestion and comments
> >please. Should I cancel, carry on with Much Ado About Nothing, or...
> >
> >Please forward your ideas.
> >
> >I thank you in advance.
> >
> >Don Keith
> >Kelowna Secondary School
> >KELOWNA B.C.
>
>
>
> i th
>
> _________________________________________________________________
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