Student Journals - 10/1/2015

Each week, I give my drama students a short journaling assignment. It is usually a question that causes them to either use their imagination or just share an honest opinion. I have had so much fun reading the responses. I've enjoyed them so much, in fact, I've decided to start sharing some of what I read. Get ready for a good chuckle and some fun trips through a teenager's imagination. It will be well worth your time!

Our journaling question for October 1, 2015, in Advanced Drama was, "Can anyone act?" Here is one student's analogy:

"I believe that anyone can act, and anyone can learn to act, but some people just suck at it. Others are born with that God-given gift to act, but even if someone isn't, they can definitely learn to act. Acting is like bowling. Sometimes you get the perfect roll, and the ball is going down the isle, and you knock all the pins down, and you walk back, and your friends pat you on the back and say, "good job." The bowler is, of course, the actor, and the pins are the audience, and hopefully you will knock them all down with your fabulous acting whether you learned it or were born with it."

2015-2016 Intro Video for KEYS Drama

Here is the intro video that was shown in drama class.

Auditioning for Advanced Drama? Here are some tips!

Choose a monologue that fits you. You may think the monologue from Gypsy is great, but does it fit your character? Do you love performing it? If not, consider choosing another.

Be confident. Hold your head up high, make eye contact, and don’t apologize if you miss a line or trip on a word – just keep going! Not feeling well? Tired? Leave it all at the door and do your best – no excuses necessary.  If you don’t feel confident, FAKE IT! This is an audition for acting, you know. 

Be prepared. Go beyond just memorizing your monologue. Get to know the character and the play from which the monologue was taken. Use the character development worksheet on the KEYS Drama Blog to help you get to know your character better.

Practice in front of a mirror. I know it may sound silly, but you want to make sure you know what you look like when you’re trying to convey a specific emotion. If your portrayal of sadness looks like an evil smirk, it could really throw things off. Better yet, take a video of yourself and review it to see how you could improve.

Practice out loud. You may think you can memorize a monologue in your head and then accurately act it out when you get to your audition, but there is nothing farther from the truth. Don't be afraid of what other people are going to think of you if they see you talking to yourself, waving your arms, and pacing... you'll be doing a lot of that in drama class, and most people in the class are crazy, anyway. :)

Act! Act means TO DO, not to talk. Reading or reciting does not equal acting. Don't be afraid to use your body and SHOW what you're feeling and thinking.  (Click here for a great example of acting without words.)

Use the Stage. You're really not confined to a three square foot area. Move around the stage as necessary.

Slow down. If you think you’re speaking slowly and clearly enough, you probably aren’t. Trust me. While there are some people who can speak quickly and still be understood, it usually takes a lot of practice.

BE LOUD! We not only want to see you, we want to hear you.  Don’t yell, but speak as if you’re trying to talk to the guy standing in the back of a big room.

Don’t be late! Being punctual is not only respectful, it’s expected.

And after you have finished practicing, practice some more! 

What are you still doing here? Go practice!!

Proud Mama Moment! :)

My daughter, Katie, was in a segment for CBN! Check it out!

What happens when you can’t control your children? What can you do when your child gets the best of you? This video is meant to be humorous but it also sheds light on some things parents may face today. Do you need prayer for your children? Post your prayer requests below. We want to stand with you in prayer for your children. Also, don't forget to watch the rest of this show tomorrow 5:30pm EDT at Daystar!

Posted by 700 Club Interactive on Wednesday, April 15, 2015

Sets, Props, and Costumes, Oh, My!

I know there are several families who aren't on Facebook, so I thought I'd share the progress we're making on sets, props, and costumes! This is only a small portion of what we're working on.

Bank Background

Gold Warehouse

Jewelry Store Background

Wombat Woman's Burough

Wonder Comics Sign

Shock Clock's Cape

Shock Clock's "Suit"

Minuto TuTu

2015-2016 KEYS Advanced Drama Class Auditions

Visit the Auditions Page to view audition information and the audition packet!

MARCH 17 REHEARSAL RULES!!

SPECIAL RULES FOR TUESDAY’S REHEARSAL

IMPORTANT!!! READ ALL OF THIS!!!!

This Tuesday we will rehearse Act 2, Scene 2 which is the Times Square scene. This scene includes Narrator, Stanley, Viola, Star Guy, Triple Time, Blossom, Wombat Woman, Girls, Rock Group, Emcee, Rotten Penny, Crowd (extras), Police.

YOUR ASSIGNMENT – All Advanced and Principles of Drama students shall spend the entire rehearsal IN CHARACTER. The minute you walk into the fellowship hall for rehearsal on Tuesday, you must be in character and stay in character!! Whatever your character is for this scene, that is who you will be until you walk out the door at the end of rehearsal. Even if you’re coming in to drop off your book bag, once you cross that threshold, you shall become your character. Need to ask a question? Do it in character. Need to get a drink? Do it in character. Taking a break? Do it in character. Blowing your nose? In character. Every line, every action, every reaction, must be done in character! No breaking character allowed. If you mess up on a line, react as your character would react. If you find something funny, respond as your character would respond.

Does this make you nervous? Are you wondering how in the world you’re going to be able to do this? GOOD!! If you’ve been working consistently on character development, this assignment shouldn’t be too difficult. If not? Well… at least you have the weekend to work on it. J

Please understand this assignment is to be taken seriously and all drama students are expected to participate.

I’m available by telephone and email all weekend long if you have any questions or need any help.

This assignment is not applicable to extras participating in the scene.