Festival of Arts Workshop 2011

January 18, 2011


Today was the festival of Arts Workshop. This is the second year I have attended this workshop. Last year it was held at the Sports Complex (a huge building with cement walls, but thatch roof). This year it was still in town, but at a resort though. The resort is new and is called the Garden of Eden Resort.

At the workshop we learned the basics of expressive arts (dance, song, and drama).

The beginning of the workshop the dance instructor warmed us up with dance moves and stretches. Then she talked with us about the importance of having a dance age appropriate for primary school students (in past years the students like to go on stage and do punta (a racy dance) with suggestive songs playing in the background. )Ms. Dawn the dance instructor made sure that all contestants with suggestive moves and song will be disqualified immediately.

The second part of the workshop was supposed to be about the singing part of the competition. However, we skipped the song part because the instructor couldn’t make it down to PG. Yet, the singing instructor still gave a handout to review. The worksheet had music basics on it. For example, allegro con brio=fast with spirit, largo=very slowly, lento=slowly, moderato=moderately, anclante= walking speed, allegro=fast, presto=very fast, and allegretto=light and lively.

Also included in the music basic handout:

Term Symbol Affect

Forte F Loud

Piano P Soft

Mezzo forte Mp Slightly soft

Mezzo forte MF Slightly loud

Sforzando SFZ Instantly loud

Fortepiano Fp Loud then soft

Crescendo < Gradually louder

Diminuendo > Gradually softer





After lunch we worked on writing skits.

We also again just reviewed a worksheet:

• A skit is a short play (most often without many changes of acts or settings).

• Best if skits are based on a major theme.

• Festival skits should be about 5 minutes long.

• Should be age appropriate dealing with themes which are appropriate to the level and maturity of children. No obscene language.

• Do not overcrowd the stage with props.

Format of the skit

Name:

Theme:

Playwrights/Dramatist/Writers:

Overview or Synopsis or Summary of the Piece: (This should be done in short paragraph format and should provide insight into the theme and story of the skit without telling the entire story.)

Cast of Characters:

Names of Characters/ Brief Descriptions/ Roles they play:

Plot/ Story line:

Introduction

Development

Climax

Conclusion

The story line or plot is achieved through the actions and interactions of the characters as the move and converse through the different scenes and acts which all serve to illustrate or bring out the them (main idea) of the piece.

Act One: Scene One

Scene Two

Ace Two: Scene One

Scene Two

Scene Three



This workshop is a two day workshop tomorrow we will finish what we started!

Festival of Arts part II

The instructors of the workshop did not arrive today. Therefore, the teachers voted for me to teach the dance section because I had the most flexible kicks lol!

After the dance section we had the drama part… where my group scored the highest on our skit… yay (I was the narrator)! Mount St. Mary’s expressive arts studying have paid off!

PS Also this week my GLOW girls did yoga!!! Feeling so happy healthy and artsy!




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