LAMDA Fight Night & SM1 Design Exhibition

June 2015 

Before my final role at LAMDA, we had two events: Fight Night and the SM1 Design Exhibition. Fight Night is an annual school event in which the actors showcase their stage combat skins in preparation for their certification exams. The SM1 Design Exhibition is the school event where we put our completed model box projects on display, along with our other scenic art and workshop projects.

FIGHT NIGHT 

Get Outs for LAMDA reps are usually on a Friday, giving us the weekend to recover and prepare for the next rep. Because I volunteered to work on Fight Night, my transition looked like this: 

Friday: Rep 3 Get Out & Fight Night Get In 

Saturday & Sunday: All Day - Fight Night Rehearsals 

Monday - AM: Lighting Prep. PM: Fight Night Dress and Show 

Tuesday - AM: Lighting Prep. PM: Stage Combat Exams 

Wednesday: All day - SM1 Exhibition at LAMDA

Thursday: Get Out SM1 Exhibition 

Friday: First Full Day Lighting

We had a small crew for the show: Stage Manager, Deputy Stage Manager, 2 Sound Ops, Chief LX, LX Op, Lighting Designer, Carpenter/Flyman, and 2 Production Crew, who ultimately became Assistant Stage Managers once we were rigged up. I was assigned the role of Stage Manager and as there was not an official Production Manager, my role became a mesh of the two. My main responsibility as SM was to obtain props and furniture for show, as well as manage the actors and their safety in the venue. Taking on a bit of the PM role, I liaised with the venue staff as needed and was the hub of communication for the technical teams. 

The great thing about working on school events, such as Fight Night, is that they are not graded and, while the tutors are available for general advice etc, we are mostly left to manage ourselves. Also, Fight Night is the only school event held in a public venue, and as such, it is the first time, as first years, that we really test the waters as Heads of Department. 

By Friday mid-afternoon, the technical crew were transitioning their equipment for Fight Night and I was on my way to LAMDA to load a van with props, furniture and weapons for the show. When I returned, the tutors were beginning to trickle out of the theatre, as each department transitioned to Fight Night.  My PM tutor helped us install a rope swing - the sight of him testing it with a gallant "I'll save you!" will forever live in my memory - but then left me with £80 of petty cash and his mobile number. We were on our own. 

I remember walking across the stage at one point, each team busy in their own tasks, where I took a moment to realize that we were now in charge of making this show happen, and that we could do it. We are capable. There was nowhere else I would rather be. Later, our Flyman would confess that in a similar moment, she was looking down from the fly floor, seeing me walk the stage, and thinking the same thing! That evening, Sound balanced, Lighting plotted and we were ready for rehearsals.

Just add Medieval Crown and UV paint to the list of strange things I've transported by Tube.

During the Technical Rehearsals, the actors had time on stage to work their routines while the Tech teams programmed. My two production crew-turned ASMs were invaluable backstage as they assisted the actors with swords and other weapons, while I managed the front with the director and technical teams. I tracked weapons, furniture and props to create a crew sheet for the show.

Throughout the rehearsal period, our Director (and LAMDA's Head of Drama) was plotting many surprises for the show. One of these was a 2 man, 4 sword, UV fight. Lighting had sourced the UV lights and it was my job to get everything glowing. The ASMs painted the gloves, shoes and swords with UV paint, but even 2 coats wasn't showing bright enough on the swords.  I sought advice from tutors as well as a theatre supply store. We found the solution with white plastic coat base and 2 more strong layers of the UV paint. As we laid the swords under the UV light to "charge" during the interval, we tested the final layer of paint and it was barely dry. It was dry enough though, and the show had to go on! It looked really good, which made the weekend of UV problem solving well worth it.

My Fight Night "Office", completed with drying UV swords and bloodied sheet.

The show was great fun. After the UV fight, the ASMs ran out with brooms to sweep up the bits of UV paint that flaked off during the fight and each pass across the stage was followed by cheers and applause from the audience. When one of our actresses was "shot" off the rope swing and carried away by our "small but mighty" ASM, another round of applause followed. I cringed when I realized I would have to fetch her sword from the stage and face the same. We're techies. We're not used to being noticed or applauded! 

I learned so much from Fight Night. As "Queen of the First Aid Kit", I managed the inevitable knicks, cuts, twists and sprains.  I learned that sometimes the best First Aid is a listening ear, a calm voice and a shared joke about a silly injury. And as far as injuries go, I arrived with 7 ice packs and left with 3; I call that a success!  

I am constantly learning where my balance of kind assertiveness lies and how to manage a team. I have discovered even more ways that I can be completely awkward and embarrassing. It was good reminder that I need to be more confident and that I CAN do this, and do it well. My Head of Technical Training gave me the best compliment when he said that he was so impressed at how calm it was when he walked into the theatre for Fight Night, citing how many he's been to and that it's not a common occurrence! I had a great team! It was a wonderful experience to put on a show and step back to say "we made that happen." 

DESIGN EXHIBITION

Fight Night done, we moved directly on to our SM1 Design Exhibition! As noted in my previous blog, I was very grateful to my past self for completing this over the Easter break. I would not have been able to finish it at the last minute with all of the Fight Night insanity. 

So....Here it is! My set design for "Let the Right One In" in all of it's blue glory! It was just so blue! Blue and silver: these are my colours. During the model making process, the amount of blue in my project became a bit of a running joke, but each time I tried adding other colours, it just didn't work! So blue it was, and blue it stayed.

Three judges interviewed each of us about our designs and selected 3 winners, whose models will go on display in LAMDA over the next year. We explained our creative idea, as well as how we addressed technical issues, including health and safety. For example, I built a false floor in anticipation of a trap door for a "lake" and to have a drainage system for stage blood coming from lockers and rafters. Also, as my set is designed to be mobile, I created a storyboard of how I imagined each scene using the various pieces throughout the play.

During the "awards" section of the evening, they also announced 3 "special mentions". I was one of those selected and I couldn't help but let out a small "yes!" when the special mention was given for the "use of colour"! The three winners were incredibly deserving and we were all amazed to see everyone's final projects. We constantly thought "We're techies, not designers!", but the exhibition proved that we are all creative in our own way.

In the workshop with my freshly completed scenic painting.

Our many projects from throughout the year were also on display. This included scenic paintings, polystyrene sculptures and wooden stools. These are all things that we made in order to learn the skills that we've been applying during shows. It's a great way to show the talent of the technical students, something that is not as easily showcased as an actor putting on a show! The evening was a nice reminder of all we have accomplished in our first year, and all that we can look forward to putting to use in the second year! Onwards!

LAMDA Rep 2: ASM on "Cat's Eye"

March & April 2015

Cat's Eye is a novel by Margaret Atwood and was adapted for the stage by Lisa Evans. The play takes place in Toronto, Ontario in the 1980s, with flashbacks to the 50s and 60s. I was surprised to be placed on a show set in Canada, but happy that my research for props and furniture would be made a little easier!

Our first task as a Stage Management team (1 Stage Manager, 1 Deputy Stage Manager and 2 Assistant Stage Managers) was to gather our scale rulers, ground plan, LX tape and some trigonometry to lay a mark up of the set onto the rehearsal room floor. The set for Cat's Eye consisted of 4 Oversize frames which the actors would interact with. To substitute this, we brought scaff poles from LAMDA and rigged up 2 H frames that the actors could sit and stand on. Our rehearsal room was in a church at Earl's Court, so we had a twice daily pilgrimage to and from LAMDA to set up and take down as well as check in with the director.

The play's design was minimalistic, which meant that our Prop and Furniture List was relatively short. However, this being our first run as ASMs, we still felt we had a lot to do.  Our first furniture find was the ladder. LAMDA keeps a small selection of furniture in which we were able to find a suitable ladder that we could modify. We switched the lower rope hinge for a higher metal brace, which would keep the ladder safe, but allow room for the performers to duck underneath it. In the theatre, we painted it white to match the hanging picture frames of the set and installed padding on the feet to prevent scraping on the floor when it was dragged across stage. 

The fun thing about ASM work is getting out into the city to find things, and the best bit is when you find something you weren't even looking for. I went on a hunt to Shepherd's Bush Market and Portobello Road, hoping to find an 80s SLR camera and a few other odds and ends. I walked behind a luggage stall and saw the perfect trunk tucked away. We even got a bit of a deal on a scratched one, happily knowing it would be covered up when we painted it to match the ladder and frames. I took it to the workshop to reinforce the lid, for standing on, and prime it for painting. I soon discovered that I am happiest as an ASM when modifying or making something.

In the play, the 4 girls play "Eaton Catalogue Ladies" where they make collages from cutout dresses and household items in the Eaton's Catalogue and imagine their future homes. It was funny to discover that in my Stage Manager's initial research, he struggled to find anything because Eaton was occasionally spelled as Eton in the script, constantly leading him to Eton College! I enjoyed scouring the internet for catalogue covers and learning more about this Canadian icon that sat fuzzily in my memory.

 

Originally, we made the catalogues by adding a printed cover to newspapers and gluing in a few pages for the girls to cut out. However, it was too bulky to be believable. We started again, this time to create a book from scratch. This required more pages, but it was difficult to find interior pages from Eaton's. My North American knowledge finally became useful when I suggested searching for images from Sears as well. From there we printed the pages double sided and carefully bound them with thin strips of double sided tape. We were all very proud of the result!

As I put my Photoshop skills to use in making a cover for the two Bibles, the others channeled their inner child to make the scrapbook pages and Eaton collages. I'm tempted to say that they had far too much fun with this, but it is these kind of projects that make theatre great! 

Another prop to make was an art gallery catalogue to feature the work of the main character, which was to be similar to surrealist Leonora Carrington. Our SM donated a museum catalogue and I searched out some of Carrington's images that would suit some of the themes within the play and pasted them in. I made up a cover in Photoshop, with a white frame to match the set, and voila!

 "Cat's Eye" was performed in "rep" (repertory/rotation) with "The Merchant of Venice" at The Pleasance Theatre in Islington. The Pleasance was my first contact with LAMDA when I attended an Open Day there back in November 2013. It is also just a few doors down from my first London office. It was almost surreal to be back there; it felt "full circle."

 

During the run of the show, the ASMs set the props and furniture before each performance and then live backstage to assist with props and quick changes. Before each show, we would set all of the props and furniture, ensuring that everything is in the same place each night. My "favourite" task became setting the dust sheet that draped on the ladder and each show I would curse it for not behaving. It had already been a source of frustration to find a fabric to look like a gallery sheet, but still meet industry flame proof standards, and then fight with the sewing machine to hem it nicely. (Hemming the 1.5m x 3m sheet quickly became a 3 person job...)

"Cat's Eye" was the first show I worked in Rep, so it was also my first set "Turnaround". Turnaround is changing the sets between shows. Eg. Cat's Eye performs an evening and a matinee, then Merchant performs an evening and a matinee and so on. The change into Cat's Eye was usually problem free, however, going into Merchant was always finicky.

Source: www.lamda.org.uk

 The set for Merchant was a Periactoi set, made of 4 large triangular pillars, each side painted with a different scene, which were rotated in unison by the crew to create a new location. To create storage space, one side of each was removed in each turnaround. Thus, hooking the periactoi to their overhead rigging, reattaching the 3rd side and setting the periactoi to be perfectly balanced and lined up became the daily challenge. Also, we had the shiniest and most reflective of black dance floors, so there was a daily line up of SMTTs across the stage, buffing the floor. One day, as I had to leave for other ASM duties, someone set their phone to play "Cinderelly, Cinderelly" while they buffed. Ah, the glamour of theatre!

Source: www.lamda.org.uk

For a girl who hates shopping, the role of Assistant Stage Manger was a challenging one.  At the beginning, I decided to embrace the challenge of hunt in an attempt to keep the frustrations to a minimum. There were frustrations, of course, and I learned a lot about how I deal with that and how I need to communicate better. In the end, of course, it was such a rewarding experience and I'm excited to return to Stage Management next year!

The "Cat's Eye" Stage Management Team 

Take This In. Remember This.

Today is the first day of November. My American friends are thinking about Thanksgiving and planning for turkey. My British friends are thinking about "Remember, Remember the 5th of November" and planning for bonfires. At this point of the year, I'm usually binging on Halloween candy and looking forward to Christmas. In between the "celebration" holidays, Remembrance Day tends to sit in the back of the mind. It's a day that I do appreciate, but I'm guilty of forgetting until "the day of" and taking a moment to really appreciate it becomes an afterthought. This year it has been on my mind with much more weight than usual.

On 20 & 22 October 2014, two different attacks were carried out against Canadian  soldiers, killing two. These events were shocking to everyday Canadians as, fortunately, we are not accustomed to such attacks within our own country, and certainly not from one of our own. Much has been said about these events and as I tried to process it all from across an ocean, I went through a range of emotions: confusion at mixed reports, fear and sadness. I felt disgust at the complete lack of feeling required to kill an unarmed soldier acting as a ceremonial guard at a War Memorial. Finally, gratitude.

I cannot find the credit for this photo.
 If anyone knows it, please let me know!

I have always been grateful for my freedoms, but I know that I take it for granted. I really have to think to come up with many "large scale" homicides in Canada within the last few years. Last year, 3 RCMP officers were killed in Moncton, New Brunswick and in 2005, 4 RCMP officers were killed in Mayerthorpe, Alberta, which was the worst multiple officer killing in modern Canadian history. Of non-officer deaths, I can recall 2 incidents resulting in deaths in schools. Combined with last month's events, these are the most shocking Canadian events in my 29 year memory. The truth is though, that this is a small number and is a testament to our usual peaceful state and the current increase is an eye opener to what other nations experience almost daily.

Over the past month or so, London has been preparing for Remembrance Day by creating an immense poppy display in the moat at the Tower of London to commemorate 100 years since the start of World War I. With current events in my mind, I finally made my way over there this morning and I'm not sure I can accurately describe my feelings there. At first, I thought about how beautiful it is and then hoped that the mass of people thronging to see would not ruin the experience. Instead, those people made it that much more touching.

I watched as red-shirted volunteers worked alongside cadets and military personnel. They laughed with one another and assembled the flowers methodically and respectfully. They took photos together, probably having made new friends through this experience.

I listened to parents explain the poppies to their children, that each of the 888,246 ceramic flowers symbolized a British soldier killed during the war.

One little girl asked why the war started and her mother explained that someone wanted somebody else's land and power.

"A silly reason to start a war isn't it?" 

I was nearly moved to tears when I heard a woman say to a young child what a unique and precious experience it is. 

"Take this in. Remember this." 

I looked out at the sea of red poppies and thought about each one as a body, as a person. If nearly 900,000 poppies could fill a large moat, how much more would that number of people fill a battlefield? And then a cemetery?  How would it empty a heart? And not just the hearts of those who lost loved ones, but of those that saw that loss and survived? It's an incredible visual.

As far as I understand, the number of poppies do not include the deaths of Commonwealth soldiers. I wonder if the reason for this decision was that there simply was not room enough to include Canada, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa casualties.

 As I made my way around the tower, through the crowds,  everyone was respectful in waiting for a place to get a photo and then politely making room for others. I felt that everyone was touched by the display. Even the usual chatter that accompanies such a large gathering of people seemed to be at a lower volume level. It was much more than a tourist attraction - it truly became what it had been intended to be, a memorial. There was a tangible feeling of respect and honour in the air.

My personal experience with war is incredibly limited, but I see more and more how it has shaped me. I remember school assemblies for Remembrance Day. I always thought I needed to have something something profound to think of during the moment of silence. It was easiest to think of my Grandpa, my Dad's father who had served as a mechanic for the Canadian Forces in WWII. He died when I was quite young and I was not able to get to know him as well as I would have liked. After he passed away, I remember going to my Grandma's and my Dad offered to show me his father's Dog-Tags from the war. I was fascinated and my young mind imagined the war as a great fairy tale of brave soldiers triumphing over evil. I felt proud that my Grandpa had contributed to that victory. 

My great-grandfather on my Mom's side served in WWI for the British Forces. I never knew him and didn't know much about him as a child.  Moving here, I have been able to learn more about him and how the war changed him. I see how it affected my Granny as she tried to understand a withdrawn father who refused to speak of it or receive recognition for any of his actions. She and her siblings then grew up through WWII, with bombings in England and rationing of food. That shaped her and how she raised her family and in turn, shaped the person my Mom is and who I am.

In my mind, I still sometimes imagine the world as a fairy tale place where good will always triumph, and I hope that this is true, but each day I better understand the cost.  It feels safe to say that we all know someone who serves their respective country, has given their life to do so or is a friend to someone who has lost a loved one. This year, I am more aware of them, and more aware of how lucky I am.

On 11 November, last year, I got on a plane to London and, essentially, started a new life. I was wearing a Canadian poppy on that day, and in the wake of recent news, I searched it out.  It has become a great conversation starter as classmates and tutors have noticed it and we compare it to the British one. Some of them are surprised to learn that it was a Canadian who wrote "In Flanders Fields". I learned that the leaf included on the British poppy is meant to represent 11:00, the end of the war.  I have learned about different traditions of Remembrance from my New Zealand friend who "remembers" in April with Poppy Day in commemoration of a battle significant to them. 

This past year has been a year of gratitude for me. I find myself constantly overwhelmed at the opportunities I am able to take and the people who support me in my goals. Today, I truly appreciate AND FEEL the freedom that allows me to have all this. When I think back to those school assemblies, trying to think the "right" thoughts and feel the "correct" emotions, I remember crying a little bit during "The Last Post", not knowing why, except that it was probably a good thing to do. I would wipe away the tears nonchalantly and hope my classmates wouldn't notice. Maybe it's all just part of growing up, but I understand now, and as my understanding increases, so too does my gratitude.

To that wise woman walking behind me today:

I have taken this in.

I will remember.

Lessons from London

A blog post is long overdue, I know. 

The big question is still looming: Have I been accepted to school? The short answer is No. Not yet at least. June is the month. Let the manic post-box-watching begin. 

If I don't get into RADA, at least I'll be in good company. Thanks Gary Oldman!
I'm also on the lookout for a LAMDA reject to commiserate with.  

In the meantime, instead of a lengthy catch-up on my recent adventures, to celebrate my 6 months in London, I present, for your entertainment, a list of 20 things I've learned (or re-learned) from this amazing city. 

1. Never buy more than you can carry

I would've taken a photo of myself
carrying the weekly shop, but...

2. The best weight loss program is poverty and public transit.

No thanks. I still have a walk, a train, a walk,
a bus and a walk between here and home.
(Which has taken care of 20lbs, thank you very much!) 

3. Happiness is a clean public toilet, preferably free of charge.

Not this one. Not especially clean and not free. 

4. Public naps are completely acceptable. Well, almost. 

5. If I don't get into theatre, I will probably run back to film.

The film crews are loving all of my job locations. 

 6. It really doesn't matter what you wear 

as long as you wear it with confidence.

7. Zebra Crossings (crosswalks) and walk signals are for tourists. 

That's Zeh-bra, not Zee-bra, you tourist!

 8. The best seat on the bus is on the top deck, right above the driver: 

A full window view and extra leg room!

Yeah, I took a selfie on a bus.Moving on.
 Look at that leg room! 

9. A two mile walk is not really THAT far.

I will always choose this over a
 26 min crowded Tube-strike bus. 

10. Somehow, someway, everything always fits.

I don't understand. 

Mid-List Sub Category: "Heard on the Underground"  

a. Never take yourself too seriously, especially at work. 

"Oh yes. Something about closing doors. Um, yes. Mind the doors.  
They're going to close! Ish. Maybe. There they go!" - Leyton Station

b. Trains are like jeans, not yoga pants

"If you are not getting on this train, please stand back from the doors. 
The sides are NOT expandable."  - Mile End Station

c. Health and Safety is paramount.

"Please stand clear. We can't move until the doors are closed and you're all nice and safe. Thank you." - Liverpool Street Station

d. Toes are also important

"Please mind the closing doors. Pull your bags in. Pull your clothes in. Mind your toes. Fantastic." - Piccadilly Circus Station

11. Inspiration will show up in the unlikeliest of places. 

12. Cheekiness is always an acceptable form of communication.

13. Homesickness takes strange forms.  

14. I don't have to know when my next journey will begin. 

15. Being "JUST a Temp" is actually pretty awesome. 

Thank you, Miranda Hart. 

16. Oompa Loompas are taller than I imagined. And more Irish.    

I thought I was just going to see Windsor Castle and then this happened.

17. With the right motivation, I can accomplish anything. 

If you want to see fear, watch a bus stand after the trains stop. 

18. The things I think will never happen, will happen. They already have. 

I have seen all of these plays and more.
I still cannot believe it. I actually live in London.

19. "There is nothing more freeing and empowering 

than learning to like your own company." - Mandy Hale

20. Friendship can happen anytime, anywhere. 

The stranger at "Richard II" became the friend sitting next to me at "Birdland".

Conclusion: I am a lucky girl!