Open Forum

 View Only

  • 1.  Suggestions for Staging Peter and the Starcatcher

    Posted 02-15-2017 23:43
    In several months, my students will be performing Peter and the Starcatcher.  I'm wanting to really let them guide the blocking and how the story unfolds visually.  Do any of you have suggestions for some activities to warm them up to this?  Any tips I might consider as I embark on the rehearsal process?

    Thank you,

    ------------------------------
    Sarah Gerling
    Theatre Teacher and Director
    Columbia MO
    ------------------------------


  • 2.  RE: Suggestions for Staging Peter and the Starcatcher

    Posted 02-16-2017 08:13
    We did "Peter..." in the fall and had a blast. Unfortunately, we had a new schedule and a shorter time period to put everything together. If I had to do it again...First, I think it's important to get a good group together. Students who trust each other, like to "play", and have a good amount of energy. I like to use devised theater exercises based on my mime training and also used tips from Davis Robinson's devised theater book. I did a lot of the movement warm-ups that many use, and even threw in some games to get them using the space. I then introduced the idea of "Graphix," creating images/pictures using your body, and had them explore these by doing quick rounds of the images. They created some very cool pictures, some of which we used, some we threw out, and some that morphed into other solo or group images. I put a bunch of nautical themed props in the space and had them incorporate them into the pictures as well.

    Hope that helps.

    Have fun!

    ------------------------------
    Jennifer Jordan
    Director of Theater and Dance
    Miss Hall's School
    Pittsfield MA
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 3.  RE: Suggestions for Staging Peter and the Starcatcher

    Posted 02-16-2017 09:41
    We just produced it in February. If you are using the music in the score, I'd suggest making sure you have a music director and a strong piano accompanist.  If you're using a student for percussion/foley artist, be sure to have them at rehearsals so they can be involved in the process of creating the moments. 

    I had  a cast of 32 - 16 in the main ensemble that covered all the speaking roles and 16 "Ship's Crew" - they consisted of "Sailor Crew" and "Pirate Crew".  They filled ensemble roles for sailors and pirates in the first act and then became mollusks in the second act.  Having a small main ensemble was key for us.  This was where I had my advanced acting students mostly.  Many of them are in my IB Theatre course so they had experience in devising, directing, etc. so they were able to take the lead on coming up with new ideas.  We also found the Production Manual on the MTI site to be very helpful.  If you have a really strong group of kids taking, the rehearsals can be filled with games, experimentation and physical theatre exercises.  We spent the first 2-3 weeks on ensemble work and saved more of the staging to later in the process.  

    ------------------------------
    Christina Kemmerer
    Brooklandville MD
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


  • 4.  RE: Suggestions for Staging Peter and the Starcatcher

    Posted 02-16-2017 09:44
    I would recommend getting a copy of Anne Bogart's Viewpoints book. I have used viewpoints in many productions as an actor and director, as well as with my acting students. Bogart's techniques are a great way to create unity among a cast, create organic stage pictures, and help students learn to move as a unit. I am directing Peter at my school next fall and I will be using this method with my kids as well. Hope that helps! 

    The Viewpoints Book: A Practical Guide to Viewpoints and Composition
    Amazon remove preview
    The Viewpoints Book: A Practical Guide to Viewpoints and Composition
    View this on Amazon >
     

    ------------------------------
    Jeff Sams
    Theatre Director
    Franklin High School
    Franklin, Ohio
    ------------------------------

    Original Message


Related Content