"Free" The Poem. World War 2.

Poem

In the last few weeks we have been working on poems. Every Thursday morning Rob gave us different poems so we could practice reading through them. For example, one morning I was in pair with Toya. We were working on the sad story poem and had to read it in a comic way. For the assignment I have chosen Free The Poem. I liked this poem because of it's simplicity that makes it beautiful. At first, it might look a bit silly because of it's content so you need to understand the actual meaning of it. Rob's feedback about my poem was positive. He agreed that I improved on articulation. Reading aloud books helps me a lot. I Pace, rhythm was good as well.

Story of World War 2

In Sharon`s class we were working on World War 2 stories. I was in group with Isabella, Mara and Odinelsa. Our story was based on Hitler the dictator of Germany,

Memories from World War 2

Me, Isabella and Mara were members of anti-Hitler youth center. Odinelsa published propaganda promoting everyone to join Hitler`s team because he is the best. Mara got very excited about it. Meanwhile me and Isabella started to think of escape. Mara promised us that she would help us to run away but she betrayed us. She has joined Hitler. Regardless, we were best friends she put me and Isabella in prison. By accident she pushed me, I felt down and broke my leg, Later on messenger of Hitler team (Mara) came and took Isabella away.

A lot of people joined the German`s army during WW2

I had no idea where she was taking her to. She left me in my cell because I couldn`t walk. My leg was swollen. After few minutes she came back again. Hitler ordered her to bring me in. Even though I was lying down on the floor without any power, she grabbed me under my arm picks and drag me away to the Hitler`s room. Moment I came into room I saw Isabella. She looked so tired and weak. I wanted to explain Mara that she`s going wrong way, to prove her that this is not right but she didn`t listen to me. And then I heard Hitler`s voice "kill her". These words shrilled through my ears. I knew this is the end. Though I was calling out "No! No! No! We were best friends!" she hit me. THE END.

Germany flag

It was 5 minutes long short piece based on real stories from World War 2. It was very believable. The story was clear as well as the characters.

However, later one as the role everyone was playing we wrote a letter to someone. My character was slave with broken leg writing a letter to her beloved fiance. My character was writing this letter while she was stuck in prison cell after Isabella was taken away. She is very scared, doesn``t know whats going to happen, where is her friend, what happened to Mara, why she is acting like this, this is wrong very wrong. Anyway, my letter is addressed to my beloved John. He was living in the USA at this time. In my letter I explain everything
what has happened recently and tell John how I love him.





By the way, everyone should watch Pearl Harbor the movie. It`s based on real story and is about love, war, lost, friends and betrayal. Starring Ben Affleck, It is one of my favorite movies. Amazing set, great actors and the story is just breathless.


All quiet on the Western front the book (Im Western nichts Neues) written by Erich Maria Remarque is true story of impact of social attitude to young adults before and after war.

 Xoxo, Amber

Original story of Anastasia vs Disney story of Anastasia.

Original story of Anastasia 

As I have chosen my favourite fairytale is Anastasia. It is one of the most beautiful cartoon movies I have ever seen. Sadly, it has a real cruel story. Even though cartoon seems nice story of Anastasia there is a real tragedy behind it. Story is completely changed but the main facts of it are left. It is rewritten and some cruel facts about political life have changed to magical and unforgettable world of ‘Anastasia’. However, this story is made for kids and some parents would not like their children watching tough cartoons on TV.

Everything has started in twentieth century only 100 years ago and still has not ended. Nicholas II Romanov had become Czar of Russia in 1896. He was the last autocratic ruler left in Europe, where Kings and Emperors ruled a continent. Russia was one of the biggest lands to rule by one person at this time. Many people have tried to ruin his reign and take over his position but they were unsuccessful. Some of European countries were already democratized so do Russians wanted democracy. Ones were unhappy about not moving towards democracy but majority were pleased with governance.

Anastasia in 1914

Nicholas family did not want a revolution, especially towards democracy. Economic growth was great during this time and people were happy about it.

However, he had a nice family. His wife Alexandra, who was living in Germany for a while, was a granddaughter of Queen Victoria of Great Britain. The Czar had four very beautiful daughters, Olga, Tatiana, Marie and Anastasia, and son Alexei. As he was the only boy child in family he was heir to the throne. But he was sick of haemophilia he needed some help. And then Rasputin showed up as a mysterious woodsman. He helped Alexei to calm down and recuperate. He was a friend of Romanov`s family. He was helping them out when Nicholas went to the army. Rumours about Rasputin and the Czar`s Wife spread around.

However, World War 1 was in progress. One thing followed to another even more sparking the war between Russia and Germany. Vladimir Lenin became a leader of Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) by putting Romanovs in very bad situation. A few months later they all were killed. A secret police leader shot all family members one by one. After man years rumors of still alive Anastasia began circulating. Many women were claiming that they were Anastasia. One of them looked identically like Duchess. Regardless, there were not enough proofs that there was the Grand Duchess Anastasia even though the girl looked just like her. Many years later a mysterious girl Anna Anderson`s DNA proved that Anastasia was killed with other family members in 1918. All supposition was negated after 90 years of mystery. Anastasia 

Anyway, family`s eradication had a big impact to Russia and other countries. And then Communism totally conquers the country. It was the beginning of fascism and communism.

Disney Story of Anastasia

The Disney has picked up the main thing of original story. It`s a delightful animated musical. Anastasia was about 9 years old. There was a big ball at Winter Palace during the February revolution. Anastasia and her family run out of the palace. They were running very fast to the train station. Anastasia is about to get on the train but because of chaos she slips, falls down and forgets everything. When she turns 18 she comes back to St. Petersburg. Everyone rumoring that Anastasia is alive! 

Anastasia at Winter Palace

Two friends one of them named Dimitri decided to earn some money and collect the reward from Anastasia`s grandmother who hopelessly wants to find her. So he and his friends are holding 

Bartok

auditions at Winter Palace in St. Petersburg, looking for someone who looks like Anastasia. Accidentally they met Anya (Anastasia) there who looks most similar to tsarina but she doesn`t remember anything. However, Rasputin plays a villain`s role in the movie. He cursed the Romanov`s family because they betrayed him. He came to the ball at the beginning of the movie and destroyed everything but little girl who escaped-little Anastasia. By the way, he has funny little friend Russian bat named Bartok. 

Though Rasputin was weirdo he was very close to the family and helped to cure Alexi`s from hemophilia. Anyway, Anastasia and two guys travelling to Paris to collect the reward. Dimitri and Anya falls in love with each other. Secretly, he and his friend know that Anya somehow is a real tsarina that got lost many years ago. Dimtri feels bad because he`s about to betray her. They come to Paris and going to see grandmother. A boy admits that he doesn`t need a reward he just informs that they have found her real granddaughter. The moment Anya and grandmother meets they start singing a song that only two of them know. Both Dimitri and Anastasia destroys Rasputin and all his magical powers. In reward, grandmother lets her go and be with Dimitri even though he doesn`t have royal blood. They lived happily ever after.

Grandmother puts the crown on Anastasia 

Which techniques did I use to tell story of Anastasia in 1 minute? 

I can tell that it was very hard to choose main 3 scenes because all of them are so beautiful. The 3 main points I have chosen:

1. The beginning when she gets lost and forgets everything. 
2. Dimtri and his friend finds Anastasia and offers her go to Paris and get riches. 
3. Moment Anastasia and grandmother sees each other they remember everything. 

I was in pair with Jerome. He numbered 3 things I used most: 

• Characterization 
• Narration 
• Mimicking  

He said that I separated all characters: wizard Rasputin, Anastasia, Dimtri and his friend, grandmother by changing voices, using different body language, mimicking. My performance was only 1 minute long so I used narration to tell people what`s going on and monologue to show different characters. I started my story with "Long time ago Anastasia and her family had a big ball in St. Petersburg... And the bad wizard came and destroyed everything!" "Bang Bang Bang!!" "A little Anastasia got lost, fell down and forget everything..." The ending of first part of the story. Second part started with queen standing in the middle and telling everyone "Those who will find my lost granddaughter will get riches" "Two guys decided to earn some money and started looking for Anastasia. Accidentally they met a girl looking just like Anya." "Look! She looks just like the princess." ( Dimitri pointed to Anastasia) "Hid friend agreed." All 3 of them: Anya, Dimitri and his friend went to Paris. The moment Anastasia saw grandmother they recognized each other. In return, Dimitri got married with Anastasia (she called out "I DO!") and they lived happily ever after.

Anya and Dimitri

Working On Our Country's Good

At the beginning I would like to highlight my targets which is to improve my articulation and voice projection, get under the skin, correctly use Stanislavski`s methods to help me understand Duckling`s character.  My partner Matthew and I have been rehearsing for the last few weeks for Our Country's Good. We have tried different pace and pitch by doing voice exercises and repeating the same line for a few times, slowing down and speeding up.

Our Country`s Good in West End

About my character: Duckling Smith born and raised in London. She was a young prostitute and thief who was sentenced to death at only age of 16. Her childhood was severe. She was sold as a prostitute when she was 8. Later on was working as one of 'Goose's girls'. Because of lack of money she started stealing and got caught. She was accused of stealing silverware worth for 45 shillings at this time. Hanging as punishment was completely normal thing for that kind of offence. Stealing of things valued at £3.00 (equal to 60 shillings) thieves got hanged. Harry Brewer who is hopelessly in love with Duckling saved her life by writing her name on a list to transportation for 7 years. However, their relationship was quite hard. Harry goes great guns to get Duckling's attention while she tries to ignore him because she's afraid if he realises that she loves him he will become cruel. However, she knows exactly what he likes and what he doesn't. She plays with his feeling not realising it can end up tragically. For example, the scene that she goes down her knees and using sexy voice talks with Harry about intimate things. Nobody expected that I would do it but I know that my character would. To be honest, it's not my favourite scene but I can't imagine this scene without any body language. Because there is a reason why she says it, she's seducing Harry, so just saying the words out doesn't make any sense about the actual meaning of it.  

Our Country`s Good in West End

About the play: It was written in seventeenth century by playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker. This play is based on real story of convicts that was exiled to Australia. 

Our Country`s Good in West End

What barriers am I discovering? Firstly, I didn't know all the words are used in the play such as Mollie, and got confused how to pronounce lieutenant, Thames, gaoler but Rob and classmates helped me out. Rob said that my articulation gets better and better but the line "...and take my corpse with you. You could have kept that in chains" is a good tongue twister. At the end of the day, vocal and breathing exercises helps me a bit. I trying to do it every morning before college. Besides, we have vocal class every Thursday. Every Thursday morning in Rob's class we warm our bodies up, did OO-OH-OR and a few tongue twisters. Here is one I flew through the air without a care. 

After all, working on Stanislavski`s techniques was very helpful. I will adapt it while will be working on The Tempest  written by Shakespeare after Christmas holidays. I already used his methods to understand the poem Free. To be honest, it takes a while analyzing every single line or even a sentence. But I`m sure the time is well spent understanding the role I`m playing. 

P.S. I will upload a video soon. 

Our country`s good scripts

My week started with scripts of the play "Our Country's Good" written by British playwright Timberlake Wertenbaker. I just finished reading a book. However, I am in pair with Matthew and Mara. Scripts are quite short and I have almost learned my lines so it will be easier to rehearse.

I applied Stanislavski techniques working on Our Country`s Good scripts and my character Duckling.

• My character's Duckling objective is "To get my freedom". 
• Actions help to reach my objective. So I set the right action for each line/sentence. For example, "I`ll be in the play" I applied  the action such as, "I agree." 
• My scripts look a bit messy because I wrote down an action under each sentence and the actual meaning of it. Let`s say Duckling scoffing at Harry "Why didn`t you let them hang me and take my corpse with you, Harry?" She`s being sarcastic. She doesn`t want to be hanged as well as she doesn`t want to show Harry that she actually loves him because she is afraid that he can become aggressive and stop taking care of her, being nice to her. 
• Given circumstances are quite clear. As written in the play we are sitting on the boat and rowing so me and Matthew decided that for set we will use two chairs and sit face to face. 
• In one of Rob`s lesson we experienced an emotional "recall". Everyone found a place in the space, sat on chair, closed their eyes and the game began. We analysed the main 5 senses of body: hearing, taste, sight, smell and touch. How was I feeling listening to pleasant and unpleasant sounds?  I remembered a song Hanging Tree from Hunger Games: Mockingjay. The song itself has a deep meaning and it made me feel keen, powerful, strong and alive. As I wrote earlier in my blog about second part of movie Hunger Games and how I got the free ticket reminds me that everything is possible. On the contrary, scratch sounds on blackboard just makes me go mad, crazy and uncomfortable. 
• However, Magic If is very helpful to think of what would I do if I was there? Would I love Harry, would I enjoy ignoring and teasing him? Finally, after long hours of research about Duckling I started thinking what would I do if situation if I was her. For example, I am Duckling. I`m going to buy a milk in corner shop. Oops! I don`t have enough money! There is no cameras in there I should steal something. I try to feel what Duckling would think. I guess she would try to steal it.
•  Anyway, I`m not gonna do it. It just one of the thought process that helps me to get into character. Just to let you know I`m not a criminal. In sum, it's called subtext. When actor gets under the skin, takes over character`s manners: what kind of language is to be used, the body language etc. 

After all, imagination is everything.

P.S. It's only one month left until Christmas!!!
P.P.S. For  everyone who`s reading it!!! You  have a very pretty face, you should be on a Christmas post card. :)

Constantin Stanislavski Methods

Constantin Stanislavski 

Synopsis

He was a Russian actor and theatre director. Born in Moscow in 1863, died in 1938. He is known as naturalistic acting practitioner. He founded The Moscow Art Theater, and established his own system of acting. His techniques are used by many people thanks to his students that spread his methods over the world. Stanislavski`s system is a progression of techniques used to train actors and actresses to draw believable emotions to their performances by using their own memories. According to Stanislavski the actor shouldn't only know what lines he needs to say but also every detail of that character’s life off-stage as well as on-stage. Here are a few examples of what we talked about on Monday. 

Given circumstances - are what help you answer the six fundamental questions (who, when, where, why, for what reason and how). He environmental and situational conditions will influence your performance.
Stanislavski lists the circumstances as:
• The story of the play
• Its facts, events, epoch, time and place of action
• Conditions of life
• The actor’s and director’s interpretation
• The production, the sets, the costumes, the props
• Lighting and sound effects.

Objectives - What are we trying to achieve? And what constantly put up barriers in our way in order to stop us achieving this? What you could do with that sentence without restricting my thoughts on the character.

Actions - verbal actions helping achieve our goal (objective). For example, I go, I wish, I angry, I engage.

Circle Of Attention - Being aware of the life around me, starting with me on stage and building outwards. It`s technically defined as the circle within which the actor creates the illusion of solitude, can better be understood as the outer limit of the audience.

Subtext - Would be spoken, could be interpreted by the actor through intonation, gesture, body posture, pauses or choices in action. The meaning and motivation behind the lines.

Emotional Memory - It`s an actor`s duty to stimulate his own emotional memory from which to build playing role`s character. Use memories to recall feelings and emotion felt at particular moment.

Magic If -  "What would I do if I was in this situation?" and the "If I were my character, what would I be thinking?". This makes character more realistic. 

Through Line - The logical coherence of a characters role, including their off stage life. 

Understanding the Here, Today, Now of the character
• Where have I just come from?
• Where am I?
• What am I doing?
• Why am I doing it?
• When is this happening? What time of day, month, year? In which
period?

• Where am I going to now?

There are many more methods but these are the most common ones. 

A Blade of Grass The poem. Favorite Fairy-tale - Anastasia.

(03/11/2014 - 06/11/2014)

Finally I`m back after half term. A week after half term was a bit intensive. Rob and Sharon briefly told us during the term. Rob whispered that we are going to work on poems this term. Today he gave us a poem " A Blade of Grass". The meaning of the poem is that we always want more and more. The writer highlights that as we grow we forgot about small things and moments we should be happy about. Even though writer reminds us that poetry can be simple as well as anyone can be an artist by saying "You say it is too easy to offer grass. It is absurd. Anyone can offer a blade of grass." At first I found it a bit confusing because I didn`t know where to make a pause, what intonation I should use.

I added Stanislavsky techniques that we were working on Monday. I applied it for "A Blade of Grass".

Given  circumstances - as long as it is a poem we can adapt different kind of moods. For example, Rob asked Jerome and Ria close their eyes and imagine a situation of them getting a letter bringing very very bad news. I imagined it in my head as well. The way they said a poem was slightly different. The mood has changed. Even so I felt goose bombs. 

Objective - to give an example of how things loose it`s value as people become older. 

Actions - As I was reading the last 3 paragraphs I applied actions. It helps me to understand WHY I`m saying it. 

Magif If - I would use is as my own explanation for kids to understand that even tiny things have value. 

"Emotional recall" - I would use my memory when I was explaining my little nice that everything what she`s got has value. Tat she has to appreciate everything, that nothing is free and whatever she does she should do it thoughtfully.  

However, we started the day with vocal exercises. Guess what we have done firstable. Of course everyone`s favourite `OO-OH-OR`. Rob`s feedback to me was that I should open my mouth more while saying `OH`. We done some tongue twisters as well. One of them "Friendly Frank flips fine flapjacks." Feedback was that Frank sounded like France. I mean, it was long A. So I guess, I should work on articulation. Why I `m not surprised. Anyway, at least now I feel more confident when I`m speaking.

Favorite Fairy-tale - Anastasia

In class with Sharon we told about favourite fairytale. My one was Anastasia. Primarily, we picked up 3 main points of the fairytale we have chosen.
 Later on, we wrote it down on the paper and then performed all story only in 1 minute!! I used narration, monologue and different characters technique. Saying different characters, I have changed my voice while pretending a boy and girl.

My job as an actress when working on The Trojan Women

I guess almost everybody who is not actors thinks that this profession is very easy and there is nothing to do with hard work. Just to let you know you are all wrong. Acting requires long hours of work and desire. I think every single actor supposed to have their "goal". They have to know where are they going. You have to know where you are going. I know where I am going. I have my own goals. 

As a professor of psychology once said J. 

Bouchard 'Perfection is not a destination; it`s a never-ending process... Enjoy!'. Apparently, no disputing that it`s true. 

However, my job as an actress is: 

• To make the world (people, audience) believe. Embody Hecuba`s (my playing character) feelings and emotions while standing in one place. As Rob suggested I shouldn`t move round the space. Just stand in one position and show my emotion by facial expressions and voice. 
• Research as much as possible about the play. It helps me to understand more about the character`s personality. 
• Find a reason WHY she says it. My job is not only to say the lines, my job is to make sure people understand why I said that. In my situation, Hecuba is full of despair because of her all daughters have been taken away by Greeks. She keeps sorrow inside. It affects her reaction while saying her inner monologue. Audience must feel despair, pain and anger at the same time. 
• Listen and react!!! As a professional acting teacher Sanford Meisner said "Acting is behaving truthfully under imaginary circumstances". I totally agree with it. For example, when you speak with a friend and she/he tells a story, obviously you not gonna stand and do nothing. People should see the reaction in body language and facial expressions. 
• Who? Where? Why? Always set the location. Me and Claudie came up with idea of me standing at the edge of the mountain and before I die he wants to tell me bad news. Rob suggested as Claudie should be a police officer bringing bad news to a mom who`s children died in war. In sum, we combined both ideas. 

College life.

There will never be too much of rehearsing and trying different ways of acting same scene. It develops acting skills and helps to stay focused while acting. 

College life 2.

Greek Theatre

    History

In the past month we were talking about Greek theater. The beginning of the Greek Ancient theater has started 700 BC in Athens. First festival was called by `City Dionysia`. Men were honoring the god Dionysus by performing plays. People used to perform plays only during the Dionysia festival. Normally, same person was responsible for actors, directors and dramatists. Later on, only 3 actors were allowed to perform in each play. After a while a few non-speaking actors could do some physical theater acting on stage. A big part of the plays was Chorus. It was a group of dressed up men standing up in the orchestra (dancing floor) for the whole duration of play. Their job was to comment actors actions and speeches. One of the main things in Greek theater was music. Often it had been played because of limited number of actors on stage.

Most likely, majority of Greek tragedies are based on mythology or history background with the meaning of life. Basically, tragedy (tragiodia- tragos and ode) means "goat song". People were dancing round the goats which were sacrificed as a prize.

• Normally, tragedies used to begin with a prologue that tells a bit of the play and what will happen.
• Next part is called parodos which Chorus is responsible for. 
• First episode, first stasimon introduces with characters, exposition and mood.
• More episodes. 
• Finally, comes the exodus scene-last scene where all character and chorus leaves the stage.

                                    Playwrights

Well- known playwrights of Ancient Greek Theater were Sophocles, Aeschylus, Euripides, Aristophanes. All of them have written many plays but only few of them have survived by now. Sophocles, Aeschylus and Euripides were renowned in 5th century BC.

Aeschylus 

First of all three most known Greek theater playwrights. Was born near Athens in 525 BC, died 456 BC. He grew up during the Hippias exaltation, dictator and beginning of democracy in Athens. He was a soldier, participated in Persian Wars. His brother died fighting in battle. He wrote around 70-90 plays. Most known are tragic trilogy of Oresteia including plays Agamemnon, The Libation Bearers, and The Eumenides.  

Sophocles

Born in near Athens in 496 BC, died 406 BC. He was well-known at that time in Athens.Had two sons. He was an actor but could not continue this career because of problems with his voice. Sophocles first came up with idea of third actor on stage. He wrote over 100 plays. Most known of them are Antigone, Electra and Oedipus The King. My classmates are working on the pieces from Antigone and Oedipus The King. Both are tragedies. As he was very talented, he won first place in festival in 468 BC. 

Euripides

Euripides born 485 BCE in Athens, died 406 BCE of age 79. He was born and grew up in Athens in wealthy family. His wife name was Melito and he had 3 children, all of them were boys.Probably as most that time dramatist and playwrights he participated in God Dionysus festival. He won, met many famous philosophers such as Socrates and Protagoras, and had a large library. Later on he`s got an invitation from king of Macedonia to live and write over there. He accepted and moved to Macedonia. He died 2 years later in Macedonia. He was one of the best Greek theatre writers and poets so his plays were recopied many times and are still used by now.

 He has written approximately 90 plays but only 19 of them have survived. Genre of the plays: 18 tragedies and only 1 drama. His most succeeded plays were Medea, The Trojan Women, The Bacchae, Hippolytus and Alcestis. We are working on two tragedies at college which are Medea and The Trojan Women. I`m doing the scene from The Trojan Women play. I found it really interested to me because of it`s dramatic story that tells a lot about history. For example, life, war and pain people were suffering from at that time. He wrote The Trojan Women during the Pelopennesian War (431-404 B.C.).

Aristophanes 

It is still a mystery where and when he was born. He was a famous Greek comic writer. According to scientist he is from prosperous family. Aristophanes are the writer of 40 plays which only 11 of them have survived. Few of his most succeeded plays are called The Acharnians and The Knights. He was the main character named Cleon of his second play. Performing this play he won first place in festival. Mostly he wrote about politic`s life in Athens at this time.

Themes

Themes of The Trojan Women are war, horror, men`s power and importance, children`s and women`s humiliation.

Horror of War - this is the main theme of the play. All men are killed. Women as slaves are taken away by the Greeks. Hecuba, the dethroned queen, becomes a servant to Odysseus, the Greek warrior, in his house. Cassandra is to be a slave to of Agamemnon. Astyanax, the son of Andromache and Hector, is killed as well as Polyxena sacrificed for Acillis  tomb.

Revenge - Cassandra had been raped. Because of that Athens wants a revenge against Greeks. Helen, wife to Menelaus,the king if Greeks, is about to be killed by her husband. He is supported by Trojan Women. According to them she caused all the troubles.

Hope - Hecuba believes that there is always a good way. Does not matter what, she always has a hope.

Fear - After Greek won against Troy nobody know what will happen next. Where Trojan women will go, who do they need to slave to, what country, what people will be over there. Women are scared of obscurity.

In my own opinion, all this information will help me to become under the skin of Hecuba`s character. I researched about the play thoroughly and now understand more about life at this time. Women did not have no rights. Nobody cared if you were a queen or married woman. Men were equal gods. I found Hecuba as a really strong character person. Regardless Troy is destroyed and seems there are no hopes left, she finds a light. How strong woman has to be to have willingness after everything has happened. Emotions takes over her but she tries to keep it inside.

3 Genres Of Ancient Drama: Tragedy, Comedy, Satyr Plays

There were 3 genres of ancient drama. Tragedy, comedy and satyr plays. (Satyr play – tragicomedy). All genres are very different. Comedy and tragedy were immediately separated because of its difference while satyr plays were based on mythological subject and performed in comic mood. 

TRAGEDY PLAYS

Masks

Tragedy plays considered as to be the basement for Greek theatre. It became well known in 5^th century BC. Upset, angry emotions dominate plays. Greek tragedy stories are based on the ancient rites done in honor of Dionysus. Other thinks that it evolved from dithyrambs (hymn sung by people honored for Dionysus). Thespis was the first person that represented Greek tragedy. Themistius, Choerilus and Pratinas of Phlius were other famous play righters by time.

COMEDY PLAYS

Greek comedy doesn`t have traces of its origin. It is have three periods, Old Comedy, Middle Comedy and New Comedy. Old and New comedies are still useful in nowadays theatre while Middle comedy is completely lost. Happy, joy, marry emotions dominate the plays.

Greek Theater

SATYR PLAYS

Satyr plays had been used to complement the tragedy stories with joy. They were half long of tragedy duration. Normally have gloomy story and funny end. Most plays written by Pratinas og Phlius and continued by his son Aristeas.

Costumes

COSTUMES AND MASKS

The stage was very far from the audience. In that case all costumes and masks that were used for performances were exaggerated. Masks had shown an expression depending on the play either tragedy or comedy. Tragedy masks were showing upset, painful facial expression while comic were smiling. Unfortunately, none of have survived because of its weak substance.

Robert Lister Headshots

Check it out!!! 

I had a photosession with the best photographer Robert Lister in Bournemouth. He is well-known photographer. Can find his name in 'Contact 2014-2015' book that has best agencies, photographers and performing arts trainings around the UK. He is the owner of studios that located round London and Bournemouth. I'm really proud of taking headshots with him. 

Some pictures are coming up. Can't wait to see it when it's done. 

But first let me take a selfie... Robert Lister and me

Follow him on facebook : Robert Lister Headshots 

Trojan Women rehearsals

(29/09/2014-02/10/2014)

Well, this week was quite busy. Monday, Tuesday and Thursday everybody used rehearsal time. Unfortunately, my partner Owais had surgery on his knee so he can't walk. I was rehearsing my piece with Claudie because he and Jennifer doing the same scene. 

Feedback : Rob suggested that I should stand in front of Claudie and show my emotions and feelings by facial expressions instead of moving around the stage. Don't look down otherwise the audience can't see my face and it's not dramatic!!!! (Imagine the situation where police officer comes and brings bad news. You quite like him but at the same time don't because still, it's bad news.) 

I am honestly proud of my class. We are the best!!! We used our rehearsal time on Thursday. Everybody sat down and we performed one by one and gave each other feedbacks. I was surprised because I got really good feedback from my classmate knowing that I have performed only 2 times while everybody has done it at least 5 times. Manly everybody said that my facial expressions and emotions were really truthful. I should work on articulation. 

On Wednesday we were in 4 groups. Each group made short story about the play they are working on. We were doing Trojan Women. First time we improvised almost everything. After a short break everybody got focused, ready to work. 

Fight between The Greeks and Troy. The Greeks takes over Troy. All the men is killed. Freeze frame. Trojan women has been taken away by the Greeks to ships. On the side of the room Thalthybius the messenger tells Hecuba (me) that she and all her daughters have been taken away. Meanwhile actors shows the story in the middle of the room. Finally, Hecuba tries to kill herself but the Greeks stop her. 

I have learnt that working as a group is very important. I liked that Oedipus group has changed tragedy to comedy. They told the story in different way than it supposed to be. 

The Hunger Games: Catching Fire Premiere

September the 18th, Thursday. In class with Sharon we were telling our stories. Mine was about the "Hunger Games: Catching Fire" premier. So let`s get start!

A snap of me and Stuart Kemp 

2013 late November I was walking door by door actors agencies. The last one I went was Spotlight which is close to Leicester square . It was nearly 6 pm and I was about to leave and catch the bus to kick-boxing training. Once I left Spotlight I heard music playing loudly towards Leicester square. I went to see what was going on and I couldn`t believe!!! It was second "Hunger Games" the movie premiere. That time it was my favorite
one. A big crowd of people were bustling around. Suddenly I saw a queue standing by the main entrance. Everybody looked posh. There was a big red carpet along the way. Women were wearing high-heeled shoes and long dresses, men were dressed up in suit. (By the way, I was wearing uggs, jeans and sweater, definitely not ready for premier). I asked a few people in the line if they got a spare ticket but all I hear was "Private party", "Guests only" etc. I saw one man standing by himself. I thought it`s hopeless to ask because the answer will be the same. But he saw me starring at him so I had no choice and I asked him. And guess what?! He got a spare ticket! He was a well-known journalist from Hollywood and his wife and children felt sick that`s why he came alone. I saw all actors including Jennifer Lawrence, Josh Hutcherson, Liam Hemsworth etc. As an evidence I brought picture with me and an amazing person Stuart Kemp!!!

Half class believed it was true, half thought it was false. My feedback was that I used my body language and told the story keenly. I didn`t show picture to anyone so everybody was curious. I need to work on articulation!!! 

Antigone, Medea, Oedipus, Trojan Women

Short brief of all 4 plays.

                    Antigone 

Antigone and her sister want to help her brothers Eteocles and Polyneices. As prophecy predicts, both brothers will kill each other in the battle of thrones of Thebes. But she finds out that both of her brothers are dead. They buried Eteocles but Creon does not give a permission to bury another brother. Antigone infarcts the law and buries Polyneices. Creon finds out and lock her away in prison. Full of depression, she commits suicide. Meanwhile Antigone`s fiance, blind prophet and chorus trying to convince Creon to release her, not knowing she killed herself. Creon relents and they all find her dead. Antigone`s suitor Haemon and Creon`s wife kill themselves so know Creon is left alone full of sorrow.

                      Medea

Medea`s husband marries another woman, Glauke, the daughter of Creon, the King of Corinth. He banishes Medea and her two sons out of Corinth. Knowing Medea she is not going to give up so easy. She swears revenge and promise she will kill them all. She convinces Creon to let her stay one more day in Corinth. It was enough time to make such a good plan. She poisoned the crown and grown so when Glauke puts it on entire body is now caught by fire. When The king sees that he jumped into fire and dies as well. Half of Medea`s plan has worked out.  Later she kills both of her sons by leaving Jason completely alone and distressed.

                   Oedipus

The curse has befallen Thebes. Oedipus trying to find out who killed Laius the King. Teiresias, the blind prophet, inform Oedipus that Oedipus is Laius murderer. His wife Jocasta gives give an advice to ignore what prophet says. To reassure Oedipus is alright she tells the prophecy how she and King Laius had a son who was prophesied to kill Laius and sleep with her. Oedipus was told that he has been adopted by an old man. But he didn`t believe that story and decided to seek for answers. He asks messenger and shepherd many questions meanwhile Jocasta understands that she is Laius wife and mother.... And Laius long time ago killed his father. Full of sorrow and despair she kills herself. Oedipus realizes that he killed his own father, have married his mom and had children with her, he gouges his eyes and is exiled from Thebes.

              Trojan Women 

Troy is destroyed. All men is killed. The Greeks share out all women. Talthybius, the messenger of the Greeks, came to tell Hecuba wants will happen next. Hecuba, dethroned queen of Trojan, and her daughters, Cassandra,Polyxena and Andromache are taken away by different lords. Cassandra is carried away to her own fate because recently she drove mad. Polyxena has been killed as sacrifice at the tomb for the Greek warrior Achillis. Andromache cursing Helen for causing the war is taken away to the Greek ships. Helen doesn`t know what to do. She begs Menelaus the king of Spartan to forgive her claiming that everything she has done was a spell. Hecuba swears all her story and warns him that Helen will betray him again. Nevertheless Menelaus sent her to travel back on a ship. Talthybius comes in bearing dead Andromaches son on his hands. Hecuba prepares body for burial. Finally Hecuba tries to kill herself in fire but soldiers stops her from committing suicide and she is taken off as other Trojan women to their Greek conquerors.

Main themes of Trojan Women are:
War - the horror of war,
Hope - Hecuba believes in better tomorrow,
Revenge - Athens turns against the Greeks.

My scene is from Trojan Women. Where she speak with Talphybius about who is to go where. Talphybius tells her about where she and all her daughters have to be taken. My partner is Owais. Because I knew him before it is easy to work together.

I should work on articulation. I practice everyday exercises Rob gave us last week. It`s "OO, OH, OR" and CG, FV, PB, LT, MN. Since I have been trying to improve my articulation skills reading books loudly and many tongue twisters. I observed that I breath in and out using my belly not shoulders any more.

London Fashion Week`14

Snap from London Fashion Week after party with my friend Sheila

As my friend said "still can`t believe you are 18..." lol

Some pics from recent photoshoot

Hi! Privet! Labas! Bonjour!

Hi everyone!

It`s my 3rd week in college. I really like it. My all classmates are adorable. I can tell, that everybody is really focused about what they are doing. In that case, learning lines, doing homework, researching about plays are included. And a bit of my teachers. Rob is a joker. He is really funny. He gives us advices what we supposed to do by ourselves, included voice, articulation and impro exercises. Acting is not all about what teachers taught it`s about how much can you do yourself. On Thursdays we have Sharon. She really knows how to control a big group of shouting teenagers. I like that everybody stays focused on their own tasks and trying to do their best. I found physical theatre quite hard but interesting. It`s hard to make same story without words, and that`s when physical theatre comes. 

By the way, I`m doing dance certificate. It`s not necessary but I like dance and at the end of the day there is an opportunity to get 30 UCAS points. So we spend 3 hours with Mandy (our dance teacher) every Wednesday. She teaches as contemporary dance. I prefer street dancing but it`s good to be open minded. 

I do some extra drama classes after college on Mondays and Tuesdays. So I am into drama with all my body and minds 24/7. One performance is coming up on Halloween. And recently we start thinking of directing a short-film. I do some extra dance classes as well. After dance class in college I go to another dance class that lasts 3 hours long as well. 6 hours of dance on Wednesdays, not bad not bad!! 

However, I dance on Thursdays as well. Me and Mara, she is my classmate, dance in professional group. We might perform during half term or Christmas holiday. 

At the end of the day, what I can say is not bad! 

Happy Mother`s Day!!

Happy Mother`s Day!!

We meet loads of good and bad people. Some of them become best friends other vanishes from our lives. Some of them stays no matter what happens, others run away when problem comes. But one person is gonna stay forever-Mom. She always give me a hand then no one else does. She teaches how to discern bad and good things. She taught me how to step my first steps. How to say my first words. How to do good things. How to go to school. She was sitting and waiting for me when I went to parties and clubs. Regardless I was (I guess still I am) a hard child, she never gives up. She will never turn away. She is light even in the darkest places.

The most powerful woman in the universe is Mom. Your Mom. My Mom. My Mommy.

Love you so much,

Amber

Let`s get started!

Hi there! 

Probably I should start that my name is Amber Janes. I`m 18 year-old girl from Lithuania currently living in London. I`m an actress, model, kick-boxer. 

What am I doing in London?

At the moment I`m studying BTEC Level 3 Performing Arts-Acting. "WHAT?!! She came to London to study drama?!! Who could do that? Drama?! No way?!!"I heard people saying that so many times. But who cares what other people thinks. Most of them have changed their minds after I went to "Hunger Games: Catching Fire" premier, a few parties with Eva Longoria, Nichole Scherzinger and Victoria Beckham, London Fashion Week after party. 

Well, I really do enjoy drama. I guess as everybody I have drams. That is the answer why I came here. I`ve got qualification of grade of 10 back in my country. It`s equal secondary school GCSE in UK. (not gonna lie I was preparing for this the whole year).  By the way, I`m trying to stay fit. I do some fitness exercises and jogging (not)every morning. And of course healthy eating. That makes me feel happy and energetic all day long. 

Do you want to find out more about my life in performing arts industry? 

FOLLOW ME on amberjanes.blogspot.co.uk

Cheers, 

Amber Janes