Pirate Training: Makeup

Encore! Theatre is unique in one very specific and cool way: our goal is to train up the next generation of actors, producers, and techies. During the production of Treasure Island, this has been manifested in a whole new way: Pirate Training. Once every two weeks at a Monday rehearsal, all the younger kids (12 and under) get a mini-class on a different aspect of theatre and how it works. The first week they learned how to project (throw your voice) and have "stage presence." The second week they learned theatre etiquette--not running backstage, don't play with props, how to take stage directions, etc. This week it was my turn... I had to teach 12 kids basic stage makeup. *gulp*

  Anyone that knows how I write knows that I handle life basically the same way: way too little planning, a lot of flying by the seat of my pants. (Thus my actions are often referred to by a certain director as "pantsing.") Monday was no different. I had very little of a plan as to how to go about teaching these kids makeup. 

  Two other people on the production team, Alex and Katie, volunteered as tributes for the kids to practice on. The way Carolyn (the head Pirate Trainer and Stage Manager for the show) and I set it up, we had four students and the two tributes lined up on chairs, with one student paired up with them to do their makeup. Alex and one of the boy students would be getting the Benjamin Button treatment (getting old), and the rest would be turned into pirates. 

  Basic pirate makeup includes eyeliner, mascara, bronzer, eyebrowing (is that even a term??? Well, I just made it one.), and scarring. Being such a wise seventeen year old, I decided to not let the younglings use pointy objects near each others' eyeballs, so we skipped the eyeliner and mascara. (Good call, me.)

  The makeup ended up looking pretty horrific, but the kids had fun, and I hope they learned something. Who knows? Maybe years from now they'll be doing my makeup in a future show. ;)

Our awesome Encore! T-shirts, designed by Carolyn. 

Timmy makes the best faces XD

"Now see, you just need to blend it a little more..." (CHILD HOW MANY TIMES MUST I SAY IT?)

Sophia actually did a pretty decent job turning Timmy into a decrepit little old man. I was very proud. ;)

Rehearsals have been coming along well, and the actors continue to impress me.

I'll keep you updated. :)

-SG

So Far

I found this cool song yesterday and decided to post it here. It really connected with me, and it just plain sounds phenomenal. Hope you enjoy. :)

-SG

Sword Fighting

My official title for Treasure Island is "Production Designer" but I dabble in a lot of things. Yesterday I stood in for two actors that were unable to make it to rehearsal, helping choreograph sword fights for them. I thought you all might like to see some, so here's a sample for you all to watch. We did mess up in the middle, keep in mind. ;)

I can't wait until we get real (stage) swords! They are going to look and sound so amazing. :)

-SG

Where the Highway Bends

There's a Francesca Battistelli song that goes something like this:

I don't know where the story ends,

But I'll be alright cause You wrote it

And I don't know where the highway bends but I'm doin' just fine--

You're in control, even when I don't know

Where my life's gonna go

You're keeping me guessing...

That's about where I am right now. The Tearoom just contacted me today--I didn't get the job. I really wanted (and needed) that job, so I'm not quite sure where I'll end up going from here. Oh well, I breathe, God obviously has other plans for me. 

   I may be facing some other changes soon, too. I don't know what's going to happen, but I know God's got me where He wants me. Right now I'm up against a steep challenge I've never had to face before, but God has given me a hope to carry me through. (Fantastic friends and the best family ever help with that a lot too. 😉 )

   Keep on keeping on, readers. I challenge you this week to focus on one small good thing that happened to you this week--maybe someone let you cut in front of them when you almost missed your turn, maybe you found a cool verse you've never read before. Comment with your happy thing, and know that God put it there just to bless you as your highway bends. 

-SG

Pirate-ness

Yesterday I decided to give the pirate-look a try, in practice for Encore! Theatre's upcoming production, Treasure Island. I wish I had some fake blood (I could've made it sooo much cooler) but oh well. Using basic makeup and tools, I changed my skin tone, gave myself a cool scar, and in general managed to look a little scarier than my normal short, blonde self. ;)

What do you think? Should I be a pirate more often? Would you be interested in a full tutorial on how to turn yourself into a pirate? Let me know in the comments!

-SG

Paladeinia

Paladeinia; when something is both wonderful and terrible. In two words: growing up. Last year when I turned sixteen, surrounded by family and friends, it didn't seem like that much of a leap. It was just like fifteen--but better. Now as I'm approaching seventeen I find myself becoming ... Resigned? Afraid?

  In the last week I have passed my test and received my driver's license, driven with my brother without adult supervision, had my first job interview and just got called back for a job-shadowing, which I will be doing tomorrow. I feel so grown-up, (which perhaps shows my immaturity). 

  January did not feel much like a new year to me--(maybe because I was sick most of the month??) But February--this feels like the beginning of a really, really great story. One that may not be cheerful and hunky-dory all the way through, but doesn't quit until you get to the good ending, the kind that leaves you thoughtful. So look out 2016! We may have gotten off on the wrong foot, but you haven't beaten me yet. 

-SG

Treasure Island

Well folks, auditions have been made, a cast has been collected, the script has been printed, and we have now had the READ-THROUGH. This is actually happening. *que excitement*
I'm not gonna lie, I am still kinda in love with Treasure Planet.... which was my only "Treasure Island" until last summer when I read the book and watched the Muppet Treasure Island with a friend. I found my favorite line from Treasure Planet, and I'll let you do with it what you will. It's from the scene where Silver says goodbye to Jim.

I hope it inspires you to go rattle some stars in your own world this week. :)

-SG