Brand new props + missing ones

Description:

Throughout regular theatre classes, we rehearsed the entire week scene 3, in the forest. Inclusive there were some exceptions, on Monday in the rehearsal of scene 3, Hawie and I went to the schools’ carpentry to paint the props while on Thursday, Sasmita Sahoo, a professional and experienced classic Indian singer came to watch the rehearsal and propose her music. Instead, on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday we had the school rehearsal where our focus was on the development of scene 8, the coronation of Rama. Finally, me, instead of going to the school play rehearsal on Saturday, I went again to the Centro of Lima to buy missing props.

Analysis:

The difference was clear, from two and a half hours in the busy streets of capon to the half a hour time in the straightforward block 3 of Abancay or in other words, Jr Huallaga, where the fabrics and cups were able to be found. By being once again in the Centro, I put in practice an ability learnt from the last time we went, the capacity of prioritizing the purchasing of objects due to the lack of time. I specialized my time and decided going to the fabrics was a better choice and chance of winning against time since the fabrics, taking the measurements, cutting 3metres per each color fabric would take much longer than buying 12 identical cups. As a result, from this, we calculated our time efficiently and in a matter of 30 minutes, we had finished buying both crucial props that were missing. Time was chasing me, but by returning to the Centro, I learned how to locate myself better, especially the same shops I wanted to go to where my missing props could be found. Additionally, before going I took advantage of my network of contacts and communicated with an expert of the Centro de Lima zone who could be my companion in this journey. With his help, He facilitate my journey much more since from his help, I learned how to situate myself better in the Centro and calculate my time efficiently. Another lesson I learned was that Jr Huallaga, was the third block of Abancay whether than the sixth one. Both shops containing my missing propos were one block distant from each other. Perfect for us! As a result, this will help me in the future since when I need to go or if I need to go, I will be able to locate myself more securely in the Centro for buying the props for the upcoming school play. By locating myself better, I can contribute the next former ib years when they need to go to buy props.Therefore, one last lesson I reflected on when returning to the Centro was that, since the first time we go, we must have taken previously the exact measurements and precautions to not have the obligation to return.

Monday, was a brand new experience for me. Going to carpentry and actually painting my very own props that would be used in the school play was a new stage of my theatre life. Actually having the chance of painting with the materials bought, the props that would be used was a unique experience for me. By painting, I realized that that the external materials that are not included in the prop like the paint aerosols and strings complete the package of the final product, or in other words, the final prop. If the prop lacks the color or external materials, the prop will not look the same, meaningless and poor. The sequence of painting was weird and extraordinary at the same time. Hawie and I learned how to paint with aerosols the props. In the case of the cups for the wine, we began by picking them up from their thinnest part and begin painting them. Whether than just focusing the paint spray onto a single area of the prop, the paint shall cover the empty region missing by “turning it around, painting, turning it around, and painting” continuously until the prop is completely covered by the gold dye. From this experience, I acknowledged how the people in charge of props actually manage the final development of their props. It is not only about buying the prop ready to be used, instead, creating the prop, finishing it yourself. Because of this unique painting experience, I will now be able to help the next IB year in charge of props, show them how to paint the props, the adequate manner to tint them and others. 

Moreover, during the school play rehearsals I was able to face the only situation I have not ever experienced before, the power of doubling. Experiencing it led me to one single conclusion: CHAOS, being in backstage is a CHAOS; however, it can be managed successfully with order and discipline. It was now my turn, I faced the terror of backstage; running from right to left to assure the correct props were being used in the accurate time, silencing actors that did not appear yet, remembering people who had forgotten to appear to go out towards the stage and more. By going to side to side in backstage while scene 8 was developed, rehearsed and presented; I was passing on props to the different actors. Additionally, I developed the ability of strategies. I coordinated the time and place where I was going to give the actors the specific prop needed or where it was left so they can pick it up, use them, and then leave them exactly in the same position.

Reflection:

Being in backstage was a hard task, although I learned about order, discipline, doubling roles and time management; one concern was crushing my brain, questioning me every single time. When I act in a specific scene, who could help me, assume my charge as props and organize the backstage? I mean… only one person was assigned props: me; only I know where each prop is used, at what specific time, where it should be so actors can access them more. Whom could I actually call for help, my cast members? What if the entire production team is acting? How do theatre makers accomplish this, find the perfect replacement for the charge while you are acting in stage.