Have been doing attachment with The Necessary Stage 必要剧场 lately..a pretty interesting experience i would say. Currently there is a workshop together with a Russian Production team called Knam. 8 actors in all, half russian and half singaporean..
My job is to assist the current stage manager as best as i could, basically whatever the stage manager wants me to do, i have to do it..mainly a lot of sai kangs..hahas..=p It ranges from sweeping floor to cleaning mics to packing of props and costume to videoing. Today i even steamed something that looks like a cyc..
I went in with almost nothing, like a piece of white paper, and i would say i learned quite a lot, even though i had been there for just three days..im sure there are more things to look at and to learn for the next few weeks till end of the year..the structure of the workshop is such that in the morning there will be a warm up session, followed by some exercises, lunch, role playing, and finally discussions.. basically there is a in charge from the russian group and one from the TNS side, and they will take turns to conduct activities with the actors..it was quite an interesting experience cos at first there were no translators, and the russians have some problems with the english language, so half of the time the actors have to guess what the 2 insturctors mean and want from them..
Even with obstacles from the difference in languages, the actors are always able to complete the tasks assigned by the instructors, and im really amazed by their ability to work with each other with great understanding..everytime i step into the theatre, their passion in the performing srts reallt touches my heart..=) perhaps there is really no barrier in the Arts as long as you put your heart and soul into it..=)
Sometime when i think of it, i cant help but to feel ironical and to a small extent, ridiculous. Back in the JC days, there were so many comrades devoting their precious time and effort into huangcheng, everyone felt like there was nothing more important than to put up an impressive performance. We all shared that passion.. I thought that passion would not subside for many years to come, even after we graduate.. Sadly, even though people still get tickets for huangcheng after they step into Uni, i cant remember anyone who is still actively involved in theatre other than myself. Maybe a few still does..so few that i can count with a single hand..
Who would have thought that a mere tiny costume member in the old days would continue to contribute to the arts industry and still be involved in theatre productions when the others have long forgotten that passion? I know. This is just life.
One thing i know for sure, i did not regret. And im proud of myself.
