nicholaslongstaff.ca

Written: Tuesday, February 27th.
Tom (16)

The script team today consisted of Darryl and Lily, the two major players in the script department. Everyone in the company has contributed in one way or another to the script, and to the script-writing process, but these two have spent the most time on it.

Lily made it her duty to type up onto the computer, the scenes that she and Darryl wrote (based on notes on improvisations, and on rough work by other company members) during the bulk of the recent rehearsal times, to be later included in the yellow-draft and first draft.

The script is now finished, and one would think their Civic Duty is done. However, script writing isn’t all that easy. Now the problem the two teens face is in editing down the script to fit the appropriate length for which the final product, our play, The Trouble with Fairies is destined.

A Robertson Davies quote I’ll paraphrase about editing novels is “it’s just like killing your babies.” Lily and Daryl are forced to cut favourite lines and change scenes that they themselves created, and took the time to write up.

In a way, they are forced to kill Little Lily and Darryl Jr.

I asked Darryl how he felt on the task, and he responded by telling me that editing a piece of writing is never easy, cutting down hard work that one contributed to, oneself.

But when it’s needed “you gotta do what you gotta do.” Darryl also pointed out that change isn’t always a bad thing. The end result of a scene may turn out to be better then they first expected.

I also managed to visit the strong Music Department, consisting of Jury , Spencer, Laura, Nicole, and their facillitator, musician and composer Richard J. Lehman.

Richard, although contributing to the shaping and finish of the music, is actually sitting back, letting the other younger four contribute the musical styles that will underscore The Trouble with Fairies.

The males of the department are all working with musical instruments, usually guitars, and ultimately, the beat and melody of the songs, while the females are working with vocals and keyboards.

Of course, these songs didn’t write themselves to start with. These four have created all the music for the show, down to the tune and lyrics. All but one song is basically in good shape, including lyrics and rhythmic drive. Currently the team is working on the melody for the “Dahlia and Choleric” song. I managed to catch Spencer, and ask him how he felt about his job in Music.

“Writing background music is hard,
basically all I do is sit with my guitar
and come up with tunes that sound
good, the only problem is I usually
forget some of the stuff I come up with,
before I have the chance to put it down.”

The last department, and the one I didn’t have time to visit Tuesday, was the Design Department. Hopefully, I will have some information up next week from them. But until then, please check out the pictures and designs posted elsewhere on this site.

I am, and still have been…
~ Tom (16)

Nicholas Longstaff,
Founding Artistic Producer
March 1, 2007
I’d like to note here, that Julia (14) is not only working on building the play, but focusing on the production’s publicity as well.

She expressed an interest in interviewing the minico members when I invited ideas towards creating material for a podcast.

In my opinion, her first set of interviews were approached with a rare blend of energy and attentiveness to her subjects’ style of communication, and delightful willingness to play.

All of the of the interviewees has received a lecture, notes and group lessons in self-representation, including interview etiquette, and have been encouraged to consider what s/he wants to communicate to the world regarding this artistic endeavor.

INTERVIEWS:
FIRST SET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
with April:
with Amber:
with Katie:
with Laura:
with Nicole:
with Spencer:

Now,
I had offered Julia praise for her many intuitive moments,
her clear responsiveness and for her ability to draw out great words
from each person while making her or him comfortable
just “being themselves.”

I also offered her an opportunity to set a formal critique.
She accepted, and we listened to, deconstructed and
analysed her first steps in the radio medium.

I am thrilled to hear how Julia has refined her approach.

SECOND SET . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
with Steven:
with Darryl:
with Lily:
with Jake Levesque:
MINICO:07 Director and Music Director

FLY ON THE WALL . . . .
Fairy Song: in process

We’re all hard at work down at the Arts Project.

Here are some fly-on-the-wall photos:

Let us know, would a slideshow be better than individual photos?

MINICOMPANY HISTORY

This youth performace company has a 28-year history of producing original theatre for young audiences. It was founded at the MINI Theatre in 1979, then part of Theatre London, which later grew up into the Grand Theatre. School groups and the general public have made MINICO’s performances part of their annual tradition of theatergoing.

In 2004, when Nicholas Longstaff stepped into the director’s role at The Theatre School, MINICO continued to evolve into the innovative training program it is now; inspiring young people to see themselves as more than just performers, but as creators and artistic communicators.

The aim of this mini-company is to inspire young people to tell stories that matter to them, about themes that resonate with their daily experience. 2004’s original adaptation of Rumpelstiltskin

led to the completely original musicals
“There’s a GIANT in the Woods” (2005)
and “Captain Crow and the New World” (2006).

(more…)

The Design team has been learning and labouring to produce an overall design concept for the show. Now that we’re in-production on the costumes, here are a few images to let you in on what the company are building…

Everyone starts somewhere.

Where did I start?
I started where every actor starts, as an extra, then, through contacts, experience, and growing skill, I managed to get myself leading roles. Now, I look for roles where I can, have been nominated for acting awards on numerous occasions and am negotiating representation by a Toronto agent to further my acting career.
(more…)

The Trouble with Fairies

LOG LINE:
An enchanting new musical tale
about overcoming differences
and creating our hope for a peaceful, healthy environment
in the real world.

DESCRIPTION:
A theatrical experience depicting a clash between two social groups in enchanted woodlands where the spirit of the woods struggles to maintain peace between the Trolls and Faeries.

In this story of twisted stereotypes themes such as racism, bullying, isolation and forgiveness are portrayed as you experience the effects of social differences on the environment. Watch as the Trolls overcome the dictatorship of the Faeries in this musical drama of right and wrong as emotions run high and loyalties toward their communities prove to be deceiving.

Phone: 519-672-0894
(Visa and MasterCard accepted)

Content contributed by
ARTSCORE: MINICO: PROMOTIONS TEAM