A Satisfied Ending

People always say: “Rome was not built in a day.” In the past school year, the whole class has achieved a significant progress, and this was condensed in one project. For this final project, my group did an adaptation of The Little Prince. I am already tired of saying how productive we were in the past few weeks, so I will talk about the performance in the last draft and our progress in the year. 

In the final draft, I feel everybody in my group did the best. Firstly, we used to have troubles with the lines. I always got nervous, so that I forgot my lines. Once I forgot my lines, Eric did not know what to say next. Then it became a disaster. Also, we all had cut others’ lines once or twice. However, in the final draft, none of the problems appeared. Secondly, our acting achieved a peek in the final draft. For example, the king was an interesting character, I did not want to make it boring. Then I tried so hard to make myself arrogant and self-centered. At first, I did not know how to do this. To be honest, the spring theatre inspired me. The most important thing I learned from “Comedy tonight” was movements on stage. Actors should not just say the lines, there should be movements in acting. As a king, I was sitting on the chair to show my arrogance. However, this was way too boring. When I looked at the first draft video, I felt awkward and I guess the audience did as well. Therefore, I came up with several different movements on stage. I was not just sitting on the chair all the time in the last draft, instead, I sometimes sat, sometimes stood, sometimes covered my face by the hat, sometimes waved the hat… This made my scene much better. Also, one actor’s emotion could definitely influence his/her partner. In the video that was really messed up, I was not in a good emotion, so that influenced Eric. Eric could not remember his lines neither, and his acting was not on his normal level. That was such a disaster. However, in the final draft, I was in a right emotion, and I tried my best to perform. Eric was influenced, and I actually gave him a right mood and emotion. We were really into that scene. This was one of  the reasons why that scene was successful. Moreover, I also overcame some little problems in our production. For example, we used to wear our own clothes, but in the last scene, we wore costumes. This literally brought our production to a new level. Also, we had problems with props once. We kept missing the props, but in the last draft, we were well-prepared. We checked our props and costumes several times. Consequently, I would say this final video was the essence of our progress in this class. 

In conclusion, I really appreciate that I chose to take this class this year, instead of taking a normal literature class. Though I suffered a lot from writing scripts, or memorizing the lines, but I had to admit that I did have fun. Every time when I watched our videos of the productions, I just forgot the pain of preparing them. Enjoy our last video! 

Loading...

For this final project, our group chose to direct a theater version of the Little Prince. So far we’ve been pretty productive. Though our group is really united and efficient, we still have some problems. 

In the past week, we worked on the scripts and staging, and we finished our first draft. Our group is like a car. Everything was on the right track, and the car moved forward fast. Firstly, we all like the theme of the play, and everyone is playing the most suitable character. Base on interests, everybody worked hard. Also, after a-year-training, everyone has improved a lot, so this final project will highly condense how we learned in this year. For our group, I really think we made a big progress, especially our acting. To be honest, I was not a good actor. Sometimes I even could not control myself not laugh. However, in this project, I feel freer when I am on stage. Moreover, in the last project, I did not have many brilliant ideas, however for this one, it seems that the ideas are already in my mind. When I need them, they just jump out. I think everybody in my group feels the same way as I feel. 

However, to be honest, we still have some problems. Firstly, we still have trouble with memorizing lines. Though the scripts were written by ourselves, especially my part was mostly by me, I still had a hard time. We actually only spent two classes on writing scripts; we used the rest of time to memorize the lines and practice. However, when we were filming the first draft, I forgot one line. At first, I felt I was really in a good emotion, but then my brain was blank! I could not think of anything, even the lines after! That was so awkward that I could even hear my breath. (The emoji with a sad face can literally describe my feeling. ) Then after 10 seconds, I finally thought of my lines. This was because I was not familiar with my lines. Sometimes I feel I already memorize the lines, but actually I am not familiar with the lines enough. To solve this, I will practice more. Instead of just reading the lines, the more important thing is to practice on stage more. Also, after I watched the video of our first draft, I feel the music and dancing parts need to be improved. Firstly, we need to unite our dance, the two people have to do the same thing. Otherwise, it looks messy. Secondly, we need more practice. Without much practice, we do not have that much tacit agreement with movements on stage. Consequently, practice will become the most important part in the next week. 

Also, I think Julie and James’ production was pretty interesting. It was a short story, but there are many scenes. I think the flashback was really creative. The flashback scenes just emphasize that they do not know they are both buying gifts for each other. This can show how much they love each other. Though at first it was a little confusing, they can solve the problem by simply changing costumes. In short, I have a feeling that this one will be a very interesting one. 

In conclusion, the whole class is putting as much effort as we could in this final project. I believe that if my group can fix some little flaws, we can make it perfect. Also, this project shows our progress, so I’m looking forward seeing all of the productions. 

Last night's Comedy Tonight

For me, comedy is life. Like I cannot stop watching movies, I cannot stand living without laughters. It is so surprising to see a comedy performed in school, so I had such a high expectation to Comedy tonight. 

I was impressed by the dedication of actors and directors, and some of the ideas were so smart. Firstly, the show was for every person, instead of focusing on a small group of people. There were scenes about the hottest topics, and also scenes about our daily life. For example, the first scene was making fun of the presidential candidates. The morning meeting scene showed exactly a student’s life in Cheshire Academy. Secondly, the actors in the show also impressed me. In this comedy, there were a few people that played another gender. I have to say William, Jack and John really did a good job on playing female characters, and indeed, they did make the scenes funnier. The dedication was actually commendable. Thirdly, the pace of the play was also pretty good. For comedies, the audience has to pay 100% attention through the shows, so what often happens is that after a few scenes, people would feel tired of laughing. However, in this play, they actually controlled the pace well. There were dance, singing, and “commercials” between scenes. These allowed audience to relax from laughing. Overall, I was really surprised, and especially the ideas were from students. 

However, there were also some little flaws in the show. Firstly, the enunciation needed to be improve. For instance, sometimes it was hard to hear Jack Palmer. I think it would be better, if he had a microphone. Also, when Elle was singing, she also needed a microphone. Her voice was low, especially when she sang, so she should’ve had a microphone. Secondly, some actors’ behaviors on stage were not appropriate. For example, when William and Joseph said the wrong lines, they repeated the line and laughed to the audience. They were supposed to let it go and pretend like nothing happened. The last thing I want to talk about is the design of cross-dressing. In my opinion, it is okay to have this element. However, when this idea is used several times in a play, it is not that funny. For example, there were way too many cross-dressed actors, such as William, John, Jack, Angelina and Abby (Mr. McBreen). When audience saw this too many times, it could cause aesthetic fatigue. Plus, I think a good comedy did not need the cross-dressing idea to make it funny. It is more important to have interesting ideas, such as the joke about presidential candidates in the play. Consequently, if these little flaws can be avoided, the play would be more interesting. 

In conclusion, it is true that the theaters are improving. Every production was better than the previous one, and people keep trying new things in theaters. I enjoyed this! 

Feelin' good

For this final project, we chose the story of the Little Prince. There are so many versions about this adaptation, but I believe our version will be very interesting. Since my group started this project, we've always been productive. 

Firstly, we talked about characters and the scenes. We decided to have four characters and four scenes. The first scene is conversation between the rose (played by sofia) and the little prince (Eric). Rose is self-centered, and she always asks the little prince to serve her. She relies on the little prince, but she never appreciates that. After a fight, the little prince decided to go on his journey. The second scene is between the little prince and the king (Olivia). In this scene, king is not only a king. He is a combination of all of the weirdos in the story— businessman, vain man, and the geologist. At last, king actually sees the little prince as a friend, so he tells the little prince to go to earth. The third scene happens on the earth. The little prince meets the fox (Cherrie), and the fox teaches the little prince how to love and be responsible. Thus, in the last scene, the little prince goes back to his planet and lives with rose. 

Secondly, everybody is involved in this project. In the last few days, we finished our script in class. We did not waste a minute. In the group, except Eric, we are all familiar with the story, so after talking about the characters, we all worked on the script. When we wrote scripts, Eric was reading the book. Then we finished the stage direction and character development together. Next, we will work on the background. Since the story happens in different planets, we have to use the change of background to show that the Little Prince is traveling between planets. What we think is to draw different planets on paper and hang the paper on the wall. Since the wall will become all black, our planets will be the only thing ion background. 

In conclusion, since we started the project, everybody involves in the project. I believe this play will be awesome. 

The Little Prince Development

Stage design

For scene one, there is a yellow background (yellow planet by drawing) and a chair. Two fake volcanoes are needed.

Scene two, the background is with several colorful planet by drawing. Wood table in front of the seat with books, notes, calculator, and feather pens.

Scene three, the background with rose garden and trees by drawing.

Scene four, same as scene one.

Character Development

Rose: 15 years old. Pride and unreasonable. Red long dress with a crown of flowers. Rose, even though loves the little Prince, shows her love through a false way in which she constantly demands things in order to let little prince stay with her. She eventually realizes her fault during the time when little prince is absent.

The Little Prince: 15 Years Old. He is naïve and simple. First appears on stage with a clean suit and while he meets the fox, his clean suit changes to a grayish costume, showing that after a long journey, he is tired and has endured hardships. He hasn't noticed her love towards the rose until he tames the fox.

Fox: Emotionally mature but appears to be young. She's nice and mild. She has fox ears. She loves the little Prince and teaches him the concept of love.

King: 40 years old and has the characteristics of the geographer, businessman and conceited man combined. He is self-centered and arrogant. He is ignorant of others' thoughts and he loves to give orders. He wears gold crown and gold cloak.

Script:

Scene 1: (rose wakes up)

Rose: (Stretch)Ah! I am scarcely awake. I beg that you will excuse me. My petals are still all disarranged…

Prince: Oh! (stare at rose for 3 seconds)How beautiful you are!

Rose: Am I not? I am the only rose in the universe, And i was born at the same moment as the sun…

          I think it is time for breakfast, if you would have the kindness to think of my needs

Little prince run away to get fresh water quickly

Rose: What took you so long? Do you want to let me starve to death?

Little prince:I.. I am sorry. I am trying to…(worried to explain)

Rose: Stop explaining. I bet you don’t wanna irritate the only rose in the universe

Little prince hand in the water

Rose: That’s too much! Do you want to drown me?

Rose orders the little prince all the time

Rose: Let the tiger come with their claws!

Prince: ...There are no tigers on my planet. And anyway, tigers do not eat weeds…

Rose: I AM NOT A WEED! I am the only rose in this UNIVERSE!

Prince:(stand up ) Please excuse me…

Rose: I am not at all afraid of tigers, but I have a horror of drafts. I suppose you would have a screen for me.

Prince: A horror of drafts--that is bad luck, for a plant...This flower is a very complex creature.

(Take off his cloak surround the rose)

Rose: At night I want you to put me under a glass globe. It is very cold where you live. In the place I came from…(where you came from? You came as a seed!)

(cough cough) The screen

Prince: I was just going to look for it when you spoke to me

            (cough cough)

            (running around angrily)I ought not to have listened to her. One never ought to listen to the flowers. One should simply look at them and breathe their fragrance. Mone perfumed all my planet. But I did not know how to take pleasure in all her grace. This tale of claws, which disturbed me so much, should only have filled my heart with tenderness and pity!!!

I love her too much and she never cares about me! I will leave her!

Scene 2;Wood table in front of the seat with books, notes, calculator, and feather pens

Little prince wondering

King: (play with a little flower, bored, then see LP)Ah! Here comes a subject! A visit from an admirer! (cough, clear up, sit up) Approach, so that I may see you better.

Little prince:(whisper) How could he recognize me when he had never seen me before?(Walk slowly and yawn)

King: It is contrary to etiquette to yawn in the presence of a king. I forbid you to do so. And I order you to call me Majesty!! (Hands movements)

Little Prince: (frightened, like Daxiong) Excuse me, Mr. King. I can't help it. I can't stop myself.

King: Call me MAJESTY!

LP: Yes, sir!! I...I… mean... mean Mr. King!

King: Ah, Ok, Ok , fine! Now, I order you to yawn. It is years since I have seen anyone yawning. Yawns to me, are objects of curiosity. Come, now! It is an order!

Little prince: That frightens me… I cannot anymore…

King: Hum!Hum! Then, I order you sometime to yawn and sometimes to…

Little prince: May I sit down?

King: I order you to do so.

         Do you really admire me very much?

Little prince: What does that mean——admire?

King: To admire means that you regard me as the handsomest, richest, most intelligent and powerful man on this planet.

Little prince: But you are the only man on the planet!

King: Do me this kindness, I will make you a minister.

Little prince: Minister of what?

King: Minister of—of finance! Oh wait, three and two make five. Five and seven make twelve. Fifteen and seven make twenty two, twenty two and six make twenty eightTwentysix and five make thirty one. phew! The that makes five hundred and one million,six hundred twenty two thousand, seven hundred thirty one!

Little prince: Five hundred million what?

King: I order you not to disturb me.

Little prince: Five hundred million what?

King: Little golden objects that lazy men to idle dreaming. Stars!

Little prince: And what do you do with these stars?

King: I own them. (complacent)

Little prince: I myself own a flower, which I water everyday.

King:  Huh! Flower is ephemeral. (ironically smile)

Little prince: What is ephemeral?

King: It means, which is in danger of speedy disappearance.

Little prince: Is my flower in danger of speedy disappearance? (worried, kind of talking to himself, ignore King)

King: certainly it is. (smile)

Little prince: My flower is ephemeral, and she has only four thorns to defend herself against the world. And I have left her in my planet, all alone! I have to go back!!

King: Don’t go!! I can make you minister!!! And… You you have to explore the world outside your tiny planet!!

LP: Oh, yeah, I should continue my journey…

King: Or you can stay? !

LP: Sorry, I’m afraid I can’t. Your majesty.

King: What did you say?

LP: Bye, Mr. King, I mean your majesty…

King: (stare and then say to LP’s back) Go to earth, My friend. That’s a beautiful planet.

(Faint)

Scene 3

(Fox stages right, LP walks in and looks around this new world)

Fox: Good morning

Little Prince: Good morning

The little prince looks around

Fox: I’m right here

Little Prince: Who are you? You are very pretty to look at.

Fox: I am a fox.

Little Prince: Come and play with me, I’m so unhappy.

Fox: I cannot play with you. I am not tamed…

Little Prince: Ah! Please excuse me…

Look at fox, few seconds later

Little Prince: What does that mean? Tame?

Fox: You don't live here. What is it that you are looking for?

Little prince: I’m looking for a man. What does that mean? Tame?

Fox: Man? They have guns, and they hunt. It’s very disturbing. They also raise chickens. These are their only interest. Are you looking for chicken?

Little prince: No, sir. I’m looking for friends. What does that mean, tame?

Fox: It is an act too often neglected. It means to establish ties.

Little Prince: To establish ties?

Fox: Just that. To me, you are still nothing more than a little boy, who is just like a hundred thousand other little boys, and I have no need of you, and on your part have no need of me. To you, I’m nothing more than a fox, like a hundred thousand of other foxes. But… if you tame me, then we shall need each other. To me, you will be unique in all the world. To you, I shall be unique in all the world.

Little Prince: I’m beginning to understand. There is a flower, I think that she has tamed me.

Fox: It is possible, on the earth, one sees all sorts of things.

Little Prince: But this is not on the earth?

Fox: On another planet?

Little Prince: Yes

Fox: Are there hunters on this planet?

Little prince: No.

Fox: Ah! That’s interesting. Are there chickens?

Little prince: No.

Fox: Nothing is perfect. My life is very monotonous. I hunt similar chickens, and similar men hunt me. And in consequence, I am a little bored. But if you tame me, it will be as if the sun came to shine my life. I shall know the sound of a step that will be different from all the others. Other steps send me hurry back, underneath the ground. Yours will call me, like music, out of my burrow.

Fox gazes at little prince for a long time.

Please tame me.

Prince: I want you very much. But I have not much time. I have friends to discover and a great things to understand.

Fox: One only understands the things that one tames. If you want a friend, tame me.

Prince: What must I do to tame you?

Fox: You must be very patient. First, you will sit down at a little distance from me, like that, in the grass. I shall look at you, out of the cover of my eye and you will say nothing. Words are the source of misunderstanding, but you will sit a little closer to me every day…

(sit down) few days past

Prince: I have to leave here

Fox: aH, I shall cry

Little prince: It is your own fault. I never wish you any sort of harm: but you wanted me to tame you…

Fox: Go back to your planet. You will understand now that yours is unique in all the world. Say goodbye  to me, and i will make you a present of a secret.

Prince: Goodbye

Fox: goodbye. and here is my secret, a very simple secret: it is only with the heart that one can see rightly; what us essential is the invisible to the eye.

It is the time you have wasted for your rose that makes your rose so important.

Prince: it is the time i have wasted for my rose...i am responsible for her

Scene 4(walk to the rose)

Little prince: You are not the only rose in the universe, but you are unique. I have tamed you, and you have tamed me.

Rose: Tame? What does that mean?

Little prince: You are beautiful and you are not empty. I could die for you!

Rose: But I asked you to put me under the glass globe,  to shelter me behind the screen to kill the caterpillars for me.I grumbled I boasted and even sometimes I said nothing.... (walk further, ashamed)

LP: That what makes you my rose. I ought to have judged by deeds and not by words. You cast your fragrance and your radiance over me. I ought never have run away from you.(walk closer)

Rose: you ought to have guessed all the affections that lay behind my poor little strategy. I was too young to know how to express my love.

LP: I was too young to know how to love you. (repeat)