Welcome to Ravindran Drama Group

Ravindran Drama Group’s Theatre Immersion Programme

Programme Objectives

• To expose students to the pre and post performance aspects of a theatre performance.
• To introduce students to the backstage, onstage and offstage
• To show students the backstage crew who are involved in the making of a production
• To cultivate interest in the performance arts industry amongst the youth
• To encourage critical assessment of theatre performance through reviews and reflections.

Programme

I. The Pre Performance Tour (App. 1 hour)
Students are required to report 1 hour before the show begins.
15 minutes will be allocated as allowance time for teachers and students to prepare themselves and get acquainted with their facilitator.
Facilitator will give a brief introduction on the objectives of the programme and the rules involved
Light refreshments will be provided during this time?
Students will then be led into the following areas

1. The Makeup Room: To observe how stage make up is being done.
2. The Sound and Lighting Room: To observe how the technicians function with the technology available
3. The Backstage: To observe the movement backstage and how props are placed in standby positions for the performance later.
4. The Stage Space: Students will get to experience the first-hand feeling of standing on stage and facing the audience.
5. Front of House: To understand how the reception area is being prepared to welcome guests.
6. Observing Artistes’ pre-performance practices: Students will learn how artistes prepare themselves for their performance later.
7. Observing the prayer session conducted by the artistes right before the play.

Rules to be adhered to during the tour

1. Students are not allowed to converse with the artistes during the tour so as not to disrupt their state of mind.
2. Students cannot move any props or objects from its original positions without informing the facilitator.
3. No food and drinks are allowed in the performance space.

II. The Actual Performance (Duration depends on the length of the play)

Students will watch the production just as the audience would.
III. Post Performance (App 60-90 mins)
Students will have an informal tête-à-tête (cozy, intimate chat) with the artistes and the crew. There will be representatives from all the spaces that they have been exposed to during the tour.
This session will be extremely interactive and constructive as students are encouraged to ask any questions that are plaguing their minds on theatre.
Issues on scriptwriting, directing, acting, lighting, sound management, makeup and much more will be addressed through this session.
The play will also be discussed and analysed during this period.
IV. Post Theatre Immersion Exercise
RDG will provide each student with a worksheet at the end of the tête-à-tête.
The worksheet will question them on what they have learnt thus far through the immersion programme on the different aspects and physical spaces in theatre.
There will also be literature and theatre based questions on the play that they have watched as well.
The questions will be set according to the educational level of the students.
Upper-Secondary, Junior College and Tertiary level students will be required to write a review of the play that they have watched as part of their assignment for this project. The word count for these reviews will vary according to the educational level of the student.
These responses and worksheets will be assessed by RDG members who are experienced in this field.
Students will also be required to fill in a feedback form on the experience.
Students can also express interest to get involved with RDG as volunteers and interns in their feedback forms.

Target Audience

1. Primary School Students

Due to content of certain plays, primary school students can only participate in RDG’s kids productions. Questionnaire will be largely multiple-choice based. They will be required to fill in some open-ended questions on their favourite aspects of the play.

2. Lower Secondary School Students

Once again, due to the censorship ratings of certain plays, lower secondary students would not be able to participate in certain productions. Students will be required to write a simple review of the play in 1 or 2 paragraphs. The language in which this review should be written in will be decided by?

3. Upper Secondary School Students

Students will be required to write a 200-300 word review on the play that they have watched on top of the simple questionnaire that they are required to complete. The language in which this review should be written in will be decided by?

4. Junior College Students

Students are required to write a 400-500 word review on the play that they have watched on top of the questionnaire that they are required to complete. The language in which this review should be written in will be decided by?

5. Tertiary Students: Polytechnic, ITE and University Students

Students will be required to write a 500-1000 word review on the play that they have watched on top of the questionnaire that they are required to complete. This review will be written in English.

6. Drama Students (Secondary and Post-Secondary Levels)

Students will be requires to write a 500-800 word critical review of the theatrical aspects of the play. This review can be written in English.

7. Theatre Students (Tertiary Level)

Students will be required to write a 1000-1500 word critical review of the play and the group’s use of theatrical technicalities. This review will be written in English.

Materials and Expertise Provided

Worksheet that needs to be completed for this programme.
Programme leaflet of play
A facilitator who is experienced in theatre and education will be provided to each group throughout the programme. Teachers and students are encouraged to converse on any issues with this facilitator anytime during the programme.
Mementos (T-shirts, pens, mugs?): This would of course increase the cost.
Light Refreshments will be provided? Like Mineral Water and Biscuits? (Cost will increase to include this? Maybe by $2?)

Payment

$60 per student inclusive of ticket pricing for the performance? (Cost will vary according to what you want to charge the students for. Refreshments? Mementos?)