My first post on MYP arts

The title of your first blog must be:
The title of your current unit -i, e.,
MYP: identity; Me, Myself,& l
Key concept: Relationship
Global context: orientation in space & time
Statement of inquiry: Symbols and conversations used to convey meaning to audiences are influenced by time and space
Inquiry Question: Where are we from and who am I ?

My reflection for Dama

drama reflection 3

Front page of my reflection paper

Drama reflection 2

Drama reflection2
In my drama class, I have got to know many skills and also how to develop them. We have done our activities and performances based on criteria A (knowing and understanding), criteria B (developing skills), criteria C (thinking critically), and criteria D (responding).

First of all, I have got to know and understand many skills, informations, vocabularies, histories, etc... that is all related to drama. We have learned about Ancient Greek theatre (figuring out what they did to make the performances a success, and what kind of techniques they used), physical theatre (how to communicate an emotion through movements, acting out a poem [and poem verbs]) and I have gained a lot of new knowledge by PPP, researches, teacher's advice etc... But most of all by TRYING OUT THE TASKS GIVEN! From PPP, I have learned about unison, Greek theatre (in ancient times). From researches I have learned about Greek theatre mask, and Greek theatre's  thoughtful devising for the audiences. From teacher's advice there're few of them that I remember; that we have to project our voice when wearing a mask because it can block your voice, to be serious at the task in group work especially for the people in your group, and she also told me not to be scared when I had to roll off from the box for our first physical theater performance, the box.

I also got to know more vocabularies based on the topic. For example, unison (to do an action at the complete same time in a group), chorus (to speak at the same time), oracle (a person who has a job to tell the future) etc....

Greek theatre I think is also related to history but I think in history lessons we probably don't learn about these entertainments for people. Therefore I think it was a good chance for me to learn about these things.

In drama, skills that are acquired was communication skills, creative thinking skills, social skills, self management skills, and reflection skills. The skills that I think I developed was communication skills and reflection skills. I applied communication skills when I was working in a group. I tried my best to communicate my ideas and also listened to other people's ideas too. I applied reflection skills by reflecting each step on my blog for better presentation in the future.

For thinking creatively, I am not very good at doing it in drama. So this time I have decided to look at other people's creative ideas and learning from it. This way I thought I can develop my thinking creative skills. Also we have worked to communicate a certain message. It was the box. We tried our best to communicate the frustrating emotion through movements.

If I assess my artistic response during the unit, I would give it a 6 because I think my ideas weren't creative enough and thinking creatively is very important but everything else, I have tried my best and I also completed all my tasks on time. My work demonstrates few concepts - Greek theatre and physical theatre.

Things that I can do to improve my performance in this rotation is to speak louder as I'm not familiar and not good at projecting my voice for long time (like performances). I can also focus on thinking of more creative ideas. This is very important point for me to improve because I think that if the performance isn't creative enough, the audiences can get bored easily and not be attracted to the performance.

Overall, the criteria that I can improve on is criteria C, thinking creatively. I am going to try my best in my next rotation to improve on this but I think in this drama class I have learned a lot and at the same I had a lot of fun too!

Drama Reflection 1

My drama reflection1
During my Drama class, we have used communication, Social, Self-Management, Reflection Skills, and Creative thinking skills.I demonstrated communication skills by using Greek theater mask. My mask was showing happy expression. I have learned in my recent drama class that Greek mask was made to act out women and was over reacted for the far audiences that came to see the performance. So I have included long hair and fringes. I have made my mask from scratch. This is also related to creative thinking skills.

For my social skills, we've done quite few group works. One example is the oracle scene. It was a little difficult to do the chorus work as we all had to speak altogether at the complete same time. We all tried our best to make the performance as successful as possible.

Every time we do a performance, I made the reflection on blogger. I tried my best to do the performance on the day that I am writing about. This helped me to write down everything that I felt and my opinions. If I don't do it on the day there are more chances for me to forget what I felt. I completed my reflections and all my other tasks on time too. I think by doing this it has helped me improve my self-management skills.

I think I mangled to cover most of ATL skills, however the skill that I think I can improve is the social skills as I cannot contribute much of good ideas to my group.

frozen picture

My group mates are:
Mille
Mariam
Amir
Jonas
Maanya
Noor
and me.

Here're the pictures for our freeze framed act

time poem

Group.1
Amir
Adam
Mohammed
Criteria C: 6
Criteria D: 5

Group.2
Andrija
Mayukh
Azaan
Criteria C:6
Criteria D:4

Group.3
Jonas
Omar
Timur
Criteria C: 7
Criteria D:6

Group.4
Anju
Mille
Noor
Criteria C:8
Criteria D:7

Group.5
Jana
Maanya
Hana
Mariam
C:5
D:5

Greek theater mask

this is my Greek mask

video for the physical theater

Reflection on other group's performance

The groups that I think were successful was the following.

• Anju, Mille, Tanya's group.
• Azaan, Jonas Timur's group
• Andrija, Mayukh, Omar

I hunk these groups were successful because they acted out the frustrating emotion very well in their performance (which was the the theme). They both used box in many ways.

Groups that can be improved is the following. 

• Hana, Maanya Jana's group
• Nadia, Lara, Mariam's group

They both looked a little like dancing performance and didn't show any frustration action. Maanya's group, Maanya was telling them where to go and what to do through out the whole performance. Plus I couldn't really understand what the box was for. 

These were the other groups in the class. I would like to take the good parts of the other group's performance and use them in my performance next time.

Reflection for our first physical theatre performance the box

We did our very first physical theatre performance. My group mates are Adam.I, Mohammed, and me. We were supposed to do a physical theatre based on frustration, and should be related and use a box. It was a little difficult as this was my first day of doing this performance even though everyone else was on their second day to practice (as I was absent for last two lessons). Plus in this physical theatre you are not allowed to communicate with your group mate during the performance but you were allowed to have a song.

At first when my group mate told me what I am supposed to do, I was pretty scared because I had to roll off the box. For me, it was a little hard action as it was a group of boys and I am not good at doing all those energetic movements. We also decided which song to do; we chose to do the song by Micheal Jackson which was called 'beat it'

We were the first ones to performe the show. ( as our name of the song starts with b.) I actually didn't know when to start but the sign for me to start moving was when Mohammed laid on top of the box. As I only had one lesson to practice, I confused myself even during the show which actually was hard for me to decide what I am supposed to do next. I had to remember each step we did in the practice. That seemed for me to work. Things that I can improve is not to stay in the way that audience's view as I just blocked my teacher's view in the performance today. I think we could have had more angry expression to show the frustration that is our theme.

Overall, I think we have done our performance fine but as I popped into the group today that gave us harder situation to work with. But I still think that our very first physical performance went quite well  and was good practice for our future performances.

Greek theatre mask research

GREEK THEATRE MASK　RESEARCH.

Mask details

Illustrations of theatrical masks from 5th century display helmet-like mask, covering the entire face and head, with holes for the eyes and a small aperture for the mouth, as well as an integrated wig. It is interesting to note that these paintings never show actual masks on the actors in performance; they are most often shown being handled by the actors before or after a performance, that liminal space between the audience and the stage, between myth and reality. ] This demonstrates the way in which the mask was to ‘melt’ into the face and allow the actor to vanish into the role. Effectively, the mask transformed the actor as much as memorization of the text. Therefore, performance in ancient Greece did not distinguish the masked actor from the theatrical character.

The mask-makers were called skeuopoios or “maker of the properties,” thus suggesting that their role encompassed multiple duties and tasks. The masks were most likely made out of light weight, organic materials like stiffened linen, leather, wood, or cork, with the wig consisting of human or animal hair. Due to the visual restrictions imposed by these masks, it was imperative that the actors hear in order to orientate and balance themselves. Thus, it is believed that the ears were covered by substantial amounts of hair and not the helmet-mask itself. The mouth opening was relatively small, preventing the mouth to be seen during performances.

Reasons for Wearing Masks      

There are several reasons why Greeks wore masks during performances. Plays were performed in large, outside amphitheaters. Due to the size of the stage and the positioning of the seating, many audience members were not able to clearly see what was happening on stage. Masks were used as a way to convey emotion to every audience member. Each mask was designed to show a certain emotion through the use of exaggerated facial expressions, which were readable by all audience members. This ensured that all audience members understood the tone and emotion of each character. Greek performers also wore masks because a limited number of actors were allowed on stage. Initially, one performer was allowed on stage at a time. Through the use of masks, different characters and emotions were established during plays. Eventually, three actors were allowed on stage. Also, there were no women actors in Greek theater, so men wore female masks for female roles.

Description of Masks

Masks used in Greek theater were made of plaster-soaked linen, wood or leather. The masks featured exaggerated facial expressions portraying emotions such as happiness, sadness and anger. The mouths were large cut-out or carved openings that enabled actors to speak loudly and clearly. Eyes were clearly drawn on the mask. Pupil holes were punched out so actors could see. Animal or human hair was often added to the mask as facial hair. Masks used to represent female characters featured larger eyes and larger mouth holes.

Greek theatre

Most Greek cities had a theatre. It was in the open air, and was usually a bowl-shaped arena on a hillside. Some theatres were very big, with room for more than 15,000 people in the audience.

All the actors were men or boys. Dancers and singers, called the chorus, performed on a flat area called the orchestra. Over time, solo actors also took part, and a raised stage became part of the theatre. The actors changed costumes in a hut called the "skene". Painting the walls of the hut made the first scenery.

The plays were comedies (funny, often poking fun at rulers) or tragedies (sad and serious, with a lesson about right and wrong).

References

http://entertainmentguide.local.com/greek-theater-mask-1276.html

https://greektheatre.wordpress.com/home/

This is the research that I've done for Greek masks

OEDIPIS AND THE SPHINX VIDEO ORACLE SCENE

This is the first lesson's video

                     

 This is my second lesson's video

                      

Oedipus and the sphinx reflection

VIDEO RECORDING OEDIPUS AND SPHINX ORACLE SCENE

Reflecting each step of video recording our act of Oedipus and the Sphinx oracle scene I think we've done quite well. My group mates are Nadia, Hana, Omar and me. Nadia acted the oracle girl, Hana and I acted the chorus and Omar acted the king that goes to find out the future as we chose to do the scene that when the KING goes to the oracle and finds out the unpleasant future which is 'Oedipus (your son) will kill the king (you) and marry the queen (your wife)'

On the first lesson we tried acting Hana the queen, me the king, Omar Oedipus, Nadia the oracle girl. At that time, we didn't know that we need a chorus as we had different teacher. We practiced as many time as possible to make the recorded video as perfect as possible.

On the second lesson, our usual teacher was back and we were told that we'll need a chorus that's why me and Hana have decided to do the chorus and Omar the king as he was he only boy in our group. Me, Nadia and Hana had struggled to speak together at the same time that's why I've suggested to Nadia to tap three times on the pencil case that we had pretended as the oracle. Then we were successful to speak at the same time as a chorus. We also suggested Omar that it'll be great if he gives angry emotion on his face.

Our actual performance went great. We have done the chorus at the complete same time, Omar did his angry expression part kind of funny, and most of all, all of us did each of our part incredibly well that's why it turned out to be great.

My Journal of my Drama Lesson on 30th September "015

My Journal of my dramatic Drama Class

Today, we have read the Story of Oedipus and the Sphinx. But the story that we've read wasn't a complete story which was without the ending . So our homework was to find out the ending from the internet and post it on this blog. I'm supposed to post the word document but as I don't know how I'm just going to copy the information that I've got on it.

The ending of the story Oedipus and the Sphinx ( the real story)

After getting the correct answer of the Sphinx’s riddle, He’s married with Jocasta (who was the mother of Oedipus as he was adopted.) for many years and raised four children; their names are Antigone, Ismene, Polynices and Eteocles.

After that the plague has struck into Thebes and a Priest begs Oedipus, the most intelligent men to find a solution. As it happens, Oedipus has sent a messenger in the form of his brother-in-law. His name was Creon, to the oracle at Delphi in order to find out how he might stop Apollo and stop the plague. Creon returns with the answer which was the city itself is unclean as it harbors the killer of Laius, and he must be found and punished before the city can become cleansed. Oedipus has said to find and punish the murderer and brings down a curse on anyone who harbors him, cursing both himself and his family.

Oedipus calls Tiresias, the blind person to help him solving the problem, but when the old man tells the painful truth to Oedipus, the king becomes angered, causing Tiresias to say that it is Oedipus himself is polluting the city and he is the murderer of Laius. Oedipus doesn’t believe the prophet and accuses him of being in cahoots with Creon in an attempt to usurp his throne. Oedipus thinks that Tiresias is lying until a messenger tells him the death of Polybus’ death and also the truth that Oedipus was adopted. Against Jocasta's right prediction, Oedipus sends for the man who "disposed" of Laius' son, who happens to also be the sole survivor of Oedipus' earlier attack on Laius' carriage. It comes out that Oedipus was the unknown man who killed Laius from the fact that the old king was killed at the completely same crossroads that Oedipus remember from his fight. Plus, it is revealed that Oedipus was the child of Jocasta and Laius tried to expose to prevent the prophecy from coming to fruition. When Jocasta realized that thing is in the case, she ran and hung herself. Oedipus takes a little more time to reach this conclusion, but when he does follow his mother/bride inside, removes her dress pins and uses them to gouge out his eyes, in a gesture which many read as Oedipus is violated by the phallic brooches as Jocasta had previously been violated by her own son. Oedipus emerges from the palace blinded and is sent out of Thebes into exile by the man he had accused of plotting against him: Creon.

Oedipus at Clonus tells how Oedipus became a wanderer who was cared by his daughter Antigone and how they came to be outside the Athens, where Theseus took pity on the pair and looked after them both until Oedipus' death.

Antigone shows the happenings in Thebes after Oedipus' exile. Sophocles tells that the kingship was left in the hands of both Polynices and Eteocles, each ruling certain years. However, Creon had convinced Eteocles to hold on to power, causing Polynices to raise an army and fight against Thebes. The two brothers met in combat and killed each other, leaving Creon as the ruler of Thebes. As the result Creon was the only one left to rule Thebes. Creon decreed that the traitor, Polynices, was to be dishonored by being denied a proper burial and, passage into the Underworld. Antigone takes it upon herself to inter her brother, but is caught and was sentenced to death. Tiresias later informs Creon about the gods' disapproval of this and so the new king rushes to the cave where Antigone had been left to starve. It is, however, too late and it transpires that Antigone has once again taken matters into her own hands and has hung herself, causing Haemon who was her betrothed and Creon's son to kill himself also. The final blow to Creon, upon hearing of this news, his wife Eurydice takes her own life by hanging, leaving Creon completely alone, but who is still the sole ruler of Thebes.

References;

http://www.ancientgreece.com/s/GreekMyths/Oedipus/

http://www.mythencyclopedia.com/Ni-Pa/Oedipus.html

My Journal of my Drama lesson on 17th September 2015

My journal of my dramatic drama class

This is my homework to publish a post on my blog. 

The festival of Dionysus:

• The Festival

  Tragedy began here, at the City Dionysia, in the sixth century B.C.E. Few records are left that date prior to 534 B.C.E., but we do know that at some point a contest was formed to honor the best tragedy. In 534, Athens made the contests official and offered financial support for their production. Once made official, the contests and their winners were recorded by the state, giving us much more detail about the tragic contests.
  

  On the first day of festivities, a large statue of Dionysus was carried from the temple to the Theater of Dionysus at the foot of the Acropolis. This procession was of much importance to the Athenians and Greeks and large numbers of people attended the parade. The procession itself was a spectacle, and intended as a reenactment of Dionysus' journey to Athens. Once at the theater and prior to the performance of the plays, the theater was sprinkled with the blood of sacrificial pigs for purification.

  The festival allowed three playwrights to have their plays performed in the tragic contests. Each contestant was required to submit three tragedies and one satyr play (a form of comedy that required the chorus to dress as the satyr companions of Dionysus). It is assumed that the tragedies were required to be in the form of a trilogy. While only one complete Greek trilogy remains, many of the surviving tragedies seem to have once been a part of a trilogy. The contest lasted for three days, one for each playwright. Each playwright presented all three tragedies and the satyr play in one day. The audiences would spend much of the day in the theater, though Greek plays were shorter than modern plays. After the three days of performances, the winner would be put to a vote.
• References
• http://www.brighthubeducation.com/homework-help-literature/64195-festival-of-dionysus/
• (Theater in Ancient Greece: The Festival of Dionysus, Friday 18th 2015)
• The Greek theater labelled diagram: 
•    this is the labelled diagram of the ancient Greek theater. 

My blog today was about my drama homework.

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My Journal of my drama lesson on 16th of September

My journal of my dramatic drama class

Today, I had my Drama lesson. My teacher explained us that in term 1 we will be focusing on "Greek Theater". And the teacher showed us the power point to make us understand easier. From the power point, I learned that even though they didn't have much technology as we do today back in olden days, they were clever enough to make the theater full of great systems and mechanics to keep their voice heard to people at the back. While the presentation was going on the teacher told us that the Greek people used to work in Unison. ( I heard this word first time in my life ) Unison is when a group of people does a same movement at the same time. They are all synchronized. The main focus of the lesson for today was to work together as a chorus. 

We had this activity to work in the group of 5 and make a Unison. we had levels for this(easy, medium, and hard). First we started off with easy which was to do movements of Happy, Sad, and Angry. Our group did this task quite great I think as we had no hand raised up when the teacher said,"Any thing that they can work on?"But the teacher told us that one of my group mate laughed when we were doing the Angry part. 

Next, we did medium. We had to act out Excited, Bored and Tired. I was really happy when our teacher told us that we improved on our skills. 

This is my drama class journal. I hope u like it.