Khayet's Theatre
Lesson #1
Log file (theatreclass1)
from Khayet.
9/27/99 10:12:13
PM
Shainman Rehearsal
Hall
The largest room
in the Istan Harper Hall, save the Ballroom, this room has wonderful acoustics
that make sound bounce off the walls just so. From lessons to rehearsal
to just listening to the marvelous sounds always filling the room, there's
always a surplus of people about, harpers of every rank, and even a few
holders. Tiers fill almost every wall in the room, the choir levels on
the right, the orchestra one directly in and other smaller areas for more
specific group rehearsal on the left. The room is spotlessly clean and
only completely empty in the early hours of the morning when most harpers
have to tear themselves away from their work for a few winks of sleep.
Obvious exits: Main Hall
Kayla walks in from
the ballroom.
Kayla smiles, "Hi."
Perrin prowls like
a large sport cat in from the ballroom.
Kayla smiles, "So.
This class was for....."
Reeba strolls in
from the ballroom.
Reeba gingerly stuffs
Gitar in Runnerbeast Hidesack.
Reeba sits down
frowning. "Sorry I'm late Khayet."
Khayet is sitting
on the stage, somewhat to the left of center, watching as everyone enters.
"Introduction to Theatre....We haven't started yet Reeba...have a seat?"
Kayla smiles and
sits.
Reeba settles back
into her seat trying to look relaxed while an observant person would notice
she is truly uncomfortable with her situation.
Perrin walks in
and finds a place to sit.
Khayet takes a deep
breath, hoping he's doing a better job at hiding his nervousness. He hops
off the stage and with his hands held beehind his back, rounds orchestral
tiers. "For those of you that don't know me, I'm Seniour Apprentice Khayet,
otherwise known as the one who keeps the snake table in the dorm lounge
stocked....." He smiles slightly, looking around. "I see there are a few
first time theatre students here....We shall be learning together, for
this is my very first time teaching like this...." He pauses, trying to
think what exactly to do next, now that he's 'spent' the only truely written
thing he's prepared.
Reeba smiles at
Khayet as if she could send him confidence telepathically.
Kayla smiles at
Khayet.
Perrin smiles and
sits back in the chair he's in, knowing Khay will do a good job.
Khayet asks, "Can
anyone tell me -what- theatre is?"
Reeba slowly raises
her hand.
Kayla raises her
hand.
Perrin waits to
see what the others will do before raising his hand.
Khayet nods to Reeba...
Reeba pauses before
saying "Well, a theatre could be the place where performances take place.
But I think you were asking what occurs there. Just about anything that
involves entertaining a group of people. I think...." Realizing she has
no idea if she is right, Reeba promptly looks down at her shoes.
Perrin nods his
head in agreement.
Khayet nods, "Anyone
else have anything to add?"
Kayla hmms amoment,
"It is also a way of showing events and emotions in an envoroment that
people can watch without partaking in them."
Perrin smiles, "It
is also a way of poking fun at someone or something without it being construed
as rebellion. Satire."
Melidere walks in
from the ballroom.
Reeba looks up from
her shoes and glances at Kayla and Perrin as they respond. She hadn't
thought of that...
Linne pads in from
the ballroom.
Golden haired lady
and golden flitter enter, both more than a little harried. "Shh. /Murphy!/
Hush. The people will /not/ eat you," whispers the slightly frantic 'Dere,
making her best attempt to slide her chubby body unobtrusively to the
side behind a few people. Dum-tee-dum. She wasn't late.
Linne comes dashing
in, nearly managing to trip over a pair of exiting apprentices. Looking
around, she spots the group of harpers she's looking for and sidles surreptitiously
over. Taking a quick seat, she looks back up attentively.
Khayet says, "You're
all mostly correct.....Though, I should've been more specific, I ment
theatre as in a production, a performance....We'll get into the architectural
structure of the theatre later. And, we'll also get into the types of
narritive that both Kayla and Perrin pointed out."
Kayla smiles at
Khayet.
Kaeryn slips quietly,
a bounce in her step, in from the ballroom.
Kaeryn enters the
room quietly, not even coming all the way in, just standing in the doorway
to watch in silence for a few minutes.
Linne blinks in
slight confusion, quickly grabbing out some writing utensils, hoping she
can catch up from what she missed at the beginning.
You overhear Reeba
mutter, "Some people ... ... ... ... ... ... their ..." to herself.
Kayla looks back
at Reeba and shrugs.
Perrin looks at
the others entering, notes Kaeryn with a nod and returns his attention
to Khayet.
Reeba raises her
hand to get Khayet's attention.
Khayet can't but
help smile slightly as a few other filter in, maybe he just started a
little early? He does have the jump the mark tendency when overly neverous,
after all. "A theatrical production is like a puzzle, you can't make the
full picture with out all the peice. If just one peice is missing, the
picture is incomplete....Yes Reeba?"
Reeba smiles. "You
just answered my question. I was going to ask if the definition of Production
would actually be /what/ the theatre is....of course, I don't know exactly
what you mean by Production.
Khayet says, "Well,
I'm about to get into that actually. A production is the whole proscess
behind the performace. There are five main sections to the 'puzzle'. Audience,
Management, Cast and Crew, Patrons and the location.....all of this goes
into makeing a production....Any more questions?"
A drudge comes in
and gives Perrin a note, he looks up and smiles breifly, then looks at
Khayet, "I am sorry, but I most go and attend some business form the avalanche
yesterday. Thank you for the class."
Khayet nods, "I'll
give you notes later then Perrin....Thanks for comming..." He says to
the closing door as he looks over his own notes.
Linne gives a quick
shake, indicating that everything's understood so far.
Khayet says, "Management
is defined as those who are in charge of managing some aspect of the production.
The top manager is the Director, he or she oversees everything, something
like the master of a certian thing....uh...instrument making, for example.
Then comes the stage manager, the properties manager, the grips manager,
costuming manager, orchestra conductor, set designer and the writer, if
possible. Sometimes, the play will be by an author that's been dead for
several generations. Sometimes, the writer will also be the director....Are
there any questions on this?"
Reeba giggles. "Sound
more like a Mis-management. How do they ever get anything done with so
many managers?"
Khayet says, "Well,
everyone but the director is in charge of something specific, the costuming
manager designs or picks out the costumes for the actors to wear, the
grips manager takes care of the large peices of scenery, the flats, scrims,
when their in use, things like that....The stage manager runs the backstage
area, making sure the actors are ready to go on and that the scenery is
ready for the next scene change. If you think of the director as the Master,
he delegates one journeyman to take care of the props, make sure their
in the right place at the right time, that they work and are ready to
be used, annother journeyman to take care of the orchestra, and so on.
That gives the director time to work with the actors, to be sure they
have their lines learned, their characters devoloped and the blocking
or choreography memorized, so that when the time is right, the director
has all the elements ready and in place when the curtian goes up."
Kaeryn slips quietly,
a bounce in her step, to the Main Hall.
Reeba nods her understanding.
"Now that makes sense."
Melidere nods quietly
to herself, one hand clapping her orchestrally inclined queen's maw shut
with a slightly smug look. Her eyes are intent despite the ongoings with
her little lifemate, and she leans forward slightly. Time. Choreography.
Grace. Yes.
Khayet nods. "There's
alot to be done, when putting on a pay. More when it's a musical production,
because that adds a choreographer into the list of managers, to makes
sure those who are supposed to dance know their steps and have the timing
right. The crew are those people who the managers manage, they move the
sets, the props, care for the costumes, they do the grunt work. It's oft
been said they are the backbone of the production. The cast are the actors,
no matter how 'bit' the part seems, if you go on stage durring the production
and are seen, you are in the cast, and hopefully in character," he smiles.
"Patrons are those who donate space, time, marks or other things to the
production that aren't directly involved beyond that. Sometimes their
crafters from other crafts, that lend their expertise in an area we aren't
always having to deal with, like....leather, or any metal work that might
need be done.....Sometimes, patrons are the inspiration for the production...."
Reeba cocks her
head to the side asking "Does the Harper Hall have Patrons or is a Patron
for one show only?"
Khayet says, "Sometimes
it's both....When you think about it, Ista Hold is the patron for this
hall, the Lady has been kind enough to provide us with support and space
so that we can study here....she allows us to eat in her dining hall,
make use of her baths.....She is not obligated to do any of that, so she
is a patron of the Hall. Likewise, the Lord of Fort Hold donated long
ago the land for the main hall there, though it's somewhat more self-sufficient."
Linne nods, "So
if you were going to put on a play at some point in the distant future,
you would need to go around and find some people willing to finance or
help with the production?"
Khayet nods, "Yes,
if there are special things needed for the scenery, or if you want a certian
weaver to help with the costume design and construction...and, sometimes
you need the next to the last ingreadent, location. Like here, we would
check with the Lady to see if we could use the amphitheatre on a certian
date. Other holds and even Weyrs aren't nearly so well set up as we are
here, so sometimes it's a dining hall....."
Reeba mumbles "It
is no wonder that directors go crazy as a flit when its performance time.
The pressure of keeping the patrons happy must be incredible...."
Khayet says, "I'd
immagine it depends on the patron, like all people, some are more demanding
and difficult to work with. And most feel entitled to special attention
and priviledge because they are donating their marks or services. Before
I move on to the architectural types of theatres, does anyone else have
any questions or comments?"
Reeba shakes her
head. Afraid her classmates may whack her upside the head if she asks
another one.
Linne gives her
head a little shake.
Khayet looks to
Melidere, just wanting to be sure before he proceeds.
Melidere is paying
attention -- really! Despite the fact that a little gold is gnawing /so/
industriously at her ear, she's all there. "Mm? Is there something you
wanted to ask me?" she says pertly, managing her million-watt smile 'tween
winces.
Khayet says, "Just
wondering if you have any questions, Melidere."
"Nope, not me,"
says 'Dere with that obnoxious dogooder tone of hers. Besides, like Melidere
/needs/ lessons in being melodramatic -- she always lives on extremes.
Seriousness returns however: "Honestly, though, no. I got it. Despite
Murph here, I'm payin' attention."
Khayet smiles gently,
tolerant sort that he is. "Alright.....Theatres come in three diffrent
types, the Amphitheatre, like is at the gather grounds, the Proscenium,
like is contained in the Main Hall at Fort, and the Thrust theatre.....Melidere....do
you think you can tell us the diffrences in them?"
Reeba looks down
trying to hide her smile and quietly thanking the Most High Egg she wasn't
called upon to answer that one!
'Dere perks -- she
knows this one! "OK! A false proscenium is built upwards of the stage,
sort of like a hanging arch of sorts." Her arms make a vague gesture,
sending her neurotic flit a'squawk briefly. "A thrust stage is where the
stage itself is built onto and extended." Once again, the gesture, only
this time outwards and flat.
Khayet smiles, nodding,
"And an amphitheatre?"
Melidere /knew/
she forgot one: "All right ... mm .. don't tell me..." A pregnant pause
as the harper woman contemplates and then snaps: "An amphitheatre is like
a bowl, the stage being in the centre." Give that over-intelligent girl
a cookie, folks.
Khayet nods again.
"Correct.....Reeba, Linne, have any questions?"
Reeba says, "Uhhhh...."
Khayet says, "Any
questions at all about what we've gone over?"
Reeba frowns saying
"I have no idea what 'Dere is talking about. What's a Thrust Stage again?"
Linne ummms herself,
"Yes... I get the amphitheatre, but about the Proscenum-thingy. What is
she talking about? And the Thrust too. Thanks Reeba." A wan smile is given,
indicating she really doesn't know what 'Dere meant.
Reeba smiles back
at Linne feeling very grateful that she isn't the only one who doesn't
know squat about the theatre.
Khayet says, "If
you take a gather stage, and build a platform at stage level, extending
from the stage into the audience, then you have a thrust stage. A prosecenium
stage is....Oh, you haven't been in the hall long enough to take a short
trip to Fort yet...." He takes out a peice of paper and draws a square
in roughly the middle of it. To the right, he makes arches and pointing
with the charchol he says, "This is the audience, here, the square there
is the stage. Everything to the left of the stage is called the backstage
area. There is a curtian and valence that..." He draws a wavy line on
the right side of the square, "...comes like this, to close off the stage
from the audience. The curtian moves, the valence doesn't. This type of
theatre is generally indoors....Gather stages are to an extent, proscenium
stages, and part amphitheatre all at once."
Reeba blinks twice.
"Oh, I see." Glancing over to 'Dere she smiles saying "Well done....I
was just too slow to know what you meant."
Linne looks at the
sketch, and nods, "Ahhhh. Ok, now I get it."
Reeba looks back
to Khayet "Thanks for the explanation Khayet."
Khayet smiles, "You're
welcome, that's why this is -introduction- to theatre....." He grins at
'dere, "Though it looks like someone's a bit more advanced....." Not that
he minds, naturally. "Are there any other questions?"
Reeba says, "Nope,
not now."
Linne shakes her
head affably.
Khayet says, "Well,
in that case, class dismissed....."
Melidere has that
effect on people. A smug smile crosses the girl's face as once again she
got the chance to flaunt her intellect. A blush creeps 'cross her face
as she's caught red handed and she just catches herself 'fore blurting
out the whole dirty affair she had with the scenery builder.
Khayet says, "Oh,
I will be holding more classes, to continue, since there's rather litterally
tons of information to impart.....before we get to my favourite part."
Reeba smiles at
Khay "Thanks Khayet. Which is your favorite - the acting?"
Linne gets up, stretching
from having to sit for a time, and walks over to Khayet, "You know,
Khay, it's almost
amazing how much more composed you are when teaching a class than you
are when you've just been awakened and chased out of the dorms by a rampaging
firelizard." She ponders for a second, "You know, maybe it's not so amazing
after all....."
Khayet nods, "Aye,
I'm a performer. Though I have been in the orchestra before." And to
Linne's comment, he
blushes. "Well, now you know some of my acting talent...that and I'm fully
dressed..."
Reeba stares blankly
not sure what to make of this conversation. "Thanks again Khayet. I can't
wait to learn more. Good night!"
Reeba says, "Night
Melidere, Night Linne."
Reeba strolls to
the Main Hall.
Khayet says, "Good
night Reeba....."
Linne grins, "Well,
you must be pretty good then. Either that or you actually managed to get
/some/ sleep last night, though I doubt it."
Khayet says, "Nope,
no sleep, too nervous for that....and none of you saw me twittering like
a sunbaked flitter before the class started either....thankfully...."
Linne chuckles to
herself at the image, "I can see that happening."
Khayet grins wryly,
"Careful there lass, I could be a journeyman any day now...." He's playing
though, gotta get rid of that nervous energy somehow. Not to mention the
shaking, which the charchol is still doing.
Linne grins impishly
at him, "Yes, and I'm sure that your newfound status will somehow manage
to cure your jitters. Leadership can do that to you, you know." Yawning,
she takes a glance around the room, and begins to head back out, tossing,
"Well, I'm feeling exceptionally tired tonight. I think I'll go to bed.
See ya tomorrow!" Over her shoulder before he can retort.
Linne pads to the
Main Hall.
Khayet snickers,
"She just doesn't know me yet....." he says to no one in paticular.
(End Log)
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