A Midsummer Night’s Dream DVD Released!
ON SALE NOW!
AMSND Highlights Clip
Please watch and share our youtube clip – many of the highlights of the show are there. A Midsummer Night’s Dream – Shakespeare at the Tanks 2012. Enjoy.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAjmhpcwQek
Notices Notices Notices
Hi all! Grant writing frenzy at the moment – but I thought it wise to quickly divert my attention to this Tropical Arts blog site to let you know that we have solid dates now for our production….
Tuesday the 15/10/2013 is our dress rehearsal (also preview) and
Saturday the 26/10/2013 is final performance
Stay tuned for the details…
Also – see the post immediately below for our ensemble training… bookings coming thick and fast, please confirm your place. Workshop participants are definately hot favourites for roles in ensembles!
Also – working on two pieces for the FNQATA One Act Play Festival at Malanda on the weekend 26-28 April – that’s soon! Who’s keen to come and support us? We are also still looking for a performer for one play. First time Director, Douglas Robins has opened it up - any one of any gender or age (if underage, with parental permission) or persuasion may apply – inclusive approach!
Also, Theatre of Exchanges workshops, Lead by Willem Brugman (0434 594 674) are still on Thursday evenings and Saturday mornings – food for the performer with a wish to access deeper aspects.
Avril
Tropical Arts – pathways into theatre…
All’s Well that End’s Well
This year we have decided to tackle another, slightly “lesser known” comedy, with a title that has become a part of the lexicon. “All’s Well that End’s Well” is about the folly of youth, the frustration of age and the triumph of commitment (or perhaps obsessive persistance/underserved love?). Well, at least that’s how we begin…
I have attached the full script in a format you may be able to print out – otherwise go to http://shakespeare.mit.edu/allswell/full.html this link and download onto your Ipad or tablet to save trees.
Have a read. See what you think..
Cheers
Avril
A Midsummer Night’s Dream – The Final Word
At the close of 2012, Tropical Arts Association Inc has had an AGM, Christmas Party and we are now awaiting the DVD of our production of Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream”. The show was very well recieved by our audiences and it was the largest and most ambitious so far in terms of cast and partners. There were up to 85 in the cast (varied from night to night!) aged from 4-74 with 12 paid professionals, 25+ school students, 22+ performers with a disability and a great range of talented community actors. Backstage was just as diverse and exciting.
Tanks Arts Centre, Song Connection and ARC Disability services came along with us for the ride and we made sure there was a place for almost everyone who showed up, no matter how close to the production. Please enjoy the photographs to see just how colourful and happening it was.
Have a safe festive season and see you next year…Cheers Avril
The Dream Year to date
There’s been workshopping in the Tanks:
Workshopping Mechanicals in Tank 3
Theres been roving around the Tanks:
sleepy and tropical
Getting ready for Tropical Surreal roving practice
- Roving through crowds at Carnival on Collins
The Banner’s Flying!
Buy tickets to A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Welcome to Tropical Arts blog and website.
Shakespeare at the Tanks 2012 -A Midsummer Night’s Dream
To purchase tickets CLICK the ticketLiNK Logo!
Thank you for coming to see the show. Expect to be enchanted….
To Join in supporting us… Click this link http://pozible.com/tropicalartscairns
Looking for an enjoyable fundraiser for your organisation? Book a group of 10 or more for the 18th of October – please click the picture of Titania and Oberon below for details:
Click for fundraiser
Final Weeks before the show….
Thank you to all those who turned up for the 2nd roving promo at the Tanks Markets Day. We had 4 Fairies, including Oberon, three Athenians including two lovers, one Mechanical, one Song Connection and two Scrinchies. We handed out about 300 flyers and could have handed out another 100 – but didn’t quite have enough. The roving work developed as we went, but everyone had fun and we were pretty solid by the end. Congratulations for getting into performance mode early!
Now we are at the truly exhilarating part of the process. We are now a well-connected team and we all have a good idea of what’s going on. The rehearsals will focus on polish and detail finding any missing pieces of this beautiful jigsaw. We add music and then next week, it’s bump in – which means that we will see the picture come closer and closer into focus – seeing Tank 3 dressed up and ready for the production. Can’t wait.
- A massive dream catcher
- Athenian pyjama columns
- Butterflies galore
- 8m gauzy drapes
- a forest
- fireflies
- Dez’s filmic score
- Live instruments
- big scrolls, small scrolls
- costume, hair and makeup
All these beautiful things are still to be put into place – we’ve had sketches, now we see them all!
Can’t wait!
Roving at Tanks Market Day
Being in the Dream!
A group of approximately 15 intrepid performers braved the crowds at Carnival on Collins on Sunday… roving in pyjamas with pillows and of course flyers. We did follow the leader through the throng, every now and then falling asleep on the tarmac, poles, walls, each other and lightly dreaming, snoring or snuggling. Passers by were certainly amused and then as we woke, we handed out flyers and quite a few had a good giggle at the connection between the sleeping and “The Dream”. Thank you to all the performers and others who helped us hand out over 600 flyers!
Hopefully will pick up some pics from any who were there strolling along not in pyjamas. Someone’s mum had a camera and Dez did come by with his handi cam – so watch this space for the amusement…
To give you a bit of inspiration, please check out our 6 min clip from last year’s production of Romeo and Juliet. … http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Es5REo7XGM
All you need to know
Final Open Workshop – Being in the Dream!
Titania’s Dream
What: Open and Inclusive Community Theatre Workshop - Find out how Tropical Arts works and how you can become part of Shakespeare at the Tanks 2012 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
When: Sunday 29thJuly, 1.30pm – 4.30pm
Where: Tank 3, Tanks Arts Centre, Collins Avenue, Edge Hill
Who: Everyone who is part of the production and anyone interested in becoming part of the production.
- Theatre skills
- Ensemble training
- Exploring Shakespeare’s play
- Sign up for the cast
- Casting Confirmed
- Rehearsing scenes
- How to get the script!
How Much: Members – free, others $5. (Membership $10)
For further details call Avril on 0418 765 588 or Lyndell on 0411 345 622
RADF Success!
Hi all,
Good news! Tropical Arts was successful in our application for a RADF grant which is an arts initiative from the Cairns Regional Council and the Queensland Government. This means we can really develop the partnerships between ARC and Tropical Arts and Song Connection and Tropical Arts. This is going to mean an exciting production with a fantastically diverse cast. Inclusive theatre is great theatre!
ARC Ensemble rehearsals began on the 3rd of July and ideas are moving along at a fantastic pace! Further rehearsals are about to start from the week of the 16th of July. Exciting – so stay tuned cast creatives and crew (you know who you are!)!
And finally, with fanfare! Thank you to Crossroads recreational club for their generous contribution to the production and congratulations to them for providing access to the community for people with a disability – for the last 25 years!! Well done. We feel the baton being passed.
So everything is moving along well. See you soon all and stay tuned…
Avril
Next Workshop – 1st of July
Tropical Arts invites you to
WALKING IN THE DREAM
When: Sunday 1st July, 1.30am – 4.30pm
Where: Tank 3, Tanks Arts Centre, Collins Avenue, Edge Hill
Who: Anyone interested in becoming part of the production.
butterflyWhat: Open and Inclusive Community Theatre Workshop - Find out how Tropical Arts works and how you can become part of Shakespeare at the Tanks 2012 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
- Theatre skills
- Ensemble training
- Exploring Shakespeare’s play
- Sign up for the cast
- Preliminary Casting Announced
- Rehearsing scenes
- Script finalised
How Much: Members – free, others $5. (Membership $10)
For details call Avril on 0418 765 588 or Lyndell on 0411 345 622
We’ve got the start of a set design (thanks Latoya!) and are off and running in a number of areas! Breaking News: Tropical Arts was successful in securing a RADF Grant through Cairns Regional Council – thank you very much! – the professional artists and arts workers employed through this grant will make it possible for more community participation – that means YOU onstage, or someone you love. Why? Because theatre is the answer to everthing…..
Next Shakespeare Workshop
Our April workshop was excellent! Over 35 participating and many more popped in to see what was going on in Tank 3 during the Market Day. May has flown by with various stages of preparation going ahead, but we didn’t manage to find space for a WORKSHOP!! So here’s the good news…
Tropical Arts invites you to
DREAMING OF THE DREAM
What: Open and Inclusive Community Theatre Workshop - Find out how Tropical Arts works and how you can become part of Shakespeare at the Tanks 2012 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
- Theatre skills
- Ensemble training
- Exploring Shakespeare’s play
- Sign up for the cast
When: Sunday 17th June, 1.30-6.30pm
Where: Tank 3, Tanks Arts Centre, Collins Avenue, Edge Hill
Who: Anyone interested in becoming part of the production.
How Much: Members – free, others $5.
Thanks to our presenting partner Tanks Arts Centre!
To book or for more information call 0418 765 588 or email tropicalartscairns@yahoo.com.au or enquire by posting a comment here on the website!
A Midsummer Night’s Dream – news
Oberon as the mountain stares moodily past the butterfly Titania
Tropical Arts invites you to
FRAGMENTS OF THE DREAM
An Open and Inclusive Community Theatre Workshop – Find out how Tropical Arts works and how you can become part of Shakespeare at the Tanks 2012 production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream.
• Theatre skills
• Ensemble training
• Introduction to Shakespeare’s play
• Meet the members
When: Tanks Market Day – Sunday 29th April, 9.30-12.30
Where: Tank 3, Tanks Arts Centre, Collins Avenue, Edge Hill
Who: Anyone interested in finding a pathway into theatre: experienced or first time, all ages, no prerequisites – join in at any open point.
How Much: Free – gold coin donation appreciated.
presenting… Theatre of Exchanges
@ Centre of Contemporary Arts, Abbott St Cairns
Feb 13-16
A week of performative exchanges led by Willem Brugman
Free of charge in exchange for your participation.
You are invited to these Exchanges:
Calling Cabaret: A space to bring your act, work on it, develop it.
Theatre of Exchanges: Performance laboratory – not for the faint hearted.
Meeting of Minds: A gathering for the performance community to connect and share and strategise.
Monday Feb. 13
9.00 – 12.00 am – Calling Cabaret
1.00 – 4.00 pm - Calling Cabaret
Tuesday Feb. 14
9.00 – 12.00 am – Theatre of Exchanges
1.00 – 5.00 pm - Theatre of Exchanges
Wednesday Feb. 15
9.00 – 12.00 am – Theatre of Exchanges
1.00 – 3.00 pm – Calling Cabaret
3.30 – 5.30 pm – Meeting of Minds
Thursday Feb. 16
9.00 – 12.00 am – Theatre of Exchanges
1.00 – 3.00 pm – Calling Cabaret/Theatre of Exchanges (Evaluation & Reporting)
3.30 – 5.30 pm – Meeting of Minds
For more information and to reserve your FREE place: Avril 0418 765 588
More Info: this free opportunity is a continuation of 3 initiatives that Willem has initiated here in Cairns over the last 3 years.
I can personally recommend the “Theatre of Exchanges” sessions as being an excellent in-depth opportunity to understand yourself as a performer. It is practical, concentrated, illuminating and a great workout.
The Cabaret Calling sessions are a really terrific opportunity at this moment because many of you are performers in cabaret acts all around town already. Here is a chance to bring your piece, or idea for one, and polish it up, flesh it out or develop it further.
And finally the Meeting of Minds is a very important opportunity for us to become more communicative and collaborative. Many things are happening around the place and we as a community are only haphazardly connected, protective of our patch and working in isolation. Here we can pool our experiences and work together on the big performance picture. Maybe even make some decisions and take serious stock of the situation: venues, opportunities, people, events, etc….
Happy New Year
Tropical Arts has kicked off our new year with a meeting of key creatives to brainstorm ideas for our major production. Before we reveal such delightful details (committee meeting pending), it’s great to reminisce about 2011 – Romeo and Juliet – the 5min highlights package is now on youtube – and you can order the DVD for $20 by contacting us through Lyndell at tropical.arts@yahoo.com.au
Stay tuned for our year’s program – workshops, get-togethers, fund raisers, performances and skills sessions….
Romeo and Juliet – theatre for the soul
one of the most popular images which will linger with audience and participants alike, from the show, is reported to be the Prologue by the ARC Ensemble, the Players within the play.
5 Juliets is a hit with all ages – it worked! They were the fascinating facets of a teenage girl struggling to come of age.
Dynamic Romeo was a favourite with women and girls, and the blokiest of blokes.
Mercutio and Page stole many hearts.
The Nurse and Friar pulled people into the language.
Creepy Paris made us feel this part for the first time in many productions.
Father and Mother Capulets and Montagues were strong opponents.
The Clown and all our little Capulet and Montague kids were fantastic to flesh out the world of the play.
And the Prince with Benvolio – trying desperately to keep the peace were a backbone of strength in a world of tragedy!
It is a credit to all who were backstage, onstage and in the wings – thank you all for working so hard.
this is feedback interpreted via Avril
Romeo and Juliet – Cairns Festival Open Workshop
Shakespeare at the Tanks continues in 2011 with the tragic love story of Romeo and Juliet given a sci-fi treatment by Tropical Arts.
An ancient grudge corrodes community harmony again and again. In a re-imagined sci-fi setting, the Capulets are augmented humans and the Montagues are ‘naturals’. Their bitter feud embodies our modern struggle with technology. A steampunk Romeo kills the cyborg Tybalt, and the 5-clone Juliet reflects the many facets of a teenage girl struggling to know herself in a world gone mad.
Shakespeare’s tragic love story will tear at your heart like never before.
Tropical Arts’ features professional performers working alongside community actors in a cast which showcases the diversity of our community in a tropical theatre feast!
Tickets Pricing
EVENING PERFORMANCES
Adult – $25.00
Concession Government Benefit Card Holder – $20.00
Senior Card Holder – $20.00
School Student 3-17 years – $20.00
Youth 18-21 years – $20.00
Tertiary Student with ID – $20.00
*Group 10+ – 20.00
MATINEE PERFORMANCE
Adult – $20.00
Concession Government Benefit Card Holder – $15.00
Senior Card Holder – $15.00
School Student 3-17 years – $15.00
Youth 18-21 years – $15.00
Tertiary Student with ID – $15.00
*Group 10+ – 15.00
*10 is the maximum number of tickets that can be purchased online in a single transaction. If your group is larger than 10, please phone ticketLiNK on 1300 855 835 to make your booking.
Romeo (Brett Walsh) & Juliet (Liz Hurley – recently withdrew from the role)
Crossroads is coming.
PERFORMANCE PRESENTATIONS
CIAF Symposium , CoCA Fri 19 August, 4.40pm
Earthed @Tanks Arts Centre, Fri 26 August 7pm & 10.15pm
FREE WORKSHOPS with presentations
Cairns Botanic Gardens , Sun 21 August, 1-5pm
Centre of Contemporary Arts Cairns, Mon 29 August, 2-6pm
Romeo and Juliet – Workshop
WHEN: Sat 7 May
TIME: 2-5PM
WHERE: Tank 3, Tanks Arts Centre, Collins Ave, Edge Hill.
WHO: Actors (no experience necessary) interested in being part of the cast or learning about Tropical Arts processes.
WHAT: Basic ensemble training, introduction to text, characters and themes. Creative ideas generator.
COST: Paid Tropical Arts Members FREE. $10 Adults $5 U18
Membership: Adults $20, U18$10 and family$30
For more info or to book call: 0411345622
email: tropical.arts@yahoo.com.au http://www.tropicalartscairns.com
On the boil
Things are on the boil for the committee. Writing and aquitting grants as well as the massive task of organising Shakespeare at the Tanks, 2011 – “Romeo and Juliet”! We welcome contributions in any area.
Romeo and Juliet
Tropical Arts will engage 7 local professional theatre makers as the creative team to bring together the production of “Romeo and Juliet” at Tanks Arts Centre in October 2011. Some of these Theatre Makers will contribute their acting skills as well and perform alongside their community peers. The Community Actors are variuosly students (primary, high & university), workers, parents, Indigenous, non-Indigenous, Immigrants, seniors and the special feature of this year’s production will be the ARC Theatre Ensemble who will be developing material and skills through specific workshops to support differently-abled actors joining the cast.
We will be exploring the Science Fiction theme to find the essence of the play – a central, but forgotten conflict – young people seem to like it! Ideas from the community will make the show relevanant to and a reflection of our tropical location, lifestyle and people.
contact: tropical.arts@yahoo.com.au
Tourism Tropical Arts – Completed!
In 2010, Tropical Arts was successful in gaining a grant through the Cairns Regional Council and Arts Queensland RADF program. A group of key creatives – professional and emerging professional performing arts workers investigated a number of questions:
- What is Tropical Arts?
- What is our Cultural Product?
- How can theatre be used as a tool for language learning
The result of the 1st question can be seen, in brief, on the front of this website. But it is always being challenged, reworked and kept relevant.
Our “cultural product” was shown at 2 presentations during this project, as well as in WWW and the Shakespeare at the Tanks productions. Feedback forms described the product as:
- “…exciting and innovative, fabulous interpretations of each script.”
- “… local, in depth, full of soul.”
- “Thought provoking – entertaining”
- “..tropical take..”
And the 3rd part – using Theatre as a language teaching tool – was a dip into the power of theatre as a medium for real communication. Practitioners who participated could see how it might be developed futher. English students who participated came away with new vocabulary and a fun afternoon being theatrical with locals.
All in all, this was an excellent project for Tropical Arts’ development and much more will come from the experience.
Collaborating Key Creatives included: Willem Brugman, Avril Duck, Kevin West, Warren Clements, Kara Ross, Meiyin Ahnsuz, Rita Pryce, Liza Parker and assisted by Lyndell Brownlee, Marianne Buchannan, Tony Birch, Monique & Joey Woldhius. Thank you to all others who participated in workshops and came along to the presentations.
Many thanks to our major venue partner: Tanks Arts Centre
RADF: The Regional Arts Development Fund is a Queensland Government and Cairns Regional Council partnership to support local arts and culture.
