hello abby here.
just to contribute some ideas regarding the title of the play.

-no one understands me
-forgotten and alone
-nobody cares
i quite like the goodbye Jana one.
yeah. just something i thought of while showering.
tmr's the thing. 210 grpA hwaiting! <3

Hey, this is amanda here. I’m here to suggest the titles.

We could name:

-bright sad life (oxymoron :D)

-ups and downs of life (up-jeanette, down-jana)

-identical twins destined with different fates (jeanette-lived, jana-dead)

-if there's another time

2moro is our drama assessment, i really hope i would not screw up as a "mother". i know ppl will be laughing at me when i step on the black box, so i shall just pretend i dun see them. let me be a narcissist, our set is so wonderful, attracting ppl's attention! believe me, ppl from other groups were telling me that. So, everybody, let's give our best tomorrow!

Hey, this is amanda here. I’m here to suggest the titles.

We could name:

-bright sad life (oxymoron :D)

-ups and downs of life (up-jeanette, down-jana)

-identical twins destined with different fates (jeanette-lived, jana-dead)

-if there's another time

2moro is our drama assessment, i really hope i would not screw up as a "mother". i know ppl will be laughing at me when i step on the black box, so i shall just pretend i dun see them. let me be a narcissist, our set is so wonderful, attracting ppl's attention! believe me, ppl from other groups were telling me that. So, everybody, let's give our best tomorrow!

Jia Lin is here! Here are some titles:

1. Her family murdered Jana
2. Jana's calamity
3. It's not fair
4. The dreary short life
5. Goodbye, Jana

Hmmm, these are all that I can think of.

hey this is yijin
and i have some suggestions for the play.

1) killed indirectly
2) stress built up
3) the indirect death
4) the unknown death
5) the eight echos

:D
haha

drama with yall had been a fun experience :D

Denise here
drama title( suggestion):
-twin sisters
-jana X jeannete
-hopeless life
-alone
hmmm.. that all.
jiayous all ^^

hey guys. Daphne here.
okayy just some last minute stuff to take note of.
1. Those who are supposed to operate the red hearts, please make sure you guys know when to turn them on and off
2. Those who are to go up on the platform for monologues at the end of the play, please remember to walk slower when proceeding towards the platform okayys?
3. Remember to drag the boxes at the part when i start ranting

thanks so much for cooperating you guys!
♥

hey people we need a title for our play
so can everyone contribute at least 1 name
cuz our play's quite emo i was thinking something along the lines of
-the eight people that killed me
-they're the killers
daph suggested virtual killers or you'll be the death of me
anything is welcome
please contribute lots and lots so we have more choices
also a reminder to those who haven't filled in drama assessmentforms
please fill in asap
and xiaojialin can you get a folder???
den we can all file tgt
jiayous for drama people
juz one more day
chloe

this is de almighty director issuing her first decree
hi everyone

i know its very suaku to admit but its my first time posting cuz i dun haf a blog

firstly in response to yijin's issue abt paramedics being slow i apologise on behalf of ah beng and ah seng medical services--we promise not to be late ever again

secondly with regards to denise's qn abt the box: we cannot get rid of it because its essential to create a platform because the height difference will automatically draw the audience's attention there.

if you all really find it a problem to get up, there are 2 solutions: 1) keep practising until you dun wobble. 2) get a higher stool for a stepping platform so de height diff btw de two platforms is not so big.

please understand dat all this is to create an effect and sometimes sacrifices are necessary. i know i'm in no position to say this bcuz im not stepping onto the box but i urge you all to try ur best. i know its not easy but it definitely can be done.

amanda and jialin: you must show your professionalism in theatre.

denise and gwen: you must show that amateurs can do it too!!!!!

abigail your problem is you're not exaggerated enough. i know you care a lot abt ur face and dun wanna laokui but dyou know dat if you're acting unnaturally it will be even more embarrassing than if you really let go of everything and just become your character??? a natural character on stage is ten MILLION times more convincing than an unnatural one, and it is de latter that will get laughed at by the audience. think abt it.

any other issues???

oh yeah de attendance we can worry about later

i'd like to inquire if we've gotten the four heart lights?????

other than dat i think its fine

our group totally rocks at drama...hahahahahahaha......

p.s. deres lik 4 more days till our grand debut which of course will be a sell out cuz its directed by the highly acclaimed world famous director princess chloe aka me...hahahahahahahahaha

Hi, drama rep here! Since it is my birthday today, I shall take initiative to post something. :)

Basically, during today's drama lesson and white space, all the groups did their rehearsals and performed their plays before the class. Hey, I find that our play had the most interesting background! The way we arranged our props are wonderful and attracted a lot of attention. Well done! THREE CHEERS for us.

However, we need more practice... Sometimes, we don't know where to say our lines (at least I got this problem). We are not sure when to move the boxes to make noises in the background when Daphne speakes. And, Chloe, can we remove the huge box in the end? It is hard for Denise, Amanda, Gwen and me to walk up there, balance ourselves, speak our lines and probably burst out laughing ecause the audience started laughing when they see us up there... Why not all four of us stand in one line or in a circle?

Anyway, all of us did a good job. 210 AA ROCKS. Stay hyper. Weeeeeeeeeeeeeee!

Hi. this is Gwen
Do you think we need make up?

Director: Chloe Chai
Stage manager: Weimin
Playwright: Yi Jin
Design Team 1( costumes, props): Gwen, Abigail, Jialin
Design Team 2( lighting and sounds): Daphne, Denise, Amanda

Scene 1
(7 (1x1) boxes are on set. Actors sit in front of each of their boxes. Jeannette and Jana are at centre stage)

(Jana plays with a toy train)

Jeannette (snatches it away): MINE!
(Walks off with glee but freezes right at the end of the stage)

Jana: (dejected; walks towards stage left slowly)

~change time frame~
(Actors get up and sit on their chairs. Jeannette and Jana return to normal speed. Jana shares a chair with Mel)

Jeannette: Come! Let’s play Family! (points at each actor) I’ll be the Mother, You be the father, the brother, the sister, the dog, the cat, the parrot and the rabbit.

Jana: Can I play?

Jeannette: You can be the plant!

~changes time frame~
(Actors move their boxes away from each other to form distinct cliques. Jeannette joins one of the cliques at stage right)

Jeannette: (whispers with her clique, looking at Jana and Mel. She then snaps her fingers to get Mel’s attention)

Mel (Hesitates but then pulls her box away, causing Daphne to fall off the chair, and goes to join Jeannette’s clique): Bye

Scene 2
Jana (to audience): This is the first time I’m meeting Abby. She’s a friend on msn. She said she’s got real effective ways to slim down. That’s good; I really need to lose all this fat.

(Abby enters from stage right with gangsters)

Abby: Hi, you must be Jana. These are my friends. Ah Beng,

Ah Beng: Hi

Abby: And Ah Seng

Ah Seng: Hi

Jana: Hi

Abby: I need the toilet. I’ll be back in a while.

Ah Beng: Want to try some?
(Ah Beng shows her some pills)

Jana: Are those slimming pills?

Ah Seng (laughs to himself): Are you kidding me?

Ah Beng: Of course they’re slimming pills. Look at Abby; she takes them all the time.

Jana (nervously): How much for a packet?

Ah Beng: Since you’re a first-timer, $120.
Jana: What? I, I only have $60.

Ah Seng: I suppose we could make an exception. You can have half a packet. But I guarantee you’ll be back for more.

(Abby enters stage left)
Abby: Let’s go.

Gangsters: Hey Abby, we’ve got something on. We’ll make a move first.
(Gangsters exit stage left laughing to themselves)

(Abby and Jana exit stage right talking amongst themselves)

Scene 3
(Denise and Mom are on the phone)
Denise: Do you know what’s going on with your daughter recently?

Mom: Jeannette?

Denise: No, your other daughter. What’s her name again?

Mom: Oh, you mean Jana. What’s wrong with her?

Denise: I’m not really sure. My daughter says she’s been acting strange lately. Always having those weird tempers.

Mom: Well, Jana’s always been a strange child. Listen, I’ve got to go now. Call you when I have time. Bye.

Denise: Okay, bye.
(Denise exits stage)

(Jana enters stage)
Mom: Jana, what have you been up to lately? I heard from Mel’s mom that you were behaving weirdly in school.

Jana: N…n…nothing. Nothing happened. I’ll be in my room.

(Mom exits stage)

Jana (pacing around worriedly): Oh no, what am I going to do? Ah Beng and Ah Seng have been pressing me for payment, and I can’t seem to stop with those pills. What’s wrong with me? (Tears at hair in frustration)

Scene 4
(At the dinner table)
Mom: Jeannette, I heard you got the leading role in the school’s year end play.

Jeannette: Again.

Dad: That’s my girl. And Jana?

Jana: I’m in charge of the warehouse where the props are kept.

Dad: Wow, I’m sure that’s very interesting.

Jeannette: Considering the fact that it’s her fourth year being warehouse master, perhaps she’ll even get a special mention at the credits this year.
(All laugh except Jana)

Scene 5
(Jana enters from stage right; Jeannette and Mel enter from stage left)
(Jana bumps into Jeannette)
Jeannette: Will you watch where you’re going? Look what you nearly made me do! (Almost drops cup)

(Mel tries to pull Jeannette away)

Jane: Sorry, sorry, I wasn’t looking.

Mel: Hey, Jeannette, let’s go.
(Mel turns around and makes the sorry sign)
(Jana makes as if to say something, then stops)

(Jana walks dejectedly to front of stage and takes out crackers)
(Abby enters from stage right)
Abby (snatches crackers from Jana): What do you think you’re doing? Don’t you know that these crackers contain thousands of calories? Think of how long you’d have to jog to shed all these fats?

Jana: But I’m starving! I haven’t eaten for an entire day!

Abby: How are you going to lose weight if you’ve got no self control? I’m going to the gym, you decide for yourself if you’re coming along.
(Abby exits stage left)

Scene 6
Jana: Why is this happening to me? Why am I such a failure in life? What did I ever do wrong? I’m not as pretty and capable as Sis, not as kind and understanding as Mel, not as skinny as Abby, what am I good for?

All: What are you good for?
(Actors drag boxes around on the floor, gradually making the dragging noise louder)
Gangster 1: I’ve never seen such a loser who can’t even stand up for herself.

Gangster 2(sarcastic): Mummy and Daddy would be heartbroken if they knew they gave birth to such a failure.

Abby: Come on, Jana. Get a grip on yourself. How are you ever going to slim down if you eat every single moment of the day?

Mel: Jana, you’re not fat. Stop telling yourself that. What happened to you? You were never like this before.

Denise: Can’t stand that Jana. She’s leading my girl astray. Mel used to be so obedient and outstanding in her studies, now, she hardly talks to me when we’re together. It must be the influence of that stupid and useless Jana.

Jeannette: Face it, Jana. You can never be as good as me. Whether it’s Dad and Mom, or Mel, or the people in school, they’ll always like me more than they do you. Honestly, you’re a disgrace to me.

Dad: What’s going on with two of my daughters lately? I haven’t seen them together happily for a long time? What’s becoming of this family?

Mom: Jana, how many times have I told you that your elder sister is always right? Why can’t you just give in to her? You’re always the one causing chaos in the family.

(Jana holds head)
Jana: No, no why is this happening? I know I’m clumsy and ugly, I look into the mirror, and all I see is a bunch of fats. I can’t even talk about my problems to anybody, because if anyone knew that I have a drug issue, I’m done for. Why, why can’t I be less of a freak?
(Actors bang the boxes at the same time)

(Takes out cell phone, flustered)
Jana: Mel, are, are you free to go out today? I need to talk to you.

Mel: Sorry Jana, I, I, I promised your sister I’d go shopping with her.
(Awkward silence)

Mel: Jana? Are you listening? Hey, maybe you’d like to come with us? I’m sure you sister won’t mind.

Jana (quickly): No, it’s fine. Bye.

Mel: Wait, Jana. Are you sure its fine? Don’t take this too hard okay?

Jana (almost crying): Don’t worry, I won’t.

Jana (pause then laughs): Mel’s going out with Sis. My only friend, taken away by my sister.

Jana: Hello, Abby, this is Jana.

Abby (cold): Yes?

Jana (face falls): I, I just wanted to tell you that, I can’t do this anymore. Not being anorexic, not living in the shadow of my sister, not any of this. I’m really sick and tired of all this.

Abby: Well, you’ll probably be going to a better place anyway.
(Hangs up)

Jana: Well---bye.

Jana: Now, even Abby won’t talk to me. Urgh no one cares about me. What's the point in living when the whole world doesn't care? That's it... I can't take this anymore...
(Takes out knife, hesitates, slashes wrist)
(Holds wrist, laughs, lies down)

Scene 7
Gangster 1 (bang on door): Hey, don’t think you can hide from us in there. We’ve got your dope, but you have given us our cash.

Gangster 2: Open up, we know you’re hiding in there.
(Kicks open door)
(Runs in and stops)

Gangster 1: Shit, we’d better go.

Gangster 2: Get the money first.
(Flees the scene)

(Ambulance siren)
Mel: Yes, Blk 21. Please hurry.

Mel: Jana, Jana why did you do this to yourself. Oh, I should have known. This was my fault.
(Mel attempts to stop the bleeding)

Mel: Hang in there, Jana. The ambulance will be here soon. Nothing will happen to you. You’ll be fine.
(Paramedics enter with stretcher)
(Four leave together)

Scene 8
[Newsflash: A sixteen-year-old girl was found unconscious in her home by a part time domestic helper. This teen had allegedly starved herself for nearly four days, and doctors say there is a high chance of her being anorexic. The teen has been warded at The Central hospital and is being monitored by doctors.]

Mom: Jana, why did you do this to yourself? I know I should have paid more attention to you. It was my fault that you became like that. I knew that you were taking those things, but I didn’t want to face up to it. If I did, I’d lose all my standing amongst my friends and all your aunties. This is all my fault, I’m sorry, Jana, Mom’s really sorry.

Dad: Jana, why didn’t you talk to me when all these happened? I know your answer: you were always too busy with work to listen. Remember the time I promised to attend your kindergarten concert, I was more than an hour late because of a meeting? I failed to attend your primary 1 orientation because I was overseas, and neither was I present at your primary 6 graduation because of a business dinner. I missed your parent-teacher meeting in secondary school, even till now; I don’t even know the name of your form teacher. You’re not a failure, Jana. I am. I am a failure as a father.

Denise: Well, she’s gone at last. At least my Mel will come back to me now. But, was she really as bad as I made her out to be? Come to think of it, she was quite sweet back when she was a toddler. Anyway, it’s too late to realize all these now, she’s gone, and she’ll never come back.

Jeannette: Jana. She’s gone. Why? Was it because of what I did? All those things that I did, I didn’t mean them. Jana’s my only sister; I should’ve treated her better. Jana, all those mean things I did and said, was all because I was jealous of you. I was jealous that you had many friends in kindergarten, so I took them all from you. I was jealous that the teacher liked you better in primary school, so I hid your homework and made the teacher disappointed with you. I was jealous that you had a better idea than me for your project in secondary school, so I took you idea and said it was mine. And you never retaliated. Why, why didn’t you speak for yourself? If you’d just argue with me, I’d back down. Jana, why even for your life, didn’t you fight? Why, Jana, why?
(Music enters, lights dim)

COSTUMES:

Scene1
Jana: Blue shirt and skirt ( unglam version)
Jeannette: Blue shirt and skirt (glam version)
Mel: longsleeved t-shirt and long skirt

Scene2
Jana: Blue shirt and skirt ( unglam version)
Abby: Black skinnies and slimming shirt
Ah Beng & Seng: cap, baggy jeans and loose shirt sleeves folded up

Scene3
Denise: business suit. ( linen pants? linen jacket?)
Mom: Shirt and bermudas and apron
Jana: Blue shirt and skirt ( unglam version)

Scene4
Mom: Shirt and bermudas and apron
Jeannette: Blue shirt and skirt (glam version)
Dad: shirt and tie
Jana: Blue shirt and skirt ( unglam version)

Scene5
Jeannette: Blue shirt and skirt (glam version)
Jana: Blue shirt and skirt ( unglam version)
Mel: mini skirt and short sleeved shirt
Abby: same shirt, shorts, towel around neck

Scene6
Jana: Blue shirt and skirt ( unglam version)
everyone is in background

Scene7
Ah Beng and Seng: cap, baggy jeans and loose shirt sleeves folded up
Jana: Blue shirt and skirt ( unglam version)
Mel: mini skirt and short sleeved shirt
Paramedics (Beng and Seng) : white shirt and pants and mask

Scene8
if possible mom, dad, jeannette, denise switch to black

NOTICE:
Daph: Bring blue shirt and skirt (discuss with gwen)
Gwen: Bring blue shirt and skirt (discuss with daph), black outfit
Yi Jin: long sleeve shirt and long skirt. Underneath wear short sleeve shirt and short skirt
Abigail: slimming shirt and skinny jeans. Underneath the jeans wear shorts. Bring a towel
Ah Beng and Seng: Bring cap, baggy shirt and pants. Underneath wear white stuff (paramedics)
Bring the mask thing
Denise: Business oufit. maybe black so you do not have to change at scene 8
Mom: apron and shirt and bermudas. Maybe Bring black longskirt to wear over the first outfit
and wear a black shirt so changing shirt is not necessary
Dad: Shirt and tie and pants. Wear black pants. Underneath shirt and tie wear black shirt so
that you can just un button shirt

ANY SUGGESTIONS HOW GWEN IS GOING TO CHANGE?

Love gwen

Hi everyone
Gwen and Abigail here.
And these are the props needed:

*who will bring

• Big teddy bear DAPHNE
• small teddy bear GWEN
• packet of "drugs" CHLOE
• wallet with money GWEN
• 2 big phones PLS TAG WALL IF YOU CAN
• 1 handphone DAPHNE
• starbucks cup GWEN
• pack of crackers GWEN
• fake pen knife PLEASE TAG WALL IF YOU ARE WILLING TO MAKE
• doctor surgical masks WEIMIN &CHLOE
• 1 rose ABBY
• 7 1x1 boxes
• sofa
• a few other different size boxes

Rehearsal Schedule

Tues, 1/9
12am-3pm
Gwen's house

Wed, 2/9
2-3pm
M4-04

Wed, 9/9
1.30-5pm
School.
M4-01(3-4pm)
M4-04(4-5pm)
Meet at Quadrangle at 1.30pm

Note:
-Rehearsals are compulsory unless you have a valid excuse
-Please be punctual

During the holidays, Amanda and Jia Lin won't be able to make it as they will be in Malaysia the whole week. I know EOYs are coming up and we all needa study but let's just finish this off so that we can have a good grade for our assesment okayy? Jia yous everyone(:

♥Daphne

mr ng told us to get rid of the pillars and we are supposed to add in more scenes. if we wanted the pillar, then the characters have to be doing their own things.
we were also told to break the semi-circle, so we rearranged it to a more scattered and uneven setting.
during the september holidays, we are supposed to meet on wednesday, from 4-5pm.
we have to rehearse for 10 hours.
BUT the good news is we have already rehearsed for 4 hours at gwen's house the other day when it rained... ==
so then on wednesday, we rehearse for 1 hour, so that means we are only left with 5 hours. :D

we have to present in T4W2.
there would be the playrights, director, design team one and design team two.
design team one is in charge of props, costumes and make up. design team one have to think of what kind of props would we need. for eg, the toy that Jana would be playing, phone, newpapers/books/magazines on the sofa etc. this list is not exhaustive, have to think of more.

design team two is in charge of lightings and music. (CD have to be burned in to audio)
start of the play is a blackout, so it the ending.
only ONE blackout is allowed during the play.

characters are reminded to act convincingly, and get into the character. DO NOT laugh while acting...

yijin, daphne, chloe, gwendolyn, jia lin, amanda, wei min, denise, abigail

Drama character list
Character 1
Name: Jana
Age: 18
Height: 163 cm
Weight: Initially, 60 kg but after dieting, 49 kg (changes over a period of time)
Level of education: Junior College
Special activities: Book Club
Family members: Father, Mother, twin sister Jane
Short introduction: All her life, Jana has been living in her sister, Jane’s shadow. People always fail to see the quieter twin, and this resulted in Jana’s low self-esteem. Jana constantly feels inferior to her sister especially since she is fatter and not as popular as her sister. Due to this impregnable need to be as good as her sister or even better, Jana starts starving herself, skipping meals and purging.
Problems faced- stress + suicide and weight management issues

Character 2
Name: Jeanette
Age: 18
Height: 168cm
Weight: 55kg
Level Of Education: Junior College
Special Activities: Track And Field, School team
Family members: Father, Mother, twin sister Jana
Short introduction: All her life, Jeanette has been jealous of her sister. So she starts taking everything away from her. Now, she is the best at everything. In the aspect of sports, she is the captain of the track and field team and is also a long distance runner, representing the school in countless competitions. She is rather good in her studies, always scoring straight-A’s. In addition, she’s also the head councilor of the school. Due to this, her parents are giving her more attention than they do to Jana.

Character 3
Name: Amanda
Age: 47
Height: 168 cm
Weight: 53 kg
Special activities: Housewife
Short introduction: Amanda is Jana and Jeanette's Mother. She favours Jeanette more and is hence biased towards her

Character 4
Name: James
Age: 50
Height: 172 cm
Weight: 60 kg
Special activities: Businessman
Short introduction: James is Jana and Jeanette's Father. He favours Jeanette more and is hence biased towards her.


Character 5
Name: Melissa
Age: 15
Height: 160 cm
Weight: 39 kg
Level of education: Secondary 4
Special activities: Ballet
Family members: Mother
Short introduction: Melissa used to be best friends with Jana but Jeanette stole her away during the course of the play. Melissa's Mom is very perturbed that Melissa seems to have changed in terms of personality and blames it on Jana's influence.

Character 6
Name: Denise
Age: 45
Height: 165cm
Weight: 50kg
Special activities: Business Woman
Short introduction: Denise is Melissa's Mother and is very worried as Melissa seems to have changed. She think it's Jana's influence and talks to Jana's Mother about it.
Problems faced- stress + suicide

Character 7
Name: Abigail
Age: 17
Height: 168 cm
Weight: 42 kg
Level of education: Secondary 4
Short introduction: Abigail, like Jana, is very concerned about her figure and weight. She is disciplined and hence, scolds Jana when she sees her "slacking off". She has 2 friends who are gangsters, Ah Beng and Ah Seng
Problems faced- weight management issues

Character 8
Name: Ah Beng
Age: 17
Height: 176 cm
Weight: 56 kg
Level of education: School drop out
Special activities: Shoplifting, fighting
Short introduction: Ah Beng, Abigail's friend, suffered under a drunken father and mahjong-addict mother. Influenced by the wrong company, he is always getting into fights and trouble for minor crimes.

Character 9
Name: Ah Seng
Age: 17
Height: 178 cm
Weight: 56 kg
Level of education: School drop out
Special activities: Shoplifting, fighting
Short introduction: Ah Seng and Ah Beng have been "brothers" for a long time, always commiting crimes together as a pair. He was also influenced by the wrong company and was introduced to Ah Beng as a kid.