Joy.
Sunday, February 1, 2009
South Africa, Cape Town Days 3-5
We had three more days of "arts camp" with the kids.
These kids were awesome. They had auditioned to be a part of the camp - though they were picked mainly based on enthusiasm.
HIGHLIGHT: Courtney and I were in charge of teaching an acting class. On the 2nd or 3rd day we decided to introduce "improv" ... so we had each kid perform an "everyday activity" in front of the rest of the group. Courtney and I had written a variety of these activities on pieces of paper (it was like a simplified version of charades) such as... "tying your shoes," "making your bed," "brushing your teeth," "playing cricket," "riding a bicycle." They loved it - and they got the idea right away. (By the third and fourth day they were eagerly volunteering to improv entire scenes!) But my favorite moment had to be when Bukelwa got up in front of the class, picked his piece of paper, read it... and then did the following.
He drew a big rectangle in the air... then drew two circles at each end of the rectangle... then he squatted... and put his arms out underneath this imaginary rectangular object with circles and grunted as he attempted to pick up this very heavy imaginary object...
Puzzled, I looked to Courtney ... neither one of us could figure out what the hell he was acting out! He did it again... drew the big rectangle... the circles... squatted down... and picked up this ...thing...
Finally, I leaned in to him and said, "what are you doing?"
"I'm taking the bus."
Some things were lost in translation.
HIGHLIGHT: On the final day of the arts camp we began the day with show and tell. Many of the kids loved the opportunity to just get up and sing or dance in front of a group. But the most amazing moment came when Thulie (in the photo she is standing in the group of girls all the way to the left) and Lusanda came up to sing. Together they sang,
"The holy spirit come down on us and Africa will be saved. If you believe in God above then Africa will be saved." Then Lusanda recited a sermon or poem...
"I have a pain..."
Slowly our group of class leaders noticed that Thulie, still humming, was crying.
We all applauded their performance, although I think some of us were applauding their strength.
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
South Arica, Cape Town Day 2
The first day of classes at the Arts Camp. The center where the classes are being held is great. Guguletu is a township - a mixture of small cinder block houses and shanty-town tin houses. Kids from this township walked in to the JLZwane center. Kids from EVEY township in Cape Town are attending these classes. They are being bussed in by volunteers from everywhere! There were 57 kids there this morning at 9:00 am. Clearly from all walks of life here in Cape Town. We've been told that there are three levels of education here. Private, middle, and government. Some kids are from middle but most are from government - which only goes to a certain grade.
The kids eagerly grabbed their bright blue BSA t-shirts and their orange juice and cereal bars. Then we gathered as a group and introduced ourselves. Some of the kids are only 7 years old! We split everyone in to four groups and seperated into four rooms.
We had the most amazing assistant S'bo --- who promised to help us if there were any behavior issues or any translation issues. Almost all of the kids speak Xhosa (the language with three different kind of mouth clicks). I tried desperately to learn and pronounce each kids' name correctly - but my eagerness didn't translate well.
They all also speak english very well - and perhaps are confused when I can't click their names correctly.
We played all of the improv and acting games we had planned... and then some.
The kids threw away their inhibitions and played with ambandon! It was A BLAST!
They high-fived us! and hugged us when we all got something right! Some of the kids were so excited that they took the games and began to lead them themselves! Suggesting ideas and ways to improvise!
During the final hour of the day Courtney (my co-teacher) and I were leaading the hardest game of all. The game in which everyone closes their eyes and collectively tries to count to ten without having two people say the same number. It is VERY difficult for ADULTS to do. And no class all say had reached ten. Then finally in the last five minutes of the day... TEN. The class went wild.
Exausted we are now headed home to bed. 11:45pm.
The kids eagerly grabbed their bright blue BSA t-shirts and their orange juice and cereal bars. Then we gathered as a group and introduced ourselves. Some of the kids are only 7 years old! We split everyone in to four groups and seperated into four rooms.
We had the most amazing assistant S'bo --- who promised to help us if there were any behavior issues or any translation issues. Almost all of the kids speak Xhosa (the language with three different kind of mouth clicks). I tried desperately to learn and pronounce each kids' name correctly - but my eagerness didn't translate well.
They all also speak english very well - and perhaps are confused when I can't click their names correctly.
We played all of the improv and acting games we had planned... and then some.
The kids threw away their inhibitions and played with ambandon! It was A BLAST!
They high-fived us! and hugged us when we all got something right! Some of the kids were so excited that they took the games and began to lead them themselves! Suggesting ideas and ways to improvise!
During the final hour of the day Courtney (my co-teacher) and I were leaading the hardest game of all. The game in which everyone closes their eyes and collectively tries to count to ten without having two people say the same number. It is VERY difficult for ADULTS to do. And no class all say had reached ten. Then finally in the last five minutes of the day... TEN. The class went wild.
Exausted we are now headed home to bed. 11:45pm.
South Africa day 1
The 18 hour flight was alright. 2 tylenol PM and some red wine were good friends to the flyers. we arrived in Cape Town at 4:30pm on monday. and went to der Waterkant Village. Tracy, Asmeret, Courtney, Steven, Brett and I are staying in a house together... a beautiful house in the center of Cape Town.
We drove past the imfamous shanty- towns. The tin houses. And into the center of town.
We ate an incredible summer feast at Africa Cafe.
So exausted.
We drove past the imfamous shanty- towns. The tin houses. And into the center of town.
We ate an incredible summer feast at Africa Cafe.
So exausted.
Friday, January 9, 2009
Tomorrow I leave for...
...and thus begin my journey with BROADWAY IN SOUTH AFRICA.
I will hopefully be updating this blog with pictures and news as we go along.
Day 1 (January 11) We leave from JFK on an 18 hour flight!!! Stopping only once - in Dakkar Senegal for fuel.
During the first week in Cape Town we will be touring Robin Island (where Nelson Mandela was imprisoned) and beginning a week long art intensive camp with kids in Gugulethu.
This past week we have been (rather frantically) putting together a revue of Broadway to be presented in concert in Cape Town and Johannesburg.
As one would expect, I'm nervous and excited!
Thank you to all my friends and family who have contributed to this organization, attended concerts and fundraisers, and offered support of this venture. I am very grateful.
More to follow soon...
The Kennedy Center
Saturday, November 15, 2008
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