Theatre Arts School-Based Assessment

2015Theatre Arts School-Based AssessmentMakini HaynesRESEARCH PAPER

Name: Makini C HaynesCentre: St. Georges CollegeSchool Centre Number: 160063Centre Number: 1600630844Teacher: Ms. H Jones

Table of ContentsAcknowledgements Page 3Body of research paper Pages 4-6Appendices Pages 7-12 Photos Photo of DMAD logo Page 7 Photos of the Interview conducted Page 7 Photo of Laugh the comedy Page 8 Supporting materials Pieces of costumes worn by main actresses Page 9 CD Re: Voice recording of the interview Page 10 DVD Re: Interview recording of the interview Page 10 Transcript Pages 11-12Bibliography Page 13

AcknowledgementsI would like to give acclamation to the following individuals for the immense support and assistance in the successful completion of this assignment. Without further a due, I would like to give thanks to God for giving me health and strength, enabling me to pursue the completion and accomplishment of this assignment. Secondly, I thank Mr. Andre Dillon for agreeing to do this interview. Furthermore, my parents have been a continual source of reassurance and assistance in various day to day tasks, enabling me to complete this assignment efficiently. Finally, I would like to give special thanks to my teacher, Ms. H Jones, who spearheaded me throughout this activity. I am truly grateful and thankful for the support given.

Body of Research PaperI have been a constant vent for dramatists and assist people with problems to feel emotionally happy by using drama as therapy. This motto is echoed by Andre Dillon, actor and founder of a dramatist group called DMAD Company. According to Mr. Dillon, the company is not only an outlet to highlight issues facing todays population, but to uplift spirits by using comedy.The interviewer chose this Caribbean practitioner because she viewed one of his major shows/comedy Laugh and was intrigued by all his works and wanted to find out his theory for putting shows together as this show made the interviewer feel a sense of relief. The interviewer intends to show how the Practitioner has impacted her, Trinidad and Tobago and the region by putting together this research paper.On November 22nd, an interview was conducted at Mr. Dillons rehearsal space, St. Augustine High School, St. Augustine. The practitioner stated that he had been involved in theatre at about three years old but only started to direct for eight years now (2006-2014). His motivation to direct stemmed from a grave desire to raise surgery funds for a friend diagnosed with knee cancer. Possessing a theatrical background, Mr. Dillon decided to raise funds utilizing the creative arts. The performances were remarkably accepted and so the decision to form a group was made.Mr. Dillon aims at changing peoples perspective on life and so he chose the name DMAD Company, meaning Drama Making a Difference. He further expressed that his work is therapeutic since it allows a forum to vent and restores people with problems to an emotionally happy state. The practitioner stated that not much people use drama as a vehicle for venting, yet he sees theatre a viable instrument to do so. This is what he believes is his contribution to local and regional theatre. Mr. Dillon focuses on all genres of theatre but his foundation is improvisation. When focusing on impact, the practitioner believes that his works has the greatest impact on all age groups of viewers, however, his target market, ranges from 17-35 years old. He justifies this by stating that his company mainly focuses on plays based in todays culture and the challenges faced by the younger, upcoming population. Thus enlightens the versatility and goals of Mr. Dillon.The practitioners most valuable assets of the company are the members. He states their honesty and dedication to the company is unsurpassable. In highlighting some challenges encountered in the group, Mr. Dillon did not hesitate to point out that the members are volunteers of varying ages, thus factors such as school and employment hours must be taken into consideration when setting rehearsal schedules. Additionally, one has to be reminded that the group consists of varying personalities and preferences resulting in tactful decision making by the Director. He ended by making mention of a common issue shared by most upcoming groups, that is, insufficient finances hindering timely progress.In pre-performance mode with his group, the team usually does a dry run of the show, pray, and then lighten the moods and tension of the actors by sharing humorous stories and related remarks. Being the director of DMAD Company, Mr. Dillon rarely takes part in the onstage acting. This allows him the opportunity to view from the audiences perspective igniting a happy and accomplished state of mind. He enjoys the reaction of the audience and somewhat feeds off their energy. He uses the audience as his critiques and through an interactive session, adjusts what blocking and business they might not have responded to as well.Mr. Dillon does not think that he has reached his greatest achievement in life yet, however, if he had to have one it would be impacting peoples lives and giving them some sort of emotional healing. He believes his pinnacle is yet to be realized as he optimistically expressed that it would be to open the doors of his own rehearsal space and company house. Sharing sound advice to young individuals who may want to be a director, or work in the field of drama, Mr. Dillon responded thoughtfully by emphasizing, one has to first weigh all viable employable options. If however, the final decision is directing/theatre, one has to be extremely dedicated and focused to reap inevitable rewards.In conclusion, the interviewer believes that Mr. Dillon has impacted her and more than impacted the region by his beautiful life lessons and directing techniques. The practitioners style is steadfast, displaying his dedication to the use of Drama as therapy for his audience. This is what makes him so different and impactful to Caribbean Theatre.

AppendicesFigure 1 shows the logo for DMAD. At the bottom of the logo, one can see the meaning of this acronym which says Drama Making A Difference.Figure 2 shows the interviewer conversing with Mr. Andre Dillon, Director of DMAD. These photos were taken on the 15th November, 2014.Figure 3 shows a scenario from the comedic play Laugh, directed by Andre Dillon, which intrigued the interviewer to interview Mr. Dillon. In this photo, we see part of the crew Johnathon Thatcher,Latifya Edwardsand Markaisha DeFour.

Name: Makini C HaynesCentre: St. Georges CollegeSchool Centre Number: 160063Centre Number: 1600630488Teacher: Ms. H JonesAttached below are items from the comedic play, Laugh and Unmasked1. This is the earrings worn by one of the main actresses, Latifya Edward. It is gold but rusting to show the demeanor of the character.2. A green beaded chain worn by actress Kelis Zelavocse, in Mr. Dillons play Unmasked.

Name: Makini C HaynesCentre: St. Georges CollegeSchool Centre Number: 160063Centre Number: 1600630488Teacher: Ms. H JonesBelow are 2 DVDs of the interview conducted between Makini Haynes and Andre Dillon.

Transcript Question #1: What is your contribution to Caribbean Theatre?Answer #1: I have been a constant vent for dramatists and made people feel emotionally contented. Question #2: What influenced you in making DMAD Company?Answer #2: A friend of mine who had cancer in her knees. We decided to raise funds for her and everybody loved the performances so I decided to make the group. That is why I named it DMAD, because it means Drama Making A Difference. Question #3: What are the hindrances and challenges you face as a director?Answer #3: People. As I said before, everybody is volunteers so not everybody can come at a certain time. Different personalities clashing as well can be challenge. And my hindrance is financial support which is stumping growth of the company. Question # 4: What aspects of Theatre do you focus your plays on and which genres do you think has the greatest impact on viewers?Answer #4: We focus on all genres but our aspect is improvisation (foundation). The greatest impact I believe is for all viewers but our marketing target is from 17-35 years old.

Question #5: What advice would you give a young individual who wants to be a director like yourself or in the field of theatre?Answer #5: I would say weigh all viable employments first, but if you still want to do something in this field, you have to be dedicated and focused. You have to give up your time and energy but in the end it will be rewarding. And sometimes, when you do something you love, it wont even feel like hard work.

BibliographyWebsiteshttps://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.796755870365647.1073741863.255272414513998&type=3https://search.yahoo.com/search;_ylt=A0LEV0_jRAFVXS8Ash9XNyoA;_ylc=X1MDMjc2NjY3OQRfcgMyBGZyA3lmcC10LTBooksTrinidad Newsday- October 31st, 2014. Newspaper clipping advertising LaughNoel Keith, Ryman Cheryl, Noel Alafia- Carlong Theatre Arts for CSEC

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