Geordie's "Letters From the Road" has been integrated into Geordie's new website!
Visit http://geordie.ca/category/geordie-blog/ for all the latest blog posts, including posts from Geordie's Artistic Director and other guest contributors from Geordie staff and artists.
See you there!
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Wednesday, October 27, 2010
Fredricton to the Magdalene Islands and back to Fredricton!
We decided to make the trip to the Magdelene Islands on Saturday so we would have a bit of time to look around on Sunday. Our ferry was set to leave at 2pm so we left at 8am and made the five hour drive in order to arrive an hour early.
As 3 pm rolled around and we were still stuck in our van in the pouring rain in the lineup waiting to be let onto the ferry, James suddenly had the inspiration to ask someone why we were still waiting. Apparently they had decided to wait until 6 to depart and had conveniently neglected to mention that important fact when James had called earlier to ask if the ferry was still on schedule.
Of course, they weren't about to let us onto the ferry before then because, as we were told, it's "not a motel" (by the way it basically is the closest thing to a floating motel that there is), so we had to sit in our van for four hours staring at the ferry as it mocked us from meters away. Luckily we had some company in the gigantic moose carcass strapped to the trailer directly beside us like some absurd parade float.
Again James had an inspired idea, this time it was to have a pizza delivered to our van as we waited. 20 points for James!
Eventually they did let us on, and we bid farewell to our decomposing new friend, and made our way to the relative comfort of the ferry lounge area readying ourselves for a peaceful journey.
Unfortunately about 20 minutes in to the ferry ride it became apparent that we were in for a wee bit of a bumpy ride. I later likened it to being on roller coaster that didn't stop for five hours. Upon our arrival Charlotte (who spent almost the entire ride trying not to move and looking rather green) was heard to remark "that was the worst experience of my life".
But in the end it was all worth it, and kind of fun in a ridiculous way. We had the Sunday to tour around the islands (archipelago?) and let me tell you they (it?) are (is?) beeeeeoooootiful, although unbelievably windy. We then had two shows on Monday in Grosse Ille, which included our first performance of I Don't Like Mondays in two weeks. The audiences were very attentive but also the quietest audiences I've ever not heard.
It was a little weird for us, but afterwards the kids were genuinely appreciative. We even got to be interviewed for the school yearbook by the graduating class which consisted of two students. It was too bad we didn't have more time to spend there but we had to get the ferry back on Tuesday. Luckily the ferry ride back was much smoother and we spotted what we decided was a dolphin. Then it was back to Fredericton for 7 shows in three days.
- Adam
As 3 pm rolled around and we were still stuck in our van in the pouring rain in the lineup waiting to be let onto the ferry, James suddenly had the inspiration to ask someone why we were still waiting. Apparently they had decided to wait until 6 to depart and had conveniently neglected to mention that important fact when James had called earlier to ask if the ferry was still on schedule.
Of course, they weren't about to let us onto the ferry before then because, as we were told, it's "not a motel" (by the way it basically is the closest thing to a floating motel that there is), so we had to sit in our van for four hours staring at the ferry as it mocked us from meters away. Luckily we had some company in the gigantic moose carcass strapped to the trailer directly beside us like some absurd parade float.
Again James had an inspired idea, this time it was to have a pizza delivered to our van as we waited. 20 points for James!
Eventually they did let us on, and we bid farewell to our decomposing new friend, and made our way to the relative comfort of the ferry lounge area readying ourselves for a peaceful journey.
Unfortunately about 20 minutes in to the ferry ride it became apparent that we were in for a wee bit of a bumpy ride. I later likened it to being on roller coaster that didn't stop for five hours. Upon our arrival Charlotte (who spent almost the entire ride trying not to move and looking rather green) was heard to remark "that was the worst experience of my life".
But in the end it was all worth it, and kind of fun in a ridiculous way. We had the Sunday to tour around the islands (archipelago?) and let me tell you they (it?) are (is?) beeeeeoooootiful, although unbelievably windy. We then had two shows on Monday in Grosse Ille, which included our first performance of I Don't Like Mondays in two weeks. The audiences were very attentive but also the quietest audiences I've ever not heard.
It was a little weird for us, but afterwards the kids were genuinely appreciative. We even got to be interviewed for the school yearbook by the graduating class which consisted of two students. It was too bad we didn't have more time to spend there but we had to get the ferry back on Tuesday. Luckily the ferry ride back was much smoother and we spotted what we decided was a dolphin. Then it was back to Fredericton for 7 shows in three days.
- Adam
Friday, October 22, 2010
Meanwhile, From New Brunswick...
Hi Folks,
I know the office staff must be going ape with For Art's Sake and all, so someone had better be keeping this blog up!
We all are doing fine in Fredericton right now. Two more shows here tomorrow before we head off to the Magdalen Islands on Saturday. We're hoping for good weather. Here are a few photos, taken with my iPhone, mostly from the last leg of our tour through the Lower North Shore of Quebec.
Waiting for the water taxi at 6:30am in St-Augustine's
One of the only times we had to string up the backdrop between the basketball net and the wall!, in St-Augustine's.
Getting a lift by ATV in Harrington Harbour
A small audience for I Don't Like Mondays in Harrington Harbour
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Story Wars at Kingsclear School in New Brunswick - with a rare shot out the window of the elusive fourth member of the School Tour Team, The Van.
Good spirits all around, Charlotte loves the fact that there is both a Boston Pizza AND a Swiss Chalet a few minutes from our hotel here in Fredricton.
Adam almost fell on his face today during Story Wars at Kingsclear School, because the bedsheet got caught on his foot. He had to take his shoes off to finish the show. Both of them had trouble not cracking up.
We have not been doing I Don’t Like Mondays that often but we will have our chance next week: one on Monday and then three times in one day in Fredericton! Need to brush up!
- James.
I know the office staff must be going ape with For Art's Sake and all, so someone had better be keeping this blog up!
We all are doing fine in Fredericton right now. Two more shows here tomorrow before we head off to the Magdalen Islands on Saturday. We're hoping for good weather. Here are a few photos, taken with my iPhone, mostly from the last leg of our tour through the Lower North Shore of Quebec.
Waiting for the water taxi at 6:30am in St-Augustine's
One of the only times we had to string up the backdrop between the basketball net and the wall!, in St-Augustine's.
Getting a lift by ATV in Harrington Harbour
A small audience for I Don't Like Mondays in Harrington Harbour
-2.JPG){kind=spacer}
Story Wars at Kingsclear School in New Brunswick - with a rare shot out the window of the elusive fourth member of the School Tour Team, The Van.
Good spirits all around, Charlotte loves the fact that there is both a Boston Pizza AND a Swiss Chalet a few minutes from our hotel here in Fredricton.
Adam almost fell on his face today during Story Wars at Kingsclear School, because the bedsheet got caught on his foot. He had to take his shoes off to finish the show. Both of them had trouble not cracking up.
We have not been doing I Don’t Like Mondays that often but we will have our chance next week: one on Monday and then three times in one day in Fredericton! Need to brush up!
- James.
Friday, October 15, 2010
Photos from Story Wars at Harold Sheppard School
Thanks very much to Mom and staffer Kelly M. from Harold Sheppard School who sent us some photos from the performance of Story Wars that took place at their school. Kelly says:
"The Eye! Give me The Eye!"
"I'm Charon's cousin, Gord."
"And Dionysis said, 'Do a funny dance!'"
"I am The Oracle!"
"The Minotaur was a HUGE monster!"
I can't wait for another Geordie Productions play to come to our school! The kids talked about it all day at school today. I work at the school and have 2 children who are students there, nothing but good things were said. They thought it was funny and I can't begin to tell you how true to life the stories are!!! I have seen 2 plays so far, last year Once Upon a Home and today Story Wars, and I relate to both!!! I love it!!! Thank you so much for doing what you do!!!Thanks for your photos and your kind words Kelly.
"The Eye! Give me The Eye!"
"I'm Charon's cousin, Gord."
"And Dionysis said, 'Do a funny dance!'"
"I am The Oracle!"
"The Minotaur was a HUGE monster!"
Monday, October 4, 2010
From Baie Comeau to Sept-Iles
From Jonquière we drove to Baie Comeau with a quick stop in Chicoutimi where James took us to the studio of an amazing puppet maker/papier maché sculptor named Ann Jones who let us into her studio and showed us some of her works in progress which was pretty cool.
After that it was straight on to Baie Comeau where on Sunday we had one of the maybe three days on which we could see the sun we've had so far on the tour. We tried to take advantage of it and spent the afternoon exploring the banks of the mighty St Lawrence, which really is quite impressive in its massiveness.
We had two shows on Monday, both at the deceivingly large local English school. I say deceivingly because in comparison to the size of the school the audiences were quite small, including an audience of 23 students for the high school show. However they were amazingly attentive and we had a great show.
That evening we were taken to L'Orange Bleue, a very nice local restaurant, by Max Côté who is the Community Learning Centre Coordinator at the Baie Comeau High School. Max, probably familiar to past generations of Geordiers, proved to be an interesting and extremely knowledgeable fellow and filled us in on the amazing, and kind of unbelievable history of Baie Comeau.
The next day we did I Don’t Like Mondays in an actual theatre at the Baie Comeau CGEP, with a stage and lights and everything, we even had actual dressing rooms. It was nice to not have to change in a bathroom stall for once, with the ever present danger of dropping costume pieces into the toilet. The audience was responsive and we had a decent Q&A.
After that we set off for Sept-Iles, or rather we would have if we hadn't gotten stuck at the bottom of a very small but very muddy hill outside the CEGEP. In our efforts to extricate ourselves from the muddy pit we managed to tear up the lawn pretty good and pop one of the tires of the van. Fun! So James waited diligently in the rain for the enormous tow-truck while Charlotte and I played cards in the van. Eventually everything was sorted out and we set off for Sept-Iles.
- Adam
After that it was straight on to Baie Comeau where on Sunday we had one of the maybe three days on which we could see the sun we've had so far on the tour. We tried to take advantage of it and spent the afternoon exploring the banks of the mighty St Lawrence, which really is quite impressive in its massiveness.
We had two shows on Monday, both at the deceivingly large local English school. I say deceivingly because in comparison to the size of the school the audiences were quite small, including an audience of 23 students for the high school show. However they were amazingly attentive and we had a great show.
That evening we were taken to L'Orange Bleue, a very nice local restaurant, by Max Côté who is the Community Learning Centre Coordinator at the Baie Comeau High School. Max, probably familiar to past generations of Geordiers, proved to be an interesting and extremely knowledgeable fellow and filled us in on the amazing, and kind of unbelievable history of Baie Comeau.
The next day we did I Don’t Like Mondays in an actual theatre at the Baie Comeau CGEP, with a stage and lights and everything, we even had actual dressing rooms. It was nice to not have to change in a bathroom stall for once, with the ever present danger of dropping costume pieces into the toilet. The audience was responsive and we had a decent Q&A.
After that we set off for Sept-Iles, or rather we would have if we hadn't gotten stuck at the bottom of a very small but very muddy hill outside the CEGEP. In our efforts to extricate ourselves from the muddy pit we managed to tear up the lawn pretty good and pop one of the tires of the van. Fun! So James waited diligently in the rain for the enormous tow-truck while Charlotte and I played cards in the van. Eventually everything was sorted out and we set off for Sept-Iles.
- Adam
Saturday, October 2, 2010
From Chibougamau to Jonquiere
So here's another quick update about our wacky tour misadventures.
We had a ridiculous time finding our B & B in Chibougamau; it was outside of town and our less than reliable GPS didn't help. We arrived in town late and ended up going down a dark and winding road that eventually turned into what appeared to be a rarely used hiking trail.
Between the tree branches scraping our windows, the abandoned mine and the full moon over the eerily calm lake we came to the conclusion that if we continued down the path we were on we would no doubt be assailed by countless axe wielding maniacs and undead horrors.
After turning around we eventually did find the place, which was beautifully located, and woke up the next morning completely unmurdered. We performed both shows for attentive, if somewhat rowdy audiences.
There was an interesting moment during I Don’t Like Mondays which was caused by my forgetting to preset a particular, and rather integral prop. I won't mention which prop but I will say that instead of flipping a coin we had to play rock paper scissors. Seriously. Sorry Charlotte!
It lead to an hilariously “meta” moment when I asked Chatlotte if she had a coin and really meant it. When it came to the moment later in that scene where Ellie calls Jake a "complete idiot" there was just a tinge of Charlotte speaking to Adam.
Anyway, after our shows we made the long drive back to the Saguenay and our destination, Jonquière. It was here that we discovered another item on the list of things you don't want to see when you arrive at a school: stairs, and lots of them. We tackled them with fervor as it was Friday and our last show of the week and they were literally our last obstacle before a day off.
The audience was largish and on the loud side but there was a fun Friday energy about the show. Our weekend was pretty low key, James set up the projector in our room at the B&B and we watched Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade on the wall. Charlotte would be greatly disappointed if I didn't include a quick mention of Le Lotus D'Or, the amazingly kitsch Asian restaurant we ate at on Friday night whose ginger chicken apparently has rejuvenating powers.
- Adam
We had a ridiculous time finding our B & B in Chibougamau; it was outside of town and our less than reliable GPS didn't help. We arrived in town late and ended up going down a dark and winding road that eventually turned into what appeared to be a rarely used hiking trail.
Between the tree branches scraping our windows, the abandoned mine and the full moon over the eerily calm lake we came to the conclusion that if we continued down the path we were on we would no doubt be assailed by countless axe wielding maniacs and undead horrors.
After turning around we eventually did find the place, which was beautifully located, and woke up the next morning completely unmurdered. We performed both shows for attentive, if somewhat rowdy audiences.
There was an interesting moment during I Don’t Like Mondays which was caused by my forgetting to preset a particular, and rather integral prop. I won't mention which prop but I will say that instead of flipping a coin we had to play rock paper scissors. Seriously. Sorry Charlotte!
It lead to an hilariously “meta” moment when I asked Chatlotte if she had a coin and really meant it. When it came to the moment later in that scene where Ellie calls Jake a "complete idiot" there was just a tinge of Charlotte speaking to Adam.
Anyway, after our shows we made the long drive back to the Saguenay and our destination, Jonquière. It was here that we discovered another item on the list of things you don't want to see when you arrive at a school: stairs, and lots of them. We tackled them with fervor as it was Friday and our last show of the week and they were literally our last obstacle before a day off.
The audience was largish and on the loud side but there was a fun Friday energy about the show. Our weekend was pretty low key, James set up the projector in our room at the B&B and we watched Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade on the wall. Charlotte would be greatly disappointed if I didn't include a quick mention of Le Lotus D'Or, the amazingly kitsch Asian restaurant we ate at on Friday night whose ginger chicken apparently has rejuvenating powers.
- Adam
Friday, October 1, 2010
Hello From La Tuque!
On Wednesday we had our very first "road shows" in La Tuque and they went pretty well.
We were greeted in the gym by the Phys Ed teacher who immediately tried to recruit some of his students to help unload the van. We politely (and one could argue foolishly) declined his offer and went about our business setting up.
Story Wars went smoothly and the kids loved it. I think my favourite question of the day was "When are my parents going to buy me a new dog?" Our quick lunch at the local Deli, included a rather grisly run in with a Moose who James later named "Tookie.”
The audience was attentive and afterwards several of the students stuck around to chat. Charlotte talked with a girl who was involved in theatre and had a lot of questions about how to pursue a career in acting. Charlotte related her experiences and encouraged her to continue being involved within her school and her community. They also talked about their mutual passion for the feeling of being on stage.
James spoke with one of the students who had a brother who was at Dawson when the shooting happened. He told James about how his brother had changed since the incident and James gave him an envelope addressed to Geordie and told him he was more than welcome to write to us in the future.
There was another young guy that looked a lot like I did at his age (baseball cap, tattoo on his wrist, sort of slouching) who approached us after the show. He told me that he guessed he was like my character (Jake) in that he wasn't so great at school and had problems passing and got into trouble sometimes. We spoke for a while and he told me about his town and I encouraged him to finish school and to travel, mostly because I didn't really know what else to tell him.
After I spoke with him I had a kind of "Oooooohhhhhh..." moment when i was struck by the realness of what we are doing. I don't mean that in a pretentious or self -congratulatory way, it was just my first realization of how the work that we have all done, and continue to do, actually applies to the lives of the people we are doing it for.
When we finally did pack up and leave we realized our earlier folly and gladly accepted the help of the Phys Ed teacher's recruits, who we now wish we could have taken with us. After that it was a long and mostly beautiful drive to Chibougamau.
- Adam
We were greeted in the gym by the Phys Ed teacher who immediately tried to recruit some of his students to help unload the van. We politely (and one could argue foolishly) declined his offer and went about our business setting up.
Story Wars went smoothly and the kids loved it. I think my favourite question of the day was "When are my parents going to buy me a new dog?" Our quick lunch at the local Deli, included a rather grisly run in with a Moose who James later named "Tookie.”
The audience was attentive and afterwards several of the students stuck around to chat. Charlotte talked with a girl who was involved in theatre and had a lot of questions about how to pursue a career in acting. Charlotte related her experiences and encouraged her to continue being involved within her school and her community. They also talked about their mutual passion for the feeling of being on stage.
James spoke with one of the students who had a brother who was at Dawson when the shooting happened. He told James about how his brother had changed since the incident and James gave him an envelope addressed to Geordie and told him he was more than welcome to write to us in the future.
There was another young guy that looked a lot like I did at his age (baseball cap, tattoo on his wrist, sort of slouching) who approached us after the show. He told me that he guessed he was like my character (Jake) in that he wasn't so great at school and had problems passing and got into trouble sometimes. We spoke for a while and he told me about his town and I encouraged him to finish school and to travel, mostly because I didn't really know what else to tell him.
After I spoke with him I had a kind of "Oooooohhhhhh..." moment when i was struck by the realness of what we are doing. I don't mean that in a pretentious or self -congratulatory way, it was just my first realization of how the work that we have all done, and continue to do, actually applies to the lives of the people we are doing it for.
When we finally did pack up and leave we realized our earlier folly and gladly accepted the help of the Phys Ed teacher's recruits, who we now wish we could have taken with us. After that it was a long and mostly beautiful drive to Chibougamau.
- Adam
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
What I did over my summer vacation
Stayed put. Went no where. Didn’t even drink.
Not everyone at Geordie had such a fine break though.
Dean Patrick Fleming (when he wasn’t off moving into a new house) was busy rehearsing Harry Standjofski’s Story Wars, which I will have the honour of delivering to over 120 elementary schools this coming season.
Meanwhile, Anne Clark (until she took a break to plan and execute her daughter’s wedding at their family cottage) and our new Technical Director worked hard to make sure both sets, for Story Wars and for our high school touring show, got built on time, on budget, and on spec so that I’d be able to comfortably carry them around with me for 8 months.
And no doubt the two tour actors and their stage manager were looking up things to do in Baie Comeau, Chibougamou, or some of the other remote Quebec towns we’ll be traveling to this fall. None of this is new to me though; taking Geordie out on tour has run in my family for 30 years now!
So I just sat in my parking space, took in the sun and abstained from guzzling any gas for 4 months until we’re off and ready to go again.
- The Geordie School Tour Van
Not everyone at Geordie had such a fine break though.
Dean Patrick Fleming (when he wasn’t off moving into a new house) was busy rehearsing Harry Standjofski’s Story Wars, which I will have the honour of delivering to over 120 elementary schools this coming season.
Meanwhile, Anne Clark (until she took a break to plan and execute her daughter’s wedding at their family cottage) and our new Technical Director worked hard to make sure both sets, for Story Wars and for our high school touring show, got built on time, on budget, and on spec so that I’d be able to comfortably carry them around with me for 8 months.
And no doubt the two tour actors and their stage manager were looking up things to do in Baie Comeau, Chibougamou, or some of the other remote Quebec towns we’ll be traveling to this fall. None of this is new to me though; taking Geordie out on tour has run in my family for 30 years now!
So I just sat in my parking space, took in the sun and abstained from guzzling any gas for 4 months until we’re off and ready to go again.
- The Geordie School Tour Van
Monday, February 22, 2010
From You To Us To You
Hi Folks!
For any blog readers who haven't yet seen Once Upon A Home: From You To Us To You (or only got to see our high school show, Smokescreen), we thought we'd take a moment to tell you about the "From You To Us To You" project.
"From You To Us To You" is a process of playwrighting which brings together stories from students in different elementary schools, and turns them into a play that is then performed for those same students, and students across the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and the Maritimes.
Last year, playwright and director Amanda Kellock conducted a series of workshops with students at F.A.C.E., St. Gabriel's, Willingdon, Coronation, and Karonhiahonha schools. She posed them the question "what does home mean to you?" and asked them to answer in the form of a story.
Last week, the tour made a stop at Willingdon School in NDG and met up with many of the students who had contributed stories to the project. They were so thrilled! Students and teachers alike loved the show - especially the students who saw their stories come to life on stage.
Playwright & director Amanda Kellock (back row, centre), tour actors Jimmy, Antoine, and Vanessa (centre row), and story writers from Willingdon School (all around them!)
Once Upon A Home: From You To Us To You" was made possibly by an intercultural conversations grant from the Cole Foundation. Thank You!!
For any blog readers who haven't yet seen Once Upon A Home: From You To Us To You (or only got to see our high school show, Smokescreen), we thought we'd take a moment to tell you about the "From You To Us To You" project.
"From You To Us To You" is a process of playwrighting which brings together stories from students in different elementary schools, and turns them into a play that is then performed for those same students, and students across the provinces of Quebec, Ontario, and the Maritimes.
Last year, playwright and director Amanda Kellock conducted a series of workshops with students at F.A.C.E., St. Gabriel's, Willingdon, Coronation, and Karonhiahonha schools. She posed them the question "what does home mean to you?" and asked them to answer in the form of a story.
Last week, the tour made a stop at Willingdon School in NDG and met up with many of the students who had contributed stories to the project. They were so thrilled! Students and teachers alike loved the show - especially the students who saw their stories come to life on stage.
Playwright & director Amanda Kellock (back row, centre), tour actors Jimmy, Antoine, and Vanessa (centre row), and story writers from Willingdon School (all around them!)
Once Upon A Home: From You To Us To You" was made possibly by an intercultural conversations grant from the Cole Foundation. Thank You!!
Thursday, February 11, 2010
Geordie Tour Visits Carlyle School
Hi Folks!
We are super psyched to bring you this update from the Geordie School Tour Adventure! The tour troupe recently visited Carlyle School in Montreal's Town of Mount Royal district. January temperatures didn't deter a group of local seniors from coming to visit the school and have a pizza lunch with the students. Then everyone got to watch a presentation of Once Upon a Home!
Our local CTV station was there to film a clip about the event. Check it out!
ps - this video won't last forever!!
We are super psyched to bring you this update from the Geordie School Tour Adventure! The tour troupe recently visited Carlyle School in Montreal's Town of Mount Royal district. January temperatures didn't deter a group of local seniors from coming to visit the school and have a pizza lunch with the students. Then everyone got to watch a presentation of Once Upon a Home!
Our local CTV station was there to film a clip about the event. Check it out!
ps - this video won't last forever!!
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