Okay, here is Act 3...
Act 3; Skateboarders
(Mr. Louis sings welcome to my bus song)
(Skateboarders walk on eating)
Allen: Get off the bus, you criminals! I saw you steal that food! They probably stole those skateboards too!
Matzsuzaki: No way! We bought these skateboards to give to the poor kids who can’t afford to buy them.
Patricia: There was a liquor store robbery last week, it was probably you guys!
Hayley: What makes you think is was us? You have no proof!
Allen: You guys are thugs on the street. You guys are the reason our streets aren’t safe.
Song (Skateboarders Sing):
Take away the clothes and the shoes We’re misunderstood
And then you’ll see we are pretty cool dudes We’re actually good
If you look inside, you will see that we’re kind These boards are for kids to have fun
People these days are judged all the time To get them out of the slums
There’s so much pressure to conform and be (only Larry: ) Taken away from my family
There’s so much we can’t breathe properly I started to skate so I could be free
You see our clothes you don’t like what you see (together: ) There’s so many problems today
So you accuse us of a store robbery That kids can’t afford to buy a skateboard and play
(Police come in bus)
Police 1: Why hello, we’re just on our break
Police 2: Isn’t there a doughnut shop nearby?!
Police 1: That doesn’t matter right now… although I do like doughnuts…
(Police see skateboarders) (Background starts)
Police 1: Hey you! You skaters! Get down! Now!
(Police tackle skaters) (Background stops)
Matzsuzaki: Hey? What’s the big idea?!
Police 2: Well, you are skaters, you have to be up to something!
(Skaters stand up)
Hayley: No, wait! We’re good! We’re running a charity to raise money to get skateboards to kids! Look!
Police 1: Hey! Don’t you take out any weapons!
(Police take out guns)
Mr. Louis: (Recit.) No! Don’t shoot those children, shoot me instead!! Noooooo!
(Louis dives in front of Hayley) (Police shoot, not being able to adjust to the scene)
Police 2: Oops.
Larry: (Mini Aria) I thought I was done with deaths in my life. I guess I was wrong. (starts crying)
(Flyer falls out of Hayley’s Hand) (Skater’s drop to knees around Mr. Louis)
(Police 1 sees flyer-picks it up)
Police 1: I guess we were wrong about these kids after all… sorry… our bad… (Calls ambulance)
Lights Fade, End Of Scene
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Sappong libretto - Act 2
Okay here is the second act...
Act Two
(Bus door opens, family steps in.)
Mr. Louis: Welcome to the bus.
(Family sits down, speaking talking with each other in polish. English family moves away and starts to stare and whisper.)
Polish Mother: Dla czego wszycy pascza sie Na nas.
Na autobusie to jest nasz pierwsy ras
English Family: Hey family, why are you stealing our jobs?
You belong on the streets with all the dirty dogs.
Polish Kids: We are not stupid we know what you said.
We are not imbeciles, but Polish instead.
Although our parents don’t understand,
They were doctors back in the homeland.
(Music gets tenser by the line.)
(Kids whisper to parents) (Parents look shocked and upset)
Polish Dad: Wiesz co, wy—
Mr. Louis: Whoa! What’s going on?! (Bus is already pulled over)
Polish Kids: (Pointing at the English family accusingly) They are being mean!
Mr. Louis: These people aren’t dumb, they are greatly educated!
English Family: We don’t care, these people are idiotic and badly mannered!
(Both dad’s get up in slow motion)
(Music is slowed)
(English dad punches and [Fast motion] Mr. Louis blocks the punch.)
(English family leaves the bus with sneers and obnoxious expressions on their faces.)
All Passengers: We apologize for what had just occurred,
They don’t understand, that’s why they’re disturbed.
We hope that these people will learn better one day.
Mr. Louis: I’ll give you a gift that will help you on your way.
A Polish- English dictionary is just what you need,
You’ll soon be able to write and then read!
Polish Kids: Thank you so much, we hope to meet you again!
(Mr Louis gives them their gifts.)
(Curtain closes)
Fin.
Act Two
(Bus door opens, family steps in.)
Mr. Louis: Welcome to the bus.
(Family sits down, speaking talking with each other in polish. English family moves away and starts to stare and whisper.)
Polish Mother: Dla czego wszycy pascza sie Na nas.
Na autobusie to jest nasz pierwsy ras
English Family: Hey family, why are you stealing our jobs?
You belong on the streets with all the dirty dogs.
Polish Kids: We are not stupid we know what you said.
We are not imbeciles, but Polish instead.
Although our parents don’t understand,
They were doctors back in the homeland.
(Music gets tenser by the line.)
(Kids whisper to parents) (Parents look shocked and upset)
Polish Dad: Wiesz co, wy—
Mr. Louis: Whoa! What’s going on?! (Bus is already pulled over)
Polish Kids: (Pointing at the English family accusingly) They are being mean!
Mr. Louis: These people aren’t dumb, they are greatly educated!
English Family: We don’t care, these people are idiotic and badly mannered!
(Both dad’s get up in slow motion)
(Music is slowed)
(English dad punches and [Fast motion] Mr. Louis blocks the punch.)
(English family leaves the bus with sneers and obnoxious expressions on their faces.)
All Passengers: We apologize for what had just occurred,
They don’t understand, that’s why they’re disturbed.
We hope that these people will learn better one day.
Mr. Louis: I’ll give you a gift that will help you on your way.
A Polish- English dictionary is just what you need,
You’ll soon be able to write and then read!
Polish Kids: Thank you so much, we hope to meet you again!
(Mr Louis gives them their gifts.)
(Curtain closes)
Fin.
Ms. Sappong's Opera - Act 1
Hi,
Here is our Libretto...we still need the beginning and the ending.
Act 1 Loner: Script and Song underline - recitative/underscore etc.
(Ladies on bus casually talking)
Peacock lady says, “Oh, that’s such a nice purse! Where did you get it?”
Lady 2 gloats, “Oh, this old thing? I bought this yesterday at Coach. Where did you get those heels?”
Lady 3 answers, “These are just something I had lying around… that I had designed by Chanel.”
(George the loner drags himself up the bus stairs; stumbling. He goes to sit in the middle and the ladies start whispering negative comments about him.)
Chorus: Get off the bus! You’re not like us
Lady 1: You can’t afford this (point at something)
Lady 2: You can’t afford that (point at something)
Chorus: You can’t afford this Gucci hat (point at rich lady)
Lady 3: Your smell fills us with dread (pinching nose)
Peacock lady: You can’t even afford a roof over your head
Chorus: Get off the bus! You’re not like us!
Mr. Louis (yelling): Hey! (Music stops)
Chorus: (softly, then crescendo music starts again)
He has no job, he has no friends.
When he gets off the bus, he’ll make amends.
Peacock: (yells) Just get off the bus
Chorus: (decrescendo chanting)
Get off the bus! You’re not like us, Get off the bus, you’re not like us…
(music abruptly stops)
(The ladies move to the back of the bus, covering their noses; except the peacock lady. lady 1 and 3 hide their purses)
Lady 1 swiftly whispers “Maria, hide your purse!”
Peacock lady yells, “Bus driver! Kick him off the bus! He smells so bad! Get him off or I’m leaving!” (Talking over underscore)
Mr Louis replies “there’s nothing wrong with him. It’s a free country. Leave if you want.” (Recitative) (Peacock lady leaves in a stuck-up manner, when “bus” stops)
Mr. Louis: “Come sit beside me.” (Spot light goes on as others reset stage) George: (moves to front of bus) “thanks, I guess you’re wondering how I ended up like this.”
Mr. Louis: a little, yes. (Mr. Louis& George walk offstage on stairs as spotlight follows them. Stage is dark as it is being re-set. Lights go on actors act on stage)
George: My parents died when I was three. It was really hard on me, and my bad attitude moved me from foster home to foster home. I was kicked out at 18: I had no job, no education and no future. I dropped out of high school. Then I met Sally, and she was the love of my life. She died under mysterious circumstances and I was confused. I was accused of the murder. I was innocent & released 6 years later but it was too late. No one would hire me (lights go off & rearranged to bus scene) I lost everything; and now I have nothing (spotlight follows Mr. Louis & George back on stage lights on)
Mr. Louis: but when you have nothing, you can gain something. (Mr. Louis gives George his coat) Mr. Louis: Here; you can have this. It’s cold outside.
George: Thank you. It’s my stop, thanks again Mr. Louis. (George puts on coat and walks off bus)
(Ladies on bus casually talking)
Peacock lady says, “Oh, that’s such a nice purse! Where did you get it?”
Lady 2 gloats, “Oh, this old thing? I bought this yesterday at Coach. Where did you get those heels?”
Lady 3 answers, “These are just something I had lying around… that I had designed by Chanel.”
(George the loner drags himself up the bus stairs; stumbling. He goes to sit in the middle and the ladies start whispering negative comments about him.)
Chorus: Get off the bus! You’re not like us
Lady 1: You can’t afford this (point at something)
Lady 2: You can’t afford that (point at something)
Chorus: You can’t afford this Gucci hat (point at rich lady)
Lady 3: Your smell fills us with dread (pinching nose)
Peacock lady: You can’t even afford a roof over your head
Chorus: Get off the bus! You’re not like us!
Mr. Louis (yelling): Hey! (Music stops)
Chorus: (softly, then crescendo music starts again)
He has no job, he has no friends.
When he gets off the bus, he’ll make amends.
Peacock: (yells) Just get off the bus
Chorus: (decrescendo chanting)
Get off the bus! You’re not like us, Get off the bus, you’re not like us…
(music abruptly stops)
(The ladies move to the back of the bus, covering their noses; except the peacock lady. lady 1 and 3 hide their purses)
Lady 1 swiftly whispers “Maria, hide your purse!”
Peacock lady yells, “Bus driver! Kick him off the bus! He smells so bad! Get him off or I’m leaving!” (Talking over underscore)
Mr Louis replies “there’s nothing wrong with him. It’s a free country. Leave if you want.” (Recitative) (Peacock lady leaves in a stuck-up manner, when “bus” stops)
Mr. Louis: “Come sit beside me.” (Spot light goes on as others reset stage) George: (moves to front of bus) “thanks, I guess you’re wondering how I ended up like this.”
Mr. Louis: a little, yes. (Mr. Louis& George walk offstage on stairs as spotlight follows them. Stage is dark as it is being re-set. Lights go on actors act on stage)
George: My parents died when I was three. It was really hard on me, and my bad attitude moved me from foster home to foster home. I was kicked out at 18: I had no job, no education and no future. I dropped out of high school. Then I met Sally, and she was the love of my life. She died under mysterious circumstances and I was confused. I was accused of the murder. I was innocent & released 6 years later but it was too late. No one would hire me (lights go off & rearranged to bus scene) I lost everything; and now I have nothing (spotlight follows Mr. Louis & George back on stage lights on)
Mr. Louis: but when you have nothing, you can gain something. (Mr. Louis gives George his coat) Mr. Louis: Here; you can have this. It’s cold outside.
George: Thank you. It’s my stop, thanks again Mr. Louis. (George puts on coat and walks off bus)
Monday, April 6, 2009
SCENE 1 -- Opening
Stage Direction: Kids sit in their seat and start watching a moviePSA – Child Soldiers on large screen for audience to watch
Movie finishes, kids turn to each other and start talking
Song Lyrics: That movie was so pointless
I wasn’t even sad
Who cares about those in Africa
Their lives don’t seem so bad
Dialogue: Teacher: “Everyone quiet down!”
Teacher: “Do you see how fortunate we are to be here at school and to have a roof over our heads and have food in our fridge?
Student: So who cares, it’s just a stupid movie.
Song Lyrics: How can we make a diff’rence
You’re asking way too much
They are way too far away
We can’t get in touch
Dialogue: Teacher: “Stop being so selfish! You guys have everything!”
Stage Direction: Bell rings, kids start walking out of the classroom
As kids are walking out of the classroom they start singing
Song Lyrics:
Our minds are around one thing
An that thing is ourselves
Why should we care for them
They can help themselves
SCENE 2 - (Hockey Scene – Child Soldiers)
Stage Direction: group of kids playing hockey and talking)
Dialogue: “That movie was a waste of time.”
“Why should we care about child soldiers.”
“Africa is so far away.”
“They don’t have it that bad.”
Transition Phrase: “It would be cool to be in Africa and have a gun and stuff.”(convention)
Stage Direction: Everyone freezes (Tableau like).
People from off stage come and replace sticks with guns.
Take away nets (or make into barbed wire) .
Dialogue: “Grab your guns, you have your mission. It’s to check the battlefield for
bombs. There are no more kids from the last group, so you’re it!”
Song Lyrics: Boom, bang the noise is insane
The gun is heavy, the killing inhumane
14 years old is too young to die
Too much to witness before my eye
Dialogue: “Get going, stop standing around – who do think you are!!!”
Song Lyrics: Grabbed from safety and expected to fight
Not knowing if I’ll make it through the night
A child soldier’s life is not what it seems
It’s just cruel and bloody and down right mean
Stage Direction: While song is playing some war stuff in background (possible)
Dialogue: “Man I was wrong about what I said earlier”
“This is a terrible way to live.”
“I can’t believe we take what we have for granted.”
Transition Phrase: “Man I wish I was back in Canada.”
Stage Direction: Curtains close
SCENE 3 (Video Game Scene – Child Labour)
Stage Direction: There are a group of kids playing video games at a classmate’s house
Dialogue: “That movie was a waste of time.”
“I almost fell asleep during the movie.”
“It’s not our fault that there are sweatshops in Africa.”
“Why should we care about stuff that’s going on all the way in
Africa.”
Transition Phrase: “It would be cool to have a job at such a young age and make some money.”
Stage Direction: Everyone freezes.
The game consoles are taken away and all of a sudden they are in a sweatshop in Africa.Big Boss Man is walking by – angry, bitter, tyrant
Dialogue: “Do you think you’re getting paid to sit around. Well you’re not! Get to work, or I’ll have to resort to having you whipped. Who do think you are – important? Please keep dreaming.”
Song Lyrics: We were playing video games
Just having care free fun
But now if we don’t work
We’re threatened with a gun
I must work hard, sweat is dripping
If not quick enough, comes another whipping
Dialogue: “That’s it, you aren’t nearly working quick enough.” (ready to hit the kids)
Transition Phrase: “Man I wish we were back in Canada.”
SCENE 4 Camping song
Dialogue: “I hate it here out in the cold dark woods.”
“We have nothing to do or play with.”
“You think those kids in Africa have it bad”
Transition “It would be cool to go there were its nice, sunny and warm every day!”
Stage Direction: Everyone freezes, people come from off stage and remove all the food, drink and other accessories (image of having nothing).
Dialogue: “I’m so thirsty.”
“Where are the juice boxes we brought?”
(someone is walking by, students ask them)
“Can you tell me where I can get a drink?”
“The closest well is three miles away, and even if you get a drink it may make you sick.”
Song Lyrics: It is so very hot.
How did we end up here?
There’s nothing we can eat,
We’re only full of fear!
Our bones are aching,
from all this lack of sleep
There’s nowhere we can rest,
soon we will be six feet deep
Dialogue: “This place really does stink”
“Sure it’s nice to be warm but not this warm!”
“We don’t even have anything to drink or eat, and we we’re complaining at home of how our cool-aid tasted funny?”
“Guys I wish I was back in Canada, where we have, food, drinks, and a nice bed to sleep in!”
SCENE 4 Close
Stage Direction Curtains open, students are all back in the classroom (same class as in the first scene)
Lots of chatter, more excitement than in scene one.
Dialogue: Teacher: “Good morning students, I hope you thought about the movie from last class.”
Student raises their hand. ”You’ll think I’m crazy but a group of us were playing hockey and all of a sudden we became child soldiers.”
Another student, ”That’s not so crazy, we were playing a video game and all of a sudden we were in a sweatshop.”
Another student adds, ”We were sitting around a camp fire when all of a sudden we were sitting around with NOTHING!”
Song Lyrics
The people in the other places,
barley had a dime,
We really need to help them,
not to would be a crime.
Dialogue: Teacher ”Good! You’re angry and aware, but what are you going
to do about it!”
Song Lyrics
We can start with some donations
Then begin to spread the news
If all the other people heard
They’d be Social Soldiers too.
Stage Direction: Kids sit in their seat and start watching a moviePSA – Child Soldiers on large screen for audience to watch
Movie finishes, kids turn to each other and start talking
Song Lyrics: That movie was so pointless
I wasn’t even sad
Who cares about those in Africa
Their lives don’t seem so bad
Dialogue: Teacher: “Everyone quiet down!”
Teacher: “Do you see how fortunate we are to be here at school and to have a roof over our heads and have food in our fridge?
Student: So who cares, it’s just a stupid movie.
Song Lyrics: How can we make a diff’rence
You’re asking way too much
They are way too far away
We can’t get in touch
Dialogue: Teacher: “Stop being so selfish! You guys have everything!”
Stage Direction: Bell rings, kids start walking out of the classroom
As kids are walking out of the classroom they start singing
Song Lyrics:
Our minds are around one thing
An that thing is ourselves
Why should we care for them
They can help themselves
SCENE 2 - (Hockey Scene – Child Soldiers)
Stage Direction: group of kids playing hockey and talking)
Dialogue: “That movie was a waste of time.”
“Why should we care about child soldiers.”
“Africa is so far away.”
“They don’t have it that bad.”
Transition Phrase: “It would be cool to be in Africa and have a gun and stuff.”(convention)
Stage Direction: Everyone freezes (Tableau like).
People from off stage come and replace sticks with guns.
Take away nets (or make into barbed wire) .
Dialogue: “Grab your guns, you have your mission. It’s to check the battlefield for
bombs. There are no more kids from the last group, so you’re it!”
Song Lyrics: Boom, bang the noise is insane
The gun is heavy, the killing inhumane
14 years old is too young to die
Too much to witness before my eye
Dialogue: “Get going, stop standing around – who do think you are!!!”
Song Lyrics: Grabbed from safety and expected to fight
Not knowing if I’ll make it through the night
A child soldier’s life is not what it seems
It’s just cruel and bloody and down right mean
Stage Direction: While song is playing some war stuff in background (possible)
Dialogue: “Man I was wrong about what I said earlier”
“This is a terrible way to live.”
“I can’t believe we take what we have for granted.”
Transition Phrase: “Man I wish I was back in Canada.”
Stage Direction: Curtains close
SCENE 3 (Video Game Scene – Child Labour)
Stage Direction: There are a group of kids playing video games at a classmate’s house
Dialogue: “That movie was a waste of time.”
“I almost fell asleep during the movie.”
“It’s not our fault that there are sweatshops in Africa.”
“Why should we care about stuff that’s going on all the way in
Africa.”
Transition Phrase: “It would be cool to have a job at such a young age and make some money.”
Stage Direction: Everyone freezes.
The game consoles are taken away and all of a sudden they are in a sweatshop in Africa.Big Boss Man is walking by – angry, bitter, tyrant
Dialogue: “Do you think you’re getting paid to sit around. Well you’re not! Get to work, or I’ll have to resort to having you whipped. Who do think you are – important? Please keep dreaming.”
Song Lyrics: We were playing video games
Just having care free fun
But now if we don’t work
We’re threatened with a gun
I must work hard, sweat is dripping
If not quick enough, comes another whipping
Dialogue: “That’s it, you aren’t nearly working quick enough.” (ready to hit the kids)
Transition Phrase: “Man I wish we were back in Canada.”
SCENE 4 Camping song
Dialogue: “I hate it here out in the cold dark woods.”
“We have nothing to do or play with.”
“You think those kids in Africa have it bad”
Transition “It would be cool to go there were its nice, sunny and warm every day!”
Stage Direction: Everyone freezes, people come from off stage and remove all the food, drink and other accessories (image of having nothing).
Dialogue: “I’m so thirsty.”
“Where are the juice boxes we brought?”
(someone is walking by, students ask them)
“Can you tell me where I can get a drink?”
“The closest well is three miles away, and even if you get a drink it may make you sick.”
Song Lyrics: It is so very hot.
How did we end up here?
There’s nothing we can eat,
We’re only full of fear!
Our bones are aching,
from all this lack of sleep
There’s nowhere we can rest,
soon we will be six feet deep
Dialogue: “This place really does stink”
“Sure it’s nice to be warm but not this warm!”
“We don’t even have anything to drink or eat, and we we’re complaining at home of how our cool-aid tasted funny?”
“Guys I wish I was back in Canada, where we have, food, drinks, and a nice bed to sleep in!”
SCENE 4 Close
Stage Direction Curtains open, students are all back in the classroom (same class as in the first scene)
Lots of chatter, more excitement than in scene one.
Dialogue: Teacher: “Good morning students, I hope you thought about the movie from last class.”
Student raises their hand. ”You’ll think I’m crazy but a group of us were playing hockey and all of a sudden we became child soldiers.”
Another student, ”That’s not so crazy, we were playing a video game and all of a sudden we were in a sweatshop.”
Another student adds, ”We were sitting around a camp fire when all of a sudden we were sitting around with NOTHING!”
Song Lyrics
The people in the other places,
barley had a dime,
We really need to help them,
not to would be a crime.
Dialogue: Teacher ”Good! You’re angry and aware, but what are you going
to do about it!”
Song Lyrics
We can start with some donations
Then begin to spread the news
If all the other people heard
They’d be Social Soldiers too.
Wednesday, April 1, 2009
Libretto Day!
Another great day the the St, Mark's CAO!
As you work on creating your librettos, keep in mind the different elements involved
CHORUS - the bigger songs where everyone sings. Particularly good for the moments of high emotion.
ARIA - A solo section or song
DUET - A section for two singers
DIALOGUE - Spoken words
UNDERSCORE - Music that is played under dialogue
MOVEMENT - sections of dance or choreographed movement, with or without music
STAGE DIRECTIONS - markings listed in brackets to tell actions.
And here's a list of everyone's CHORUSES/ARIAS/DUETS
Ms. Moore's Class
Just An Ordinary Day
Meteor Song
Transformation
The Battle (Zombies vs. Vampires)
Finale
Mr. Scicluna's Class
Whiny Complaining Song
War Song
Labour Song
Poverty Song
Understanding
Mr. Kennedy's Class
Mocking Song
Shock and Dismay
We did what we wanted/What did we do?
Finale
Ms. Sappong's Class
Funeral for Mr. Louis
Loner, get off the bus!
Disagreement Song
We're not so bad
FInale: Celebrating Mr. L
MUSIC
So for next week, get those solid one-page librettos ready to go. If ANYONE has musical ideas over the next week, we'll listen and work on them when I'm in solo next Tuesday.
Thanks everyone. Another great class.
Dean
As you work on creating your librettos, keep in mind the different elements involved
CHORUS - the bigger songs where everyone sings. Particularly good for the moments of high emotion.
ARIA - A solo section or song
DUET - A section for two singers
DIALOGUE - Spoken words
UNDERSCORE - Music that is played under dialogue
MOVEMENT - sections of dance or choreographed movement, with or without music
STAGE DIRECTIONS - markings listed in brackets to tell actions.
And here's a list of everyone's CHORUSES/ARIAS/DUETS
Ms. Moore's Class
Just An Ordinary Day
Meteor Song
Transformation
The Battle (Zombies vs. Vampires)
Finale
Mr. Scicluna's Class
Whiny Complaining Song
War Song
Labour Song
Poverty Song
Understanding
Mr. Kennedy's Class
Mocking Song
Shock and Dismay
We did what we wanted/What did we do?
Finale
Ms. Sappong's Class
Funeral for Mr. Louis
Loner, get off the bus!
Disagreement Song
We're not so bad
FInale: Celebrating Mr. L
MUSIC
So for next week, get those solid one-page librettos ready to go. If ANYONE has musical ideas over the next week, we'll listen and work on them when I'm in solo next Tuesday.
Thanks everyone. Another great class.
Dean
Answer to Blogging problems
In answer to the blogging question - YES you can copy and paste into the blog. So if you do up the information on a word document you can then just copy the whole thing and paste it in.
Hope that helps.
having trouble...
Help!!
Can we copy and paste into this blog or does everything have to be typed directly?
Ms. Sappong
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