Capoeira Workshop

If any of you attended the Capoeira workshop held at Living Arts last Saturday, you'll begin to understand why the Brazillian martial art is gaining popularity in Malaysia. Good looking, well-muscled male instructors aside, the culture and moves for Capoeira itself is very, very cool, especially the acrobatic sequences.

Elly and Alif: The two youngest participants of the workshop.

We had an awesome turn out of 22 people who participated in the workshop with boundless enthusiasm. The air in the studio was buzzing with excitement and anticipation of what was going to be taught in the workshop. What was amazing was that we had participants from all walks of life attending the workshop from pre-teens to adults.

Instructor Quek demonstrating a move with the help

of Terry, Living Arts' resident Capoeira expert.

Living Arts was fortunate to have Instructor Quek, from the Bantus Capoeira Group in Damansara Jaya, run the first hour of the workshop. To top it off we had Graduado Rafael, from Brazil itself, grace the studio and the students with his vast knowledge and supreme skill of the art form.

Cool back walkover: Syafiq showing his skills

Each instructor focused on different aspects of Capoeira in each session. Instructor Quek brought the ‘wow’ factor to his session by teaching people the cool acrobatic stunts that only caporistas know how to execute so effortlessly, thereby leaving participants and one observer (me) alike with their jaws hanging open, and eyes round with amazement.

Graduado Rafael: What is wrong with this move?

Participants of the workshop should be able to answer the question.

Graduado Rafael, on the other hand, touched on the more technical aspects of Capoeira. Even the most basic of moves, the 'jinga', was broken down. The participants were shown the correct way to position their hands – higher up to protect their faces instead of their chests – while executing the Jinga. He was the epitome of Capoeira coolness with his dread-locks and impressive array of tattoos.

Aik Hong assisting a participant for one

of the acrobatic stunts.

After the workshop, participants were invited to join an hour-long ‘roda’ with the two guest instructors. As ‘rodas’ go, it was lively and fun. The ‘Buka Puasa’ feast started right after the ‘roda’ was done, which, was good and well-timed because the participants were starving after three long hours of physical activity. But you could see that they all enjoyed themselves because of the glow in their faces.

To view more photos for this event do visit the Capoeira Workshop 2008 Album at Photobucket.

New classes! Theatre, anyone?

THEATRE-CURIOUS?
THEATRE-SERIOUS?
CAN'T DECIDE?
There's something for everyone!

Come join our workshops with The Oral Stage Theatre Company

at Living Arts Dance Studio in Sunway Mentari!

SWS100: Play!
Duration: 2 hours per session
Time: Every Saturday, 2.00 – 4.00 pm
Commencement date: September 20th onwards
Rate: RM30/session
One-time registration fee: RM20
Class size: Max 20 per session, ages 16+
PLAY! is a fun-packed, non-stop session of games and exercises for you to let it out, sweat it out, meet new people, and perhaps discover a thing or two about the theatre. Recommended for the theatre-curious.

SWA101: Acting for Beginners
Prerequisite: None
Duration: 10 sessions for 10 weeks; 2½ hours per session
Time: Saturdays @ 11.00 – 1.30 pm
Commencement date: 27th September 2008
Rate: RM320; Get a 10% early bird discount before September 14th!
One-time registration fee: RM20
Class size: Max 20 per module, ages 16+
Facilitator: Kelvin Wong
ACTING FOR BEGINNERS is an introductory course to stage acting. Actors will discover the craft through games and exercises in a fun and focused environment, alongside introductions to improvisation, movement and characterization. This course will wrap up with a mini performance for the public. Recommended for those who are serious about stage acting, but haven't the experience just yet.

SWA111: Introduction to Public Speaking
Prerequisite: None
Duration: 10 sessions for 10 weeks; 2½ hours per session
Time: Mondays @ 8.30 – 10.00 pm
Commencement date: 22nd September 2008
Rate: RM320; Get a 10% early bird discount before September 14th!
One-time registration fee: RM20
Class size: Max 12 per module, ages 16+
Facilitators: Diane Goon

INTRODUCTION TO PUBLIC SPEAKING puts participants in the spotlight in a safe and encouraging environment where they discover techniques to effectively convey themselves in public – whether is it a speech, presentation, or a monologue. Participants will also hone skills to the proper and clear enunciation of words, at the same time improve on their visual-verbal accuracy. This course will wrap up with a mini performance for the public. Recommended for those with glossophobia – the fear of speaking in public.

SWA201: Improvisation for Actors I
Prerequisite: SWA101 or considerable experience in acting
Duration: 10 sessions for 10 weeks; 2½ hours per session
Time: Tuesdays @ 7.30 – 10.00 pm
Commencement date: 23rd September 2008
Rate: RM350; Get a 10% early bird discount before September 14th!
One-time registration fee: RM20
Class size: Max 15 per module, ages 18+
Facilitator: Kelvin Wong

IMPROVISATION FOR ACTORS focuses on narrative improvisation, where actors will explore a range of techniques in creating effective scenes on the spot, both individually and as a team. Actors will also experiment with various ideas and out-of-the-box concepts for performance on stage. This course will wrap up with a mini interactive performance for the public. Recommended for those who would like to sharpen their skills in stage acting, particularly devised and/or improvisational theatre.

SWA211: Audition!
Prerequisite: None
Duration: 10 sessions for 10 weeks; 2½ hours per session
Time: Sundays @ 2.00 – 4.30 pm
Commencement date: 28th September 2008
Rate: RM350; Get a 10% early bird discount before September 14th!
One-time registration fee: RM20
Class size: Max 12 per module, ages 18+
Facilitator: Johann Lim

AUDITION! explores the processes and techniques behind auditions for various creative industries such as TV, commercials, voice and the stage. Participants will be put in safe, interactive, mock audition environments where they can effectively hone the skills to increase their chances at landing the jobs they want.

SWD101: I. M.
Prerequisite: None
Duration: 10 sessions for 10 weeks; 2½ hours per session
Time: Thursdays @ 8.00 – 10.30 pm
Commencement date: 25th September 2008
Rate: RM400; Get a 10% early bird discount before September 14th!
One-time registration fee: RM20
Class size: Max 10 per module, ages 18+
Facilitator: Kelvin Wong

I. M. is a psychodrama module designed for participants to regain self-awareness in a fun, safe, and conducive environment. Using a variety of theatre games and exercises, this module encourages participants to reflect, emote and introspect, leading towards self and group development. This module will close with a mini performance for the public.
*Note that while this psychodrama module strives to be therapeutic, it is NOT to be confused with therapy in any sense.

About the Facilitators

Kelvin Wong got his first taste of theatre in 2004 in Sunway University-College's production of Tony Kushner's THE ILLUSION, directed by Rey Buono. Shortly after, he founded The Oral Stage Theatre Company and has since written and directed EIGHT (2005), ROJAK! (2006), FIFTYNINEMINUTES (2006) and SCREWED (2007). Also in 2007, he directed his first full-length feature, a reprise of Tony Kushner's THE ILLUSION – he also directed Paula Vogel's HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE (2008) shortly after. Kelvin made his directing and performing debut in Singapore's Celebrate Drama! festival with MATCH (2008), his first foray into physical theatre. He was cast in Samuel Beckett's ENDGAME (2006) directed by Gavin Yap, THE BREAKFAST CLUB (2007) directed by André D'Cruz, BANNED! (2007) with Anne James and 8 WAYS TO LIGHTEN THE SCHOOL BAG (2008), directed by Mark Beau de Silva. Kelvin also teaches drama at secondary schools, and will direct the Kuala Lumpur Children's Choir come end 2008. Kelvin is a psychology graduate, and looks forward to continuing his postgraduate studies in theatre.

Johann Lim got involved with the performing arts later than most - having started with Joe Hasham's Acting for Beginners classes in 2006. That started the ball rolling - since then, he has picked up BROKEN BRIDGES THE MUSICAL (2006), directed by Joe Hasham; FIFTYNINEMINUTES (2006), with Kelvin Wong; AH STEVE (2007), directed by Faridah Merican; TARI CANGGUNG HAMIDAH (2007), with Ibrahim Razale; TUNKU THE MUSICAL (2007), directed by Joe Hasham; ROSE ROSE I LOVE YOU (2007), with Low Ngai Yuen; and HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE (2008), directed by Kelvin Wong. He also performs for television and made his debut as a director and a playwright in UNCUT UNTITLED PAPER HOUSE (2008). Johann has a Masters in Software Engineering, is a budding entrepreneur and is very passionate about performing and writing.

Diane Goon's involvement with the performing arts began with a passion for music at a very young age. Initially trained with the piano, she found her true love for the cello at fourteen, which she picked up only seven years later, under the tutelage of cellist Jonathan Golove. Diane is a psychology graduate from University at Buffalo (UB), State University of New York (SUNY) – there, she performed with the UB choir under the baton of world-renowned choir conductor, Prof. Harold Rosenbaum. In addition to UB, Diane has also performed at The Brooklyn Academy of Music (BAM; under the baton of Michael Christie), The General Assembly of the UN, and Radio City Music Hall (under the baton of Ennio Morricone) in New York. Upon returning to Malaysia, her cello instructor, Jonathan Oh guided her to performing with an 18-piece orchestra for TUNKU THE MUSICAL (2007) at The Kuala Lumpur Performing Arts Centre (KLPac). Following the remarkable experience, she then played for ROSE ROSE I LOVE YOU THE MUSICAL (2007) with a 9-piece band, GREAT THEMES FROM FILM & STAGE (2007) with the KLPac Sinfonietta, and The EUROPA AWARDS (2007) with the AMPAC Orchestra. In 2008, she played for THE SPRING FESTIVAL and The HSBC PIANO FESTIVAL, again, with the KLPac Sinfonietta. Diane's love for theatre sparked upon joining The Oral Stage's creative crew for HOW I LEARNED TO DRIVE (2008) as costume designer.

Get 25% off the rates of subsequent modules when you sign up for more then one class!

One-on-one classes also available.
Got a group of interested people elsewhere? Our facilitators will come to you!
Ask us how today!

Inquiries? Questions? Registration?
Email us at stageworks@theoralstage.com or
contact Charmayne at 016-3280010 or Jeremy at 017-6695617

A joint collaboration between The Oral Stage and Living Arts Dance Studio.
3rd Floor, 1 – 3, Jalan PJS 8/11,
Dataran Mentari Sunway, 46150 Petaling Jaya.

http://living-arts.blogspot.com/
http://theoralstage.com/

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