I haven't written a blog post for about a week. There wasn't a great deal to write about, but now, thinking about it, I can tell you what we've been up to at Camphill.
Last week there was a bit of a panic at Camphill, due to the fact that they were to have an inspection (I think it must have been C.Q.C. (Care Quality Commission) who do annual inspections and give a few days notice (I actually think it's rather pointless in that case, because if it was a secret and they just tuned up they would get a more accurate picture.) We had to do something, a piece of learning (for want of a better description.) taking it from the beginning and through to completion and then show evidence for that 'piece.' In this case it was to start by writing an introduction to read to the audience over a microphone and then do just that. We sat around a table to start thinking of what should be said and once it was decided and completed, each resident in the drama workshop had to speak it through the microphone which was set up on the stage. Paul, who is Teo's assistant in the drama workshop, did the first announcement, and the others had to follow, doing it in their own style. Even the Co-Workers had to do this, including myself. I have to say it's not as easy as it might sound, particularly as it's odd having your voice coming back at you through the 'live' speakers in the theatre auditorium. I'm glad I had a chance to try this. As I say, it's odd to hear your voice coming back through loudspeakers. I've recorded my voice onto tape and then heard it back afterwards, but it's unusual to speak on an 'open' microphone and hear your voice come back at you, but it was a good experience and worth doing. Then they had to write a report on each individual resident as evidence of the task being completed.
Not all the co-workers were available last week. A couple of the drama regulars were away or ill. One, who has attached himself to me somewhat, is diabetic and his sugar-levels were too high and didn't come to the drama workshop. I had to read in his lines but he did appear with a co-worker during yesterday's session.
We couldn't use the stage in the Chrysalis Theatre because it was set up for the Milton Keynes Theatre of Comedy production of 'Blackadder's Christmas Carol.' It was therefore important that we didn't disturb the props for this show which were set up around the back-stage area. We had to bring out chairs which are stored either side of the stage. I know, from my own experience of prop-setting, that you don't want anyone to disturb your setting, particularly if actors need to find a specific prop and it's moved to a different position.
This week we had to complete forms which would be used to show how each individual resident who participates in the drama workshop was developing. I had the task of using a MacBook and using the software and inputting details of the various residents. My main concern was that I wasn't going to save each individual resident's details, but one of the co-workers was able to show me where on the programme I could save the work. It was quite a long process and took more or less all day. Then there were a couple of residents who usually join us on a Tuesday where weren't there or at least came in later in the day. Fortunately I have the I.T. skills required to do this work and am so pleased I did something called a C.L.A.I.T. course(Computer Literacy and Information Technology) as well as learning the basics of computing when I did my abortive degree course, one at Luton and then DeMontfort University (both now merged into what is now The University of Bedfordshire. You couldn't hand in work that wasn't word processed in whatever system.
All this material would no doubt be inspected by the C.Q.C. inspectors because they would need to see such things as care plans and these documents would be included as being such material.
After lunch on Tuesday we did three run-throughs of 'Stranger Danger,' but missing out scenes where the actors weren't available. It seems to go really well. It has now been decided that there won't be performance for Phoenix Rising on the last day the workshop meets before the Christmas break on 17th December, because not all the actors have been available to rehearse, along with some co-workers being on holiday or off ill. Then we sat in a circle and played the game 'fortunately/unfortuntely,' and ended on the game whereby you tell of two real things and one unreal (fictional/non-fiction.) which we've played before. By this time it was around 3.45 so each resident and volunteer or co-worker had to talk about that they were going to do for Christmas. Place tidied up and returned items to their places and by then it was time to go home!
Not all the co-workers were available last week. A couple of the drama regulars were away or ill. One, who has attached himself to me somewhat, is diabetic and his sugar-levels were too high and didn't come to the drama workshop. I had to read in his lines but he did appear with a co-worker during yesterday's session.
We couldn't use the stage in the Chrysalis Theatre because it was set up for the Milton Keynes Theatre of Comedy production of 'Blackadder's Christmas Carol.' It was therefore important that we didn't disturb the props for this show which were set up around the back-stage area. We had to bring out chairs which are stored either side of the stage. I know, from my own experience of prop-setting, that you don't want anyone to disturb your setting, particularly if actors need to find a specific prop and it's moved to a different position.
This week we had to complete forms which would be used to show how each individual resident who participates in the drama workshop was developing. I had the task of using a MacBook and using the software and inputting details of the various residents. My main concern was that I wasn't going to save each individual resident's details, but one of the co-workers was able to show me where on the programme I could save the work. It was quite a long process and took more or less all day. Then there were a couple of residents who usually join us on a Tuesday where weren't there or at least came in later in the day. Fortunately I have the I.T. skills required to do this work and am so pleased I did something called a C.L.A.I.T. course(Computer Literacy and Information Technology) as well as learning the basics of computing when I did my abortive degree course, one at Luton and then DeMontfort University (both now merged into what is now The University of Bedfordshire. You couldn't hand in work that wasn't word processed in whatever system.
All this material would no doubt be inspected by the C.Q.C. inspectors because they would need to see such things as care plans and these documents would be included as being such material.
After lunch on Tuesday we did three run-throughs of 'Stranger Danger,' but missing out scenes where the actors weren't available. It seems to go really well. It has now been decided that there won't be performance for Phoenix Rising on the last day the workshop meets before the Christmas break on 17th December, because not all the actors have been available to rehearse, along with some co-workers being on holiday or off ill. Then we sat in a circle and played the game 'fortunately/unfortuntely,' and ended on the game whereby you tell of two real things and one unreal (fictional/non-fiction.) which we've played before. By this time it was around 3.45 so each resident and volunteer or co-worker had to talk about that they were going to do for Christmas. Place tidied up and returned items to their places and by then it was time to go home!
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