alt_daphne | Entries tagged with stagelife

It's been quite a tumultuous week, with each day bringing more news, both good and bad. I was very sorry to hear that the Sisters and Brothers programmes will no longer be a part of the YPL for the time being, but even more sorry to hear of Mr Gibbon's passing (I should add, since some people have asked: no, he's not related to my voice teacher - her name is Mrs Gibbons). He clearly did much important work for both the YPL and our Lord's Council, and will be missed.

Things have been particularly fraught here in Slytherin, with so many students having loved ones and family friends who are on the Council, and who have been called to quelle the situation in Ireland. Now that it looks as if the worst of it has passed, we can finally begin to rest easy and reflect on these events. We are so fortunate to have such skilled witches and wizards looking out for us, and - in the case of Professors Lestrange and Dolohov, and Headmistress McGonagall - even luckier to be under their tutelage!

With that said, I do have a bit of good news I'd like to share with you. Planning is well under way for a Spring Revue of Hogwarts Through the Ages: a theatrical showcase of music, song, dance, and comedy. Under the guidance of co-directors Professor Carpenter and Mr Gerald Krumgold (from the West End's Society of New London Theatre), auditions for singing, dancing, and speaking parts will take place before we break for Christmas hols. More information to come on that in the very near future!

Meanwhile, I would like to ask for volunteers for a student-led planning committee. In particular, there is a need for people who are interested in set design, costuming and makeup, music arrangement, historical and theatrical research, effects charms, script writing, and other such backstage happenings. Keep in mind that being on the planning committee will not prevent you from auditioning for a part! But for those of you who would rather make your mark off-stage, but still be involved, this is a perfect opportunity. If you're interested, please meet with us in Professor Carpenter's classroom on Sunday at 2pm. (If that time doesn't work for you, just let either Professor Carpenter or myself know that you're interested and you can come to the next meeting we hold!)

Gerald,

Brilliant news! I finally had my appointment with Madam Umbridge yesterday, and since I've put so much work into getting the staff's support and going through with the preliminary planning, she's gone ahead and agreed to the Revue. Mind, she doesn't want to be involved in any capacity, I don't think, but that's perfectly fine with me. The pink cow wouldn't know artistic expression if it sicked up hairballs on her shoes!

Now, since I've already sorted it out by owl with Governor Selwyn, I think it'll be okay for you to be the director, so long as Professor Carpenter is your co-director. Just so that it's all in keeping with the goals of YPL and the School at large. (You remember what I told you about Governor Selwyn, right? He's the one who got a whole lot of us silly on Sunrise Cordials. Father knows him, too. He's an alright sort, I think, even if you have to mind what you drink around him.) As far as the timeline goes, I was thinking of something like this...

Before Christmas Hols: Casting call; script writing.
During Christmas Hols: Choreography; finalise script.
After Hols: Rehearsals.
Performance: Before Easter Hols (??)

I need to talk with Grandmother about the best song choices. I do wonder about some of them being so very old, though... it might be nift to spice up some of those ancient tunes with some new arrangements. I wonder if Pansy would be interested? Oh, and I need to find out more about what it was actually like to be a Hogwarts student one-hundred or something years ago. Only we'll have to be careful and leave out all those bits to do with muggles and mudbloods, of course.

Oh, there's so much to talk about! I should see about arranging a fire chat. I really do wish you had been able to get away to Hogsmeade today, I could have told you all of this in person. And really, the shops in the village are provincial, but they're not entirely without charm. I would have had such a grand time, showing you around! Well, don't worry - once you break into directing you won't have to spend every hour of the day in rehearsals, or giving lessons. It'll be so much better, you'll see!

Mr Krumgold, who's been my dance instructor since age 10, has agreed to host a private dance workshop tomorrow at his studio near the West End. I realise it's terribly short notice, but his schedule has been very full, as he's been busy choreographing two of the musicals that will be opening at the end of this summer. For those of you who are unfamiliar with his work, he was the choreographer for the Veela's dance at the Quidditch World Cup.

Now, Gerald doesn't usually offer many private lessons, particularly for free, so this is a wonderful opportunity for those of you who've never had one. Oh, and before anyone says a peep ~~Smith~~ yes, boys are welcome to attend, too. There's only room for about seven or eight people, though, so let me know if you'd like to be considered!

Confusion, now hath made your masterpiece.

I mean to say, what a long and tumultuous night, full of both wild celebration and quiet mourning. As exciting as it is to grow up, every now and then there's a moment of sadness, a realisation that even as you gain exciting new knowledge and experience, you lose something, too. However, I'm not one to dwell on lost innocence for long - knowledge and experience are far too valuable in their own right, and only with them is innocence really seen for what it is: ignorance.

Some of us began with charades in the common room, but then it soon grew far too crowded and noisy so different groups split off. I was in the music alcove with Antigone and Elsie and a load of others, dancing to Tintagel and Starstruck. The fairy-lights were charmed to flash with the beat of the music, and some of the boys were pulling crackers so that we all had streamers and confetti in our hair. Eventually, Antigone, Elsie and I went deeper into the dungeons to cool off. We had masses of ~~champagne~~ chocs (Draco, you know the kind!), and we were sat in a little nook under the staircase, hugging ~~and crying for some reason~~ and talking. Then Elsie fetched some parchment and we decided to make lists of what we accomplished in 1994, and a list of what we hoped to accomplish in 1995.

I'll share some of it here, but it's been heavily edited. I don't want to present all my accomplishments and hopes to the whole of the school, after all.

1994 - DONE

Made the "Best Dressed" lists in various magazines.
Started regular correspondence with Athena Belby.
Kept Astoria in line.
Maintained old and dear friendships.
Turned 15.
Endured the (mis-reported) death of ~~a loved one~~ someone I admire.
Did not gain weight.
Improved physical fitness.
Provided moral support for others in times of need.
Made meaningful contributions to YPL.
Performed admirably in CCF.
Improved marks in Transfiguration and Charms.
Dated an older man.
~~BWP w/Barney~~
Assisted in the redecoration of the Slytherin common room.
Finally received a compliment on vocal resonation from Mrs Gibbons.
Made it socially acceptable for girls to ask boys to the Yule Ball.
Put in a striking and memorable performance for the school play.
Remained best dancer at Hogwarts.

1995 - TO DO
~~Break it off with Barney~~
~~Find out who my Father is~~
Solve the mystery of myself.
~~LV w/???~~
~~Bump into A.C. at summer symphony~~
Convince Mother that a Gerard Joosh original is worth the galleons.
Expand vocal range and balance vibrato.
Improve marks in Potions.
Prove a suitable candidate for prefect or YPL counselor.
Maintain weight.
Improve physical fitness - upper body strength.
Improve dueling/sparring techniques.
Write poetry.
~~Stop reading trashy romance novels.~~
Read books of philosophical and political import.

That's as far as I got before Barney called me back for the countdown to 1995 and our midnight kiss. ~~I wish~~

Looking back, I see that some of my accomplishments might appear quite frivolous. Appearances can be deceiving, though - sometimes, something frivolous can be quite transforming. And I don't believe there's any accomplishment too small that it's not worth celebrating.

So what did you accomplish in 1994? And what do you hope to succeed in now that it's 1995?

Happy New Year, all.

Mother,

I've had an owl from Queenie this morning. She was terribly distressed. She said that you and Father had a row last night that woke her up from sleep. You and Father never row; she had no idea what to think and is worried that it means she's done something to cause it.

I can only presume that your argument was about this week's Dish! Really, Mother, Father may not follow that kind of press, but you had to know that it would get back to him, one way or another. I can't imagine that any man would enjoy seeing his wife discuss her past love life in a magazine, but you know how private Father is. It's just as Grandmother always said: "he shies away from the limelight so that it will better reach the rest of us."

Now, Mother, prepare yourself for hard words: it really doesn't do to entertain a fantasy based on the mere possibility of something.

And it isn't fair to me, or to Father. Or to HIM, for that matter. You have to tell him that the possibility exists, and then the matter can be solved in short order, I'm sure. ~~And I really need to kn~~

If you won't say something to him, I suppose it will be up to me.

Love,
Daphne

Has anyone else been finding this "School-Wide Mid-Year Quiz" laying about? Elsie and I just found a copy in our common room, and really?

This on top of the news about Cassie is all combining to make for a very foul day.

Which isn't to say that I don't appreciate that my sense of glamour is well-regarded, among other things, but honestly, just because one has natural talent at something doesn't make one an irritating show-off.

I know we already coordinated before breakfast, Millie, but I really need to make sure that this all goes according to plan! So, I'll write everything out here for you to study during Potions. I'll do all the stirring, and you hold your Potions book with your journal tucked inside so that you can put this to memory. Just make sure Professor Slughorn doesn't see what we're up to. Here's the plan:

1) After Astronomy lecture at 3 we go to the Defense classroom. Professor Raz is holding extra practise duelling sessions on account of exams, so there will probably be a lot of students there besides us, but that's alright. It just means we have to be extra convincing.
2) We will volunteer to be partners, and when it's our turn, I'll cast one of the double-shield spells we've been working on in Defence, only really, I'll just cast a single shield spell, and I'll make it rather weak. That's when you cast your stinging hex. Now, be sure to turn your wrist to the LEFT and not the RIGHT. This is important! Because you know that your stinging hexes are really awful, normally, but if you turn your wrist to the left it's much weakened and I'll barely feel a thing.
3) Now, you mustn't be frightened by this next part. I'm going to act as if your stinging-hex was full strength and let loose a loud, convincing scream. I mean to say that it will be very convicing. Your ears will hurt and you will probably think that you've hurt me terribly. But you haven't, don't worry!
4) And now I'm going to act very, very angry. Expect me to stamp my feet and shout at you. I might even be mean and nasty enough to make you tear up and tremble. I don't mean it, of course, but you'll have to THINK I mean it if any of this is going to look convincing.
5) Then comes the unhappy part. I'm going to have to hex you with boils - horrible purple ones, I'm afraid. Oh, they really will be horrific. It's going to look like some kind of deep-sea creature is writhing under your face, trying to claw its way to true light. But you needn't worry, because it's not going to hurt a bit! It looks like a hex but it's actually that theatre glamour I've been working on. And it only lasts an hour, and after that you'll be back to how you always look.
6) When Professor Raz sees what I've done to you, he'll give me detention, let's hope. And let's further hope that he'll assign me to organise the books in his office, like he did with Vince back in September.

Millie, I must thank you ever so much, from the bottom of my heart, for agreeing to help me with this venture. You are a true friend, and I will make sure that you look absolutely beautiful on the night of the Ball!

I find that it's a terrible shame that one of my own house has been so publicly reprimanded, especially in front of our guests! I would like to express to the students of Beauxbatons and Durmstrang that it's not at all common for Slytherin to make such trouble - in fact, it's not all that common for students of any one particular house to make such trouble. But unfortunate events do happen from time to time; I for one hope that the individual in question will learn from his mistakes and do his best to remedy the impression he's made.

Cards certainly are popular this year, aren't they? I enjoy portkey or snap as much as anyone, but the trouble is that it only really works for smaller groups, doesn't it? Now a game like charades, for instance, can have as many people playing as you like. And no matter what you might think, there is quite a bit of bluffing involved. You just have to look at it the right way. Almost all of life is a performance, isn't it? Think of the way you speak to your professors, and the way you speak to your closest friend, and you'll soon see what I mean.

~~Oh, I don't know what I'm on abo~~

Christmas! I know it's still over a month off, but the smell of it's already in the air, don't you agree?

And it's hard to believe that the First Task is almost upon us! Go, Harry! I just know you'll do our house proud!

Dear Miss Belby,

As a member of the Young Protectors League applying for the summer programme, I write to you as one whose profession I deeply admire and aspire to. I also write to you as a sincere and avid admirer of your operatic performances. Two Christmases ago I saw you perform as Brünnhilde in Götterdämmerung, and I was both mesmerised and moved to tears. Though my own talents are aligned more to dance and dramatics than opera, I feel that you are the premiere embodiment of how a performance artist can serve our Protectorate.

I can think of a few uncultured souls who might question the significance of the artist to our Protectorate. To convince them otherwise, I would tell them to look to wizarding communities elsewhere who still must keep their art, performance, and sport underground and away from the eyes of Muggles. My own grandmother, Alexandra Greengrass, did a three-year run as lead in The Isle of Circe. It played at The Seraphim, which at the time was hidden somewhere between the New London Pavillion and the Criterion Theatre. The star of the show had to get into the theater via a disguised "red telephone box," under the shadow of marquees announcing shows about "Salad Days." Indeed, the strength of our Protectorate rests firmly on the foundation of New London, which would not exist without the cultural contributions of artists and performers such as yourself. Never before has there been a land of witches and wizards with so firm a grasp on their own history, and so much confidence for their own future, and that is because we can now speak, sing, and dance our history our in the open as never before, all thanks to artists like you, who lift our spirits and morale!

I myself aspire to be a stage actress like my grandmother. Since the age of four I have studied dance and dramatics with Mr Gerald Krumgold, and since the age of eight I have studied song and voice with Mrs Hortence Gibbons. I played the role of Auror Crouch in Hogwarts' recent dramatic production, and while the role was not a leading one, I took it on as seriously as I would a leading role at the Palladium. I understand how important such productions are to the vibrant, still-growing culture of the Protectorate, and I shall see to it that I continue to play my part for that culture.

Sincerely yours,
Daphne G. Greengrass

Dear Sir,

I have spent many a late night wondering how to word this, or even if I ought to write it at all. I know, however, that my heart will not rest unless I take action. Forgive me, then, for this selfish and childish indulgence.

I was deeply, deeply sorry to hear that you found our play and, specifically, my portrayal of you to be offensive. I know that you were not at the performance, but I have nonetheless determined that you found the whole venture in poor taste. I hope that you know I took all measures to make my performance as accurate and respectful as possible, given the material I had to work with. Had I known you disapproved of the material as a matter of principle, I would have refused the part and tried to convince Miss Moon to reconsider the subject matter of her drama.

Again, I do apologise, and I hope that you will not think too poorly of either myself or Hogwarts.

Sincerely,
Daphne G. Greengrass

Dear Ginny,

I don't believe we are very well acquainted, so I hope you don't mind if I call you Ginny. Only I wanted to let you know how impressive I thought your audition for Karoline's play was. Certainly your audition was the best of the 2nd years, though Luna Lovegood's was certainly not without flair. I thought it also quite bold of you to read the lines for Auror Lestrange since so few people under the age of fifteen did, thinking they had not enough bearing to pull off her impressive and imposing demeanor. The black hair was a brilliant touch, as well. Have you had any acting or dancing lessons before?

I don't know about you, but I'm simply about to burst, waiting around to hear the results of the casting call! I really don't doubt that I'll get a part, and I am quite convinced that you will, too. Did you have a favourite audition? I thought my sister Astoria did well, but she's so slight and small that I can't imagine what role she could secure. Electra Bobolis was quite splendid, but she needn't be so smug about it, don't you think?

Anyway, that's all I wanted to say! I hope you have a lovely evening.

Daphne Greengrass