The Citizen, 2003-06-25, Page 44BLYTH FESTIVAL SALUTE, WEDNESDAY, JUNE 25, 2003. PAGE 19.
Students involved in design of ‘Pirate’s Daughter’
By Sarah Mann
Citizen staff
It began almost two years ago
when Coates approached the Ontario
Arts Council about art education
Eric Coates had a vision and being
artistic director of one of a very few
Canadian theatres that continually
produce new plays, why not try
something else that’s new?
After realizing that most projects
in secondary schools focused soley
on acting, Coates decided to involve
students in the design process for
The Perilous Pirate’s Daughter. He
also decided to make it a challenge.
money.
“At the time I was interested in the
young people in our own company
who were making significant
contributions in our tech
department.”
So, Coates figured out a way for
students to see a play through the
eyes of a production team, rather
than an actor or director.
Secondary-school students from
Goderich District Collegiate
Greenway beauty
The Blyth Greenway Trail provides quiet spots beside Blyth
Creek, recently improved by volunteer efforts.
Area provides plenty
of picnic possibilities
Contnued from page 20
from Queen St. (County Rd. 16).
There’s a picnic pavilion for
inclement weather and a wide green
space for strolling.
Nearby the water tumbles over the
Brussels dam, originally constructed
to power Logan’s Mill, which still
stands on the west side of the river.
The dam was reconstructed in 1984
when the conservation area was
created. South of the dam the broad
mill pond is as large as a small lake
and provides small craft boating
opportunities for local residents.
If you’re coming to Blyth from the
west, the Auburn Lions Club has
created a delightful roadside picnic
area south of the village off County
Rd. 8. Manchester Gardens (Auburn
was formerly called Manchester),
hugs the bank of the Maitland River,
offering both picnic tables with
scenic views of the river and two
lookouts, where you can stand right
out over the steep banks. To the
south you can see the remnants of
the dam which once powered the
early industry that was the reason
for Aubum/Manchester’s founding.
Farther afield there are also the
Falls Reserve Conservation Areas at
Benmiller, the Clinton Conservation
Area along the Bayfield River east
of Hwy. 4 at the south edge of
Clinton (with a picnic pavilion), the
Seaforth Lions’ Park on Hwy. 8 at
the eastern edge of Seaforth and the
Pioneer Conservation Area beside
the Maitland River in Bluevale.
Institute, F.E. Madill, Central Huron,
St. Anne’s, and Stratford Central
came in and designer Victoria
Wallace and Coates took the
students through the process of
reading the play aloud and
discussing what it would need.
Here lies the challenge.
“The Perilous Pirate’s Daughter is
a very difficult project for young
designers because it takes place in
lots of places,” Coates said.
“There are scenic elements that
" can’t happen on stage. We took them
through the process of finding the
key moments in the play and what
we absolutely need to show these
important things.”
Students started doing their own
versions and according to Coates,
“there were as many versions as
there were people in the room. . .
what will happen now is that some
of the students will be coming back
to work on the set.”
These young designers had to
solve the physical challenges of how
to put a river on stage, and how to
move from a kitchen to a cliff
without massive set changes.
“A play is strong when given a
simple, neutral set. It allows for the
story to come out which is what art
is about.”
Coates really enjoyed this project
because, “we’re used to working in a
smaller, more focused environment
with two people: a designer and
director. The dynamics of bringing
30 brains into the process brought
out ideas we’d never have thought
of.”
Coates admits that having 30 extra
people didn’t take the weight off his
shoulders.
“The natural curiosity of the
students forces you to answer
questions you assume are a given. To
have that in your face when you’re
trying to establish a play raised the
stakes and made me consider my
choices more carefully.”
And it isn’t just the students who
are coming out of this experience
afraid to ask questions that need to
be asked. There are no stupid
questions.”
with new knowledge. Coates also
gained from this experience.
“I have to remind myself not to be
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Located just west of Brussels on Mill Street
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discover the magic of
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Enjoy a nature walk along the Blyth
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Visit North Huron & Area's Historical Museum
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Coming Events:
Bluewater Kennel Club ?
Champion Dog Show & Obedience Trials
July 8, 9, 10-
Blyth Fairgrounds_______Blyth Fairgrounds_______y
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August 9-16, Blyth
46th Annual Normoska
\pver 100 antique & collectible cars/
Wingham Fun Fest
July 17, 18 & 19, Wingham
Sidewalk Sales,
Classic Car Show, Rib Cook-Off y
Huron Pioneer Thresher &
Hobby Association Reunion
42nd Annual Show
^September 5, 6 & 7 ~ Blyth Fairgrounds^
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