After many months of planning, the new Romany Theatre Company website has finally gone live. I'm delighted with the new layout, which I hope is much easier for people to navigate and to find what they need from the site. We've tried to maintain the 'look' of the old site, though, so hopefully it won't feel too unfamiliar.
The new site contains an integrated blog and a news section. Consequently, if you want to hear from me and my occasional guest writers about what's happening at RTC and the progress that we're making with the Atching Tan project, you need to head there.
Take care and enjoy the weekend.
- Daniela
Friday, 26 March 2010
Friday, 5 March 2010
Spring fever
The arrival of spring has co-incided with a hive of activity here at RTC. Interviews for the reminiscence thread are taking place a-pace, which are in turn being edited as fast as our Macs can manage; flushed with success from our first round of workshops that were presented in Manchester at the end of January, we're now planning for Gypsy, Romany, Traveller History Month, which takes place in June; and the third series of the radio drama is about to be story-boarded.
When I receive a parcel of newly edited recordings through the mail, I'm normally overwhelmed with anticipation. Whose voice will I be hearing? What stories will they have to tell? How will their memories and experiences fit in with the education pack? The education pack is beginning to take a distinct shape now. The key themes are emerging from the interviews and how they fit together — like a jigsaw, or a patchwork quilt — will ensure that people who make use of the pack will be able to draw a wealth of understanding from it.
The workshops that were presented in Manchester at the end of January, as part of Holocaust Memorial Day activities, were received with fabulous praise. This is almost entirely due to skill and professionalism of the actors, and I'd like to compliment them for their achievements. Of course I'm pleased that the work that I put into developing the sessions was thought to be valuable, but now I'm in the process of analysing the feedback from the sessions and determining how I can improve the activities in time for Gypsy, Romany, Traveller History Month in June.
Writing the radio series is a process; it begins with story-boarding and ends a few months later with the final edit of the script. The story-board is crucial to ensure that the story arcs for each character intersect appropriately and are carried through to their conclusions. It ensures that everyone involved in the production has an oversight of where the stories are going. Right now, the writing team for the third series of Atching Tan are plotting and planning, scoping and scheming. I'm looking forward to hearing their ideas!
I hope that you're enjoying some sunshine wherever you are.
- Daniela
When I receive a parcel of newly edited recordings through the mail, I'm normally overwhelmed with anticipation. Whose voice will I be hearing? What stories will they have to tell? How will their memories and experiences fit in with the education pack? The education pack is beginning to take a distinct shape now. The key themes are emerging from the interviews and how they fit together — like a jigsaw, or a patchwork quilt — will ensure that people who make use of the pack will be able to draw a wealth of understanding from it.
The workshops that were presented in Manchester at the end of January, as part of Holocaust Memorial Day activities, were received with fabulous praise. This is almost entirely due to skill and professionalism of the actors, and I'd like to compliment them for their achievements. Of course I'm pleased that the work that I put into developing the sessions was thought to be valuable, but now I'm in the process of analysing the feedback from the sessions and determining how I can improve the activities in time for Gypsy, Romany, Traveller History Month in June.
Writing the radio series is a process; it begins with story-boarding and ends a few months later with the final edit of the script. The story-board is crucial to ensure that the story arcs for each character intersect appropriately and are carried through to their conclusions. It ensures that everyone involved in the production has an oversight of where the stories are going. Right now, the writing team for the third series of Atching Tan are plotting and planning, scoping and scheming. I'm looking forward to hearing their ideas!
I hope that you're enjoying some sunshine wherever you are.
- Daniela
Thursday, 18 February 2010
Back from my travels
It's only going to be a short post this week, people. I'm just back from an awesome two week trip to Morocco and don't therefore have a great deal to write about, unless you want to hear my travel stories.
Whilst I was away the team met with a representative from the Heritage Lottery Fund, who financially support the Atching Tan project, to provide an update on our progress and achievements. I understand that this went well, but I'll have a better understanding once I've attended our team meeting next week.
Now, I'd best get back to sifting through the emails that have accumulated in my absence. Take care and catch you soon.
- Daniela
Whilst I was away the team met with a representative from the Heritage Lottery Fund, who financially support the Atching Tan project, to provide an update on our progress and achievements. I understand that this went well, but I'll have a better understanding once I've attended our team meeting next week.
Now, I'd best get back to sifting through the emails that have accumulated in my absence. Take care and catch you soon.
- Daniela
Thursday, 28 January 2010
Holocaust Memorial Day
There are, in every society, people who find themselves at the bottom of the social heap, those who are excluded, derided, and oppressed. It is something that has happened across millennia and civilisations and something that we continue to work to eradicate. Part of this fight to bring about a more equal and fair society demands that we remember those who were victims of systematic attempts annihilate them, simply because of who their parents were, the colour of their skin, their political persuasion, or their religious beliefs. We remember them because it galvanises our determination to break down barriers in society and bring about hope for a better world. We remember them because they did not deserve to how they did, or why they did.
27 January is Holocaust Memorial Day. Please remember the millions of people - Jewish, Socialist, Communist, Roman Catholic, disabled, gay, lesbian, and Gypsy, Romany, and Traveller - who lost their lives in the most inhumane, degrading conditions imaginable, simply because who they were did not fit with the Nazi vision of the world. We're all a part of this world, however we came into it, whatever we believe, however we choose to lead our lives. It's our world, and we have a duty to make it a more equal, better one.
27 January is Holocaust Memorial Day. Please remember the millions of people - Jewish, Socialist, Communist, Roman Catholic, disabled, gay, lesbian, and Gypsy, Romany, and Traveller - who lost their lives in the most inhumane, degrading conditions imaginable, simply because who they were did not fit with the Nazi vision of the world. We're all a part of this world, however we came into it, whatever we believe, however we choose to lead our lives. It's our world, and we have a duty to make it a more equal, better one.
Thursday, 14 January 2010
People are just people
Human beings are generally curious creatures. We like to know about other people and other ways of life. In some respects this can be construed as nosiness, but predominantly it is what fosters our thirst for knowledge and our desire to learn. The education pack builds on this inherent inquisitiveness, showing children and young people about other people's lives. What I really wanted to include amongst the resources were the voices and experiences of Gypsy, Romany, Traveller children and young people, to give the children and young people who will be using the pack a window into the lives of their peers.
Last week I met with five young Gypsy, Romany, Traveller people from a site in Cambridgeshire. I invited them to make a recording to be included in the education pack, telling other people of their age about their lives. It took us an entire morning, two attempts, and myriad cups of tea, but we enjoyed ourselves and had some very interesting conversations.
All five of them were keen to stress that they aren't that different from other people their age: they like to play on their X-Boxes, they enjoy going to the cinema, and spending time with their friends is important to them. We also spoke about school, their families and friends, and about their hopes and fears for the future.
I listened to the recording again this morning and am looking forward to sitting down with someone more technologically adept than I am so that it can be edited. It contains a mine of valuable commentary, but I'm not sure that the drone of the washing machine in the background and the fits of giggles into which we occasionally descended are entirely necessary inclusions. At around twenty minutes long, it also needs to be broken into more manageable sections. But hearing these young people's thoughtful answers and the determination that underlies their wonderful senses of humour made me incredibly proud to be working with them.
Thank you, B, P, R, S, and T.
- Daniela
Last week I met with five young Gypsy, Romany, Traveller people from a site in Cambridgeshire. I invited them to make a recording to be included in the education pack, telling other people of their age about their lives. It took us an entire morning, two attempts, and myriad cups of tea, but we enjoyed ourselves and had some very interesting conversations.
All five of them were keen to stress that they aren't that different from other people their age: they like to play on their X-Boxes, they enjoy going to the cinema, and spending time with their friends is important to them. We also spoke about school, their families and friends, and about their hopes and fears for the future.
I listened to the recording again this morning and am looking forward to sitting down with someone more technologically adept than I am so that it can be edited. It contains a mine of valuable commentary, but I'm not sure that the drone of the washing machine in the background and the fits of giggles into which we occasionally descended are entirely necessary inclusions. At around twenty minutes long, it also needs to be broken into more manageable sections. But hearing these young people's thoughtful answers and the determination that underlies their wonderful senses of humour made me incredibly proud to be working with them.
Thank you, B, P, R, S, and T.
- Daniela
Thursday, 31 December 2009
The wheel turns
Atching Tan has made a huge amount of progress over the past year. A whole new series of the radio drama has been written, recorded, and broadcast, capitalising on the talent of up-and-coming Gypsy/Romany/Traveller writers. We have started to amass the stories of Gypsy/Romany/Traveller people and prepare them for public accessibility. The education pack has undergone a change in direction but is taking shape most promisingly. Some museums and libraries seem most keen to collaborate with us in some way or another. And we've launched a new website.
2010 will, in many ways, see us building on the foundations of 2009. There will be the third series of the radio drama to write and record; we want to collate more stories from Gypsy/Romany/Traveller people; we want to expand on the education pack and create something more concrete; we want to consolidate our working relationships with other organisations. However, there are some new and exciting things to look forward to in 2010, for example our education programme of plays and workshops.
I'm looking forward to the new year and its new challenges. I hope that you'll be with me to experience them, too.
However you are set to enjoy the farewell to 2009 and welcome in 2010, whether it be a raucous party or a quiet evening at home, I hope that you enjoy it and I wish you a happy, healthy, and peaceful 2010.
- Daniela
2010 will, in many ways, see us building on the foundations of 2009. There will be the third series of the radio drama to write and record; we want to collate more stories from Gypsy/Romany/Traveller people; we want to expand on the education pack and create something more concrete; we want to consolidate our working relationships with other organisations. However, there are some new and exciting things to look forward to in 2010, for example our education programme of plays and workshops.
I'm looking forward to the new year and its new challenges. I hope that you'll be with me to experience them, too.
However you are set to enjoy the farewell to 2009 and welcome in 2010, whether it be a raucous party or a quiet evening at home, I hope that you enjoy it and I wish you a happy, healthy, and peaceful 2010.
- Daniela
Monday, 21 December 2009
Getting creative
Hello All and welcome to my rather chilly kitchen. I hope that the snow hasn't been terribly disruptive or problematic for any of you. London hasn't been too badly affected, although I have participated in a couple of rounds of pavement ballet when on my way to the Tube. Fun for onlookers, I'm sure.
When I haven't been slipping and sliding my way to the station, I've been concentrating on RTC's 2010 education programme. We've created a range of performances and workshop sessions aimed at schools and community groups, which focus on different elements of the Gypsy/Romany/Traveller experience. The performances — some plays, some poetry — are based on the ideas of culture, discrimination, history, and identity; the workshop sessions that follow them explore these themes in greater depth and give participants the opportunity to discuss what they've seen and heard, both amongst themselves and with the Gypsy/Romany/Traveller cast. I've had the opportunity to produce some creative and thought-provoking educational materials and I'm looking forward to meeting the actors and getting their opinions early next year.
I've also met with our web designer to discuss the Romany Theatre Company website, and some changes that I want to make to it. It's not quite there yet, but I'll let you know as soon as it is.
If you celebrate Christmas, I hope that you have a peaceful and fulfilling holiday with those closest to you. If, like me, you don't celebrate Christmas, I hope that you have an opportunity to relax for a few days with people whom you love.
- Daniela
When I haven't been slipping and sliding my way to the station, I've been concentrating on RTC's 2010 education programme. We've created a range of performances and workshop sessions aimed at schools and community groups, which focus on different elements of the Gypsy/Romany/Traveller experience. The performances — some plays, some poetry — are based on the ideas of culture, discrimination, history, and identity; the workshop sessions that follow them explore these themes in greater depth and give participants the opportunity to discuss what they've seen and heard, both amongst themselves and with the Gypsy/Romany/Traveller cast. I've had the opportunity to produce some creative and thought-provoking educational materials and I'm looking forward to meeting the actors and getting their opinions early next year.
I've also met with our web designer to discuss the Romany Theatre Company website, and some changes that I want to make to it. It's not quite there yet, but I'll let you know as soon as it is.
If you celebrate Christmas, I hope that you have a peaceful and fulfilling holiday with those closest to you. If, like me, you don't celebrate Christmas, I hope that you have an opportunity to relax for a few days with people whom you love.
- Daniela
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)