A look back at a week rich in emotion!
From February 12 to 16, the Apolline School of the Arts embarked on an adventure as rewarding as it was challenging. Apolline organized a week-long workshop in the field of musical comedy, incorporating singing lessons led by our teacher Sandrina, drama and improvisation lessons under the direction of our drama teacher Mirko rochat, all orchestrated by our musical comedy teacher Mélie Carmen. In this article, we take a look back at this emotionally rich adventure through an interview with Mirko Rochat.
Musical comedy workshop objectives
Musical comedy workshops for children aged 8 to 14 will be held in Lausanne, at Rue Sébeillon 1, from Monday February 12 to Friday February 16, 2024. These classes, scheduled from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. daily and extended until 6 p.m. on the last day, offer a complete immersion in the disciplines of singing, acting and dancing. The aim is to put on a show throughout the week, culminating in a final performance on Friday evening, open to family and friends, to showcase the skills acquired by the students.
Under the guidance of seasoned professionals in each field, participants will benefit from top-quality coaching. Professional singer Sandrina will focus on the vocal techniques essential for singing in musical theatre, including projection, breath control and emotional interpretation. Comedian and humorist Mirko will introduce students to the art of theatrical improvisation, teaching them to create spontaneous scenes, develop stage presence, and interact with confidence. Melie, a musical theatre dance specialist, will teach the basics of stage dance, focusing on movements and choreography that enrich the overall performance.
The program aims to develop a range of skills and techniques specific to musical theatre, such as understanding the basics of breath control, projection, and articulation in singing; learning emotional interpretation and audience interaction; introduction to theatrical improvisation techniques for creating spontaneous, interactive scenes; understanding the key elements of staging, including positioning and movement on stage; the basics of different dance styles and their integration into a musical theatre performance; and the importance of diction and pronunciation, stage presence, teamwork and group cohesion.
Students have access to a variety of tools and materials, such as scripts, scores, audio recordings, and stage props, to help them thrive in the field of musical theatre. This unique educational setting offers a valuable opportunity for children and young adults to discover and develop their artistic talents in a stimulating and supportive environment, while preparing a show that promises to be a highlight of their learning journey. The week culminated in a performance of the legendary play: Oliver Twist
Interview with Mirko Rochat, drama teacher
A few words about his background
Mirko Rochat is a local comedian/humorist. He defines himself as such because he also enjoys interpreting characters in the broadest sense, not just doing stand-up by telling personal anecdotes. his background is atypical. Coming from a completely different profession, namely horticulturist, he launched his career in comedy in 2011, performing in club comedies and thus deciding to become a professional in what was from then on his passion. He was soon noticed by people in the trade, and surrounded himself with comedians and stage directors who helped him put together his first show. He tells us that meeting his peers was decisive in advancing his career. In 2020, just as he was putting the finishing touches to his second show, the Covid crisis forced him to take a break from his promising career, so as to be able to present it under the right conditions in 2022. His self-taught background has given him an instinctive ability to write, and he has always had a keen sense of observation. In these courses, he passes on the knowledge he has acquired over many years of practice, incorporating the advice he has received from his acting mentors. He also explains the importance of taking an interest in the world of theater and musical comedy to acquire a good culture in these fields.
Objectives for the week
The objectives were high. 5 days to put on a show, which wasn't necessarily decided beforehand. The course was intended to be a "discovery" week, but Mélie decided otherwise. A great deal of preparatory work between the 3 teachers then took place. The first day served as a meeting point for the students and teachers, to define who would play which role. Off we went for an intensive week! Mirko explains that it didn't take long for the students to feel involved and close-knit. This dynamic of solidarity gave confidence to our teachers, who felt that the challenge was not only considerable, but above all achievable. It's also important to point out that the students didn't necessarily have a background in musical theatre, but they all had a strong desire to do well and give their best. The 3 teachers were able to coach the students in their respective fields, working with over-motivated budding actors!
Oliver Twist
Pitch
"Oliver Twist" is a novel by Charles Dickens about an orphan named Oliver, who escapes from the misery of a children's hospice to find himself on the streets of London. He is taken in by a group of young thieves under the thumb of the criminal Fagin. Despite trials and tribulations, Oliver struggles to maintain his goodness in an often cruel and unjust world. Eventually, he discovers the truth about his origins and finds a family and a home. The novel criticizes the social inequalities of the Victorian era and explores themes such as crime, poverty and the quest for identity.
Stage direction
This 2h30 classic, performed in the most prestigious theaters from London to New York, then had to be adapted for the internship class. Our teachers cut scenes to make it achievable in 30-40 minutes, while retaining the meaning and spirit of the play. Oliver Twist contains relatively complex choreography, acting and singing, all of which had to be adapted by the small troupe. To ensure a coherent whole, the 3 teachers worked hand in hand to put on a complete show. This was made possible by the horizontal skills of our teachers, who have a global vision of the aspects to be worked on for optimal results.
Finishing touches and show
At the end of the week, the hardest part comes: performing in front of an audience. After the challenge of preparation, our teachers had to redouble their efforts and imagination to transform the rehearsal room (originally designed for salsa classes) into a fully-fledged theater. They set up lights, draped curtains and separated the space to create "tableaux" of scenery specific to the world of Oliver Twist. Then came dress rehearsals. This is when the shortcomings of working in a hurry become apparent. Pressure mounts, students forget their lines, and teachers wonder if a week's extra preparation might not have been in order. There's a famous saying in theater circles that goes "bad general, good first". Mirko says that in such cases, a kind of miracle can happen when the actors make up for the few glitches in the dress rehearsal by putting on a top-quality show. And that's exactly what happens. The students play just right, they sing loudly, the lines flow seamlessly. Mirko, seated at the side of the stage, explains that he has tears in his eyes from start to finish, overwhelmed by the performance delivered by the actors.
Return of relatives
The parents were very grateful for the work they had done over the 5 days, giving them a standing ovation. Mirko observed the emotion on the faces of the audience, some of whom were clutching their cameras, eyes watering, throughout the play. We can't help but admire the work done by Mirko, Mélie and Sandrina, who have gone above and beyond the call of duty in this adventure, not hesitating to overrun their schedules to ensure that the performance is on target.
Teaching experience
The adventure was certainly a learning experience for the students, but also for our teachers. Mirko explains that it's possible to do great things with children, because they don't like to be seen as such. The new generations have things to say, grow up fast and are able to get involved. Their ability to learn is fascinating, and it's important to remember that they will be the face of tomorrow's world!
Theater at Apolline?
At Apolline, we offer drama classes at all levels and are always ready to listen to your children's needs! Please don't hesitate to contact us to discuss your requirements.
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