R.B.T.

ARBY's NEWS!

2010-12-13T20:25:00.003+11:00

Hello my loyal subjects :P

As you all may know, this years ARBY’s will be different from previous years.
As Caughey has mentioned we have also scraped alot of awards, for many reasons, so this year Caughey and I have organized it a bit differently.

Due to the tragic event of our beloved Dante's being shut down :'( Instead of renting out a function room with set meals, we are booked into a restaurant and we just pay for what we order, the good old fashioned way.
The attire is sill going to be the theme of red, black and white (no Kynana, you are not wearing your saints top). The ARBY’s is still considered to be formal, but you don't need to go to over the top.

The ARBY’s will be held this Sunday the 19th of December at 6pm . Bus leaves from the front of the school at 5PM SHARP! let Caughey know as soon as possible if you need to be on that bus, if not you need to make your own way there.
Our venue this year is the Universal Italian Restaurant located at
139-141 Lygon St Carlton VIC 3053
Those who would like to check it out its website is http://www.universalrestaurant.com.au/

Money wise, meals are under $20, so People who are wondering how much they should bring I suggest around $25. Those who are really concerned about money the menu can be found on their website with all prices listed.

I need people to RSVP by Thursday the 16th, because I have to call them back with the exact number of people so we don’t have to many or to few seats.

I look forward to seeing everyone there to celebrate what has been a bumpy, but never the less, a great year.

Love your President, Jasmin xo

END OF THE YEAR

2010-12-11T20:54:00.002+11:00

Some important stuff to pass on to you all regarding the end of the year, and plans for next year.

First of all, for the benefit of Yr10, 11, and 12 members, we have a new probationary member.
Congratulations to Melisa Durakovic, who was voted into the group on Friday. It is a little unusual to invite a new member at this stage of the year, when a large number of members are unable to attend the vote, however I've used my discretion as CEO: Melisa's name was raised after the term 3 primary school workshops as someone to consider; we have just completed another three days of workshops in the last week of term 4 and she continued to do an excellent job, so I made the assumption that there would be no objections from those absent.

Now onto bigger stuff.
As you know, for a range of reasons over the last few months - personal, professional, administrative - I haven't been able to run Redback the way I would normally. This is, I think, a temporary problem, but it has nonetheless had an impact on the projects and events we would normally be getting stuck into right about now. At this stage, all of these changes are one-off, with the intention being to get back to tradition next year, but we will see how things pan out.

ARBYS
Will be much more low-key this year. We're scrapping most of the trophies, and are looking at a casual dinner in Lygon St next Sunday (Dec 19). It won't be pre-paid, we'll just book for however many are coming, and you can order off the menu and pay on the spot. I guess think of it less as an Awards Dinner, and more just an End-of-Year dinner. If you don't think you can make it (or indeed, if you are sure that you can), please let me know; however there is little that can be done about it, as we are rapidly running out of time.

RAW
We will be aiming to perform RAW in April next year - the term 1 holidays, to be exact. Scripts need to be given to me when school starts next year, although earlier is preferred. If YOU don't write scripts, there is no RAW, so get to it. No excuses - no "I don't have any ideas" or "I'm no good at writing" - just get to it.

CAMP
I will be looking at organising camp for the mid-year holidays next year, and will start making the arrangements at the beginning of term 1.

To The RedSlack Theatre Group

2010-08-28T11:25:00.002+10:00

Like my joke ;D
Anyways, A few things need to be said today.

First of all, It's been said multiple times, we are becoming a lazy bunch so we need to get back on track doing things so we can stay as our drama group we all love.
From now on Jake Saunders has been put in charge of making workshops fortnightly. So it'd be great If everyone could Cooperate with him doing that.

Also Make some scripts and monologues people! Short and Sweet is coming soon, so Make some monologues and apply now. And we'll need Scripts for raw soon So get to it!

For those that don't know Drama camp has been moved to next year!

We need to go out to play's more so if you's know any, or like to see one www.theatrealive.com is where to go.

Start Saving For Arby's No its not soon, but Caughey doesn't want people being inlack of money soon before it happens so start saving.
AND FINALLY, Redback Jumpers need to be paid, And A grand total of Kennara has paid for it. We can't order it in until 20 people have paid, so get to it.

Sorry for the long rant, BUT All this needed to be said as the site hasn't been updated in a while.
Enjoy!

Short And Sweet!

2010-07-27T09:16:00.003+10:00

Hey Redbackers,
Short And Sweet is coming up, so if you'd like to participate. Write up some monologues and scripts and keep an eye on the Short and Sweet site.

www.Shortandsweet.org

Also We NEED more scripts to be written for Raw later in the year so get WRITING : D

2010-03-23T12:46:00.004+11:00

Footy tipping time again kids!
Open to all, but only Redbackers and ex-Redbackers can win prizes.
Go to http://tipping.afl.com.au/ and register.
Then click on 'competitions' and enter this code:
9WP2YUK4FW

Simple.
Footy starts Thursday night, so do it before then...

And if you're really keen, challenge me and Kynan in Dreamteam.
Same deal - go to http://dreamteam.afl.com.au/ and register and pick your team.
Then click 'league' and enter this code:
753522

RAW

2010-02-17T19:41:00.001+11:00

RAW is this Monday and Tuesday, which means things are starting to get a bit crazy.
This is a heads-up on a few things just to make sure everyone knows what's going on and what's needed of them. Please read all points carefully.

*I strongly recommend that we run rehearsals on Saturday at the school (especially for the big-cast plays such as the Wedding one, Play-in-play, and The Red Overalls). If I'm going to give up my Saturday, though, I want everyone to be there.
Please message me ASAP to let me know if you are, or are not, able to make it from 11am - 3pm on Saturday. Text, email, or facebook please.

* Dress rehearsal at the venue this Sunday. We have the theatre from 10 till 5: the bus will be leaving School at 9am (make sure you have eaten breakfast, we won't be stopping). We should be back by 7 at the latest.
NPSC students, you will need a consent form from me, I'll be handing them out tomorrow and I want them back on Friday. EVERYONE is expected to be at the Dress rehearsal, as you've all known about it for over a month.

*Performances start at 7pm. We will be travelling in by school bus as soon as possible after school - if you are planning to make your own way in, please let me know, and aim to be at the theatre by 5.30 at the latest. (NPSC students, the consent form you get tomorrow will cover the 21st, 22nd and 23rd). Performances should finish by 9pm, so we should be back at school between 11 and midnight.

* Tickets are onsale now, at the school office. If your family and friends can't get in to the school, they can buy them through you, but they will have to give you the money and YOU will have to go to the office and buy them. Or they can take their chances at the door.

*So far most people I've spoken to are coming Tuesday. If you have people tossing up which day to come, it might be worth suggesting Monday.

*Tickets cost $10 for everyone.

*I have organised rehearsal time and space at school every lunchtime this week. It hasn't really been used. Hopefully this is because directors have been organising their own rehearsals, but apart from Adele I haven't seen any evidence of this...

*Screams, Flatpack, Nesquik, The diary, Bulimia, Serial Killer, Exams in progress, and Bandits are all DEFINITELY running.

*Crazy Plane will NOT be running, neither will Superhero Day. If you were in these plays I apologise, but they just haven't been rehearsed.

*Several other plays are currently on the edge of being cut - in particular the Wedding play. If it's going to go ahead, I need to see evidence that it will be ready in time (properly ready, not half-assed ready). The same goes for other plays such as Play-in-play, The More Loving One, The Red Overalls and Astronaut.

*I have no idea if any other plays/monologues are ready or not. Can the people involved please let me know? Otherwise I'll assume they're not.

*Directors are reminded that any props and costumes should be organised IMMEDIATELY. Please DO NOT leave them till the last minute, and certainly don't expect me to have organised them for you. I'll help out if asked in enough time, but remember that I work full-time.

Hanging Rock

2010-02-07T18:55:00.002+11:00

Hey Guys, Its Jasmin here :) We'll as President i am going to have an attempt at writing a blog about our trip to Hanging Rock this week... So here goes nothing..

After much anticipation, Kat, Lauren, Alex, Lisa, Caughey, Michelle and I finally traveled to Hanging Rock.

Our first stop was to the costume shop to gear up. 1900's attire was on the agenda and we managed to rent out 3 dresses for Michelle, Alex and myself, the others had taken their pick from our range of dresses in the back room.

We got to the Rock, geared up and began to make our way up. I would like to point out that i was not informed of the journey... steps and inclines were involved, doing that in 1900 dresses, well that was the only unpleasant part of the day.
Never the less we made it, and we let Edith come to :)

We were greeted with friendly looks from those who were at the rock, and the occasional "Miranda" reference, some people also took pictures of us.

We cheered on a game of cricket going on at the bottom of the rock, had a few "That's what she said" calls, Lots of Edith references to Alex (If you've seen the movie you'll know who she is), pictures, saw feet, climbing and searching for Marion and Miss McCraw, who really cares about that Miranda chick.

We left and decided to go to Coles for some picnic materials. Being from the 1900's we were bewildered by this thing they call "Coles". An indoor market, amazing! Lisa and Alex stuck to character the whole time there.

At 7 we came back to watch "Picnic at Hanging Rock"... at hanging rock. We were still in our outfits and decided to play some cricket, Caughey was doing pretty poorly may i add :)
Time passes and we decided to change out of our dresses, Lisa and Michelle were still dedicated and stayed dressed.

We watched the movie, Lisa asked a stupid question (its ok i wont say what), Alex finally found out who Edith was, and a guy accidently sat in the wrong seat, next to Kat.. that was hilarious, many jokes followed that :)

There are so many more things that happened, but i think i have already written more then enough :). Saturday was a great day, i think we can all agree on that. Next time we go i recommend for you to come along, and NO EDITH! You can't come too!

Short & Sweet Saturday December 5

2009-11-29T16:16:00.002+11:00

If you want to go - DEFINITELY - put your name in the comments of this thread by Monday afternoon. If you put your name down, you ARE PAYING even if you change your mind and don't go, so be certain.

The cost is $23.50

ARBYS

2009-11-07T09:24:00.003+11:00

We are pleased to announce that the 2009 Annual Redbacker of the Year Awards will once again be held at Dante's Restaurant in Fitzroy.

The date has been confirmed as Saturday December 19th, beginning at 6pm.
The cost will be $50, same as previous years, and includes a three course meal and unlimited soft drink.
All current members, and former full-members, are invited automatically (a formal invitation will be given out soon).
Redback policy is that any current member who wishes to attend, will be able to (assuming parental permission). If for some reason you feel you are unable to attend, please contact Caughey ASAP so that we have time to try to solve your problem.

Please note that numbers are limited; at present the list of current members, ex-members, and official guests who are to be invited means that there is no room for invitees to bring friends or partners.
Extra places may become available as people accept and decline invitations; in this case the committee will decide on who else may be invited.
Invitations can ONLY be extended by the committee: please DO NOT INVITE PEOPLE YOURSELF.

Please RSVP by November 20.
Payment is due by December 5, with NO EXCEPTIONS

Annual Melbourne Cup Sweep

2009-10-31T11:27:00.008+11:00

Winner (2 tickets to Short&Sweet): Shocking - Stacey
Second (1 ticket): Crime Scene - Kennara
Third (1 ticket): Mourilyan - Jake

1. Viewed - Andrea
2. C'Est La Guerre - Cassie
3. Fiumicino - Dianna
4. Master O'Reilly - Gemma
5. Mourilyan - Jake
6. Roman Emperor - Jasmin
7. Ista Kareem - Kat
8. Crime Scene - Kennara
9. Munsef - Kynan
10. Zavite - Lauren C
11. Alcopop - Lauren W
12. Harris Tweed - Leila
13. Kibbutz - Lisa
14. Newport - Luke
15. Warringah - Mechelle
16. Gallions Reach - Mel
17. Spin Around - Pam
18. Basaltico - Shivani
19. Capecover - Taida
20. Daffodil -Patrick
21. Shocking - Stacey
22. Alez Wonder - Laura
23. SCRATCHED
24. Leica Ding - Alex

CONGRATULATIONS

2009-10-08T17:17:00.002+11:00

Firstly, congratulations to Jamtin, who auditioned for Short & Sweet on the weekend. She performed a monologue from 'The Diary of Anne Frank', and did it well too - especially since she prepared pretty much by herself, with me being away and it being holidays and all.
She now waits anxiously to see if anyone needs a 16 year old to play an 'evil' role - but even if they don't, an awesome experience for her to actually do a real audition, so well done.

Next, congratulations to Kennara, Diana, and Mechelle, who have all been voted in as probationary Redback members. Welcome, and well done on your audtions - Redbackers take membership votes pretty seriously, so getting in is an achievement you should be proud of.

Not sure what our membership numbers look like now, but Redback's looking pretty healthy I think.

Disneyland

2009-09-27T11:36:00.002+10:00

Ok so I'm in America right? And I can't afford to bring you all back presents, so I'm going to make it a blog competition:
First 3 people to read this and reply in the COMMENTS (not the yellbox) telling me their favorite Disney character, get a souvenir when I get back - BUT you have to do it soon, while I'm still around the disneyland area, or no-one gets anything...

CAUGHEY AND KAT

2009-08-20T23:15:00.001+10:00

just wanna say congratulations to caughey and kat for making it into the short and sweet wild cards. everyone should go see their performance and support them =] invite your mates along too.

Short & Sweet Registration

2009-07-20T23:06:00.000+10:00

Applications for Short & Sweet auditions close on August 2.
Although most roles in Short & Sweet are for older actors, and therefore your chances of getting in are limited, it's great to have the experience of just doing a real audition, so I STRONGLY recommend you have a go. And who knows, maybe some director is looking for someone just like you.
Kat and I had a go last year, while everyone else made up excuses and wussed out, and while it was a little scary and we were both unsuccessful, we both agree it was an awesome experience - and certainly not hard at all (you have to perform a 1-2 minute monologue of your choice. That's all.

Auditions are a single timeslot for your gender/age, which will be somewhere on either 4,5, 10 or 11 October

For the moment though, you just have to register online. You can always pull out later if you lose your courage, so if you're uncertain, go ahead and sign up, and see how you feel closer to audition time.

Link to registration form to audition for Short & Sweet: http://newtown.eventix.com.au/form.htm?uid=4022953&acl=11737&guid=98606b679b96a5&formid=1275

General meeting

2009-06-05T00:15:00.001+10:00

Due to the year 9s being on city life, and the yr 11s being off for exam week, the scheduled general meeting has been postponed till next week. Blame Connex.

We're baaaaaack!

2009-05-30T22:46:00.003+10:00

Woohoo laptop is finally up and about again, which means I can get back to bringing you bloggy goodness.
Nice to see you all stepped up to keep it ticking over while I was in cyberia... a grand total of two anonymous yellbox comments with the ever so helpful subject of "gee why isn't there anything interesting happening here?"
Here's a tip Redbackers... COS YOU DIDN'T WRITE ANYTHING INTERESTING
You guys do know that you can make your own posts right? Not just the yellbox, I mean real actual meaningful posts?

Meh anyway, just as well I'm back cos lots has happened and lots is happening. There'll be a separate post for each, but there's a few things we have to discuss at the General meeting first, so I'll stick to the urgent stuff here.

Firstly: The Monash Festival is on Tuesday. If you're not in it, tickets are $5 - get up off your lazy butts and support Jasmin (director), Andrea (writer/actor), Luke (actor) and Gemma (actor). I'm looking at you older ex-guys especially - you've been there yourselves, you know how much goes into it, and what it means to have people there for you on the night. Goes from 7 till 9.30, so it's hardly going to derail your studies or tire you out for work the next day.

Secondly: We have a general meeting on Wednesday. Woooooo!

Thirdly: Wicked is on June 17. Yay! There are 16 people coming, if you're not sure if you're one of them, check with me asap (although I'm pretty sure I've notified everyone).

Fourthly: There is an Extraordinary Meeting of ex- or soon-to-be-ex- redbackers on Saturday June 27. Check your emails for details. I've given you plenty of notice so don't blame me if you just haven't bothered checkng your inbox.

Fifthly: I don't care what you've had pierced recently. Really. I'm not impressed, I'm not disgusted, I just don't care. Piercings are pointless and therefore boring to me. Go show another teenager, you're much more likely to get the attention you want. Complain to me about how much it hurts and I will laugh at you. That is all.

Sixthly: Don't forget to check http://www.theatrealive.com.au/ for new plays. You want to see one? Ask me, I'll try to make it happen. Already there have been about a dozen opportunities to earn Arby points for atending shows...go look at the pics on Flickr if you don't believe me.

Seventhly and finally: keep an eye out for a blog competition - coming to this page reeeeeeeel soon...

YOUTH IMPROV SEMI-FINALS

2009-05-24T09:27:00.002+10:00

Good Luck to Lisa, Mel, Gemma and Luke for the Youth Improv Games Semi Final this evening!
Have fun and remember: have an ending, and get Gemma involved!

Update

2009-05-18T19:23:00.001+10:00

Heya folks just letting you know that I haven't forgotten about the blog, I'm just having laptop wireless issues and finding it difficult to add new posts. Once my puter is all fixed then this place will GO OFF!

I promise.

Hey, what IS that?

2009-04-09T09:43:00.002+10:00

Look!
I think I saw something!
Hiding over there behind an Easter....
Did you see it?
Peeking out from behind that Monday over there?
Is it...?
I think maybe...
It could be...
I think it is...

It is!
It's...
CAAAAAAAAAAAAAAMP!!!!!!

Congratulations

2009-03-07T21:26:00.001+11:00

To the newest Redbackers:

Jake
Lauren
Cassie
and Shivani

As far as I can tell, they become the 37th, 38th, 39th and 40th people to have that honour.

CAMP - IMPORTANT PLEASE READ

2009-03-03T18:37:00.011+11:00

Camp is coming up MIGHTY FAST: April 14, 15, 16 - coming home on the 17th.
There are still places available for anyone who wants to come. You will need to let me know as soon as possible though.
1- Caughey - confirmed
2- Jamie - confirmed
3- Stacey - confirmed
4- Lisa - confirmed
5- Kirsten - confirmed
6- Sarah - confirmed
7- Andrea - confirmed
8- Jasmin - confirmed
9- Kat - confirmed
10- Pam - confirmed
11- Mystery guest - confirmed
12- Leila - confirmed
13- Taida - confirmed
14- Gemma S - confirmed
15- Alex - confirmed
16- Mel - confirmed
17-
18-
19
20

QUIETUS MOVIE

2009-02-18T23:53:00.001+11:00

Well we finally went, and I think its fair to say we had a fuuuuuuuuuun time.
First looking for Walter Collins, then scoffing Pizza and Pasta, and finally having a grand ol time on the playground (pics on flickr).

Yay for Adele, Emily, Sarah, Rowshan, Alex, Leila, and Jasmin!!!!
And a big Nawwwwww... for the four who couldn't make it.

Upcoming Stuff

2009-02-03T20:47:00.031+11:00

Keep checking regularly for updates.
Events in red are definitely happening.
Events in white will happen once enough people indicate they are coming.
Please respond in comments if you are DEFINITELY coming to an event, with your name and the number of the event.
e.g. Andrew: 1, 7, 12, 13

7. Wednesday Mar 4 - Rooftop Cinema (Heathers) - 18+ only
- Stacey
- Kat
8. Thursday Mar 5 - Rooftop Cinema (St.Elmos Fire) - 18+ only
- Sarah
11. Sunday Mar 8 - Caughey's BBQ - Ex-students only
12. Tuesday Mar 10 - Rooftop Cinema (Slumdog Millionaire) - 18+ only
14. Sunday Mar 15 - Moonlight Cinema (Donnie Darko) - all welcome
- Andrea
- Pam
15. Wednesday April 8 to Saturday April 12 - Drama Camp, Allanvale - 19 places, first in gets them. Council approval pending
1- Caughey
2- Jamie
3- Stacey
4- Lisa
5- Kirsten
6- Luke
7- Andrea
8- Jasmin
9- Kat
10- Pam
11- Mel
12- Leila
13- Taida
14- Brendan
15- Gemma S
16- Alex
17
18
19
20
Tickets for rooftop or moonlight = $15
Camp expected to be approx $70
The earlier you commit, the less likely the event is to be sold out.
Once you say you are definitely coming, you are paying, unless the event is cancelled.

RAW 2008(9)

2009-02-01T12:13:00.003+11:00

WELL DONE EVERYONE!!!!
I reckon of all the performances we've done for anything, this RAW has been the most professional and polished. No "down" performances on either night (although the audience was a little flat at first on Saturday, but that was their problem, not ours).

As far as I can tell, we had 46 people in on Friday and 37 on Saturday, with a couple of tickets sold to people (Debbie and Chrissy???) who didn't turn up - so $460 the first night and $390 the second.
We also seem to have made about $100 from programs and drinks.
That all means we took in $950 over the two nights.
I expect the theatre/Jason hire to cost us $500, so we end up with a profit of $450.
Should give us a good headstart on our next camp, which will most likely be around the Easter holidays, so start saving.

A very big thank you in particular to our Festival Directors, who did a great job all the way through!

RAW

2009-01-13T23:05:00.002+11:00

ok guys as you all know we invited "the bogans" to be part of RAW with us - at the time they said yes.
i got a message from them the other day explaining that they were starting year 12 early and it would just be too hard for them.
so they have withdrawn from being apart of RAW.
i have offered for them to either write something new or or to do the bogan play again for the next RAW . at present they are still interested =]

thats it. thats all the news i have.

Moonlight & Rooftop

2008-12-30T15:40:00.005+11:00

Has been narrowed down to these two.
If you want to come to either of them, let me know,
BUT
Be aware that from here in, once your name appears on the list, you ARE paying even if you change your mind or something else comes up.

Zoolander (Moonlight) January 13
Laura & Joe
Alex

Breakfast Club (Rooftop - over 18s only) January 23
Stacey
Kirsten

Rehearsal Days

2008-12-29T13:06:00.004+11:00

There's exactly one month till RAW.
If you're a director, you need to make contact with your cast, give them your script, and organise rehearsals. BEFORE NEW YEARS.
If you're still writing a piece, you need to finish it, NOW, and let me know.

As promised, I have organised several days for EVERYONE to come in to rehearse without the hassle of directors and actors having to negotiate (these won't be enough though, you will still need to organise some of your own).

PLEASE note that :

You all committed to this project, and more importantly, to the people working with you, so it's YOUR obligation to make EVERY POSSIBLE EFFORT to get to these days (as well as any other rehearsals you have scheduled).
There's plenty of warning for at least the last three of them, so "I have to work", or "I've got something else planned" shouldn't be an excuse.
Hospitalisation, Prison, or Death are good reasons not to make it.
If you don't make it, any plays you're in are crippled for that day, and anyone else in those plays has given up THEIR day for nothing. And so have I. Please keep this in mind when deciding if you've got a good reason not to come in.
These days are ME doing YOU a favour, not the other way around. I'm not interested in excuses or apologies: if you genuinely can't make it, there's no need for them. If your reasons are bullshit, excuses or apologies won't make it ok.
Don't wait till the last minute, organise NOW to have these days free.

REHEARSAL DAYS: from 10.30am - 4.30pm
January 4
January 9 (to fit with rooftop cinema for those coming)
January 17 (to fit with rooftop cinema for those coming)
January 23 (to fit with rooftop cinema for those coming)

Rooftop Cinema & Moonlight Cinema

2008-12-25T22:03:00.006+11:00

Rooftop cinema - for the oldies (18+) only.

Simple: your name + movie name = I get you a ticket

In the comments please, NOT the yellbox.
Sessions sell out regularly, so the earlier the better.
Costs $18
First 4 are guaranteed a spot in the car, first 8 if Michelle is coming. Otherwise travel is up to you...

January 3 - Footloose
January 9 - Edward Scissorhands - definitely
January 11 - Heathers
January 17 - Lost Boys
January 23 - Breakfast Club - definitely

Same deal for Moonlight Cinema, except it's for all ages:
January 6 - Wizard of Oz
January 7 - Austin Powers
January 13 - Zoolander

RAW

2008-12-23T19:48:00.012+11:00

Ok folks it's getting down to business time.
If you are a writer/director I want your scripts completed as soon as possible, we need to give your cast time to learn their lines. Please remember that some people will have several scripts to learn, so please be considerate and don't leave it to the last minute to get yours finished.

The purpose of this thread, though, is to confirm that you are willing to act in the show.
I can't confirm the directors' cast choices till I know for sure who is available, so
if you are available please say so in the comments of this thread as soon as possible.
If you aren't available, let me know that too, please.

AVAILABLE TO ACT:
Luke
Kirsten
Stacey
Jasmin
Lisa
Em
Jamie
Adele
Kat
Andrea
Deb
Leila
Sarah
Pam
Alex

ARBYS!!!!!!

2008-12-07T21:12:00.003+11:00

Final tallyboard and awards list for the ARBYs, for those who want to check out where they finished or who got what:

84 Kirsten
82 Kat
57 Adele
54 Gemma B
50 Leila
49 Jamie
46 Debbie
43 Emily
42 Terri
42 Sarah
36 Patrick
33 Alex
33 Jasmin
31 Laura
29 Chanel
25 Taida
21 Darren
17 Lisa
17 Nadia
16 Mel
6 Luke
6 Pam
6 Brendan
6 Andrea
4 Gemma S

Redbacker of the Year: Kirsten Kerr
Redbacker of the Year - runner up: Katrina Wood
Redback Spirit Award: Leila Kocsis
Guiding Star Award: Kirsten Kerr
Rising Star Award: Lisa Fox
MVC - Quietus (Fast & Fresh): Deborah Thompson
MVC - Picture This (Fast & Fresh): Kirsten Kerr
MVC - Corpse Bride (School Production): Kirsten Kerr
MVC - Transition: Katrina Wood
Theatregoer of the Year: Kirsten Kerr
Most Courageous: Kirsten Kerr
Best Actor - Members' Choice: Deborah Thompson
Best Director - Members' Choice: Adele Rose
Best performance - prob.: Jasmin Franes
Best contribution - non-mem: Rowshan Yazdani
Best performance - monologue: Luke Holt
Best script - play: Adele Rose
Best script - monologue: Sarah Bactol
Best improvised performance: Lisa Fox
Best Costume:Terri Holt
Best mask: Jasmin Franes
Best Dressed Male: Rowshan Yazdani
Best Dressed Female: Alex Sherif
Best Stage Kiss: Katrina Wood
Best Stage Kiss: Alex Sherif
Best Stage Kiss (live): Kirsten Kerr
Best Stage Kiss (live): Patrick Supel

Congratulations to all nominees and winners.

ARBY'S

2008-10-19T18:49:00.002+11:00

ok guys as you all know the ARBYs committee went to different restaurant so they could try and find the best place to hold the ARBYs.
well good news, we found one.
its going to be held in the function room at Dante's which is in Fitzroy

DATE: Monday the 8th of December
WHERE: Dante’s restaurant
THEME: it’s a maskerade people (so wear a mask!!!)
ATTIRE: formal.

the 8th of December is a Monday night. Yes we understand that some of the younger ones still have school. HOWEVER, this was the best place we could find AND the food is awesome...plus the place is so good its pretty booked up until that date anyway.

any questions just ask. any complaints - dont want to hear em...

Redbacker Of the Year 2008

2008-09-06T21:49:00.004+10:00

There are a number of plays that - occasionally due to slackness, but more often due to last minute dropouts/fill-ins - I haven't noted attendance for.
So if you went to any of the following plays, and you want to be credited with your ARBY points, let me know:

Asylum
Clockwork Orange
Scarlett O'Hara
Monash Festival (audience, not participating)
Corpse Bride (audience, not participating)

Redback Football League Results

2008-09-02T18:05:00.004+10:00

Of course, with every competition, there is always one winner...well in this case, if we take in the history of last year, there will be three. The Redback Football League has been running throughout the footy season (bar the finals period) and it is time to announce the winner.

But firstly I would like to congratulate to all those who participated in this marvelous sport of tipping. Not only is it fun, but it is, I guess, sort of beneficial (mathematically). Currently doing probability in Y12 Methods I guess I see that, looking at a Math teachers' point of view, this is a good exercise in viewing the probability of the winner of last year's Redback Football League winning again, or if the runner-up came second again.

Not only I, but Emily, Laura and Adele (who says that she has a passion for Methods), also think that this is a good exercise. When I interviewed lovestruck Adele, she commented on this fact saying "I absolutely love Methods. I guess I can compare it to my love for Harry Plopper - Potter, Harry Potter! Damn that Ginny Weasly!". I guess you can say the antiderivative of Math is the derivative of Arithmancy.

Emily, a profound and notorious liar, likened footy tipping to the "amount of times I half-stood up thinking the 'sainters' scored a goal during round 18, only then finding out we scored points."

Laura was unavailable for an interview due to the "amount of work I need to get through...leave me alone Pat!"

Scott, who was also unavailable for an interview due to "throat sickness reasons", as quoted by Director of the upcoming Callaghan Street play "Corpes Bride", Kirsten, is obviously excited that Hawthorn Football Club has finally reached the finals.

Anyway, getting away from that tangent (oh the irony), it is time to show the results of this year's ladder. The results are as follows:

Rank	Tipper	1-7	8	9	10	11	12	13	14	15	16	17	18	19	20	21	22	Total Margin	Total Score
1	Patman	44	8	4	6	7	6	4	5	6	4	3	7	5	5	6	5	613	125
2	S2EmY	42	6	4	7	6	5	6	5	7	2	5	4	5	5	5	6	723	120
3	Caughey	44	7	5	5	5	6	3	4	4	5	1	7	6	6	6	4	802	118
4	Adele Rose	41	8	4	2	8	5	5	6	5	3	3	7	6	5	5	4	713	117
5	Kirsten Kerr	41	7	6	6	7	2	5	5	7	4	2	1	5	5	6	5	798	114
6	Lozface :]	30	4	2	5	7	4	4	7	5	2	1	1	3	5	2	4	908	86
7	Darren	29	4	4	2	5	2	5	5	3	1	5	1	1	5	2	4	791	78
8	Katrina Wood	26	4	4	2	5	2	5	5	3	1	5	1	1	5	2	4	798	75

And the winner is....PATRICK! On 125 points, he has defended his title. Emily came second with 120 points and Mr Caughey, with 118 points, came third. Not a surprise, seeing as he's the Head of Green House.

Again a big congratulations to all those that participated!

* Patrick News Ltd^© is in no way responsible for the above content (bar the reults table - source: afl.footytips.com.au) - fact or fiction. CEO Patrick Supel employs his journalists on the basis of motivation, merit and education. He in no way writes any articles nor conducts any interviews.

RAW entries

2008-09-01T22:12:00.003+10:00

I will meet very soon with the 5 people who put their hands up to be Festival directors, to decide once and for all when we will stage RAW.

In the meantime, if you want one of your pieces to be included for RAW, you need to submit your script - or at least a VERY well-fleshed-out proposal - by the end of this term.
Any script submitted after that time can't be guaranteed consideration for inclusion, and will then rely on the Festival directors deciding whether we need more pieces.

Call yourselves actors?

2008-08-26T18:48:00.000+10:00

Expressions of interest from actors for Short + Sweet Melbourne 2008 are closing this Friday August 29th.
Short + Sweet offers fantastic opportunities for actors to meet and work with new peers, strengthen existing artistic relationships and showcase their work at an established venue.
Auditions will be held September 27-28 and October 4-5.
For those selected for the competition, there is also the chance to win a share of $20,000 in cash prizes including Best Overall Production, People's Choice, and Best Actor.
The Short + Sweet competition will be held at the Arts Centre’s Fairfax Studio over 3 – 20 December 2008.

For more information on how to submit your Expression of Interest visit: www.theartscentre.com.au/shortandsweet

Wooooooooh we're in the newspaper...

2008-08-18T19:09:00.000+10:00

With a picture and a hideously inaccurate article to go along with it.
Go look!
Then cheer!

http://www.nenews.com.au/stories/omStory04n.htm

Blog Competition: Heart Shaped Box

2008-07-13T22:37:00.004+10:00

Ok so don't get excited, this is just a little blog competition - the BIG SUPERCOOL one is coming later so keep an eye out.

What THIS one is about though, is a book.
As you probably know, I own a lot of books.
So many that I have to keep a computer catalogue of them all, to make sure I don't accidentally buy books that I already bought and forgot about.
It's a good system, but even so, sometimes I still slip up.
Like this time.
I bought a book called "Heart Shaped Box", and it turns out I already have it.
So I'm giving it away in this competition.

I know it's just a book, but it's actually a really good one that I think a lot of you will like, otherwise I wouldn't bother.
It's a ghost story, written by "Joe Hill" which is the fake writing name of Steven King's son.
Here's the blurb:

Judas Coyne is a collector of the macabre: a cookbook for cannibals ... a used hangman's noose ... a snuff film.
An aging death-metal rockstar, his taste for the unnatural is widely known. But nothing he possesses is as unlikely or as dreadful as his latest discovery, an item for sale on the Internet, a thing so terribly strange, Jude can't help but reach for his wallet.
For a thousand dollars, Jude will become the proud owner of a dead man's suit, said to be haunted by a restless spirit.
He isn't afraid. He has spent a lifetime coping with ghosts—of an abusive father, of the lovers he callously abandoned, of the bandmates he betrayed. What's one more?
But what is delivered to his door in a black heart-shaped box is no imaginary or metaphorical ghost, no mere conversation piece.
It's the real thing.
And suddenly the suit's previous owner is everywhere: behind the bedroom door . . . seated in Jude's restored vintage Mustang . . . standing outside his window . . . staring out from his widescreen TV. Waiting—with a gleaming razor blade on a chain dangling from one bony hand....

If you win, it's something for free, so why not have a go, eh?
Competition is simple:
Write a script for a 30 second TV ad to sell a ghost.
Doesn't have to be the ghost from the book, so be as clever and creative as you want.
Best one (in my opinion) wins.
Remember it's for TV, so it needs visual directions as well as dialogue.
If they're any good, we may even grab a video camera and have a go at making them...

Competition ends....I dunno.....August 13. That gives you a month.
Get cracking!

Wicked

2008-07-03T11:57:00.002+10:00

...was...well...pretty Wicked actually.
Awesome costumes and sets, the songs weren't maybe as memorable as Phantom or Les Mis, but the lead actresses in particular had fantastic voices.
The plot was pretty good too, although a little bit rushed, if you've read the book.
If you haven't read the book, ask me, I'll lend it to you.

If you went on Wednesday, I hope you enjoyed it, please share your thoughts in the comments of this thread.
If you didn't go, save up and get yourself a ticket, it's worth it...

Freeze

2008-06-08T21:37:00.005+10:00

Kat, Alex, Sam, Murphy and I did the big freeze on Saturday.
It was kinda cool.
Ask them about it.

We are going to try and organise our own event in the near future - some of you have probably heard us talk about the Alice Game, or the Change Places game that we play in Lygon Street sometimes. We want to do a big one of those in a busy public space.

Basically it involves a group of us taking up random positions around an open space, and each doing their own thing, as if they're alone - so one reading a paper on a park bench, one sitting on the grass on their mobile phone, one standing against a wall sipping a drink etc etc. Then, at a random moment as the pubic moves through the open space, one of us yells out "CHANGE PLACES" and we all jump up and dash through them across the space and take up a space vacated by someone else.
Then we immediately resume what we were doing with no acknowledgement that anything odd has just happened.

Could also be done on a (not-very-crowded) train.

If you're interested, let me know.
I reckon we need at least 10 people for it to look good and have a decent effect.
We'll start to figure out a date once we know who wants to do it.

Go look at this

2008-06-07T15:36:00.000+10:00

Quietus Poster by Sarah (avoiding homework)

100% attendance

2008-06-02T22:42:00.002+10:00

For the first time since July last year, and for only the third time ever (well since we've been keeping records anyway).
My congratulations to you all.

ARBY 2008 changes - please read

2008-05-11T19:48:00.005+10:00

Couple of things I need to sort out with the Arbys this year, and since we don't have another meeting for some time, I figured this is as good a place as any.

There are a few things I need YOU to decide - either a comment to this thread, or an email to me will count as an official vote on the matter. Only full members may vote. Votes close Friday May 16

EDIT: YOU CAN IGNORE THIS ONE, YOUR PRESIDENT HAS COME UP WITH A MORE LOGICAL SOLUTION. SEE DOWN FURTHER (no. 4) FOR DETAILS
1. For the purposes of ARBY voting, how many projects make up our involvement in Fast and Fresh:
a) ONE project - both plays, heats and final all count as one project with one set of votes
b) TWO projects - both plays count as one project, but there are two sets of votes: heats and final
c) TWO projects - heats and final count as one project, but each play is voted on separately
d) THREE projects - each play is voted on separately, and heats and final are voted on separately too.

2. Should we do votes for transition night this year?
a) Yes - performances were improvised and random, rather than scripted and rehearsed, but they still took courage and commitment and deserve to be recognised.
b) No - points should be given for participation, but it's too hard to give votes on such an unstructured project.
c) Abstain - I wasn't there and don't feel comfortable having an opinion as a result.

There are also some changes I have made of my own accord - you don't need to have an opinion on them, I'm just keeping you informed:

1. Points for attending plays (relevant both to the "Theatre-goer of the year" award, and the overall ARBY award) - A point will be awarded to a member who attends any genuine play for any reason, regardless of whether it has been organised as part of drama class, as a redback excursion, or is entirely on the member's own initiative. This means that if you go and see your cousin's school production with your mum, IT COUNTS. If you want to claim a point for something I haven't organised though, you will need to provide me with some kind of proof, like a ticket stub or something. FRAUD will not be tolerated, and if proven, you will be stripped of ALL 'theatre-goer' points for the year.

2. A third category for 'workshops' has been added to points for excursions. This refers to outside workshops such as the recent "Scriptwriting" one held at Monash (NOT to our own regular weekly 'workshops'), and must be available to ALL members (therefore VCE workshops do NOT count). This new category will be worth 2 points. The points available for excursions therefore are now: 1 point for movies/plays; 2 points for workshops; 3 points for camps.

3. A new category for "outside projects" has been added to points for projects. This refers to members pursuing practical theatre opportunities outside of Redback - that is, auditioning for external productions. 5 points will be awarded to any member auditioning for an external production. As an example, under this change, last year Kat would have earned 5 points for her participation in Windmill's performance of "Godspell". Please note, it is the courage to audition that is being rewarded, rather than the performance itself (performing for Windmill does nothing to help Redback) - hence she would have earned just as many points for her unsuccessful audition (sorry Kat) for Windmill's production of "The Producers".

4. A new category for "awards and achievements" has been added to points for projects. This refers to outside recognition of member(s) achievements: winning competitions or awards for example. These may be for ANY drama based activities regardless of whether they are Redback projects or not - hence a redback member who is part of an award-winning Monash festival play will recieve points under this change. Members will recieve 1 point for each group award in which they are involved, and 3 points for any individual award they receive. This is relevant in particular to Fast and Fresh, and solves the issue referred to in the now unecessary vote in blue above. Each play will be treated as a separate project, meaning votes will be given for both Picture This and Quietus separately; furthermore under the new change, members in Quietus will receive an "award and achievement" point for making the final, and should they win any awards or prizes in the final, will receive further points accordingly.

Happy Birthday Miss President!

2008-03-26T15:09:00.002+11:00

I'm sure all of Redback is united in hoping that Kirsten has a most wonderful day of it. Right Redbackers?

Footy Tipping

2008-03-15T23:38:00.003+11:00

It's on again!
Big prizes to be won!
And free to enter!
THE REDBACK FOOTBALL LEAGUE
FOOTY TIPPING COMPETITION!!!!!

If you were in it last year, all you need to do is go to http://www.afl.com.au/ and click on competitions, then footy tipping.
Just enter your username and password (same as last year) to reactivate your account.

If you're joining for the first time this year, just go here and fill in your details to register and join: http://afl.footytips.com.au/jc.cfm?c=78570&P=clayhorn

Camp

2008-02-29T18:03:00.017+11:00

Camp attendees are officially settled.
The list follows.
Anyone who is not on this list can only come if someone on the list drops out.
People who ARE on the list are now paying.
If they drop out they either pay anyway, or find someone else that is willing to pay to come in their place (you may suggest people but you may NOT invite them, or imply that they will be able to come, without getting my ok first)

1. Caughey
2. Michelle
3. Stacey
4. Kirsten
5. Katrina
6. Debbie
7. Amy
8. Kristy
9. Kristine
10. Leila
11. NOT Skye
12. Ashlee
13. Jamie
14. Alex

Workshops....

2008-02-13T00:00:00.000+11:00

Should have started last Monday but due to a miscommunication, they will start next Monday instead (the 18th).

The first one is quite important as we need to get some ideas and hopefully make some decisions about what projects we want to have a go at this year, so we can get started on the first one.

It would be handy if people had put a bit of thought into this before turning up.
Also think about any personal projects you might want to try, particularly ones that might end up in RAW at the end of the year - I think we will have quite a few monologues, but we'll also need some short plays - remember last year we had the luxury of having a collection of plays we'd built up over a few years, this time we need brand new ones created this year

2008 Office holders

2008-02-06T18:13:00.000+11:00

President: Kirsten
Vice President: Adele
Secretary: Kat
Treasurer: Terri

Thank you to all who were brave enough to put their hand up, and congratulations to those who were successful.

First meeting for 2008

2008-02-02T17:31:00.000+11:00

Is scheduled for this Wednesday.
It will be a pretty busy one, so please get there as soon as possible.

Start thinking about:
- whether you want to nominate for a position of responsibility.
- which day of the week meetings/workshops should be on - with so many of you having lunchtime classes necessity will have priority over preference.
- nominations for new members
- feedback on the Arby system used last year. Are we happy with it? Does it need adjusting?

Short and Sweet Winners

2007-12-29T17:38:00.000+11:00

Judges’ Choice – Best Overall
49 Stories about Brian MacKenzie
Writer: Gregory Hardigan (USA)
Director: Alix Stirling
$5000
"My name is Brian MacKenzie. I lived across the street from Greg Hardigan. These are some stories he wrote about
me". This play considers how we exist in the minds of other people, and the memories that shape our lives.

People’s Choice – Top 30
Almost
Presented by Fly-on-the-Wall Theatre
Writer: Krista Dalby (Canada)
Director: Robert Chuter
$3000
Life is rolling past two young professionals as they work at the same office everyday. She’s a secretary with an
attractive new boss. He’s a young executive with an overly attentive secretary. A hilarious and heartbreaking story
of an office romance that is on the verge of blossoming when fate intervenes.

People’s Choice – Wildcards
Tupperware
Writer: Wayne Tunks (NSW)
Director: Daniel Lammin
$3000
Tupperware can do many things - keep food fresh for weeks, provide a lovely place to keep the sewing, fill any drawer with its many lids and containers… It can also turn a enjoyable afternoon tea between friends into a violent blood-bath. In a variety of different colours and sizes!

Complete list of winners HERE

ARBY final leaderboard

2007-12-23T20:28:00.000+11:00

For those that are interested.
Kirsten got to within 3 points of Kat just before RAW, but Kat writing and performing in RAW, plus making it to a few Short and Sweets that she hadn't originally planned to, saw her kick away a little by the end.

71 Katrina Wood

66 Kirsten Kerr

55 Stacey Miller

49 Emily Nixon

48 Adele Rose

46 Luke Krause

45 Patrick Supel

44 Gemma Berry
44 Deborah Thompson

41 Amy Miles

40 Laura Scopel
40 Sarah Bactol

39 Renee Verma

33 Leila Kocsis

32 Samantha Bagley

29 Terri Holt
29 Jamie Fox

28 James Carus
28 Preeti Gulati

21 Kenneth Waples
21 Stephen Bagley

7 Chanel Sarkies

3 Darren Kovach

Shakespeare Camp

2007-12-13T17:11:00.000+11:00

OzAct presents: "AS YOU LIKE IT"

1. December 29 & 30 at Kirks Reservoir Park, Ballarat at 3pm.
2. January 3 – 6 at Loch Ard Gorge, Port Campbell National Park at 7pm.
3. January 12 & 13 at Geelong Botanic Gardens at 3pm.
4. January 19 & 20 at Coolart Homestead, Somers – Mornington Peninsula at 3pm.
5. January 26 – 28 at Valley Lake, Mt Gambier SA at 3pm.

The last one at Mt Gambier is out, as I have prior commitments (Michelle and I have our traditional combined birthday bbq on the 27th)
I would guess that #2 is also out, as accommodation on the Great Ocean Rd at that time of year would be near impossible to organise (plus we went to Port Campbell last summer)
Geelong is utterly uninteresting as a holiday location, so that rules out #3.

That leaves us with #1 - which would take some MIGHTY quick organising since it's only two and a half weeks off (and I'm in Qld for one of them) or #4 which might be the best option, particularly given that Kat has access to a holiday property down that way...

Thoughts?
Put em in comments please (not the yellbox)

Thursday Night RAW

2007-12-07T02:12:00.000+11:00

Oh yeah
We kicked ass
Yes, yes we did.
No doubt about it.

Now we have to back it up tonight,
and sell more tickets.

(Which reminds me Kirby, we haven't made as much profit as we thought, cos there was Arby money in that tin)

Update December 1st

2007-12-02T09:35:00.000+11:00

ARBYs RSVPs
These were due in on Friday.
So far the list looks like this:

Attending:

Caughey
Ashlee
Redman
Ms Smith
Kristine
Samantha (Hartley)
Luke
James
Preeti
Debbie
Patrick
Kirsten
Sarah
Emily
Adele
Amy
Kat
Leila
Leila's bf
Nikki
Stacey
Sam B
Gemma
Laura
Bonnie
Mr Tsauossi
Terri
Terri's bf
Jamie

NOT Attending:
Larry
Renee
Chanel
Darren
Luke H
Jasmin
Kellie
Mr Stevenson
Ms Dawson
Tristin
Caitlyn D
Dean
Mr Barry
Caitlyn B

SHORT AND SWEET
This is who's coming to each session:

Saturday December 22 (BEFORE ARBYs) (2pm show, departing noon) (bus)
Me (paid)
Kristine (paid)
Kirsten (paid)
Sam B (paid)
Terri (paid)
Adele (paid)
Stacey
Jamie
Debbie
Kat
Sarah
Sam H
Nikki
Terri's bf
Still room for more on the bus (if not sold out) although places are going fast to people wanting a lift home from ARBYs (so far Emily and Amy)

Emily still has one free ticket to use or give to whoever she chooses, Leila has two. Also I need to know who came second and third in the footy tipping, cos I've forgotten.
Finally, if you have a query over your "paid" status, contact me, it's very likely that I've forgotten - I will remember though, so don't bother trying to scam me.

ARBY nominations

2007-11-25T23:15:00.000+11:00

These are the categories I think we're going with.
What I need from you guys is nominations for them (NOT votes yet). Email or message please, they need to be secret.
I've tried to describe what each category is for, but still please give me not just names but also reasons, just so I can check that you're nominating them for the right thing.

Most Courageous
- Eg: writing a script about something personal and difficult to share, taking on responsibility that no-one else was prepared to, standing up for the group's principles, performing in intimidating circumstances etc

Best performance by a probationary member (voted by full members)
- probationary AT THE TIME OF PERFORMANCE eg Gemma could be nominated for playhouse despite being a full member now. Jamie could NOT be nominated for playhouse, cos he wasn't in the group then, but he COULD be nominated for Peter Pan or one of the plays he's in for RAW

Best stage kiss (voted by all members)
I know there was Kat and Deb in Peter Pan...can't think of any others this year...were there some in Playhouse? Needs to be in a performance

Best save (voted by all members)
- covering for a stuffup in a live performance (needs description of what the stuffup was, and exactly how it was saved, eg imrovising an action or a line)

Best performance from a non-member (voted by all members)
- there were some in Playhouse, plenty in Peter Pan, and there will be some in RAW

Redback Spirit award (decided by me & founder members)
– passion for the group, enthusiasm for its projects, contribution to fundraising, selling of tickets to shows, support for fellow members. Must give reason for nomination as well as name.

Best script - play (voted by all members)
- pretty straightforward

Best script - monologue (voted by all members)
- pretty straightforward (if you don't know the title, try to describe it)

Best scriptwriter (voted by all members)
- overall, so might be for quality, or quantity, or a mix of both

Best monologue performance (Decided by me)
- any publicly performed monologue can be nominated, could from drama class or RAW. Can nominate your own

There will also be some categories that I don't need nominations for:

Theatregoer of the year (have stats as part of overall ARBY award)
Best Dressed (voted on the night)
Best actor for each individual performance (Playhouse, Peter Pan, Short & Sweet, RAW - based on votes for overall ARBY award)
and of course
Redbacker Of The Year

RAW

2007-11-25T14:14:00.000+11:00

With Short & Sweet now successfully out of the way (congratulations to the 9 involved, and thanks to those who came to support), it's now time to focus ALL our attention on RAW, which is only two weeks away.

Exams are winding up for most people, so there really is no excuse other than laziness for people not giving it 100%.

Rehearsals run as scheduled of course, on Monday after school (Quietus), Tuesday after school (Mengele), Thursday lunch (Picture This), and Thursday after school (Immolatum) but we are only two weeks away now so you probably need to take a deep breath and put the EFFORT in to get some extra sessions going. Make the effort to communicate with your director and castmates, make the time to come in and rehearse together.

The amount of commitment YOU put in to the next two weeks will directly decide whether our first ever solo project is a REAL success, or something that people say "they've done a great job considering they're only kids" about.

And while we're on the subject, please SELL tickets!!!
Don't just tell people about it, actually SELL them tickets.
Get the money from them, bring it in to me and take them back their tickets.
Every ticket that we pre-sell is worth a hundred times more to us than someone who promises to come and then may or may not rock up at the door on the night depending on what is on tv or how tired they feel or whether they remember.

So far, Gemma has sold four.
No-one else has sold any.
We have 116 to go.
DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT

LAST GENERAL MEETING TOMORROW

2007-11-06T18:47:00.000+11:00

Things to remember:

1. Turn up
2. On time (or earlier if possible)
3. Bring your Short and Sweet form
4. Have some thoughts already about the stuff mentioned two posts below, and in the agenda listed later in this post
5. We're gonna need to stay REALLY focussed if we are going to get through everything by the end of lunch. I don't want to spill over into Thursday and I doubt you do either.

Agenda will include (in no particular order):
a)"As spoken by the walls"
b)RAW
c)ARBY awards categories (start thinking of some) and voting
d)ARBY awards venue
e)ARBY awards guest invitations
f)Rugby tops
g)new member nominations
h)treasurer's report (if she's not dead of food poisoning)
i)General business
j)NEW MEMBER VOTE: Chanel and Bonnie

Other things that I've forgotten may be squeezed in there too

2nd Annual Redback Cup Sweep

2007-11-06T00:40:00.000+11:00

Edit: Gallic and The Fuzz scratched, Deb and Leila have been re-allocated.
Edit again: Maybe Better also scratched, Gemma re-allocated - no spare horses left now
Prizes for 1st 2nd and 3rd. Haven't decided what yet, but it'll be tickets to something, as usual.
First 18 horses assigned randomly to members according to alphabetical by first name.
Second round of horses handed out to Kat Leila and Adele as a reward for their RAW efforts

1. TAWQEET - Adele
2. BLUE MONDAY - Amy
3. BLUTIGEROO - Darren
4. GALLIC - scratched
5. RAILINGS - Preeti
6. EFFICIENT - Emily
7. MAYBE BETTER - Scratched
8. TUNGSTEN STRIKE - Jamie
9. ZIPPING - Katrina
10. BLACK TOM - Kirsten
11. MASTER O'REILLY - Laura
12. PURPLE MOON - Leila
13. LAZER SHARP - Patrick
14. ON A JEUNE - Renee
15. SCENIC SHOT - Sam
16. SARRERA - Sarah (spooky eh?)
17. SCULPTOR - Stacey
18. DOLPHIN JO - Terri
19. DOURO VALLEY - Adele
20. SIRMIONE - Katrina
21. THE FUZZ - scratched
22. ESKIMO QUEEN - Debbie
23. PRINCESS COUP - Leila
24. MAHLER - Gemma

End of year function - ARBY awards

2007-11-04T21:24:00.000+11:00

Wednesday is our final general meeting for the year, and we have a lot of stuff to get through there, including two membership votes, so I figured it would help if we got some of this stuff sorted before then, or at least started thinking about it.
I'm looking at Saturday December 22 as the most likely night for this function, as it would let us go to Short and Sweet in the afternoon (2pm - 4pm) and then stay in the city and have our function, but I am open to other ideas. It also depends of course on availability of venues.

I need to know some stuff from you guys, like:

1. Do you want a function room with food catered that belongs just to us for the night, or would you rather just a restaraunt where we order individually off the menu as if we were just out for a normal dinner, and only stay for as long as it takes to eat?
2. How much per person are you prepared to fork out? For example if the entire night was to cost $100pp for food and venue hire how many people just wouldn't come? What is YOUR upper limit?
3. How much Redback money should we put towards subsidising it? If we had say, $1000 in our account, how much of that would we be justified in using, in your opinion?
4. Who do you think - apart from members - we should invite? Should we invite any non-members at all? At this stage I'm assuming Ashlee, Chrissy, Luke, James are all to be invited...should they be?

Nothing is set yet, I just want an idea of what people are thinking.
Responses in comments please, not in the yellbox

RAW update

2007-10-22T21:02:00.000+10:00

As you can see, I've done up some promotional posters to go up around the school. There's one in the staffroom and already a few teachers have asked me about it. If you guys can get the same interest from just a handful of friends/family each, then it will be a sellout in no time - remember it's only a 60 seat theatre.The initial casting is done, and Kat and Del are busily going around negotiating with their chosen actors. The dates and the theatre are also now confirmed. I will be going to Monash on Tuesday p3 & 4 for a tour of the space, and to talk to the tech guy about what kind of lighting and sound support we will need. Hopefully the three directors will be able to come along too.

RAW

2007-10-18T14:35:00.001+10:00

The Redback Short Play festival now has a name: it will be called "RAW".
It will consist of the following:
Quietus (Adele) performed by TBA
Immolatum (Kat) performed by TBA
Mengele (Adele) performed by TBA
The play we devise for Short and Sweet
Scattered (Leila) performed by Leila
Tribulations and Salad (Adele) performed by Kat
Unnamed Monologue (Adele) performed by Adele
Unnamed Monologue (Kat) performed by Kat

Ok so before I go on, let me get this off my chest.

On the surface, pretty disappointing that for all the bitching earlier in the year about how we need to actually get off our butts and do something, it seems to have boiled down to three people who were prepared to. Well lets be honest, could be bothered to.
All talk, no action, folks.
And please, before anyone starts getting all defensive and crapping on about exams and study, blah blah blah; save it. We're talking about 3 minute performances, to be performed AFTER exams. Performances that for the most part have been written already.
So do me a favor, if you read this and feel guilty; don't apologise, don't tell me how badly you wanted to but you just couldn't find a way, don't point out how much stuff you've done other times, don't tell me how much other stuff you've got on your plate. I don't care. It's just more talk.
I've got a handful of people that have chosen to take action, and I'd rather spend my energy on helping them, than on more talk.

If you read this and wish you had decided to take action after all...
Well bad luck. You had your chance, and you couldn't be bothered.
Don't get me wrong, there's still lesser roles you can play to help RAW be a success, and any help will be greatly appreciated.
We'll still be after an audience, so it'd be nice if you bought a ticket, and tried to sell tickets to others.
And of course some of you will still be asked to act, or help backstage.
But don't you dare feel put out on performance night when I call Adele, Kat and Leila up to take a bow. Because they're the ones that have earnt it.

Kat and Adele will be coming round shortly to ask some people of their choosing if they want to act in some of the bigger plays - Quietus, Immolatum, etc.
Do them, and me, a favor:
Say yes, or say no.
Simple as that.
No "maybe", no "Oh I really want to, but....", no "I'll have to see if I've got nothing better to do".
If you want to do it, say yes, and then follow through on that commitment.
If you don't want to do it, say no, and let them get on with finding someone who believes in them and wants to support them.
Because it's not about you any more.
RAW belongs to the ones who stood up when they needed to.

Update

2007-10-16T06:14:00.000+10:00

Projects:
Although it might seem pretty quiet around C2 lately, you might be surprised to know that there are several people working away on their own private projects. First and foremost is Leila, who has been coming in pretty much every lunchtime to work on a monologue that she is going to perform at our short play festival, but there are a few other people who are scribbling down bits and pieces as well.
As for group projects, well we have two very exciting ones coming up:
Short and Sweet Community Festival - which involves us working from 3.30 to 5.30 each Friday with a writer and director to create a short play from scratch, to be performed in late November at the Drum theatre. Well done to those that have put their hand up for that - Adele, Emily, Amy, Sarah, Kirsten, Katrina, Gemma, Jamie and Chanel. It's not too late to be a part of it, simply be at C2 at 3.30 this Friday.
Redback Short Play Festival - We have a workshop for this on Wednesday. I still need to confirm the actual date, because I can't remember how far I went towards booking it before the holidays, but it will be around early to mid December. Confirmed at the moment are Quietus, Immolatum, Leila's Monologue, Adele's Monologue, and the play we create for Short and Sweet. By the way, "Confirmed" means that both me and the person/people involved are committed to doing it. If you are one of the many people who grumbles and moans and rolls their eyes everytime I mention it, then there is a fair chance that I don't consider your piece (or you) to be confirmed, so if you want to be a part of it, GET SOME SPINE AND COMMIT. Some enthusiasm would help too. I will be drawing a line on Wednesday. For those that keep laughing dismissively and saying "Sir, seriously, do you really think this is going to go ahead...?" the answer is a very straightforward and simple: "Yes, it is." Now stop asking. Either support it, or ignore it, but don't lurk around the edges casting doubt. You may lack belief in yourself and the group and its ability to see this through, but don't make the mistake of thinking that everyone else feels the same way. Believe it or not, some of us are actually EXCITED about this opportunity, because it's the first one we have created FOR OURSELVES.

Excursions and Camps:
Phantom of the Opera.
In the next few days I will be sorting out who put their name down for Phantom, and will be starting to put my hand out for the money. So far I think Renee is the only one who has paid, and Adele won her ticket. The show is on October 31st, which is a Wednesday, and it is at 1pm, which means YOU ARE MISSING A SCHOOL DAY. Do not complain about this, as it was made clear way back when I was booking the tickets. They were $80, so I CANNOT AFFORD FOR ANYONE TO CHANGE THEIR MIND NOW. If you don't come, you pay anyway, or you find someone to take your place and come to some financial arrangement with them, but either way it is YOUR responsibility to make sure YOUR ticket gets paid for.
Spamalot.
November 28th. Laura, Patrick, Kirsten, Kristine, and Ashlee are coming, so those people need to start saving, cos those tickets were even more expensive than Phantom so I can't afford to be out of pocket there either.
Short and Sweet.
Costs $23 per session this year. It's becoming more popular, so I'd like to book as early as possible. Tickets are general admission (not set seats) so I will book them as poeple commit, and if you commit late and it's sold out, bad luck for you. I will be going to each week (with the possible exception of the first week, I need to check when we get back from Qld)on Friday and each wildcard performance on the Saturday. Therefore official group excursions will be on those days. You can still go other days, and I'll even still book your tickets for you if you want, but don't count on me to be going with you on other days. It's two months away so if you need to organise a day off work do it NOW, don't wait till the last minute.
Week 1: 8pm December 5, 6, 7, 8
Wildcards Week 1: 2pm December 8
Week 2: 8pm December 12, 13, 14, 15
Wildcards Week 2: 2pm December 15
Week 3: 8pm December 19, 20, 21, 22
Wildcards Week 3: 2pm December 22
Camps:
I am open to suggestions for a summer drama camp. Ozact will be performing Twelfth Night (which we have seen before, though not by Ozact) in Ballarat, Port Campbell, Somers, and Mount Gambier over January if any of those places appeal. Not sure of the exact dates yet. Please be aware that the Education Department has recently introduced a new form to be filled out for all camps that is 20 pages long and requires me to plan ahead for ANY possible problem from snakebite to chafing (really) which is going to be a real pain in the ass and means that we need to have a legitimate reason for going wherever we go.

Well done everyone!

2007-09-16T20:26:00.000+10:00

I'd just like to congratulate everyone on the huge effort that was put in to ensure Peter Pan was ready by performance time. It took a while but we finally did it almost perfectly!

I believe it was undoubtedly the best performace we've staged and I know everyone would agree that it was a great experience with lots and lots of fun to be had.

I hope everyone that is able takes part in next year's production. I'll be offended if you don't cos I'd give anything to do it all again! Thanks to everyone who made sure it was a memorable experience for those of us who won't be back next time around.

Especially thanks to Caughey who, year after year, gives it his all to ensure we get the most out of it. We all really appreciate it.

Peter Pan 07 absolutely rocked!

Spamalot

2007-09-04T18:59:00.000+10:00

I just bought tickets for November 28th (a wednesday night just after year 7-11 exams) for the people who said they were coming:

Laura
Patrick
Kirsten
Kristine
Ashlee

In stark contrast to the Phantom tickets, we will be 3 rows from the front, rather than 3 rows from the back.
Sitting this close, I recommend you bring earplugs so as not to be injured by any stray 'NI'-ing during the shrubbery scene.

Billy Bobbins Pt 4

2007-09-02T06:12:00.000+10:00

Previous parts: click HERE

“Want to join RBT, huh?” The scary girl was up on her feet again. She never seemed to sit still. “What’s in it for us?” She yawned exaggeratedly and held out her hand as if expecting a bribe.
Billy stared, terrified, and not at all sure how to react. Was she serious?
One of the two girls leaning on the table laughed.
“How gutsy is that? I like him!”
The other chimed in, a shiny piercing sparkling on her upper lip. “Yeah and he’s cute. He can have Patrick’s spot.”
General laughter filled the room, filling Billy’s already swirling head and giving him a sudden rush of dizziness. Were they really offering him a spot, just like that?
“Excuse me?!” The tall lanky boy – apparently Patrick – was outraged. “You can’t just replace someone. Especially not a Redback President. He can have Amy’s spot.”
“Hey!” the small girl on the stage looked up, equally outraged. “Why pick me?”
“Why not?” Patrick laughed – and then ducked as another pencilcase whistled across the room.
“Shut up, Patrick, if anyone gets replaced it should be you.” The taller girl on the stage stuck up for her friend.
"Hey if we're replacing Pat, what about the polystyrene box?" A dark-haired girl looked up from her notebook with an odd grin.
“And besides, you’re not the Redback President anymore anyway” spoke up the black-jumper girl, “I am.”
“Sorry Stacey,” Patrick apoogised with utter insincerity, “I meant ex-President. I was the first ever President, might I remind everyone.”
“You mean ‘worst ever’ President”
Laughter again burst across the room.
"Ha-hah! Cop THAT!"
"Good one, Em!" Amy high-fived her friend, from whom the snappy retort had come. Patrick’s cheeks turned a shade pinker, but he ostentatiously maintained his dignity.
“I was NOT the worst-ever President, thank you very much.” He sniffed haughtily, then grinned and muttered almost under his breath: “You forgot Kat.”
“HEY!” The blonde girl erupted, as did the rest of the room once more. “Don’t bring me into this, MISTER.” She turned to the girl whose comment had started it all. “I agree with you, let’s replace Pat!”
Pandemonium threatened to ensue. Shouting and laughter filled the room in equal measures, and Billy, standing by the door, had been quite forgotten. Several of the group members were literally rolling on the floor laughing.

The teacher, sensing chaos about to break loose once again, quickly took control of the situation.”Settle down, settle down. You know that’s not how Redback works.”
“Yes, exactly what I was saying.” Patrick said smugly, sitting down as the uproar slowly subsided. “When I was President I made sure we did things by the rules. I never let things get out of control like Stacey.”
Stacey bit. “When you were President everyone was too bored to get out of control!”
“SETTLE DOWN” The teacher was standing now, and the laughter stopped abruptly. “Like I said, this is not how Redback works.”
Patrick smirked self-righteously at Stacey.
The teacher continued: “We do everything by vote.”
The room was quiet now, as his gaze swept across the students. He looked very serious, as he sat carefully back down.
“All those in favour of replacing Patrick with this kid?”
The room exploded once more. Patrick leapt to his feet, outraged, as the other members roared in unison: “AYE!”
"Then it's unanimous." announced the teacher over the din.
"Ha, no it's not!" retorted Patrick, "There's me...and Adele doesn't have her hand up either, so HA!"
Adele looked up with the same grin. "I vote for the box."
The entire room, including the teacher, had erupted into uncontrollable laughter. Patrick, cheeks bright red now, stormed back and forth as if in a rage, and not knowing who to blame – but laughing at himself at the same time.

Confused and bewildered, Billy wasn’t sure what was happening. Was the vote real? Was he a member now? Surely not. The way they were laughing, they can’t possibly have been serious.
Noticing the puzzlement on his face, Stacey turned to the teacher.
“Sir, that was cruel.”
The teacher turned to her, his eyes twinkling. “Ah, Pat deserved it.” He laughed.
She laughed too, “No, not Pat…” she turned serious again, and flicked her head towards Billy, “I mean the kid.”
Following her nod, the teacher looked at Billy, and instantly his face softened.
“Oh yeah, you’re right.” Ignoring the pandemonium still raging in the room, he turned to face the boy, and looked him directly in the eye. Billy was struck by how kind and honest his gaze was.
“Sorry about that, kid - “
“Billy.” Billy interrupted, and instantly regretted it. But the teacher just smiled.
“Sorry about that… Billy. Paying out on Pat is just too hard to resist.”
Billy smiled nervously, to show that he understood – although he didn’t really. The teacher continued:
“Now the thing is, it’s great that you want to join Redback, and we’re always keen to have new members…”
Billy’s heart leapt.
“But…”
And dropped again. Like a stone. ‘But’ was not good.
“But… there are rules about how we take new members. You can’t just join, you have to be invited, by the members.”
Billy looked around hopefully, but the only one of the members who were even looking in his direction was Stacey, and her expression was one of pity.
She joined in, “We keep an eye out for people who seem to be really into drama…”
He wanted to shout, ‘I AM into drama’, to make them understand how much he wanted this, but his confidence seemed to have fled.
“People who try out for the production, and stuff like that.” She explained.
The teacher nodded. “People who we notice that are committed and serious –“ he paused and looked around at the teenagers still rolling in laughter. “Well serious about acting anyway.”
Billy nodded, and tried to look like he understood, but inside he felt his stomach twisting, and his throat tightening.
“So unfortunately,” the teacher continued, “That means that we don’t really invite year sevens, because we haven’t had time to see what they’re capable of yet.”
Billy tried to say something, but it came out as a strangled croak. He felt tears welling up and suddenly all he wanted to be was somewhere else, and quickly. The last thing he wanted to do was cry in front of them like a stupid little baby.
“But you know,” Stacey tried to perk him up “Try out for the production in September, get involved…get yourself noticed…”

He appreciated her efforts, but he knew that she was only trying to cheer him up. He knew that after this humiliation he could never gather the courage to try out for the school production. Even now, he could no longer bring himself to look her in the eye, he realised. His gaze was fixed at the ‘V’ of her jumper neck, on the little red-and-black spider badge she had pinned there. A little red-and-black spider badge that he had never coveted more, and yet had never felt so far from getting. A badge that symbolised simultaneously everything he wanted and could never have.

As if in a fog, he realised that both the teacher and Stacey had fallen silent. He looked up to see them looking at him, and the pity in their eyes told him that they could see everything.
His cheeks burned, and the tears could no longer be held back.
He had to get out of here.
He had to get out of here now.
He mumbled something - not a goodbye, maybe not even a word, he didn’t know what – and almost ran for the door and out into the corridor.
Tears left a grubby trail down his face
The laughter that had filled the room, and his heart, faded with every step, replaced with a burning shame and numbness.

Upcoming...um...stuff

2007-08-20T17:49:00.000+10:00

Friday August 31: CD launch. Help appreciated.

Saturday Sept 8: Rockfest. Help appreciated. Especially if the Hawks' first final is on that night. Cos then I'll be wanting you lot to run it ON YOUR OWN. I'm serious.

Thursday Sept 13 - Friday Sept 14: Peter Pan

Saturday Sept 22 - Sunday October 7: UK trip. HELL YEAH. WOO-HAH!

November: Short Play Festival at the Student Theatre, Monash Uni

Stolen Footsteps - stolen from kirsten's drama journal

2007-08-12T14:54:00.000+10:00

On the 11th of august a group of us went and saw a play named …stolen footsteps. upon first arriving I was a little bit sceptical about whether or not it would be interesting at all because all I knew about it was that it was about a boy who gets bullied.
When we first got into the room there were a bunch of people on stage acting like kids do in the school yard. It was cool because they were playing “clapping games” that we use to play when we were in primary school.
After a long time of waiting, the play finally started. It was about a boy who had moved from school to school because of continuous bullying and torment from his fellow peers. After a teacher trying to get him to tell someone and a new girls trying to get him to talk about it he gets his final beating. This causes him to realise he has to tell someone. So he does, the principle. All he says is “we do not have a bullying problem in this school, never have and never will.” these words results in him killing himself, his guardian angel being put on trial for not helping and a principle still in denial.
I enjoyed this play for two reasons.
One was that this story was so realistic. It touched on so many issues that do happen in today’s schools. A lot of school do try to cover up a lot of bad things that could ruin a schools reputation.
Two the way they told the story. They made it show why a lot of the time, things don’t get done to help the victim. They showed the kinds of cliques there are in schools and what kind of people bullies usually are. All of this just made you think about people you know who act this sort of way at school.
I really disliked the two ladies who sort of told part of the story in their own subliminal way. It’s like they tried to make them a comic relief but the way I see it is, this story didn’t need them. It ruined the illusion of a sad, sickening story. You were just getting into a good part of the story that really made you feel sad and then they would come out and make you laugh. Which made me feel quite bad for laughing in a story that was meant to be serious and touching.
I found it interesting in the way they had a janitor who was erasing the boys future. I got a little confused about exactly what he was doing at the end though. They are right though. If you cant let go and be stronger then you are stuck in one place and don’t really have a future because you are too busy dwelling on how shit your life is because you don’t know how to take control of your surroundings.
Overall this play was really interesting definitely one of my top 5 plays I’ve seen. Maybe because in a way everyone can relate to this story. Not just because they themselves have been bullied but also because they have seen, heard or even been the bully. This is the kind of play that people need to show schools. Its one thing to tell people its wrong but to actually show them why its wrong would have a much better impact, if they pay attention that is…

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KAT

2007-08-03T18:46:00.001+10:00

happy birthday kat
hope u had an awsome day

SINCE YOU DIDNT GO TO SCHOOL YOU SLACKER!!!

love you xxoo <3

Laura's Birthday

2007-07-21T12:12:00.000+10:00

Is tomorrow.
But I'm gonna be at Bunnings all day, so I figured I should post this now.
Everyone make sure to give her some love (not THAT sort)

HAPPY BIRTHDAY (tomorrow) LAURA!

Deb's Birthday

2007-07-12T14:03:00.000+10:00

Is today, I believe.
So happy birthday to her.

Yay!

June Rockfest

2007-06-23T02:17:00.000+10:00

Our biggest night yet!
We made $516 profit from sales, and a further $54.20 in donations. So all up an extremely awesome $570.20 goes into the UK fund.
To put it in perspective, at the last Rockfest we banked only $360 (which included a $100 bonus donated by Redman) and the one before that we made only about $200. So tonight we made more than on the other two nights combined.

Many thanks to Kat, who was in there virtually all night, Preety, Stacey and Pat who were there for most of it, and Kirsten who popped in and out at various times.
Also many thanks to the following non-redbackers who helped out through sheer niceness:
Sam Hartley
Alex Sherif
Nikki Rodgers
and Kristine Rodgers
(sorry if I missed anyone)

Next up is Jericho, next Saturday night (June 30th)
I know there are a few regulars unavailable due to Ashlee's birthday, so anyone who CAN help out would be much appreciated!!!!

After that, on July 8, it's our first Bunnings BBQ...

Short Plays

2007-06-15T17:48:00.000+10:00

At a writers' meeting today, it was decided that a collection of short plays will be staged at the Student Theatre at Monash Uni later this year.

Among these plays will be Quietus and Immolatum, and it is expected that where possible, original cast members will make themselves available to reprise their roles, since it should not be too demanding given that lines etc have already been learnt and just need to be refreshed.
If you were in one of these plays, could you please contact the writer (either Adele or Kat) as soon as possible to confirm your participation, or alternatively notify them so that they can replace you.

As well as these previously-performed plays, there will also be some new ones.
Participation in these is open to any student at the school, and panel auditions will be held in C2 at lunchtime on Monday June 25 , and will continue at lunchtimes that week for as long as needed.

This is a massive undertaking for Redback, potentially our most exciting project yet, and it is hoped that all members will do their utmost to make it a success - ideally through participation, but at the very least through promotion and attendance on the night.

Phantom of the Opera

2007-06-13T23:19:00.000+10:00

Tickets have been booked for the matinee performance on Wednesday October 31 at 1pm.
They aren't great seats, but that's because all the great seats sold out months ago.
I booked tickets for everyone that DEFINITELY told me they wanted to come.
If you were a bit vague, chances are you don't have a ticket.
If you think I was supposed to get you a ticket, and I didn't.....um....sorry....

Blog Competition Results

2007-05-31T19:31:00.000+10:00

Yet another interesting result. Only three entries recieved for the blog competition by the midnight wednesday deadline. Laura got off to a flier as the only person submitting answers section by section. She got to question 20 with NONE wrong. But then forgot to submit her answers to the last ten. Renee and Adele, on the other hand, left their entries till the last minute, but at least had a go at all thirty.

So which strategy triumphed?

Was Laura's flawless start good enough to hold off the fast finishing Adele and Renee?

Well no.

Answers (and scores) below:

1. What is an F-4 Phantom II? A fighter jet
Laura 1, Renee 1, Adele 1
2. Comic book hero The Phantom is also known as “The ghost who ….?” walks
Laura 1, Renee 1, Adele 1
3. A phantom who is characterised by physical disturbances such as loud banging and hurling objects is called a what? poltergeist
Laura 1, Renee 1, Adele 1
4. What is the Redback Theatre’s very own phantom called? Billy Bobbins
Laura 1, Renee 1/2, Adele 1
5. According to medical research, approximately 50-80% of amputees experience the sensation known as “phantom limb”. What does this involve? The physical feeling that the missing limb is in fact still there
Laura 1, Renee 1, Adele 1
6. The Phantom is a video games console that was being developed in competition with the X-Box 360 and PS3. The X-box and PS3 are available in stores now. When is the Phantom due to be released? Never, it's been cancelled
Laura 1, Renee 1, Adele 0
7. Phantom Planet perform the theme song for which popular tv show? The OC
Laura 1, Renee 1, Adele 1
8. The rare medical condition where a person or animal falsely exhibits the symptoms and behaviours of being pregnant, is known as what? Phantom pregnancy
Laura 1, Renee 1, Adele 1
9. Mrs. Muir falls in love with a phantom in which early 70s tv series? The ghost and Mrs Muir
Laura 1, Renee 1, Adele 1
10. The Phantom is a model of car manufactured by which famous company? Rolls Royce
Laura 1, Renee o, Adele 1
11. Written October 6, 1600, by Jacopo Peri, this is the oldest surviving opera score. It retells the story of the ancient greek myth of Orpheus and Eurydice. Eurydice
Laura 1, Renee 1, Adele 1
12. Written by Richard Wagner, actually a series of four operas, telling the story of the hero Siegfried’s quest to retrieve a magical ring. The Ring of the Nibbelung (or any other variation of the spelling or language)
Laura 1, Renee 1, Adele 1
13. Written by Georges Bizet, tells the story of a gypsy woman who drives her soldier-lover insane when she abandons him for a bullfighter. Carmen
Laura 1, Renee 0, Adele 0
14. Written by Charles Gounod, tells the story of a man who, seeking love, makes a deal with Mephistopholes (the devil). Faust
Laura 1, Renee 1, Adele 1
15. Written by Giacomo Puccini, tells the story of a Japanese woman who falls in love and is then abandoned by a young American naval officer. Madame Butterfly
Laura 1, Renee 1, Adele 1
16. Also written by Giacomo Puccini, tells the story of a group of starving artists living together in Paris. La Boheme
Laura 1, Renee 1, Adele 1
17. Written by Gioacchino Rossini, a comic opera that features Figaro, a barber who specialises in making love-matches. The Baraber of Seville
Laura 1, Renee 1, Adele 1
18. Written by Amadeus Mozart, tells the story of two newlywed soldiers who make a (losing) bet with a third that their brides will remain faithful when they go off to war. Cosi Fan Tutte
Laura 1, Renee 0, Adele 1
19. Written by Richard Wagner, tells the story of a young man who falls in love with an Irish princess, who is engaged to his king. Faced with a choice of either betraying their lord, or denying their love, the pair commit suicide. Tristan und Isolde
Laura 1, Renee 1, Adele 1
20. Written by Amadeus Mozart, tells of the sequel to opera number 7 in this list. Figaro is to be wed, but his bride-to-be has attracted the attention of the Count. Together, Figaro, and the Countess must show the Count the error of his ways… The Marriage of Figaro
Laura 1, Renee 1, Adele 1
21. The Phantom of the Opera is a musical by which famous producer? Andrew Lloyd Webber
Laura 0, Renee 1, Adele 1
22. Name two other famous musicals by the same producer. Plenty - go look him up in wikipedia. But Cats, Sunset Boulevard, and Jesus Christ Superstar were the three identified
Laura 0, Renee 1, Adele 1
23. Frederici is a well-known Melbourne theatre identity. What is he famous for, and which theatre is he particularly associated with? Dying onstage (of a heart attack as, playing the devil in Faust, he descended into hell below the stage) and consequently haunting the Princess Theatre
Laura 0, Renee 1/2, Adele 1
24. What theatre will we be seeing The Phantom of the Opera at? The Princess Theatre (ooooh spooky!)
Laura 0, Renee 1, Adele 1
25. The Phantom of the Opera was adapted from a novel written by who? Gaston Leroux
Laura 0, Renee 1, Adele 1
26. Who will play the part of the Phantom in the Melbourne shows this year? Anthony Warlow
Laura 0, Renee 1, Adele 1
27. What serious health problem did he have to overcome in the course of his career? Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma
Laura 0, Renee 1, Adele 1/2
28. The original novel was published between September 23, 1909, and January 8, 1910. How is this possible? It was published as a serialization, in episodes.
Laura 0, Renee 1, Adele 1
29. In January 2006, The Phantom of the Opera overtook Cats to hold what Broadway record? Longest running broadway show
Laura 0, Renee 1, Adele 1
30. Watch this clip from 70s BBC sitcom “Some mothers do ’ave ’em”: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mZyUaA2ulCs&mode=related&search= What is the link between this show and The Phantom of the Opera? The actor (Michael Crawford) playing the lead role of Frank Spencer, played the Phantom in the original cast of the musical
Laura 0, Renee 0, Adele 1

FINAL SCORES:
Laura: 20
Renee: 25
Adele: 27.5

Flickr Update

2007-05-16T20:54:00.000+10:00

New pics on Flickr, from the workshop with Chandler PS on Monday, and from PLAYHOUSE OF THE DAMNED!!!!!! on Tuesday...

Go look at em!
Share em with yer friends!

Announcing: The Annual Redbacker of the Year Award

2007-05-13T20:40:00.000+10:00

You may remember a few meetings ago I flagged an end of year award to recognise the year's most committed Redback member. Well I have worked out the scoring details, and am now proud to announce the Annual RedBacker of the Year award (to be known colloquially as the "ARBY" award).
It's pretty simple. You earn points throughout the year, in four different areas that demonstrate your committment to the Redback Theatre Group.

Area 1: Meeting attendance.
As you know, Stacey has been keeping the roll at every general meeting. Attendance at meetings is vital, as that's where we discuss new projects, members, and excursions. ARBY points are awarded for each meeting as follows:
3 points = Present
1 point = Absent with apology
0 points = Absent without apology
Note: an apology means telling Stacey or myself, or giving a message to another member to pass to Stacey or myself, BEFORE the meeting. Being absent from school due to illness or excursion counts as an apology, but you will have to make sure Stacey or I am aware or you will just have been marked absent on the roll.

Area 2: Positions of Responsibility.
It's easy to cruise along in Redback, picking the projects you want to do, hanging out at lunchtimes etc. But for Redback to work, we need some people to put their hands up to do more than just go along for the ride - people who have the courage to nominate (and the luck to be elected) for positions of responsibility, including: President, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer. ARBY points are awarded as follows:
1 point = Stand for election
2 points = Get elected
Note: You earn points for nominating, not for the number of positions you nominate for. Otherwise we would have people putting their names forward for everything just to earn points, knowing that they can only be asked to hold one position anyway.

Area 3: Excursions
Going to see plays is a big part of what we're about. The more plays we expose ourselves to, the more we learn about stagecraft and acting, and the better equipped we are to discuss and respond to different styles of theatre. ARBY points are awarded as follows:
1 point = attend an external play, performance lecture, or workshop
3 points = attend a drama camp
Note: To qualify for ARBY points, an excursion must be open to any RBT members who wish to go, and must be drama-based. So Midsummer Night's Dream counts, the VCE Worskshops on June 8 don't. The same applies to camps: Port Campbell and Allanvale count, the UK doesn't.

Area 4: Projects
Despite all the meetings and votes and elections, what RBT is really all about is the performing. That's why getting involved in projects is such a major part of being a member (and why Stacey and I kicked up such a fuss at the start of the year). If we aren't doing plays...well then we're not a theatre group. ARBY points are awarded as follows:
3 points = involvement onstage (acting)
2 points = involvement offstage (writing/directing)
1 point = involvement backstage (backstage/sound/lighting/other "on-the-night" roles)
and
3 points = most impressive member in a project
2 points = second most impressive member in a project
1 point = third most impressive member in a project
Note: Projects only qualify for ARBY points if all RBT members are free to try out for them. So Transition night counts, Production counts, but the Monash Festival doesn't.
Also Note: The 3, 2, and 1 for most impressive member in a project will be decided by adding the votes of the CEO (me), all involved members, and a random audience member.

At the end of the year, all these points will be added up, and the RBT with the most will win the coveted Annual RedBacker of the Year Award. I dunno what the prize will be yet, but it'll be something cool. Maybe a trophy too. It'll be presented at our end of year function, which a few people have suggested should be a proper get-dressed-up in cocktail dresses and suits and have dinner at a restaurant kind of event. There will also be other awards too, like Most Improved, Script of the Year, Individual Performance of the Year, and so on.
Feel free to share your thoughts on all of this.

Fast and Fresh

2007-05-11T19:46:00.000+10:00

Tickets have been BOUGHT for 'Fast and Fresh', which you will remember is the U18 version of Short and Sweet. It's coming up on Saturday May 26

I bought tickets for the following people who ALL told me that they were coming:
Luke
Terri +1
Stacey
Adele
Emily
Kat
Sarah
James
Claire
Jess R
Nat
Tiani
Kirsten

Those people are now expected to pay (and attend), or find someone to replace themselves, otherwise I end up out of pocket. Payment is just $15 on the night, to me.

If anyone else wants to come but isn't on that list, let me know, as I have a spare ticket.

Varekai

2007-05-11T19:19:00.000+10:00

Following the debacle that the original competition turned into, and the fact that Varekai is coming up in less than a fortnight and I still haven't got around to even thinking about a new blog competition (let alone thinking up ANOTHER ten questions about circuses - do you know how long it took me to come up with the first ten?) I decided to wuss out completely and give Nikki Rodgers the honour of deciding who the lucky ticket winners would be.

Without telling her why, I asked her to choose the two best Peter Pan auditions over the last 3 weeks.

Her decision, and thus the Varekai ticket winners: Kat and Kirsten

So congratulations to them.
To all others, don't stress, there is a new blog competition coming up soon and the prize will be EVEN MORE awesome (think of big shows coming up in the Melbourne area soon...musical shows...about....ghostly types perhaps...ghostly types who hang around strange-shaped theatres full of fat women singing...)

Competition - Judge's Ruling (updated)

2007-05-04T23:07:00.000+10:00

Ok the thing is this....

The first email came from Sam... but they weren't all correct.
The second email came from Pat... but he cheated to get one of his answers.
The third email came from Stacey...she got them all right and didn't cheat herself, but she did give an answer to Pat, thereby causing him to be disqualified. So she's disqualified too.
The fourth email came from Kirsten...but she also got some wrong.
The fifth email came from Laura... but she thought she was too late and didn't bother answering at all.

So in summary, what we have is no winners, and I will come up with another competition.

JUDGES DECISION IS ALMOST FINAL AND VERY LITTLE CORRESPONDENCE WILL BE ENTERED INTO

New Redback Competition!!!!!!

2007-05-04T20:19:00.000+10:00

Ok I told you I was gonna run some more competitions on here to try and encourage more people to start checking the blog regularly. Well here's the first one, and BY GOD IT'S AWESOME.

The prize: one of two tickets to see Cirque Du Soleil's latest show "Varekai" under the big-top at Melbourne Park on Friday May 25.

To win: be one of the first two people (Redbackers only of course) to email me (at scottcaughey@hotmail,com as if you didn't know by now) with the ten correct answers to the following Circus Quiz:

1. Cirque du Soleil means “Circus of the Sun” in which language?

2. In which country was Cirque du Soleil founded?

3. P.T.Barnum is generally agreed in the circus world to have been the “Greatest Showman on Earth”. What does the “P.T.” stand for?

4. What is the special link between Cirque du Soleil and the Redback Theatre Group?

5. “The Flying Fruit Flies” is an Australian children’s circus. One of its ex-members, Emma George, went on to find even greater fame by breaking world records in what track and field event?

6. What does “Varekai” mean?

7. Cirque du Soleil was parodied in an episode of “The Simpsons” when the family goes to watch “Cirque du Puree”. What’s a parody?

8. What’s the link between “Varekai”, and 80s sitcom character “Punky Brewster”?

9. Famous children’s author Enid Blyton wrote a series of books about life in the circus, including titles such as “Hurrah for the Circus” and “Circus Days Again”. What was the name of the circus featured in the series?

10. Which of the following is the odd one out, and why:
Alegria
Saltimbanco,
Quidam
Latour

PLEASE HELP AT NEXT ROCKFEST

2007-05-03T19:00:00.000+10:00

The line-up for June 22nd RokFest is as follows:
The Stiffies
My Own Enemy (debbie is mates with these guys...gotta show em some kind of support)
Small Turtle Mouth (THESE PEOPLE WE NEED TO SUPPORT)
The Ground Floor
Arpejio
Skin Tight
and
A Dying Oath

please come help the more people the better plus Redman donates us money

it would be really helpful for RBT to support all this

from your lovely...money person (treasurer) kirrby

April Rockfest

2007-04-28T09:55:00.000+10:00

Another good night for UK fundraising last night.
We made $260 profit from sales, and earned a $100 donation for working on the door.
So $360 into the UK trip with still plenty of stock to sell at the next one.

Kirsten, Kat, Stacey were in the canteen slaving away and earning their keep all night, and many many many many thanks to:
Andrea Wyatt
Nikki Rodgers
Sam Hartley
Kristine Rodgers
Alex Sherif
and Debbo (for a little while)
for pitching in to help even though they're not going to England - those that are (especially me) greatly appreciate the support.

It wasn't all hard work, there were some good bands of course (and one crap one) and a lot of fun and frivolity as well.

The next one is I think scheduled for June 22, so mark your diaries NOW and be a part of it.

How I Learned to Drive A Car

2007-04-20T18:43:00.000+10:00

At short notice last Wednesday, Deb and I, and Deb's friend Claire, went to see a play put on by Monash Uni called "How I Learned To Drive A Car", starring Mr.Tsaoussi's son Ian. The topic of the play was pretty full-on: it was about paedophilia, and a young girl looking back on how her uncle's behaviour in her childhood shaped her into the person she is today. It was a very black sort of play, but strangely enough it was also quite humourous in parts - although sometimes in a way that really made you feel uncomfortable about whether you should be enjoying it or not.

The really good thing about the play, and the reason why I took Deb to see it, was because it put into practice a lot of the dramatic techniques we had been discussing in VCE Drama, after the VCE performances last week. It was a non-naturalistic style play, with just hints of sets and props and costumes to suggest different settings and characters. There was a distorted time sequence, with the story jumping backwards and forwards in time; and also some of the actors - including Ian - played several characters, just by changing their voice or mannerisms. All six of the actors were onstage at all times - when they weren't actually playing a character they stood at the back of the stage and acted as a voiceover, or helped create a soundscape.

It was really interesting to watch, and we really enjoyed it.
Monash have several other plays coming up, and they're usually pretty cheap - around $10-15 so I'll keep you up to date when they're coming up.

We should be back by about 6pm, although I'm not certain of that as I've never seen the play and don't know how long it runs, and also assume there will be a stop for dinner on the way home. People who are being dropped home personally need to factor that in too, as it takes a while to get around to people's houses.

Day 4 of our Allanvale adventure. By Stace. She's cool. She remembered her password.

2007-04-15T15:36:00.000+10:00

Ok so, Day 4.

First off, Patrick I had to put up with YOUR snoring at Port Campbell. So don't start whingeing about me. And DONT give me that bull about having a blocked nose. Luke tried to pull that and I kicked him in the leg. Several times.

We all slept in the lounge, like Patrick said. Apparently there was some interesting conversation at night but I was asleep pretty much as soon as the lights were out. When I woke up everyone had gone for showers etc and there was only myself, Luke, Kat and Andrea still sleeping. I think. I got frightened when I awoke expecting to see Ashlee's face and instead saw Luke's stubbly chin glaring at me. It was quite traumatising. Maybe everyone didn't go for showers..I remember Caughey complaining about how he'd conjured up such an awesome fire and nobody took advantage of it.

After breakfast and stuff we floated around and tidied up a bit. Some more than others, yes..and some none at all. Operation hunt-for-Kirsten was established and we moped up and down the driveway for a bit calling her name. We thought she'd nicked off somewhere far but I dunno..she was in the shower or something. I wasn't paying attention.

So yes, after that little..er, drama, Patrick, Ashlee, Kirsten and er..oh yeah Caughey and myself went for a walk to see the pretty house. I don't remember what the others did while we were gone. Annie showed us around and it was really cool. Kinda creepy though. I personally thought the huge room with the high-as roof was cool. And the original wooden gravestone. Hey do you think Annie was a ghost? Like a figment of our imagination? She seemed pretty transparent to me.

It was at this moment in time that somebody (Kirsten maybe?) wondered what would happen if the bus crashed on the way home and we were all tragically killed. Caughey suggested that we'd come back to haunt the homestead, and initiated the inaugural hands-in thing of 'team spook'. If we died on the way home, we'd all come back together. *Scoffs* and we were much better than team Jumanji (they don't read the blog, do they?) Nobody will remember that we even did that, I bet, but I thought it needed to be added lol.

So after everything had been packed onto the bus (or left behind) we set-off for the Ghetto. I bagsed front seat cos I'm cool. And cos Patrick suspiciously wanted the seat next to Kirsten. OOhh I'm gonna get burned for that one. Kirsten, clad in her infamous Bunny suit, cheerfully (albeit blindly) hopped into the Allanvale information centre, where she left easter eggs for the people who helped us out with the incident that-shall-not-be-named.

After driving for a while..and listening to Ashlee's music *Sigh*, we ended up on some huge road that eventually led to Ballarat. It had all these war memorial things going down the whole length of the road, and we stopped so Caughey could show me what they were. I thought it was really interesting. Yeah anyway we rocked up at Ballarat maccas and had fun watching heaps (well maybe not heaps) but lots of little kids approach Kirsten. I think some even asked if she had any Easter eggs. What kind of easter bunny hops around empty-handed? An easter bunny with a scary little teenage girl for an alter-ego, that's what. A few cars stopped to wave and talk to the bunny while we were waiting just near the drive-through. I think one guy even asked her if she wanted some chips. IDIOT, bunnies eat carrots.

The bunny suit was stripped off on the way to the Eureka Stokade thing where we had lunch. It was pretty cool there..but most people decided to stay on the bus cos..well cos they're weird. Caughey, Patrick, Ashlee, Kirsten and myself sat at a picnic table and tried to squeeze in mouthfuls of food between laughing hysterically at the antics of Kirsten and Ashlee. It was decided that Ashlee displayed strong symptoms of tourette's syndrome. It was painfully hilarious. Kirsten had a go at climbing up the imitation rock wall in the playground and succeeded. Apart from enjoying my lunch immensely, I actually learnt a few things at the Eureka stokade that could be useful for my History class.

So after returning to the bus and learning how most people had vomited while we were gone, we set off home for real. I don't remember talking much, but it was fun all the same.

Despite living on a seemingly haunted homestead, trekking around farms and up atrocious hills for hours, jumping out at each other in the dark, showering (please note: not everyone showered during our adventure..ew) in a tin room with bore water AND using the infamous outhouse - we all survived and returned home relatively unscathed. The same could not be said for one Miss Ashlee Buzasi.

I left my shampoo on the windowsill of one of the showers. After Preety specifically told me to put it away so I wouldn't forget it. Just thought you'd benefit somehow from knowing that. Yes indeed.

And THAT, my friends, is how you write a blog.

I'm kidding. I'm also buggered.

Allanvale (Day Three) - NOW by Patrick

2007-04-14T22:28:00.000+10:00

Well, well, well...this will be interesting - I thought as I woke to a cold morning...AND STACEY'S LOUD INTENSE SNORING!!!! Yes, it was painful, but was the day MORE painful? In a way it was...cos we had the EASTER EGG HUNT.

The hunt...!
We were all split into two groups, not three, but two (in case no one can count). I was in the better group that consisted of:
Stacey - our slooooooooooooow leader, however somewhat intelligent!
Luke - THE GUN! Well not really...he just loved running fast and "accidentally" stepping on easter eggs...which was hilarious.
Ash - the one who hit me with a big stick! Hurt my legs...but I got her back..hehehehehehe...she also liked to run!
Kat - ...she was good with some riddles...like the R&J one...though was still in denial...saaad
Laura - ...CFA was worth it...now HERE'S a gun! Yeah Laura ran up that hill quite fast...
Pat - who is me! ...or I..whatever...I ran, drank, pushed, and solved riddles a lot...and yes, I did get stumped with that ONE riddle...I divided 12 by 2...

And the other team consisted of people I am yet to name...mebbe

ANYWAY we were hunting for eggs. MY (formerly known as Stacey's team) team won the hunt, with 20 minutes to spare...LOSERS!! ...hope I didn't hurt anyone's feelings, Caughey. However, there was still one more hunt...for DA BUNNY! Ash found it...formerly known as him...hiding in "the tree" (Stace kept yelling out "I KNOW WHERE HE IS!! HE'S IN THE TREE!" and lost...). Ash shoved the melted eggs in everyones face...the result - no one cared. Most were just happy that the 2 hour hunt was over...Kirsten was still upset over her jacket.

After the hunt...!
Tristan, Preety, and Vicki left for the ghetto - Noble Park (a modernising ghetto, mind you). The remainder of the group either went swimming, tried to finish the jigsaw puzzle, or...in some cases...did something else. When everyone finshed doing what they were doing, we DROVE CAUGHEY INSANE into town and had lunch/dinner. Twas creepy...especially when Mr Bunny and two Grim Reepers walked around the "village"...formerly known as Ararat. Ash - the chicken! - backed out and took the outfit off. I was Kirsten's guide, saving her life numerous times whereas Caughey nearly killed us when crossing the road.

Back at HQ...!
Luke, James, Kat, Andrea, and Laura went to see Mr Bean at the crappy movies...driven by Caughey aka Baldy, and Stacey. C and S also went to buy...pizza...for Kirsten (the mom), Pat (the dad who has many affairs with other women...don't tell Kirsten!), and Kristy(a girl) and Ash(the brain specialist). I did my share...again!...of cleaning (dishes, rubbish, and the costume folding party). Kirsten started the fire...THEN Caughey and Stace returned with the toppingless pizzas! Greasy, mind you...though they were OK.

After dark...!
Later the movie people came back with the assisstance of Caughey and some games of 44 blah blah was kicked off! Ash and I watched Monty Python...seeing as we're the adults! We also kept the fire going...fun, it was...we chucked in whatever we could find. Ash had a magazine in her hands and didn't know what to do with it so she chucked it in the fireplace! At 1 am we all got our mattresses in the "lounge" (I do that because there was NO TV!). We all swapped ghost stories...and I scared them by talking in Polish in my sleep...good times...

THE END...for now...well until Day 4

Allanvale (Day two) ...also by kirrby

2007-04-14T19:02:00.000+10:00

I wasn't with the people who went and hired our 12 seater bus so I'll talk about the morning when it was only like 8 people...well not much happened. one group went for a walk and then the pool then came back for showers the other group went for a walk and then came back...

and that's how the day went...ok no I'm totally kidding

when everyone was there...

ok so there were 14 of us...and only 12 seats on the bus...well dont worry we did some illegal stuff and all squished in...nah im kidding again a few people went in Tristan's car when we used the bus.
ok so all day...we lazed around really and made our own kind of fun.

BUT THAT NIGHT, WHEN IT WAS DARK AND COLD...

we scared Kat and Andrea...well more so Kat. The plan we had the night before...didn't work out the way we planned. However, they still got scared so it was ok :]
Thing is...that wasn't the best part of that night...
it was when ASH RAN INTO A BARBED WIRE FENCE!!
so this is her story on that event

"I remembered I'd left my thongs up behind the tree, so I ran back up behind the grave. I got them, and realised everyone was completely gone, so I got scared, and RAN full on out of the grave, only I forgot about the barbed wire on the side I tried running through. OW. I ran into it like a freaking ragdoll, and got thrown backwards and hit my head on the branches on the ground. I was out of it, before I realised I'd cut my hand and arms, and ripped a couple of holes in Kirbys Jacket."

yes we all had a really good laugh at that (sorry ash) then for the rest of the night, to the early hours of the morning...we played CHARADES

The Crucible

2007-04-07T12:20:00.000+10:00

Kirsten (and Kristine and Jess but they're not Redbackers) and I saw the Crucible tonight at Building 74 at Monash Uni.

It was a condensed version, performed by honours students from the acting academy there, as part of their course. It was performed really well, although I had some issues with the way they chose to interpret it, and I think it took the girls a while to get the hang of the language (it's set in colonial America).

Afterwards there was a question and answer forum with the cast, which was quite interesting. All in all, definitely worth the $5 it cost

Allanvale (Day One) by Kirrby

2007-04-06T08:34:00.000+10:00

We’re driving along on a busy road in (what you would hope to be) a reliable bus. We suddenly hear Mr. Caughey and Pat telling us how the bus brakes aren’t working and how one by one we are going to have to jump out of the bus. The doors open. People grab on to things and are getting ready to jump one by one, when suddenly you hear “APRIL FOOLS”
Bastards
That’s how our adventurous camp to the Grampians started.
Exciting hey?
Well no, actually because not too long after that, the bus broke down. We were stuck out there for about 6 hours, not one person stopped to see if we were ok…we did get a high number of beeps though.
For hours Mr. Caughey was trying ever so hard to get through to so many people till finally (just after Tristan had taken a group of four kids to the place we were staying), one lovely lady called up her niece who bought down a bus to pick the kids and the luggage up. Once they had left Mr. Caughey and I stayed back while we waited for Tristan.
Upon the arrival of Tristan and Patrick a tow truck appeared (the man driving looked like the murderer from “Wolf Creek” NO JOKE). Even thought the bus was about .5 tonnes too heavy for his truck he still was kind enough to take it to the RACV where we met a man who looked like Mr. Incredible (it was later taken back to Melbourne).
Finally, we were all at the camp where we had dinner. Everyone was tired and moody so many people were snappy at each other…even prepared to .. Kill?
On the first night everyone wanted to go on a walk to check out the “awesome” grave. Once I found out Scotty was going to scare them I wanted to join in, which I did. Funniest part was watching Luke and James get scared and run…then slowly come back…then run again lol. Good times.
After frightening them we all made a plan to scare Kat and Andrea. We had people hiding in trees, on rocks and even behind graves. "Oh yes, we'll get them", we said

DAY TWO....
Was it awesome?
Yes it was!
Or was it?
I already told you, it was!
(to be continued)

Redback Football League

2007-03-22T22:32:00.000+11:00

I started a footy tipping comp for us...
Woohoo!
Doesn't matter if you know nothing about footy, just guess. Or get your cat to pick the winners.
It's free and there's no prize, just bragging rights. Well mebbe I'll make a prize....like a short and sweet ticket or something. I dunno I'll wait and see if I'm winning...

Check your emails (mebbe your junkmail) you should find an invite.
Unless you're Gemma, Amy or Luke. I'm not sure what your email addys are. Let me know and I'll invite you too.

I've also got my own personal dreamteam league, if anyone wants to join that let me know.(probably need to be a bit more into footy for that one though).

More Costume Sale....

2007-03-20T16:53:00.000+11:00

There's another one the following Saturday (March 31 - the day before the Grampians). Wanna come along? Then sign up here or see me at school. First 4 get to go. Pretty much the same details as the one below.

1. Kirsten
2. Patrick
3. Kat
4.

Costume Sale

2007-03-18T11:13:00.000+11:00

As discussed at a Redback meeting earlier this year, there is a big costume sale coming up in the city this Saturday March 24.

Attending will be:
1. Kirsten
2. Stacey
3. Leila
4. Jayne (yr10 drama)

Usually with these kind of sales the good stuff goes very quickly, so we will want to be there well before the doors open. We will need to leave about 8.30am. The actual sale starts at 10, and I don't expect us to be there longer than an hour or two. We will probably stop for lunch on the way back, maybe at the Beach Cafe for tradition's sake.

Grampians Trip

2007-03-10T11:43:00.000+11:00

Cost is $65 for Redback People. We are going by school bus.
It isn't official till it gets approved by Council on Wednesday night but they've passed our other two, so not expecting any troubles there.
So people coming are:
Caughey
Tristin
Pat
Stacey
Kirsten
Luke
Kat
Ashlee
Andrea
Preeti
Kristy
Laura
Vicki
James
Jess
and a third adult, who is likely to be Jasmina

Holy Grail

2007-03-10T11:39:00.000+11:00

Stacey, Luke, Kirsten, and Kat are coming to see Monty Python and the Holy Grail tonight at the rooftop cinema. Nat, Andrea, Alex and Kristine are tagging along too. It should be FUN FUN FUN. Gonna be a nice warm rooftoppy night too...

FAME (we want to live forever...)

2007-03-04T14:58:00.000+11:00

Kirby and Luke (stitchface and boof) came along to see 'Fame' at Rooftop cinema last night. It was tres cool. Especially when people in leotards and legwarmers got up to mime the final song in front of the screen, Rocky-Horror style.

Alex and Kristine came too.

Next Saturday is Monty Python's Holy Grail.
Those four have already signed up. If you want to come too, let me know as soon as you're sure, and I'll book you a ticket. Only holds 200 people though, and Holy Grail is a cult film, so don't wait too long or you'll miss out. Cost = $15 plus food money.
We'll be leaving at 5.00 from in front of the school, and you'll be dropped off home somewhere between 12 and 1 going on last night.

Also start thinking about whether you are going to come on the next Redback Adventure, which will be to the Grampians from March 31 to April 3 (the start of the holidays). It'll likely cost about the same as Port Campbell and Naracoorte, so you're looking at about $60, maybe a little more. UK people I guess in particular need to think hard about if they can afford it, but I decided to keep offering these kinda camps cos there are plenty of people who aren't coming to UK and I don't want to put their opportunities on hold. I'll be wanting definite answers SOON (like within a week or so).

Midsummer Night's Dream

2007-03-04T14:54:00.000+11:00

Twas truly a magical night.
Well lots of funneth anyway.

The year 11 drama class went, featuring many Redbackers, plus Kat and Nat too.
There are pictures up on flickr now. Mostly involving Terri :)

Angels With Dirty Faces

2007-02-24T00:39:00.000+11:00

Stace, Em, Luke and I just got back from seeing Angels With Dirty Faces at the Fairfax Theatre in the Arts Centre. It was a fantastic play, really well done. Luke's going to be writing a review of it for presentation to the Yr11 drama class, so once he does I'll post it up here for everyone.

thank you

2007-02-17T10:29:00.000+11:00

i would just like to say thank you to all that helped out at rockfest, especially the ones who aren’t even going to England! We made a lot of money and a surprising profit. I'll get back to you on that part, soon.
Thank you again and I hope you all had a RoKiN nIgHt!!!

Redback 2007

2007-02-09T23:52:00.000+11:00

So, first blog as President.

I'm going to make a habit of this so get used to it.

Last year was pretty slack as far as rules and regulations went. Yeah, we're a group of friends and get easily sidetracked with conversation and who's eating what for lunch, but we are also an amateur theatre group and have expectations to live up to. So the first thing I'm going to do is start enforcing the rules, especially whilst we're in meetings.

Everyone should still have ther constitution. If you don't, you're hopeless, cos I have a shocking memory and I've still got mine. Read it, make sure everything's fresh in your mind. I was actually surprised at how slack we've gotten

We are in the Redback Theatre because we have a passion for drama. We have a purpose, and that purpose is not to come up with ideas every now and then that 'seem good' but never get any further than that stage. Our purpose is to raise the profile of Drama in our school, whilst also broadening our theatrical ablilities. We've started doing that, but we could do so much better.

Our constitution says we're supposed to stage One major production in the first semester, and one minor production in the second semester. These aren't including the production. If we put effort into it, we can do this.

I reckon the 'Playhouse of the damned' thing would be good for a major one, cos we seem to all like it. Regardless of the workload we've got from teachers, we're not in the Redback Theatre to sit around and look pretty, so effort can always be made to attend lunch and after-school rehearsals should we ever need to.

There's also the issue of attendance. Not that it's really a problem for any of us, just reminding you. We all need to be at our General meetings every month, and should you need to be absent for some reason, you need to come and see me to tell me why. Ha..I talk to everyone who actually reads this blog everyday so it's not like you'll be going out of your way.

Constitution also says we need to attend at least 80% of the weekly workshops..which have become social sessions for the people who actually bother to turn up, so unless we make them something useful, I don't see why they shouldn't remain social sessions.

I don't think it's a problem for anyone who actually reads the blog, but we also need to maintain a C average or higher, and our involvement in Redback Theatre can't be against our teacher's wishes.

I think that's all. Just remember to keep putting heaps of effort into this group we've created, cos we ALL know how much satisfaction we get out of doing something great.

Hope it's an awesome year for us all.

Inauguration Statement for Elected Members

2007-02-07T20:34:00.000+11:00

Congratualtions to Stacey (President), Renee (Vice President), Deborah (Secretary), and Kirsten (Treasurer). You all did a great job with your confidence in standing up and saying your speech. Mr Caughey expresses his deepest gratitude to you four, and hopes that ya'll will keep RBT functioning well throughout this year. However, it wasn't only the elected members that need to be applauded, it's the electorates and non-electorates for their confidentiality and respect to the elected members. Today starts off a new era for RBT. Hopefully RBT will be more productive in 2007, and everyone will respect and listen when the president is seated at the bench.

Again I would like to congratulate Stacey, Renee, Deborah, and Kirsten for their elected positions and hope that you all will empower them appropriately.

Welcome Back

2007-02-03T10:17:00.000+11:00

Welcome back to everyone. Meetings start next week, and due to yr12 lunchtime classes and my yard duty, they will be shifted to Wednesdays this year. General meetings will be on the first Wednesday of each month, which means the first one (conveniently) is coming up this week. It will of course be ELECTIONS.
Constitution says all positions are to be declared vacant, and anyone can nominate themselves or someone else for any position. This year I want those positions to actually do something - so the treasurer actually needs to keep the books, the secretary actually needs to keep the minutes of meetings, etc. (I think we started off like that last year and then drifted off) so think hard about whether you are prepared to do what you nominate for.
There will of course be some other stuff we need to get through too. If anyone has any agenda items, please let me or Kat know as soon as possible (preferably by Tuesday).

Midsummer Night's Dream

2007-01-14T20:48:00.000+11:00

In the botanic gardens. Every night except Monday till the end of the holidays. $25. Anyone interested?

Also Napoleon Dynamite at moonlight cinema in the gardens on Jan 31 (I think it might be the day you all go back to school though). $12.