Archive for category Stage Combat Camp
Centauri Medieval Fayre!
Posted by centauri in Arts and Culture, Arts Camps, Camp Fun, Stage Combat Camp, Theater Camp on August 7, 2011
Today camp was transformed into a village in North Yorkshire, England, circa 1140 A.D.!
I
t all began last night, when we converged at campfire as the sun was setting, to hear the story of the sinking of the White Ship, and how the drowning of Prince William plunged England into civil war. Then, after a sleep-in and some free time, we set up a midsummer fayre in our village of Centaurthorpe. Campers enjoyed a village picnic, then spent an hour helping to set up the fayre attraction of their choice. Some helped a travelling ‘herballist’, creating actual ”remedies” that were used in 1140. Others set up genuine medieval board games, or active challenges. A group of campers learned to operate a working model of a trebuchet, while others learned medieval dances, practised songs, rehearsed a mummers’ play, mastered the quintain or gained skill in archery or the spear throw. Contributing to the magic of the day were 14 actor-combatants from Blackthorn Theatre Productions, who brought along medieval artefacts, gave us fight demonstrations, operated key attractions and wandered around in costume all day.
Our day was varied and exciting. In addition to exploring our self-created medieval fayre, we survived a siege, watching the actors ‘fight’ and attended a feast in the evening, presided over by King Stephen himself. The day ended with a “battle” in which half the camp fought for Empress Maud and the other half on the side of King Stephen. We finished as we started – with a story at the campfire pit. This time, we heard about the ending of the English civil war, and the restoration of peace in the land. Finally, we drank hot apple cider and ate home baked cookies, then collapsed into bed… grateful for another sleep-in tomorrow morning!Julie HartleySee more photos at http://www.centauriartscamp.com/media/Galleries/2011/index.htm
Julie
Centauri Summer Arts Camp
Session 2, 2011 Presentations at Centauri Arts Camp!
Posted by centauri in Acting Camp, Arts Camps, Centauri Summer Arts Camp., Film Camps, fine art camp, Stage Combat Camp, Theater Camp, Writing Camps on August 1, 2011
Session Two has ended and Session Three is already underway!
The weather was gorgeous here for presentation day on Saturday – puffy clouds, a light breeze and 
a blue sky. Stage Combat campers wowed us all with a retelling of the Celtic story of the White Horse of Uffington. The foyer was filled with incredible art work from the art campers, and newspapers created by the first ever Centauri Journalism camp. Our film premieres included movies created by two different film camp programs. The Orion Studio showcased an original piece of theatre by our Playwriting & Performance troupe, as well as hilarious improv scenes by the Zen of Comedy, and scenes from modern Canadian and American theatre by our ‘Acting for Stage and Screen’ campers. The Odyssey Theatre rocked with dance numbers, musical theatre pieces and original music compositions for almost two hours. In fact, the only challenge of the day was the closing of the QEW, which meant some families had a very long trip to camp, and arrived in the nick of time for the shows. Our finale included awards, a song led by our leadership program graduates, and the usual cheering, celebrating and tears of sadness as firm friends had to say goodbye.
Session Three is now underway and camp is calm and happy, after a crazy evening program last night that involved team challenges, program directors dressed as bizarre characters and countless trivia questions (how many balloons DOES it take to lift a live chicken???).
Now, in a quiet moment, I’m going over the evaluation forms we asked our session two campers to fill in. One hundred and fifty very happy campers. Here’s some of what they had to say:
“I enjoy the feeling of community and the great people I meet at Centauri”.
“My favourite programs were Backpacking around the World, and the Irish Banquet, and the Social Justice Night and also I liked all the live music and the Water Park and everything else!”
“My counsellors were SO awesome, always supoportive, always making us laugh and so great”.
“The best thing about camp is the staff, the collection of so many artists, the food and the community.”
“As a picky eater, I still found I always had a full stomach, there was always things I wanted to
eat.”
“This is the greatest thing I have ever done, and I had so much fun I have to come back again!”
“I love everything here. I hope I can come back and I hope one day I can work here.”
And now, the second half of the summer is underway!
Check out the photos at http://www.centauriartscamp.com/media/Galleries/2011/index.htm
Julie & Craig
Session One, 2011 ends with Terrific Presentations!
Posted by centauri in Acting Camp, Arts Camps, Centauri Arts Camp, Centauri Summer Arts Camp., Film Camps, fine art camp, Stage Combat Camp, Theater Camp, Writing Camps on July 17, 2011
Yesterday was the final day of session one – and what a day it was! Three venues and ten final presentations, topped by a grand finale featuring every one of our campers. Here are some of the many highlights… Our 
Art & Design campers offered a slide show of the design work created by the campers, along with displays of gorgeous hand-bound books filled with visual poetry. Our stage combat campers restaged the Viking raid on the island of Lindesfarne, showing events from the point of view of Vikings and the monk-victims, in a historic presentation that moved through the fields around camp. Our Acting & Directing campers staged several traditional Indonesian stories, in a performance that included original sound and music, dark side mask, neutral mask and terrific performances. Our Film Styles campers mounted a film festival which included styles such as German Expressionism and slapstick comedy. 
Our Dance campers mounted several pieces, one of which was choreographed by our campers, reflecting given themes. In addition, we had a Clown show, an Fine Art presentation, theatre shows, vocal, musical theatre and much more. Camp was quiet last night, with our stayovers relaxing and so many terrific people gone. I can truly say this is the only time we see our counsellors with sad expressions, as they miss all the great campers they have grown to love. Not to worry, though – session 2 begins in a few short hours, and we have another set of amazing campers all about to arrive!
Check out more photos of the final presentations of Centauri Arts Camp, Session 1 here
http://www.centauriartscamp.com/media/Galleries/2011/index.htm
The Centauri Information Session April 2011
Posted by centauri in Centauri Summer Arts Camp., Stage Combat Camp, Writing Camps on April 12, 2011
The Centauri Information Session was a HUGE Success!
Julie speaking at the Centauri Arts Camp Information Session 2011
This Saturday, dozens of parents, campers and potential campers joined us for a very special event in West Toronto. It was an Information Session about camp – but with a difference! This year, instead of just telling all the families how awesome our staff are, we decided to SHOW them! Gillian Sze ( our session 3 Poetry and Prose Program Instructor) came in all the way from Montreal to offer a reading from her brand new book. She talked a bit about being a writer, and teaching at Centauri, and read several poems before signing copies for families to take home. Ian Walsh (our session 1 & 2 Stage Combat instructor) then offered a Stage Combat demonstration with his partner, Duane, out in the sunshine. Summer felt very close indeed as we sprawled on the steps outside the clubhouse and watched him demonstrate unarmed combat for the stage, and show how actors use broadswords. Finally, we moved back inside for the actual Information Session, where we did what pleases us most in the world – tell families abut Centauri and how much we all love it! Several campers booked to join us in the summer before the day was over, and we also had a chance to say hi to a few campers from past years – thank you to all of you for sharing the day with us… and we’ll see you again in a few short weeks!
Video Clip: Centauri Arts Camp Information Session 2011 – Part 1, Writing Camp
Video Clip: Centauri Arts Camp Information Session 2011, Part 2, Stage Combat Camp
Thanks to Gillian Sze, www.gilliansze.com and Ian Walsh ( Blackthorn productions )
Centauri Summer Arts Camp
www.centauriartscamp.com