Through her Eyes

As i stepped back into the theater with yoga and nathan, i found myself a seat all the way behind, the last row near the control room,near nathan's and thana's fortress.

i looked at the stage,where people were clearing up the props and sets.

and i kept on looking.and looking.and slowly, my eyes closed, and my mind went back to july 2008.

i leaned back against the soft velvet chair and sighed.
memories begun to swirl around me.
for that moment i wasn't at RP.
i was at my first day.

i was taken back to the sembawang bus interchange,waiting for parms cause i had no idea where jelutong cc was.
as she and i walked to the cc, which i now just can't do without, i walked into the theatrette.there were only four of us - saras, praba, parms and me. that was the first time i met praba.
little did i know, how much emotions that theatrette would hold.

a while later saras gave me the script. i flipped the pages and came across the page that was titled "Act 2 Scene 3".
and i saw the two words that would change my life forever - Big Mama.
Leader of a crew of 8 strong individuals who dare to stand up for what they believe in.

Moments later, shanty and kesavan came.
A tall guy with white long sleeves and 3/4 pants walked in,wearing shades.(at that moment i did feel that the shades had to die but what the heck).
at the first thing he said,looking at me was "and who is this?", in the most Jet - like tone ever.
i got up,smiled, shook his hands and said "hey, i'm suady"
and he said " hey you, i'm yoga".

within minutes, we all were taking pictures of ourselves,making fun of one another, laughing and joking about.
my mind swirled again, i moved forward to a day, a month or two later.

i walked into the theatrette, and saras came running to me and said "Your first two misfits are here!!".
with a huge grin on my face, i ran in and saw them.they were both sitting on the stage, very quiet, and as i saw both of them, something inside me told me that i was going to love them with all my life.
and that they were not going to be any quiet*grinz*
i loved their style, their personality, their character instantly.
and there was something about her that was just so.....like me.
i did my lines with them, and that day,
Spider and Bling came to life.

My mind swirled,to the day i walked up to the dance studio where i first met Lex and Prasad.
Mustafa came in, and no one was more happier than me when i knew that Stink was him.
that day was the last day, where ny final 4 misfitz came in.
Worm,Mole and Oz.
Digger was late.haha.

and i finally had my whole crew.

i looked at them, and my mind started asking questions.
"would i be their leader, the one they would look up to, the one who would look after them like one of her own, would i inspire and lead them?"
i never had the answers.
we never bonded at first.there were so much problems.
it seemed impossible.
but all my heart told me was, "whatever happens, don't give up on them.cause they WILL become more than what they are today, and they are worth it".

i remember the day Saras sent the misfitz out of the theatrette cause we totally screwed up our scene.
that day, one other person walked out with us.
he spoke, and with every word, i felt our hope rise.
we were bursting with ideas, with so much energy.
he was our spark.
when we went in back there, we made a statement.
a standard was set.the misfitz united.
Saras saw the scene,turned to him and said "Good job Nathan".
He beamed with pride.
that was just the start.

Mind swirled again, to the hardcourt.
Physical training was the most straining ones ever.
when it finally ended, i cried.
yoga and isabelle squeezed me tight and cried with me.
that was the day the "Suagabelles" were born.

Flashes of the journey came in my mind.

The week where Yoga,Isabelle,Anaz and i would go down for press release practice before judgement day.
before that week, at the theatrette, a young man sat on the stage, with a white hoodie, staring into blank space.
they told me that he was going to be in the cast.
and i asked yoga, "can he dance?"
yoga stared back at me.
that's when i met the King of House.

i saw her groove, and i loved it.
little did nicole know that she would inspire me to want to do groove in the near future.
he pushed me on when i needed hope,
and andrew had no idea how much it helped.

another tall guy came into the musical before i left for South Africa.
i didn't think that he would turn crazy.
but Thana eventually did - and brought joy along with it.

he came in and gave us his opinion,
cause he knew we were capable of something much better than what we were doing.
and yes Collin,u were right.

she designed and made that dress,
the one i wore for my finale.she believed i would pull it off.
that gown made me look different,and brought out another side of me.
how would i ever thank Kanitha for that.

we came in as ordinary people.
and now, my misfitz are all dancers.
the star that moulded us and never lost faith in us.
Prasad - u have no idea.

she came to me and told me, "i'm doing a musical , do u want the role of Big Mama?"
i never knew the word "yes" would bring to where i am now.
saras, what would i have done without you.

my mind swirled yet again and stopped at a point.
i told yoga "i want to quit. i can't do this"
he spoke. i listened.
i never gave up after that.

i could go on about how much everyone has done something for me.i really could go on thinking.

i thought about all the things we all went through.
but the one that really hit me were my misfitz.

i saw them grow, mature and learn.
i saw them from the beginning till yesterday.
i saw the transition.

my eyes opened and i felt tears stinging my eyes.
i stared on right through at the stage where most of the props had already been cleared out.
through thick and thin, till the very end we had disagreements and all.
but we gave in, forgave and forgot.
all 7 of them came to my mind, and i told my heart - "u have never been more right before"

as i blinked and kept staring right ahead,my vision of the stage became clear.
my mind stopped swirling.
i had a smile.
and i beamed.

i could never be any more prouder than i am right now,misfitz.
i love you all so much.


to everyone in this musical.

i want to apologize if i had hurt anyone here.
and i want to say that i am so proud to be part of something as amazing as this.
every single one of you are awesome, and have touched me in one way or another.
and i want to thank u for that.
i will not say bye, because i believe that we are in control of what we end.
and we will not end this.

and yes.
we didn't beat any standards out there yesterday.
we set our own.

thank you,from the very bottom of my heart, for moulding me into someone stronger than she has ever been.
i love you all.very much.

ROCK & RULE PEOPLE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Big Mama

The Last Curtain Call

By the time most of you read this, this experience would probably be over already.

But I just can't get onto that stage without coming back here again. I just have a lot of things I want to say...But as usual time works against us. But I woke up this morning with the aim of posting one last time in here before I go up onto that stage and perform for a crowd that has not seen what went into this production.

Its been a beautiful journey. It really has...I just cannot explain how much this means to me. To some, it means the world. This whole musical and all the memories associated with it give light to my world...

Sighs...

I'm looking at the timer...0 days 18 hours...I can't believe it really is happening. Show time seemed so far away once...But as always, all good things must come to an end.

I've made a great many friends, most of which I will never forget or lose touch with forever...I've seen people laugh...made them laugh...made some cry. But it's these people...you...that make me come for every practice.

People kept asking me why I keep turning up for practice when I have nothing on. For a simple reason...

I enjoy every moment of it...every single second I spend in that theatrette, in that dance studio...in that hall.

Memories so sweet their taste will always remain even after all these is over...even til my dying day.

And now that its nearly over, I just wanted to say sorry to anyone I've offended, to anyone I've pissed off.

Sorry to my choreographers and my director if i didn't listen or pay attention...Say sorry to my friends for being very moody for the past few days...The thought of leaving is too heart-wrenching.

AS I am saying this, my bag is packed for the last time...packed to the brim with things I will need for these next 3 days...I will never pack that bag again for another musical practice or rehearsal again.

Sighs...

It's been a beautiful journey...So for the next 60 hours...til the last curtain call, enjoy it. You will never get another chance.

When we do the final curtain call...The final round of applause...We will be backstage in tears, smiling, happy...sad. Just know that even thought this thing is over, our friendship will always remain...will always grow...


Cast and Crew of CinderElla the Musical...It has been beautiful...


This will be my Final Curtain Call...


Thank You...For Everything...


For the last time and Forever more...
Jet

The last Saturday : )

Yes darlings, this is the last Saturday and by the next Saturday, this will be all over....

Here's the schedule:

Report in by 9.30am. (9.45am latest)

10am- 12pm: "Like You" and "For the Streets Alone"
12pm- 2pm: "Finale Piece" Dance Rhearsal
2pm- 3pm: "You've Got To", "Brats", "Hey Wannabes", "Misfits Rap"
3pm- 4pm: Lunch Break
4pm- 7pm: Scene Rehearsals (Full musical)
- WITH ALL THE SONGS!!!
7pm- 8pm: Dinner Break
8pm- 10pm: Finale Dance Rehearsal


Alrght as you can see, just for this last Saturday, the scene rehearsals and the dance rehersals are slightly shifted. And if you take note, it is best that everyone stays on from morning till night. Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner for this Saturday will be catered.

Timetable for the next week at RP will be provided on this coming Saturday as well.

10 days more to the musical guys...let's work towards it

Week 1

Yes guys, it is week 1...

Monday:
1)Dance
- "Misfits" Intro, "For the Streets Alone" and "Finale"
- I/C: Prasad
- Ppl Involved: Swathy, Isabelle, Isaac, KC, Iqmall, Praven, Sameer, Nicholas, Shanty and Mustafah
- Time: 7pm- 10pm

2) Scene Rehearsals
- I/C: Saras
- Ppl Involved: Parmes, Nerissa, Indra, Aarthi, Yvonne and Colin
- Time: 8pm- 9.30pm

3) Scene Rehearsals
- I/C: Saras
- Ppl Involved: Shanty and Nicholas
- Time: 9.30pm- 11pm

Tuesday:
1) Dance
- "Like You" and Finale
- I/C: Nicole
- Ppl Involved: Parmes, Nerissa, Indra, Yvonne, Colin, Chitra, Ezra and Aarthi
- Time: 7pm- 10pm

2) Scene Rehearsals
- I/C: Saras
- Ppl Involved: Shanty and Nicholas
- Time: 7pm- 9pm

3) Scene Rehearsals
- I/C: Saras
- Ppl Involved: Shanty, Praven, Sameer, Mustafah, Isabelle, Chitra, Nicholas and Colin
- Time: 9pm- 11pm

Wednesday:
1) Dance
- "Bounce", "You've Got To", "Misfits" rap, "For the Streets Alone" and Finale for both the Skater group and the Misfits
- I/C: Nicole, Prasad, Andrew and Terence
- Ppl Involved: Swathy, Isabelle, Isaac, Mustafah, KC, Praven, Iqmall, Sameer, Nicholas, Shanty, Bettina, Ezra, Casey, Anaz, Yoga and Deepa
- Time: 7pm- 10pm

2) Scene Rehearsals
- I/C: Saras
- Ppl Involved: Yoga, Deepa and Hema
- Time: 6pm- 8pm

3) Scene Rehearsals
- I/C: Saras
- Ppl Involved: Shanty and Nicholas
- Time: 10pm- 11pm

Thursday:
1) Dance
- "Hey Wannabes", "Like You"
- I/C: Nicole
- Ppl Involved: Prep Squad, Skater Group, Goth Group, Nerds, Drama Kids and Nicholas
- Time: 7pm- 10pm

2) Scene Rehearsals
- I/C: Saras
- Ppl Involved: Yoga, Deepa and Hema
- Time: 6pm- 7.30pm

3) Scene Rehearsals
- I/C: Saras
- Ppl Involved: Shanty and Nicholas
- Time: 8pm- 10pm

Friday:
1) Dance
- "CinderElla" Part 1
- I/C: Colin and Han Zhi
- Ppl Involved: Kanitha, Anaz, Yvonne, Ezra, Bettina, Casey, Indra, Andrew, Nerissa and Kelvin

2) Scene Rehearsals
- I/C: Saras
- Ppl Involved: Swathy, Mustafah, Isabelle, Isaac, KC, Iqmall, Sameer, Praven, Shanty and Nicholas
- Time: 7pm-10pm

Week 2

Monday
6pm- 7.30pm: Activity- Recording for 'Misfits' rap
Ppl Involved- Issac
7.30pm- 10pm: Activity- Scene Rehearsal and 'It's my Time' rehearsal
I/C- Saras and Andrew
Ppl Involved- Shanty and Martin

Tuesday
7pm- 10pm: Activity- 'Like you' dance rehearsal
I/C- Nicole
Ppl Involved- Parmes, Nerissa, Chitra, Indra, Yvonne, Colin, Aarthi,
Nicholas, Ezra

Wednesday
Activity- Party Crash
I/C- Prasad, Nicole and Terence
Ppl Involved- Shanty, Mustafah, Swathy, Isaac, Isabelle, Praven, Iqmall, KC, Sameer,
Bettina, Nicole, Ezra, Casey, Anaz, Terence

Thursday
7pm- 10pm: Nil

Friday
7pm- 10pm: Contemporary Practice

Saturday:
8am- 9am: Activity: Detention
I/C: Serena
9.30am: Report in by this time
10am- 2pm: Scene rehearsal (Full musical)
Songs to be performed along with the scenes...
- "Contemp"
- "Bounce"
- "Like you"
- "For the Streets Alone"
- "You've Got To"

Songs that will just be played...
- "Broken Pieces"
- "Hey Wannabes"
- "Bounce"
- "Misfits" rap
2pm- 3pm: Lunch Break
3pm- 6pm: - Hey Wannabes dance practice
- "Misfits" rap dance practice
6pm- 7pm: - Dinner Break
- "You've Got To" dance practice
7pm- 10pm: - "Bounce" dance practice
- "Brats" dance practice

Week 3

Monday: Nil

Tuesday:
6pm- 7pm: Activity- "Hey Wannabes" vocal Practice
I/C- Lex and Prabs
Ppl Involved- Parmes and Nerissa

7pm- 9pm: Activity- Prep Squad (Like You) dance rehearsal
I/C- Nicole
Ppl Involved- Parmes, Nerissa, Indra, Yvonne, Ezra, Colin, Aarthi, Chitra

8pm- 10pm: Activity- Production Meeting
Ppl Involved: Serena, Naathan and Saras


Wednesday:
10am- 5pm: Activity- Choreography for 'Party Crash' and 'Hey Wannabes'
I/C- Prasad, Nicole, Andrew, Terrance
Ppl Involved: Bettina, Anaz, Lex

7pm- 10pm: Detention!
- 1 hour: Andrew, Yvonne, Ezra, Kanitha, Martin, Praven, Deepa, KC, Iqmal
- 2 hours: Shanty and Suady
- 3 hours: Isaac and Isabelle
(Serena will be contacting you, so please inform her on what time you can make it down...yes...it is painting...)

Thursday:
8pm- 12am: Activity- Production Meeting
Ppl Involved- Serena, Naathan and Saras

Friday:
10am- 1pm: Activity- Production meeting with Republic Polytechnic
Ppl Involved- Serena, Naathan and Saras

7pm- 9pm: Activity- Misfits Scene Rehearsal
I/C- Naathan
Ppl Involved- Suady, Praven, Iqmal, KC, Sameer, Isaac, Isabelle, Mustafah

7pm- 10pm: Activity- 'CinderElla Part 1'(Contemp dance rehearsal)
I/C- Colin and Han Zhi
Ppl Involved- Shanty, Martin, Kanitha, Anaz, Yvonne, Ezra, Indra, Andrew,
Nerissa, Kevin, Betina and Casey

Saturday:
9am- 10am: Activity- Detention
I/C- Serena

10am- 1pm: Activity- Musical Act Run Through (Act 1 till Act 4)
I/C- Saras
Ppl Involved- ALL! (actors and backup dancers...ALL!)
(this week, everyone will be assigned a sheet with details on which scenes
they are in. So come down for the acts rehearsal as you will also be
assigned which acts are you back up actors for...)

1pm- 2pm: Lunch Break

2pm- 5pm: Activity- Misfits Intro 'RAP' dance practice
I/C- Prasad
Ppl Involved- Shanty, Suady, Praven, KC, Sameer, Iqmal, Mustafah, Isaac,
and Isabelle

Activity- 'Hey Wannabes' dance practice
I/C- Nicole
Ppl Involved-
1) Prep Squad: Parmes, Nerissa, Nicholas, Indra, Aarthi,
Yvonne, Colin
2) Skater Group: Bettina, Nicole, Ezra, Anaz, Terence, Casey
3) Drama Group: Ice, Zul and 3 others
4) Musicians: Kevin, Han Zhi and Andrew

5pm- 6pm: Dinner Break

6pm- 9pm: Activity- 'Party Crash' Dance practice
I/C- Prasad and Nicole
Ppl Involved- Shanty, Suady, Mustafah, Isabelle, Isaac, Praven, Sameer, KC,
Iqmal, Nicole, Bettina, Casey, Terence, Ezra and Anaz


That's the time schedule for the entire week. Only 3 more weeks till week 0.
You have a choice to make to either put everything you've got into this or none at all.
This is a gamble you have to make and alot of what you are about to do are risks.
Make a choice of whether you want to take the risks or not.
Decide if the time you put aside is worth it.
Decide whether the last 9 months have been worth it.
Decide whether you are going to challenge yourself for the next 3 weeks.
Becuase they are going to be the hardest 3 weeks of your life.
No break, no sleep, no time, plenty of stress, breakdowns, tears and anger.
Decide if you are up for it.
If you are, then I'll most gladly see you at all rehearsals with nothing to provide but the hope of the best nights of your lives.

Imagine when you take to the stage...

...and the world watches you perform...

Saturday....

Okay here's the program for Sat:

9am- 10am: Those who need to report for detention will be contacted by Serena by Thursday. Please report at this time.
10am- 10.30am: Contemp final practice
10.30am- 11am: Hip Hop routine final practice
11am- 12pm: Full run through of press conference program- (once together with scenes)
12pm- 12.30pm: Lunch Break (lunch is provided for that day)
12.30pm- 1.30pm: Travel to Arts House (Bus will be chartered)
1.30pm- 2pm: - Briefing in the playden
- Crew set up
2pm- 2.20pm: Contemp dance (start aligning and firm up positions)
2.20pm- 2.40pm: Hip hop dance (start aligning and firm up positions)
2.40pm- 3pm: Scene alignment
3pm- 4pm: Run through of entire program
4pm- 4.30pm: Return backstage
4.30pm- 5pm: Registration of press, parents, principals, sponsors, GRLs and GOH
5pm- 6pm: Press Conference Program

You must have recieved a message from either Andrew, Swathy, Nicole or myself about inviting your parents to the press conference. You are allowed to ask one of your parent or family member to the press conference. So please do reply to Nicole or Andrew or Swathy : )

Venue is ofcourse the Arts House. If your parents would like to take the bus with us to the Arts House just indicate in the message. We will arrange for it.

Now as for the attire. Like I said bring a set of attire to wear after before you're interviewed. With regards to the dancers, your respective choreographers have already went out to buy the attires together with Kanitha.

However, for those involved in the scenes for press release, here's what you've got to do:
Sameer- please collect your coat and shirt from my house
Praven- Same as Sameer
KC- You already know how to dress.....please make sure you've got your PSP and Headphones
Igmal- You know how to dress as well...please come and collect your bow tie from my house
Mustafa- Please do wear whatever you see fit but make sure it is presentable
Swathy- You know how to dress as well...I would suggest the red blouse that you wore for the photoshoot
Isabelle- Whatever you wish as well
Isaac- You know how to dress...
Shanty- you will work it out with Kanitha and me but start thinking about how you would like to dress
Yoga- Coat (we'll purchase it on Thursday) and pants (your own one)
Deepa- : ) We've got it covered babe

If I have missed out anyone please do inform me.

Contact me at 90406977 if you have any very important questions.

Thank you guys : )

Ella Dearest....From Pixie

To My Ella Dearest,

Your fallen tears have called to meso here comes my sweet remedy

I know what every princess needsfor her to live life, happily...

With just a wave of my

I'll vanish your blemishes,tooth decay,cellulite thighs will fade a wayAnd oh, what the hey!

Have a bichon frisee!Nip and tuck, here and thereto land the prince with the perfect hair,Lipstick, liners, shadow, blush!To get that prince with a sexy tush!Lucky day! A bouquet!You and the prince take a roll in the hay!You can magic wand your troubles will soon be gone

with a flick of the wristin just a flashyou'll land a prince with a ton of casha high priced dress made by mice, no less crystal glass pumps and no more stress

Your worries will vanishYour soul will cleanseconfide in your very own furniture friendswe'll help you start a new fashion trend!I'll make you fancyI'll make you great the kind of gal the prince would date they'll write your name on the bathroom wall"For a happy ever after, give ELLA a call!"A sporty new carriage to ride in style Sexy man, my chauffer Kyle! swoon on the moonwith the princeto this tune!Don't be drab, you'll be fab!Your prince will have rock hard abs!

From your oh-so-adorable fairy godparent

PIXIE

Time for love, friendship and...rehearsals muahahaha

Love is in the air as well as the scent of sweet smelling flowers and the delicious and scrumptious smell of chocolates. But that is not all you will see on valentines day my little darlings. You will get to see all of us in ArteenFurteens.

That's right everyone we're having good old rehearsals to celebrate valentines day. Don't all of you start screaming in excitement.

So here's the rehearsal schedule:

8am-9am: Issac, Shanty, Isabelle and Nithya report in for set painting (theaterette)
9am- 11am: - 'CinderElla Part 1' Contemp rehearsal (In hall)
- Misfits Scene Rehearsals (In theaterette)
11am- 12pm: - Misfits Scene Rehearsals ( In hall)
- Prep Squad Scene Rehearsals (In hall)
12pm- 1pm: - Combine scene rehearsal: 1) Party Crash scene, 2) School yard scene, 3) Breaking
Ella out of her room scene

1pm- 2pm: Briefing for Press Release for All (In Theaterette)- This is VERY IMPORTANT and I cannot emphasise this enough.

2pm- 3pm: Lunch Break for all
3pm- 4pm: - Misfits dance rehearsal (@ theaterette)
- Prep Squad dance rehearsal (@hall)
4pm- 5pm: - Misfits dance rehearsal (@ hall)
- Prep Squad dance rehearsal (@ theaterette)
5.30pm- 8pm: - Press Release- Hip Hop Routine
- Meeting for crew members for press release (5pm- 6.30pm)
6.30pm- 7.30pm: Dance Department meeting for timeline


So as you'll can all see, we've got a long day ahead of us. So make sure you all come down on time and make sure you're there the whole day or atleast till your part is done.

For those of you'll I've seen earlier this week, you'll realise I've been coming for your rehearsals and picking out all those who have been late. Remember you've got a ten minute grace period and after that your name will be taken down. As you can see, Shanty, Isabelle and Issac are down for set painting this Saturday and hence have to be there at 8am. We shall hence forthe label this set painting time as 'DETENTION'.

Also, please be reminded that no food or drinks are allowed in the theaterette or dance studio. Adhere to the rules or you to will be asked to come in for detention.

For the week, here's what install:
Tuesday: - Press Release Hip Hop Routine (All were present) Excellent Work! (I/C: Prasad)
- Prep Dance Rehearsals (All except Nithya were present) Good Job! (I/C: Nicole)
- Press Release short meeting (I/C: Thana)
Wednesday: - Misfits Dance Rehearsals (Swathy, KC, Isabelle, Issac, Sameer, Igmal, Martin,
Shanty, Praven) Mustafah is excuesed as he is in NS (I/C: Prasad)
- Rap practice (Issac, Idham and Praven) (I/C: Prabs and Saras)
- Vocals training (Parmes and Nerissa) (I/C: Prabs and Lex)
- Meeting with etue productions (I/C: Saras)
Thursday: - Prep Squad Scene Rehearsals (Parmes, Nerissa, Nithya, Indra, Yvonne, Collin,
Chitra and Nick) (I/C: Serena)
- Attire Shopping for Contemp (I/C: Kanitha and Collin)
- Attire Shopping for Yoga and Deepa (I/C: Saras)
Friday: - 'CinderElla Part 1' Contemp practice (I/C: Collin)

Yup long long week with alot of work but that's what makes this all fun right? See you guys real soon.

Saras

Delayed Birthday wishes!!!!!!!!!!

People people people....we should all loudly scream brithday wishes to the ones we love in the musical!!!!!!!!!!!

Jan and Feb:
So first up ofcourse we have overly sarcastic and critical Nathan, ever bubbly and strong willed Swathy, humorous and sweet hearted Ezra and Feisty and adorable Ain. Know that you guys are loved and treasured by all of us!


Yes yes there are more birthday babies coming up...God! How many February studs and babes do we have? Countless!!!!

So we'll do our wishes for the rest of you birthday babies real soon : )

Lots of Love,
Arteen Furteens