blog

the invalid rehearsal

2010-12-05T21:38:35Z

I'm currently directing a short play I wrote for NIDA's Drama Studio - The Invalid Rehearsal. It is a combination of Molière's The Rehearsal at Versailles and The Imaginary Invalid. The Rehearsal at Versailles is a short play Molière wrote to perform for King Louis XIV about Molière and his actors putting on a play for King Louis XIV. I've then written a second act in which... I won't give it away but will say it's a lot of fun. The Invalid Rehearsal has a cast of 10 and performs this Sunday 12 December at NIDA at 12:15 and 3pm. If you're interested in seeing The Invalid Rehearsal contact me.

individual performance - 20 original scripts for hsc drama

2010-10-27T20:54:48Z

Available for pre-order now!
Are you a HSC Drama student? Do you teach or coach HSC Drama students? For the first time ever, you can buy a book of 20 original scripts written specifically for the HSC Drama Individual Project: Performance assessment.
Individual Performance - 20 Original Scripts for HSC Drama
12 scripts are written as female characters, 8 as male with some easily adapted to change the gender. It's available now for pre-order, so to guarantee you get a copy of the first print run, buy now.

drama nsw

2010-09-18T04:05:00Z

Today I ran a workshop at the Seymour Centre for Secondary Drama Teachers. The workshop, The Dramatic I: Teaching the IP, was organised by Drama NSW - the official, professional body representing teachers of Drama in NSW. With a group of committed teachers, I worked through the process of selecting, analysing and rehearsing monologues for the HSC Drama Individual Project: Performance assessment. The workshop went so well, Drama NSW have requested I run a HSC Drama Group Project workshop in the new year.
Image and links by Drama NSW.

where it all began

2010-08-31T01:27:28Z

On Saturday 28th of July I returned to the Bundaberg Players. I first joined the Players' Youth Theatre in 1982 and received the Junior Oscar for my first ever performance - Louis Leonowens, Anna's son in the musical, The King and I.
It was great to revisit my old "home" and especially to pass on some of what I've learnt since by running an acting workshop whilst there. Shirley Halpin participated in the workshop. Shirley was one of my first theatre tutors almost thirty years ago. She said, "I'm here because you can never stop learning about acting and the theatre and I just love sharing so much." I know I learnt that from her. I caught up with my friend Nigel Dick. Like Shirley, Nigel was a Youth Theatre tutor back then. He is now the president of the Players. I acted many times with Rebecca Hutchins who popped in for a visit and now has her own drama and dance school in Bundaberg. Like me, Rebecca very much enjoys passing on her knowledge and skills to aspiring actors and those who love theatre. The Playhouse is a remarkable theatre and well worth a visit when in Bundy.

ip dramaturg

2010-07-18T03:48:08Z

I've just returned from Adelaide where I spent the last week with my good friend and dramaturg on my book Individual Performance, Nicholas Garsden. Nick and I studied acting at NIDA and have remained great friends since. We spent the week working through the IP scripts and I have to say, bringing Nick on board was a stroke of genius. Nick's insight to the characters and how best to increase the drama in each of their stories was exceptional. Those who buy the book will benefit greatly from his input. Thanks Nick.

tick, tick, tick

2010-06-12T12:02:59Z

Last night, the first episode 30 Seconds aired on the ABC. 30 Seconds was produced for Foxtel's Comedy Channel and the ABC picked it up and are playing all six episodes over the next six weeks. 30 Second's executive producer is Andrew Denton and I met him on the set when filming my guest role in the first episode.
Image by 30 Seconds. Links by 30 Seconds and IMDb.

ip @ drama nsw

2010-05-28T00:49:07Z

IP is coming! That is, my book Individual Performance, 20 Original Scripts for HSC Drama. Today was not so much the launch but the first public announcement that the book is coming. I attended Drama NSW's Annual Conference with a stall promoting the book and my drama workshop services for schools. The book will be available in October, at the beginning of fourth term, just in time for the new HSC students in search for great stories to perform in their IP assessments.

12 scripts are being written as female characters and 8 as males but some are easily adapted to the opposite gender. The response to the book was overwhelming - everyone who saw it put their name down to be informed of its release. It seems teachers are desperate for good scripts to pass on to their students.

To be notified of its release in October, email me with your details at paul@creativestate.com.au

vca

2010-03-01T23:32:08Z

Congratulations to Olivia Monticciolo who is continuing her acting journey as a student at Melbourne's prestigious Victorian College of the Arts, VCA. I coached Olivia in preparation for her auditions and I'm thrilled to say she got into her school of choice. Olivia has taken the leap, as many of us have, and relocated to pursue her dreams. I wish you every success Olivia and hope it's everything you want it to be. x

"Paul Caesar's ability to understand an actor and their 'own' method when working with a piece is amazing. He works with the tools the actor instinctively uses, rather than implanting his own methods as a base. In doing this he is quick to discover key blockages the actor may have. He certainly did with me when we were preparing my drama school auditions. Once discovering these blocks he did not shy away from the problem, but attacked them carefully and tactfully so I was able to feel comfortable, and work through any difficulties. He really goes out of his way to support his students and nurture their growth as an actor. Not only was working with Paul a resourceful experience for the audition process, but also his knowledge of current productions and theatre history takes the worth of his coaching to the ultimate level. I am very thankful that I met Paul Caesar and look forward to working with him in the future." Olivia Monticciolo VCA 2010
Links by VCA. Images - recent VCA productions.

beth success

2010-01-27T11:52:46Z

My short play Beth premiered at NIDA on the 13th December with two performances that day, it was a great success. My anti-bullying script hit home with audiences - we got multiple reports of people actually crying in the audience. I knew we would have an impact on the audience, reducing them to tears?, great! One lady came up to me after the show and said, "I'm in education. That was extraordinary, you have to get that out there!" And so I will. In 2010 I'm writing a book targeting HSC students and also hope to publish and sell the two scripts I've written especially for school student: Beth is one and Redemption the other. Both have been produced and performed at the National Institute of Dramatic Art. If you're interested in more information about the scripts, don't hesitate to contact me. Happy 2010 to all.

beth

2009-11-12T10:42:40Z

Over the last couple of months I've written a short play, Beth, for my NIDA Drama Studio students (I head up the Drama Studio, a one year course of Sundays for 15-17 year olds). With a class of 1 male and 7 females I decided to set the play in an all girls school, with our only male playing the teachers and parents of the female students. The play deals with bullying and the ramifications that result. I was horrified by the true stories I found when researching the piece so decided I wouldn't hold back - it has ended up quite dark. I'm directing the production which will perform on Sunday 13th December in NIDA's Parade Studio.