Last month, all of the sudden, I was tasked with writing a script for a short play for an English Language Carnival to be held at UUM. Not just that, but I had to coach the actors, who were all students of our business school. The theme was “peace”. So I wrote a script with 10 speaking roles (2 narrators included) entitled Requiem to War.
However the event was postponed on account of royal demise. Then we got word that a new date had been set.
![Some sort of requiem Some sort of requiem](https://i0.wp.com/hishgraphics.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2017-elca-01.jpg?resize=600%2C338&ssl=1)
Some sort of requiem
All the actors got back into gear. I attended their final rehearsal.
![The lead actors tried to kill each other The lead actors tried to kill each other](https://i0.wp.com/hishgraphics.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2017-elca-02.jpg?resize=600%2C338&ssl=1)
The lead actors tried to kill each other
I only handled the acting and staging part of the rehearsal. My colleague Yuzy did most of the heavy lifting with regards to costume, props and logistics for the troupe.
![Varsity Mall food Varsity Mall food](https://i0.wp.com/hishgraphics.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2017-elca-03.jpg?resize=600%2C360&ssl=1)
Varsity Mall food
Friday evening, Irfan, Ain and I drove to UUM to check out the site of the event. We had dinner at the mall there. I wish we had a mall here.
![Dark flight deck Dark flight deck](https://i0.wp.com/hishgraphics.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2017-elca-04.jpg?resize=600%2C368&ssl=1)
Dark flight deck
We also realised that the phone tried to determine our ages when we took this photo. The phone believes I am in my 30s while Irfan is in his 20s.
![Elon Elon](https://i0.wp.com/hishgraphics.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2017-elca-05.jpg?resize=600%2C387&ssl=1)
Elon
Ain dropped me off at the main hall where I rendezvoused with my colleague Nole. We found our booth, but where were the students? I joined the students who were undergoing briefing at a faculty some distance away. They were safe and sound.
![All the world All the world](https://i0.wp.com/hishgraphics.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2017-elca-06.jpg?resize=600%2C338&ssl=1)
All the world
This stage would be where acting troupes from almost 20 public universities would perform the following day.
![Instructors Instructors](https://i0.wp.com/hishgraphics.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2017-elca-07.jpg?resize=600%2C374&ssl=1)
Instructors
Our team of non-student participants posed for a photo at the booth before we headed home for the night.
![Glitz Glitz](https://i0.wp.com/hishgraphics.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2017-elca-08.jpg?resize=600%2C338&ssl=1)
Glitz
Sadly, our troupe did not make it to the finals. I was not able to attend the performances on Saturday as I had classes all day. I went in the evening to see the finals. The top winning troupes were quite outstanding. In any case our actors did the best that they could under the circumstances.
![Video killed the theatre star Video killed the theatre star](https://i0.wp.com/hishgraphics.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2017-elca-09.jpg?resize=600%2C338&ssl=1)
Video killed the theatre star
I also stitched together and displayed a video of my theatre acting co-curricular class for booth visitors to see.
![Dramatis Personae Dramatis Personae](https://i0.wp.com/hishgraphics.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2017-elca-10.jpg?resize=600%2C345&ssl=1)
Dramatis Personae
The carnival closing ceremony was held on Sunday morning. After the event the team (the ones that were in close vicinity) posed before the signage outside the hall.
![Lat art is the best art](https://i0.wp.com/hishgraphics.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/2017-elca-11.jpg?resize=600%2C514&ssl=1)
Lat art is the best art
Irfan, Ain and I managed to take a photo of the standee and backdrop signage. (Actually we took this photo when we first arrived Sunday morning.)
This had been a great experience in planning, preparing and coaching students for theatre. We learned a lot from this excursion to UUM. We believe we will be able to do a much better job next time.
awesome!!! 😀 congrats on having your first play staged! it’s a great experience for everyone involved. did anyone record your kids performing?
oh that Lat background thing is very cool. looks like a fun and educational time for all!