Two dazzling evenings featuring TISA's Talent!

TISA's Cabaret Variety Show featured performances inspired by the tradition of boîte entertainment and the diverse potpourri of student engagement. Candlelight ambience, hors d'oeuvres catering and dinner style seating set the tone for the evening's vast array of entertainment and artistry on stage. From instrumental pop to heartwarming ballads, every student at TISA has the chance to shine with empowerment. Audiences sat entranced with wine glasses in hand. Just in time for CEESA's Speech and Debate hosted by TISA, the Cabaret provided the perfect rehearsal environment for our competitors the following morning. From our youngest M1 performers to our soon-to-be graduates, The Hall was filled with music, poetry, drama and light for two full evenings of TISA's Talent. Stay tuned to the TISA Talent Soundcloud page to hear highlights from the TISA's Cabaret Variety Show performances.

TISA Talent SoundCloud: https://soundcloud.com/user-34112388

In November, we welcomed Fenella Kelly as an Artist in Residence from The International Schools Theatre Association (ISTA). Over three days, Fenella worked with DP students on the techniques of Rudolf Laban and Peter Brook, the Indian theatre tradition, Kathakali, whilst the M5s worked on the techniques of Bertolt Brecht and the M1-3 students spent a day devising and creating stories and soundscapes. The workshops were intense but a valuable learning experience and we hope that the students will be able to apply many of the skills they learnt to future assessment tasks and performances.


  
 




Huge thanks to Fenella for spending time with us and sharing her expertise.

The Canterville Ghost

Who dares mock the spirit of Sir Simon de Canterville?

This year’s High School production was a comedy adaptation by Tim Kelly of the Oscar Wilde novel, The Canterville Ghost.  Preparations began back in May with auditions and casting.  After the summer, we got straight into rehearsals with the actors, light and sound technicians.

Being of a ghostly nature, we tied in the story with the theme of Halloween. The play was staged at the Rashid Behbudov Theatre in downtown Baku; a venue that has been one of our favourites over the past 5 years.  The theatre’s ornate interior design and chandeliers seemed to suit the setting of our play perfectly.

The cast ranged from M4-DP1, with the support of student technicians operating sound, lighting, smoke machines, handling props, costume, makeup, designing artwork, selling tickets and a whole range of other behind the scenes work.  Throughout our planning and rehearsal process, the students took on a large number of creative choices; from the way the characters walked and talked, to the way they interacted with the audience. It never ceases to amaze how much effort the students dedicate in supporting one another and how their creativity leads to such imaginative ideas.

The performances took place on October 29th and 30th to audiences that laughed (and sometimes squealed in fright) at the characters on stage who gave bold and comedic performances.  When remembering that some of those actors were nervous in their auditions back in May (and from the first rehearsals where they were so shy even being around one another) it is a true celebration, not only of their successes with a great show,  but also of the journeys they went on in order to get there.

Congratulations and well done to the cast and crew of The Canterville Ghost!

318 Rock Concert TISA 2019

The 318 Rock Concert featured an incredible lineup of TISA's finest musical and technical talent. This student-led event was the product of dedication and team collaboration. Students spent their afternoons and weekends not only rehearsing for the performance but also coordinating production components. It was a night to remember for our multi-talented team.