Before we left for the holidays, everybody was brain storming ideas for our show in February 2016.
The BRIT School is a place known for the unusual, controversial, and tackling the hard-hitting subjects that other schools and colleges may not have the courage to do. They had decided that we were going to portray the current refugee crisis that is effecting Europe.
As a group we all definitely needed to do our research, as the refugee crisis is something that was also taking place in the UK, its on the news everyday. The refugee crisis is all really controversial because there are so many conflicting opinions on the whole situation, what should be done, and what shouldn't be done looking into the welfare of these people and the countries they are trying to get to.
This made me really sceptical towards the show, as at any day in our months of structuring and planing, a massive breakthrough or change from the government or society could happen, invalidating our show but it was also exciting because all of our news and research was up to date, and we could really raise awareness and speak for the those who cannot always be heard.
I feel like through the medium of dance, so much can be taken in by an audience, as we are only using our bodies, faces, and movement to make an impact and take the audience on a journey.
If one person leaves The Obie feeling touches, angry, motivated, disgusted or saddened, then they are leaving with more than they came with and are hopefully pushed to make a change, and help those in need.
As well as talks about our show, as a strand we needed to come up with a company name for ourselves and a show title, that was relevant. We were all told to get thinking and come up with some names for both, as we satin a circle having a massive discussion. In the end we chose 'Moral Panic' for the show title, as it is really challenging morality and society, and with the mass media involved at every angle it could turn the whole crisis into a panic if it posed a threat to Britain.
Moral Panic - an instance of public anxiety or alarm in response to a problem regarded as threatening the moral standards of society.
For our company name we have chosen 'Displacement Dance Theatre' shortened to 'DDT'. We have interpreted the meaning of 'Displacement' in the most literal way, as all of these refugees who have mostly come from good, well-educated, and loving families, have been forced to leave their homes because of a war they never wanted, often having made dangerous journeys, leaving their loved ones, brutal abuse, and death as a direct consequence, all to try and get to safety, so they can rebuild better lives for themselves. Our show name and company name gel nicely together, as they both summarise and highlight the message we are trying to portray.
Displacement - take over the place, position, or role of.
- move (something) from its proper or usual position.
- force (someone) to leave their home, typically because of war, persecution, or natural disaster