Subscribe
Nile C. Kinnick High School drama students recently had the opportunity to put their acting skills to the test while participating in the 2014 Exercise Reliant Gale at the Ikego Military Housing Attachment, April 30.
Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Yokosuka, along with Fleet Activities (FLEACT) Sasebo and Naval Air Station Atsugi, conducted the drill during the week of April 28th to May 2nd. Reliant Gale’s purpose is to train naval installations in emergency preparedness and personnel accountability, evacuation and recovery operations from a catastrophic natural disaster.
According to U.S. Embassy officials, typhoon season in Japan runs from May through October, but most typhoon activity occurs between July and September. Reliant Gale purposefully coincides with typhoon season in Japan.
As a part of normal protocol, personnel of FLEACT Yokosuka security department, United States Naval Hospital (USNH) Yokosuka and the Commander, Navy Region Japan (CNRJ) fire department, were also on scene.
The scenario conjured up was a landslide located behind the Ikego Community Center. Landslides are considered to be a serious concern during periods of heavy rain, and conditions are particularly dangerous after rain has fallen at a rate of 20 mm or more an hour or when 100 mm of rain falls nonstop.
In the case of Ikego, nine people were ‘injured’, with one ‘dead’ (in the form of a dummy) and one person in ‘critical condition’ (also in the form of a dummy) that was to be transported to USNH Yokosuka for further treatment.
“One of the most important elements of acting is creating a believable character,” said Nile C. Kinnick Drama Club Advisor, Ben Lewis. “I hoped that these students would become their character and be believable to the support staff. One way they will do this is through improvisation, which means they will react as their character to new situations.”
Meeting after school between three and four times a week for approximately two hours per session, the Nile C. Kinnick Drama Club is an extracurricular program that puts on two productions per year.
Prior to the start of the drill, students were ‘dressed’ for the event, by being subjected to the ‘make up’ artist skills of hospital corpsman, in an atmosphere similar to that of a movie set in front of the Ikego mini mart. ‘Damaged bodyparts’ were enhanced and put in place. The students thoroughly expressed their excitement in being able to perform in this capacity.
“It was fun because we got to really let loose, scream and really act out,” said senior classman Raven Keim, who was on a stretcher due to her ‘injuries’ of both legs. “But I think it would have been more exciting if we had more fake blood! I recommend that for the future but, all in all it was a great experience.”
Normally, the drama students rehearse for weeks and sometimes months prior to actual show time but, Exercise Reliant Gale would require a different approach.
“We had a meeting two weeks before the event,” said senior classman Emma Connor, who had a head injury/laceration. “We chose roles so we came in knowing what we were going to do. Nothing scripted – just the injury. We did not get the symptoms that we were supposed to display. Had we had that, we could have prepared better, but we still had fun.”
Being able to participate in drills like Reliant Gale fuel the future goals’ of the students in the world of acting. For some, these goals include more than simply just acting; they also mean to be a productive member of society.
“I think I will just live with my parents and do my first two years of college at a community college,” said Aubrey Nuttall, a senior classman who acted as a person with third degree burns. “I don’t think Hollywood is for me however, I can see myself acting in college while doing community service. I think one day I would really like to be a veterinary physician. I have always loved animals and I would like to choose a career where I can really help someone.”
Students within the group also have their favorite actors and actresses who they felt inspired them, be it through acting – or just appearance.
“My favorite actors for looks are Leonardo DiCaprio and Orlando Bloom,” said sophomore Chandra Dasa, who for the drill was a pregnant woman. “For acting skills, Johnny Depp is my favorite. Favorite actress? I like Emma Watson, due to her role as Hermione in the Harry Potter series, and Jennifer Lawrence, for her role in the Hunger Games as Katniss. I think I try to pattern myself after those two.”
For participating servicemembers, the students’ presence was well received and viewed as a plus.
“The goal of the drill was to access our capability in response to a mass casualty event,” said FLEACT Yokosuka deputy training officer, Chief Personnelman Michael Terry. “In the case with the students, the benefit was the opposite because usually we have Sailors and dummies to be our ‘casualties’. This time the addition of the students brought a realistic feel to the drill and they were very energetic while getting into character. Whole heartedly, I would like to thank the drama club and Nile C. Kinnick for allowing them to participate in our drill. It was great working with them and they were very professional.”
Future participation in drills like this are not ruled out of the question for students returning to Kinnick for drama club next year.
“Should we do this again? Absolutely,” said Lewis. “It is important that we at Kinnick High School reach outside of our school and support the community just as they support us. We felt that it was beneficial for the support staff to practice responding to a mass casualty disaster. Also, the students really enjoyed the experience.”
Students agreed with Lewis’ assessment.
“I definitely think we should be able to do this type of drill again in the future,” said sophomore Ally Blain, who posed as a 12-year old who had fallen off of her bicycle, resulting in the bone coming out of her ankle. “The more practiced we are, the better we will be able to respond. We definitely needed more gore! The Japanese firemen were really good at staying in character! I think this was a great bonding experience for all of us that were involved.”
- Greg Mitchell, FLEACT Yokosuka Public Affairs
| Date Taken: | 04.30.2014 |
| Date Posted: | 03.11.2024 02:03 |
| Story ID: | 465811 |
| Location: | YOKOSUKA, KANAGAWA, JP |
| Web Views: | 10 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
This work, Red Devil drama club expresses themselves artistically through solid role play – ‘Dramatic Act’ performed by Kinnick students during Exercise Reliant Gale 2014, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
