Scenic image + Fences acting

I thought it was really funny how the gender roles were completely switched for the first scene performed in class. It made it very memorable. I was also surprised by the fact that a few minutes can make all the difference when it comes to performing a scene. As far as the performances went I thought the interpretations were interesting, but none of them really came close to what I had imagined. The character that differed the most was Gabriel as I had imagined him as constantly moving vs the portrayal of him entering and standing in one spot.

As for a scenic image from a movie that I remember- the end of water world. The main thing that stuck out to me was the sudden change in color from dull metal and sea blue to a sharp green. The contrast really made an impression.

Stage movement

I liked Monday's lecture, especially due to the hands on experience. The part that was most helpful to me was the description of strong and weak entrances and strong and weak character placement on stage. The physical manifestations of the drawings were really neat and it was very interesting to see how different groups portrayed different shapes on the page. I know my group will take into account all of the stage suggestions due to the fact that there are only three of us and it will be very obvious if there isn't purpose to our movements and entrances. It will be interesting to see what we come up with as a group.

Lab

I must say that having to change my lab time is quite annoying. In addition to this, I didn't get anything from the lab. I enjoy that piece of music, but drawing randomly to the music didn't make too much of an impression on me. The pieces of set that we went over were helpful and to think of it as pieces rather then a picture might help later on, but because that was the only thing I took away from that lab made me feel like a preschooler. Hopefully lab will have a little more substance in the upcoming weeks.

Writing

Wednesday's lecture was really only interesting towards the end. I liked the writing activity where we had to confront ourselves. The idea that true writing only comes when there is complete silence and no distractions is difficult to actually manage but I like the idea. I was surprised at what I wrote when I did the activity and I was quite happy with the result.

Movement

I honestly must say that I thought that movement class was ridiculous. I could see how some of that stuff might apply, but overall the experience left me speechless, and not in a good way. Knowing your instrument/tool is important and so is warming up, but I'm sure there are better ways to go about it. Going through the "stages of life" just annoyed me.
Movement is about performance. Its not what you think you look like that counts, its what you actually look like that matters. Most people don't understand that their movements look different from how they think they look. If you had a mirror in front of you that would be different. Then you could tailor your movements to match the images you have in your head, but if you just move thinking that you are representing something then you probably aren't anywhere close to it. Why do you think that professionals or politicians practice smiling or dance studios are lined with mirrors? Yes, your body is a tool, but it isn't an easy one to use, otherwise we'd all be dancers or actors, etc. So no, I didn't get anything out of that movement class.

The Philippines

My two best friends from home are both Philippino, so last Wednesdays lecture was very interesting. I went into class knowing close to nothing about Philippino history and to hear a first hand account was very interesting. However, I am not really sure how much of it to believe, especially after the disclaimer at the end that we should question everything we hear.

The one thing that I can relate to the most was the idea that most things are not confidential even if you are told they are. It seems that most things usually make it round to the eyes of those that aren't supposed to see or the ears of those who aren't supposed to hear. I have always been very reserved and usually keep my opinions to myself, but I learned that the hard way. It is sad to think that even friends have trouble keeping things to themselves.

I was surprised at how political the lecture was and how it was assumed that most in the audience held the same views as the speaker, especially towards Iraq. It was interesting to hear some comparisons to colonialism which I heartily disagree with. I also think that some of the assumptions in regards to our countries actions were false as well. However, I can understand the power of such sensitive subjects when it comes to speaking to prove a point. Good public speaking can be one of the most powerful tools that an individual has.

Bruises and Stage Direction

My favorite point of yesterday's lecture was the idea that plays never say what you can't do. The stage directions in a play help set up the atmosphere, etc, but apart from that there is nothing else that is a must. The idea that a director is allowed to interpret and shape as much as he/she wants as long as there are no directions that say you can't do it is a very different take on things. I'm so used to hearing what to do rather than having so much freedom. Directing now intrigues me. After last weeks labs we are supposed to decide who the director is and who the actors are. I wasn't sure which I wanted to be, usually when it comes to stuff like that I don't care so I let others who do care pick what they want and I take what's left. After yesterday's lecture I'm not sure if I want to do that in this case, especially since I'm in a group of only three people. We'll see.

The other topic that made an impression on me was the idea of emotional/mental bruises. The comparison to physical bruises and the concept that our bodies are built to heal themselves is such a good point. Just look at how many different drugs are out there for emotional stabilization. However, I don't agree that emotional bruises never heal. I think it depends highly on the person and how willing they are to let those bruises heal. Granted the effect that they have may never go away, but I do believe that it is possible to "heal" them. The mere decision to work and grow through such bruises can help. But then again, I wouldn't really know because I've been lucky enough not to have experienced any significant damage.

First Lab

Since I didn't add the course until later last week, thursday was my first theater lab. I wasn't sure what to expect and was pleasantly surprised. I must admit that although I don't remember anyones name, I do remember peoples' faces and some of the things they said about themselves. One thing I especially liked about the first activity where we talked about ourselves was the fact that since no one knows who you are, you can make yourself whoever you want to be. It is surprising how many people pour their hearts out to strangers. And who knows, maybe I did too.
I think I will get along with my group well and it will be interesting to be in a group with only two others. It seems that most of the other groups are 4 or more people. It might actually be a lot easier to work with only three in the group.
Finally, the excercises that we did were hilarious. I wasn't sure how putting our hands in each other's faces would help us learn about theater, but I did enjoy the activity.

Faith

I felt that the most outstanding point of Wednesday's class was the rhetorical question stated at the end of the lecture. Religion has always bothered me for that exact reason -- it preaches love and doing good yet it has caused so many deaths. When I think about this, I can only come up with two explanations for this phenomena. Either religion itself must be flawed in some way such that it causes people to act in this manner or people don't truly understand their religions and this confusion causes the negative actions that become tied to religion. Although I do not consider myself very religious I was born, baptized, raised and confirmed Episcopalian. I have never heard anything that encourages or even suggests negative action towards another human being. I also believe that most religions share fundamental views. Thus it makes it difficult for me to link the negative affects of religion to a "flaw in the system."

Instead, I have observed that it must be people who corrupt and pervert their own beliefs. People interpret religion to their own benefit or to justify their actions and in many circumstances this leads to negative effects. I believe that the negative impacts of religion are due to a flaw in human nature rather than a flaw in religion. People need meaning, guidance, and community -- religion is able to provide all three. Religion is necessary in our world and the suffering it has caused is a reflection of a flaw in "humanness." It is this flaw in "humanness" that makes us unique as an entity and to take that away would be worse than to take away our five senses. To conclude I would like to mention that it has been determined that there is a gene that predisposes humans to faith. Sit on that for awhile.

Fences

While reading the play Fences I felt very little sympathy towards Troy. Instead I found myself siding with the rest of the family, especially after Troy returns with his bastard child. While I respected Troy's character and his views towards responsibility, it was still dificult for me to understand his choices. However, after today's lecture I found myself re-assessing Troy's position, applying the comparison of the toddler we discussed in class. Knowing the historical background and understanding its place in this play allowed me to feel sympathy for Troy. His reactions to Cory and Rose seem much more grounded, whereas I had originally felt that they were overprotective and disrespectful.

I was able to find humanness in all the character's except for Alberta. Even though she isn't an active character in the play, I felt she was one of the most important characters. Her effect on the other characters was tremendous and it is her relation with Troy that completely shapes the entire second act and gives it drama.

All in all, I enjoyed reading the play but I probably would not enjoy watching it.