IDEAS FOR NEXT YEAR!

Just jotting some ideas down so I don't forget them!



-Independent project: write a script and direct play, got idea from short film "Denial" which is about drug addictions, would like to do a play on suicide, how would I work that out in a metaphysical sort of way...?




-Oral: Jessica's theme was space in the theater, I need a central theme... I was thinking something like theater in the real world, and explain how the things I've learned in theater have also applied to my life outside of theater (this would help because I don't really have much experience in theater as far as performances go)

Eva's Individual Project

Michael Chekhov:

The main point of Eva's individual project about Michael Chekhov was that you need to develop. Develop into your character and develop AS a character so that you see and understand your character more.

He basically pushes his students outside the box to expand their idea of acting-- not just their acting in general, but everything they thought to be true about acting and the stage. He pushes the boundaries out a little bit farther.




We had to define ourselves.
REdefine ourselves.
And define ourselves again.

Define ourselves by our actions, by our gestures, by our connections.
Chekhov is all about KNOWING yourself and your character.
And using that, manipulating it to work for your needs on stage.

3rd Progress Report on Research Investigation.

I HATE THIS THING AND WANT TO RIP IT INTO LITTLE SHREDS, ITS MAKING MY LIFE A LIVING HELL AND I HAVE


ZERO


MOTIVATION TO GET IT DONE RIGHT NOW.
A;SKJDFAIOWJEFAKSDFJ;AWJET;ASFDAIWE;FAJ.

Doll's House Scenes (Beats and Motivation)

Julian and I were assigned the last scene of the play and HOLY EFFING MOTHER, I have paragraphs to memorize.



PARAGRAPHS.



Which is ok, as long as I work on it EVERY DAY. I'm just tired and exhausted and I'm really trying to get this scene down, especially since Jessica did it last year so I know I have some big shoes to fill. And I love the scene, I love the passion... So I really want to do it justice, you know? Make Ibsen proud. :)


And I've been really trying to get down everything Jessica taught us about motivation, and everything Ms. May taught us about beats. Really learning Nora's character and trying to get into her, to be her, to see her. To understand her so that when I go play her on stage, I'm not acting. I'm BEING.


I'm actually excited. I just think the hardest part will be getting the memorization down so that I can say the lines on instinct and really focus on my character, not the lines. :)

Impressions from Orals

Today we got to see some of the seniors perform their orals.
Or let me correct that.

We got to see JESSICA perform her oral.

And pardon my french, but she KICKED ASS.

She inspires me to really study theater. And I mean REALLY study it.

And as I watched her, the thing that struck me most was how much experience she has. Outside of school. Like workshops and classes and performances and all of these things that she can pull from and use for her presentation.

I NEED that experience.
And maybe this summer I'll try to get into some workshops or something, just to add to my list of experiences for next year.

It was helpful though, to see the seniors perform THEIR orals and know what it feels like and what it takes.

Kudos, seniors. :)

Music from Aida.

I always forget how much of a PERFORMANCE music really is.
The theatrical aspect of it.
The way you actually have to present yourself to the audience.
To move them.
To feel them.
To guide them.


Just as the actors do. :)



I LOVE the soundtrack to Aida, and the pit orchestra was stellar, I have to say.

Simply wonderful.

Compliments to the players and conductors. :)

Aida.

I didn't try out for this play-- one because I can't sing worth a damn, and two because I am currently enrolled in track and couldn't/wouldn't give that up to perform.

But I did go see the play. Twice. That's the first time I've ever seen a Rampart production twice, and that is a true testament to what an amazing and incredible job the actors did with their performance.

I think maybe part of the reason this one was so spectacular was because the plotline wasn't too too hard to follow. Like All the King's Men... I could follow that story line, but I had to pay attention a lot more than I did with Aida.

Aida drew me in with PASSION, and LOVE, and true HEARTBREAK, rather than intellectual stimulation. Does that make sense? Like the storyline itself was not complicated, it was the way they played out the emotions that made it so compelling and so easy to watch and to enjoy.

I am ashamed to admit it but I actually CRIED. Legitimately cried. That's how convincing Jessica and Ben and Hudson and Janice (and the rest of the cast) were.

Incredible.
Unbelievable.
Marvelous.