A Theater company that I have particular interest in is The Royal Shakespeare Company, located in Stratford-upon-Avon, (the birthplace of William Shakespeare) London, and Newcastle, England. They also go on tour all over the world.
The material they produce is obvious by the title of this regional theater group; they produce plays written by William Shakespeare. Currently, they are about to Julius Caesar and As You Like It, in April and May in Stratford-upon-Avon. Not only do they produce already written plays, they produce performances of new writing, based off Shakespeare’s classics. Written in the company‘s about section is “When the modern Royal Shakespeare Company was established in early 1960s, it was with the belief that new writing was as important an element of the Company's repertoire as Shakespeare.” This is the “heart” of their work. They also perform a few non-Shakespeare plays.
Their company employs over 500 people, with the boast of having Her Majesty the Queen as Patron and His Royal Highness and Prince of Wales as President of the Royal Shakespeare Company. This is why I am drawn to this regional theater group as opposed to others; I have an interest British history, and all of the monarchial business. The jobs they produce are for not only actors and producers, of course. They have jobs in fundraising, marketing, painting, sound costume, and nursing, as they have a day-care facility. These jobs are also available as part of a work-placement program. There, a person can gain the experience of working for a true theater company, and see all of the behind-the-scenes action.
They also have “Open Door Events” for children in years 10-11 and 12-13. This is to give children the understanding and knowledge of what happens during a theater production. It also shows the students how the different sectors of an international theater company can collaborate to produce a work of art.
The Royal Shakespeare Company has an entire section devoted to the craftsman that do all of the behind-the-scenes work. They show you the wig-making process, the make-up, costumes, props, armory, design, painting, and stage management. This Shakespeare theater company differs from a theater company in the time of the actual William Shakespeare, in the early 1600s. Men played the women in his plays, like Juliet Capulet, Hermia, and Ophelia. They were forced to shave their beards and act with a small voice, as Nick Bottom is required to in Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream. Today, the company has women to fill these historical parts.
A Midsummer Night’s Dream is my favorite Shakespeare play, out of the productions I have read. My love for his writing stems from my High School English teachers’ love for the playwright. As teachers usually do, there were huge pictures of the past and present Globe Theater. We were forced to read numerous works of his during my high school career. These included Julius Caesar, Romeo and Juliet, and Macbeth. For a reading competition, I was forced to read A Midsummer Night’s Dream, and I fell in love with the story. It is funny, romantic, and mischievous, and includes fairies. My favorite genre of reading is fiction, and this play of Shakespeare’s falls directly into that category. If The Royal Shakespeare Company were to arrive in Pittsburgh, I would love to see one of their shows; now that I have learned their history, it would make the experience even more magical.
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Monday, April 6, 2009
Design a Costume for a Character from a Play
The play I have decided to design costumes for is Shakespeare is a Midsummer Night’s Dream. The play is involves a duke, a queen, Greek townspeople of Athens, a number of fairies, and a group of working men that are made to put on a play for Theseus’ marriage to Hippolyta. As I get to play the costume designer, I am imagining the setting during the European renaissance, as opposed to Greece. The play’s costumes, along with their make-up, should have a mythical, regal feel, and have the characters dressed to suit their personalities. I am going to address a few characters and their respective costumes:
Theseus and Hippolyta should both be dressed in a very kingly fashion, in renaissance attire, to suit their status.
They would both be very pompous, and look as though they are of a higher class than the others from the play.
The next costume I would like to address would be the outfit of Puck, or Robin Goodfellow. His costume would need to show off his mischievous personality, and the fact that he is a fairy. I would probably dress him in forest colors, so he could blend in to the period of the play.
He would have be dressed like this person, and have his hood up. I imagine him shorter and without the belly.
The next costume I would like to address would be that of Lysander and Demetrius, as I imagine their costumes would be relatively the same. They are both commoners, although prominent figures in the play. I would imagine them in earthy colors, as being commoners they probably would not have had access to dyes like purple or red.
Along with Lysander and Demetrius, I would also have to design costumes for Hermia and Helena. They are also commoners, and would be dressed in the same fashion as Lysander and Demetrius. Their outfit would be like the woman below, who is modeling.
The final character I would like to design for today would be that of Nick Bottom. His head had been turned into that of donkey by puck, and he lacks his common sense. It would be fun to design his costume, because not only he would have the head of a donkey, but because I imagine he would also have his outfit mismatched. The perfect movie that comes to mind for inspiration for Nick Bottom is Shrek, as it involves Donkey, Shrek, and other characters, such as Puss in Boots, from whom Nick might steal clothes.
Overall, being a costume designer would be a fun and rewarding job. It is an outlet for creativity, and it is rewarding through seeing your design on the big screen or a stage.
Theseus and Hippolyta should both be dressed in a very kingly fashion, in renaissance attire, to suit their status.
They would both be very pompous, and look as though they are of a higher class than the others from the play.
The next costume I would like to address would be the outfit of Puck, or Robin Goodfellow. His costume would need to show off his mischievous personality, and the fact that he is a fairy. I would probably dress him in forest colors, so he could blend in to the period of the play.
He would have be dressed like this person, and have his hood up. I imagine him shorter and without the belly.
The next costume I would like to address would be that of Lysander and Demetrius, as I imagine their costumes would be relatively the same. They are both commoners, although prominent figures in the play. I would imagine them in earthy colors, as being commoners they probably would not have had access to dyes like purple or red.
Along with Lysander and Demetrius, I would also have to design costumes for Hermia and Helena. They are also commoners, and would be dressed in the same fashion as Lysander and Demetrius. Their outfit would be like the woman below, who is modeling.
The final character I would like to design for today would be that of Nick Bottom. His head had been turned into that of donkey by puck, and he lacks his common sense. It would be fun to design his costume, because not only he would have the head of a donkey, but because I imagine he would also have his outfit mismatched. The perfect movie that comes to mind for inspiration for Nick Bottom is Shrek, as it involves Donkey, Shrek, and other characters, such as Puss in Boots, from whom Nick might steal clothes.
Overall, being a costume designer would be a fun and rewarding job. It is an outlet for creativity, and it is rewarding through seeing your design on the big screen or a stage.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Relate Theater to your Passions and Hobbies
My passions and hobbies include numerous things, such as reading, watching movies, and watching television shows; I also people-watch in my spare time. I picked up this habit from working at Idlewild as a teenager, and now have made it a part of my day-to-day life. Theater can, and is, involved in a major portion of my life. It was not until taking the course that I realized what a profound impact theater and its tributaries have on my life.
Reading, for instance, can obviously be interpreted into theater. Just lately, I have started to read Twilight, with its sequels New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. In the books themselves, they often refer to such plays as Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet. I have read both of these plays in the past, the references in the novels made sense to me. It had been awhile though, so I thought I would give myself a chance to reread them. Already has theater affected my favorite and foremost hobby.
Continuing on the Twilight path, theater again comes into play. Twilight has recently made into a major motion picture, and its immediate sequel New Moon is due in theaters this summer. There are many books, which make it to the big screen, including Harry Potter, Girl with a Pearl Earring, and The Golden Compass. The directors always bring their own personal interpretation of the books to share with the respective communities. Catherine Hardwicke, Twilight’s director, had a very somber, yet personal relationship with the books, which translated onto the screen. The director for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Alfonso Cuaron, did an embarrassing job translating the book to the screen, as his vision differed greatly from the large Harry Potter fan base.
While at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, I often have a few spare minutes with which to read. I tend to blend into the surroundings, and people do not notice me much. This suits me, as needless conversation with fake people just steals time out of my day. However, theater, along with my people-watching habit, as formed an ability to see people for what they truly are, and I am now able to recognize when a person is acting without knowing it.
When you are in class with the same people every day, you eventually get to know them; or their habits, at least. You can watch a girl attempt to flirt, claiming she knows about hockey. She also play hits or fights with her possible significant other. It is intriguing to watch. At the same time, the object of the attention may not want to be receiving the play-acting compliment, but then must also act himself so as to not hurt the girl’s feelings. It is just an endless circle of polite acting.
Much of my is centered around theater -- whether it be teachers trying to be polite to offensive students or Kristen Stewart trying to be flustered during Twilight -- and it will continue to be until I am retired and a hermit.
Reading, for instance, can obviously be interpreted into theater. Just lately, I have started to read Twilight, with its sequels New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn. In the books themselves, they often refer to such plays as Shakespeare’s A Midsummer Night’s Dream and Romeo and Juliet. I have read both of these plays in the past, the references in the novels made sense to me. It had been awhile though, so I thought I would give myself a chance to reread them. Already has theater affected my favorite and foremost hobby.
Continuing on the Twilight path, theater again comes into play. Twilight has recently made into a major motion picture, and its immediate sequel New Moon is due in theaters this summer. There are many books, which make it to the big screen, including Harry Potter, Girl with a Pearl Earring, and The Golden Compass. The directors always bring their own personal interpretation of the books to share with the respective communities. Catherine Hardwicke, Twilight’s director, had a very somber, yet personal relationship with the books, which translated onto the screen. The director for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Alfonso Cuaron, did an embarrassing job translating the book to the screen, as his vision differed greatly from the large Harry Potter fan base.
While at the Indiana University of Pennsylvania, I often have a few spare minutes with which to read. I tend to blend into the surroundings, and people do not notice me much. This suits me, as needless conversation with fake people just steals time out of my day. However, theater, along with my people-watching habit, as formed an ability to see people for what they truly are, and I am now able to recognize when a person is acting without knowing it.
When you are in class with the same people every day, you eventually get to know them; or their habits, at least. You can watch a girl attempt to flirt, claiming she knows about hockey. She also play hits or fights with her possible significant other. It is intriguing to watch. At the same time, the object of the attention may not want to be receiving the play-acting compliment, but then must also act himself so as to not hurt the girl’s feelings. It is just an endless circle of polite acting.
Much of my is centered around theater -- whether it be teachers trying to be polite to offensive students or Kristen Stewart trying to be flustered during Twilight -- and it will continue to be until I am retired and a hermit.
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Relate Theater to Your Major
When signing up for this class, I chose it primarily because it was required. I also thought it might help my future career, as the next Ken Jennings. It also seemed interesting, as I do love to watch movies, so I would at least have a connection with this class. I did not realize, however, that it would not only incorporate my previous readings about World War 2, but also my career path in life. My major is International Studies, with a focus on Arabic. This class, and also its connection with the Academy Awards, has actually helped me learn about many different actors and actresses from across the globe, along with the styles and techniques used to act. Learning another language has similar characteristics to acting, and with those majoring in either subject, practice makes perfect.
During our semester, the Academy Awards, or Oscars, were broadcast across the United States. This feature program not only emphasized what we learned in class about the different occupations that go along with the entire theater productions, but also showed us a worldwide view of the most popular movies with their cultural and historical differences.
Many movies lately have historical and political ties, such as Frost/Nixon. This ties in well with my International Studies major, as I am also taken under the wing of the Political Science Department. This brings much history, factual evidence, and drama to the screen as it portrays the events of Nixon’s resignation and its aftermath. It had five nominations for the Oscars, including Best Motion Picture of the Year, and Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role.
Another movie that was up for five nominations, including Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role and Best Motion Picture of the year combines not only my love of history and culture, but also my accidental hobby of acquiring information about the Holocaust. Doubt, starring Kate Winslet, reaches its climax post-WW2, during an observation of a Nazi war trial. This film is wonderfully dramatic, with its troublesome climax, and the back-story that is hidden from almost all of the characters of the movie.
Slumdog Millionaire, which uniquely ties two interests in theater together -- love of international cultures, along with a yearning to win at a game show-- to win 8 Academy Awards. How did these actors do it? They learned their lines and their acting the same way I learn my Arabic vocabulary: memorization through practice. They must articulate their words to be understood on the big screen, I also must articulate mine if I want a high-paying job from the government someday.
Having participated in a play during high school, I know exactly how hard it is to memorize lines. It is exactly, if not more difficult, to remember words in a completely different language. It is as if I am required to memorize a short play a week. My major has taught me to have more respect for the acting community, and to realize their aptitude at learning, memorizing, and performing their lines in front of an audience or even a camera. This theater class has been useful to me, not only as an International Studies major, but also as an observer of daily theater.
During our semester, the Academy Awards, or Oscars, were broadcast across the United States. This feature program not only emphasized what we learned in class about the different occupations that go along with the entire theater productions, but also showed us a worldwide view of the most popular movies with their cultural and historical differences.
Many movies lately have historical and political ties, such as Frost/Nixon. This ties in well with my International Studies major, as I am also taken under the wing of the Political Science Department. This brings much history, factual evidence, and drama to the screen as it portrays the events of Nixon’s resignation and its aftermath. It had five nominations for the Oscars, including Best Motion Picture of the Year, and Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role.
Another movie that was up for five nominations, including Performance by an Actress in a Leading Role and Best Motion Picture of the year combines not only my love of history and culture, but also my accidental hobby of acquiring information about the Holocaust. Doubt, starring Kate Winslet, reaches its climax post-WW2, during an observation of a Nazi war trial. This film is wonderfully dramatic, with its troublesome climax, and the back-story that is hidden from almost all of the characters of the movie.
Slumdog Millionaire, which uniquely ties two interests in theater together -- love of international cultures, along with a yearning to win at a game show-- to win 8 Academy Awards. How did these actors do it? They learned their lines and their acting the same way I learn my Arabic vocabulary: memorization through practice. They must articulate their words to be understood on the big screen, I also must articulate mine if I want a high-paying job from the government someday.
Having participated in a play during high school, I know exactly how hard it is to memorize lines. It is exactly, if not more difficult, to remember words in a completely different language. It is as if I am required to memorize a short play a week. My major has taught me to have more respect for the acting community, and to realize their aptitude at learning, memorizing, and performing their lines in front of an audience or even a camera. This theater class has been useful to me, not only as an International Studies major, but also as an observer of daily theater.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Write a Play
Write a play. You may write an original short play. It should have at least two characters, a clear beginning, middle and end and should contain at least 50 lines of dialogue. (No maximum)
(The setting is central park, on a warm, clear, spring day. Brian and Jean are sitting on a bench, watching a wedding.)
Brian: Isn't that beautiful?
Jean: Yeah, that's nice...
B: You know what? We should get married at central park someday.
J: (looking away) Yeah, someday...
B: Let's go get some lunch.
(they're sitting in a restaurant, Brian orders a beer and Jean, a beer.)
Brian: Check out the jugs on that one. (looks at the waitress' boobs)
Jean: Can you seriously not do that? I don't care if you look, just keep it to yourself. (looks at the waitress' boobs, too)
Waitress: What can I get for you today?
B: I'll have... a garden burger, please.
J: & I'll have... the usual. Thanks.
Waitress: Ok. I'll have it back in a minute.
(waitress walks off with order) (Brian fidgets)
J: What's up with you today?
B: Oh... nothing. Just excited about my garden burger.
J: Yeah, about that. Since when have you been worried about your weight?
B: I don't know... I've just been thinking about it lately...
(waitress returns, Brian's eyes light up.)
Waitress: Here you are. Enjoy your meal. (Waitress lays down garden burger and deep fried Oreo)
Brian: Dig in!
Jean: (picking up fork) This looks delicious, as always.
Jean: (makes choking sounds) cough - help- cough!
Brian: (gets down on one knee) It'll all be over in a second, honey.
J: (coughs up a gold, diamond ring) What's going on?!
B: You know how much I care for you, and how much I always will. I will love you until the end of time. Will you marry me?
J: (startled) Was this why we saw that wedding in Central Park today?
B: I thought it would start the day out nicely. What do you say?
J: (looks uncomfortable) I have something I need to tell you.
B: What is it?! !!!
J: Well, it would be better if I could just show you. Let's go.
(they walk to a discreet apartment building, and walk upstairs)
B: What is this place?
J: I'm sorry Brian. You'll understand everything in a minute.
B: I trust you, Jean.
(they open an unmarked door - Jean walks in, where a group of women looks over.
Group of Women: (in unison) Susie!
B: What is this... (stink eye) Susie?
Jean/Susie: This is the Anonymous Lesbian Bar. ALB has been my past time since I was a teenager. I always just thought it was a hobby, but lately I've been meaning to talk to you about it.
Brian: What was all that one-in-a-million talk? I thought you said I had a chance!
J/S: I know, I know. I should've said something earlier.
Brian: Oh, ho ho. Have I got something to show you then. (hands ball up into fists)
Group of Women: (in unison) Bye Susie!
J/S: (waves) Bye everyone!
(they leave together, Brian leading the way down a different street)
J: What are you thinking about? I'm so sorry!
B: Don't say anything yet. There's something you need to know about me, too.
(they walk into New York's biggest hospital)
B: You know how I come here every week for my internship? Well, that's not the only reason.
(Brian walks over to a nurse, who in turn brings Brian a full needle)
B: Do you know what this is?
J: No...
B: It's testosterone. My name... is Brianna.
J: Really? What?!
B: I fell in love with you a few years ago, when I saw you from across a bar. I knew you would never want or need another woman in your life, so I thought this would be the only way.
J: Oh, Brianna.
B: Don't you see? We belong together! You, a woman. Me, a masculine woman. There's nothing else we will ever need. Do you say yes?
J: Brianna! Yes! Yes! Yes!
(much kissing and hugging follows, nurses and patients applaud)
(In Massachusetts, in front of a court official)
Judge: Do you, Brianna, take Jean to be your lawfully wedded wife?
Brianna: I do.
Judge: & do you, Jean, take Brianna to be your lawfully wedded wife?
Jean: I do.
Judge: I now pronouce you wife and wife! You may kiss the wife!
(Jean and Brianna kiss, and live happily ever after.
(The setting is central park, on a warm, clear, spring day. Brian and Jean are sitting on a bench, watching a wedding.)
Brian: Isn't that beautiful?
Jean: Yeah, that's nice...
B: You know what? We should get married at central park someday.
J: (looking away) Yeah, someday...
B: Let's go get some lunch.
(they're sitting in a restaurant, Brian orders a beer and Jean, a beer.)
Brian: Check out the jugs on that one. (looks at the waitress' boobs)
Jean: Can you seriously not do that? I don't care if you look, just keep it to yourself. (looks at the waitress' boobs, too)
Waitress: What can I get for you today?
B: I'll have... a garden burger, please.
J: & I'll have... the usual. Thanks.
Waitress: Ok. I'll have it back in a minute.
(waitress walks off with order) (Brian fidgets)
J: What's up with you today?
B: Oh... nothing. Just excited about my garden burger.
J: Yeah, about that. Since when have you been worried about your weight?
B: I don't know... I've just been thinking about it lately...
(waitress returns, Brian's eyes light up.)
Waitress: Here you are. Enjoy your meal. (Waitress lays down garden burger and deep fried Oreo)
Brian: Dig in!
Jean: (picking up fork) This looks delicious, as always.
Jean: (makes choking sounds) cough - help- cough!
Brian: (gets down on one knee) It'll all be over in a second, honey.
J: (coughs up a gold, diamond ring) What's going on?!
B: You know how much I care for you, and how much I always will. I will love you until the end of time. Will you marry me?
J: (startled) Was this why we saw that wedding in Central Park today?
B: I thought it would start the day out nicely. What do you say?
J: (looks uncomfortable) I have something I need to tell you.
B: What is it?! !!!
J: Well, it would be better if I could just show you. Let's go.
(they walk to a discreet apartment building, and walk upstairs)
B: What is this place?
J: I'm sorry Brian. You'll understand everything in a minute.
B: I trust you, Jean.
(they open an unmarked door - Jean walks in, where a group of women looks over.
Group of Women: (in unison) Susie!
B: What is this... (stink eye) Susie?
Jean/Susie: This is the Anonymous Lesbian Bar. ALB has been my past time since I was a teenager. I always just thought it was a hobby, but lately I've been meaning to talk to you about it.
Brian: What was all that one-in-a-million talk? I thought you said I had a chance!
J/S: I know, I know. I should've said something earlier.
Brian: Oh, ho ho. Have I got something to show you then. (hands ball up into fists)
Group of Women: (in unison) Bye Susie!
J/S: (waves) Bye everyone!
(they leave together, Brian leading the way down a different street)
J: What are you thinking about? I'm so sorry!
B: Don't say anything yet. There's something you need to know about me, too.
(they walk into New York's biggest hospital)
B: You know how I come here every week for my internship? Well, that's not the only reason.
(Brian walks over to a nurse, who in turn brings Brian a full needle)
B: Do you know what this is?
J: No...
B: It's testosterone. My name... is Brianna.
J: Really? What?!
B: I fell in love with you a few years ago, when I saw you from across a bar. I knew you would never want or need another woman in your life, so I thought this would be the only way.
J: Oh, Brianna.
B: Don't you see? We belong together! You, a woman. Me, a masculine woman. There's nothing else we will ever need. Do you say yes?
J: Brianna! Yes! Yes! Yes!
(much kissing and hugging follows, nurses and patients applaud)
(In Massachusetts, in front of a court official)
Judge: Do you, Brianna, take Jean to be your lawfully wedded wife?
Brianna: I do.
Judge: & do you, Jean, take Brianna to be your lawfully wedded wife?
Jean: I do.
Judge: I now pronouce you wife and wife! You may kiss the wife!
(Jean and Brianna kiss, and live happily ever after.
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