Thinking/Rethinking

I thought this handout was quite informative. I completely understand how you can "feel" what you want to perform, or "see" how you want the project to come out, but then actually making that feeling or vision happen is a different story. Going through the process can be tiresome, but once you explore all the avenues you can cross off what doesn't work. It's almost like trying on clothes. You see something on the rack that looks super cute, but once you try it on it fits completely different. OR, you see something on the rack that doesn't look appealing, but once you try it on (after haggling with your mother) it looks and feels great. ( I realize that this is a very girlish analogy, but bare with me). In the end, the packet shows that everyone can take a different path to get to the same situation, and I think this is important when working with a diverse group of people. 

The Ghosts of The Paramount Theatre

Opening on March 1, 1928, I never knew how much this theatre was apart of Seattle's community. It opened with the intention of being the most largest, most elaborate, and the most opulent movie palace Seattle had ever seen. Decorated in the French Renaissance style, it produced a 4 tiered lobby, had gold leaf encrusted medallions, and was covered in heavy expensive draperies. It also cost 50 cents to see a show in the evening.  And, before heading into the auditorium, the audience was entertained by  a rare gold and ivory knabe ampico grand player piano. It was placed in the lounge area above the foyer using the fantastic acoustics the building had acquired. But, soon after it opened, it had to close. The Depression had taken it's toll and the theatre could not remain open for over a couple of years. 

It was then reopened in 1932 and introduced its first "talkie". The customers responded so well to these films that the movie industry almost produced no silent films after this. The theatre was also known to produce a wide variety of shows including films, magic acts, plays, and musicals. 

When the 70's came around the theatre was slightly lacking in sales, and when a new owner over took the paramount it became a great venue for rock, soul, and jazz concerts. By this time, concert tickets were sold for $5 and $3.50 for open seating. Because it now housed rock bands, the interior of the theatre became worn. People would stand in the chairs and on the arm rests, trying to see the entertainers as best they could. The theatre was in need of a major makeover.

By 1997 The Paramount Theatre had completed its renovation for roughly 30 million dollars. It is now used for everything from concerts, plays, comics, musicals, dance, jazz and benefits. It represents a sort of "ghost" for seattle because you can feel the history as you enter the building. Performers that have left their "ghost" include Mickey Rooney, Ella Fitzgerald, The Who, Kiss, Alice Cooper, Tom Jones, Dionne Warwick, The Beach Boys, The Grateful Dead, Frank Sinatra, Fleetwood Mac, Bette Midler, Bob Hope, Joan Rivers, Oprah Winfrey, Madonna, Mr. Rogers, Ellen DeGeneres, and even the Star Trek Convention. It provides this wide range of art and acts that the theatre takes a piece of everyone that walks through it's doors. 

It is now surrounded by construction leaving the theatre to stand alone on 9th and Pine. This also contributes to the "ghost" feeling in Seattle.  It blossoms in the midst of concrete and will continue to thrive no matter what hardships lay ahead. It is a fantastic piece of architecture and will remain a part of seattle's home for all to enjoy.

Ballet Performace

Viewing the performance of A Midsummer's Nights Dream, through the art of ballet was quite an interesting experience. It was helpful that I was Puck in a previous production, making it easy to follow the action for the "play" portion. Watching the plot unfold through dance made me give the performers respect for being able to explain Shakespeare without using words.  One of my favorite parts of the whole production were the hound dogs that they imitated. Having their arms outstretched straight in front of them while running across stage as steadily as they could really represented the focus a hound dog has when sniffing out its hunt.  Another example of being able to use the body to convey characteristics, were the cute little fairies that used their hands as wings and would flap their arms up and down indicating flutter.  I enjoyed seeing this because it shows an element of surprise which always keeps the audience engaged in the production. 

Having the play being performed within the entire first Act was pretty cool considering Shakespeare has a tendency to drag on forever. But, since there was a second Act, I was slightly confused on what they were going to do. Unfortunately, I was disappointed for part two.  I do not understand how you can advertise for doing a Shakespeare play and then decide that Act II has nothing to do with the original body of work. Oh sure, some of them are in the same costumes and others are in the same color palette, but other than that it has NOTHING to do with Shakespeare. What, did we not see your ballet talent in the first Act? Did we not see enough plie's? Are your jumps bigger and badder the second time around? No. They aren't. You just made up some freestyle and thought it would be cool to show us. Well, it's not cool. If I wanted to experience freestyle I'd ask my friend Grand Master P to go at it on the mic. I would NOT ask Juilus to do a double Pirouette while smiling, acting as if he's in a southern belle pageant. 

So, overall, I enjoyed the first part and thought the second part was a waste of time. I do however, am glad that I went and experienced it. It opens your mind to new ways to relate to your audience and I think that a part of this will stay with me.

Reaction to composition exercises

 Having done these exercises before I was more excited to see how the class would work with this material. I must say that I was quite impressed. It can be difficult to wrap your brain around at first, so when my peers dove into the situation head first I was more than thrilled. For example,  I loved that the artists used their body as objects such as in the hockey scene, having a person curled up into a ball representing the puck. I think this exercise is a key in creating how and what we want to do in Berlin and I can't wait to work and get started on the project!!!!