Reaction to the Compositions

Last week we showed our compostitions to the class. Viewing the different groups performances I can totally see how vastly different our personalities are. Personally, I enjoy these differences. With group #1 i enjoyed how they used the head scarves (props!) to show their topics of discussion. How they had a SURPRISE entrance coming up from the bushes was interesting. And believe it or not I loved how Anja was using her inner actor and creating the evil character that was racist against turks. Bravo Anja, bravo.

Group #2 really showed how to use the different levels in a composition effectively. By moving up the steps you begin to see visually how the history becomes heightened. I also enjoyed the abstract hello and goodbyes. It made the group move all around and yet they all came together at the same time bonded by the greetings. Plus, Michael's remote control music was always a huge plus in the production.

Group #3, in my opinion, had the best location. The two stairways that led to different heights was a great visual and automatically your eye was drawn to the surroundings. Plus, the SURPRISE entrance from behind the audience was unexpected not only because it caught us off guard, but also because she spoke, but she could not be seen. I loved it! nice choice!

In our Yarts group, I really enjoyed getting to know my peers. This process helps you begin to trust and bond with your group members. You begin to see each other's strengths and try to manipulate those strengths to create a unified project. Go yarts! (honestly, i should make t-shirts...)

Talking with Yarts

I found that sitting down as a group and discussing what direction we were going in, not just as a group, but as individuals, was EXTREMELY helpful last week. We each went around the circle and talked what and possibly how we were going to accomplish our goals. This was great because it finally starts to feel juicy on what our group could accomplish. I also was happy that we knew the 7 of us were going to be solidified as team members. YAY! All of us bring such unique and different ideas that it will be interesting to see the end product. I think the goal will be trying to stay cohesive in our presentation while still having our own personal touch.

I also loved that one on one talk with top cahunas. :-) I feel that it's important to be able to address the problems we have or the misunderstandings that we need cleared up. Communication is going to be a key factor in making this project work. And last week I already felt ten times better just because we were able to sit down in a smaller group and hammer out some questions and concerns. So, THANK YOU for taking the time and listening. It was a huge help and I feel that we finally have somewhat of a foundation that we can start building on.

Gay Culture in Berlin

Topics, topics, topics...I have my topic narrowed down to two ideas.

One: Drag culture and how its perceived in Berlin. I think this whole network is interesting because of its shock value. Researching how this community is viewed in Berlin would also be interesting to investigate. I would love to take a couple of case studies and see how one decides to go into this type of "theatre." Are people who aren't into drag support this group? why or why not? Is there a double life in drag? Accountant by day, drag queen by night? Or if you are into the drag scene, do you commit to that lifestyle one hundred percent? When does the makeup come off? I realize I would need to narrow these questions down again, but at the moment I'm just brainstorming my ideas and where I want to go with them.

Two: Being out and gay and how families react. Are Germans known as being liberal on the topic of homosexuality? Or are they more conservative? If they are, is it because of religious backgrounds? If not, what is the reason of being so bias against homosexuals? In this topic, I think I would lean towards doing more surveys than anything else. Get a broader sense on how a majority of the community feels. (or at least, as many people as I can get...)

So this is where I am at with my topics. I realize that they are HUGE but I am completely excited about it and think that where I am going is in the right direction! yay!

HEAD ON!

Well, well, well.....what to blog, what to blog...  The experience watching this film was quite interesting because a group of us from the class had just seen Fair Play. It was amazing how they connected together by the use of rewinding to the beginning of the story. Everyone was making jokes exclaiming, "Fair Play Deuce!". 

What I also noticed was how Europe really has nothing against nudity. I mean, nothing. Literally. I can't even count how many nude scenes there were! I'm not sure if I enjoyed it or was confused by it! They all seem to sit around nude and talk. Which to me just seemed weird...put some clothes on! You're penis is in the way of the dialog!

Now, I actually enjoyed this film and thought it was engaging to watch, but I am somewhat confused on the reasons we were to view this movie. I understand that there were a couple of racist references against the Turkish, such as, the bus scene where the driver asks them to get off. But other than that I'm not sure what exactly we are to take away from the film. 

So, overall, a joy and experience to watch, but WHY this was required as an assignment, a little confused. 

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.