Like I said in my previous blog, I learned this semester that theater really does relate to all aspects of life. It influences our culture and in turn influences me as a person. After seeing a play, I get that feeling of catharsis that the actors and actresses wanted me to and it is a pretty good feeling. I really can relate a lot of the things I do to works in theater.
For about ten years now, I have been playing ice hockey. I’m a goalie, so there is a lot of pressure on me to do well. I have about a hundred people watching me and sometimes and can make me nervous. Other times it will make me perform even better. I can’t imagine how an actor or actress would feel especially on Broadway. Not only do they have a few hundred people watching, but they have thousands. I can’t imagine how nervous they must get. What if they were to mess up a line; that would change what a lot of people think about the play. I am sure I do not feel as much pressure, but I can definitely relate to how they feel.
Every once in a while, I will get a shut out which means I don’t let any goals in. That gives me an amazing feeling of gratitude. Everyone will be cheering and telling me how good of a job I did. I feel great after a good game. I am sure it is the same way when people do a whole play without messing up a single line. No matter what at the end of a play the audience is going to clap, but I feel like if the actor or actress messed up, they just won’t feel as good. I think we both can say that it is an amazing feeling to do so good that everyone loves you.
I feel like people involved in the play also have the same goal as me when I am in a competition and that is to win. I want to beat the other team. The producers want to win the critiques over and get a good review. The director and stage manager want to win the race against time to get the project done on the scheduled date. The actors and actresses want to win over the audiences hearts and become big stars. Everyone wants to be the best, the better you are the more the crowd is going to like you. I feel the same way, I am trying to do the best that I can so I can become more famous and people will like me more.
Basically, I realized a lot about theater this semester. It has been a really good experience for me and has allowed me to open up to theater a lot. I never related to it at all before and now I can. I can relate it to my career in a variety of ways and now I can relate theater to my passion in a lot of ways.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Relate theater to your major
Theater can be related to a broad range of majors. My major is criminology. When I scheduled for this semester, my advisor told me to take theater and I wasn’t sure why. I assumed it didn’t apply in any way to my major and it was just to get a credit. At the end of this class, I have a completely different opinion.
In this class we talked a lot about how theater is related to life in general. One thing that really stuck out in my mind is when I learned that “theater is a metaphor for life.” When I thought about it I realized it was true. Stories represent metaphors for our lives. In a previous blog I talked about how I can relate to Avenue Q. I will be graduating college soon just like the character in that play. It makes sense that I like stories and plays because I can relate to them. That is true for everything in life, I like people who I can relate to, I like music I can relate to and I like theater I can relate to.
In my career, we have a huge network of people to uphold the law. It’s not just a few guys patrolling the high ways. We have different organizations, state, local and federal levels. It takes a lot of hard work and very good communications to protect the American citizens. It is like theater on a bigger scale. Theater is not just a group of people acting. There is someone directing them and someone to make sure they are on task. There are people to make sure the lighting is right and people to make sure the actors look appropriate for their roles. I never knew how much work went into making a play happen.
As a police officer, my job is going to put me under a lot of stress and pressure. At any moment I could be hurt or even killed. I can relate this to everyone in the theater business. A producer puts up a lot of money in hopes of making a good profit. I can’t even imagine how much pressure they feel when the first critique review comes out. That review can make or break that play and all the hard work people have put into it. Everyone else involved has to be really stressed out about meeting their dead line. Both of our careers are challenging and nerve racking.
In the end I realize why everyone has to take theater. It really does relate to all aspects of life. I didn’t know that until this class. Both my career and theater provide a service to the people of the world. Police protect them and actors/actresses entertain them. We provide good services for people and hopefully they appreciate that. We both have a huge network of people we have to deal with and we’re both under a lot of stress and pressure. In the end, I am glad I took this class and learned that it really does relate to my major.
In this class we talked a lot about how theater is related to life in general. One thing that really stuck out in my mind is when I learned that “theater is a metaphor for life.” When I thought about it I realized it was true. Stories represent metaphors for our lives. In a previous blog I talked about how I can relate to Avenue Q. I will be graduating college soon just like the character in that play. It makes sense that I like stories and plays because I can relate to them. That is true for everything in life, I like people who I can relate to, I like music I can relate to and I like theater I can relate to.
In my career, we have a huge network of people to uphold the law. It’s not just a few guys patrolling the high ways. We have different organizations, state, local and federal levels. It takes a lot of hard work and very good communications to protect the American citizens. It is like theater on a bigger scale. Theater is not just a group of people acting. There is someone directing them and someone to make sure they are on task. There are people to make sure the lighting is right and people to make sure the actors look appropriate for their roles. I never knew how much work went into making a play happen.
As a police officer, my job is going to put me under a lot of stress and pressure. At any moment I could be hurt or even killed. I can relate this to everyone in the theater business. A producer puts up a lot of money in hopes of making a good profit. I can’t even imagine how much pressure they feel when the first critique review comes out. That review can make or break that play and all the hard work people have put into it. Everyone else involved has to be really stressed out about meeting their dead line. Both of our careers are challenging and nerve racking.
In the end I realize why everyone has to take theater. It really does relate to all aspects of life. I didn’t know that until this class. Both my career and theater provide a service to the people of the world. Police protect them and actors/actresses entertain them. We provide good services for people and hopefully they appreciate that. We both have a huge network of people we have to deal with and we’re both under a lot of stress and pressure. In the end, I am glad I took this class and learned that it really does relate to my major.
Broadway
Currently, there are numerous plays playing on Broadway. As I have said in my previous blogs, I want to see Avenue Q the most because I feel like it would be the funniest. As I was looking at the list of plays another one caught my eye; it is called Wicked. I have a friend who is into theater and has played roles in some big movies and I remembered her saying how bad she wanted to see it. It is about the wicked witch from the wizard of oz, but it has a much different take on her. Instead of her being the wicked witch, the play tells the story of how she became hence the title. I think it sounds really interesting and I would like to take a trip to New York to see it especially because I have never seen a play on Broadway. It got really good reviews too and is still running so it has to be good. I found out that they have a day of the show lottery where I can go two hours before show time and try to win a twenty five dollar front row seat. That is what I would try to do first, I would want to see the eight o’ clock show because I like staying up late so all I would have to do is go at five thirty and try my luck. It takes place at the Gerswin Theater Box and they draw names from a hat for the 28 front row seats. If that doesn’t work, I guess I’ll just have to buy a ticket which costs between sixty one to one hundred and twenty one dollars. That seems a little expensive to me, but I would really like to experience Broadway for myself.
Another play I want to see is Shrek the Musical. I have seen all the movies and enjoyed them, so I think a live performance would be awesome. It is based off the movie where Shrek and donkey save the land from the evil king. The show takes place at Broadway Theatre and lasts two hours and thirty minutes with a fifteen minute intermission. Tickets are from forty one to one hundred and twenty six dollars. I also saw a pretty neat thing about group sales. I guess if you get enough people to go, you can get a group discount. I was reading some of the related articles and I found out that they even have an on-line video series. It seems pretty interesting too. They follow around the cast and crew and we learn how they brought the movie to the stage. It sounds like the video we watched in class. The play even has its own CD that I can buy online.
Looking at all these plays really makes me want to see a play on Broadway. I’ve never even been to New York and I think I might go this summer to see Wicked or Avenue Q. Those are the two I want to see the most.
Another play I want to see is Shrek the Musical. I have seen all the movies and enjoyed them, so I think a live performance would be awesome. It is based off the movie where Shrek and donkey save the land from the evil king. The show takes place at Broadway Theatre and lasts two hours and thirty minutes with a fifteen minute intermission. Tickets are from forty one to one hundred and twenty six dollars. I also saw a pretty neat thing about group sales. I guess if you get enough people to go, you can get a group discount. I was reading some of the related articles and I found out that they even have an on-line video series. It seems pretty interesting too. They follow around the cast and crew and we learn how they brought the movie to the stage. It sounds like the video we watched in class. The play even has its own CD that I can buy online.
Looking at all these plays really makes me want to see a play on Broadway. I’ve never even been to New York and I think I might go this summer to see Wicked or Avenue Q. Those are the two I want to see the most.
Show Report
I picked a play that I want to see, but never had a chance to called Avenue Q. We watched a movie about it in class and it looked hilarious. It first opened in 2003 and got some awesome reviews. Also, in 2003 it one the Lucille Lortel Award which is a pretty big accomplishment. The story is about Princeton, who just graduated college and move to New York with big goals, but no money. The only place he could afford was coincidentally on Avenue Q. He lives by a character named Brian and his fiancée, also Nicky and Rod who is kind of mysterious. There is also Trekkie and Kate. Ironically, the superintendant is Gary Coleman which I find extremely funny. Basically the purpose for all these character is to find good jobs, good relationships and an overall purpose in life.
The play is more geared toward adults because it has some inappropriate things that parents probably don’t want their kids to see. It addresses things like drinking, swearing, sex and porn. I think that is what makes it so funny; I wouldn’t expect a play to be like this. When I think of theater, I immediately think of things like Romeo and Juliet which is a very serious play. I commend everyone involved with Avenue Q, it seems like a new idea and they really went out on a limb. Luckily they found a lot of success and made a lot of money.
Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx where responsible for the music and lyrics and from what I found that is the funniest part. They are really creative people and put a lot of heart into their work. I have a lot of respect for what they did. I can’t imagine coming up with all those songs and having them be so creative.
Personally I feel like I can connect with the characters in this play. I’m in college right now so of course I’m going to be swearing and drinking which is a huge part in this play. It is also really funny and I consider myself a funny person and I like to laugh. More importantly, I can really understand the main character. He just got done with the college experience that I am currently in. I can only imagine the kinds of things he did in college. He just graduated and is low on money and looking for a job. That is going to be me really soon. I don’t know where the futures’ going to take me and neither does he. I’m just as worried as he is. When I graduate I know I was to get into some form of law enforcement, but I don’t have an exact plan. I don’t know if I am going to get an apartment or how much money I’m going to have. I don’t even know if I will be able to get a job. I guess in the end it is up to fate for Princeton and me.
The play is more geared toward adults because it has some inappropriate things that parents probably don’t want their kids to see. It addresses things like drinking, swearing, sex and porn. I think that is what makes it so funny; I wouldn’t expect a play to be like this. When I think of theater, I immediately think of things like Romeo and Juliet which is a very serious play. I commend everyone involved with Avenue Q, it seems like a new idea and they really went out on a limb. Luckily they found a lot of success and made a lot of money.
Robert Lopez and Jeff Marx where responsible for the music and lyrics and from what I found that is the funniest part. They are really creative people and put a lot of heart into their work. I have a lot of respect for what they did. I can’t imagine coming up with all those songs and having them be so creative.
Personally I feel like I can connect with the characters in this play. I’m in college right now so of course I’m going to be swearing and drinking which is a huge part in this play. It is also really funny and I consider myself a funny person and I like to laugh. More importantly, I can really understand the main character. He just got done with the college experience that I am currently in. I can only imagine the kinds of things he did in college. He just graduated and is low on money and looking for a job. That is going to be me really soon. I don’t know where the futures’ going to take me and neither does he. I’m just as worried as he is. When I graduate I know I was to get into some form of law enforcement, but I don’t have an exact plan. I don’t know if I am going to get an apartment or how much money I’m going to have. I don’t even know if I will be able to get a job. I guess in the end it is up to fate for Princeton and me.
Research a theatre artist
For my project I did some research on the director of Avenue Q, Jason Moore. I really liked what I saw about the play from what I saw from the movie in class. Jason is a very talented director as I saw in Avenue Q. He has his undergraduate degree in theater arts and a graduate degree in film director which he recieved after attending the University of California. In his early career, he recieved a twenty five thousand dollar reward for his excellent directing at UCLA. He was also responsible for directing a nike's commercial that held the number one spot for awhile. As he became bigger, he began directing for Animal Planet, Discovery and E. Recently, he has been working for primetime spots on television and broadcasts in Europe. Currently he lives in Manhatten with his wife and teaches short film workshops for inner city teens.
I admire what Jason does for the kids, its very honorable. I would be really happy if I could do something like that. I really like the types of things he directs too. Jason seems like a really laid back and funny kind of guy. Most of his commercials are comedies and so is Avenue Q. I admire his laid back attitude that I see through his work. He is also extremelly creative. Someday I aspire to be able to come up with things as creative as he does. I have to admit, this class helped me to grow a much greater appreciation for people like Jason. I never really went to plays before and when I did, I didn't think about all the work that went into making that play. This semester, I learned about how all the different participants in a play have to combine to make the play. As impressed as I am by Jason, I can't give him all the credit for his works. He has to work with numerous people with different roles. He collaborates with the stage manager to make sure everything runs smoothly. He works with the stage designer, lighting, costume and even sometimes the orchestra.
One thing I really admire is the fact that he is the director. He works with everyone and is in charge of a lot of things. I can't even imagine the pressure that he has to deal with on a daily basis. I saw in the movie we watched that having a play ready by the deadline is a very tedious process. I feel like Jason is the person who is most responsible for this. I mean I've played sports and stuff before, but I feel like that is not nearly the kind of pressure that a director feels. He has thousands of people expecting his work to be ready when he says its supposed to be. Another huge thing I would hate is the pressure from the producers. They invest in the project and expect it to be done right and on time. No one's going to want to hire a director who can't do that and Jason always seem to get it done.
I admire what Jason does for the kids, its very honorable. I would be really happy if I could do something like that. I really like the types of things he directs too. Jason seems like a really laid back and funny kind of guy. Most of his commercials are comedies and so is Avenue Q. I admire his laid back attitude that I see through his work. He is also extremelly creative. Someday I aspire to be able to come up with things as creative as he does. I have to admit, this class helped me to grow a much greater appreciation for people like Jason. I never really went to plays before and when I did, I didn't think about all the work that went into making that play. This semester, I learned about how all the different participants in a play have to combine to make the play. As impressed as I am by Jason, I can't give him all the credit for his works. He has to work with numerous people with different roles. He collaborates with the stage manager to make sure everything runs smoothly. He works with the stage designer, lighting, costume and even sometimes the orchestra.
One thing I really admire is the fact that he is the director. He works with everyone and is in charge of a lot of things. I can't even imagine the pressure that he has to deal with on a daily basis. I saw in the movie we watched that having a play ready by the deadline is a very tedious process. I feel like Jason is the person who is most responsible for this. I mean I've played sports and stuff before, but I feel like that is not nearly the kind of pressure that a director feels. He has thousands of people expecting his work to be ready when he says its supposed to be. Another huge thing I would hate is the pressure from the producers. They invest in the project and expect it to be done right and on time. No one's going to want to hire a director who can't do that and Jason always seem to get it done.
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