Category Archive

Hey guys,

For this response, you have to go out and search the web and read.  Here is your task…..

1. Find a reputable article about a CURRENT live, theatrical production running on either Broadway, off-Broadway, or locally (Hampton Roads).  This article should be available ON-LINE and listed in a cultural magazine, periodical, or newspaper (i.e. Playbill, Portfolio, The New Yorker, The New York Times, The VA Pilot).

2. List in your post the link TO your article

3. Write a brief summation of the article, what the play is about, and what the general opinion of the play is by the article’s author.

This assignment should get you to learning how to use the web on your own to discover new cultural avenues.  Always be open to researching and learning.  You never know what you may find on the net that will open your mind a new artform.

Peace~ Ms. N.

Here are some important files and information from your class today.

chapter-4-study-guide-acting

scene-work-1-2nd-nine-weeks

SCENE WORK/GROUP ASSIGNMENTS

 

1	Rhyan Anderton, Meagan Miller	Brighton Beach Memoirs	p. 193
2	Adrienne Boddie, Theri Murphy	Bright Beach Memoirs	p. 193
3	Josh Boyce, Billy Clark, Misty Holladay, Kristen Peak	The Dining Room	p. 229
4	Dyemond Boyd, Iesha Gilchrest	The Glass Menagerie	p. 182
5	Sam DeFreitas, Charlotte Matteson	Antigone	p. 181
6	Jennifer Dye, Mayrenes Figuereo	Antigone	p. 181
7	Kenneth Finke, Jessica Pyne	Barefoot in the Park	p. 169
8	Elizabeth Forbes, Bekah O’Neill	On Golden Pond	p. 196
9	Kiara Hall, Carolyn Hermann	I Love You…	p. 194
10	Callie Hensley, Noel Hickman	Wine in the Wilderness	p. 185
11	Anette Johnson, Kinny McCrae, Lauren Outland	Raisin in the Sun	p. 221
12	Brandon LeDoux, Allison Lorenz, Russel Sanchez, Pauline Reeves	The Dining Room	p. 229
13	Morgan Pierce, Kalea Leverette	Brighton Beach Memoirs	p. 193
15	Ashely Sparks, Kierra Spruill, Malcolm Thomas	Raisin in the Sun	p. 221
16	Tori Torongeau, Chelsea VanDyke	I love you….	p. 194
17	Taylor Abreu, Patrice Brown	Butterflies are Free	p. 187
18	CheRae Chaney, Grace Currier	The Glass Menagerie	p. 182
19	Ashli Healey, Troy Bailey	The Sound of a Voice	p. 177
20	Bryanna Moe, Sarah Robinson	Brighton Beach Memoirs	p. 193

 

Hey guys,

Here is your first blog question for response for the 2nd nine weeks.  Please stay on task with your blog responses this nine weeks!  Plus, I really enjoy getting to know more about you and how you think through these responses!

Peace ~ Ms. N.

Question:

Think about Aristotle’s 6 principles of “good drama.”  Now, what has been your favorite film that you have seen lately, whether on DVD or in the theatre?  Why would you say that it was “good” for you or “good” in general BASED ON those 6 principles?  You need to site the area of which Aristotle discussed in relation to the movie that you liked.

Additionally, are you now looking at entertainment differently, as you study more about drama?  Do you find yourself becoming more critical? How so?

We’re a block behind due to my being at VTA, so here is the schedule:

Friday, 11/7 - TEST on Greek theatre, includes Artistotles 6 principles

Wednesday, 11/12 — TEST on Oedipus and Antigone

In case you need them:

study-guide-oedipus-and-antigone

greek-theatre-outline-for-pp 

oedipus-and-antigone

Ok guys, here it is…your extra credit (b/c I’m merciful) for the 1st 9 weeks.  I went over this in class today, so I hope I’ve answered most questions.  As always, ASK if you have any. 

Your assignment..worth a maximum of 3 points extra on your final grade:

Write a three (3) page paper (minimum), analyzing an Academy Award Nominated or Winning Best Picture utilizing Aristotle’s 6 Elements of Drama. 

1. Watch the Academy Award Nominated Film (rent, borrow, etc.)
2. You must take each element and site examples of how this particular film incorporated that concept.
3. You must state your opinion as to how this film was worthy of a Best Picture nomination, based on the standards  of “what is good” as set by Aristotle.
4. Paper must be at least 3 pages
5. MLA Format
6. Typed — Times New Roman, 12 point font, double spaced
7. You must be clear about what film you are analyzing, and what year it was nominated for Best Picture

I reserve the right to only award 1 or 2 points, or none at all, based upon the work turned in.  This is due to me Wednesday, November 5.  I will not take it any day afterwards.

Here is the link to the Academy Awards Database, with the list of Best Pictures:

http://awardsdatabase.oscars.org/ampas_awards/DisplayMain.jsp?curTime=1225336886005

Here is another link with the same list (Wikipedia):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Award_for_Best_Picture#Winners_and_nominees

Branch out and watch a film you’ve never heard of.  You may find that you have an expanding taste in culture!

Ms. N.

The Structure of the Plot of Antigone

·         The Chorus introduces the players.

o   Antigone is the girl who will rise up alone and die young.

o   Haemon, Antigone’s dashing fiancé, chats with Ismene, her beautiful sister.

§  Though one would have expected Haemon to go for Ismene, he inexplicably proposed to Antigone on the night of a ball. Creon is king of Thebes, bound to the duties of rule.

o   Next to the sisters’ sits the Nurse and Queen Eurydice.

§  Eurydice will knit until the time comes for her to go to her room and die.

o   Finally three Guards play cards, indifferent to the tragedy before them.

·         The Chorus recounts the events leading to Antigone’s tragedy.

o   Oedipus, Antigone and Ismene’s father, had two sons, Eteocles and Polynices.

o   Upon Oedipus’ death, it was agreed that each would take the throne from one year to the next.

o   After the first year, however, Eteocles, the elder, refused to step down.

o   Polynices and six foreign princes marched on Thebes.

o   All were defeated. The brothers killed each other in a duel, making Creon king. Creon ordered Eteocles buried in honor and left Polynices to rot on the pain of death.

·         It is dawn, and the house is still asleep. Antigone sneaks in and the Nurse appears and asks where she has been.

o   Suddenly Ismene enters, also asking where Antigone has been. Antigone sends the Nurse away for coffee.

o   Ismene declares that they cannot bury Polynices and that she must understand Creon’s intentions.

o   Antigone refuses and bids Ismene to go back to bed. Suddenly Haemon enters and Antigone asks Haemon to hold her with all his strength.

§  She tells him that she will never be able to marry him.

§  Stupefied, Haemon departs.

o   Ismene returns, terrified that Antigone will attempt to bury Polynices despite the daylight.

o   Antigone reveals that she has already done so.

·         Later that day, the nervous First Guard enters and informs Creon that someone covered Polynices’s body with a little dirt last night.

o   He orders the guards to uncover the body and keep the matter secret. The Chorus appears and announces that the tragedy is on.

·         The Guards enter with the struggling Antigone.

o   The First proposes that they throw a party.

o   Creon appears, and the First explains that Antigone was found digging Polynices’ grave by hand in broad daylight.

o   Creon sends the guards out. Once he is certain no one saw Antigone arrested, he orders her to bed, telling her to say that she has been ill.

o   Antigone replies that she will only go out again tonight.

o   Creon asks if she thinks her being Oedipus’s daughter puts her above the law.

o   Like Oedipus, her death must seem the “natural climax” to her life. Creon, on the other hand, devotes himself only to the order of the kingdom.

§  Antigone’s marriage is worth more to Thebes than her death.

·         Antigone insists that he cannot save her.

o   Enraged, Creon seizes her arm and twists her to his side. Antigone remarks that Creon is squeezing her arm too tightly, but his grasp no longer hurts. Creon releases her.

o   He knows his reign makes him loathsome but he has no choice.

o   Antigone rejoins that he should have said no; she can say no to anything she thinks vile.

o   While ruined, she is a queen. Because Creon said yes, he can only sentence her to death. Creon asks her to pity him then and live. Antigone replies that she is not here to understand, only to say no and die.

·         Creon makes a final appeal, saying that Antigone needs to understand what goes on in the wings of her drama. As a child, she must have known her brothers made her parents unhappy.

o   Polynices was a cruel, vicious voluptuary. Being too cowardly to imprison him, Oedipus let him join the Argive army.

o   As soon as Polynices reached Argos, the attempts on Oedipus’ life began.

o   But Eteocles, Thebes’ martyr, too plotted to overthrow his father.

§  Both were gangsters.

o   When Creon sent for their bodies, they were found mashed together in a bloody pulp. He had the prettier one brought in.

·         Dazed, Antigone moves to go her room.

o   Creon urges her to find Haemon and marry quickly.

o   She must not waste her life and its happiness. Antigone challenges his servile happiness. She is of the tribe that asks questions and hates man’s hope.

o   A distraught Ismene rushes in, begging Antigone’s forgiveness and promising to help her.

o   Antigone rejects her, but she does not deserve to die with her. Ismene swears she will bury Polynices herself then.

o   Antigone calls on Creon to have her arrested, warning him that her disease is catching.

o   Creon relents. The Chorus protests.

o   Haemon enters and begs his father to stop the guards. Creon replies that the mob already knows the truth, and he can do nothing. 

·         Antigone sits before the First Guard in her cell; his is the last face she will see.

o   The Guard rambles about his pay, rations, and professional quibbles. Antigone interrupts him, pointing out that she is soon to die.

o   She asks how she is to be executed.

o   The Guard informs her that she is to be immured (buried alive).

§  The Guard asks if he can do anything for her.

§  She asks if he could give someone a letter, offering him her ring. Reluctant to endanger his job, the Guard suggests that she dictate her letter and he write it in his notebook in case they search his pockets.

§  Antigone winces but accepts. She recites her letter, “Forgive me, my darling. You would all have been so happy except for Antigone.” Suddenly a drum roll is heard, and the Guards lead Antigone out. 

·         The Chorus enters, announcing that it is Creon’s turn.

o   The Messenger delivers the news:     

§  Antigone had just been immured, when the crowd heard Haemon’s moan from within.

o   Creon howled for the slaves to remove the stones. Antigone had hung herself.

o   Haemon then stabbed himself and lay beside Antigone in a pool of blood.

o   Upon being told of Haemon’s death, Eurydice finished her row of knitting, climbed to her room, and cut her throat.

o   Creon is alone.

o   The Chorus notes that truly if it had not been for Antigone, all would have been at peace.

§  All who had to die have now died. Only the Guards are left, and the tragedy does not matter to them.

 

 

Here is the PowerPoint on the plays, Oedipus Rex and Anigone, presented in class on Wednesday, Oct. 29.  Be sure to review it at length, as you will be tested on this next Wednesday, Nov. 5.

oedipus-and-antigone

Here is the PowerPoint for the Greek theatre background for Oedipus Rex and Antigone.  Your study guide goes through this almost page for page. 

background-for-oedipus-and-antigone

Hey guys,

Here’s an interesting question for you……

How do you think that the arts (theatre, film, tv, music, etc.) will play a role in the shape of American politics this fall?  For instance, “Saturday Night Live” routinely pokes fun at (satires) politics and the celebrity culture of the U.S.  It has been debated by art historians through the years as to SNL’s role in shaping the public’s opnion….such as Chevy Chase’s depiction of Gerald Ford, their take on Bill Clinton, Will Ferrell’s George Bush, etc.  What do think, looking back at this time a year from now, we’ll seee as to how the arts affected things?  Site examples

Now this question is not for anyone to get into it with politics.  I want to hear how you think theatre/entertainment/music/arts will affect the shape of politics–not necessarily what you think about the politics.  Separate yourself and look at things objectively.

This is part of theatre studies–sometimes we must be objective and not infuse our personal opinions/taste. 

I’m looking forward to intelligent, culturally literate responses!   Responses are due by Monday, October 27.

Peace~Ms. N.

Constantin Stanislavsky, who is the premier source for acting theory…of whom you will study with me…essentaily defined what we think of as the “Internal Monologue.”

A brief definition:

Inner monologue a text developed by the actor (stream of conscience) in order to have a subtext.

Think about your monologues that you are preparing, Theatre I–your contemporary monolouges and Theatre II–your Shakespearean monolouges.  What is your character thinking???  As a comment to this blog, I want you to answer this question AS YOUR CHARACTER:

What are you thinking when you are speaking in your monologue?  What do you really, really mean?

You can summize this in few short sentences.  But I want to see that you have truly thought this through.  If you have done your “Who Am I?” and you have done the other work that I have asked of you, this should be a piece of cake

Ms. N.

I know I’ve talked a lot about Aristotle quite a bit lately ;), and he has a major significance to theatre, as I hope you have learned.  We still objectively judge theatre by what he wrote 2500 years ago.  Aristotle said in his writings:

“The aim of Art is to represent not the outward appearance of things, but their inward significance.”

How do you feel about this?  Think about when you go to a film…one based in spectacle or one based in plot….do you still expect or desire the inward significance of life (things)?  What theatrical production or film or television show have you seen recently that met the “aim Art” by showing the inward significance?

As always, I look forward to your posts!  You guys are so smart and thoughtful!

Peace~Ms. N.

In light of our discussion on Wednesday and Friday of “why we create art,” I want to read the following quote.  It comes from one of my personal favorite musicals, Sunday in the Park with George by Stephen Sondheim.  Sonheim has written of the famous artist George Suerat and imagined what would have taken place in the years it took him to create his masterpiece, “Sunday on the Isle of Grande Jatte.”  George is torn between his need to create and his love for his muse, Dot.  At one point in the musical, one of the other characters says:

“Work is what you do for others… Art is what you do for yourself.”

What do you think that means in terms of theatre?  And what do think it means in terms of any and all artforms (as I know several of you are dancers, writers, and the like).  Finally, how does it apply to YOU.

Looking forward to reading your responses.

Peace~Ms. N. 

The whole concept of using the blogs this year, so far, has been incredibly intriguing.  I’m really getting to know you guys, particularly in light of the number of students I have in some of my classes.  Although I may not get significant feedback verbally in class, I am getting on here.  It is WONDERFUL.  I have bragged constantly at how articulate and thoughtful you all are.

That being said, please remember to answer the blogs.  It is a part of your work in my classes.  I check the timestamp, so post when you are supposed to!  I hate giving 0’s, but I will do it.  So let me know how you feel in the blogs and get to say those things about music and theatre that you may not have gotten to in class!

Looking forward to reading!

~ Ms. N.

In leiu of this week’s acting/memorization assignment, responde to the following quotes:

“I regard the theatre as the greatest of all art forms, the most immediate way in which a human being can share with another the sense of what it is to be a human being” ~ Oscar Wilde

“Acting is half shame, half glory.  Shame at exhibting yourself, glory when you can forget yourself.” ~ John Gielgud      

I know that getting in front of the class to perform can be scary, exhilarating, rewarding, freaky, and embarssing at all one.  :)  I commend each and everyone for you for trying.  Now, think of these quotes and compare them to how you felt when performing and how feel about your memorization thus far.  

I look forward to your responses as always!

Peace & Love ~ Ms. N.

OK, so I know having to memorize something right off the bat is a little tough.  I don’t make excuses for being demanding.  Remember my “mama bird pushing the baby out of the nest” analogy? lol.  I want you try.   We all get nervous and scared, but you have to try.

That being said….if you think you’re messing up, KEEP GOING.  You CAN do it!  I’m more impressed when students do not give up and they push through.  Some of the best actors are the best improvisationists.  Don’t stop and start, stop and start.  Go through the memorization.  If you think you missed something and know where…ask if you can do it again (but give me a reason why)

Anyway, I was very impressed with what I saw today.  And you guys were very, very respectiful…a great audience for your peers.  Kudos to you all.

Now go memorize the rest of your assignments!

Hi Theatre Arts Students!

For this week’s question, I’ll have both sections answer to the same blog post.  Here you go:

Please comment on the following quotes:

1.  “I think theatre ought to be theatrical…you know, shuffling the pack in different ways so that there is always some kind of ambush involved in the experience.  You’re being ambushed by an unexpected word, or by an elephant falling out of the cupboard, whatever it is.”  ~ Tom Stoppard, interview 1999. 

2.  “A theatre, a literature, an artistic expression that does not speak for its own time has no relevance.”  ~ Dario Fo, Nobel lecture, 1997

Within your comment, formulate a conscise, thorough, well-thought point regarding how YOU FEEL about these two quotes.  Compare and/or contrast the two quotes, and relate them to you personally, in relation to what theatre is and what it is supposed to do.  Think about what these two quotes mean in terms of the affect theatre has on lives, and more specifically, your life. 

I’m looking forward to reading your responses.  Deadline is end of school day Tuesday, September 9, 2008 to respond.

Ms. N.