Reflection

So here we are. The end of first semester of Theatre Lab!! In these few months, our class really has come along way and learned quite alot. I think taking this class means alot to me because as a senior I have been committed to theatre all four years at Pingree and now I am finally getting the chance to tie in everything I have learned. This course was alot different than the previous classes I have taken with Barbara and the difference proved to be an eye opener for me! First off we got the chance to study all aspects of theatre- not just acting- but tech, directing, and even some playwriting. We started the year with acting and I remember reading that exert about silence or working on a scene from The Glass Menagerie and learning the importance of the script. Then with Matt we studied the elements of set, lighting, sound, and costume and how each element makes ( or breaks) a show. We watched videos like the Cirque Du Solei documentary or the french performers on the rolling platforms to expose our selves to other, unique and abstract forms of theatre. I really enjoyed watching the french ensemble because although we could not understand them, through their use of technicial elements like set design and sound the storyline was very universaly clear. We then started to work on generating material for our production for Drama Fest ( or our own theatre festival!) and thats when the kids and monsters were born. Our journey with them has taken us from bad self help books and our self help lists, to telling stories about childhood fears to the class while they lay on stage with their eyes closed. The development of the characters from the short scenes we created in class, writing bios, and brainstorming ideas for possible performance all helped us transform our orginal ideas from day 1 with our monsters/kids to where we are now.

This is all a rough sketch of what we have done- I left out the short scenes we performed for grandparents day isnpired by the same text we were all given to the class where we sat outside and listened to each other's monologues from Menagerie. There was so much packed into this year, that I wish I had done a better job of keeping up with my journal to record all that I have learned. It is too much to sit down and write about everything I took away from T.Lab but I will say this- It has opened my eyes in ways I wasnt sure were possible. For example, my experience with directing- while very brief- has sort of inspired me. I really liked having the artistic license to help guide the actors into creating something we all were proud of. I learned how hard of a job it is to direct- not to over direct an actor or try and act it out myself- and how much leadership it takes. Being prepared and ontop of everything is tiring especially for me, because having to be the one who is supposed to have all the answers or even all the props is tiring. I got lazy being an actor- and I respect and appreciate all that a director must do before, during, and after the production. Also, I had to have a strong, clear vision in my mind before I shared it with the actors so that they were on board with me was tough. Challenging as it was, getting the chance to be a director has made me consider the possibilites. Arthur and I are excited about possibly directing our own show for our senior project and who knows, maybe I want to pursue directing in college!

The days of "Softserve: The musical" and playing pass the severed head are long gone but the memories are still here. ( oh gosh that was cheesy! ick) Seriously though, the lessons learned and the memories gained are priceless. T.Lab 2010- its been real.