Final paper!

I have never done a research paper that needed visuals. It was not difficult to find visuals for the paper since I had focused on one theater group and mentioned their specific performances. The official website of the Mauckingbird Theatre Company keeps an archive of their performances with reviews and photos.
It surprises me to see how many people are against homosexual marriage. It seems silly that there is a lack of rights for homosexuals. It is frustrating to know that people are unable to love who they want. 
I learned a lot by doing this project. And it was a good semester!! :)

What does theatre mean to me?

After taking a course in theatre appreciation, my thoughts and views of theatre has changed. It has always been evident that the cast and crews work extremely hard from their first day of work until the last performance.
To me, theatre is someone doing something they wouldn't normally do. Theatre is, in no way, restricted to a stage; it can happen anywhere and only needs an audience to exist. The audience is the most important aspect of a performance. Theatre is the telling of a story.

Research paper....

Now that all my other classes and final papers have winded down, it gives me more time and energy to devote to my research paper.
I am getting more excited about my paper the more work I put into it.
I have focused a bit on the connection between homosexual themes in old, classic productions to the works of the Mauckingbird Theatre Company. I have been captivated by the work the company does with Shakespeare and how many homosexual themes are included in the most famous works of literature and works for the stage by William Shakespeare. 

Hip-Hop Theatre

I enjoyed the article because it talks about a new aspect of theatre. I like how it is a developing trend that is becoming more and more popular.
What struck me the most was the mentioning on The Wizard Of Oz. I love that movie and production is one of my favorites. The more hip-hop version of the production is The Wiz which is a more laid-back and comedic approach to the same story.
I was a cheerleader for 5 years. During my years as a competitive cheerleader, I have personally witnessed the success and popularity of hip-hop as a part of the preforming arts.

Thesis proposal

The topic that I have chosen to do for the research paper is homosexual theatre. I think that this is a good topic to inform myself and others about because of the, sometimes, negative stereotypes that are associated with the actors that comprise companies. The issue of gay rights and the effort to make same-sex marriage legal is a rising issue in society that needs to be addressed. Like all other issues of civil rights, media contributes working towards a solution through means of propaganda and through spreading awareness.

I am still working on the wording of the thesis but my paper will address a brief history of homosexuality throughout theatre (like Shakespeare and other classics), the GLAAD awards, and also an analysis of a LGBT theatre company which I am still researching to find the specific group.

Video Projects

• The most interesting thing I learned during the video presentations was in the Asian-American theatre group. In this film, I was informed about stereotypes that are included in acting roles. As it is presented, it seems that the way that actors are is who the director wanted them to be and not fulfilling a cliche.
• Hands down, the most creative video was the Stomp group.
• I learned a lot through the video project. Not just about my topic but it helped improve my computer skills. Learning to use a video editing program will help with future video projects.

Research Topic

• The topic I have chosen for research is Native American Theatre because I have always been interested in Native American culture.
• In the event that this is a group project and no one else has chosen this topic, I will chose to do Movement/Dance Theatre because I have a very strong dance and choreography background.

Directing And Acting Project 3

Before I perform, I am nervous because some of the groups have had really good presentations. I am scared that my groups will not be as put together as the rest. I am also afraid of forgetting my lines or blocking. I need to clear my head before I go on stage because I have a giggly-personality and the given circumstances are not a laughing matter. But, I'm excited to show the class what we have been working hard on and I will be relieved when this project is over. I have enjoyed doing this project and would prefer hands on projects to book-tests. Moving around and doing group work in a class like this is always interesting to hear other people's ideas and perspectives. Our group have worked together to create something that we consider to be really cool and each one of us has contributed a great deal more than just our time to what we have to share with the class.

Directing And Acting Project 2

After watching the first groups of people go, I was nervous for my presentation. I felt like my  performance was not going to be nearly as good as theirs was. Last week, my group met together and we went over the script and worked on the blocking and tone of voice. I feel more confident in my group. I am still memorizing my lines but I have almost memorized them and I am sure that by the time I perform, I will have them memorized. 

Directing and Acting Project

It has been difficult to remember my lines but it gets easier everyday. Once I have my lines memorized, I feel that the tone and body language will come more naturally.

Favorite Actor

My favorite actress is Kristin Chenoweth. She is famous for so many things but why she is my favorite is because of her performances in Wicked on Broadway and in the movie production of Annie. Chenoweth participated in drama in high school, went to college and got her degree in Musical Theatre, and received her masters degree in Opera Performance. She began her career with Opera.es. But before all of that, she would sing in churches. When I think theatre, very few names come to mind but when they do, Kristen Chenoweth comes to mind. She has won many awards at the Tony's including best actress and has guest starred on shows like Glee.

Flash Mob!

Participating in the flash-mob was a unique experience.  I felt awkward because not all of our alarms stayed playing for the two minutes that we were standing in from of the library. After the alarms stopped sounding, which was a faint sound in the first place, it felt unnatural to still be standing still looking at my phone. I did not see many bystanders but I was not particularly looking for them. The interesting thing about the flash-mob is that a street corner that I commonly walk by turned into a stage. It goes to prove that performances are not only restricted to a stage in a theater. The creativity and imagination behind the performing arts is much bigger than any stage; this is why street corners, classrooms, a shopping mall, and etc. can be transformed into a stage.

“SlamNation: The Sport of Spoken Word”

I do not think any of us would disagree with the statement that getting up in front of an audience is not easy to do. Something that most of us would find even harder is revealing our emotions or aspects of a personal life in front of a group of people who is unknown. “SlamNation: The Sport of Spoken Word” was an appropriate documentary to show to a Theatre Appreciation class for a variety of reasons. Live performances are very unique in the sense that there is no trial-and-error; there is only one chance to recite. Live theatres, as well as poetry slams, require rehearsal and working towards finding the perfect tone of voice necessary to convey to the audience what one wants them to feel.  The words, especially the delivery of words, are an aspect of both theatre and poetry recitations that are critical to captivating the audience that will, in turn, create positive memories of the performing arts. A show that is live is live because it has an aspect that many forms of acting do not have, instantaneous audience.  The audience is the judge in all forms of performances.  In poetry slams, the audience members are asked to score the poets. For other mediums, it is not as direct.  The recommendations are from friend-to-friend and if an individual hated a performance, the likelihood that any of that person’s friends or those people’s friends of attending is very low. A theatre class should not only explore plays but other forms of live recitals. The methods may be different but the same preparation is needed to be successful in a specific area of the performing arts. 

Disneyland

Best friends. Road trip. Fireworks. Happiness.

6 Word Memoir