Margo’s place as “the star of the theatre” and her presence in the theatre world from just four years old have influenced her self-doubt in that she doesn’t have a secure sense of self. She is unable to truly distinguish her identity as a being separate from “Margo Channing”, which she sees as “something spelled out in light bulbs”. In a moment of honest introspection with Karen, Margo forlornly admits that “so many people know me, I wish I did, I wish somebody would tell me about me”, revealing just how insecure of sense of self is. Mankiewicz’s choice to have this moment of self-examination be preceded by a wide shot highlights Margo’s current isolation - not from others, but from the theatre. It is this separation from the theatre and from
For our critiquing assignment in our Introduction to Stagecraft 1, I ventured to downtown Toronto, to a small indie theatre called, The Unit 102 Theatre. There I saw the production of MISS; written by Dora Award-nominated playwright Michael Ross Albert who wrote such works as Tough Jews, The Spadina Avenue Gang with the Storefront Theatre. The set takes place in the aftermath of a shocking accident in a boarding school classroom, the story explores the tenuous connection between a high school teacher, her fiance, and a troubled student whose lives have been irrevocably changed by tragedy caused by a miscarriage, an affair, and the fear of the consequences that are not yet revealed, and finally, murder. This is a one act showdown between three
1 – What is the function of (a) the merger, (b) Exchange of Certificates, (c) Representations and Warranties of Anthem and Cigna ( as well as of Anthem and Merger Sub), (d) Covenant Relating to the Conduct of Business, (e) Conditions to Consummation of the Merger, (f) Conditions Precedent, (g) Termination and Amendment, (h) General Provisions, and how do these provisions work together (please give examples from each sub-section to justify your answer)?
In reading the essay titled, “Guns Don’t Belong in the Hands of Administrators, Professors, or Students,” the author addresses the concern for safety on college campuses. The author Jesus M. Villahermosa Jr., who was a deputy sheriff for Pierce County Sheriff's Department for thirty-three years of dedicated service until he retired in 2014. Certifications include: being the first certified Master Defensive Tactics Instructor for law enforcement personnel in the state of Washington, serving as a Firearm's Instructor, and an Active Shooter Instructor. Villahermosa not only discusses important questions when considering the terms of firearms on campus, and in the hands of administration and faculty but offers his experience, while informing the reader, of the likeliness of more heightened danger due to inadequate training which could potentially lead to death and other repercussions for the person holding the firearm.
Andy Fickman directs a hilarious rendition of 12th Night, one of my many comedies, in his film, “She’s the Man”. The teen flick lacks darkness, wisdom, and a prank, however, its attention to detail, similar plot structure, and similar characters resemble essences of 12th Night. The three main differences do not detract from the film, for my play loosely inspired “She’s the Man”. There are many nods to my life and 12th Night, nevertheless, some are more difficult to find than others. Noticing the connections between the two pieces excites me. It is rewarding to see interpretations of your work, especially popular ones like “She’s the Man”, for imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. Thus, I appreciate that my story affected Fickman and inspire him to rejuvenate my story by adding modern twists. “She’s the Man” remakes 12th Night fantastically because of differences in the main characters, Viola and Duke, characterization of supporting roles,
On Thursday 29th September 2016, we attended a performance of ‘The Woman in Black’ at the Fortune Theatre in the West End, London. It was set in a traditional proscenium arch theatre which is situated on an enclosed street which applies to the horror genre and the idea of isolation. The size of the theatre was alarmingly small with compact seating, creating a sense of claustrophobia, suffocation and lack of escape from ‘The Woman in Black’. The stage seemed diminutive with the curtain, and the minimalistic set with old-fashioned props instantly set a Victorian impression. The minimalism conveyed how the actors could present a play without ostentatious props and keep the focus on themselves. The monochromatic colours of the programme enhance
Within this essay, I shall be evaluating my final major performance of ‘Rent the Musical’. I shall explore the challenges I encountered within the final days of approaching show day and the methods I used to conquer them. While, also expanding on the knowledge I have gained throughout the past few weeks, as a musical theatre performer. Whilst, ultimately reflecting on the overall process and development of my character Maureen and the final outcome of my performances.
Just as we cannot pinpoint the exact moment we learn our own names, I can’t recall when my love for theatre began, but it must have been around the same time. I don’t remember a time I hadn’t been fascinated by storytelling and performance. This childhood amusement only strengthened when I started going to school and we’d put on plays for parents, and started reading and discussing literature later on. To me theatre means the perfect alliance of performance, art and academics. It represents to me all the every-day aspects of life while also holding artistic value. My love for literature comes from my unwillingness to be bored.
Stella Adler, famous actress and acting teacher once stated that “the theatre was created to tell people the truth about life and the social situation.” Woyzeck by Georg Büchner is a play that perfectly represents Adler’s view on theatre. The plot of the play revolves around a troubled lower class man named Woyzeck, who ultimately murders his lover, Marie. But it is not merely the plot that makes this play align with Adler’s view, rather, it is the naturalistic style of the Woyzeck. Naturalistic theatre examines the human psyche and how one is influenced by nature and nurture. Through Büchner’s use of plot structure and thought, Woyzeck will be directed in a manner that makes the audience realize that human behavior is not simply a byproduct of nature versus nurture, that there is indeed a third option: self-will.
"Nowadays the plays' meaning is usually blurred by the fact that the actor plays to the audiences hearts. The figures portrayed are foisted on the audience and are falsified in the process. Contrary to present custom they ought to be presented quite coldly, classically and objectively. For they are not matter for empathy; they are there to be understood and politely added
“Theatre makes us think about power and the way our society works and it does this with a clear purpose, to make a change.”
Our choice to tell stories should exist in the same moment that we identify an audience who needs to hear that story – now, in this context, in this time, and in this medium. The best relationship with an audience begins dramaturgically, at the beginning of a rehearsal process. We must ask: How can we keep our minds open to the audience we have and also to the audience we want and the audience with whom we hope to collaborate? How do we enter a community and work with new people, learn from them and hope they learn from us? Partner with our similar goals and share resources. Work with them and never for them. Theatre isn’t a service—it’s a
This idea is relevant because on the stage, the Restoration actress, is nothing but an ornament in the male gaze. This attitude is apparent as Thomas Shadwell links the new phenomenon of female performers with painted theatrical scenes, both innovative commodities for audience consumption:
Theatre is a complex art that attempts to weave stories of varying degrees of intricacies with the hope that feelings will be elicited from the audience. Samuel Beckett’s most famous work in the theatre world, however, is Waiting for Godot, the play in which, according to well-known Irish critic Vivian Mercier, “nothing happens, twice.” Beckett pioneered many different levels of groundbreaking and avant-garde theatre and had a large influence on the section of the modern idea of presentational theatre as opposed to the representational. His career seemingly marks the end of modernism in theatre and the creation of what is known as the “Theatre of the Absurd.”
In the words of Gay McAuley, “for an activity to be regarded as a performance, it must involve the live presence of the performers and those witnessing it…” (McAuley, 2009, cited in Schechner, 2013, pp.38). This statement recognises the importance of both the actor and the audience for something to truly function as a performance. In addition, Lloyd Llewellyn-Jones highlights the significance of the theatrical space and how it can influence an audience stating that “on entering a theatre of any kind, a spectator walks into a specific space, one that is designed to produce a certain reaction or series of responses” (Llewellyn-Jones, 2002, pp.3). The relationship between actor, audience and theatrical space is no less important today than it was at the time of theatre during the Spanish Golden Age and the creation of Commedia dell’arte in Italy. Despite being very close geographically with theatre thriving for both in the same era, sources that explore the social, cultural and historical context of these countries and the theatre styles will bring to light the similarities and differences. This essay will analyse the staging, the behaviour of the audience as well as the challenges the actors faced, and how this directly influenced the relationship between actor, audience and theatrical space.
Death is a scary thought. Capital punishment, or death penalty, as we all know is the execution of mass murderers. It is a controversial issue, but is it necessary? Capital punishment all started when the colonists brought it to America from England (Source 5). At that time it was the normal thing, and they mainly executed people by firing squad or hangings. "In 1972 the supreme ruled that death penalty violated guarantees of due process, equal protection and the prohibition of cruel punishment"(source3). Although the Supreme Court declared it unconstitutional, each state that felt it was necessary mad new legislation reintroducing capital punishment (Source 3). All of this happening in the 1970’s and 80’s, and it is still in play today. This just shows that the death penalty can live through a lot and will always be around. No matter how many people want it gone each and every state has their own law and each would have to repeal them. The death penalty seems like a ludicrous thing to do, but it is a necessary punishment for some.