Saint Plays: Directing vs. Acting

The production that I was working on recently finished just in time for me to come home for half of my spring break! I was the Assistant Director and Set Designer, which means I helped the Director analyze the script so the actors could understand it, and helped her add movement to the words to make the story make sense. I also helped think of ideas of what environment would be best to tell the story in, by being Assistant Set Designer.

Here's the set with the actors and director below:

The bathtub was a huge part of the play, it was used as a bathtub, a car, and a jail cell!

I really love being on the artistic team of a play, much more than I ever loved acting. (Tutu this is for you! :) I am able to participate in making a piece of living art, instead of following directions and trying to do my best on my performance. I love reading a script and thinking of ideas of how it can be expressed on stage and with what materials, resources, colors, images. It has become my entry way into the theatre world since I changed my major/life path. I may still pursue some acting in the future, but this has been so artistically rewarding and fulfilling, I'm going to keep with this for a while!

I'm famous!

I seem to be on the front page of the new Theatre Department's website, in a picture from the production of Tartuffe by Moliere I was in last year. I'm in the frumpy maid costume...

Check it out!

Oh and on the right, the THESIS FESTIVAL II will feature my 20 minute Solo Performance that is my thesis, or the project that is the culmination of my time at Barnard. (I hope.)

Internships

Soooo after an almost 3 month search/battle, I scored 2 internships.

One entails me being an assistant director for an after school program called "Shakespeare Remix" that gives the kids the opportunity to rewrite and reach Shakespeare through their own perspectives. Its going to be awesome and was recommended by my lovely theatre teacher from high school! The program won an award that was presented by the also lovely Mrs. Michelle Obama. Check out the website here!

The second internship is being an artistic intern (whatever that means) at a theatre company that does classical plays (its always good to learn the classics first...right?) It seems like a much more professional setting and will be a great contact builder! Check out the website here: Pearl Theatre!

I feel honored and blessed to have found something that makes me feel so happy and fulfilled. I only hope that I can keep doing it forever. Oh and I've been in NY for 5 days and already seen 3 plays.

The Last Push

After an incredibly indulgent Thanksgiving weekend at home in California, I am now getting ready to go back to the daily grind: class, final projects, stage managing, and hours of rehearsal a day!

I'm so overwhelmed about what is to come in the next and last 3 weeks of the semester, the next 6 months, let alone the next year. Below is the poster for the play that I'm stage managing, I hope everything goes well...the organization and efficiency of everyone on the team is my job!

So here's to taking life one day at a time, or maybe better yet, one hour at a time, getting through with this semester, and moving on with life, no matter what comes!

My latest project...

For the past couple of weeks, I've been assisting the director of the production The Physicists being produced by Barnard's theatre department. It was a last minute opportunity offered to me by the director (who also is my directing teacher) just to take notes for her in rehearsals. It somewhat escalated into a larger commitment when I offered more of my time and she continued to use it.

It was a great decision, I learned a lot and just absolutely love being around the creation of theatre. Here's the description of the play:

Einstein. Newton. Möbius. Three men in an insane asylum believe themselves to be three of history's most brilliant scientists. Or is their madness merely a ruse, a means of hiding (or pursuing) a scientific discovery that could lead to inconceivably destructive forces being unleashed upon the world? "Drama," Swiss playwright Friedrich Dürrenmatt observed, "can dupe the spectator into exposing himself to reality, but [it] cannot compel him to withstand... or even to master it" — a fitting motto for the Barnard College Department of Theatre's 2010-11 season, which aims to "expose" audiences to the intersection of history and politics through the provisional reality of the stage. Dürrenmatt's scalding and farcical parable about the moral dilemma of the modern scientist is an excellent place to begin this yearlong project. Alice Reagan, Assistant Professor of Professional Practice, directs.

I feel honored to have been apart of this production, and I can't wait to continue to learn from Alice in my directing class. Check her out on her website here: alicereagan.com!

This semester has been one of my busiest, with visitors, rehearsals, homework, and friends. My parents are coming next weekend and Monday I start my official Stage Managing position. I will post pictures of Amanda's visit soon and of my parent's visit/Halloween after next weekend! I get scared when I think about how much I love theatre, and this semester has really seemed surreal being able to learn and experience so much related to the field I love. I feel so lucky!

Tierra Santa

We finally made it to Tierra Santa. It one of the only religious theme parks in the world. There are probably 40 different statues of Jesus, most with some type of animatronic movements. There are 4 shows: Creation, The Last Supper, The Nativity, and The Resurrection--all equipped with booming narration, laser shows and smoke machines.

Callie, Niall and Kara blended in very well in these fancy get-ups.

Just like Disneyland! The workers are all dressed up like Roman soldiers, monks or scarved women.

Tierra Santa with its fake palm trees and the real city of BA in the background.

The 18 meter Jesus with many animatronic movements who rose from the mountain during the Resurrection.

Us in the Creation scene/Garden of Eden and Adam.

The Nativity Scene.

Us modeling by the Rio de la Plata.

When we first got there I was worried that the park could be offensive or making fun of Jesus, but throughout the day I realized that the purpose of this place is probably to educate about the stories of Jesus. The performance aspect of the place was incredible. Everything was decorated and set back around the time of Jesus even down to the trash cans. There were some historically inaccurate things, such as people of that time praying at the model of the Wailing Wall, and there were memorials for Martin Luther and Gandhi--all didn't fit into the supposed "model of the Holy Land".

When we arrived the place was close to deserted at 3pm, but then the park slowly filled with old people admiring the chapel and the shows, people our age giggling at the weirdness of it all, families, and children with a priest probably on a field trip. I can understand that it serves as a place to teach the stories of Jesus. I just can't imagine someone getting the idea in their head to create a model of Jerusalem and put animatronic Jesus's all around the park telling his story.

Obvi it wasn't weird for me to see images of Jesus, but in this context--a place that sort of felt like Disneyland and a church at the same time, with restaurants, kids, souvenirs and fake statues of random people all over. Sin embargo, I'm glad I went, and think this place is just an interesting phenomenon. If you ever go to BA, check it out!

Esperando a Godot y 2nd Apple Momentitos

Finalmente I feel like I have a set schedule! Two of my classes are at UBA--the public (yes that means free to Argentines, but not to spoiled Americans THANKS MOM AND DAD) university that takes me one hour to get to by bus and by subte. The building I go to 3 times a week is covered by posters, graffiti, advertisements--you name it. It looks like that was the theme for the decor because literally there isn't a square inch of wall not covered. It gives me the sense that the students really own they're school and that its a location for not only traditional learning, but passionately questioning current life and politics as well. I'm gonna try to casually take a picture tomorrow to show you!

Interesting theatre experience! In one of my UBA seminario about the works of Samuel Beckett, we're first discussing Waiting for Godot--his most popular play. I saw a production recently, per the profesora's request, that didn't follow all the traditions of this well-known script. The play has 5, arguably 6 male characters that are usually portrayed in similar costumes, with similar mannerisms, etc. This production (TEATRO ANFITRION, DIRIGIDA POR BERTA GOLDENBERG) chose to cast multiple actors to play the 2 principal characters and also women to occupy the majority of the roles. The night I went an inspector from the "Beckett Estate" (who knows what that means?) to judge the loyalty of the production. The text was completely respected--but I'm guessing and my professor (one of the most respected Beckett scholars in Latinoamerica if not in the world) things that because of the unusual casting they decided to shut the production down.

Its really great to be able to do so much of what I love all at once: travel, see plays, study theatre, art class, and hang out with great people. I loved being witness to this interesting theatre occurrence as well!

It may seem that I'm just the perfect traveller with no problems who never misses home. Not the case. Here are things I will say when I get home (*** this list is NOTHING compared to the one that my friend Freesia should write when she gets home from Uganda this summer. See freesiastravelsabroad.blogspot.com )

• There is toilet paper in every stall? What's a toilet seat cover?
• YOU DON'T HAVE TO PAY FOR THE WATER??!!!
• All the taxis are legit? Not only the ones that say Radio Taxi?
• I don't have to go to 5 different bookstores and fotocopiadoras every day to find my readings for class? I can really just buy this one textbook?
• Clothes come in more than "one size fits all"?
• You have EVERYTHING on the menu? Really? I can order anything I want?!!!
• What's a taco? And what are those delicious brown mushy things next to them?
• I also just plain miss the easiness of using cash in los EEUU. Here if you have a 100 peso bill (=to más o menos U$S 27) you have to beg to get change--even at restaurants, in taxis and at the supermarket. NO ONE ever has change. Don't even ask about monedas (coins for the colectivos).

I'm happy to welcome these crazy differences to keep reminding me that I'm not home and that I'm in the one and only Argentina!

Teatro Ciego and Easter in a Box

Last night the crew and I went to see a play put on by the Teatro Ciego (Blind Theatre) company. It was called "La Isla Desierta" and it was truly a magnificent theatrical experience. We entered the big venue filled with anticipation of the unknown when two people introduced themselves and told us to form single filed lines of 10 people and put our hands on the shoulders of the person in front of us, so that we could be lead into the completely dark theatre.

When I say dark, I mean dark. You opened your eyes and closed them and could not tell the difference. It was exhilarating, scary and thoroughly entertaining. The play started with sounds of typewriters coming from all different parts of the room. None of us had any idea how the room was set up until the lights came on at the end of the show, and so the fact that the sound was coming from all angles of the room was overwhelmingly mysterious and awesome. The sounds and smells they created throughout the show were so realistic.

It was a beautiful introduction to new theatrical possibility--darkness and all that entails for the audience: the anticipatory nervousness, the automatic trust you must put in the performers, and the opportunity to let your imagination soar as you create the visual pictures on your own. I also loved the idea of adding a Smell Designer into the crew of a show. My love for theatre and happiness that I changed my major grow with every production I see!

Yesterday, I went to the Centro Postal Internacional to pick up a package I received! It was Easter in a Box from my dad's side of the family! Gabby knit me that adorable Easter egg, my aunt Pam collected yummy things and most importantly CHUNKY PEANUT BUTTER!
This was the makings of my first sandwich. It was delicious, it make me feel at home and I loved it. Thank you Aunt Pam and Patti and Nana&Papa and Ally and Gabby and everyone who helped pick all the yummies in this box. I opened it and felt really loved, even though you all are 6.000 millas away. Thank you so much I'm so lucky to have you all!

Wrecks

Instead of watching the Super Bowl my mom and I saw Wrecks directed and written by Neil LaBute--a production highly recommended by one of my fellow theatre loving friends.

We entered the small theatre and saw two small benches, two potted plants and a coffin with a photo of a woman and a large bouquet of flowers. The play started with Ed Carr, the main character, describing the beautiful life he and his wife shared together. LaBute's writing was personal, sincere and refreshing all at the same time.

One of my favorite parts was that Ed Carr constantly referred to himself talking in the other room. Therefore, the Ed Carr we were watching perform was actually in the other room delievering the eulogy, so we were listening to an internal monologue going on in the back of his mind. The size of the second stage at the Geffen Theatre in Westwood, CA served this performance very well since it was in the round and didn't have more than 100 seats. I felt as if the entire theatre was Ed Carr's mind, and we were inside for 80 minutes simply listening to what was going on. Picking this apart entertained me for the first hour, and then I was ready to leave and just accept that it was an interesting insight into a mourning man's experience with the love of his life.

Then the entire play changed.

LaBute expertly introduced an unexpected and exciting twist. When I left the theatre I got that beautiful theatre high that makes me love life and performance. LaBute's writing took the audience on an amazing ride--from heartwarming love story dealing with real accounts of the challenges of marriage and death, to a piece commenting on the definition of marriage and love as a whole using ancient Greek influence. The revelation at the end was foreshadowed, but it was as if the audience did not want to believe it. The play sunk deep into the audience members, which was obvious from our audible gasps and built up tension that appeared once the shocking suspicion was confirmed.

This play was so powerful because of its ability to draw the audience in and then mess with our minds, while it still had us under its reins. Theatre should do this, it should shock, challenge and make us question and analize what we think we know so well or so much about. I loved this play, Ed Harris was amazing and I can't wait to hopefully read/see more of Neil LaBute's works.

Good thing I changed my major.

Change is in the Air!

This blog is for my friends and family to track my upcoming international adventures, and all the changes that will be happening in my life! In 4 days I will be finished with my finals, and done packing (hopefully) and will return home for Christmas! I'll be home in CA for 2 months, before I start my Study Abroad program in Buenos Aires, Argentina. I'll be there for 5 months, tracking my adventures, and then return home for another 2 months before I start my senior year of college!

I'm definitely in a flux of emotion and location which is why I'm making a blog--so that you can track me and keep in touch, no matter where in the world I am.

Here are some pictures of my Thanksgiving in London, England with one of my best friends from CA, Amanda.

Here are the sugar cookies in my mom's style that I made with one of my NY best friends, Rachel to get in the Christmas-y mood!

Another recent change in my life is that I have officially decided to change my major to THEATRE! I realized that it, so far, is the love of my life, and therefore I should not let anything get in the way of learning and working towards a theatrical career. One amazing thing that helped me in this decision was my trip to Helsinki, Finland this past summer, May 09. There we saw amazing theatre--2 productions were written and directed by Kristian Smeds. The theatre professor that I went to Finland with invited him to our school and he came, gave a workshop and talked with us! I was lucky enough to pick him up from the airport! Here we are eating with him. He was incredibly inspiring and I can't wait to start my theatre life at school with his influence in mind!