Rhinocerous Production Options

We are planning to produce Act I in class, so we talked about how to make that possible

• we could have our scripts in hand so that we wouldn't have to memorize all of the lines
• but it might look awkward because it wouldn't be a fully realized production

Performance is going to be March 28 during 2nd period. That gives us 11 rehearsals leading up to it. Blocking in the first week of rehearsal. 9 left to perfect, get off book, do design aspects, lighting, etc.
I will be Jean and I'm going to try to memorize my lines to the best of my ability.

Theatre Dream

The other night, I had a theatre dream! In class on Monday, February 11, we were talking about theatre of the absurd in class, as well as breaking the third wall, where the actors talk to the audience as if they're actually there. Then, that night, I had a dream that I was in a play. I had to pretend to talk to the audience at some points and actually join in the play. I can't even really explain what was happening. It was sooo weird, and the whole thing felt totally real. Then, when I woke up, I remembered the dream and realized that I had dreamed it because of what we had discussed in class earlier that day. Theatre is even invading my dreams!

Crowd Behavior Research

Before we begin Rhinoceros, Mrs. Burke wanted us to do some research on crowd pyschology, crowd behavior, and mob mentality to find out more about the mass hysteria that often ensues in crowds. This will occur with the mounting hysteria about the rhinos. I found some great, information articles about the topic, posted below:
http://www.wisegeek.org/what-is-crowd-psychology.htm
http://source.southuniversity.edu/examining-the-mob-mentality-31395.aspx
http://www.medscape.com/features/slideshow/hysteria
I think this picture is a great representation of how anything in a crowd can escalate, causing chaos.

http://www.trustprofessionals.com/f-digest/2005/2005-12-19-f.html

Then in class we talked about these things:

• mall at Christmas-bumping into people, frustrating, beyond your control
• cattle-slow process, people don't think, like animals
• 2 kinds of crowds: the frustration of other people around you or the crowd were the feelings are catching (mosh pit)
• good: inaguration, THON
• Penn State mobs-lynch mob mentality, anger focuses on a specific thing, "attack without mercy, attacking because you can" "need to be first one to give opinion" act without thinking
• leader(s) will emerge-alpha, elder, strength
• anonymity-lack of responsibity, not held accountable for actions
• emotions rule actions
• people do what they see being done
• mass confusion!!
• conformity
• aftershocks of incident-changes entire community-have to become individuals again
• protests/riots create destruction
• when one person tries to be an individual, they just overrun them
• reality is gone-Sweedish night club incident: people smelled smoke but denied it
• even outside observers can be affected even if they don't participate-my sisters at Penn State during the rioting didn't participate, but still saw everything, smelled the tear gas so it got in their minds as well
• poeple not paying attention
• panic, freaking out, need to get out
• people everywhere
• freezing up, can't do anything
• finding/losing people in a crowd
• feelings are catching
• sit-ins and protests

Rhinoceros Research

We are soon going to start reading Rhinoceros by Eugene Ionesco in class, so Mrs. Burke asked us to do some background research first. The play is about a drunk named Berenger, whose town becomes plagued by rhinos. Soon, everyone has been transformed into rhinos, and in the end, he vows to fight the rhinos. This play sounds crazy!!!! People transforming into rhinos?!?! I can see why they call it theatre of the absurd; this plot is certainly absurd. I wonder how they are able to act out these scenes because a play does not have the special effects that are available in movies. The author, Ionesco, was born in 1909 and died in 1994. He grew up in France, but moved to Romania in 1925, where he eventually met his wife. They had one daughter, and Ionesco often wrote stories for her. He wrote his first play in 1950, when he taught himself English. Ionesco's unique work is characterized by his rejection of the logical plot, character development, and thought of traditional drama. He created an anarchic form of comedy to show that man's existence is meaninglessness because everything happens by chance.
Sources:
http://www.imagi-nation.com/moonstruck/clsc19.html
http://www.theatrehistory.com/misc/rhinoceros.html

Real Gone Preparations

The past week in class, we helped Mrs. Burke get the set together for Real Gone. It was so much fun!!! It made me realize how much work it takes to put on a play, and all aspects must be taken care of. We painted the set, first using primer and then later painted the color. It was a lot fo work to make sure everything looked good, and the clean-up was a big aspect as well. On Thursday, the morning of the first showing, it was madness!! The set was still not done, and I'm pretty sure Mrs. Burke was stressing out a little :) But hey, what's theatre without things coming together at the last minute?! It was great to see how so much of the cast was down there working quickly and efficiently. They were all so involved in every aspect of the production, and they wanted the set to reflect all of the hard work they had put in. Anyway, we were all frantically putting last minute touches on the painting, setting up chairs, and Katherine, Mrs. Burke, and I worked on covering the couch. I thought the set was really coming together, even though it was a little worrisome not to have everything done. I am SOOOOO disappointed I wasn't able to come see the play :((( I hear it was fantastic!! And they got great compliments on the set, so I was a part of that aspect :) Unfortunately, I didn't get back from my track meet on Saturday in time for the show, but I really hope I can come see the one in the spring! Despite the fact tat I didn't get to see the play, helping with the set made me realize that every aspect affects the production, not just the acting. Things that we often take for granted actually take a great deal of work. Although I doubt I have a future in painting sets (I wasn't the greatest) it was still an amazing experience!

OOVOO Debacle

So our class thought we had a great idea to finish up our discussion of Henry V by having a group video chat with oovoo. However, it was a disaster. I couldn't get my microphone to work, Gwen couldn't get her video to work, and Mrs. Burke was having problems with both! Then, we tried to just do a group chat, but it was really confusing because everyone was typing at once, so we decided to finish our discussion in class. It was a learning experience because it showed us that you have to be prepared to deal with technological difficulties. I'm sure that theatrical productions often have problems with technology in plays, but the show must go on! We then had a great discussion in class the next day, and answered discussion questions that I am unfortunately not able to upload to here! :(

Henry V Throwback

I am currently rereading this book that I love, Annie Between the States, about a girl living in Virginia during the Civil War. In one scene, she meets William Farley, a scholarly soldier, who quotes Henry's speech from Henry V. As soon as I read that, I was so excited because I knew what they were talking about! That made me think about our discussions of Henry V in class. Henry gave his speech in Act III, and we discussed the significance of this speech because it serves as inspiration for the men. Most of the soldiers feel as if theirs is a lost cause, but Henry tries to muster support and convince them to fight to the death. This also marks Henry's maturity, for he is no longer the irresponsible boy shirking his duties, but he is taking responsiblity for his country. We talked about the manner in which he delivered his speeach, and I envisioned it being similar to King Theoden hitting the spears of his soldiers lined for battle in Lord of The Rings: Return of the King. He inspires the men there, just as Henry inspired his men.

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