What have I learned.

Blog post due: summarize the major points and concepts we have covered so far in the course through lectures as well as activities -- what have you learned? 600-800 words. Use the list of terms on the blog for help if needed but explain the concepts fully.
Few days earlier, we have reviewed the concepts of theatre in the class. At first, we have done some activities about recognizing the stage directions. In class, Ms. Guarino asked us to list the stage directions from before. For example, she drew a diagram of the stage of Upstage left, downstage right, center stage...etc. We then memorized the stage directions. Afterward, we did some games: asking a person to close their eyes in a corner. Then, guessing the locations of others. However, it’s funny in the class that people will ‘cheat’ at our position on the windows. Sometimes, we deliberated why we have been called so many times. Overall, it’s a fun activity to play because we actually get the position in a short time. It’s useful for us to catch the ideas. Moreover, after the game, we talked a lot about what does each location stands for. We talked about the whole stage is mostly used for the crowd, movements and chaos. Also, it might represent the powerfulness of certain people status. For example, the downstage center might be more important to the audiences, like the things that you have to notice, it might be a declaration or a solo to the audiences. Downstage center focus more on the hidden side for the actors. However, in the center stage, it might still be important, but it is more of a public. If actors stand in the upstage, it might symbolize the distance: not that important. However, if actors are using downstage left or right, it might give a more secret-like areas. Yet, it is closer to the audiences, which can represent the intimacy and quiet of the areas. Furthermore, we acknowledge different types of stage on theatre. The Arena, the Thurst, the Proscienium, and Black Box. Each of the stage can be used for different purposes. Black box is rather flexible, small and audiences connected to the stage. On the other hand, Proscenium is considered bigger and splendid, with more advanced technologies.
There is a pantomime activity. We only allow to use our body language to make ‘sounds’. No words during the stage, but we must use background music to create our themes. It’s kind of hard because we must create story based on the music. As we heard the first music, we immediately think off a story that relates to derailment because it fits in the storyline. At first, Livi and I are couples, watching the beautiful views from the parks. Yet, since Willjam comes to the stage, Livi is attracted by Willjame’s beauty. Then, she walks to Willjam to flirt with him, throwing me off the ground. From this activity, I realize we must use bigger actions to express our feelings. Sometimes, small action is not enough because audiences sometimes couldn’t see your small actions. To let them better understand the play, actors must combine the big actions with expressions.
On another day, we went through the terms of theatre. Basically we discuss about the first step for actors, the second steps...etc. For the first step, we should be able to read from the script, knowing the basic meaning each sentences. Then, the second step is the movement and blocking of the characters. In theatre, motivations and obstacles are extremely important to our performances. In some ways, we must have some obstacles, so the audiences will not be bored at the plot. Actors need to have motivations because then they can act more naturally.
We did a lot about the tableau practices, which is really fun because we are allowed to open our mind to become whatever we want. In the beginning, when we created a scene for a topic, we must think off all the things that happened there. Using our imaginations and realism, this can further create a harmony story.
In the class, we did a really wonderful tableau called the Sleeping Beauty. We collaborated our ideas together with Willjam be the sleeping beauty. Then, I become her mother, watching the witch curse my child. From this performance, I knew that we must have a bigger actions as well on the stage. It might be useful because it tells a clear story.
In two groups, we both did the little red riding hood. We had different interpretations and different emphasis in the story. And that’s the most interesting part. In our group, we tend to focus on the experience of the little red riding hood. She is the main character in the performance. Yet, in another group, they emphasis both the little red riding hood and the wolf, giving us a conflicting confrontation. The wolf has an identity which represents the evil sides, while the little red riding hood represent the good side. Also, for the hunter, our group tended to have a more timid, shy hunter. A hunter who is afraid of the wolf’s sharp teeth and claws. Nevertheless, in their group, the hunter represent a more couraging figure. Jenna rushes in to save the little red riding hood. I learned different interpretations and different emotions expressions in theatre. As we went through the courses, we must have different ideas, yet we must express our best ideas and best interpretation of certain piece.