Prompt #8

         Time and pace reinforces the reality effect of durationals, because these two elements are what help to define a durational. A durational is a piece of theatre taking up a longer period of time than most conventional performances. In one of the durational pieces we focused on, Quizoola time helps to reinforce the reality effect because as the show progresses on, the questions often get more personal or deeper. The show is unscripted, and because it lasts so long the reality effect is more poignant because the audience members see the journey that these two actors go on. This is a completely organic journey, because of the natural, non-predetermined responses from the actors. As the play continues on, the two actors get even more comfortable with the questioning. This could not happen if it weren’t for the length of the performance.

I think the piece we studied in class, Marina Abromavic’s House with the Ocean View, is a creation that I personally think embodies living in the now. By stripping herself of all extraneous items, she allowed herself to be fully present. Although this is a very extremist way to show the “right here, right now” I loved the ideas that this piece brought up. Living with yourself, with others, and letting it be enough just to exist, rather than occupying your time with the myriad of tasks that we feel the “need” to accomplish every day. Although it blurs the line of theatre, art and performance art, I feel as though it shows one of the most core values of what I believe theatre should be, and that is human connection. I believe it is important to remember why we want to connect via theatre, and that it is in an opportunity to be completely focused on one specific moment in time, whether that is from an audience’s perspective or from the actor’s perspective. I love theatre that is simplistic in form, and that is something that I believe will help theatre practitioners to achieve living in the present.

http://vimeo.com/72468884

Prompt #7

A theatrical production that I would love to stage in a Found Space would be Seascape with Sharks and Dancer. In Asheville, NC there are lots of bookstore/coffee shop spaces with shelves and shelves of books, magazines, newspapers etc. I think that this would be an interesting environment to stage this show, because originally, it calls for being in Ben’s house. Ben is a writer who works in a library so it’d be an interesting adjustment putting it into a bookstore/coffeeshop. It’d be interesting to put two actors in this space after working on the show, and just see what they do with the environment. The coffee shop that I’m thinking of specifically has different levels, balconies and ladders, and would give them a unique environment to explore.

I think in this case the framework of a site-specific theatrical production would be an enhancement for both the audience and the performer. It’d give the actors freedom, and allow them to completely go with their impulses rather than sticking to movements that were one-hundred percent pre-determined. The audience would enjoy this added aspect of spontaneity. Considering that the action of the story is also quite energetic and spontaneous, I believe that putting it in a found space similar to the original set desire would create a very interesting dynamic.

I think there is some truth to Kantor’s view, but I do not completely agree with it.  Although it is true that drama materializes organically in day-to-day life, I do not think that theatre has been completely neutralized. If that was the case, humans as a society would not be drawn to it at all. Regardless of the fact that we go through a rehearsal process to put on a show, when the run of the show starts, there is still an aspect of unpredictability to the show. A show can take on an emotional, unpredictable life of it’s own once an audience is added, and I don’t think there is anything neutral about that. One of the reasons that I love going to see theatre performances is to watch people make new discoveries and new connections that they may have not ever realized before. Drama is still materialized through theatre because the actors, as people, change every minute of every day. No person is the same two-days in a row, and so therefore every show will be different. I believe it’s about being able to recognize that a show takes on a life of it’s own, as a result of the actors being individuals that are on a constant journey. 

Prompt #6

With the development of other artistic mediums including technology, there may be a “danger” of losing theatre as an artistic expression. However, I do not think we ever will. There are so many reasons that traditional theatre has stuck around for as long as it has. For example, many theatre practitioners are familiar with the work of Shakespeare. His work appeals to such a large variety of people, audience members and artists alike, so it still creates human connections when it is performed. Audiences enjoy taking part in the tradition that is, “a night at the theatre.” Experientially, film is a very different experience. You walk into the theatre, sit down, watch the film, and leave. In theatre, there is the experience of interacting with those around you and the actors onstage during the viewing process. Nothing technological will every completely replace humans, in one room, connecting over the art that is occurring onstage. Although film creates the ability to view from different perspectives, people are often much more fulfilled absorbing each other’s energies in a room, which is why theatre will stay strong.

In this technological era, it is nearly impossible to experience current events or personal happenings without the influence of the media, specifically social media. One example of this is the announcement that Highland Coffees was slated to close. I was on facebook on my phone, mindlessly scrolling, when I noticed a headline one of my friends had shared. The article was companied with a raging rant against Hank Saurage, the property manager. In addition to being sad about my favorite coffee shop’s potential end, I was also automatically extremely angry by virtue of the fact that my friend who posted it was extremely angry. On the one hand, it was a very impersonal way to find out about something so personal. On the other hand, media actually benefitted the situation because the people of Baton Rouge were given time to stand up and fight for something that holds a special place in their hearts. The problem is that media takes issues that are very emotional or intense, and makes them impersonal. Art and theatre are making the effort to bring back the emotion and intensity. Part of the reason that I love going to shows or art galleries so much is because of how in tune with my emotions it makes me feel. The growing of technology and media pushes people towards art forms, because it causes them to have to search for some truthful human connection/emotion.