As of today, the play is over and the set was meticulously taken apart. My script work was laid at the foot of my director's office for approval. All that is left of my experience is a floppy hat from Lady Capulet's wig and a bunch of memories.
But so many memories! I had such an amazing time learning, acting, and at times goofing off with the cast. The opening night was full of nerves with all of us grasping hands in anticipation before "places!" was called to us. And then... closing night was a time of celebration, but also- as always- of sadness that another wonderful experience was coming to a close. But, thankfully, I now have my life again- especially in the evenings!
There were many things that I learned from participating in Romeo and Juliet, but the lessons Lady Capulet taught me were pretty interesting. To think that you could learn from a character, from a playwright speaking to you from centuries away, and even from your own being is quite a remarkable thought.
And Lady Capulet has a lot to say. From her first entrance during the first fight in the city square, she is a woman who knows- or thinks she knows- what she wants, and doesn't hesitate to make it known. Then, as the story progresses, her desire to have a happy atmosphere and a happy life, free from conflict, grows into a desire to match-make her thirteen-year-old daughter as well. You know, the traditional "plan-your-daughter's-life-because-you-feel-your-life-sucks" mentality... it starts to grow in her. She thinks it's because it will smooth things over in the Capulet household, but deep down she wants it to do much more.
She wants Juliet's life, her marriage to Paris, to make her own personal life happy and interesting. It doesn't seem to matter that Juliet is only thirteen and begs not to be married to Paris. Lady Capulet adores Paris and just doesn't understand why Juliet would refuse. After all, to her, her happiness is also at stake, and Juliet should be aware of this.
Does this mean Lady Capulet doesn't love Juliet? No... I think she does love her, very much. But sometimes love can be smothered by selfish desires, however brief. And sometimes love can be also muddled in confusion over a duty to a daughter and a responsibility to be a dutiful wife. However, that brief moment of selfishness, confusion, and anger can have bitter consequences.
We all know how the story ends. Lady Capulet never truly gets closure with her daughter before Juliet ends up keeled over in a tomb with a knife is her chest, choosing death with her lover than life without him. There, in that cold, smelly, haunted, horrific tomb, Lady Capulet is alone. Her daughter is gone. Her prospective son-in-law is gone. Her family lineage is shattered. All her progress to happiness ended in more bitterness and mourning than she could imagined. Because of her and Capulet's (and the Montague's) enmity, confusion, anger, and selfishness- as the Prince puts it- "all are punished."
To think Shakespeare could pack so much detail into one supporting character! Just think of what else is tucked into that play, just waiting to be discovered!
So, I guess Lady Capulet revealed to me the struggle that can go on in a being when faced between their own happiness and someone else's.She revealed the sacrifice a parent must give for their child- to be willing to listen, to take time to understand, to love- it's a lot to do! It makes me grateful for all the times my parents sacrificed for me.
Lady Capulet also taught me a lot about myself. Obviously, when you play a character, a part of you, however small, becomes so invested that you can't tell the difference between them anymore. Lady Capulet was no exception. By using that magic "if" Stanislavsky talked about, I was able to think about what I would do in the situations, and it was pretty startling. I cringe at how selfish I can be, how irritating and controlling I can be, and how imperfect I actually am. Wow.
But I hope that I can learn through better situations than the ones Lady Capulet had to endure. The poor woman had to bring her daughter to church- but instead of for a wedding it was for a funeral. The only time she could apologize was to her daughter's dead body.
Gah! There's so much I could write about for Lady Capulet, but I'll wrap it up.
Poor Lady Capulet. But, thank you to Lady Capulet for teaching me about love, passion, responsibility, sacrifice, selfishness, and pride. And thank you as well to Shakespeare for speaking to me through the centuries to teach me some amazing things. That's the magic of words and the magic of stories. I'm so glad that our world has both.
Monday, April 14, 2014
Sunday, March 23, 2014
In the Theater
That's where I am right now. I'm sitting on the carpeted theater steps, my gaze flitting between the computer screen and Romeo and Juliet uttering their obsessive, hormone-filled chants of love on the stage. No, I'm not slacking. There are a handful of us that have some down-time between scenes.
It's actually quite relaxing to just sit in the quiet theater. The whole place looms above you, softly lit. People are sprinkled in different seats across the auditorium, silently working or watching the scenes coming alive on the stage before us. A mixture of cut wood and chair fabric and a distinct theater smell-not an entirely disagreeable scent- wafts through the air. I'm quite at home right now.
It's been a very busy week- not a week to be horsing around, as I predicted in my last post. Lots of homework, lots of commitments, lots of pressure and stress. But it's amazing how relaxed you can feel when you walk into the theater. True, you still have to work, but it's a different type of work. You become someone else, leaving all your worries outside the theater doors. It's like another world- the good kind of other world.
Our theater department says that we don't just put on shows to entertain people. We study theater to study life. That is such a true statement. We've only been working on this play for a few weeks, but already I'm starting to realize what they mean by "understanding life." Through the pages of the play, through your own experience of studying the lines, through getting to know the rest of your company, through even just sitting in a theater seat watching the play come alive before you, you can't help but start to analyze and understand small bits of life.
I can't wait for our play to be shown to the Susquehanna community, and I'll keep you up-to-date on that. But for now, I'll sit in the quiet theater and watch as I and the rest of my company start to understand life a little more. And hopefully when this production finally premieres to SU, the community will also start to understand pieces of life a little more too.
It's actually quite relaxing to just sit in the quiet theater. The whole place looms above you, softly lit. People are sprinkled in different seats across the auditorium, silently working or watching the scenes coming alive on the stage before us. A mixture of cut wood and chair fabric and a distinct theater smell-not an entirely disagreeable scent- wafts through the air. I'm quite at home right now.
It's been a very busy week- not a week to be horsing around, as I predicted in my last post. Lots of homework, lots of commitments, lots of pressure and stress. But it's amazing how relaxed you can feel when you walk into the theater. True, you still have to work, but it's a different type of work. You become someone else, leaving all your worries outside the theater doors. It's like another world- the good kind of other world.
Our theater department says that we don't just put on shows to entertain people. We study theater to study life. That is such a true statement. We've only been working on this play for a few weeks, but already I'm starting to realize what they mean by "understanding life." Through the pages of the play, through your own experience of studying the lines, through getting to know the rest of your company, through even just sitting in a theater seat watching the play come alive before you, you can't help but start to analyze and understand small bits of life.
I can't wait for our play to be shown to the Susquehanna community, and I'll keep you up-to-date on that. But for now, I'll sit in the quiet theater and watch as I and the rest of my company start to understand life a little more. And hopefully when this production finally premieres to SU, the community will also start to understand pieces of life a little more too.
Sunday, March 16, 2014
No Time for Horsing Around
You thought I forgot my pledge to keep blogging, didn't you? Well I'm back! Don't worry!
I came back to SU a week ago after a wonderful spring break. It was a pretty busy break, but I loved it! I went back to work for a few days, went back home to Calvary, caught up with a lot of great friends, and did (a little) bit of homework. So yes, it was time well-spent.
I came to SU last Sunday and got all unpacked. This past week has been about settling back in and getting used to the busier schedule. And... it's been busy! It's taken a good week, but I finally got used to the pace at which I have to run. After this weekend- a weekend of being mainly a procrastinator- it's time to get down to business....
To defeat the Huns.
Anyway, that's what I told my roommate, and that's what I have to stick to. This week, there's no time for horsing around.
Well, maybe enough just to make sure I don't implode.
I hope I can keep up the blog posts this week between running around to classes and practices and clubs. For all those out there in my same shoes right now, just keep it up! We can do this!
We- we can... right?
Saturday, March 1, 2014
The 19th Year
That's right, today was the big 1-9. I don't really feel any different- but really who does?- but today was such a wonderful day that I was really thankful for.
It started with being able to serve and attend Calvary's Outdoors Expo, which is always a blast! I got to see so many smiling faces while I face-painted today. It's always such a great feeling when a kid loves what you painted on their face- even if you're not the best artist! After my shift was done I got to eat some Chic-fil-A, see some great friends, and stroll around the expo. Really, after so many weeks of schedules it was awesome not having one today.
My family got me a delicious coconut cake for my birthday- which was absolutely amazing! After celebrating that, my sister and I ended our day with seeing a fun musical at her friend's school. I'm pretty exhausted, but it was a great way to celebrate
!
Honestly, I feel like I say this in every post, but I want to say it again. I feel so truly blessed for the friends and family I have, that they would go out of their way to make my day special. I felt so loved today and I wish there was some way to show my gratitude besides writing it out on a blog, but all I can think of is this and giving plenty of hugs. :)
So thank you everyone- thank you so much!
I guess this is the time when I should reflect on my past year and look ahead towards another one. My year when I was 18 was crammed with stuff- musicals, plays, graduation, college, trips, work, friends, there was a lot. And I'm sure my year as a 19-year-old will look like that as well.
But if I had to take away one big lesson from this past year, it would probably be....
You're always learning.
Sweet, short, and simple. As hectic and exciting and stressful this past year has been, the biggest thing that stood out to me was that. And it's because it's so darn true. The moment you think you've learned enough, you need to learn more still. And the moment you think you have a handle on things, that's when you don't. And even if you're set on a view, you still need to learn about others.
That's what I hope to carry into my 19th year. My friends, my family, my teachers, and God have taught me a lot, and now it's time to learn some more.
But, for now, I need to learn to get off the computer and go to sleep. Maybe I'll finally learn that rule this year....
Eh. Maybe.
It started with being able to serve and attend Calvary's Outdoors Expo, which is always a blast! I got to see so many smiling faces while I face-painted today. It's always such a great feeling when a kid loves what you painted on their face- even if you're not the best artist! After my shift was done I got to eat some Chic-fil-A, see some great friends, and stroll around the expo. Really, after so many weeks of schedules it was awesome not having one today.My family got me a delicious coconut cake for my birthday- which was absolutely amazing! After celebrating that, my sister and I ended our day with seeing a fun musical at her friend's school. I'm pretty exhausted, but it was a great way to celebrate
!
Honestly, I feel like I say this in every post, but I want to say it again. I feel so truly blessed for the friends and family I have, that they would go out of their way to make my day special. I felt so loved today and I wish there was some way to show my gratitude besides writing it out on a blog, but all I can think of is this and giving plenty of hugs. :)
So thank you everyone- thank you so much!
I guess this is the time when I should reflect on my past year and look ahead towards another one. My year when I was 18 was crammed with stuff- musicals, plays, graduation, college, trips, work, friends, there was a lot. And I'm sure my year as a 19-year-old will look like that as well.
But if I had to take away one big lesson from this past year, it would probably be....
You're always learning.
Sweet, short, and simple. As hectic and exciting and stressful this past year has been, the biggest thing that stood out to me was that. And it's because it's so darn true. The moment you think you've learned enough, you need to learn more still. And the moment you think you have a handle on things, that's when you don't. And even if you're set on a view, you still need to learn about others.
That's what I hope to carry into my 19th year. My friends, my family, my teachers, and God have taught me a lot, and now it's time to learn some more.
But, for now, I need to learn to get off the computer and go to sleep. Maybe I'll finally learn that rule this year....
Eh. Maybe.
Thursday, February 27, 2014
Intense Blessings
So far, so good with keeping up with my blog goal. It's only the second post but....
Anyway, today is my last day at SU before heading back home for spring recess. I think I can speak for most of us when I say that it has been an intense seven weeks here.
Why intense? For me personally, there were less academic and more extracurricular intensities. Not only did I have new classes this semester but also a new position on the newspaper staff, a place in handbell choir, a role in a D&D group, a position in a new service organization, a job delivering newspapers on Fridays, and more recently a role in the spring play- yay! On the academic side, there's no more "freshman" feeling to classes. You're plunged right in. Yeah, it's been pretty busy.
But don't mistake this for all-out complaining. Sure, college is stressful and busy and intense, but it's a blessing not many people have. To be able to attend a place of higher education to pursue a degree to earn a good career is wonderful. Studying at a beautiful campus where you're surrounded by brilliant faculty and loyal, caring, and fun friends is even better. Everyday I'm reminded how blessed I am to be here, to study things that I enjoy, and to experience it with amazing people.
So if you see any college kids walking around, they may look a little haggard. They may talk about how tired they are. Heck, I may say that sometime in the course of the next ten days at home. But know, deep down, there is also happiness. Tired, head-pounding happiness. Especially since mid-terms are now over.
I'm looking forward to seeing my wonderful friends back at home, spending time with my family, heading back to work, being able to play with my dog, and serving at church. Also having my birthday fall on the break is another plus!
But, for the rest of the evening, I have play practice and packing to do. Time to get started!
Anyway, today is my last day at SU before heading back home for spring recess. I think I can speak for most of us when I say that it has been an intense seven weeks here.
Why intense? For me personally, there were less academic and more extracurricular intensities. Not only did I have new classes this semester but also a new position on the newspaper staff, a place in handbell choir, a role in a D&D group, a position in a new service organization, a job delivering newspapers on Fridays, and more recently a role in the spring play- yay! On the academic side, there's no more "freshman" feeling to classes. You're plunged right in. Yeah, it's been pretty busy.
But don't mistake this for all-out complaining. Sure, college is stressful and busy and intense, but it's a blessing not many people have. To be able to attend a place of higher education to pursue a degree to earn a good career is wonderful. Studying at a beautiful campus where you're surrounded by brilliant faculty and loyal, caring, and fun friends is even better. Everyday I'm reminded how blessed I am to be here, to study things that I enjoy, and to experience it with amazing people.
So if you see any college kids walking around, they may look a little haggard. They may talk about how tired they are. Heck, I may say that sometime in the course of the next ten days at home. But know, deep down, there is also happiness. Tired, head-pounding happiness. Especially since mid-terms are now over.
I'm looking forward to seeing my wonderful friends back at home, spending time with my family, heading back to work, being able to play with my dog, and serving at church. Also having my birthday fall on the break is another plus!
But, for the rest of the evening, I have play practice and packing to do. Time to get started!
Tuesday, February 18, 2014
I Graduated from Wumbo
But seriously, let's talk about goals- and the fact that I was slacking in mine towards this blog. I logged on and gasped when I realized I hadn't attended to it since October.
October!?
So, here goes another stab at keeping this blog up again. My goal is to be able to post something once a week, when I can. Hopefully this time around will be a little better than last semester.
Speaking of goals, let me fill you in on how I'm doing with the ones I declared at the start of my blog....
1. Join the handbell choir- Yes! I did it! We had a few performances last semester which went pretty well. This semester, the set-up is a bit different. We have shorter rehearsal times and I've been moved to a new spot with new bells. But so far, so good! Our first performance this semester is this coming Sunday morning at Weber Chapel.
2. Drink more tea- My friends can attest to this. I constantly have Oolong Chai and Breakfast Blend stashed in my room. Because it's loose-leaf, it takes longer to brew, but it's quite rewarding when I stop to make some. And I've also been trying other flavors as well- green, white, mint. And- gulp- I've also grown to like the chai lattes at our cafe.
3. Keep writing- Eh, define what "writing" is. When it comes to academic writing, it's been pretty light- at least for now. When it comes to newspaper writing, I've been busy with that. I'm thoroughly enjoying working at the newspaper at SU. When it comes to personal writing- like blogs, stories, journal entries- I could do better. With all the free time we have at college, I'm surprised it's been difficult... insert sarcasm....
4. Learn to french braid hair- I think this is my biggest accomplishment this semester. I'm now addicted to french braiding. It just clicked one day when I told myself it was time to take a break from ponytails. And then it happened! If anyone needs lessons, I'm here to help!
So, don't let "failed New Year's resolutions" and "dead semester goals" get you down- keep going! Each day is a new day, a fresh start. Heck, every second is a new second, a fresh second. Embrace it. I know I will start doing that more often. Then, perhaps I can say graduating from the University of Wumbo is one finished goal among many!
More posts to come!
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