Ruined

After reading "Ruined" a theatrical staging of the play took shape in my head. Throughout the reading of this play the components of this production began taking shape, giving me the substance to create my unified directors vision. My production of this play will capture the essence of "Ruined" as a struggle through corruption and perseverance. This will be accomplished through the use of set and costume design to show an impoverish situation, sound that is sullen yet still uplifting, character created mood of tension and stress. In contrast to the muted and dull color scheme of the set, vibrant colors will be explored to show the perseverance and presence of beauty in a downtrodden world. This will be a production trying to seek a ultra realistic environment to help envelop the audience into the struggles of the characters.



When I think of this play I conjured images of strife and minimalistic living in a devastated world. for these reasons I chose to stage my production in Haiti. Haiti is a country that has be plagued with conflict of a political and racial nature through most of its history, and has frequently been decimated by horrific forces of nature. The inpoverd country makes due with very little and yet still seems to soldier on through the corruption and degradation that spreads through the pursuit of power. I feel that this community can relate to the themes of this play and that it will reach them on both a emotional and spiritual level.



A run down bar in Haiti.

This is an image of a bar that is typical of many establishments in Haiti, parts of the Caribbean, Central and South America. As you can see it has been made with whatever materials that were at hand in a rough fashion, and has been destroyed and disheveled by at least one fire. Even though it is set against a lush Green backdrop and tropical sky, and has some bright colored signs on the wall, it still appears to be muted and drab. This will make a perfect setting for Mama Nadi's place, downtrodden but with sings of brilliance and hope.

For this production the scenic design and theatrical space are partly intertwined. The audience will sit in the bar at tables, like a dinner theater. the performers will walk amongst the crowd at certain times creating a sense of full immersion into the play. Also girls/waitresses will serve food, drinks, and dance to make the audience  feel that they are just one of Mama Nadi's customers. The stage will be broken into three main sections, all viewable from the audience seats. The largest section will be the bar, for this is where the majority of the action occurs. To the right of the bar will be the back rooms where the girls sleep and supplies are kept. To the left of the bar will be the porch and outside, giving an entrance to the bar.





An example of a wood floored bar made from natural materials.

The set itself will be made mainly of natural materials that come together to make a quaint but somewhat dirty setting. Little to no electric appliances but with some seemingly out of place  comforts such as a pool table will be present. Dirty wooden floors and faded natural color tones will give a feel of a worn and tired world. The overall idea of the set design is to create a very poor and diminished quality of living, showing that there are very few resourcees available, and what is available is used as best it can.

Government soldiers

The costume design is ment to show that the soldiers and government that are corrupting the area will be dressed dirty and mutted, while those that are trying to resist corruption like the girls, Mama Nadi, and Christian will be dreesed in bright colors or white. This bright color on the outside will contrast the hurt and pain they have suffered on the inside. The government soldiers will dressed in identical tradtional camoflage uniforms, dirty but fairly completely dressed. The Rebels will have uniforms of  solid drab colors made from more traditional African feild working garments, verried and mix matched. The girls and Mama Nadi will wear bright colorful traditional dresses that are only slightly faded, slowly fading more throughout the play, but get brilliant and bright again at the end. Christian and Mr Harari wear faded suits, Christian more so, signifing ther evevated moral status. The texture of all the clothing will be of a rough nature, natural cloth and jute, showing an unrefined world.

Rebel soldiers

Traditional African dresses worn by Women

The lighting of this play greatly affects the mood conveied. The set will be lit from above with a dull pale yellow wash. Accent lights of bare light bulbs decending from wires from the celing will be used to keep focas to the main parts of the stage containing action and convey the sence of a low economic enviornment; One bulb on the porch, 2 by the bar, one between a few tables, and one in the back room. Shifting light illumineting from outside the building through the windows and cracks will give the sence of a change in time between day and night. A light haze will be present to donote the dust of the enviornment, with a thicker haze apperring when soldiers are smoking.

The sounds of an african rainforest will give the backdrop noise for this play; crickets, frogs, jaguares, and monkeys. Ocassionaly whenever soldiers are present, in the distance, random gunfire will burst for a second then cease, this will be intertwined occasionaly with the sound of cries and screams.In between scene changes quiet music will be heard, melodic and full, sorrowful and sad. When Sophie and Mama Nadi sing their voices will be thin, almost broken, and the music will be tinny and a little off key, all creating a feeling of internal uneasines and unsettling mood.

In this video there are some examples of some types of sound design that will be incorporated into  this production. At the begining is an example of distant gunfire and cries of pain. About 4 min 20 seconds in is an example of something similar to the music heard between scean changes and at the end of the play.

Works Cited

"Africa Travelogue." Web. 08 May 2011. <http://www.robertpeterson.org/Africa.htm>.

"BBC - GCSE Bitesize - Costume Gallery." BBC - Homepage. Web. 10 May 2011. <http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/gcsebitesize/drama/galleries/costumerev_print.shtml>.

"Download Picture Haitian-signs10." Travel Pictures and Stories | Travel Adventures Around the World in 80 Clicks. Web. 08 May 2011. <http://www.traveladventures.org/scripts/copyright.php?Image_id=5982>.

Forum, Roobdoon. Biyokulule Online. Web. 10 May 2011. <http://www.biyokulule.com/view_content.php?articleid=1891>.

"REQ: African Militaries." Military Photos . Net. Web. 10 May 2011. <http://www.militaryphotos.net/forums/showthread.php?121693-REQ-African-militaries/page6>.

"YouTube - Tears of the Sun - Clearing the Village HD." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 10 May 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70JtkLt2UIk>.

Tomato Plant Girl Extra Credit

The night was full of excitement as my girlfriend Vika and I drove up to Daytona State to watch a play called "Tomato Plant Girl." It was a Friday night and we planed to go out afterward, and although this was a children's play and should be entertaining I had mixed feeling of whether I would enjoy it or not. As we pulled in I noticed many people in tuxes and formal dresses leading me to believe I was vastly under dressed for the nights festivities. Walking in I was releaved to over hear this formally dressed groups conversation of them just felling like dressing up for tonight. My fears were further calmed by seeing the casually dressed mixed crowd in the theater. There were people from across the spectrum of the ages in attendance this night. Little groups of 5-12 year old lined the bottom seats ringing the stage. A predominately middle aged crowd filled the middle seats, and late teens to mid twenties groups seemed to congegae in the upper seats.
The play started and it was immediately apparent that this play was focused on a younger audience due to its simple language, energetic mood, and cartoonish type set. Even though designed for kids, there were very adult themes of conflict resolution and peer pressure that could be related to the older audience members. Having a theater half full of kids was very interesting. They did not yet know their role as a western passive audience and there were outbursts and giggling throughout. The play did anticipate and incorporate this phenomenon by having the characters move amongst the crowd and even start a direct dialog  with them, creating a more active audience environment.
I found the play to be comical and actually had to restrain myself from laughing too loudly at times. The Tomato plant girl reminded me of someone i actually know, and her mannerisms and "idiotic actions" struck an unusually humorous chord with me. In the end I felt that the cast and crew put together a good show that definaly reached to their audience. In the 3/4 thrust stage I had a good vantage point to watch the audience's reactions and mannerisms. The kids rarely lost focus and seemed enthralled through out the play. After ward they were smiling and cheerful, almost like they had just left a popular children's movie. From the 20ish crowd I observed giggles and occasional whispers. The parents of kids in attendance smiled politely and regulated their children when they were getting out of hand. I had a hard time reading the older crowd. They seemed to enjoy the show but I think that they were a little disappointed that it wasn't a bit more serious. But that's just my read on it.
As we left Vika and I discussed the play, both agreeing that it was quite and funny. We met up with some friends at a sports bar and told them where we had just come from, and suggested that we all get hammered the next night and come and watch it again for a completely different and more "trippy" experience.

Bat Boy

Wow, I'm a giant idiot. I wrote this paper last weekend and printed it out and brought it to class today, then found out it was a blog assignment. Just woke up out of a dead sleep and realized i never posted it. S***************t. Oh well, here it is anyways.

James Zern

Dramatic Appreciation

04_SP11

Bat Boy

                Amongst a sea of color and lights I searched for a single car in the lot. A red Ford Ranger, extended with a dive flag sticker on the back. This truck’s owner and I have an appointment. Finally after passing what seemed like an endless mob of vehicles I spot it, and with luck the driver is still inside. As I stop in front of his truck my good friend Brian put down his magazine, got out and approached my window, “Wow, you look like s#*t,” he half laughs, “I’ll meet you in the lobby.” Now for the fun part of trying to find a parking spot myself. Up and down every isle and nothing, I guess that’s what I get for running late. So I bit the bullet and decided to forget the lot and park on the street in front of the theater. Unfortunately this was full as well, and the closest I could park was a block and a half away. As I finally approached my friend in the lobby, out of breath from running, his query was, “WHAT HAPPENED TO YOU?”

                You see my experience that night was quite unique due to events that unfolded earlier that day. It started in the morning as I woke to my alarm clock blinking 12:00, a sure sign I was late for work. Sure enough as I checked the time on my frantic drive I was already a half hour late. Ten hours later I was released from my servitudes and, although already exhausted, found the motivation to go to the gym where I proceeded to torture myself for an hour or so. Getting back in my car after the gym I checked my few messages and found one that made my heart pound even faster than my workout. Brian had called and reminded me that the play we have to see started at 7:30 and not to be late. So I put the pedal to the floor and speed from New Smyrna to Daytona, only to arrive late for a second time that day.

                Brian already had my ticket when I found him and we rushed through the empty lobby to the theater. As we entered we found that the cast were just going into the first musical number, hold me bat boy. As we looked for seats I noticed that there were quite a few people in the theater. Luckily we grabbed two seats close to the door, sat and began to relax. I glanced around to see who all was there and was surprised by the turn out. In the area I was in it was mostly students, most I assumed were either there as a requirement of a humanities class like Brian and myself, or were friends or family of some of the cast. I re focused on the stage to turn my attention to the horror comedic drama unfolding. Soon the exhaustion took me and I was out, only to be awoken by an outburst of laughter from Brian during one of the songs. Fight as I would to stay awake, I eventually drifted off again, only to be awakened again by Brian giggling and poking me saying, “this reminds me of you,” during the “whatcha wanna” do number.  This cycle kept repeating itself throughout the first act.

                At intermission I was awoken by a crash of applause. We exited quickly as I told my companion I needed some caffeine. We rushed to his truck and blasted to the 7 11 to get a low carb Monster, and Brian filled me in on what I had missed during my periodic blackouts. Rushing back we were pleased to find our parking spot un molested and available. Pounding the monster on the walk in I suddenly filled with an all too familiar energy. We resumed our seats and waited for the second act. Now I could see more of the audience as they reentered. Like my section, most were younger students, there were a few faces I’d seen around campus, but there were also some “older”(relative term as I and Brian are 30 and considered older to most who were there) audience members. The lights darkened signaling the beginning of Act II. Now, a bit more awake, albeit a bit confused do to lack of bits of information from the first act, I fell into the story. I don’t know if it was just my strange personality, but I found most of this play to be comedic, through its use of hokey slash horror (I always laughed at the Friday the 13^TH movies). I guess I wasn’t the only one because I could hear periodic chuckles fro several members of the audience. But for the most part the audience behaved as one would expect a modern western audience to behave. They were quite and respectful for the most part, and gave appropriate responses to humor and appreciation after particular songs. The content made some, like myself laugh, and others were just quiet. By the end I found this to be an enjoyable play, even though I really wasn’t looking forward to it. I kind of wish I could re watch the first act again, I know I missed out on some interesting things.

                As we left I got the impression that most people enjoyed the play, and my suspicions were confirmed as I heard many a conversation about having to watch this as part of a humanities assignment. But regardless of their reasons for coming, I heard many people shared my experience of expecting to be bored but were actually entertained and excited. Also there was a consensus that the second act was much better than the first. Brian and I left the parking lot and decided to go grab a drink at an Irish pub that we frequent often. As we were sipping on our pints we overheard a trio of girls down the bar discussing “Bat Boy.” Being the outgoing Gents that we are we decided to join in their conversation. It struck me funny to hear how they felt pity for Edgar an Shelley. I expressed my view that I saw it all as a Halloween sitcom kind of comedy, but I guess they weren’t as like minded as Brian. We finished our beers and said good night to “Bat Boy” and made the long journey home.

Ewww, That's Dirty.... or is it???

We all love a good stand up comic, someone that makes fun of our society, its rules, politics, and the current media. We raise some of these performers to all star status, i.e. past cast members of "SNL" and "In Living Color." By today's standards its the social norm to enjoy this kind of entertainment of social jest, but that wasn't always so. This kind of comedy has its roots in a form of variety act known as Burlesque.

Burlesque was spawned from Vaudeville, a variety show incorporating many types of theatrical talents, in the 1840's. Burlesque, like its Vaudeville relative, utilized multiple types of acts forged from clown type routines, like singing, stand up, and more slapstick humor, to entertain the lower and middle classes. Where burlesque differed from its relatives was two things: First, Burlesque used social commentary to poke fun or create parades of the upper class media of the time, such as opera of traditional European theater, to appeal to the lesser classes. Secondly burlesque made use of scantly clad women( for the time peroid) performers in their variety show, giving rise to the empowerment of women and the later woman's movement of the 1940's and 50's.

Valerie Parks, a Burlesque preformer
show as a "Pin Up"

Although the term Burlesque is most commonly associated with the more derelict acts of modern strip clubs, and the "strip tease" did originate from Burlesque,the roots of Burlesque fall far from what it's descendants have become. Burlesque made use of the seductiveness of the female form to draw viewers in to see the comedic acts, wonderful singing, and extensive dancing. But because of the negative connotation both this and the spoofs of high society, Burlesque was considered to be dirty and beneath those of good moral standing. Most Vaudevillian performers declared Burlesque to be only for the washed up or vulgar, though many preformed in them under assumed names when Vaudeville bookings were scarce. You see, Vaudville performers had to find jobs as individuals where as Burlesque toured as a group in specific circuits, making Burlesque much more stable as far as employment goes. Dispite society's negative views, Burlesque spawned some superstars such as Millie DeLeon, Jackie Gleason, Fanny Brice, Leon Errol, Bert Lahr, W.C. Fields, Bobby Clark, Red Skelton, Phil Silvers, Joey Faye and Bob Hope, and former vaudevillian Rose Lousie Hovick – better known as the comically intellectual Gypsy Rose Lee. 
Begging in the 1880's Burlesque began to fallow a particular three act pattern in its routine. Act one consisted of the entire ensemble singing and doing stand up gags to music. Act two was the meat of the short skits and variety acts. Act three was a one full mini one act Burlesque show, typically a racy spoof of some other media.

Dita Von Teese emulating the Burlesque
tradition of the "Pin Up"

So what is Burlesque like today? Well with the advent of pornographic media types becoming mainstream in the 1960's, Burlesque in its true form went the way of the Dodo. What was left was the "strip tease" which became less about entertainment and more about exposing the female form, hence we have what we know as strip clubs today. However there is a shinning light, in the past 20 or so years there has been a revival of the true form of burlesque. Performers such as Dita Von Teese became enchanted with the entertainment value of Burlesque, and shook of their stripper roots and formed Neo Burlesque.

Neo Burlesque stays true to its ansester by providing an entertaining "show" instead of just sex. This new form is becoming ever more popular, especially with women; Many feel that this art is very empowering to women. Fortunately more and more clubs are opening or are featuring in the Neo Burlesque style. There has been so much of a social explosion in this form many movies are being produced giving praise to Burlesque, the most recent being, "Burlesque." No longer is Burlesque though of as the negligent parent of modern pole dancing, but is renewed in the discovery of variety act entertainment value.

"Burlesque Performers in Opera Gloves, Gallery 7." The General Index of For the Love of Opera Gloves. Web. 10 Mar. 2011. <http://www.operagloves.com/Classic/BurlesqueStars/burlesque-07.html>.

"History of Burlesque - Part I." Musicals101.com - The Cyber Encyclopedia of Musicals. Web. 10 Mar. 2011. <http://www.musicals101.com/burlesque.htm>.

"Neo-Burlesque." Wikipedia, the Free Encyclopedia. Web. 10 Mar. 2011. <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Neo-Burlesque>.

The World of Theater. New York: Scholastic, 1995. Print.

"YouTube - Lannie's - Off The Clock - Burlesque Clock Tower Clocktower." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 10 Mar. 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5a1AU2Z7yDQ&feature=related>.

"YouTube - Official BURLESQUE Trailer - In Theaters 11/24." YouTube - Broadcast Yourself. Web. 10 Mar. 2011. <http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p2r_8l1c2nQ>.

Fantasy Fest...... A twist on Carnival

A compeditor in one of the
many costume contests.

The Fantasy Begins

When most people think of Halloween images of ghosts and goblins and candy and gore spring to mind. But in the southern most part of the United States lies a different kind of event, Fantasy Fest. Here in the 'Conch Republic' Oct. 31 is not a child's holiday of trick or treating, it is an explosion of culture of an distinctly adult nature.

A collection ov video showing the multi cultural and enthusiastic participants of Fantasy Fest

Carnival has its roots in the blending of cultures in colonial areas of the Caribbean. The commoners were allowed to express their pent up emotional side in an event of pure joy and excitement. Places like Rio and Trinidad in the Caribbean are a melting pot of genealogical cultures, from African saves to indigenous tribes to European settlers of many nations and traditions. Mardi Gras, a close cousin, is probably the most known U.S. carnival, But Fantasy Fest I believe is the most unique.

Sandy tropical beach of Key West

Although Fantasy Fest was not born of the exact same beginnings, there is very much a culture melting pot that forms at the core of the Festival. Key West Fl., the scene of this fantastic event, has a long and rich cultural depth. Originally the tiny islands of the Keys where inhabited by Indigenous tribe like the Tequestas, Calusas, and later the Creek, which we know better as Seminoles. Spanish conquistadors brought the first of many European influences, and the British soon followed. Pirates of unknown number cultural background made these islands their tropical hideaway. Traders of all colonial nations brought Caribbean and African culture to this pit stop on their long voyage home. As we skip forward to the 20th century, this tropical independent feel remained. A place where cultures intertwined into a harmonic balance of peaceful serenity, this getaway became popular with those seeking solitude and a laid back stress free world. Noted author Ernest Hemingway spent many years relaxing, drinking, laughing, and writing in this paradise of tropical harmony. Other well known short time inhabitants include President Truman, Tennessee Williams and John James Audubon.Feeling that they were not truly connected to the worries and problems of the rest of the nation, the citizens of the Keys actually seceded from the Union for a brief time as 'The Conch Republic,' but were soon re assimilated to the States. Yet the feeling of Independence and freedom still remain, as the culture of this place is unique and can be experienced in the most vibrant way during Fantasy Fest.



The joyous crowd experience as many
come together  for the nightly event.



Fantasy Fest found its beginning in 1978 when Frank Romano, a board member of the Tourist Development Association of Monroe County, Inc. (TDA), and Joe Liszka, President of the TDA, pondered why despite the absolutely beautiful tropical weather the fall months were a bleak period of business and lack of tourism. Their solution, a fantastic carnival centered around the idea of an adult playground filled with parties, parades, costumes, and cash for the economy. The relaxed setting and cultural blending creates an ideal backdrop for this festival of adult emotional release. Fantasy Fest has now become the busiest time of year for the sleepy little community, bringing in some 50,000 visitors for the parades, contests, and costumes.

Fantasy Fest consists of a multi cultural celebration of Halloween in a most uniquely adult manor. People from all walks of life come to participate in the celebration; people of different colors, races, sexual orientation, and religious beliefs all come together to relax and partake in a festival of adult fantasy. Every year there is a major theme, such as this years of Aquatic Afrolic. There are parades down Duval St., costume contests, latex body painting, and all manor of alcoholic consumption and celebration. At the end of the festival they crown a King and Queen of the fest. The streets are and explosion of color and participants express their individuality and creativeness with their often extravagant dress, though it is not uncommon to find many parading around in nothing but small bits of latex painted on their bodies.

Parade Participants on Duval St/

The nights are the highlight of the event but the days are equally enjoyable. The crystal clear waters provide a haven for even the most ocean shy people. The fishing and seafood is second to none anywhere in the U.S. There are many museums and historical sites to visit as well describing the long and full culture of the area. All of this daytime fun is part of the relaxed charm of the Keys. And as soon as night falls, the party begins again.

Though not quite from the same beginning's as most Carnivals, Fantasy Fest shares many similarities; An outlet for social emotion, blending of cultures, and an explosion of color and sound that comes together to make an adventure into paradise something completely unique.



Reff.

Mira Felner and Claudia Orenstein. "The World of Theater. "Carnival Traditions. Boston: Pearson, 2006.

Official Fantasy Fest Website. Key West Tourist Development Association, Inc. 27 Feb 2011 http://www.fantasyfest.net/

Fantasy-Fest.com. 27 Feb 2011 http://www.fantasy-fest.com/fantasyfest-key-west.html

"Arts and Culture in Key West Florida." Best on Key West. 27 Feb 2011 http://www.bestonkeywest.com/arts-and-culture-in-key-west.html

"Key West History and Culture." Key West and the Florida Keys. 2011. Tripsmarter.com. 27 Feb 2011 http://www.tripsmarter.com/keywest/history/

digitalisland. 2010 Fantasy Fest Parade in Key West Florida. 1 Nov 2010. 27 Feb 2011 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iVXyeTczYUQ