I did well in following through with getting to the theatre and finding inspiration and a revived sense of my passion. I am still planning on attending more theatre as I believe it really has made a positive impact in my journey this year.
The nature of theatre can vary significantly especially with such a wide variety in NYC to experience. I am fortunate to be able to explore many different styles of production which truly serves me in my role as a theatre teacher at LREI. Often, seeing one production might be a springboard for a multitude of ideas that aren’t specific to the show I’m seeing but the show I’m working on. The more I get to see theatre, the more I am flexing my analytical and reflective mind which becomes part of my subconscious mind when I am creating a staged production. It’s the goodness that feeds my own creativity. These are the productions I have seen this year as part of my progressive practice.
The Jungle, St Ann’s Warehouse 1/20/2019
The Jungle was an example of social/ political and immersive theatre. The production was hard hitting and at times deeply distressing. It forced the audience to feel the need to take action and the immersive aspect made us newly aware of the atrocities around us- much like the work and concepts of Bertolt Brecht who wanted to educate and enlighten his audiences to see the atrocities of his time. The difference was that we were never taken out of the immersive experience in The Jungle. In addition to being inspired by the production, I was also pleased to see one of my old college friends in the production. The embers of my own experiences still glowed as I remembered my beginnings at the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama in the 90’s.
Network, Belasco Theatre 3/10/2019
Network was a combination of theatrical devices and media- merging two styles into one brilliant production- asking us to question is someone’s demise good television? Bryan Cranston was the lead role and it was thrilling to watch him journey through the full scope of his character’s break down while flipping as an actor from stage to screen second by second. It was a real treat to see such excellence in theatre.
King Kong, The Broadway 3/20/2019
King Kong was a theatrical masterpiece with regards to the use of digital screen work on what appeared to be an imax screen combined with the outstanding invention of the Kong “puppet” which was 2000 lbs in weight and held the audience captive as the lead actress took her self up into the hand and back of this phenomenal set piece. The musical was modern and that created an interesting juxtaposition to an old fashioned story being told to a modern day audience. This was inspiring with regards to the sheer expertise and mastery of creating the illusion of Kong himself and the use of innovative projection and lighting.
Beetlejuice, The WInter Garden 3/27 Dress Rehearsal
Beetlejuice is another theatrical masterpiece using big budget illusions with the mastery of digital projections on a three dimensional set. Visually stunning and a modern musical that feels contemporary and exciting. It was great to see a dress rehearsal and talk with Andrew about his use of projections for the set. It was also touching to see two actors who I had known personally form my husbands work- Kerry Butler had starred in King of Hearts about 19 years ago with Mike and Adam Dannheisser was my best man at my wedding a close friend for many years in day gone by. Seeing people I know doing theatre adds a little more connection for me which I had been missing for a few years. I was able to converse about the evolution of the show and the rewrites which I find fascinating and educational.
Hadestown, Walter Kerr Theater 3/30
Hadestown is a very sophisticated production that blew me away! Since attending it in previews, the show has been nominated and awarded many times. I feel very lucky that I was able to jump in to see this production before the rest of New York purchased it’s tickets! The tale of Orpheus descending into the underworld to find his true love while Hades and Persephone are in and out of love was such a deeply moving and familiar story to me. I love Greek mythology and was inspired by the innovative way the stage revolved and the set transformed into the underworld. The band was positioned on stage and the actors worked with such commitment and passion that I felt honored to see something so phenomenal. Rocket fuel for my imagination and creative ideas!
Around the World in 80 Days, The New Victory Theater, 5/15/19
Around the World in 80 Days was a trip I booked and took with Deborah Hodges and her 4th grade class. I have wanted to do this play at the middle school level and was interested to see how the white european perspective would be handled in terms of Fog’s very british persona. The british team that performed the story did so with energy, respect and humor. It was a delight to see the reactions of the 4th grade students and the way each part of the story was told. I am really pleased I went to see it and actually feel more confident to keep it on my list of possible future productions at school.
This has been AMAZING! I am feeling really great about my theatre trips! I still plan to see more theatre, the next two productions booked are To Kill a Mockingbird and Moulin Rouge and then I hope to continue to make this a priority to keep connected and inspired. I think the financial strain is one challenge and then finding time is the other. I will have to continue to push myself to make this important as I have found new thinking has emerged from the exposure to the theatre available and next year I hope to connect more with BAM and Theater for a New Audience and St. Ann’s Warehouse.
My next challenge in my journey is to address the lack of balance in my teaching life and find ways to eliminate “burn out” at specific times of the school year. I have been reflecting on what primes me to put school work first at all times and learning to observe my hours versus others’ hours when I become overworked. Ana Chaney has been helpful in supporting me and I am grateful for the opportunity to try to finesse this often problematic area of my life.