Assignment #10 Opera and Musical Theater

Opera and

Musical Theater

Play

University of South Carolina Department of Theater and Dance

presents 

Big Love

Describe: On November 13th at 7:30, the Longstreet Theater presented the play Big Love. A class of eight graduate student acting class and four undergraduate students comprise the cast of this play. The Longstreet Theater considered a theater in the round. The story line consists of 50 brides fleeing their arranged Greek marriages and arrive in a tiny Italian villiage. Their rejected fiances come looking for them and all is murdered but one. The playwright, Charles Mee, describes the one-in-50 survival rate "about the same odds as today."

Before the play started, two female actors and two men actors acted out the idea of love/hate relationships.

Analyze: The play consits of around 10 scenes. The progression of the story line is aided with musical enhancement. What I noticed that throughout the play, the actors never broke character. Even when they did not speak for minutes at a time, they continued to stay in character. Also, there was great unity among the actors. It wasn't a normal taken turns to recite their lines, there was a deep understanding fo the story. Their stage prescence enhanced the story with effective body language and eye contact. Before the play began, two female actors and two male actors were interacting as couples and enemies in a weird collage of movements. This forshadowed the fine line of hate and love for the play Big Love. There was no reservations among the actors as they were totally encompassed with each scene. In addition, the porps weren't too overbearing as they added essential objective ideas to the play.

Interpret: Although the play is consumed with a comidic take on love, the bigger picture defines that without love, we are not human. This was a hard idea for the character Thyona, the instigator of the brides, to understand. She took the defensive role on love. But in the end, the portait of the true love between Nikos and his bride persuades Thyona that without the presence of love, humans just exist. As a viewer, the play Big Love gave me the feeling or relatability. I think that the great thing of this play is that it depicts the all types of love, rather it be new, old, strong or weak, the viewer can relate to at least one character in the play. As Charles Mee said, the odds of the survival rate of love can be a metaphor for love today! Not only that, Big Love can be a metaphor for the trials and tribulations of love in todays society. Although we do not experience arranged marriages, we can attribute many of our successes and failures at love to a problem of society. The good news is that one of fifty relationships survived!

Judge: Although I love theater and love the arts, some parts of the play did not settle with me well. I was totally confused about the time the play took place. Some ideas reminded me of ancient Greece (and Italy) while some scences depicted traditions of modern day. For example, the idea that there are arranged marriages in Greece gave me the idea that this was play was centered years ago. Yet the last scene of the play was at the wedding of the true marriage, the song All the Single Ladies played by Beyonce (obviously modern day.) This was unsettling to me... maybe it was a personal disposition, but at times it overshawdowed the quality of the play. But in retrospect, it was a pleasant way to spend my Saturday night!

Dance

The Columbia City Ballet

presents

Dracula

Describe: 

The Columbia City Ballet performed their seasonal show titled Dracula. The show was held at the Koger Center on October 27, 2010 at 7:30pm. There was pre-show activity in the lobby of the Koger center. They had many people dressed in their Halloween attire and exhibited Halloween related animals. (Owl to the right) The show is comprised of 3 acts telling a story with approximately 30 dancers. The story uses dancing, acting, and music to portray the trials and tribulations of Count Dracula and his dark mistresses. 

Analyze: 

Dracula combined many aspects of art. I think the most intriguing aspect of the dance for me was that such a beautiful, graceful art such as ballet was used to tell a harsh, dark story. Although one may think this would be a great contrast, the show was put together so ingeniously that these two ends of the spectrum unified to tell a story- and to tell it well. There was a constant unison of the dancers as if they were a whole show, not individual dancers. The color of the outfits, the lighting and the mood to the music coincided with each other. At any point in time, there was both balance and unity among the dancers. 

Interpret:

Columbia City Ballet presented Dracula for many reasons. I think the main motive behind the production of this dance was to show the audience that dance form of ballet can break out of the norm and present a loud, obnoxious show. Also, the dance may be a metaphor for the balance of dark and dainty in any human. In other words, good (ballet) and bad (Dracula) exists in all humans. By the end of the third act, I was literally sitting at the end of my seat waiting to find out the ending. I remember thinking, "This is like a movie!" It was better than a movie! The production enthuses the audience with the action-provoking music, incredible dance abilities, and attention capturing story line. Dracula found a way to keep ballet thriving by making it modern and likable by the ever-so-changing generation of people. 

Evaluate:

I love, love LOVE the dance! It is the best dance I have ever seen. I appreciated everything the dancers had to offer. The story of Count Dracula was so emotion provoking I lost myself in the story on many occasions. Better than the story was the dancers. Their art form is immaculate, intricate but yet demanding. They danced for two hours straight- all rehearsed! Honestly, I did not expect the dance to be of such high caliber. But I was all smiles afterward! I plan to attend many ballet's in the future.

Concert

USC Symphony

Describe:

The University of South Carolina's Symphony held a performance at the Koger Center on October 19 at 7:30pm. Three musical pieces were performed: William Schuman's American Festival Overture, Robert Schumann's Cello Concerto in A minor and finished with another piece of Schumann's Symphony No 3 in E-flat major. The second musical piece had guest cello Wendy Warner. The symphony is comprised of 80 musicians mastering instruments such as violin I, viola, cello, bass, flute, oboe, clarinet, bassoon, horn, trumpet, trombone, tuba and a percussion area. The performance was about one and a half hours long. The Koger center exhibits a prothsenium stage with a main seating area, an upper deck, and a second deck.

Analyze:

The three different performances sounded very different. A general misconception of symphonies (or classical music for that sort) is that they all sound the same. But as the listener disregards common predispositions, one can hear the different moods, rhythms and emphasis' between the pieces of work. The first piece by William Shuman was of the lighter, airy, feminine mood. The second (with guest cello Wendy Warner) was slow, involved and quiet to showcase the solo cello performance.The mood of this piece exhibited romance. The third and final piece, was at times, sporadic. it had many stops and starts. But ultimately it gave the listener a feeling of lightheartedness. The show as a whole was amazing. The knowledge of the music among the musicians was ingenious. There was a flow among them as they known how to sync their instrument with the various sounds at any point in time.

Interpret:

As many know, these composers lived many years ago. So the modern day struggle may be to keep the intricate music alive. How is this possible? Through modern day symphonies. Because of this I believe there are two main reasons for this art form: one is to challenge a musician to master complex yet beautiful music as a form of expression and two, to pay tribute and keep the sense of classical music alive. Through the medium of symphonies, a society can pursue to keep music alive.

Evaluate: 

I loved the symphony! This wasn't my first visit to a symphony and definitely will not be my last. I am especially fond of the symphony because my mother played in a strings orchestra when i was younger. This exposure led me to an early appreciation of the symphony. I enjoyed the performance not only for the music but the witnessing of integrity among my peers.

Assignment #12 - Music

Playing a Grand Piano on a Caribbean Cruise

Music

A. What is the time for this music?

4/4 Time

B. How many beats does the solid green G get

One beat

C. How many beats does the open green G get

Two beats

D. What is one dark vertical line to one dark vertical line called?

a Measure

E. What song is this?

Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star 

Peter and the Wolf

1. Who wrote "Peter and the Wolf?"

Peter and the Wolf is a composition written by Surgei Prokofiev in 1936 in the USSR.

2. What instrument is played as Peter?

String instruments played Peter in the film

3. What instrument is played as the wolf?

French Horns played the wolf

4. What instrument is play as the grandfather, duck, bird, and alligator?

Grandfather-Bassoon

Duck-Oboe

Bird- Flute

Alligator- Alligator?????????

Phantom of the Opera

 The

PHANTOM

of the 

OPERA 

The Phantom of the Opera contains many art disciplines. Five of the art disciplines that were presented in the film include 1) opera 2) dance 3) music 4) drama 5) film 

Download one of the songs from "Phantom of the Opera" and describe what is going on during the song and opera.

The song title from the soundtrack of Phantom of the Opera was titled just that- "Phantom of the Opera". This song is the recognizable tune affiliated with film. The link to watch a clip and hear this song: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ej1zMxbhOO0

Phantom and Christine. The music is at a medium rate until Christine takes the hand of Phantom for the first time, leading into the harsh, loud, recognizable tune of Phantom of the Opera played on an organ. There journey together through the halls of the lower levels of the Paris Opera House follows with the words to the song which read:
 
In sleep he sang to me in dreams he came
That voice which calls to me and speaks my name
And do I dream again? For now I find
The Phantom of the Opera is there inside my mind

Sing once again with me our strange duet
My power over you grows stronger yet
And though you turn from me to glance behind
The Phantom of the Opera is there inside your mind

Those who have seen your face draw back in fear
I am the mask you wear it's me they hear
My spirit and my voice in one combined
The Phantom of the Opera is there inside my mind

Beware the Phantom of the Opera
Is that the Phantom of the Opera?

Sing, my angel
Sing for me
Sing, my angel
Sing for me





Christine begins to sing with lyrics and that read "The Phantom of the Opera is inside my mind" forte, as if she just realized the reality of the Phantom  in her mind. The main tune plays again with the sight of a horse  provided for Christine to ride to the lower levels of the Paris Opera House. The Phantom continues with singing the second verse... He sings toward her as he chauffeurs Christine down the cellar. Again, at the sight of the lake, with a tiny boat, the recognizable tune plays again- as a sign for danger. Once in the boat, the Phantom sings, "beware the Phantom of the Opera." Christine repeats with, "is that the Phantom of the Opera?" the Phantom continues with chants "sing for me, sing, my angel." Christine sings tunes at the top of her lungs as she is mesmerized with the sights of the lake, boat, skills, gates, and raising chandeliers through the depths of the water. She also sings with her eyes closed at the top of her lungs as if the Phantom has hypnotized her. The music ends with the arrival of the boat to the Phantoms "dungeon".  

Assignment #6 - Theature

        
        Theater







The theater seen above is categorized as a Proscenium Arch Stage
1. Proscenium : used to frame the stage
2. hmmmmmmm......
3. Off Stage : cannot be seen by the audience and is used as a preparation area for the performers
4. Curtains : function is to open and close the view of the stage
5. Apron : space in front of the curtain for announcers can with the audience while the curtain remains closed
6. Auditorium : rows of seats before the stage where audience views performances
7. Border : element used to keep stage lighting hidden

Assignment #5 - Dance

People dance for many reasons... Exercise, social connections, self expression, etc. Dancing is one thing in life that no one is bad at. But at the same time, we can't all assume we can claim the trophy on the next season of So You Think You Can Dance. A good thing about the act of dancing is that it is one instance in life where you can have no reservations, and feel free with you body and in tune with you emotions. Dancing makes people happy, even if they are not the ones dancing but watching someone else dance. Just imagine - your sitting in the most BORING class ever, with the same ole PowerPoint presentation-of-a-lullaby and your professor breaks out to some MC Hammer. THAT would make you happy, and put you back into your brain stimulation state. Personally, I am a dancing machine! Whether it be in my car alone, out on the town with my friends or even a quick, sporadic movement at the faint sound of music, I will proceed to dance!

When I see great dancers on stage, such as the great "Sun King" Louis XIV or my favorite Mikhail Baryshnikov (ok- I like him in Sex and the City as well...), I see it as an art. Many of these professional dancers practice from their youth. Because their body is their instrument, dancing can become detrimental after years of practice and performance. I think what I appreciate most about the ballet, or jazz dancing, or the waltz, or even the interesting Japanese Butoh is the time, energy, passion and emotion portrayed and invested in each dance. Many people judge professional dance or stereotype with a specific gender, but if you look for the deeper initiate, we can all appreciate it.

In addition, when I see really good dancers on the dance floor, I believe it is innate characteristic. We all can dance, but we all don't have accurate rhythm of elasticity! Really good dancers have a connection with the music and express this passion through movement of dance. But whose to say the people that cannot express this as easy through movement do not experience the same kind of musical/emotional connection?

But most importantly, what makes dance good is the feeling it give the dancer. Again, these simple movements tell a bigger story. These movements represent ideas, thoughts and feelings that we may not be able to verbalize. Not only is dance good pysiologically (movement increases oxygen to the brain thus stimulating activity), for the people around, but most importantly dance is good for you.

Assignment #4 - Archtecture and Movies

Part 1

USC Horseshoe 

The element I chose at the USC horseshoe was the columns on the McKissick. These columns resemble those of the Greek architecture. The scroll top to each column classify them as Ionic. Columns are popular on many US buildings because American government follows the democracy of the Greek ideas. These six columns on the front of the McKissick not only embellish the design of the structure but support the building as well. Looking at these columns far away do not tell the whole story. It is not until you stand beside one of them do you fell like a miniscule object in this much bigger world.

Part 2

Movies

My visit to the local Nickelodeon was an enjoyable one! I watched the movie Coco & Igor which was the love story of the fashion mogul Coco Chanel and Russian composer/pianist Igor Stravinskt in 1920s Paris. One thing that grabbed by attention was the lack of dialogue in this film. Through this I realized that body language, movement, and actions say a million words. I believe the mood of the film was passionate one. The strong connection between Coco and Igor derived from somewhere deep with in them. In only a few meetings did they fall in love. The infidelity of Igor ignates great stress for him. The contrast of his two lovers his wife, a dependent woman, and Coco, an independent woman tore the composer apart. This was apparent in his darker, forte, complex sounds evoked on the piano and later in the Russian ballet through his love triangle. Eventually, Igor is wife-less but yet Coco and Igor could never be one. In the last few moments of Coco's life, she imagines herself in his original composed ballet. She recalls the love they share. And in this instance, across the world, Igor lifts his aged body out of bed and plays the once familiar tune on the piano- the driving force of their initial meeting.

Personally, the most interesting film element of this movie was the music. In my opinion, the music made the entire film. Was it because Igor was such an amazing composer? Might be. But in the first few scenes of the movie (when the Paris ballet attendants disapprove the Russian Ballet), the intense, emotion evoking music correlated with the chaos and rebellion in the theater. And throughout the movie, the piano's tune beneath Igor's fingertips correlated with the mood of the individual scenes.

In summary, the Nickelodeon was an awesome way to spend my Wednesday afternoon! I love the small feel of the theater which ultimately makes it a more personal experience. I also love the art films. I feel as though these differ from mainstream movies because the are not intended for money making entertainment. It's a deeper, richer film watching experience.

Assignment #3 - Art Critism

Visit to McMaster Art Gallery

     After class this last Wednesday, I visited the McMaster Art Gallery and viewed the show Delineate. This show consisted of about twenty pieces of art, manly drawings and paintings. If I were to describe what the curator wanted the viewer to see or what tied all the artwork together, I would say that the idea of human thoughts and ideas "delineated" the show. Unfortunately I didn't record names of all the pieces, but I clearly remember five or so that all had resembled one another with human thoughts, ideas, or fantasies. These five included the large portraits of a distressed woman, the contorted fairies on the back wall, the two pieces with two black spots with neuron looking lines, the dancer resembling an Indian woman, and the one I chose to critique, Zach Mory's Boxes.

Art Critique

Describe: The artist Zach Mory uses pencil on paper to create his drawing named Boxes. The drawing is approximately two square feet in size. This artwork is comprised of hundreds of boxes with each being a square millimeter. The are more like cubes, with shading and positions. The entire art is different shades of gray creating positive space, and a negative space of white. The boxes create form with a cluster beginning at the bottom left hand corner and dispersing into the upper right hand corner. There is no definite pattern of the boxes, but with a few areas, patterns begin to form then dissipate. 

Analyze: The contrast of the white and gray is clearly defined with the a sharp line, outlining the form of the individual boxes. The art has major depth exhibited by the shading of the boxes and presenting a three dimensional idea. The artwork flows from bottom left to upper right. The cluster of boxes at the bottom left are balanced with the individual boxes dispersed in the open space. I believe the viewer's mood would happen in two stages (at least it did for me). Morose was the first mood I gathered in viewing Boxes. The somber colors and the glance from far away did not give suggest tine boxes. But when looking close, the art almost presents a contemplative mood as it is studied closer.

Interpret: The artist's statement of Boxes displayed next to the drawing helps understand the meaning of this particular artwork. As he states, "my work focuses on simple beginnings not only in terms of materials, but in terms of the marks I choose to use for each piece as well." I think that he wants to send the message of intricacy. Maybe each intricate box is a metaphor for the intricate ideas and thoughts of the human mind and how quickly they can disperse. This artwork gives me the feeling of admiration. How can such a simple, everyday form, be used with rhythm, pattern and repetition to create such a wonderful, emotion evoking drawing? This drawing may present the social issue of conformity in society and how hard it is for an individual (box) to branch off, dare to be different, and thrive - alone.

Evaluate: I like this artwork! I think it is absolutely genius to take multiple boxes to create a giant, interesting image. I appreciate the time invested in Boxes as well. Also, I think that the viewer can correlate these boxes with many things in life as I did. In fact, I enjoyed this artwork so much, I researched Zach Mory and browsed his website. Along with Boxes I viewed about 30 of his drawings. And through this viewing I found the reoccurring theme of intricacy. I will definitely be bookmarking his website!

Assignment #2 - Aesthetics

1. In your own words, what is aesthetics?

     -Aesthetics is the relationship of cognition, perception and emotion. Anything one can touch, see, hear, taste, or smell can be an aesthetic. The best thing about the field of aesthetics is that it aesthetics can evoke an encompassing, overwhelming, breathtaking emotion stimulated by anything beautiful. 

2. What are the four domains of creativity?
     a) Fluency:
            Fluency is one domain of creativity. It means to have a steady flow of ideas
     b) Flexibility:
            This second domain of creativity is all about an unbiased idea. Flexibility is to be  flexible with you thoughts and ideas. By keeping an open mind, creativity has the change to infiltrate your ideas
     c) Originality: 
            Originality is the idea to ingenious with your ideas. To not replicate any previous ideas
     d) Elaboration:
            The last domain of creativity is elaboration. This is a continual process which suggest to continue embellishing your idea. Through this adding, you can improve it as well. 


3. Aesthetic Experiences...

     As I am thinking of a daily aesthetic experience, I am over come by my remembrance of my head cold. A virus in which causes my ever so normal throat to swell, itch, and inflame. And through this thinking phase I remember- I brought along a package of Halls Breezers. Now this Halls Breezer isn't the normal undesired cough drop, but yet, a throat soother. Mixed berry and cream to be exact. 

     I reach down to my bag all the mean while coughing and disturbing other library users. Once the container is in my sight I am overcome by the glowing image of the throat soother on the front of the packaging. And to my knowledge, the real life experience of this Breezer feels exactly like the sight of the glowing, God-sent medicine staring at me. 

     Pulling the gold encrusted paper in opposite directions, the Breezer twirls with elation to be let free of its  second packaging. And little does it know that its user is twirling with anticipation as well. First contact with my taste buds and my throat begins to ease and decompress. As I continue to sooth my throat, my thoughts are encompassed with childhood memories of the ever-so-desired cherry Dum Dum. 

Assignment #1 - Biographical Statement

A. Have you ever made art? What kind of art do you like?

    -I am lucky enough to make art everyday. I am employed as a cake decorator, therefore use my creative art skills on a daily basis. Also, I am a duct tape master! Even made my senior prom dress out of duct tape for a scholarship. I love every kind of art. I like to believe I have an art eye and enjoy music, dance, museums, movies, and theater.  


B. Have you every made a drawing, painting, or sculpture?

    -I have made all three. Again, cake decorating includes all three. Furthermore, I've sculpted duct tape, cake and every day objects (things as simple as play dough). If painting with icing isn't a painting, then I would like to paint more. 


C. Have you ever been to a museum, gallery or art studio?

     -When I travel, I always stop in the visitors museum (i.e. Grand Canyon, Hoover's Dam, Lava Butte, Fort Pulaski etc). I also have been to The Savannah Metropolitan Museum of Art. My brother was a security guard there, so I visited each installment. As for an art studio, I have only been to one 'in-home' studio of my friend. 


D. Have you ever been to a play, opera, or art film?

     -As a child, our school visited many plays. I was also in a play twice as a child. I have never been to an opera or an art film.


E. Do you dance?

     -Again, as a child I was in several dance classes. I never stuck with it, but tapped into many forms of dance. These days, dancing clubs are the extent of dancing for me ;)


F. Under what conditions do you learn the most?

     -The best condition to learn the most is of something I am interested in! Interactive learning is also beneficial for me. 

G. Why are you taking this class?

    -Fortunately this class is a prerequisite for the education program. But I am genuinely interested in art. 


H. have you ever looked at anything and been moved by it?

    -I can't recall a certain person place or thing that I have looked at and be moved, but I have seen various things that have touched me. 


I. What inspires you?

   -What inspires me the most is my own will to be the best I can be. My mother also inspires me. 


J. Do you consider movies a form of art? How about video games, comics or television?

    -Absolutely. I believe movies, video games, comics and television all have art quality. They all involve creativity, inspiration, aspiration, and ingenuity.These things are also used for entertainment- like all art. If anything, I think these things have become an advanced art form due to the amount of movies, video games, comics and TV shows that exist. 


K. Who decides what is good art?

    -No one. I believe art follows the old saying... beauty is in the eye of the beholder. The person interacting with art is the judge of it is good or bad art- but only for themselves.


L. When you debate music with you friends, what are your critical elements or standards to which you hold the music to?

    -Personally, music is a confusing subject for me. Today, I believe authentic music has died. But again, who am I to judge music as a whole? It's personal and varies from individual to individual. For me, when I think of music, I think of musical instruments... not singing poems. I appreciate the complexity of the composition. Classical music will remain the best music, in my eyes (or should I say ears?). 


M. What is the best movie you saw last year? 

    -The best movie I saw last year was 7 Pounds with the actor Will Smith. 


N. What is an art film?

    -To me, an art film is a film made with motivation for art, not entertainment. I believe it is a little more low key, and for a serious viewer. 


O. What music is in your iPod or mp3 player, car, albums?

    -I only listen to music in my car- current albums in my car are

         1)Creed (Weathered)
         2)Airborne Toxic Event
         3)Soul's Harbor
         4)Justin Timberlake
         5)Godsmack
         6)O Brother Where Art Thou soundtrack