Inside the Institute: Looking back on the 2012/13 Season

Here’s the next entry from intern extraordinaire, Milan; some insight on the transformation from rehearsal to production, this one focusing on the Shaw One-Acts.

Entry #6:  I attended the second year student’s production of the Shaw One-Acts.  Now here is my loverly opinion on how it went!

The students did great. They really got into their characters and made me, as an audience member, feel and see all of the work that they put into the show. My favorite Act would probably be the second one. It was just such a funny situation, and the way the guys battled it out to defend their wives and their own dignity was pretty funny. I could see them playing with pitch and articulation from voice class. My favorite actresses were the wife in the golden dress, the “lady of the night” in the Western Act and frail woman who was accused of stealing the horse in the western Act. The wife in the golden dress was so funny; I really could not help but laugh. The “lady of the night” in the Western did an amazing job getting into that character and showing an evil or dangerous side. And, although the frail woman accused of stealing the horse came on near the ending; I loved the timidness (even though that may not be a real word) she brought to the Act. Out of all of the chaos and booming voices, she was the one to draw the act to its close and bring back the emotions and tugging on the heart strings of the audience with her explanation of what had happened.

On to the guys. Really, all of the actors were fun and interesting to watch. But, there was one actor who had people (the first year students specifically) falling out of their seats laughing. This actor played the first general to be seen onstage in the first Act, and was transformed to an older member of the jury during the last western Act. The whole entire time,  he was cross eyed and made himself look very confused. It was hysterical.

It was also just amazing having the show be the first time I’ve ever seen a straight play. I love musicals, and considering musical theater is what I want to pursue as a career, I tend to see them instead of straight plays. But, these actors and actresses made me laugh and enjoy the whole show, even without any music. I don’t think I ever got bored or found myself drifting off and not paying attention.

Lesson you should take away from this post: The second year students did an amazing job on the Shaw One-Acts!

Entry #7:  And just like that, I have been shocked. The second year students do not cease to amaze me.

Alright, I went to sit in on a read through of The Flu Season play that a small group of the second year students are now working on only days after their marvelous job on the Shaw One-Acts. 

The way a group works together all depends on who you are with and the amount of people surrounding you. More people tempts everyone to talk with their friends while less people makes everyone be quiet and focus on themselves. In The Flu Season there are only six members in the cast. The only laughter going on was because of the jokes in the script. No one had side conversations with their friends or talked over the director. I was left to sit at the table and smile because they were so professional.

The show seems like it is a great project for them to embark on. It also seems very deep because I didn’t even realize what happened in the ending until someone said it out loud.