Water by the Spoonful Design

    Water by the Spoonful is a play about the recovery process of an addict.  Although these people are sober they must fight through the temptations everyday. While forming bonds with one another they learn the true value of togetherness and moving on with your life.  Through the relationship of the actors, costume, and design of the stage the audience will capture the feel of everyday life as a recovering addict and the importance of others in our everyday lives.

http://www.dlafuelcells.org/why-hydrogen/water-into-hydrogen-fuel/attachment/spoon-water/

(http://www.feedbooks.com/item/323209/water-by-the-spoonful)

     For the theatrical space I chose the Edgemar Center for the Arts, Theatre A, located in Los Angeles.  I chose Los Angeles because I feel there is a high drug rate in larger cities.  Therefore the audience would benefit more and appreciate the play more if they are or know someone going though the process of recovery.  In this theatre space it seats 99 people.  The stage is set up in the form of a proscenium stage where the audience faces a slightly raised stage.This, I feel, is a great number of people because it is not too many people that you lose the sense of togetherness that I would want the audience to feel, so keeping the audience in lower numbers would benefit this.

(http://www.localresearch.com/listings/edgemar-center-for-the-arts/)

     My target audience would be people of the lower age group, probably from 17-40 years old.  I feel Water by the Spoonful is targeted to that audience and that population because that is the age of the actors going through the problems that some audience members can relate to.  I think that many young people would learn from this play and people going through the recovery process would also feel a sense of not being the only one who struggles with staying sober.  With recovering addicts, the feeling that they have someone to talk to when times get difficult is a huge part in staying sober.

For the scenic design I would break it up and have the stage set up in multiple sections. I would want the chat room world to be represented with the characters sitting at their computers at different parts of the stage.  I would want the scenic design to represent the early 1990's and it to be a busy city, in a less fancy part of town.  The props would resemble things we see in everyday life and would be very simple looking.  The restaurant scene would have a table and two chairs, and drinks on the table.  It would be very simple to show the simpleness of their everyday life style. The chat room scenes would be on separate parts of the stage (different level platforms) and resemble someone's computer space in an office or home.  The backdrop of the set would be extremely important because it will let the audience know where the scene is taking place. Naturalism would be used therefore a visuals of the real world would be noted on stage, such as a person's house, a cafe, and even one's home.  For the relationship of the play with the audience I really liked how the Edgemar theatre set it up, because the seats are not that far away from the stage therefore the audience gets a feel for the theme of togetherness, and feeling apart of these people's lives.

(http://www.fanpop.com/clubs/office-space/images/3893771/title/office-space-screencap)

When reading Water by the Spoonful, I pictured the characters looking very average.  I did not picture them dressed up like they were living in luxury.  I would have them dressed very plain and very dull because I feel like that would best describe the lives they were living expressed when I was reading the play.  For example, I would have Elliot dressed in plain jeans and a t-shirt.  I would have his mother  Odessa dressed in jeans and a simple shirt.  Yaz, would be wearing a suit not fitted to her body, because she was very business attired yet was not rich.  Costumes are a way to define characters and the parts they play.  I feel like these costumes would be very fitting to the lifestyle I imagined when reading this play.  The characters would not be wearing masks or a lot of makeup.  The presence of little makeup will show the average-ness of the characters.  These characters would remind you of someone you would see walking the streets any normal day.

https://marketplace.asos.com/listing/t-shirts/vintage-90s-fluro-print-t-shirt/777433

(http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-22373654)

For lighting I would have dull lighting, bringing a since of betrayal and upset feelings between the characters.  As the play furthered on, I would increase the lighting to show more brightness as the characters are trying to live for the future and not live in the past.  I think that the dim lighting would show a since of coldness and as the play moved on it would get lighter catching a happier feeling because everyone has someone to turn to at the end of the play. I would use lamp lighting for the dim light because lamps are not very bright. Also for lighting I thought it would be really neat if during the scenes when they are on the chat room, if words were put up on the wall.  This lighting effect took place in the play at Lynchburg College, Dead Man's Cell Phone.  I also saw this happen at the concert held at the college, but instead of words, shapes were displayed on the walls and ceilings.  I would also have a dim spotlight on who was reading what they are typing in the chat room, therefore it will direct the audience to look at that person.

http://www.wellsphere.com/depression-article/light-at-night-can-lead-to-depression/1282929

(Took  this picture myself at the concert for my idea of lighting the words on the walls and all around the audience.) 

 For sound I was thinking of special things I would want in the play to have city noises playing in the background at certain moments.  I also think that I would want the conversations that take place online read out loud by the actors and actresses, just like if they were reading them in their heads. All of the actors and actresses would need to be heard, so there would need to be speaks and microphones used as well to make sure the audience can hear what is going on. I would also have the actors and actresses raise their voices when they are arguing or angry to express frustration to the audience.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGBVOTaiytI

    The relationship between the design the play, the characters, the lighting and the sound all play an extremely important part in theatre.  Without the audience connecting with these characters and the scenic design there would be no importance to theatre.  I feel this production incorporates the way I felt when reading the play and therefore that is how I would produce it.
 

Dead Man's Cell Phone

When going to see Dead Man's Cell Phone, I thought it made it a unique experience due to the fact that we were so close sitting on the stage that the actors were acting on.  As we sat so close to the actors I found a connection with them that I would not normally feel with actors in a movie on screen.  I think that another thing that makes a live play different than a screened movie is the actors and actresses can mess up on their words.  On Saturday night, in the airport the actress messed up her words, and when an actress messed up during a taping of a movie the director would just cut it out of the movie and they could retape it.  I really enjoyed this play, it was funny and connected with the whole audience as I can see how cell phones and technology run everyone's lives in today's society.  Last class we talked about how the actors and actresses were outside in the hall right after the play, and how there was no way that there would be actors from a screen movie outside the theatre after watching the movie.  Although there was a lot of special effects in this play, such as lighting, sound, the set, and background, there would be more set in a screen movie that was taped.  A lot more money and time goes into planning a movie that is planning on hitting the theater.     As the lights dimmed between each act, you could see the people changing the set up for the scenes.  This would not be shown in a movie.  Also, which I had no experienced before in a play, I felt the cast members were talking to the audience.  The audience members often answered to the actors, as they would raise their hand or shake their head and I have never seen a movie when the actor or actress would stop and talk to the audience, and the audience members answer.  I feel this adds to the connection that develops between the audience and the cast members.  Also, most of the time the director is present during the play.  During screened movies the director is not present and is probably far away.
     I really liked this play, and felt that it was hilarious and easy to connect to.  It made me think about how much a cell phone really plays apart in my life and how it controls a lot of people in today's world.    This year it was new to me to go see live plays, because before this I only had seen one live play.  I really enjoy going to see plays because I like the connection that you feel with the cast members and the story lines they portray to the audience members.  It is a very unique experience and sets apart from going to see a movie in the theater.  This proves to show that it is not always about the exaggerated set, or the effects that on screen movies brings, but the connection that the audience feels towards the play or movie.  

Minstrel Show

In the 1800’s a new era had begun in theatre.  Many of the working white class men started creating a theatre form to where they were mocking African Americans, yet they did not know it would become part of American history.  During the 1900’s Minstrel theatre plays became famous.  Since African American’s were not allowed on stage, white males started playing their part on stage during these performances (History of Minstrel Shows).  These scenes were originally formed to mock the ways of the African Americans.  Their songs, art, and culture were incorporated into these plays as the white males painted their faces and bodies with black paint.  These shows were created to provide entertainment for everyone, and were thought to be disrespectful and cruel to the African Americans. These white actors were "showing blacks as foolish and naive, minstrel shows presented blacks as happy with their status as slaves while perpetuating a nostalgic view of plantation life" (Felner & Orenstein, p. 334).  Yet, it is known to have spread word and experiences that the African’s were never able to share.  This showed everyone that they were more than just colored people.  These plays emphasized the songs, musical component, and art of the African Americans and even though the performances were mainly to mock the blacks, the music became well known worldwide.   In today's society these videos are viewed as very offensive and are not accepted.  When searching for videos I saw why some would be offensive, but some were very interesting in realizing how creative slaves were with what little they owned.

 

(http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-_swtbIi2F0)

In this video you can see the costume of the white male. The entire face is painted in black, the hair texturized, and the costume of how an African American would be dressed (could sometimes be over exaggerated) during the time period. As you listen to the script you can see how the dialogue changes from character to character between the different ethnic groups. The actors and actresses use different tones in their voice and "slang" words to promote their characters.

http://www.ferris.edu/htmls/news/jimcrow/links/comer/index.htm

 

Here you can see a group of men performing a Minstrel Show.  Taking notice to their make up and outfits this is the usual costume for these men during performances.  It was important when making these characters come to life that the cast use nonverbal and verbal changes to show the characters and their way of life.

http://nicholaspayton.wordpress.com/2011/12/14/on-why-nicholas-payton-is-not-a-racist/

(http://rplatero.wikispaces.com/Immigration+and+Ethnicity)

 

I thought these pictures were interesting because they show a before and after photo of the guys who would dress as the African Americans. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A6dXrm1YjBE

When watching this, even though these shows were made to make fun of the African Americans I cannot help but think about how extremely creative they are.  I feel these videos today, if viewed by society, would bring attention to everyone how creative the dances, music, and art that is involved.  When watching this I was amazed that they threw sand on the ground to make music with the steps and dance moves shown in this video. 

 



 

 

"Blackface Minstrel Show Sand Dance." YouTube. YouTube, 09 Jan. 2013. Web. 06 Mar. 2013.

 

"Cotton and Chick Watts Blackface Minstrel Show Comedy." YouTube. YouTube, 09 Jan. 2013.Web. 06 Mar. 2013.

 



Felner, Mira and Claudia Orenstein. The World of Theatre. Boston: Pearson, 2006. 334-335. Print.

"History of Minstrel Shows." OTRCAT. Old Time Radio Catalog, n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2013.

Padgett, Kenneth W. "Blackface Minstrel Shows." Blackface. n.d. Web. 06 Mar. 2013.



 

Pajama Games

During the musical Pajama Games, I thought it was a lot different than seeing a film.  When we arrived we found our seats with the help of a lady checking tickets.  Once we were seated, I noticed how everyone was talking about how they heard the show was very well performed.  Usually in a film people are talking about the previews from other movie clips being shown.  Once the music started the entire audience got quiet.  This is what would also be expected in a movie theater.  Once the movie starts everyone is drawn in by the opening music.   During the play the audience responded in laugher and as part of the audience I really felt connected with the people performing in the musical.  Live theatre has a way of trying to draw your eyes to a certain spot on stage with lighting effects and people talking and singing, yet they do not have full control over what part of the stage you look at so they have many things going on.  In many parts of the play they had the main actors in the middle of the stage and then the “background” people still having conversations and doing their own thing.  I feel this does not happen a lot in a film.  In a film the director is sure to have the audience only watch what is meant to be seen.  This happens when the camera may zoom in on certain people of the film, or not have someone in the background doing something else when something important is going on in the movie.  I thought it was really interesting how I was so captured by the actors and actresses and often caught myself moving along with the beat of a the music.  During the intermission I heard people talking about how fast they transformed the stage into another scene and how great the songs were.  During films you do not have a chance to take a break and talk about what you have seen so far.  Many people were chatting about what songs they liked to most and which songs they liked the least. 

                After the intermission was over the music started again and everyone got quiet and settled into their seats.  The musical continued and the audience became one with the actors.  As everyone laughed along with each other and it showed they were following the play, and having a great time watching it.  The audience also clapped for the performers after every song.  This is something that would not happen in a film.  Once a film starts, the audience usually does not clap.  I have been in a theater watching a film and at the end no one claps.  At the end of this musical the performers came out and bowed as the audience remained clapping for each of them.  I thought it was neat because the audience showed great appreciation to the performers because we had been connected with their story the whole play.  As they were performing, I felt as if I was part of the factory and their each individual story.  I went into the theatre not knowing what to expect, or if I would like it.  But, I really enjoyed this musical and had a great experience with it. 

Commedia dell'arte

In the 1600’s a new type of theatre developed called commedia dell'arte.  It brought the rich and the poor together from in the palaces and into the streets.  The actors of these plays were involved in the whole process.  They wrote their scenarios, they acted them out and directed them.  In this type of theatre it was important to not only act, but to feel the emotion of the characters.  In the plays the masters and the servants are masked.  These masks are well known all over the world and still used in today’s society.  It was important that not only did the characters voice fit their mask, but their body language as well.  Each character has their own special traits and characteristics that make them who they are, and describes their social class.  Each of the characters had their own jokes, skits, comical insults, and physical stunts to keep the audiences involved and entertained with laughter.  The characters include; Pantalone, Il Dottore, Il Capitano,  Arlecchino, Brighella, Columbina, Piero, and Pulcinella.

                Pantalone was known as the high class character.  He was wealthy and always seemed to be miserable.  His mask showed a long, hooked nose with a face full of wrinkles.  He was famous for his big red pants.  Il Dottore plays the doctor and he acts like he knows everything but knows very little.  He is round with fat cheeks.  His stomach is pushed out, and he usually taps it if he gets idea or is sharing knowledge.  Il Capitano is the captain.  He acts big and bad, but underneath his guard he is a wimp.  His mask includes a long nose with wide eyes.  Sometimes it even included a long handlebar mustache.  Arlecchino is known as a tricky servant.  He is not very smart and is seen to have a child like personality.  His mask is one associated with a “trickster”; a cat like face with a short small nose.  Brighella is a well known liar.  He is Arlecchino’s older brother and is known to be very money greedy.  Last, but not least, is Columbina.  She is the maid, sometimes was Arlecchino’s girlfriend.  She was very wise and playful, and known to flirt with the characters. 

Ever since the creation of commedia dell'arte it has become a well known theatre form it has inspired many plays, and characters we see in today’s society of theatre.  Without it, I do not think that we would associate emotions with masks and body language as strong as we do today. 

(http://proteus.brown.edu/13things/7731)

As you can see in these sample mask's, you can see the characters personality. You can see the deep expression that the character must pick up with in order to present with the correct language, voice, and body language. 

(http://www.dellarte.com/show.aspx?sid=9&id=10)

 

In this picture you can really tell that the actors include a lot of body language with their mask look.  Their costumes also match their mask's and body language.

  

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JJEwuurzDe4&noredirect=1

In this video, it connects and shows how the actor's are trained in moving like the characters.  I think it shows a great way to put yourself in the position of thinking like the person in the mask.

 

 

 

Commedia Dell’arte. “A Study Guide for Students for the improvisational theater style “Comedy of Skills”.  Human Race theatre. n.d. 17 Feb. 2013. Web.

Felner, Mira, and Claudia Orenstein. The World of Theatre. Boston: Pearson, 2006. 120-121. Print.

May, Deborah. “The World of Commedia.” National Theatre. National Theatre.  n.d. 17 Feb. 2013. Web.

May, Deborah. “Shape.” National Theatre. National Theatre.  n.d. 17 Feb. 2013. Web.

May, Deborah. “Emotion.” National Theatre. National Theatre.  n.d. 17 Feb. 2013. Web.