Student Blogger: Madalyn Macko

Golden Age musicals are loved for good reason, but many of them become problematic when we analyze them critically. I think it is important they maintain a place in our repertoire, so long as they are handled appropriately.

The challenge for the actor is to be so in touch with their own humanity that they can sense the bold emotions of their character, while still prioritizing communication, so that audiences can relate to that humanity.

'Type' can be a representation of the skills, characteristics, and aesthetics an actor can create very easily. However, stereotyping is easily caused when 'typing', due to preconceived ideas about gender presentation, body type, height, behaviors, and other overt physical features.

Lauren Thomas is a student studying Stage Management within her BFA in Technical Theatre. She successfully closed a production of Songs for a New World recently, and her outstanding work needed to be a highlighted and exemplified. Lauren discussed the things she learned, her challenges, and her best advice for fellow stage managers.

I applaud my peers for their dedication to wearing masks and keeping circles small during this process because we would not have reached this point otherwise. The public safety that masks provide made wearing them while performing unquestionable, but it was still so refreshing to take them off safely and communicate without any barriers.

As safely as you possibly can, go and see live theatre. Be present and loud in both energy and applause. In a time as exhausting and difficult as this, connecting with others might be the most fulfilling thing you can do.

I realized that my duty in this world was to communicate as clearly, honestly, and as loudly as I can so that others feel heard, represented, valid. Though, I will admit I lose it sometimes.

I can’t help but question why I would be able to establish enough discipline to keep working this summer, fresh off my most draining semester yet, when I couldn’t do it during a time where there was nothing else to do.

There are many quality lessons to learned as a performer taking on technical positions. Not only do I think it is incredibly respectful to support peers as much as possible, but fulfilling a technical role also provides personal improvement.

The intrigue that authenticity alone brings to a performance is enough to make any actor stop and study it like their life depends on it.

There is joy that flourishes when ideas aren’t taken too seriously or evaluated hypercritically. Allowing the space to be silly and dancing in a way that creates joy breeds an infectious environment.

It is entertaining to reflect on the madness of a tech week, and rewarding to be reminded of the success brought by hard work. I will never be able to articulate fully just how grateful I am to be able to keep studying and performing in productions right now. The Drowsy Chaperone has been just a beacon of joy in my life, and I’m sure that extends to my peers and even our audience members.

Self-doubt becomes an issue when it inhibits people from reaching full potential.  Allowing the irrational ideas sparking inside to permeate your craft is stifling. While no one will  ever be infinitely perfect in this industry, being “good” is seemingly impossible when there is a  seed of dread growing inside. So, how do you grab on to the dark cloud above and guide it into  something advantageous?

No matter how cliché, it is accurate to say that there are good things to remember despite  the troublesome time.