BWW Blog: Inching My Way Into The Department

Hello again,

I believe February is having an identity crisis. This week has gone from the campus being blanketed with snow to shorts and tee-shirt weather and then back to snow again! But the erratic weather has not stopped the theatre department from preparing for the upcoming spring productions: William Shakespeare's As You Like It and the Directing Class' Spring Shorts.

Most theatre advocates are familiar with this particular work of Shakespeare, but for those who don't know, As You Like It is a comedy of love, mistaken identity and a whole lot of family drama. When Rosalind and her cousin, Celia, are banished from their home, the two take refuge in the forest of Arden. Rosalind disguises herself as a man named Ganymede for protection. While in hiding, Rosalind bumps into her love interest, Orlando. He does not recognize Rosalind in her disguise and vents about his complicated love-life. Rosalind/Ganymede craftily persuades Orlando to start a fake courtship so he can practice all of his moves and Shakespearian pick-up-lines on her. There are many other crucial characters and plotlines that come about while in the forest, but luckily As You Like It ends happily, with never-ending humor, and witty dialogue, embedded within it.

For artistic flair, Gordon's production will be a little bit different. It will still be true to the original and be spoken in Shakespearian English, but our director, Norman Jones, is having the play take place in the Appalachian Mountains. So during rehearsals, which are in full swing, the cast is only allowed to speak in a southern accent. I originally auditioned for As You Like It and didn't get a callback. I have to admit I was disappointed, I enjoyed auditioning and was excited about the idea of having my theatrical debut be Shakespeare. But before I could feel too upset, I was asked to be an assistant stage manager! ASM-ing has been such a great opportunity. I love being involved and feeling like a part of the department. So far, I have attended a majority of the rehearsals, completed small tasks assigned by the stage manager, and occasionally reading for absent cast members. Because we are still blocking the scenes, there is not much else I can do but watch the talented actors and actresses at work, which is honestly a dream; however, I can't help but yearn to be acting alongside them. But I am hopeful, my time will come.

Every semester the directing class puts on an array of unique ten minute plays known as Spring/ Fall Shorts depending on the season. The cast list for the shorts just came out and as a part of my Tech class, I will be stage managing one of them. The idea truly terrifies me. Visions of missed cues and other theatrical catastrophes constantly flood my mind, but hopefully all will go well. Now that the shorts are cast, the real work has begun. For the first time, I will be making rehearsal reports and a production binder. Since there were multiple shorts, I also auditioned for one of them. I wasn't too set on being cast, but I gave it my all and I was happily surprised with a callback! Though I didn't end up actually getting in, I was still proud I made it farther than previous auditions. While it would have been so much fun, to be in the shorts, I have to remind myself that even though I should seize every opportunity that comes my way, I am also still a freshman. I have time to learn and grow.

P.S.

I survived my first attempt using a chop-saw, but more on that later.

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