Direction Ideas for "Spring Awakening"

My play that I picked, "Spring Awakening" is all about sexual discovery and breaking out of a sheltered upbringing, as well as the consequences that come with learning about love the hard way. 

I feel like this play has many different aspects that could be focused on, but as a director I would of course have to focus my vision to a few strong points. 

CENTRAL IMAGE:

-The ballerina in the blue tights: In the opening act of the play, Moritz and Melchior discuss how a fleeting image of a ballerina in blue tights first gave Moritz the "masculine itch". I think that this ballerina, an image normally associated with grace and elegant romantic ideals, would contrast beautifully with the absolute awkwardness (and often pain) that the students endure in this play, particularly while exploring their sexual selves. I could implement this image by creating a silent character out of this ballerina, one who dances in a fluid manner about the two students who are discussing or experimenting with their feelings and bodies, literally dancing around the students as they dance around difficult topics.

SET:

-I would propose a simple set with one elaborate central piece. The central piece would be the bridge where the female characters hang out in the majority of the play. The bridge would be elevated, so there is a riverbank below: a tree on one side, a small creek in the middle, and a graveyard on the opposite bank. There would be a wall short enough for Melchior to climb over next to the graveyard. Other scenes that take place would have only essential furniture (desks, tables, vineyard materials, etc.) that would only be placed on far SL or SR when necessary. 

LIGHTING:

-Connecting to the set, the most important part of lighting would be to keep the graveyard side of the bank fairly un-highlighted, until after the death of Moritz. This could easily be accomplished with light cast from the graveyard side, so the light would cause the wall to be a shadow over the graves. Another lighting effect could be using a rosier lighting on the bridge and a bluer lighting on the bank where the boys hang out, and blend the two when one crosses into the others "territory".

ACTING:

-The most important part of the acting would be to make sure that the raw emotions are real. The physical contact has to capture the essence of a sheltered teenager breaking out. If possible, I would have actors observe as many young teenagers as possible, go to a middle school dance or something. To not dramatize the romance, but to make it REAL (though not necessarily natural).

Whaddya say Benji, whaddya think?  

Tituba Character Analysis:

      Tituba is a black slave woman, which automatically contrasts her to everyone else in the play, as Salem is filled with white FREE Puritans. She is an important character in the first act, when the girls are seen dancing naked in the forest with her. She’s immediately associated with witchcraft (and essentially evil) because of her actions and her heritage (being from Barbados).  Tituba is seen again in the fourth act, almost belligerent, shouting to Sarah Good how they’re going to Barbados to hang out with the Devil. She also offers to speak to the devil for the marshal. There is polarity between Tituba and Parris. Parris serves as a intercessor for God while Tituba is the devil’s advocate (literally).  Again, Tituba is enslaved, black, and uneducated; Parris is free, white, and a leader of the town.

My Play-Ful Chusok

Hola Benji, 

I must apologize for the cheesy post title. But that is indeed what my week was, full of PLAYS. The schedule was as follows:

- Othello (Hungarian National Theatre)

- Krapp's Last Tape (Robert Wilson & Co.)

- Dionysus (Tadashi Suzuki)

AHHH okay so my computer is about to die, so i will re-post in a few from a different station.

Peace!

Greetings, Benji.

I have arrived from the Lyso Center, back from Saturday rehearsal. 

You know, i have calculated that i spend 60 hours a day at school. 15 in transit, 15 with Mrs. Moon, and the other half i guess is learning or eating.

One of the highlights of my very busy week was our visit from Mr. Swingle. He taught us about physicality and different body positions. The exercises that interested me most was when we changed our postures and stances. It was very difficult to change things so second nature to us as our center of gravity and the way we "lead" our bodies when we walk. The thing that made each one so unique is how a character (or multiple characters) spring to our mind when we watch each other's movements, or react to our own. I've googled some images that came to my mind when i did certain movement. 

This represents leading with the nose (or head). I got a feeling of a very prying person, or naturally curious, almost rushing ahead of the body to satisfy the mind.

This man looks like Mr. Bean or something :) This represents leading with the FEET. Its rather odd looking, but it portrays a sort of tentativeness, like someone who want to "test the waters" before moving forward. IT also has an uncomfortable appearance to the walk, like almost robotic.

This monkey moves! It represents leading with the CHEST. There's a very masculine way this could be interpreted, almost primal, with an air of superiority. Like they own the world.

Well, That the end of the happy picture show for now. I really enjoyed Mr. Swingle's presentation, so much that i "liked" him on Facebook :D

Well, later Benji. <3

The First Post (Journal #1)

This post was originally handwritten on August 18th, 2010. Some parts have been removed/edited.

Hi!

Hello There!

Hola!

Sawubona!

Konnichiwa!

Anyo....?

   Let's hope that this journal speaks English.

   I love the English language, especially when it's spoken in an accent that's not American. I met the cutest little year 3 at the British School the other day named Benji. He spoke with an adorable Aussie accent and I fell in LOVE! Therefore, this journal will now be referred to as BENJI.

   So, Benji. A little bit about me.

   My name is Melissa (the)... Its would make sense if you knew my last name, but i don't trust the internet I'm sending you out into. I started putting the "(the)" in Algebra II last year as a joke, and it stuck. My teacher called me "Melissa The" all year.

   I'll be 17 in TWELVE days (which excites me very much!!!) and I will be hopefully celebrating with copious amounts of karaoke and cake!

   So anyhow, IB Theatre, right? 

   I am SOOOOOO excited, no-- ECSTATIC for the coming year and beyond.Now Benji, you weren't born yet, but Mrs. Moon said something GENIUS (you'll find she does this a LOT). She said that we are going to be Theatre Makers. I really liked that idea. At my old school, emphasis was put on being a jack of all trades: I worked in choreography, acting, singing, set design/building, lighting, sound, costumes, makeup, literally EVERYTHIING. So her philosophy seems like a natural progression. Instead of being an actor, a stage manager, a dancer, or a set designer, we are all Theatre Makers. We all work towards a common goal, don't we? Everyone works to make a magical experience for the audience. Just like how everyone at Disneyland works together to get that one kid to smile. There's no difference. Different Makers use their "fortes" to make the magic. A true gift from God is when a Theatre Maker IS a jack of all trades, and can create that magic in their mind and then bring that vision to fruition in all aspects.

   "Theatre should resist certainty" --Anne Bogart

   As a new student, each day at school is uncertain. As a foreigner in Korea, life itself is uncertain. Perhaps that is why theatre appeals to me so much, Theatre makes uncertainty comforting. It sits you down in a room and makes things you've never dreamt of possible. It puts you in situations, and makes you face the awkward. It asks the hard questions people on the street or in your home won't ask you.  And most importantly, your mind is in a different place, thinking different thoughts in a different way when you leave a theatre. And yet at the same time, if you're feeling out of place, or awkward, theatre makes it OK. You can be anyone or anything and take it where it goes. A single sentence can be acted a million and two ways, and its the un-forecasted journey that makes it fun.

   Theatre is not a stable rock, it is a flimsy piece of paper; but, if folded the right way, it can soar :)

   Nighty-Night, Benji.

   Melissa (the)....

A Piece of WUASTC (Eric Bogosian)

Wake Up and Smell the Coffee Trailer

Watch to see some of the genius :)
**We did this as an ensemble piece, and it was much longer than this, obviously.

Journal #3

I must apologize in advance for the short post, i only have limited time on the internet.

So, the Me project was one i was extremely eager to do because frankly, i love myself. There are so many girls in the world who have self esteem issues. I however, am i shining example of vanity and self-centeredness. It's not the best trait, but its better than being depressed because you hate yourself.

While assembling the Me Project, i was able to take a trip down memory lane as well. Remembering the fantastic shows i'd seen and been in, the theatre practices i'd been a part of, it all made me realize how blessed i've been. I've seen 5 Broadway shows that blew my mind, and been in 2 award-winning shows that were more like familial celebrations than a working production with classmates.

The hardest part of the Me Project, despite my vanity, was selecting an image of myself. I wanted something that captured me, and i really couldn't find anything i truly loved. So i settled for an attractive picture of me that makes me seem mysterious. And i suppose mystery is better than nothing when i can't find a perfect picture.

Well, that's all the battery life i have left. Goodnight, Benji.
Melissa (the)....