30
April
2008
April
2008
16
April
2008
April
2008
Stunning0
Last Wednesday the class went on saw Stunning at Woolly Mammoth. I really enjoyed the production, however was rather confused by the end. Before the show began, the acting theatre manager made a speech to the audience about subscriptions and donating to the theatre as well as discussing next season. There is a show about Gone With The Wind mixed up in a holocaust camp that looks really good- but I digress. I though it was really cool how he got up there and talked to us. I thought he talked a little too much- but seeing as I had just studied ads and marketing in Theatre Management- it was cool to see how it is really done. Do you think all theatres do that on the last run of the show?
So the play began and at first I was rather confused. My ears had to get used to the dialect of the actors. I eventually did get a grip on what they were saying and it was extremely funny. The culture of most characters was a mixture of Arabic and Jewish. It was really interesting to see how tension grew between characters when discussing the culture clash.
I was really impressed with the set until the mirrors were revealed. They distracted me at points but I tried to pay attention to the show! The story was really cool- until the end when the Blanch went crazy. Maybe she was crazy the whole time. I felt slightly cheated. I wanted to know her story- and I never got the chance to!
Overall it was a great show, but I wish I could have known more about the main character. I am looking forward to the class discussion!
3
March
2008
March
2008
Hermit: Lovely Solitude.0
I woke up this morning and planned to audit an acting class with Steve, Helena, Karen, and Latera. We headed downtown to 14th st. and we simply could not find it. I thought this as an opportunity to take the bull by the horns and head off into NYC by myself. I got on the subway and headed uptown. I got of at 73rd street West.
The first plan of action was to head to the Dakota. No, there was no Yoko around- but there was a sense of peace around all the taxi horns. The actual architecture of the building is stunning! So, after the Dakota I headed to the American Museum of Natural History. With a student rate, I was able to get in with a decent price. It was nice to stroll through the exhibits at my own pace. and sit when I wanted to so that I could have an even greater look at particular exhibits. Teddy Rooservelt is my favorite president, so the best part was sitting outside and just looking at the statue that stood so tall on the steps of the entrance.
Across the way, I saw Central Park. I was rather hesitant to go in by myself. After seeing the Devil’s Advocate with the scary scene in the park I was slightly nervous. I know that seems utterly ridiculous- but that is how I felt. As I walked into the park. I felt peace all around me. I entered where there was a large lake and I just sat at its edge for half an hour- just coming to terms with where I was and how I was feeling. I then headed over to the Bethesda Fountain. As I sat by the fountain, a calm and confident feeling came about me. I was here, alone, reading She Stoops to Conquer and I was fine. Many dogs kept getting attracted to me-Lord knows why-but I was able to spark conversations with people my age who live in the city and that was really great. I got an insight into where some of them lived and what they did and how they felt about the city. It was nice to see how talkative and welcoming a lot of the people are here.
So I ended up at 72nd East while leaving the park. I was not sure where to go next- so I just started walking towards 42nd assuming there would be a few Subway stops on the way. Fate then led me to the Temple Emanu-el. I had an interesting and enlightening personal experience.
Today was a fantastic day.
3
March
2008
March
2008
Talya is in New York City0
It has been a day and a half- and I am in New York City. As I got on the bus at DuPont Friday morning, I was so anxious. I was scared and I thought what the hell am I doing!? I’m off on this trip and I am really OK! The first night we went and saw Spring Awakening. It was the first Broadway show I have ever seen and I was certainly not disappointed. It was a great production. The story, the music, and the lighting design was amazing. I am sure I need to put some sort of artistic critism into this- but I just can’t right now.
Yesterday, I went to canal st. It was really awesome. I bought an I LOVE NYC t-shirt, postcards, a shot glass - and it was great to be a tourist for the day. I am using this weekend to do that so in the week I can handle the contacts and just get it together in the city. I also got a metro card yesterday. It was a great experience to go on the subway. It was actually easier than I thought and not sketchy at all. Yesterday, the class saw The Seagull. It was a beautiful production and Diane Wiest and Alan Cumming were wonderful. There were points of the production where I lost the focus and where the actors lost my attention, but I immediatly was brought back into the moment with the comic quirks created by the actors and the text. Also we saw Next to Normal last night. It was a really intense musical with an extremely dramatic plot. I thought the story was really touching and it really got me thinking about the effect grief can have on a person, especially the effect grief can have on a mother. The death of a child must be so monumental and painful- and I felt Alice Riply who played as the role of Diane (the mother) portrayed the effect of grief honestly and graciously. I also was effected by the haunting son in the musical. At points, I felt Gabe was malicious and that made me very uncomfortable. Grief, fear, anxiety can become stronger than the person it is consuming and take on its own life form- how pertrifying. I thought the music was really good. Yet, the song about electric shock was a little distasteful for me.
Today, I went to the MoMa. I walked in with an attitude that I was not going to get anything and that I was just going to look at these pieces of art work and not appreciate it because I did not understand it. But there were some art pieces that really touched me and effected me. It was really great to see that! I was able to apprecitate, accept, and even be effected!
I am starting to adore this city. I want to go and explore- alone and make this work!
21
February
2008
February
2008
a little light :)0
So, I have been writing to actors in off broadway productions and I got a contact. Amy White is an actor who has been in the musical revue, I love you, you’re perfect, now change for 7.5 years. I am so glad I got something!
21
February
2008
February
2008
1 week to go0
We will be leaving for New York a week from tomorrow. I have never written so many identical lists down. I have started to become slightly obsessive over the details of the trip. In every small notebook I own, there are lists and notes for contacts, plays, places to eat, places to go. Even though we have the wiki, I cannot stop writing snippets of details down. My instinct is to run home each evening and get back to feeling comfortable in home base. Being in my home with my family and just feeling safe. I am trying to keep myself incredibly busy and occupied so that I do not think about the idea of being without my comforts (mum, dad, etc.) . I am really excited, but I am frightened. I am sure some think I am completely nuts! I plan to go home on Saturday evening just to get clothes and get another suitcase and such. Mum asked me to stay until Sunday evening and have our regular Sunday roast- I have rehearsal Sunday evening so that is out. I am actually rather glad I will not be staying until Monday morning. I have a couple of intense exams before we leave, and if I stay home- I know I will not want to leave home. I know this is ridiculous…I am 20. I am not going to New York by myself. I have lots of people around me. But Lucia made a great point. No one should be anyone’s mum while we are away. I know she meant: waking people up, having to clean up after people etc…- but when thinking about - I do not want anyone to be my mummy or guardian while I am away. I think this is going to be a really great experience for me, but I am getting a little anxious and frankly- very nervous.
6
February
2008
February
2008
Where Am I Right Now: A 2 minute presentation0
Here is my digital story. It took a while to figure how to upload it...but I did it 
29
January
2008
January
2008
The “where am i” assignment0
So, last class we were asked to prepare a two minute digital video that would be due in two weeks. I am getting really excited about this project. I have been playing with Windows Movie Maker on my laptop. I enjoy meshing narration, pictures, and music to tell my little story.
I though it was going to be really difficult to get started on this assignment. I was not quite sure where to start. I took a look at the Wiki website. There are so many online sources that I could choose from to start the assignment. However, I felt like I just wanted to stick with something less technical. But it turns out Windows movie maker is not that easy- however it is manageable. I enjoy having the choice on what to put in my digital story. I am in a digital history seminar and we have to make a website and there is NO room for creativity and originality. I am looking forward to being able to express my self in this digital story as well as my blog!
The next thing I need to learn is to upload videos. I am not sure it will be too hard:)
19
January
2008
January
2008
Hello world!0
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