Alternative Paths to Performance: Improvisation

                Improvisation is a form of theater which challenges the performer and wows the audience with the performers’ abilities to formulate a witty script on the spot. According to The World of Theater, this form of theater places more of an emphasis on, “the improvisational creativity of the actor rather than…the playwright’s written words for dialogue and dramatic action” (Filner and Orenstein 150).  Bored Shorts TV is a group that was created in Utah by brothers, “John, Brett, and Randy Roberts, plus Randy's former NYU roommate Richard Sharrah and a whole slew of kids from the greater Provo area” who put a twist on improvisation (Hoffberger, “Youtube- where fathers get praised for acting like children”).  This group uses the hilarious talk of children as a script. They operate by giving either two or three children a prompt. One such prompt would be, “teach [your] sister how to do math” (BoredShortsTV.tv).   The video is posted below.

The children are recorded while they are responding to the prompt. The adults/parents of the children then act out the scenario the children have just created. The adults’ voices cannot be heard, however. Instead, the recording is used as a voice over to make it seem as though there are a bunch of grown men and women who are speaking and acting like children. Due to the way children form their sentences and phrase their words, this kind of improvisation thrives on “the spontaneity and virtuosity of the actors as they interact in performance” (Filner and Orenstein 152). The actors, in this case, are children who are simply reacting to each other while responding to the prompt.  In an article written for “The Daily Dot,” Chase Hoffberger quotes Brett Roberts on how the children react to the acting. “They loved it. They have a good time. It’s simple. They just tell a story” (Hoffberger, “Youtube- where fathers get praised for acting like children”). 

            Even though I don’t like children, I occasionally find their antics and speech impediments hysterical. This group really puts to good use some of the best things that can come out of a child’s mouth. I love the acting that the adults of Bored Shorts TV use in order to portray the words of the children.  This kind of improvisation, in my opinion, is so natural since the children are not truly performing for an audience, but are simply using their fantastic imaginations in front of a camera.

A few of my favorite BoredShortsTV videos are posted below. 

Citations:

Bored Shorts TV. Bored Shorts TV. n.d.  Web. 4 March 2013.

BoredShortsTV. “Kid Snippets: ‘Basketball Class.’” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 23

Jul. 2012. Web. 4 March 2013.

BoredShortsTV. “Kid Snippets: ‘Driver’s Ed.’” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 3 Dec.

2012. Web. 4 March 2013.

BoredShortsTV. “Kid Snippets: ‘Lunch.’” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 9 Jul. 2012.

Web. 4 March 2013.

BoredShortsTV. “Kid Snippets: ‘Math Class.’”Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 15 Oct.

2012. Web. 4 March 2013.

BoredShortsTV. “Kid Snippets: ‘Mean School Nurse.’” Online video clip. YouTube. YouTube, 7

Jan. 2013. Web. 4 March 2013.

Filner, Mira, and Claudia Orenstein. The World of Theater. Boston: Pearson, 2006. Print.

Hoffberger, Chase. “Youtube- where fathers get praised for acting like children.” The Daily Dot,

Aug. 2012. Web.  4 March 2013.

The Pajama Game: An Observation of the Audience

Lynchburg College presents The Pajama Game!

I was very excited to go see the play, “The Pajama Game” due to the fact that my friend was playing the role of Hines. While I was looking forward to watching him act, I was also interested to see the audiences’ response. In anticipation of the play, I ordered my tickets online. However, due to the fact that my friends decided to go with me last minute, I exchanged my ticket for one that would seat me next to them. This put me in the far left corner nearest the stage. At first I thought this seat might hinder my ability to see all that was occurring on stage, but it proved to be a nice place to observe the actors and audience. 

Babe and Sid model their "pajamas for couples" while Hines and Gladys are handcuffed together.

 The first thing I noticed about the audience as I settled into my seat was the buzzing of cell phones and the small talk of the people around me. This gave me a sense that people were not going to be able to sit through this play without an irresistible urge to text or check Facebook.  When the lights dimmed and a voice from off-stage called out to ask people to turn off their cell-phones, there were still bright lights from the phones flashing and blinding others around them. Unfortunately, people were rude and kept their phones out the entire play. 

The cast of The Pajama Game from left to right: Prez, Mabel, Hines, Gladys, Babe, and Sid.

When the play first began, the audience was a little slow to respond to the humorous sections.   At times, I found myself laughing a little too loudly in an attempt to provoke a reaction from the other audience members.  For instance, during the dance and song number when Hines is responding to Mabel’s scenarios regarding jealously, I found it funny, but when others weren’t really laughing, I think I laughed a little more heartily than I normally would in an attempt to encourage Hines’ enthusiasm during the performance.   While I’m sure I made a fool of myself, I recognize the impact that the audience has on the performers and I wanted to make sure that they weren’t discouraged by a lack of audience participation.   

The primary performers playing tug-of-rope as an advertisement for the Lynchburg College play

I was a little surprised at some of the things that the audience found funny in relation to the things at which they did not laugh. For example, the general audience found the part about pervy Prez hitting on Gladys hilarious. What I found most amusing about that scene was his wardrobe malfunctions. However, I realize that I have a strange sense of humor and Prez’s unorthodox advances towards Gladys probably are a normal thing to laugh about. 

                I discussed the show with the people that accompanied me to the show. Their consensus was that the performance was great, but the play was bad. There were some scenes that seemed random to them and the lines often sounded awkward. They wished that they had had a remote in order to “fast-forward” the kissing scenes and that Prez should not have been allowed to sing that much. I spend time with a very critical and opinionated group of people.  Overall, though, my group knew when it was appropriate to laugh and a standing ovation was given to the friend who played Hines.  

I enjoyed the play, as well as having a reason to observe people. My overall opinion of the audience was that they were a lack luster group. I hope that the actors and actresses had a better audience for the rest of their performances. 

Photos courtesy of Lynchburg College

Carnival of Venice

Carnival in Venice, Italy is an overwhelming and visually stimulating event.  As soon as I started researching the topic of Carnival around the world, I was immediately drawn to the elaborate and lavish display that is the Venetian Carnival.  The Carnival of Venice occurs annually – starting approximately two weeks before Ash Wednesday. Most Carnivals revolve around the celebration of Lent. This means that, historically, the Carnival of Venice’s aim is to fulfill the carnal desires, such as rich foods and entertainment, before the religious must sacrifice decadence for 40 days of Lent. As The World of Theater text states, Carnival literally means, 'farewell meat'” (Filner and Orenstein 136). 

 

 According to the official website of the Venice Carnival, it first took place during the 11th century and was originally two months long (Venice Events). The Carnival of Venice originated as “a series of balls in St. Mark’s Square” (Venice Events).  It became obsolete during the 18th century, but came back to life in 1979 (Venice Events).  Today, it is considered to be one of the events of the year. In fact, there are even companies, such as Venice Events, who offer costume rentals for tourists during the Carnival of Venice.

            Wearing masks is a large part of the Venetians Carnival’s tradition. As ItalyGuides.it asserts, “Venetians were famous for being libertines and for transgression - they didn't just use masks during the official Carnival. Putting on a mask in Venice meant taking forbidden liberties: you could jibe at the powerful, gamble without being caught, take risks over love or business deals and even enter convents without being seen” (ItalyGuides.it).   In my opinion, the masks add a sense of mystery and allure which increases the feeling that, during this festival, people take on a unique identity.   

 The article at ItalyGuides.it says that the most commonly seen mask during the 11^th through 18^th centuries was called the “bauta” (ItalyGuides.it).  These were extremely expensive and had, “an ample full-cut black mantle which dropped over the shoulders down to the waist” (ItalyGuides.it).  As The World of Theater text describes, Carnival is a time when people can, "transcend normally acceptable behavior" (Filner and Orenstein 136).  This means that costumes can be crazy, yet socially acceptable during this celebration.  Despite the economic status of the people attending during the 11^th through 18^th centuries, according to the official website of the Venice Carnival, everyone wore costumes. These costumes were influenced by the Commedie del'Arte, Harlequin, Columbine, and the Plague Doctor (Venice Events).

Today, the large celebration of decadence and food attracts people outside the tradition of Lent and religion. The Carnival of Venice is a celebration of great splendor and exuberance which will carry on for many years to come. In my opinion, the colors and the masquerade all go into making it one of the most visually stimulating events in the world.

 

           

Citations:

crkota. Photograph. Holiday4U, n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2013.

Filner, Mira, and Orenstein, Claudia. The World of Theater. Boston: Pearson, 2006. Print.

“History of Carnival.” Carnival of Venice. Venice Events. n.d. Web. 19 Fed. 2013.

Lopez, Guillem. “Person wearing mask at the Carnival of Venice, Italy.” Photograph. Guillem      

Lopez Photography, n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2013.

Lopez, Guillem. “Person wearing mask at the Carnival of Venice, Italy.” Photograph. Guillem

Lopez Photography, n.d. Web. 19 Feb. 2013.

MasterTwiX. “Venice Carnival.1.” Photograph. Deviant Art. 5 May 2008. Web. 19 Feb. 2013.

Nielsen, Stefan. “Venice Carnival 2010.” Photograph. Behance. Stefan Nielsen’s Photography,

19 Feb. 2010. Web. 19 Feb. 2013.

Photograph. Carnival of Venice. Venice Events, 2013. Web. 19 Feb. 2013.

“Venice Carnival.” Venice: The Carnival: Re-living the 18^th Century Venice. ItalyGuides.it. n.d. Web. 19           Feb. 2013.