Margaret’s Workout
The first piece I will begin working on for the 2010- 2011 season is the dramatic Interp, “Margaret’s workout.” It is about a middle aged women who’s husband has lost sexual interest in her as she has grown older. When he tells her of this she begins to go crazy and joins the local gym. One day while in the middle of an aerobics class she begins noticing all the younger, more attractive women in the class. She reaches her peak of insanity, pulls out her curling iron and starts smashing the mirror with it. With glass flying everywhere she causes a giant commotion, and even causes her self to bleed from gashes from the glass. From there she is brought to a hospital and has a therapist. Margaret is narrating the story from her perspective and is presenting her story in front of an “AA” type of group for mentally insane people. I am interested in doing this piece because it fits my acting style and has a few dry, sarcastic lines within it that fits my personality.
Sunday, September 12, 2010
Tuesday, March 30, 2010
Introduction
The nineteenth century was one of tremendous growth for the United States. One major aspect of this growth was culture. Because the United States was still a fairly young country that was experiencing a lot of physical change due to the adoption of more land as states, it lacked a central culture that made Americans Americans. As time elapsed though, one part of United States culture began to flourish and shape Americans. This piece of the puzzle is known as music.
Slavery was still legal and very much in use during the nineteenth century. Part of the growth that occurred during the time was in values. There was huge dispute between the north and south over slavery. The Civil War was product of this major argument of the time. Not only did the values of north and south contradict, but so did those of the slaves themselves as well. This is very apparent in the music of the time. Music of the nineteenth century exhibits the differences in cultural values and ideals during the time period of slaves and white American citizens.
Due to the pain and suffering they experienced daily from their masters, slaves valued their freedom above all which can be seen through their musical background. They sang songs as a group when the worked in the fields that spoke of freedom and how God would one day release them from their horrible oppression. Many forms of music spurted off from slave music including the genre today that is know as the Blues.
An important part of life for free, white men in the United States during the 19th century was social standing. Only the richest and most privileged of families had enough money to attend social events like concerts. Music was a symbol of status for whites. These cultural values can be seen in the music of the time itself.
Life was very different for slaves and free men of the time. Despite the fact that they lived in the same country, on the same land, they lived extremely different lives and valued different things. Their cultures were fundamentally different and this can be seen in the differences of their music.
Slavery was still legal and very much in use during the nineteenth century. Part of the growth that occurred during the time was in values. There was huge dispute between the north and south over slavery. The Civil War was product of this major argument of the time. Not only did the values of north and south contradict, but so did those of the slaves themselves as well. This is very apparent in the music of the time. Music of the nineteenth century exhibits the differences in cultural values and ideals during the time period of slaves and white American citizens.
Due to the pain and suffering they experienced daily from their masters, slaves valued their freedom above all which can be seen through their musical background. They sang songs as a group when the worked in the fields that spoke of freedom and how God would one day release them from their horrible oppression. Many forms of music spurted off from slave music including the genre today that is know as the Blues.
An important part of life for free, white men in the United States during the 19th century was social standing. Only the richest and most privileged of families had enough money to attend social events like concerts. Music was a symbol of status for whites. These cultural values can be seen in the music of the time itself.
Life was very different for slaves and free men of the time. Despite the fact that they lived in the same country, on the same land, they lived extremely different lives and valued different things. Their cultures were fundamentally different and this can be seen in the differences of their music.
NEW thesis and outline
Thesis:
Music of the nineteenth century exhibits the differences in cultural values and ideals during the time period of slaves and white American citizens.
Outline:
I. Introduction
II. Slaves valued their freedom which is very apparent through their music.
a. cultural values
b. music:
i.spitutals
ii.work songs
c. analysis
III. White Americans of the time valued power, and social standings which can be seen through their music.
a. cultural values
b. Music:
i. musicians
ii. songs
iii. music halls
iiii. types of songs
c. analysis
III. There was many differences in the music of slaves, and free whites which is very apparent through their music.
a. cultural differences
b. differences in lifestyles
c. differences in music
d. analysis
IV. Conclusion
Music of the nineteenth century exhibits the differences in cultural values and ideals during the time period of slaves and white American citizens.
Outline:
I. Introduction
II. Slaves valued their freedom which is very apparent through their music.
a. cultural values
b. music:
i.spitutals
ii.work songs
c. analysis
III. White Americans of the time valued power, and social standings which can be seen through their music.
a. cultural values
b. Music:
i. musicians
ii. songs
iii. music halls
iiii. types of songs
c. analysis
III. There was many differences in the music of slaves, and free whites which is very apparent through their music.
a. cultural differences
b. differences in lifestyles
c. differences in music
d. analysis
IV. Conclusion
Monday, March 29, 2010
My Strengths & Weaknesses
I have a few weaknesses while writing this paper. First of all, my original topic was "Music during the 19th century", but after researching the topic I have altered my topic a a little bit. My thesis is "The most significant and influential basis of music during the 19th century in the United States is derived from the thoughts and feelings of slavery and freedom", so I am going to need to find more background information on slaves and Africans in general in order to write a clear, and concise paper that makes sense. Therefore, one of my main weaknesses is that I don't have all the necessary information to write my paper yet. I have plenty information on music, but I just need to find so more on the other aspects of the thesis. Another weakness I have is that a majority of my sources are from the internet. I found a lot of books in the school library, but I have yet to read any of them which is poor planning on my part. This week I will need to skim the books for useful evidence and information that I can include in my paper. One big advantage I have while writing this paper is that I have a lot of background writing formal essays in this format for debate. In debate they are a little more choppy in the structure and less eloquent, but they are along the same line which will help me write this essay.
Sunday, March 28, 2010
Thesis & Outline
Thesis:
The most significant and influencial basis of music duing the 19th century in the United States is derived from the thoughts and feelings of slavery and freedom.
Outline:
I. Introduction
II. Africans
a. life style
b. culture: music/ dance
c. analysis
III. Slaves
a. suffering & pain
b. spriutals/ work songs
c. analysis
VI. Combination of European & African cultures
a. difference in music
b. differnece in morals
c. influence on music of the day
d. analysis
V. Conclusion
The most significant and influencial basis of music duing the 19th century in the United States is derived from the thoughts and feelings of slavery and freedom.
Outline:
I. Introduction
II. Africans
a. life style
b. culture: music/ dance
c. analysis
III. Slaves
a. suffering & pain
b. spriutals/ work songs
c. analysis
VI. Combination of European & African cultures
a. difference in music
b. differnece in morals
c. influence on music of the day
d. analysis
V. Conclusion
Monday, February 22, 2010
Musical Theater
Musical Theater
The very first musical production in the United States was the show Flora which was preformed in Charleston, South Caroline on February 8, 1735. It was a ballad opera which had originated in England. Ballad operas remained to most popular type of stage production for a few decades until the United States was introduced to the burlesque. At that time a burlesque production was a parody of famous plays, performers, or dancers. They did this through dialogue, song, pantomime, and dance. Hamlet was one of the first burlesques in 1828. John Poole starred in this production of Hamlet. Burlesques were also for the most part foreign importations; and so were the extravaganzas and spectacles that crowded the New York stage just before and immediately after the Civil War. The accent on female pulchritude, usually in flimsy attire, was such an important element in later American musical productions. This importance dates from one of these foreign importations: Ixion, in 1869, in which Lydia Thompson and her English blondes shocked New York by having girls appear in skin-colored tights. The Black Crook was the very first American produced and written musical and when it premiered in New York City on September 12, 1866, it was an instant hit and was considered to be the most successful theatrical production to be put on in the United States at the time. The Black Crook introduced some of the ritual subsequently identifying American musical comedy: chorus girls, ornate production numbers, elaborate costuming, songs provocative with sexual innuendos, large dance numbers and so forth.
"American Musical Theatre: An Introduction." TheatreHistory.com. Web. 23 Feb. 2010..
The very first musical production in the United States was the show Flora which was preformed in Charleston, South Caroline on February 8, 1735. It was a ballad opera which had originated in England. Ballad operas remained to most popular type of stage production for a few decades until the United States was introduced to the burlesque. At that time a burlesque production was a parody of famous plays, performers, or dancers. They did this through dialogue, song, pantomime, and dance. Hamlet was one of the first burlesques in 1828. John Poole starred in this production of Hamlet. Burlesques were also for the most part foreign importations; and so were the extravaganzas and spectacles that crowded the New York stage just before and immediately after the Civil War. The accent on female pulchritude, usually in flimsy attire, was such an important element in later American musical productions. This importance dates from one of these foreign importations: Ixion, in 1869, in which Lydia Thompson and her English blondes shocked New York by having girls appear in skin-colored tights. The Black Crook was the very first American produced and written musical and when it premiered in New York City on September 12, 1866, it was an instant hit and was considered to be the most successful theatrical production to be put on in the United States at the time. The Black Crook introduced some of the ritual subsequently identifying American musical comedy: chorus girls, ornate production numbers, elaborate costuming, songs provocative with sexual innuendos, large dance numbers and so forth.
"American Musical Theatre: An Introduction." TheatreHistory.com. Web. 23 Feb. 2010.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
America the Beautiful
"America the Beautiful" is an American patriotic song.The lyrics were written by Katharine Lee Bates and the music composed by church organist and choirmaster, Samuel A. Ward. Bates originally wrote the words as a poem, Pikes Peak, first published in the July 4th edition of the church periodical The Congregationalist in 1895. The poem was titled America for publication. Ward had originally written the music, Materna, for the 1600s hymn “O Mother dear, Jerusalem” in 1882. Ward's music combined with the Bates poem was first published in 1910 and titled America the Beautiful. The song is one of the most beloved and popular of the many American patriotic songs. From time to time it has been proposed as a replacement for The Star- Spangled Banner as the National Anthem. These are the lyrics:
O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet Whose stern impassioned stress A thoroughfare of freedom beat Across the wilderness! America! America! God mend thine every flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law!
O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife. Who more than self their country loved And mercy more than life! America! America! May God thy gold refine Till all success be nobleness And every gain divine!
O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears! America! America! God shed his grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for halcyon skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the enameled plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee Till souls wax fair as earth and air And music-hearted sea!
O beautiful for pilgrims feet, Whose stem impassioned stress A thoroughfare for freedom beat Across the wilderness! America! America! God shed his grace on thee Till paths be wrought through wilds of thought By pilgrim foot and knee!
O beautiful for glory-tale Of liberating strife When once and twice, for man's avail Men lavished precious life! America! America! God shed his grace on thee Till selfish gain no longer stain The banner of the free!
O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears! America! America! God shed his grace on thee Till nobler men keep once again Thy whiter jubilee!
"America the Beautiful -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 12 Feb. 2010..
O beautiful for spacious skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the fruited plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for pilgrim feet Whose stern impassioned stress A thoroughfare of freedom beat Across the wilderness! America! America! God mend thine every flaw, Confirm thy soul in self-control, Thy liberty in law!
O beautiful for heroes proved In liberating strife. Who more than self their country loved And mercy more than life! America! America! May God thy gold refine Till all success be nobleness And every gain divine!
O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears! America! America! God shed his grace on thee And crown thy good with brotherhood From sea to shining sea!
O beautiful for halcyon skies, For amber waves of grain, For purple mountain majesties Above the enameled plain! America! America! God shed his grace on thee Till souls wax fair as earth and air And music-hearted sea!
O beautiful for pilgrims feet, Whose stem impassioned stress A thoroughfare for freedom beat Across the wilderness! America! America! God shed his grace on thee Till paths be wrought through wilds of thought By pilgrim foot and knee!
O beautiful for glory-tale Of liberating strife When once and twice, for man's avail Men lavished precious life! America! America! God shed his grace on thee Till selfish gain no longer stain The banner of the free!
O beautiful for patriot dream That sees beyond the years Thine alabaster cities gleam Undimmed by human tears! America! America! God shed his grace on thee Till nobler men keep once again Thy whiter jubilee!
"America the Beautiful -." Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia. Web. 12 Feb. 2010.
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