Bram Stoker's "Dracula" adapted by Smyth and Meads @ CUAA

So it's Sunday September 30, 2012 about 9:15 pm and I'm about to head into a very exciting and scary week. I'm currently the Assistant Director for my University's production of "Dracula" adapted from the Bram Stoker novel by Robert Smyth and Kerry Meads and premiered at the Lamb's Player's theatre in 1987. The play is very true to the novel with only a few modifications that are necessary to keep it short and feasible for theatre. It has a narrative like quality with journal entries very similar to the layout of the book. It casts a different light on the book and vampire theory. Count Dracula actually has less stage time than most of the characters, though his presence in the course events is very evident. The Count and Lucy are the only vampires seen and they tend to represent evil rather than sexuality and gore. The play focuses on good verses evil, love over hate and unity over greed.

 I have been very blessed to be apart of this and I know the cast has put a lot of hard work and we have overcome many obstacles, just like the character of the play. This next week we start to prepare for tech week and we should finally be completely off book very soon. At this point things can start to go very smooth or they could get rocky as patience is tested and stresses build. If we get to where the director and I want to be the whole cast will be experimenting with different aspects of their characters and perspectives of the events, rather than settling down and losing their energy and enthusiasm. We want them to be comfortable with the process and be willing to try different things rather than pinnacling too soon.

This is my first experience as a director and it's very exciting though I wonder if I'm acting like a director. I'm the assistant so my director does a lot, I just feel like the second voice and another brain with ideas for making a scene work. I also feel like another actor giving the less experienced actors guidance and tips. Which I guess is part of being a director/assistant. I'm not all unsatisfied but I just wonder if I'm doing enough. Though I suppose that this is a learning experience and hopefully I'll be able to learn from my director's example.

Anyway, with my own insecurities aside I'm looking forward to this week with apprehension but also knowing that I need to move forward and face those fears to help the actors and the whole crew get ready for what's going to lay ahead.

This production is certainly going to be a very exciting step for the Department and  the University. If any of you are in the Ann Arbor area I encourage you to come to Concordia University on October 11,12, and/or 13 at 8pm for "Dracula", I'll post a link about ticket information below and hopefully keep you updated on progress and if and when online tickets are available.

http://www.cuaa.edu/KnowConcordia/arts/drama.html

"Dracula" by Bram Stoker

Adapted for the stage by Kerry Meads and Robert Smyth

When: October 11, 12, 13 at 8:00 p.m.
Where: Kreft Center Black Box Theater
Tickets: $10 ($5 students and seniors)

This version of Bram Stoker’s Dracula premiered at Lamb’s Players Theater in San Diego. It invites us to witness a more presentational, unapologetically melodramatic form foreign to the postmodern eye and ear. But be patient, watch and listen, for despite its de-emphasis of blood and gore, the strength of its story ushers us in to a redemptive dis-ease. The evil embodied by Count Dracula is spiritual more than physical, and the play casts a light on our own moral shortcomings and on the monsters that lurk within each of us.

Coming Back

I don't know how many times I've said to myself "You really need to be more consistent". This is my Senior year so I really need to make an effort to continue my education in a positive way and I believe that I also need to set goals and accomplish them. If I can't learn to start good habits and break old ones now I may be able to. So part of this is process is going to be my blogs and videos. I just ordered a new computer that should allow me to make more content that'll be able to post on YouTube. There is also a small financial benefit to uploading posts and videos but that will only be used to improve my content until I reach a point where I may be financially independent. I don't think I'd ever be able to live off of making videos and writing but who knows! I will never know if I don't try. In the mean time I will work towards my current career goals. So until next time! (who ever it is that reads this)

OH! This is a desktop that is similar to the laptop that I'm buying. It's a gaming computer but it will do everything I need it to do both recreationally and academically.

Feedback appreciated

Soooo.... I've been trying to come up with a good theme or topic and I can't really figure out what or why I started this blog besides that I want to write, and occasionally put personal experience into the posts. Right now is finals and I really should be doing that. You know, studying, writing a paper, practicing for my trumpet jury and that vocal recital. So I thought I'd ask  you guys. "You Guys" being who ever happens to reads this. Why do you come back to look at it? What do you want to see? I know that I need to find something that can draw people in. Always talking about my self and my ideas won't get a lot of people interested. Oh and if you see the Ads on my page, do me a favor and click on them once in awhile. They won't kill you and you might be helping me get some pocket change. Thanks and hopefully during break I'll get some stuff done. I look forward to reading your comments.

Focusing Content, no more "rants"

I have decided I need to find a certain type of posts and content that needs to be made on this site. By choosing the type of content posted I think that I'll be able to make better posts and therefore attract readers. I have a second blog that I have designated for my devotions when I decide to take the time to put them up. Even though I don't want to limit or keep the Gospel from readers of this post, I think it's fair to say that you may read this blog for your own reasons and will not want to see my rants or religious views. I will do a better job of keeping this blog clear of rants because I am personally embarrassed by my self for allowing my unprofessional lack of restraint of my thoughts. Not that I am ashamed of my God but I don't want to push others away or give false impressions. I believe if a reader wants to hear my views or the Gospel they will be lead to those resources. Again I will work on finding a steady theme to this blog and I hope that who ever finds this will appreciate what I put up. Thank you