Midterm Reflection

In class last week we discussed some interesting points about reading and posting, specifically with using the posts from Problem Child. There was a lot reoccurring themes in the forums, including that of the difference of character visions on paper and on stage. Most people seem to have the same experience as I do – when you read a character a certain way it affects the way you watch a play. Already once reading it, you have expectations of what a character should and should not be doing. This can have some faults if you tend to have a close-mind, but if you are able to accept the idea of different portrayals “The page to the stage” could be an interesting experience.

--- When reading Frost/Nixon I had another interesting experience. This is the first play I read that has interesting and controversial history behind it. The Watergate scandal was a subject I did not know much information about before I read the play, and began to wonder about the background to the play. It is one of those pieces of writing that leaves you wanting more if you were not well informed. I instantly, even before I was done the play, began research information about the history to Nixon’s presidency, and the errors he made. It was a different experience because for the rest of the times I read the other plays; I never really felt I needed to do research to understand the conflict of the story. With Life Without Instruction I wanted to research certain aspects of the time frame, but I did not have to to understand the issues. Even after done reading it I thought it was interesting to find out what was fiction in the play, and it turns out, there are a lot of parts of the play that have been challenged as a lie. Such as the part when Nixon calls Frost at his hotel room – it supposedly never happened. Also, the whole interview was said to be planned in the first place, especially the apology – Nixon apparently had chosen to say he was sorry before the interview even commenced. I thought it was interested that a play such as this one could have such power over my want to research.

Plays are all around interesting – I never really was involved in drama so I think that an experience backstage would be a wonderful one for me – and stressful. Once starting this class, I have begun to realise the complexity and amount of hard-work it takes to take a script and turn it into a play. There is so much work behind stage design, costume design, paperwork, directing, and lighting- you name it, it has to be done. I never really thought of the elaborate career of a director, but these experiences have opened my eyes. I think, if I ever get the chance, it is time for me to try it out, and probably fail horribly: but yet, still a learning experience.

Until next time!