Week 5: ISTA TaPS London

This week was TaPS. It was amazing! On 10/7-10/11 most of the class was in London. Henry and Halley came with us, but Mary was not able to make it. :'(

My TaPS Group

I learned about postdramatic theatre. This is a new type of theatre that is aimed at the new type of person that everyone has become. It sounds very good in theory but I will need to look at some in practice before I can decide if it is workable. 









We played many different types of "games" to teach different aspects of theatre

• Silver Thread- One person controls another with an invisible string from their hand to the persons face. We did this exercise several different ways. It showed the way that people are controlled by one another. You can be oppressive with control or gentle. Being gentle works better. 
• Slow motion walking- we worked on going as slow as possible. This taught us to be very controlled in our movements and slow on every part of the process
• Stage Combat- The group was divided in half and each group charged toward the other. When we met in the middle we went as slow as possible and attacked each other. We were supposed to give a good show not attempt to win the battle. Actor's Ego got in the way because it is difficult to not try to be the winner. It was easier to let others beat you when there was a script and certain people were supposed to win.

We Also Went to See Four Plays

The story was told through dance and song. There were few lines and spoken parts. The actors relied on body language and song to tell their story. It was very dramatic and serious but there were some moments of humor. The curtain call was very fun! It reminded me of a dance-off or a concert. Every dancer got to do their own solo piece and at the end they got the audience up and dancing with them. It felt like a concert or party in this respect  as the crowd was invited to join in a enjoy the music and celebration.

Oh The Humanity

This is a representation of postdramatic theatre. There were  few  actors and they talked about their thoughts, ambitions, and regrets. They did not communicate with anything other than their voices. Only a few props were used and there were not any sets.This play used some very strange form of humor. I would find my self laughing and then realize that it was not something that should be laughed at.

One Man, Two Guvnors

A comedy that came from Commedia dell'arte (Italy). It involved a lot of slapstick or physical humor. They appeared to use the audience in the play but most of this was done by actors placed in the audience. This was very disappointing because the level of acting on the part of the onstage actors was brought down. I had though it was funny how well they reacted to brand new ideas, but the idea that is was all scripted to trick me changes my entire view of the play. The main character  Francis, often broke character to laugh and comment on the things that the audience had said or done. This was funny when I thought it was real but it was just  disappointing when I learned he was faking it. 

Damned by Despair

This play is a drama that chronicled a monks downfall. It was very interesting to see this view of salvation because I have a very different one. It broaches religious subjects that many people are not willing to talk about. It reminded me of dramas done by my church in America. I can not say I enjoyed this play rather that it really affected my thinking and stuck with me. It is very thought provoking.