Bonzuko

We at Bonzuko didn’t know John Moore, but extend our condolences as fellows in the field.

Them’s Fightin’ Words on John Moore’s passing

Saturday I experimented with restriction of movement with the Stage Movement students, who are doing scenes from Sheridan’s The Rivals. The thing about comedies of manners like this is that the movement in a scene is perforce restricted, not only because of the clothing people wore in 1742 (corsets, breeches, giant cuffs and skirts) but the social rules kept people way farther apart than we modern T-shirt wearing folk (even suit wearing folk) are used to. The other thing about comedies like this is the concept of  “the tension between mask and appetite” (sorry I don’t remember which of my textbooks this phrase came from–I’ll go look it up and get back to you).

In other words, characters must endeavor to put forth a breezy, aristocratic front even as desires seethe beneath the surface. The comedy happens when the cracks appear in the facade, and even more laughter happens as we watch the character frantically attempt to patch up the cracks. This is very very difficult for an actor to accomplish. We did a few exercises to help this process along last class, including flag-tag and tug o’war. One exercise (pictured) allowed the actors to feel tension between them (physical) as their breezy lines continued, and their arms were free to do their aristocratic gestures. Er, hold their scripts. You know what I mean.   ~Jenn

See how much fun you can have at Stage Combat Club, even when you have a play to do that night or have to leave early. See the coolth?  Seriously. Why aren’t you in a class or club meetings with us? Aren’t you sad that you’re not?   ~Jenn

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Okay folks, this makes me laugh aloud. As both a Star Wars geek and Children’s Literature prof, I must share this lovely gem of humor with you. Thanks Boing-Boing!

Goodnight Forest Moon

Hey lovely lurkers–I forgot to show you this when it first came out! A former DU student o’mine included my Harry Potter class in her article on some of the coolest classes offered at the school. Scroll down to find it. The others look pretty awesome too, don’t they?   ~Jenn

http://www.du.edu/magazine/archive/2010/01/In_a_Class_by_Themse.html

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Or, What You Will. Any local lurkers should get your tickets early, as these MSCD shows tend to sell out fast! Break a leg tonight, kids!   ~Jenn

Aguecheek and Viola in rehearsal

Man, this looks like hella fun! Too bad the MSCD Stage Combat club isn’t doing the swordfights for this event.

http://io9.com/5484931/come-to-gawker-media-and-io9s-texas-time-bender-party-313

“Susie gets a sushi set complete with sushi chef to complete a sensual celebration of the sunset.”

~Jason