Deutschland

I finished up my finals early today. Here marks a bit of the wee gap betwixt French I and II. First I'll relate what happened in between:

• I read a good bit of The Fault in our Stars and talked to a couple of dear friends via instant message and email.
• I had an audition for Applause!'s Jason and the Argonuts (yes, I'm sure I spelled it right), which was fun. The director is new to me, the third Applause! director I've auditioned for (out of three auditions, ha). She did seem really nice, I'll say. I'm rather optimistic about the whole thing: if I get in then I shall gain acting experience, and if not, I'll have time for things such as fencing, hapkido, or art classes. So I should be pleased either way. While I'm on the subject of Applause!, yesterday I walked to the outdoor amphitheater on which many previous plays were performed. I miss seeing them there, despite the new indoor theatre being nice, and I even wish I had gotten to perform on it. Ah, I at least got to stand there and act like an actor - not being pretentious, but pretending to be. (Note: I felt bad for Dracula's brides in the late October weather of 2009, having to wear arm-bearing dresses; must have been quite chilly, wot.)
• I went to the first writer's group of the year, seeing my beloved friends after quite a bit of time - so it would seem - and there was no moderator, oddly enough. My mum sat in as a "chaperon" as we read our pieces - mine was intentionally stuffed to the brim with lame puns, which I feel self-conscious about despite its stupidity being intentional. But we had some very awesome work read tonight.
• I got home and began taking German lessons on Livemocha.

Indeed! Guten abend. Some will say that German is an angry language; I would counter that they have not heard it spoken well: it's beautiful to me. In fact, I'd like to go to Germany sometime: there and other Deutsche-speaking nations will be good practice ground, I think. Well, it's late, and I'd better hit the hay soon (which by no means limits me to actually doing so).

Bonne nuit! Guten nacht!

- Lewis

To Be or Not to Be...a Playwright

Ah, yes - another theatrical post! This pertains to one of my favorite things (apart from general theatre and acting): writing! I am as of yet experienced, seeing as my play readings consist of two Wildes and three Shakespeares, plus some other partial things. I have a long way to go. But as of a couple of Saturdays ago, I am taking playwriting lessons at Applause!. (Remember them?)

I realized the great usefulness that comes from selecting random magazine pictures and using them as inspiration. I need to write out the one with Queen Sadoree.... Anyhow, I'm looking forward to X number of years from now, when I hope to travel the world, fueled by my inner artician: writer, actor, artist, musician, and possibly even dancer. But primarily a writer. According to Thoreau (or was it Emerson?), life is best lived simply. That's one reason I am OK with eReaders such as my Kindle. While paper pages are preferable (ha), I think it is a necessary sacrifice as opposed to lugging around a library. I think I'd take the aforementioned Kindle, a laptop or whatever I'm writing on at the moment, a sketchpad, perhaps a bound journal, The Good Hat (my fedora), and essentials such as clothing and whatnot. Otherwise I'll travel light.

Speaking of dreams to come, it is almost eleven PM., and I have school tomorrow. But not for the rest of the week! This will be my first meat-free Thanksgiving, I think. Not that I ever cared much for poultry. I would have ham. But I look forward to cheesy potato casserole. And the dogs' expressions when they see all the people-food. And I shall write plays all the while!

Much love to you all,

Lewis M. Winter

The Peculiar World of the Theatre

I haven't had much of a chance to review School House Rock Live! (a musical I was recently in) as of late, what with school and such. I also returned to Silent Forest, which is where I worked last year: a seasonal Halloween-type job in which I am payed to scare people. What could be more fitting? Anyhow, the musical went well, and I learned a few, erm, interesting things about the beings who inhabit the theatrical world, both on- and offstage. One is an odd sort of game called Stomp. It was intended as a "focus exercise," I believe, but the rules were only explained very briefly to me. Nobody ever told me the full set, I don't believe, seeing as another rule was introduced to me each time in the form of my being "out." Once out, the object is to sit on one's ass and do absolutely nothing, aside from breathing, existing, etc. I don't bore easily, but I do get the sense of time and productivity. The feeling of wasted time irks me on an intellectual level; I consciously become focused on what I potentially could be doing, as opposed to one's traditional boredom. Now don't get me wrong, I love the concept (mostly for the Grendel jump, as I call it), but I'd like to be "in," you see. Don't get me started on the Slagar pounce, also called the cat leap or feral dive. Oh, and Slagar is a fox in the Redwall series. Evil but really cool, especially the audio book's voice actor. May you rest in peace, Brian Jacques.

Another quirk among theatre folk - even the realistic and sensible ones, is one I first heard of in Applause!'s As You Like It with Star Wars costuming, or rather, in the informational pamphlet. A very good friend of mine, if I may be so bold, previously starred as the titular character in another Shakespearian work many years before we met. Yet it only hinted at this years-past performance. When I took my stage combat class at Raleigh Little Theatre, our instructor (the absolutely brilliant Mr. David McClutchley) referred to it as "The Scottish Play." Yes, I speak of Macbeth. And aye, I feel no fear in writing or uttering the corrupted king's name. I immediately said, "What, you mean Macbeth?" - much to the panic of a few fellow trainees, one of whom went on to perform in School House Rock with me. Apparently, as some legend goes, the Globe Theatre burned down during a performance of Macbeth. Therefore, people assume it is the root of theatrical harm. Posh! is what I say. Granted, there are forces in this world and possibly beyond, ones I don't comprehend, but I think Macbeth (that's four) is a harmless title villainized by the silly geese who need an explanation. I called a myth and one fellow actor replied that it is actually a legend. I politely refuted by explaining that a legend is a tale with so many parts added on that no one alive can discern between fact and fiction, such as King Arthur of Robin Hood. The Globe burning, I suppose, supports that bit. But a myth is used to explain occurences by making things up and then believing them. It was done by Greeks, Romans, Nordic/Scandinavians, and even Christians. Hey, do you really know where Jesus Christ's body went? Exactly.

The name of Macbeth (5) is often attributed to dramatic malfunctions. One chap even said that it's been proven due to multiple occurences. (Um....) But that's not logical scientific proof. Just because something is frequent with the association of another, if one has no solid proof, then it ain't fact! Theory is closer, I think. I heard a story once: scientists gave one hundred people blindfolds and had them eat steak. Fifty steaks were unmolested in every way, while the other fifty were dyed green by a harmless coloring. Upon removal of said blindfolds, most (if not all) of the greensteakers became ill and vomited. The lesson is that the mind affects the body in odd ways. One young lady, a truly exceptional actress, writer, guitarist, and singer (how does she do it??) informed me that the bloke who once played Count Dracula, in that very same vampire play, banged his head on something or other after someone said Macbeth (SIX!). It becomes apparent to me that he must have believed the rumor as well, and therefore whacked his head because his "backstage" mind caused him to do so. I have suffered no unusual injuries, and I think I know why: logic! Don't get me wrong, I love unnatural things, but this seems to me like an odd game of wits and trust. I've said Macbeth so many times I've lost count (VII is what is here). The only reason I refrain from using it to its fullest extent, in the theatre, with acting folk, is for the sake of everyone's sanity (even mine) - I love controversy, but people take Macbeth [huit] way too seriously. When I asked the guy who actually played Macbeth (numba nine!), he explained it about as much as he explained Stomp.

Now enough Macbeths!{X}

I really ought to be in bed, as I have school and it is past midnight, but my thoughts are flowing and I think I'll get them down before they fly away. What comes to mind when I say that you just lost the game? You might say "Darn!" or "I don't play the game," or "The game is stupid and childish." Allow me to assist your achievement of clarity. The game is something all things play, whether they know or not, whether they choose to admit it or not. But you don't have to lose upon realization, the way I see it. It's not stupid or childish - not in the right context. It's about over-focusing on life. If one overthinks things, one loses track of time and reality. There needs to be a healthy balance betwixt think and do. I tend to think a lot, so I need to do more. Many people, however, are concrete divers: they pay no heed to their surroundings and just act on impulse. I say it's OK to "lose" as long as you know what it really means.

I must away! Macbeth Eleven, ha!

Love,

Lewis

Theatrebreak

"Who says that I am dead knows nought at all." - Brian Jacques, Redwall

"It is a hopeless endeavour to attract people to a theatre unless they can first be brought to believe that they will never get in." - Charles Dickens

"The adrenaline of a live performance is unlike anything in film or theatre. I can see why it's so addictive." - Gwyneth Paltrow

"The atmosphere of the theatre is my oxygen." - Placido Domingo

Last night I finally made it to some of my friends' rendition of Shakespeare's As You Like It...with Star Wars characters. It was rather amusing to listen to the wit of the clown, and inspiring to watch all of the sword fights, especially the one in the prologue where everyone was fighting with lightsabers. Epic! I found that rather inspiring, which was what the lady in charge said she had hoped. I'm glad they at least know me now at the Applause! theatre. I know a certain fellow who acts in it - very well, I might add - but was rather discouraging many months ago upon my asking about theatre life. He told me the very opposite of anything helpful, which was that I am too old and not serious about my acting since I have no experience.

Now, let's break that pompous statement into three parts. One: I'm too old. One of the above-quoted, Gwyneth Paltrow, was a few years older than I am now when she started. And she's in many movies now, and a damned good actress. I am not seeking Hollywood; it might be nice, but for now I am contented to act and sing on the stage and on local films. Maybe indies someday. My uncle is over fifty years of age and was in a scene from some show with Dan Aykroyd. He also sells cars to John Rhys-Davies. I say, it's never too late unless one is dead. And who says that I am dead knows nought at all! Two: I'm not serious about it. He says that about just about anyone not in Applause!, regardless of other factors. I've known some very good performers who never played with them. It's like saying those who aren't published by a certain house are not serious writers. I am more serious than ever now and I look forward to minoring in theatre and creative writing once I hit college in a few years or so. I plan to act until my bones rot - or burn. I've thought about cremation, but I try not to think of my own demise too often. It should be far away, despite my fascination with death. Three: The bloke claims I have no experience. Wrong again, sir. I rehearsed for a school play in fourth grade before being kicked out - don't remember why, but hey! - I was a kid, so that's that. And in fifth grade I played brave, brave Sir Robin from Monty Python and the Holy Grail and got thrown from the Bridge of Death. How awesome is that?

I will certainly audition if able for the next Applause! play, and the next and so on. I don't let people like that stop me because I'm serious about my acting. I have a camp at the Raleigh Little Theatre starting tomorrow and they seem pretty interesting so far. I plan to join my school's drama club come this school year. And I'll most likely make Applause! at some point. It will be grand to make my return to the stage at long last, and to stay there.

"Fin,"

Lewis

Book Review: Dracula by Bram Stoker

My first experience with Count Dracula was the movie Van Helsing, and my second a play from Cary Applause! in October 2009. Shortly after that I watched the 1979 film with Frank Langella, then the 1992 one with Gary Oldman, and earlier this year (I think) the one with Bela Lugosi, released in 1931. I loved all of these, but the book is better than any of them.

For those of you unfamiliar with Bram Stoker's classic horror novel, woe unto thee, it is set (and was published) in 1897. Jonathan Harker goes on a business trip to the Carpathian Mountains of Romania to work for Count Dracula, who he soon realizes is not altogether human. The Count later shows up in Harker's home of London, where he hopes to make his residence and take over, for during his lifetime the Count was a fierce warrior who conquered lands. Harker and a small band of vampire hunters team up to hunt down the terrible Count before it is too late.

This novel started out rather slow, but one, I don't mind slow and two, it was written in 1897, before people had the distractions of video games and telly and all that. It had a very gloomy tone to it, which I loved. The only thing that I didn't quite understand was how Dracula transformed himself into a vampire without being bitten. I often wonder at this, and for werewolves too: where did the first come from? Before there was one to be bitten by?

Otherwise I really loved this book, and it's about time I've finally read it. I recommend it to any horror, vampire, or dark fantasy fan.

Final grade: B

I'm Not Applauding!

There's this acting program (I believe it is called Applause! Cary Youth Theatre), and while they put on good shows, they seem not to want anyone to see it. Sure, they probably let people come to it, if those people can actually find where the deuce it is. But once it's over, it's over: no recordings, no encores, no nothing. I did enjoy Dracula, but I would have liked to be in it another time. The problem is, they do not bring back old plays. EVER. Not only is it unjust; it is also illogical. If they only perform old, classic-novel adaptations, then they will run out eventually. And I - or someone similar - will overtake them.

Don't point at me for trying to join - I still am - for it might be fun. It has upsides. And I would not have made this post if Pam (an old friend) had not told me that Kendra (her granddaughter) tried to get in, but could not. Apparently they use the same exact actors over and over. I like Johnny Depp, but if he was in every dag-blasted movie on the planet, I'd be sickened. And I'm not harping on them for giving actors multiple opportunities. No, I'm saying that I hear they rarely use any new actors.

I have a friend at the moment who was in Dracula and, more recently, The Little Prince. I wanted to see it! This friend claimed to have told me the information, and later admitted that he put it on his Facebook and expected me to find it there. I asked if they made recordings (for they did with a non-Applause! play, Alice in Wonderland), and he said the writers don't like people watching the recordings. So.... If they call themselves writers, and writing is an art, making them "artists," then why not let anyone see their masterpiece? Not a good way to gain favor.

I am going by trustworthy sources. I have not directly spoken to these people, but that's part of the problem. It's like trying to catch smoke. I have some inside friends, who try to defend this and other groups (Honours Society, other acting places, et cetera) and do a crappy job, meaning that they say it's good, but describe it differently. I would leave them to rot if it weren't for my greatest allies being in them. Another thing is the whole "You must be homeschooled to join, 'cause they're better than everyone else" joke, which I understand parts of. But the thing is this: Honours Society is said to be full of religious nuts who don't want to be marauded by kids who have been taught about evolution. Whether I support Darwin's theory or not (I do), I'm not the one teaching it.

Sorry to blow off so much steam, but I think I need to. I love my friends to death, but I feel separated from them. That's my point: separation. If people didn't shut ourselves off from each other, then they'd be happier. I think humanity is bound for warfare until its demise. I'm not generally a downer, but it's true.

Anyhow, I need to read.

Farewell,

Lewis