So, this is going to be the first time to really work with the theatre ballet company. I've assisted onstage for Ballet in Concert and always helps to move ballet's set pieces, but I've yet to have a tour experience with them. I really look forward to it and to see if it'd be interested in working with a ballet group in the future.
The show repertoire for Theatre Ballet consists of scenes from different fairytale-isc ballets, including Raymonda, Sleeping Beauty, Giselle, Swan Lake, and Romeo & Juliet. Each scene I believe is approximately ten minutes long, expect Swan Lake will be around 30 minutes if I recall correctly. I have not seen any rehearsals, and may not until tour. It'll be quite an adventure. I'm not sure what to think about it yet. I can only imagine the many differences between touring with Ballet then with Ballroom, Folk, or Dancers Company. With Ballet being the classic dance, it will bring in a variety of people, but I worry of attendance due to the decline of society in these days and their lack of the classic tastes in ballet, opera, and the likes.
This week, I've decided to check out different film versions of these ballets, so today I've gotten Raymonda and Sleeping Beauty. It is an impressive artform, telling a story without any speech. It definitely shows how much can be communicated from just body movements. Plus it is a beautiful display of strength, balance, grace, movement, and the like. At times I almost wish I had the discipline to continue in ballet ... but I am quite happy with my work as a theatre technician.
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Sunday, October 26, 2008
It ends ...
Don Giovanni is finally over ... hmm, I'm sure there is some class paper I have to write about it ...
Tonight was the closing night and it only took us three hours to fully strike both set and lighting. The lighting crew was the last to leave and it was just before 1am. It was so much fun, if one can call striking fun.
Next, I'll help out with the hang for the silent film on Friday. I also have to spend my time in the RB theatre to strip the electrics and hang a new plot. It'll be fun if we can find free hours in the theatre when dance groups aren't having class or rehearsing.
I'll be working on the Ballet Showcase the first week of November, then off to the Theatre Ballet Tour to Colorado. A week later we begin work for Christmas Around the World. That's the plan for work. Not too hard, I'd say. But it will still be a lot of work.
Tonight was the closing night and it only took us three hours to fully strike both set and lighting. The lighting crew was the last to leave and it was just before 1am. It was so much fun, if one can call striking fun.
Next, I'll help out with the hang for the silent film on Friday. I also have to spend my time in the RB theatre to strip the electrics and hang a new plot. It'll be fun if we can find free hours in the theatre when dance groups aren't having class or rehearsing.
I'll be working on the Ballet Showcase the first week of November, then off to the Theatre Ballet Tour to Colorado. A week later we begin work for Christmas Around the World. That's the plan for work. Not too hard, I'd say. But it will still be a lot of work.
Saturday, October 25, 2008
The Riddles of Epsilon
Reading is my passion. It has been that way since I could remember. I always dabble in different genres with a variety of authors. An interesting observation that I am beginning to find in the last year or so is that my wanderings around the bookshelves and the several different books I settle on checking out each trip to the library seem to have a common theme. I will choose five different books from five different authors and somehow, there will be a shared theme or event or connection in my mind. It isn't something that anyone would see. It's probably just me over-thinking my reading again, but it always seems interesting in my mind.
I just finished a great book entitled "The Riddles of Epsilon" by Christine Morton-Shaw. Earlier in the week I read "Goose Girl" and "Enna Burning" by Shannon Hale and am waiting to ready "River Secrets by her also (a kind of series that branch off of a popular fairy/folktale). It's sad to say, but at times I was tempted to put the book down and it having no effect if I never finished it. However, I found that reading the end was worth the four hundred or so pages. It's been a while since I've found a book with a great wrap-up for an ending, and I find several in a row.
But I'd love to touch on "The Riddles of Epsilon". I recommend this book to all my friends. It can be both appealing and confusing while beginning to read it. I can't really say the synopsis really explains the book correctly, but I continued to read the book and it was all worth it in the end. I was utterly amazed at how this author tied things together. I had to make a note of it and even went online for some research. It was well thought out and written.
Unlock the code to the Spiritual World:
Jess has moved to a remote island called Lume off the coast of England. Her parents are restoring an old house, and Jess discovers an abandoned cottage on their property. Inside the cottage Jess encounters an eerie presence--something like a ghost but suffused with a comforting energy. She also finds three locked boxes. Inside each she finds antique papers that send her mind spinning.
As Jess unravels the myseries of Lume, she finds the writings of Sebastian, a boy who lived one hundred years ago and whose life contains unsettling reflections of her own. To her horror, the dangers he unearthed in 1894 now begin to threaten Jess and her family. Something dark has awoken, and Jess doesn't have much time to do something about it.
Jess has a talent for solving puzzles, riddles, and codes. She is confronted with a series of riddles that she must unlock in order to save her mother from a dark and acient threat. Jess is guided by the creepy presence in the cottage. The mysterious guide is called Epsilon, but is he a guide from the bright side or the dark?
Christine Morton-Shaw has created a spectacular thriller about one girl's spine-chilling experience with the supernatural world.
I just finished a great book entitled "The Riddles of Epsilon" by Christine Morton-Shaw. Earlier in the week I read "Goose Girl" and "Enna Burning" by Shannon Hale and am waiting to ready "River Secrets by her also (a kind of series that branch off of a popular fairy/folktale). It's sad to say, but at times I was tempted to put the book down and it having no effect if I never finished it. However, I found that reading the end was worth the four hundred or so pages. It's been a while since I've found a book with a great wrap-up for an ending, and I find several in a row.
But I'd love to touch on "The Riddles of Epsilon". I recommend this book to all my friends. It can be both appealing and confusing while beginning to read it. I can't really say the synopsis really explains the book correctly, but I continued to read the book and it was all worth it in the end. I was utterly amazed at how this author tied things together. I had to make a note of it and even went online for some research. It was well thought out and written.
Unlock the code to the Spiritual World:
Jess has moved to a remote island called Lume off the coast of England. Her parents are restoring an old house, and Jess discovers an abandoned cottage on their property. Inside the cottage Jess encounters an eerie presence--something like a ghost but suffused with a comforting energy. She also finds three locked boxes. Inside each she finds antique papers that send her mind spinning.As Jess unravels the myseries of Lume, she finds the writings of Sebastian, a boy who lived one hundred years ago and whose life contains unsettling reflections of her own. To her horror, the dangers he unearthed in 1894 now begin to threaten Jess and her family. Something dark has awoken, and Jess doesn't have much time to do something about it.
Jess has a talent for solving puzzles, riddles, and codes. She is confronted with a series of riddles that she must unlock in order to save her mother from a dark and acient threat. Jess is guided by the creepy presence in the cottage. The mysterious guide is called Epsilon, but is he a guide from the bright side or the dark?
Christine Morton-Shaw has created a spectacular thriller about one girl's spine-chilling experience with the supernatural world.
Thursday, October 23, 2008
World Premiere Screening
The World Premiere Screening of Diantha's Crossing is finally coming up. It will be held on November 14 at the JSB Auditorium at 7pm. I'm so excited!!! ... unfortunately, I will be unable to attend. It is official that I will be touring with Ballet this semester and their tour is from Nov 14 to Nov 21 in Colorado.
Anyways, for those who are at BYU at the time should go see the premiere of Diantha's Crossing. It's going to be good .... I was able to watch a three minute clip at the forum and I really miss all the time spent working on that film.
It's amazing how close a crew gets while working on a show. That's why I love the theatre/film industry so much. When spending so many hours together working on a production, so many great experiences occur and we grow close together. We really are a family. Sadly, when a production ends it's hard to come together again, but at least the memories will always be there.
Anyways, for those who are at BYU at the time should go see the premiere of Diantha's Crossing. It's going to be good .... I was able to watch a three minute clip at the forum and I really miss all the time spent working on that film.
It's amazing how close a crew gets while working on a show. That's why I love the theatre/film industry so much. When spending so many hours together working on a production, so many great experiences occur and we grow close together. We really are a family. Sadly, when a production ends it's hard to come together again, but at least the memories will always be there.
Forum
YEAH!!!! Today is a forum for Diantha's Crossing. I look forward to see what will be discussed. I didn't know they would do a forum. I will not miss it! I keep searching for information on the air date, but nothing has been discovered yet. Hopefully the forum will have a lot of information. It's at 11am in the Nelke theatre.
Synopsis:
Diantha Clay is a middle-aged woman in Salt Lake City, preparing to abandon the city, by order of President Brigham Young. But Diantha has not left with the others heading toward Cedar City. Instead, she is caring for a young, unconscious woman – the victim of abuse at the hands of her husband.
The husband and wife were passing through on their way to gold prospects in the west. During an argument with her husband, the woman is knocked unconscious.
Diantha has several reasons to be concerned. The army is approaching and the precise day of their arrival is uncertain. Additionally, Diantha anticipates the return of the woman’s potentially violent husband.
Eventually, the husband does return. He pleads with Diantha to open the door, but Diantha doesn’t trust him. Finally, he breaks down the door, inadvertently colliding with Diantha.
When Diantha regains consciousness, she is in her rocking chair and the husband is gone. An unknown man suddenly appears in the small cabin, offering assistance. Though initially frightened and suspicious, Diantha eventually begins a discussion with the man, recalling her extraordinary life experience and the events that brought her to this point.
Throughout the process, Diantha comes to grip with feelings of anger, guilt, and resentment. She encounters her own mortality…and immortality.
Synopsis:
Diantha Clay is a middle-aged woman in Salt Lake City, preparing to abandon the city, by order of President Brigham Young. But Diantha has not left with the others heading toward Cedar City. Instead, she is caring for a young, unconscious woman – the victim of abuse at the hands of her husband.
The husband and wife were passing through on their way to gold prospects in the west. During an argument with her husband, the woman is knocked unconscious.
Diantha has several reasons to be concerned. The army is approaching and the precise day of their arrival is uncertain. Additionally, Diantha anticipates the return of the woman’s potentially violent husband.
Eventually, the husband does return. He pleads with Diantha to open the door, but Diantha doesn’t trust him. Finally, he breaks down the door, inadvertently colliding with Diantha.
When Diantha regains consciousness, she is in her rocking chair and the husband is gone. An unknown man suddenly appears in the small cabin, offering assistance. Though initially frightened and suspicious, Diantha eventually begins a discussion with the man, recalling her extraordinary life experience and the events that brought her to this point.
Throughout the process, Diantha comes to grip with feelings of anger, guilt, and resentment. She encounters her own mortality…and immortality.
Wednesday, October 22, 2008
Dance Assembly
Today was the BYU Dance Devotional. It was fun. I was up at 6am to report and begin teching at 6:45. All went well for us and I was able to run sound for the program. This year, the title of the Devotional was Kaleidoscope. It presented some great numbers from each of the five main dance companies. I loved the number that Dancers' Company chose. The music was from Handel's Messiah. I really look forward to working with Dancers' Company this year to see all the different varieties of pieces they will choose for Dance in Concert and their Summer tour. Gotta love work!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Distracted ...
Wow ... I'm feeling so distracted from life. I spend all evening, from 5 to 11, in the deJong working on the opera. I want to do work with dance, but time is against me. The theatre is only available after 6, besides hour blocks here and there. Then, I'm busy with school - midterms aren't too hard for me, but they are occuring once a week. Joy. Dance Devotional is next Tuesday. I look forward to working on that. Hopefully things begin to get more organized for me. Oh ... time is of the essence. Gotta go!!
Saturday, October 11, 2008
Don Giovanni
Brigham Young University’s School of Music will feature BYU Opera and the BYU Philharmonic Orchestra in a production of Mozart’s “Don Giovanni” Wednesday through Saturday, Oct. 22-25, at 7:30 p.m. in the de Jong Concert Hall, Harris Fine Arts Center.
For my TMA 360 credit, I am working as a stage hand for this production. This morning I stopped by rehearsals to familiarize myself with the production. It is quite impressive. It reminds me of how much I love the opera! One day I hope to attend the opera professionally done. Preferably to see La Cenerentola and Candide. That would be the greatest experience!! For now, I get to see the amazing talent of the BYU opera students. They are very good!
Tickets are $20, or $16 on weeknights and $17 on weekends with a BYU or student ID. To purchase tickets, call the Fine Arts Ticket Office at (801) 422-4322 or visit byuarts.com.
Blood Drive
“A single blood donation can save as many as three lives.” This quote is posted around the Wilkinson center to get the students of BYU to participate in the blood drive this month. MountainStar Blood Services comes around quite often to get a new collection of blood, giving away t-shirts that state: "I Bleed Blue & White". I've always considered giving blood but bailed out at the last minute due to the time restraint and the fear of fainting. I use to be too thin, so being barely above the weight limit and constantly forgetting to drink water throughout the day, I have a higher risk of fainting. However, my friend talked me into giving blood with her. I really wanted someone there to hold my hand to calm my nerves - sad isn't it - but I survived, had no problems whatsoever, and donated blood in five minutes. I didn't realize that after giving blood, one should not do heavy lifting or strenuous activities, so that was hard to follow since that's what I do for work ... but thankfully nothing big came up for me to do. I now have the bandage off (it was lime green with dinosaurs), and I have just a slight bruise. All is well ... and I plan to give blood again in the future. How often can one give blood? ...
Ballroom Tech
Well, these past two weeks, I have put in hours trying to get everything ready for Ballroom to leave on their Pacific Northwest mid-semester tour. They left early morning Friday for their ten day tour. I no longer work with Ballroom, but put in a lot of effort making sure the RB theatre was prepared for their pre-tour show and all props and tech equipment was gathered and packed. Thursday was spent packing the truck and it was quite a challenge. I have awful bruises on my shins and knees from helping. Somehow, we are over-packed this year so we had to sacrifice some equipment to get everything to fit in the truck. Therefore, we had the truck packed by 1pm, but came back two hours later with just Benjamin, Mark, and I to unpack it all, remove some equipment, then pack it up again. Ow ... I really don't care much for tech cases. But it proves my strength when it comes to lifting. Now I need to learn how to lift storm cases without bruising my shins every time!! Anyways, when we finished packing it up again, the director discovers what we had to sacrifice and again they discuss a packing solution. I was so afraid we'd have to unload and load again, but thankfully, we left the truck as it was. I spent eight hours at work that day making sure everything was organized. It felt good being a major part of organizing and packing equipment. I almost wish I could have joined them on tour, but I am just fine staying here in Provo, plus I have other commitments. Good luck, Ballroom!
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