Wednesday, December 3, 2008
Laramie Project
I think everyone is making interesting arguments about the Laramie Project as a play. I think the Laramie Project does exactly what theatre should do; promote a change. Kaufman goes about it a different way though, instead of creating something from his own mind, he took an actual event and gave actual accounts from the people involved in the small town of Laramie. As far as acting in this show, I don't think I could. I don't think anyone can get into the mindset of the people that were effected by this story. These words weren't written, they were actual feelings. In this type of theatre though, your goal is to tell a story, not act the way you feel. I don't think you could just say these words and not have any emotion behind them though especially if you know the story behind Matthew Shepard.
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3 comments:
I wonder why we assume that theatre should "promote a change." Could it be the old spirit of Aristotle's catharsis still has a significant influence on us?
I want theatre to promote change, at the very least, in any given individual sitting in the audience. TV and movies are much more apt to lull us into a passive acceptence of diversion. Not often does either truly make us think about our selves, our existence, our beliefs and prejudices. I'm not sure theatre will change the world but I'm certain it can change individuals..and individuals will change the world in turn. I hope we are in theatre for more than being in a spotlight and telling some nice stories. We hve been given great gifts in not only our talent but our very desire to do theatre. We need to serve the world around us with those gifts.
Theatre should promote change at most and at best. It does do those things I believe. Art is supposed to move people otherwise just exists. Theatre will show people at their most heightened selves so that we can see our flaws, strengths, weaknesses, prejudices,and any other thing about us as humans and put us in a place of questioning. Theatre is a reflection of the society it exists in. Sometimes we don't like what we see on stage because it is too true of what we see off stage in life. I think theatre is a great modem for change because it can cover so many vast topics in one night of entertainment, in hopes that the audience will leave enlightened, if not changed for the better.
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