Though i do like those 100 seat houses + the idea of not being that far from outside.
Lucky for me, i never wanted to be a stage actor. i am afraid of the dark + old never have the knack of walking off in blackout between scenes.
...His theater experience was noteworthy in that he tried to forget it. He hadn’t had a clue he couldn’t walk offstage in blackout between scenes. The glow tape on the back sides of the larger prop furniture did not inform him enough to exit gracefully. Footlights came back on (too soon) and the audience noticed him squinting, looking horrified and trapped against the back wall, up stage, edging himself along toward the wing. That evening had been opening night, and the people didn’t know the play would develop into a tragedy. They laughed nervously as the wall crawler faltered out of the set.
Haunted by this memory...
An actor turning around between speeches is the same as three dots, an ellipses in the air.
Church is much like theater. For those of you feel differently, let me remind you of the facts. Going in the front door you are greeted, + become aware of the see + be seen aspect of the place you are in. The collection of money is taken sooner (or later) + you are handed a program + maybe a candle to light. Someone is there to help w/ finding a seat in the house. As the lights adjust, you are asked to be attentive toward the stage or soap box where you my or may not be asked into audience participation. Glance at the your handbill to confirm.
One usually exits w/ an enlightened feeling. Granted it may be spiked w/ cathartic or pathos taint but it will be an uplifting elixir of life-changing life-lasting ability, or disappear after an afternoon visit. Or, maybe not.
Lucky for me, i never wanted to be a stage actor. i am afraid of the dark + old never have the knack of walking off in blackout between scenes.
...His theater experience was noteworthy in that he tried to forget it. He hadn’t had a clue he couldn’t walk offstage in blackout between scenes. The glow tape on the back sides of the larger prop furniture did not inform him enough to exit gracefully. Footlights came back on (too soon) and the audience noticed him squinting, looking horrified and trapped against the back wall, up stage, edging himself along toward the wing. That evening had been opening night, and the people didn’t know the play would develop into a tragedy. They laughed nervously as the wall crawler faltered out of the set.
Haunted by this memory...
An actor turning around between speeches is the same as three dots, an ellipses in the air.
Church is much like theater. For those of you feel differently, let me remind you of the facts. Going in the front door you are greeted, + become aware of the see + be seen aspect of the place you are in. The collection of money is taken sooner (or later) + you are handed a program + maybe a candle to light. Someone is there to help w/ finding a seat in the house. As the lights adjust, you are asked to be attentive toward the stage or soap box where you my or may not be asked into audience participation. Glance at the your handbill to confirm.
One usually exits w/ an enlightened feeling. Granted it may be spiked w/ cathartic or pathos taint but it will be an uplifting elixir of life-changing life-lasting ability, or disappear after an afternoon visit. Or, maybe not.
Finally, you would never shorten the name of a holy person, just as you would never nickname an opera principal. You just don’t call Sparafucile, Sparky.
Remember I told you that I once told my Mom,(when I was, for 17 years, a Non-Theist, or A-theist:
ReplyDelete"The only thing I believe in is art, is theater." Her response at that moment was "That is so egotistical, Lisa."
I quickly responded, "No, Mom--whether I'm onstage, or in the audience, it does not matter--it's that exchange, that 'communion' between what is happening onstage, and the audience, that works..."(the same with seeing a painting, a sculpture, reading great poetry, etc.)
Having come to a sense of faith now, I have commented often how "theatrical" certain types of worship/houses of worship are, the Roman Catholics being among the most theatrical(the lowering of lights during offering, the ringing of bells as the sacrament of bread/wine are blessed, etc.)
I love this post of yours.
Hi Lisa,
ReplyDeleteYour comment reminded me of a Bergman character, “I could always live in my art, but not in my life.” Yes, any type of rites of sanctuary seems to have been the first theater.