LOG #7

Tues 3-18-11

Today we met in the library at the naked lady and Eric Fisher took us through the library's different resources. He showed us there were a number of specific databases that would help such as Access World News, CQ Researcher, World Cat, Communication and Mass Media Complete, and Sociological Abstracts. With these databases and the ones Mr. Fisher had already taught us about we can pretty much be guaranteed to find at least one thing on our subject and if it's not able to be found in the databases, try card cat. It could be on print in the library and if Ball State doesn't have it, then through inter-library loan you are bound to find something related to your topic. 

LOG #7

Tues 3-15-11

Today McArdle had everyone get into groups of two, or three and use what we experienced on spring break to form an adequate research question. He stressed that the question should not be one that could be answered using yes or no, and that the question did not have to be all that complicated. The class came up with some really good workable questions that McArdle used to help clarify what a research question was and how to tweak the question to say exactly what you wanted it to say. Some examples of the questions included: Should people under the age of 18 be allowed to go on spring break without a chaperone?, How is the welfare system being abused?, Should you be allowed to operate a golf cart while intoxicated?, and Why do people choose to study in Boston? This took up all of the class period and seemed to really help a lot of people who may have been unclear as to what, or how to use a research question. I know it helped me.

Spring Break and My Father

Thank goodness that we have spring break. It's always at the perfect time for me so i can de-stress myself and brace for the home stretch to the final weeks of school. this past spring break is one that i'll remember forever. The time i got to spend with friends was unimaginably amazing and I am thankful for them. Something that I'll remember more is the time that I got to spend with my dad. My dad is basically my idol. Picture Harrison Ford and Mark Harmon put together and that's my dad; both in action and physical looks. He's always pushing me to be more and I will never be able to thank him enough. So when people ask me if I had a good break... my answer is definitely going to be yes.

Closing

Closing a show can be one of the hardest things to do; ever. Especially if the cast and crew really meld to create something that can affect people's lives on an extreme level. It's both the good thing and bad thing about theatre. It is always changing, no two shows (even if they are the same show) are alike. Once the show is closed, that's it; you can't go back.

Joseph and His Damn Coat

Tonight was the first rehearsal that was held for Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat. I learned something... I really need to relearn how to read music. nothings more awkward than butchering a song when the musical director is 4 feet away. I finally got the music down, but I really need to learn how to read music.

Stage Combat

One of my favorite passions and hobbies is stage combat. I have been choreographing fights for shows ever since high school and when I got to college I finally learned how to do it properly. I am now trained and have experience in contemporary violence, unarmed combat, broadsword, rapier/dagger, roman short sword, and knife fighting. My most recent projects have included two short films, WHITEHAND- a feature length film, SILENCE- a three act play, LIFE X3- a one act play, and A BACKWARDS FAIRYTALE- a one act play. It is through working on these shows that I continue to hone my skills. I have also been the coordinator for setting up two different Theatre Education stage combat workshops.  My next project is choreographing a unique production of HAMLET done by the freshman theatre majors. Stage combat is one of the most rewarding experiences I could have ever been introduced to. It is my hope to one day be an accredited fight choreographer along with being a high school theatre teacher.

Auditioning

Since high school I hadn't had any real need to audition for shows. Even though I am a theatre major, I have focused mainly on backstage things and directing, however this weekend I auditioned for Joseph and the Amazing Techni-colored Dreamcoat at Muncie Civic Theatre. It was an experience to say the least. I wasn't at all nervous until I was called to the stage. Then the nerves hit like a mac truck. My knees started shaking, but I ended up having a great audition and surprising not only the directors, but myself. When the cast list was posted that night I found out that I had been cast as Simeon, one of Joseph's brothers. I have a great feeling about this show and I am really glad that I screwed up the courage to audition.