Some Wicked Props (an example "Blog Post")

Broadway Across America's touring production of Wicked successfully used its props to help convey a sense of time, place, and character in the show. Since this was staged as essentially a bare-stage play, the props were an important aspect of the scenery.

Almost everyone knows that Wicked is a take-off of the popular old movie, The Wizard of Oz. Audience members expect to see witches and wizards, at least. One wonders, though, when going to the show, how much of it will connect with the familiar story of Dorothy and the land of Oz. I had heard that this was the "back-story" of the witches. "How far back?" I wondered . . . "Would it connect to the time and place of Dorothy? Or, not?" As I watched the show, the carefully chosen props helped me to realize that the Wicked story was actually the same time frame as The Wizard of Oz story.

That famous 1939 movie begins in Kansas, current day (1939). It goes to the land of Oz, and then back again. Wicked, I observed, was also set in 1939.

Near the beginning of the show, students clamored in, arriving for boarding school. They all carried suitcases from days gone by. Nobody had wheels on their suitcase. The suitcases were all large and in light, neutral, leather-like colors. They carried with them a feeling of excitement and exuberance. They made a person want to shout "Bon Voyage" . . . as was popular at the departure of big ships before jet-air travel caught on (or flying houses, or brooms, or bubbles, or whatever).
In the middle of the musical number "Popular," Glinda whips out a hand-mirror for Elphaba to examine her new look. This hand-mirror was also a throw-back to the late 30's/early 40's. Glinda's use of it in this scene reflected not only the time period of the show, but also the self-centered nature of Glinda's character at that point in the story. Later in the play, Elphaba's selfish and pitiable sister admires herself in a similar hand-mirror. This character, Nessarose, has gone from young, out-going, hopeful, and naive, to old, crotchety, and self-absorbed. She's reminiscent of the evil witch in Snow White. It's almost as if Nessarose could be saying "Mirror, mirror [in my hand], who's the fairest [in the land]?" as she strokes her shiny black hair while looking in her mirror. Her obsession with her hand-mirror helps to show the negative change into wicked witch status of her character.

Near the end of the play, Glinda has been changed, for good. She's gone from the all-about-me-girl, gazing in a hand-mirror, to looking out beyond herself. This is seen in her use of the 40's era microphone. At first she is showing-off, announcing her "surprise" engagement at this stand microphone. She's taking advantage of the latest technology to keep herself center-stage (literally and figuratively). Later, though, she uses that microphone to honestly and openly communicate with the citizens of Oz.

The suitcases, the hand-mirrors, and the microphone all help to tell the wonderful story of Wicked. They convey a sense of time and place, and they help to show the development of the characters in the play. These props were well chosen by the designers of this first-class production.

How to "Think" like a Critic

CRITIC: One who is able to discern, judge, or appreciate.

(taken from the Greek word kritikos)

Newspaper journalists often ask themselves these three questions. They'll be helpful for you, too, as you consider the quality of your own blog posts this term:

1. Is it timely?
   
2. Is it accurate?
   
3. Is it objective?

Goethe (a German theatre guru from days gone by) posed these three questions. They're also good ones for you to consider as you begin to think like a theatre critic and watch plays:

1. What were the artists trying to do?
   
2. How well did they do it?
   
3. Was it worth doing?

picture from Wikimedia Commons

Elements of Theatre

a quick list . . .

1. Actors, chapters 6-7

2. Text/Script, chapters 9-13

3. Director, chapter 8

4. Stage Spaces, chapter 5

5. Design Elements, chapters 14-16

For more information, refer to the textbook chapters listed above.

Also, remember that you, the audience member, are an important element of the theatrical experience, too.

How to "Write" a Blog Post

Writing a blog post isn't quite like text messaging, or even like Facebook. Since the blog post assignments are for a college class, you will want to pay attention to standard spelling and grammar conventions. Aim for 300-500 words per post.

Here are a few more tips to guide your writing:

• Be thorough and specific. Provide at least three examples from the play to illustrate the element of theatre that you have been assigned to explain for a given play. Describe the three examples in detail, and give your opinion of these things. Did these things contribute to the overall success of the play? Why or why not?
• Be rational. You may have strong opinions about a particular aspect of a play, but be sure to consider it in context of the play. Use careful, convincing evidence, not emotional outbursts, to explain your opinion. Realize, too, that others in class may have a completely different perspective on the play, and that's okay!
• Be sure to proofread. Blogger has a spellcheck feature--use it! Also, take time to read and re-read your post before you publish it. Remember, this is an assignment for class and your attention to detail (or lack of it) will be considered in the grading of the blog posts.

When you are finished writing your post, be sure to give it a "Title." Also, be sure to label it (bottom right side, white bar) with the name of the play.

How to "See" a Play

Watching a play as an assignment for a college class is not the same as going to the movies on Friday night.

Here are some tips to help you get the most out of the plays we'll see for class this term:

• Arrive early. Try to be at least 15 minutes early so have have time to peruse the program before the play begins.
• Take Notes. Bring a paper and pen, and slyly take notes as certain aspects of the production make a strong impression on you. Pay particular attention to the aspect of theatre you have been assigned to write about for your blog post. Also, jot down notes on all elements of the play, and some of those meaningful one-liners so you can later refer to them for your mid-term and/or final paper.
• Listen Carefully. The words of plays (especially old, classical plays) are very important. In our modern society of tv and movies, we are very used to having the story told to us visually. This is not so much the case with theatre, and not at all the case with classical plays. You really do have to strain those ears and work hard to listen carefully. It's all too easy to let your mind wander. Do your best to stay focused on the words of the play.