When it comes to what I’ve learned throughout this course, and where I’ve arrived at with this course I think I have a pretty good understanding of where I am at. Also I think most of my classmates are at about the same point I am.
When I started this course, and even when I signed up for it I had no clue what to think. I really only took this class because I needed three more credits to graduate, I didn’t want to schedule another course on campus, and my wife was taking this class. Theater was not really the option I wanted to choose but I ended selecting it anyways. Now that I am done with this class however I am glad I did take it.
I have learned a great deal about theater, learned to think more critically about things, and learned how theater relates to everyday life, and especially my life. Before this class J had never thought before at all how theater could relate to my life, like how sports and public speaking are performances like theater, and how my roles in life change like the roles of an actor change. Assignments in the discussion postings really helped me understand a lot of this and helped me see what my classmates were thinking. Some of my favorite discussions that helped me learn and that were fun include performance reflections, Be a playwright, creative interpretation, and stories. These all helped me reach down inside and get in touch with my creative side and made me think critically.
Another thing I liked in this class was reading the Beauty Queen of Leenane. It was a very interesting play and a very well written and funny one at that. It was easy to understand and I could imagine all of the scenes playing out in my head. I learned a lot about creative interpretation from reading this play as there were some parts that you just had to imagine what was happening. I had the exact opposite experience from reading the tempest however. I did not understand it at all, and just couldn’t get what it was about. I guess it was just to deep for me and I couldn’t just think creatively enough to get it.
From taking this class I did something that I probably never would have done otherwise, and that is go see a play on the IUP campus. My wife and I went to see A Servant to Two Masters and we thoroughly enjoyed it! I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it going into the theater but I ended up liking it a lot. It was a very funny play that was really easy to understand and relate to. I would definitely recommend it to other people and I am glad I got to see a play at IUP.
The thing that got me going the most creativity wise and theater wise is actually posted in this blog. And that is the write your own play. I wrote my own short play entitled Guns and Doughnuts: A Police Tale. I’m not sure how the whole story came to me. I kind of just started off of what I had written for the creative interpretation and went from there. I want to be a police officer some day so I guess it is kind of easy for me to think creatively about things that are police related. It was fun to think about how things would come together, and play the lines and scenes out in my head. That is the experience I will remember most from this class.
I really did learn a lot from this class. I learned a lot about the many different kinds of theaters, the many different things that are considered theater, the elements that go into putting on a production, how to interpret different aspects of theater critically, and some of what goes into writing a theater style story. I got to use some of my creative skills in this class that I have never used before, and got to interpret things like never before.
When it comes to where I stand now I can honestly say I have a new found understanding and respect for theater, and all the art associated with it. I have a respect for how much work goes into a production, and how much dedication it takes to put on a good show. I will never look at theater the same way, whether it be on a stage, on the street, or on TV because now I know a lot of background and truly understand how much work it takes to keep people entertained.
Friday, May 7, 2010
Relating Theater to my life
Relating theater is actually a fairly easy thing to do for me, at least after having this class. Theater relates to my life a good many ways, either directly by watching plays, or indirectly by being in things like athletics and public speaking that are performance much like theater. Even my wife’s’ and my wedding could be considered a type of theater as there are lines we had to say, movements we had to do, and a large, and by large I mean over 300 people, crowd watching. Theater is linked to my everyday life whether or not I realized it before.
A wedding is definitely a great example of a performance everyone will be involved with somehow at some point in their life. It relates to me very well, as do many things. I have been involved in many sporting events and public speaking events and theater definitely relates to them because you have an audience, you have things that you need to do, and you need to perform. Theater also relates to other areas of my life that may not be so obvious.
I am a security officer at a large hospital in the north of Pittsburgh region, and I am also a Volunteer Firefighter. When it comes to those two things, my role as an everyday guy changes to one of a guy with some authority and knowledge, and someone that people turn to for safety. As we discussed in discussion posting earlier in the class everyone plays different roles in their life and those roles are ever changing. I would have to say however that the two roles I mentioned above come with the most stress, as depending on how I act could mean the difference between life and death. Now that is easy to see with firefighting but probably not as easy to see in the security role. Most people think of a security guard as the mall cop type, that is a rent- a - cop and kind of useless. In a hospital setting we deal with potentially violent and violent situations almost everyday, and when it comes down to it a lot of time we are the only thing able to diffuse a situation. So when it comes to the role of a volunteer firefighter and a security officer I need to be serious about those roles when I am in them, and need to be able to change into those roles in a split second.
I discussed in an earlier blog post how theater can relate to my major and or future career of criminology and law enforcement so I won’t beat the dead horse and go over it again. However theater can relate to my everyday life just as a regular guy. Some of my hobbies include hunting, fishing, camping, and shooting. Theater can relate to these in that when I go out in order t have a successful hunting or fishing trip or have a fun and safe campout or target shoot there are certain things I have to do and I have to be able to adapt to anything. I would relate these things to Improv theater because no two outings are ever the same, therefore I have to improvise and adapt to any situation that may arise. Now most of the time these are small and just deal with having a good time, finding the right spot to be at, or changing calls or lures to be more successful. However I have to be able to adapt to literally anything when I’m in the woods or along the river. There are so many different situations that could arise such as getting lost, a storm rolling in, being attacked by animal or human, getting hurt, loosing important gear, getting sick, and a wide variety of pretty much anything you can think of. Like an improv actor I need to be able to adapt to whatever is thrown at me and be prepared. My training as an Eagle Scout helps me with this, just like training helps an actor adapt.
A wedding is definitely a great example of a performance everyone will be involved with somehow at some point in their life. It relates to me very well, as do many things. I have been involved in many sporting events and public speaking events and theater definitely relates to them because you have an audience, you have things that you need to do, and you need to perform. Theater also relates to other areas of my life that may not be so obvious.
I am a security officer at a large hospital in the north of Pittsburgh region, and I am also a Volunteer Firefighter. When it comes to those two things, my role as an everyday guy changes to one of a guy with some authority and knowledge, and someone that people turn to for safety. As we discussed in discussion posting earlier in the class everyone plays different roles in their life and those roles are ever changing. I would have to say however that the two roles I mentioned above come with the most stress, as depending on how I act could mean the difference between life and death. Now that is easy to see with firefighting but probably not as easy to see in the security role. Most people think of a security guard as the mall cop type, that is a rent- a - cop and kind of useless. In a hospital setting we deal with potentially violent and violent situations almost everyday, and when it comes down to it a lot of time we are the only thing able to diffuse a situation. So when it comes to the role of a volunteer firefighter and a security officer I need to be serious about those roles when I am in them, and need to be able to change into those roles in a split second.
I discussed in an earlier blog post how theater can relate to my major and or future career of criminology and law enforcement so I won’t beat the dead horse and go over it again. However theater can relate to my everyday life just as a regular guy. Some of my hobbies include hunting, fishing, camping, and shooting. Theater can relate to these in that when I go out in order t have a successful hunting or fishing trip or have a fun and safe campout or target shoot there are certain things I have to do and I have to be able to adapt to anything. I would relate these things to Improv theater because no two outings are ever the same, therefore I have to improvise and adapt to any situation that may arise. Now most of the time these are small and just deal with having a good time, finding the right spot to be at, or changing calls or lures to be more successful. However I have to be able to adapt to literally anything when I’m in the woods or along the river. There are so many different situations that could arise such as getting lost, a storm rolling in, being attacked by animal or human, getting hurt, loosing important gear, getting sick, and a wide variety of pretty much anything you can think of. Like an improv actor I need to be able to adapt to whatever is thrown at me and be prepared. My training as an Eagle Scout helps me with this, just like training helps an actor adapt.
Research an Important Playwright: Jeffrey Sweet
The Playwright I am reviewing for this blog assignment is Jeffrey Sweet. He is an American born playwright who has also been journalist, songwriter, and theatre historian. I chose him because he has written a lot of different plays, has won a couple awards, and does more than just write plays.
Jeffrey Sweet was born on May 3, 1950 in Boston and is the son of a writer and a violinist. He spent most of his childhood in Evanston Illinois, and graduated high school from there. He then attended NYU and graduated in 1971 with a degree in Film.
After college Sweet’s career took off. He went to the Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago, and is now a resident member there. Thirteen of his plays have debuted in Chicago. Some of his plays include The Action Against Sol Schumann, After the Fact, American Enterprise, Berlin ‘45, Bluff, Class Dismissed, Court Martial at Fort Devens, Flyovers, Hitch, Narrow Escape, Parental Guidance, Responsible Parties, Stops Along the way, The Value of Names, What About Luv?, and With and Without. All of these plays debuted at different places all over the country, including one in Pittsburgh and thirteen at the Victory Gardens Theater. He also won awards from many of his plays. Awards include a couple playwrighting prizes from the American Theater Critics Association, and the Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Award for best new script. He is also a member of the Council of the Dramatists Guild.
Jeffrey has written two books on playwrighting and wrote an oral history of Chicago’s Second City Troup. His plays tend to fall into two different groups. Either ones that are inspired by historical and or political subjects, and those that are from personal impulses. I think all of this is important, meaning the book writing and oral history and play categories, because he does a wide variety of things to help people and help the nation. What better way is there for Americans to realize what is going on politically or what happened historically than to see it in a play? And it good that he gets his personal stories out there.
Another thing that sweet has done that I think is important is he has written hundreds of hours of television, and made radio productions and adaptations for some of his plays. I think this is important because this is the “theater” most Americans are exposed to , and he can get his messages out that way. Credits for Television include working for the soap opera One Life To Live. His work with this show received a Writers Guild of America Award, and an Emmy nomination. Sweet also contributes weekly with a column in the magazine Dramatics.
I think Jeffrey Sweet is a very interesting character and that is the main reason I picked him. He has done so much when it comes to theater and writing it is almost hard to believe. According to my research he has written 34 plays, and I believe all of them have been produced in some theater at some point in time. Also He has written music, adapted plays to be musicals, added lyrics, and written the book on a couple other plays. This amount of work is impressive to me, however if you add in his television and radio work it is even more impressing.
Another reason I chose him is because a lot of his plays fit the kind of style of things I like. A lot of his plays do deal with historical and or political issues and that interests me. I have always liked history and had an interest in politics, so I can relate to a lot of his plays. I would be very interested in seeing one of his plays. If I was able to pick which one I could se I would choose either Court Martial at Fort Devens or Flyovers. Both seem interesting to me because they involve a lot of conflict, and I’m guessing they involve a lot of action. Court Martial at Fort Devens would probably be my main pick however because I like military related things, and it looks to be an excellent story and is based on a true story.
It will be interesting to see if Jeffrey Sweet comes out with new work in the future, and if so if given the opportunity I would go and watch one of his productions. Hopefully I will notice his work on TV and or the radio so I can even more appreciate him.
Jeffrey Sweet was born on May 3, 1950 in Boston and is the son of a writer and a violinist. He spent most of his childhood in Evanston Illinois, and graduated high school from there. He then attended NYU and graduated in 1971 with a degree in Film.
After college Sweet’s career took off. He went to the Victory Gardens Theater in Chicago, and is now a resident member there. Thirteen of his plays have debuted in Chicago. Some of his plays include The Action Against Sol Schumann, After the Fact, American Enterprise, Berlin ‘45, Bluff, Class Dismissed, Court Martial at Fort Devens, Flyovers, Hitch, Narrow Escape, Parental Guidance, Responsible Parties, Stops Along the way, The Value of Names, What About Luv?, and With and Without. All of these plays debuted at different places all over the country, including one in Pittsburgh and thirteen at the Victory Gardens Theater. He also won awards from many of his plays. Awards include a couple playwrighting prizes from the American Theater Critics Association, and the Chicago’s Joseph Jefferson Award for best new script. He is also a member of the Council of the Dramatists Guild.
Jeffrey has written two books on playwrighting and wrote an oral history of Chicago’s Second City Troup. His plays tend to fall into two different groups. Either ones that are inspired by historical and or political subjects, and those that are from personal impulses. I think all of this is important, meaning the book writing and oral history and play categories, because he does a wide variety of things to help people and help the nation. What better way is there for Americans to realize what is going on politically or what happened historically than to see it in a play? And it good that he gets his personal stories out there.
Another thing that sweet has done that I think is important is he has written hundreds of hours of television, and made radio productions and adaptations for some of his plays. I think this is important because this is the “theater” most Americans are exposed to , and he can get his messages out that way. Credits for Television include working for the soap opera One Life To Live. His work with this show received a Writers Guild of America Award, and an Emmy nomination. Sweet also contributes weekly with a column in the magazine Dramatics.
I think Jeffrey Sweet is a very interesting character and that is the main reason I picked him. He has done so much when it comes to theater and writing it is almost hard to believe. According to my research he has written 34 plays, and I believe all of them have been produced in some theater at some point in time. Also He has written music, adapted plays to be musicals, added lyrics, and written the book on a couple other plays. This amount of work is impressive to me, however if you add in his television and radio work it is even more impressing.
Another reason I chose him is because a lot of his plays fit the kind of style of things I like. A lot of his plays do deal with historical and or political issues and that interests me. I have always liked history and had an interest in politics, so I can relate to a lot of his plays. I would be very interested in seeing one of his plays. If I was able to pick which one I could se I would choose either Court Martial at Fort Devens or Flyovers. Both seem interesting to me because they involve a lot of conflict, and I’m guessing they involve a lot of action. Court Martial at Fort Devens would probably be my main pick however because I like military related things, and it looks to be an excellent story and is based on a true story.
It will be interesting to see if Jeffrey Sweet comes out with new work in the future, and if so if given the opportunity I would go and watch one of his productions. Hopefully I will notice his work on TV and or the radio so I can even more appreciate him.
Thursday, May 6, 2010
Regional Theater: The Long Wharf Theater
The Regional Theater I chose for this blog assignment is the Long Wharf Theater. It is located in New Haven Connecticut and interests me because it was a leader in the non- profit regional theater movement, has originated a good many prominent plays, and has debuted many internationally known actors.
The Long Wharf Theater opened in 1965 and opened in a vacant warehouse in a food terminal. It was founded and the first play to debut there was The Crucible, which opened for two weeks. The main theater seats were borrowed from an out of business Movie Theater, and the first year budget was $294,000 and more than 30,000 tickets were sold.
Since it’s opening more than 30 Long Wharf productions have moved to Broadway or off- Broadway productions. They have received many awards since their opening including a Tony Award, multiple Pulitzer Prizes for their original productions, New York Drama Critics circle awards, Obie Awards, and the Margo Jefferson Award. Of the thirty or so productions that have been moved to Broadway some of the most notable include Wit, The Shadow Box, American Buffalo, The Gin Game, and The Changing Room.
In 2009 The Long Wharf Theater sold over 100,000 tickets and had an annual season of six plays on two separate stages, and many children oriented workshops and special events. The Long Wharf Theater also debuted two new original plays in 2009 which were A Civil War Christmas, and Coming Home.
There is a fairly large list of actors, directors, producers, playwrights, and designers that have got their start at Long Wharf Theater and that are prominent. The list includes some such as Sam Waterston, Al Pacino, John Lithgow, Christopher Lloyd, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Richard Dreyfuss, Kelsey Grammer, William H. Macy, Kathleen Turner, Kevin Spacey, and Mia Farrow.
The order of premiers at this theater are as follows and are in order of he premiere date starting with the earliest. Sizwe Banzi is Dead, Streamers, Alphabetical Order, The Shadow Box, The Gin Game, American Buffalo (with Al Pacino), Quartermaines Terms, Let Me Down Easy, A Civil War Christmas, and Coming Home. There is an extensive list of which plays made it to Broadway and off- Broadway on the internet.
The reason this theater interests me is because it is a fairly large one and is totally non- profit. Also it was and continues to be a leader in the world of regional theaters and continues to grow and release new productions. I mean to win a Tony Award it has to be a very good theater, and have many good shows. There are many productions here that seem interesting to me including American Buffalo and A Civil War Christmas. I think it would be neat to visit this theater and catch a couple of its six plays through the season. It will also be interesting to see how this theater progresses in the future, and it will be interesting to see if it sticks to its’ non- profit group and continues to release new and exciting productions. It will also be exciting to see what new actors come out of Long Wharf, especially based on the list that have come from there.
With the way money and the economy are these days it is hard for a non- profit organization to make it. It seems like this theater has a very large and loyal patron base, therefore they shouldn’t have a hard time maintaining a budget and keeping interest in it’s’ productions. Hopefully this important theater is able to keep it’s head above water and continue to be a driving force in the theater world.
The Long Wharf Theater opened in 1965 and opened in a vacant warehouse in a food terminal. It was founded and the first play to debut there was The Crucible, which opened for two weeks. The main theater seats were borrowed from an out of business Movie Theater, and the first year budget was $294,000 and more than 30,000 tickets were sold.
Since it’s opening more than 30 Long Wharf productions have moved to Broadway or off- Broadway productions. They have received many awards since their opening including a Tony Award, multiple Pulitzer Prizes for their original productions, New York Drama Critics circle awards, Obie Awards, and the Margo Jefferson Award. Of the thirty or so productions that have been moved to Broadway some of the most notable include Wit, The Shadow Box, American Buffalo, The Gin Game, and The Changing Room.
In 2009 The Long Wharf Theater sold over 100,000 tickets and had an annual season of six plays on two separate stages, and many children oriented workshops and special events. The Long Wharf Theater also debuted two new original plays in 2009 which were A Civil War Christmas, and Coming Home.
There is a fairly large list of actors, directors, producers, playwrights, and designers that have got their start at Long Wharf Theater and that are prominent. The list includes some such as Sam Waterston, Al Pacino, John Lithgow, Christopher Lloyd, Geraldine Fitzgerald, Richard Dreyfuss, Kelsey Grammer, William H. Macy, Kathleen Turner, Kevin Spacey, and Mia Farrow.
The order of premiers at this theater are as follows and are in order of he premiere date starting with the earliest. Sizwe Banzi is Dead, Streamers, Alphabetical Order, The Shadow Box, The Gin Game, American Buffalo (with Al Pacino), Quartermaines Terms, Let Me Down Easy, A Civil War Christmas, and Coming Home. There is an extensive list of which plays made it to Broadway and off- Broadway on the internet.
The reason this theater interests me is because it is a fairly large one and is totally non- profit. Also it was and continues to be a leader in the world of regional theaters and continues to grow and release new productions. I mean to win a Tony Award it has to be a very good theater, and have many good shows. There are many productions here that seem interesting to me including American Buffalo and A Civil War Christmas. I think it would be neat to visit this theater and catch a couple of its six plays through the season. It will also be interesting to see how this theater progresses in the future, and it will be interesting to see if it sticks to its’ non- profit group and continues to release new and exciting productions. It will also be exciting to see what new actors come out of Long Wharf, especially based on the list that have come from there.
With the way money and the economy are these days it is hard for a non- profit organization to make it. It seems like this theater has a very large and loyal patron base, therefore they shouldn’t have a hard time maintaining a budget and keeping interest in it’s’ productions. Hopefully this important theater is able to keep it’s head above water and continue to be a driving force in the theater world.
Broadway
When it comes to Broadway and theater there is a lot of information that could be used and a lot of different facts that could be presented. I’m basically going to focus on what is playing now, what would be the best to see, and where you can get the tickets. I’ve never been to New York, let alone Broadway so I have no real way to relate to it that way.
Some of the shows playing on Broadway now include A Little Night Music, American Idiot, Chicago, Enron, Fences, Hair, Lend Me a Tenor, Mary Poppins, Mamma Mia, South Pacific, The Lion King, The Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, and Wicked. This is just a partial list of what is currently playing on Broadway, and are ones that spark my interest.
Following are the ones that really interest me and I would definitely like to see. American Idiot is a new musical and has music by the band Green Day, who has an album called American Idiot. It is a modern musical and would be good for anyone bored by the old, ordinary musicals. Enron is a British play that was inspired by the huge Enron scandal a couple years ago. It uses music and dance, and also uses video which is a rare thing on Broadway. Fences is an interesting play to me because it is set in Pittsburgh and stars Denzel Washington. Lend Me a Tenor is an older play but from what I hear it is a very humorous one and definitely worth seeing. Mary Poppins interests me because I really like the Disney movie by the same name as a kid, and from research it looks really neat and worth seeing. South Pacific is interesting to me because it is kind of a “War” musical and is set in WWII. I have heard it is a very good musical. The Lion King would definitely be a must see for me if I made it to Broadway. It has been running a long time but is still considered one of the greatest shows on Broadway. I loved the Disney movie as a kid and it would just be truly amazing to see the musical. The Phantom of the Opera is now the longest running show in Broadway history, so you know it has to be good. My brother has seen it and it remains his favorite musical of all time. West Side Story that is playing now is actually a revival of the old show and would be cool to see.
A number of the plays I just mentioned fit into the Category of top ten longest running plays on Broadway. The top ten list starting with the longest running then next longest running on so on from there is as follows. Phantom of the Opera, which is still running, Cats, Les Miserables, A Chorus Line, Oh Calcutta!, Beauty and the Beast, which is still running, Rent, which is still running, Chicago, which is still running, Miss Saigon, and The Lion King, which is still running.
For tickets to Broadway shows the best resource I have found is just to Google Broadway Tickets. However there is a site which is broadway.com that has tickets and reviews of all the plays. There are a good many websites on the internet claiming to have the best prices on Broadway tickets, so the best way to find tickets is probably just to search around a little. Another way would be to call the theater where the play you want to see and order tickets that way, or stop at a local box office to buy tickets, or just buy them at the door if you know the show isn’t sold out.
Some of the shows playing on Broadway now include A Little Night Music, American Idiot, Chicago, Enron, Fences, Hair, Lend Me a Tenor, Mary Poppins, Mamma Mia, South Pacific, The Lion King, The Phantom of the Opera, West Side Story, and Wicked. This is just a partial list of what is currently playing on Broadway, and are ones that spark my interest.
Following are the ones that really interest me and I would definitely like to see. American Idiot is a new musical and has music by the band Green Day, who has an album called American Idiot. It is a modern musical and would be good for anyone bored by the old, ordinary musicals. Enron is a British play that was inspired by the huge Enron scandal a couple years ago. It uses music and dance, and also uses video which is a rare thing on Broadway. Fences is an interesting play to me because it is set in Pittsburgh and stars Denzel Washington. Lend Me a Tenor is an older play but from what I hear it is a very humorous one and definitely worth seeing. Mary Poppins interests me because I really like the Disney movie by the same name as a kid, and from research it looks really neat and worth seeing. South Pacific is interesting to me because it is kind of a “War” musical and is set in WWII. I have heard it is a very good musical. The Lion King would definitely be a must see for me if I made it to Broadway. It has been running a long time but is still considered one of the greatest shows on Broadway. I loved the Disney movie as a kid and it would just be truly amazing to see the musical. The Phantom of the Opera is now the longest running show in Broadway history, so you know it has to be good. My brother has seen it and it remains his favorite musical of all time. West Side Story that is playing now is actually a revival of the old show and would be cool to see.
A number of the plays I just mentioned fit into the Category of top ten longest running plays on Broadway. The top ten list starting with the longest running then next longest running on so on from there is as follows. Phantom of the Opera, which is still running, Cats, Les Miserables, A Chorus Line, Oh Calcutta!, Beauty and the Beast, which is still running, Rent, which is still running, Chicago, which is still running, Miss Saigon, and The Lion King, which is still running.
For tickets to Broadway shows the best resource I have found is just to Google Broadway Tickets. However there is a site which is broadway.com that has tickets and reviews of all the plays. There are a good many websites on the internet claiming to have the best prices on Broadway tickets, so the best way to find tickets is probably just to search around a little. Another way would be to call the theater where the play you want to see and order tickets that way, or stop at a local box office to buy tickets, or just buy them at the door if you know the show isn’t sold out.
Relating Theater to Criminolgy and Law Enforcement
When It comes to relating to my major which is Criminology, my mind went blank at first. However once I started thinking about it I came up with a couple links. Criminology and theater are seemingly two totally different things. However if you really think about it there is some “theatrics” in criminology.
I want to eventually want to be a law enforcement officer and that is reason I chose the major of criminology. When it comes to policing there is one specific thing that comes to mind when relating things to theater and that thing is Undercover police work. Undercover officers are basically just actors playing the role of anything but a cop. Getting involved with criminals on their level and making them believe you are a criminal to is the epitome of undercover work and basically the same thing as being an actor. An actor strives to make the audience believe that they are the character and takes on most if not all of the same attributes of the character. An Undercover officer takes on the role of a criminal and is trying to make the suspects they are trying to catch believe they are a criminal. A lot of times they have to act like they are buying or selling drugs or weapons or offering or seeking prostitution services. The biggest difference is that if an actor does bad on stage they will probably have some kind of chance to do better. An officer that messes up risks his life and the life of other officers and is basically putting his neck on the line if something goes wrong.
Another link I make between criminology and theater is the link of observance. In this class we learned how to observe and review a play critically and make our own assumptions that way. In criminology we are taught some of the same things when it comes to observing people and their actions. In theater the best thing to do is be objective and open to a lot of different things. In criminology when it comes to observing people you have to be open to anything and everything. There are many theories and research projects that say someone will act a certain way in a situation but no two situations are the same. So just like observing theater you have to be objective and open to anything and everything, because no two things are ever the same. Just like no two plays or performances are ever the same.
Another connection I make between criminology and theater is the media circus that usually happens around police and court happenings. One thing that needs to be done is that you need to act very carefully, stick to the script when talking or giving a report, and stay consistent. Otherwise the media will be all over you, throwing around your words and information, and pointing out your inconsistencies. To me an actor in a play has to do the same things. The need to act very carefully and do what is supposed to be done, they need to stick to the script usually, and they need to stay consistent. Now if a play calls for improvisation all of these things may not matter, but if your performing a play that is carefully choreographed, scripted, and supposed to be consistent you need to stick to those keys or things are bound to go wrong.
Theater can relate to many different things in this world, and now I have a better idea of how it can relate to the career path I have chosen. I am sure I will use all of these skills when I get out into the real world and hopefully I do them well.
I want to eventually want to be a law enforcement officer and that is reason I chose the major of criminology. When it comes to policing there is one specific thing that comes to mind when relating things to theater and that thing is Undercover police work. Undercover officers are basically just actors playing the role of anything but a cop. Getting involved with criminals on their level and making them believe you are a criminal to is the epitome of undercover work and basically the same thing as being an actor. An actor strives to make the audience believe that they are the character and takes on most if not all of the same attributes of the character. An Undercover officer takes on the role of a criminal and is trying to make the suspects they are trying to catch believe they are a criminal. A lot of times they have to act like they are buying or selling drugs or weapons or offering or seeking prostitution services. The biggest difference is that if an actor does bad on stage they will probably have some kind of chance to do better. An officer that messes up risks his life and the life of other officers and is basically putting his neck on the line if something goes wrong.
Another link I make between criminology and theater is the link of observance. In this class we learned how to observe and review a play critically and make our own assumptions that way. In criminology we are taught some of the same things when it comes to observing people and their actions. In theater the best thing to do is be objective and open to a lot of different things. In criminology when it comes to observing people you have to be open to anything and everything. There are many theories and research projects that say someone will act a certain way in a situation but no two situations are the same. So just like observing theater you have to be objective and open to anything and everything, because no two things are ever the same. Just like no two plays or performances are ever the same.
Another connection I make between criminology and theater is the media circus that usually happens around police and court happenings. One thing that needs to be done is that you need to act very carefully, stick to the script when talking or giving a report, and stay consistent. Otherwise the media will be all over you, throwing around your words and information, and pointing out your inconsistencies. To me an actor in a play has to do the same things. The need to act very carefully and do what is supposed to be done, they need to stick to the script usually, and they need to stay consistent. Now if a play calls for improvisation all of these things may not matter, but if your performing a play that is carefully choreographed, scripted, and supposed to be consistent you need to stick to those keys or things are bound to go wrong.
Theater can relate to many different things in this world, and now I have a better idea of how it can relate to the career path I have chosen. I am sure I will use all of these skills when I get out into the real world and hopefully I do them well.
Write A Play: Guns and Doughnuts: A Police Tale
Guns and Doughnuts: A Police Tale
Written By: Jacob Dively
Characters:
- A Veteran Police Seargent named Tim
- A Rookie Officer named Tom
- A Criminal/ drug user, unknown name
(Curtain opens to two police officers sitting in their patrol car. One is a gray haired veteran and is in the drivers seat, the other a blonde rookie. The time is around 2:00 am)
Tim: How can you drink those things? They look and smell disgusting!
Tom: (After taking a sip from his energy drink) For one they aren’t disgusting, they taste like candy in a can! And for two these things are the only thing that keep me awake on these stinking midnight shifts.
Tim: Oh you don’t like these shifts? I couldn’t tell, (rolling his eyes) you NEVER complain about them!
Tom: Oh so I’m a complainer now?
Tim: No. I’m just tired and there’s nothing going on and I haven’t had my coffee yet.
Tom: Want a sip?
Tim: What do you think?
Tom: Hey, just figured I’d ask.
(Across the police radio in the car comes a dispatch for them from a female dispatcher)
Dispatcher on radio: Car ten, respond to 205 oak street in the city. Suspicious person in the alley next to the residence.
Tom: (grabbing the radio microphone) Dispatch, car ten responding code 1.
(The lights and the siren on the car turn on and the curtain shuts. When the curtain opens next the two officers are walking down a dimly lit street, flashlights in hand)
Tom: You seeing anything Sarge?
Tim: Yeah. See there between those two garages?
Tim: Shoot now he saw us. Go get him rookie!
(Tim stays put while Tom goes running off stage)
Tom: (yells from off stage) I got him!
Tim: Good! Now bring him over here.
Tom: Ok!
Tim: You ok?
Tom: Yeah. Caught him trying to jump a fence.
Tim: Ok get him over here then!
(Tom walks the criminal onto the stage up to Tim)
Tom: He thought he could outrun the beast! Ha-ha! Better luck next time dude. I’m the best there is.
Tim: (chuckling) Ok there Rambo. I’ll hold him, you frisk him.
Tom: Why do I gotta frisk him?
Tim: You caught him, you frisk him.
Tom: Who’s rule is that?
Tim: Mine
Tom: Ok Sarge. Whatever you say.
(Tom Starts frisking the suspect and finds something)
Tom: What have we got here?
Criminal: Whatever it is it ain’t mine.
Tom: Dude it’s in your pocket therefore it is yours. Get the picture?
(Tom pulls a pistol from the criminals front jacket pocket)
Tim: Nice find kid!
Tom: Wow! This is a big piece dude. .44 Magnum. Hand Cannon!
Tim: What the hell are you doing with that?
Criminal: I ain’t saying nothing else. I want my lawyer!
Tim: Oh you’ll eventually get a lawyer. But tonight your going to have fun in a nicely accommodated 3 by 6 box. Make sure there’s nothing else on him Tom and cuff him and stuff him. Good find Kid.
Tom: Sounds Good Sarge (With a huge smile on his face he walks the criminal off stage, hands cuffed behind his back.)
Tim: ( grabbing the radio microphone off his belt) Dispatch from officer ten one, one in custody, possession of an illegal weapon, resisting arrest, and trespassing. Will be in route to the station shortly.
Dispatcher: Ten four. Good find.
Tim: (Dropping to his knees and putting his hands together) Father, thank you for helping us get this guy off the street safely, thank you for not letting him pull that revolver, and thank you for giving me a good partner. Amen.
(Tim gets up off his knees, dusts himself off, and walks off stage the same way Tom took the criminal. The curtain shuts on an empty, dimly lit, quiet street. Then it opens back up to the original opening scene, the two officers in their patrol car, except this time Tom is in the driver seat, energy drink in hand. Tim has a coffee cup in one hand and a doughnut in the other.)
Tim: Good Job back there kid. You did everything right and took a dangerous criminal off the streets. Who knows what he would have done with that freaking thing. I’m proud of you.
Tom: Thanks Sarge. That means a lot coming from you.
Tim: Call me Dad son. It’s been a long night. (Tom is actually Tim’s son)
Tom. Ok. Thanks Dad. So how have you made it so long in this business? You’ve told me a million stories of crazy things that have happened. How do you put up with it all?
Tim: Well son, knowing I’m helping someone every shift I’m out here, Faith in the good Lord, and knowing that at the end of every shift, no matter how crazy, I always have your Mom and you kids to come home to. Simple as that.
Tom: I’ll have to keep all that in mind. Thanks Dad.
Tim: Your welcome son. Now you know what else you’ll get to do tonight?
Tom: (with a questioning look on his face) What’s that?
Tim: (With a big smile on his face) All the paperwork of course! You caught him so that’s your responsibility to!
Tom: Oh great. Thanks Dad. Just what I wanted.
Tim: Hey I have a wife to get home to. She will be really ready to see me!
Tom: Way to much information Dad. Way to much!
(Both are smiling and laughing as the curtain closes and the lights come on)
Written By: Jacob Dively
Characters:
- A Veteran Police Seargent named Tim
- A Rookie Officer named Tom
- A Criminal/ drug user, unknown name
(Curtain opens to two police officers sitting in their patrol car. One is a gray haired veteran and is in the drivers seat, the other a blonde rookie. The time is around 2:00 am)
Tim: How can you drink those things? They look and smell disgusting!
Tom: (After taking a sip from his energy drink) For one they aren’t disgusting, they taste like candy in a can! And for two these things are the only thing that keep me awake on these stinking midnight shifts.
Tim: Oh you don’t like these shifts? I couldn’t tell, (rolling his eyes) you NEVER complain about them!
Tom: Oh so I’m a complainer now?
Tim: No. I’m just tired and there’s nothing going on and I haven’t had my coffee yet.
Tom: Want a sip?
Tim: What do you think?
Tom: Hey, just figured I’d ask.
(Across the police radio in the car comes a dispatch for them from a female dispatcher)
Dispatcher on radio: Car ten, respond to 205 oak street in the city. Suspicious person in the alley next to the residence.
Tom: (grabbing the radio microphone) Dispatch, car ten responding code 1.
(The lights and the siren on the car turn on and the curtain shuts. When the curtain opens next the two officers are walking down a dimly lit street, flashlights in hand)
Tom: You seeing anything Sarge?
Tim: Yeah. See there between those two garages?
Tim: Shoot now he saw us. Go get him rookie!
(Tim stays put while Tom goes running off stage)
Tom: (yells from off stage) I got him!
Tim: Good! Now bring him over here.
Tom: Ok!
Tim: You ok?
Tom: Yeah. Caught him trying to jump a fence.
Tim: Ok get him over here then!
(Tom walks the criminal onto the stage up to Tim)
Tom: He thought he could outrun the beast! Ha-ha! Better luck next time dude. I’m the best there is.
Tim: (chuckling) Ok there Rambo. I’ll hold him, you frisk him.
Tom: Why do I gotta frisk him?
Tim: You caught him, you frisk him.
Tom: Who’s rule is that?
Tim: Mine
Tom: Ok Sarge. Whatever you say.
(Tom Starts frisking the suspect and finds something)
Tom: What have we got here?
Criminal: Whatever it is it ain’t mine.
Tom: Dude it’s in your pocket therefore it is yours. Get the picture?
(Tom pulls a pistol from the criminals front jacket pocket)
Tim: Nice find kid!
Tom: Wow! This is a big piece dude. .44 Magnum. Hand Cannon!
Tim: What the hell are you doing with that?
Criminal: I ain’t saying nothing else. I want my lawyer!
Tim: Oh you’ll eventually get a lawyer. But tonight your going to have fun in a nicely accommodated 3 by 6 box. Make sure there’s nothing else on him Tom and cuff him and stuff him. Good find Kid.
Tom: Sounds Good Sarge (With a huge smile on his face he walks the criminal off stage, hands cuffed behind his back.)
Tim: ( grabbing the radio microphone off his belt) Dispatch from officer ten one, one in custody, possession of an illegal weapon, resisting arrest, and trespassing. Will be in route to the station shortly.
Dispatcher: Ten four. Good find.
Tim: (Dropping to his knees and putting his hands together) Father, thank you for helping us get this guy off the street safely, thank you for not letting him pull that revolver, and thank you for giving me a good partner. Amen.
(Tim gets up off his knees, dusts himself off, and walks off stage the same way Tom took the criminal. The curtain shuts on an empty, dimly lit, quiet street. Then it opens back up to the original opening scene, the two officers in their patrol car, except this time Tom is in the driver seat, energy drink in hand. Tim has a coffee cup in one hand and a doughnut in the other.)
Tim: Good Job back there kid. You did everything right and took a dangerous criminal off the streets. Who knows what he would have done with that freaking thing. I’m proud of you.
Tom: Thanks Sarge. That means a lot coming from you.
Tim: Call me Dad son. It’s been a long night. (Tom is actually Tim’s son)
Tom. Ok. Thanks Dad. So how have you made it so long in this business? You’ve told me a million stories of crazy things that have happened. How do you put up with it all?
Tim: Well son, knowing I’m helping someone every shift I’m out here, Faith in the good Lord, and knowing that at the end of every shift, no matter how crazy, I always have your Mom and you kids to come home to. Simple as that.
Tom: I’ll have to keep all that in mind. Thanks Dad.
Tim: Your welcome son. Now you know what else you’ll get to do tonight?
Tom: (with a questioning look on his face) What’s that?
Tim: (With a big smile on his face) All the paperwork of course! You caught him so that’s your responsibility to!
Tom: Oh great. Thanks Dad. Just what I wanted.
Tim: Hey I have a wife to get home to. She will be really ready to see me!
Tom: Way to much information Dad. Way to much!
(Both are smiling and laughing as the curtain closes and the lights come on)
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