This piece is staged so that it might be able to be replicated on a small budget with a traveling ensemble. The idea is that this is a relatively short piece that can be translated to any space and does not depend on a large playhouse. The messages of the play are what are meant to be shared. This staging of Hell and Hope, aimed for this. The space that was found for this production is a small stage in a banquet hall of a church. The cast and crew came equipped with two small lighting trees, and no music cues. Putting up this production focused on ascertaining funds from local university branches that could allow for an in depth and focused play that would allow for a free admission to the general public.
I went through a very rigorous process of trying to inform myself about this piece before I ever thought I wanted to stage it. I spent a semester working on an independent study project that focused on the contemporary literature in Mexico. What started off as an overall look at identity in Mayan literature, refocused itself to the discussion and analysis of many perceived feminist Mayan plays. I found this play hidden in an anthology of many others. At times it seemed disjointed with mixed messages. After reading it through a number of times, I began to fall in love with it. So, I took a risk and asked my department if I could focus my thesis around a production. They stepped behind me in full support. So, I began taking the script with me wherever I went. Coffeehouses, parties, bars, bathrooms, car rides, doctor’s offices. This play hasn’t left my side or mind since I picked it up in the fall of 2007. Luckily, with the deposit of this thesis, I can finally put it to rest. However, there are a few key moments that I decided to engage other people with this play as to help inform me about all its idiosyncrasies. I held four separate staged readings of this play before I held auditions. There is more to come on that later. The first was a rough read through with some friends, in which we laughed at how poorly some of their pronunciations were. The next step was to invite some people out to read through this play who didn’t know me or the script as well as others. With the advent of technology, emails, and facebook postings, I was able to compile a group of ten people to read through this script with me. We sat for about an hour after its reading discussing vision, themes and characters. This was a very helpful brain storming session for me. After that, I decided to explore more. I wanted to know how audiences who have little to zero knowledge of Mayan culture would interpret this play. I wanted a more innocent view. So, I decided to take this play into a High School. With two separate Junior Honor’s English classes I managed to squeeze in two cold staged readings with them. I also spent much of that same day reading Romeo and Juliet with the Freshmen English classes that allowed me to dazzle them and expose them the lighter side of Shakespeare. Although, hardly theatrical, these students provided me with the insights of what should be drawn out of this piece, how to capture a bit of innocence in its seemingly hopeless world and how to make it clearer for my audiences.
Wednesday, March 5, 2008
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Situating myself as a researcher
This site serves a place for the public to reflect and critique. Here is my offering of myself as a performer, artist, and researcher. Please, feel free to comment and leave your thoughts:
Who I am
I am white. I am male. Many people ask me, “Why are you putting up a feminist Mayan play?” I wish the answer were simple. I wish that I could tell people in one concise sentence that would make them understand why it is important to me. All I can offer to people are reasons why I feel it is important to me and to the world.
When people look at me, they see: white, male. In a quest to define and place myself, I struggle to let people know that I am socially conscience and worry about the world. I want to provide others with opportunities to see the world as I see it: as a global place. By producing and directing a play that is visibly not me, I am able to show others the issues and world that I stand for.
I can be a social person. At times, I thoroughly enjoy getting to know other people. When the opportunity presents itself, I like for them to get to know me. Few people know about who I am, unless I go out of my way to tell them. Like many others in the country, my past is clouded: my history, my heritage. In many ways, I am an alien in the country that I call home. For the vast majority of my life, I have lived in the United States of America. More specifically, in the Midwest. Most specifically, in Illinois. Before I lived here, for a few brief months, my parents were living in Germany. My father was serving in the United States Armed Forces. My mother, traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to be with him. Meanwhile, she gave birth to me. Although a completely legal citizen in the United States, I am often times faced with challenges that people who were birthed on geographically American soil are. It is significantly harder for me to get a replacement or official birth certificate. Or, when I travel across international borders, I am stopped and questioned a little bit harder than others. True, my frustrations are only a fraction of what many person’s are. Relatively speaking, I still feel the burden. It makes me conscious to those who have even harder times than I do. I can also thank my father for my heritage as well as my birthplace. A distant relative, a great great grandmother of mine is from a Sioux tribe. Throughout my life, I have placed much pride and significance in my heritage. I proudly boast my bloodlines. I am aware of social and legal issues that revolve around being considered an indigenous person. Again, I have not had to experience the hardships that others have, and legally I am not bound to the Great Sioux Nation. I pass. I pass legally, I pass socially, I pass visually. I do not pass emotionally. Much of this work that I do can be attributed to my family and heritage.
I have always been enthralled with anthropological studies. As an undergraduate student I double majored in Anthropology and Economics. Cultural knowledge consumes me. I have worked in Museums, I have worked as an Archaeologist. This was never enough for me. I needed to have the messages that I feel be provocative, moving, engaging. Not to downplay the work that others do, or that I have done, it just was not as energized or as romantic as I envisioned. Sadly, there are few true Indiana Jones characters remaining in this world. On another note, I have always been in love with the theatre. Performing, watching, directing. I love to write, create, inspire. It only seemed natural that these two passions of my life should link up. Coexist and find the same plane.
I have been exposed to Northern Native American contemporary theatre. I have seen it. I have witnessed it. It is powerful. It is moving. It is electric to me. It tells stories that many people do not have the opportunity to hear, see or even know about. The Mayan peoples are alive. They are not a dead culture. It is shocking to talk to people and know how many people react that way. This is my tribute. This is MAYAmerican.
Who I am
I am white. I am male. Many people ask me, “Why are you putting up a feminist Mayan play?” I wish the answer were simple. I wish that I could tell people in one concise sentence that would make them understand why it is important to me. All I can offer to people are reasons why I feel it is important to me and to the world.
When people look at me, they see: white, male. In a quest to define and place myself, I struggle to let people know that I am socially conscience and worry about the world. I want to provide others with opportunities to see the world as I see it: as a global place. By producing and directing a play that is visibly not me, I am able to show others the issues and world that I stand for.
I can be a social person. At times, I thoroughly enjoy getting to know other people. When the opportunity presents itself, I like for them to get to know me. Few people know about who I am, unless I go out of my way to tell them. Like many others in the country, my past is clouded: my history, my heritage. In many ways, I am an alien in the country that I call home. For the vast majority of my life, I have lived in the United States of America. More specifically, in the Midwest. Most specifically, in Illinois. Before I lived here, for a few brief months, my parents were living in Germany. My father was serving in the United States Armed Forces. My mother, traveled across the Atlantic Ocean to be with him. Meanwhile, she gave birth to me. Although a completely legal citizen in the United States, I am often times faced with challenges that people who were birthed on geographically American soil are. It is significantly harder for me to get a replacement or official birth certificate. Or, when I travel across international borders, I am stopped and questioned a little bit harder than others. True, my frustrations are only a fraction of what many person’s are. Relatively speaking, I still feel the burden. It makes me conscious to those who have even harder times than I do. I can also thank my father for my heritage as well as my birthplace. A distant relative, a great great grandmother of mine is from a Sioux tribe. Throughout my life, I have placed much pride and significance in my heritage. I proudly boast my bloodlines. I am aware of social and legal issues that revolve around being considered an indigenous person. Again, I have not had to experience the hardships that others have, and legally I am not bound to the Great Sioux Nation. I pass. I pass legally, I pass socially, I pass visually. I do not pass emotionally. Much of this work that I do can be attributed to my family and heritage.
I have always been enthralled with anthropological studies. As an undergraduate student I double majored in Anthropology and Economics. Cultural knowledge consumes me. I have worked in Museums, I have worked as an Archaeologist. This was never enough for me. I needed to have the messages that I feel be provocative, moving, engaging. Not to downplay the work that others do, or that I have done, it just was not as energized or as romantic as I envisioned. Sadly, there are few true Indiana Jones characters remaining in this world. On another note, I have always been in love with the theatre. Performing, watching, directing. I love to write, create, inspire. It only seemed natural that these two passions of my life should link up. Coexist and find the same plane.
I have been exposed to Northern Native American contemporary theatre. I have seen it. I have witnessed it. It is powerful. It is moving. It is electric to me. It tells stories that many people do not have the opportunity to hear, see or even know about. The Mayan peoples are alive. They are not a dead culture. It is shocking to talk to people and know how many people react that way. This is my tribute. This is MAYAmerican.
Staged Reading Number 1
Thanks to all who came out and gave me their time tonight. The staged reading was a real success. I was able to flush out some of my thoughts and ideas with concerned theatre peoples. It was nice to see and understand what outsiders would really like to see and hear to make this piece more relatable to them and their lives. With all my effort, I will make it so!
I also learned that it is really hard to keep it feeling 'authentic' and flowing in English as well. That is the job of a good director I suppose. I'm up for the challenge. Stay positive.
I have also contacted a variety of groups around campus for potential funding and publicity support. It's nice to know that there are so many groups around that are out for the good of community. It's a nice reflection of the play and the importance of community that is portrayed within it.
I also learned that it is really hard to keep it feeling 'authentic' and flowing in English as well. That is the job of a good director I suppose. I'm up for the challenge. Stay positive.
I have also contacted a variety of groups around campus for potential funding and publicity support. It's nice to know that there are so many groups around that are out for the good of community. It's a nice reflection of the play and the importance of community that is portrayed within it.
Staged Readings
Well, in an effort to wrap my head around the play more and to get an idea for a staging, I will be holding three staged readings. One will be tonight with some theatrical friends. Thanks all for coming out to that! As well as two staged readings with a high school class of English students. This should be fun!
On to auditions and casting!
On to auditions and casting!
Friday, February 8, 2008
Space and Dates
Okay, so pending any craziness, I have located a space.
Unfortunately, its kind of expensive considering, it is also kind of echoey, and the stage is kind of small. This could be limiting to the process, but it is also challenging. I'm alright with a challenge. Great art is always challenged.
There is no call for sound equipment, which is refreshing.
The goal is to extend the show as far as possible, so having a preshow set list would be very valuable to play. In this space, it may be more distracting than not. On Sunday, I'm taking a special trip over to the space to check it out.
Also, luckily with the help of caring friends, I have already started my donor list.
$50 to defray the costs.
I've started up a budget sheet in excel, thank goodness I was an econ major as an undergraduate.
Unfortunately, its kind of expensive considering, it is also kind of echoey, and the stage is kind of small. This could be limiting to the process, but it is also challenging. I'm alright with a challenge. Great art is always challenged.
There is no call for sound equipment, which is refreshing.
The goal is to extend the show as far as possible, so having a preshow set list would be very valuable to play. In this space, it may be more distracting than not. On Sunday, I'm taking a special trip over to the space to check it out.
Also, luckily with the help of caring friends, I have already started my donor list.
$50 to defray the costs.
I've started up a budget sheet in excel, thank goodness I was an econ major as an undergraduate.
Wednesday, February 6, 2008
More to do:
And the list goes on for the staging process.
Unfortunately, I'm terribly ill today, so that always slows a good process down.
However, I am currently searching for a space to perform. I have a few venues in mind and have gone ahead and started to contact them. However, I may have to reconfigure my initial ideas to just be able to find a space.
Ideally the show would be put up for one weekend, with a Friday and Saturday show.
I'm going ahead and contacting parties that might be interested in both participating or helping to fun the production.
I know some people within the theatre community so that is always a benefit.
However, I also have gone ahead and started to contact cultural centers around campus that might be interested in helping out.
Another important thing to consider is finding appropriate funding to put up a show. Even though it will be a very low budget production, there will be a high amount of funds that are needed to put it all on. Relatively speaking of course.
We will need a space to rehearse as well as lights to light the stage. The space may be or may not be expensive, depending on what is available around town. I'm trying to stick to the university community simply because that is where most of the actors will be pulled from. Convenience is always a factor in putting up a theatre production.
Also, something to take care of is contacting the publisher and potentially the playwright to get rights to put the show up. That is next on the list of things to do.
All the while, I have been going through the text with a fine toothed comb. Luckily, I am working directly with a Latino/a studies professor here on campus who has been a huge resource for my background research.
In the back of my mind I have also been thinking about publicity and what type of imagery I should use for any flyers/posters to be put out with the show.
I have a great amount of knowledge of who to contact to try and get more awareness about my show. Many of the cultural centers around campus as well as other theatre groups. Emailings, postering, and the ever incredible facebook to spread the word.
I know a few artists who might be able to create an interesting poster as well, who I will be able to contact and see if they are interested in doing some work.
On and on I go!
Unfortunately, I'm terribly ill today, so that always slows a good process down.
However, I am currently searching for a space to perform. I have a few venues in mind and have gone ahead and started to contact them. However, I may have to reconfigure my initial ideas to just be able to find a space.
Ideally the show would be put up for one weekend, with a Friday and Saturday show.
I'm going ahead and contacting parties that might be interested in both participating or helping to fun the production.
I know some people within the theatre community so that is always a benefit.
However, I also have gone ahead and started to contact cultural centers around campus that might be interested in helping out.
Another important thing to consider is finding appropriate funding to put up a show. Even though it will be a very low budget production, there will be a high amount of funds that are needed to put it all on. Relatively speaking of course.
We will need a space to rehearse as well as lights to light the stage. The space may be or may not be expensive, depending on what is available around town. I'm trying to stick to the university community simply because that is where most of the actors will be pulled from. Convenience is always a factor in putting up a theatre production.
Also, something to take care of is contacting the publisher and potentially the playwright to get rights to put the show up. That is next on the list of things to do.
All the while, I have been going through the text with a fine toothed comb. Luckily, I am working directly with a Latino/a studies professor here on campus who has been a huge resource for my background research.
In the back of my mind I have also been thinking about publicity and what type of imagery I should use for any flyers/posters to be put out with the show.
I have a great amount of knowledge of who to contact to try and get more awareness about my show. Many of the cultural centers around campus as well as other theatre groups. Emailings, postering, and the ever incredible facebook to spread the word.
I know a few artists who might be able to create an interesting poster as well, who I will be able to contact and see if they are interested in doing some work.
On and on I go!
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
The first of many
This site is dedicated to the up and coming production of an indigenous writer's theatrical work on the campus of the University of Illinois at Urbana Champaign's campus.
I am Kevin Reader, your tour guide. I am a graduate student preparing his Master's thesis in Theatre History.
The to do list is long, and scary. But with proper time and preparation, it will all come to fruition.
The following must be done
I am Kevin Reader, your tour guide. I am a graduate student preparing his Master's thesis in Theatre History.
The to do list is long, and scary. But with proper time and preparation, it will all come to fruition.
The following must be done
- Pick a piece to stage (done)
- Staged Reading (in the works)
- Find and reserve a space (in the works)
- Lights and props
- Casting
- Publicity
- Program
Then, on the other end, an analysis
- situated introduction
- analysis of the play
- analysis of the author
- analysis of the translation
- annotated script
This blog serves will serve as an outreach and outlet for interested parties. Criticism is welcomed. The goal of this project is to create an engaging and informed piece of cultural theatre. I invite everyone and anyone to engage in this process with me.
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