Journal 6
My Graduation Production
The very last semester in my university life, I was working on a theatrical play, The Apartment (《公寓》), run by our performing art club, which is also known as Ya Cat Troupe. (Their Chinese name is
夜貓劇團. I know this is not quite a good translation, but they have been called that even before I entered here.) The play was held in the College Theater(子衿劇場) in the College of Humanity, where all my growth and memories of exploring the world of theater happened in my university life. This time, I was the director of this play. Last time I was in such position is in my senior high, and I was also working on a play that organize all I had tried and learned in the drama club of my high school. It was such a momentary theatrical production to me, so I would like to proudly call this play "my graduation production."
During these four years, I am holding an ambition to make a thorough, creative, and even profound use of the College Theater. Because the College Theater itself is an experimental theater, also known as a black box, performances can happen in every corner of the theater. The favorite option of mine was to switch the original setting of the stage and the audience seats. We decided to put the audiences on the stage. The original audience seats is a small stair, and we think we can create a stage with different levels, so that even though the audience sit on the lower place, they can still see the actors and settings. We also make a platform on the main stage so that when actors and actresses walk around it in a circle, it seems like going down the stairs. Furthermore, there are even two settings on the both sides of the main stage, which forms a comparison of these two scenes. Anyway, I am quite satisfied with how I arrange the settings.
Back to the play itself, the content of the play is not like the common way to tell a story. It tries to use the different relationships on the different floors in this apartment to demonstrate how people treat and get along with one another. It can be warm and intimate, while it can also be indifferent and cruel.
I had a new perspective on my wishes. I realized that being a student is a lesson throughout life, all I need to do is reexamine those given standards and ponder on their value. The attempt I made to be a good student shaped my attitude, focusing on everything happening on stage, managing to read the atmosphere, and trying so hard to catch the “balls” the fellows threw. While working in the rehearsal rooms and the theater, what I brought out is the best, shining version of myself. And it is definitely not about appearance, but about sincerity and conscientiousness. While moving out of the theater, I had a small talk with the director. I deeply appreciate her instructions these weeks. She told me that she saw my talent and potential and recommended me for continuing my way to theatrical performance, which is the highest praise for me. I would take this genuine part of myself along for the following of my life journey.
