Discussions

• 10/15 - in Green Room during performance of "Death of a Salesman"
• 10/27 - brief chat with student
• 11/2 - group discussion about "What sets theatre students apart from other college students?" In Green Room of MMNT

Because of the design of the theatre the actors must be relatively quiet in the Green Room. While the play is going on the actors who are waiting for their part sit and chat, study, eat, listen to music, talk on the phone, read magazines, etc. I talk with some of them and ask how they are feeling about the show. They are comfortable and ready to perform as needed. No one seems concerned about what they have to do, they can hear the show through speakers in the room and as their part comes up they leave the room to wait for their cue at the proper entrance, go on stage and return to the room. If you did not know that a show was going on you might not realize what they are doing when they leave the room. Except for the fact that they are in costume they could just be hanging out.

There are 4 guest actors in this show and 2 of them have long periods of time between appearances on stage. They come and go just as the students do. At one point they are both in the Green Room and they get into a discussion with some of the students. I am unable to hear the beginning of the conversation but as it progresses I observe that it is a conversation about very personal beliefs and experiences. It is impressive to me that the students have very well thought out values about moral issues and express them quite well. I am pleased to find that these young people are bright and concerned about social issues. I will not report the details of the conversation as it was a very personal testimony by several students.

Goals
Observations
   • Performances
   • Rehearsals
   • Classes
   • Crew
   • Discussions

I stop by the theatre to see what is going on so I can plan for the next few days as to what I might be able to observe. Preparations are well underway for building the set for "Forum." The stage area is covered with building materials and a few students are working on projects. I talk to a staff member about what I am doing and a student who is there working in the office starts speaking about his ideas about what makes theatre students different. He makes three main points:

• Awareness - of how the world is and the place of theatre in it. Also awareness of the variety of people and talents and how to best make use of them, or provide them with an avenue for expression. A theme emerges that will resurface constantly in my discussions with students, that theatre is a place where you can be yourself without judgments from others
• Sensitivity - to the needs of society to have an outlet for expression. And sensitivity to the venue and audience where performances are held. Something that is acceptable in New York may not play well in Peoria. Knowing what kind of show to do where and when is very important. Theatre should help the audience grow and learn but must ultimately entertain.
• Responsibility - to provide a forum for open expression in the face of an increasingly conservative public. Theatre provides a place for society to explore topics and behaviors that may not be appropriate in some places.

I have put up signs announcing this event and have personally invited every theatre student that I know or have seen around the theatre. I bring pizza, sodas and cookies to encourage them to show up. Many of them have a rehearsal call for 6:00PM and I show at 5:00 with the food. I will be recording the session so I set up the equipment while students start showing up. At first there are 3 students and as it progresses several others arrive. By 6:00PM there are 12-15 people in the room. They all have something to contribute and I have no problem getting them to talk.

Again I hear the theme that the students have chosen to participate in theatre because it is a place where they feel accepted for who they are. They express the stereotypical idea that theatre people are weird, freaks, and they don't care. They revel in their differences, in the ability to perform unabashedly in front of an audience and know that even those who call them freaks will appreciate the show. The same people may actually be jealous that they cannot do the same thing.

SS: What qualities set you apart as a culture?
A: I think there's a general sort of, I mean it's a cliché, you know, cause the first thing you said, I said,"well, we're all freaks." But every theatre department I've ever been involved with really does attract a misfit element, but it's not a bad element, it's just people that have very strong opinions, are kinda kooky, or don't want to do what the crowd does, or you know what I mean? I think theatre is nonjudgmental. Wouldn't you say? That, that, people really find a family, every theatre department I've ever been in is more of a family, than a department. I've been the Art dept. that was just a dept., we had good friends and stuff, but theatre and you make friends like that (snaps fingers).
SS: Why do you think that is?
A: Uh, neuroses complementing neuroses, I don't know (laughs).
B: But, I also think it's about, theatre is generally a place where people can choose to be who they are, or choose to express themselves
C: And they're accepted for it…
B: …in a way that they need to express themselves. It's much more acceptable and it's much more OK within the theatre dept. You know that goes for tall people, short people, gay people, uh, it's just a much more, Well hey, I can be who I am and I'm not going to be looked down for it because those different aptitudes or different forms of expression are truly valued. And that's what makes it such an enjoyable experience.
C: That's exactly what it, what he was saying about freaks. We're the unconformists.
A: Well there's a level of, um, open mindedness that comes with being creative, I think…
B & C: Yeah
A: …of trying new things, because that's part of the creative process. You don't rule out things, you try them out and you'll try out anything to make the art or whatever you're making. And it really changes your view on people, too, I mean, it has to, it rubs off and I think people gravitate towards theatre. It just happens, you know? And then, you stick with it, it's just a, it's just a really good group of pretty unshockable, accepting, nonjudgmental people.

This discussion went on for at least an hour and yielded the best information that I uncovered while doing the project. The transcript is quite long and I will include passage in other appropriate areas of the report. Other areas that were explored include:

• expressing emotions as a character and how an actor grows as a person
• the observation of detail and developing that skill
• personal and physical boundaries
• the driving need to express themselves
• making the choice to be a performer rather than in some easier field/career.
• passion for performing
• being open to all forms of expression and experimentation.
• acceptance - getting it and giving it
• the letdown after a show's run ends
• imagination and exploration
• hard work/staying busy
• keeping your performance fresh