Real Talk with Jeff

Salutations, my friends! Welcome to another Real Talk with me this week. So, for those of you who have done improv before, how often have you come up with a cool idea that you wouldn’t have come up with without improv? There’s something amazing that happens when you’re put under pressure to think of scene ideas on the spot. And for those of you who don't know what I am talking about, improv is essentially acting without a script and relying on creativity. 


This is exactly what happened during one of our rehearsals. Jake Diamond, through improv, created a new card game for Scrutiny, called Red Card. How does it work? Come to see Scrutiny to get a better idea of how this new fad works!

Light Booth

While actors demonstrate their best care and effort on stage, many people work offstage to create the play. Some people may not realize the importance of light on stage. However, without different colors and brightness of light,  important characters and moments cannot be emphasized in various scenes. Mr. Howard and several actors worked together on light cues to make the play even more awesome!

- Lily Jeong

Set Build!!!!!!

Last Saturday, we had a huge set build in Allen Theater. Several of the members of the theater department (plus one mini-Graham, Hayden's sister.) We all gathered in the theater and began setting up the stage for the upcoming performances. We put up the new judges' podium as well as the Host's stand, and we had lost of fun doing it. Though quite a few of us went back home or to the dorm covered in paint and chalk, it was a great time spent with fellow cast members. The stage is really looking amazing!!

-Allie Kohlkins 

And Let Me Introduce....

When I found out I was going to be playing the host for our game show, Scrutiny, I was very excited. Making it even better was the fact that I would be joined by my co-host Sherry played by my friend Amani Bethea. I was  glad to be assuming this role in a style much like a slightly sinister Dick Clark. Within days I began researching famous TV Game Show moments, and hosts to find how one sculpts the show into an entertaining evening. I see my character as a seasoned host who omnisciently commands the contestants with stern and sometimes purposefully unclear directions. During this episode I’m pleased to announce some new games to challenge the unsuspecting teenage guests on the show. Being one of the few characters with a mic you’ll be sure to hear the clearly games and their rules (plus some shrewd commentary here and there.)

This role gives me a unique chance to show some real theatrical presentation towards the audience. The contestants and the bulk of our characters are staying inside the fourth wall, meaning they act as if the audience isn’t there. As the host I need to play for the audience and keep each viewer engaged in the show.

Working with Amani and the judges is a ton of fun and we get to bounce off of each other a lot during scenes. Sherry is the one able to directly come in contact with the contestants and is equally pleased by their nerves being on the Game Show. Sharing the podium we’ll be judging and snickering at the contestants noble attempts at these nearly impossible challenges. Our panel of judges will be right next to us adding their opinions and picking each games winner.

So join us October 30th, 31st and November 1st. I’m your host, James Sapphire, and Welcome to Scrutiny!

     

-Peter Bahr

New Developments

As Scrutiny gets closer and closer to opening night (3 weeks to go!!) the development of characters and of the plot is becoming clearer and more resolute. Many decisions are made through experimentation and testing of ideas and often, after a change is made, we discover something new about the original plan for the play that we might not have known beforehand. This strategy strengthens the quality of the play and makes for even more interesting ideas. Additionally, tech crews continue to meet (including blog, costumes, props, publicity, etc.) really spinning the play in motion as all of the wheels are turning and things are clicking rapidly into place. The show is are coming up fast and there is tons of excitement in the air! Everyone is hunkering down getting ready to present what is going to be a great show!

Until next time,

-Allie Kohlkins

New Develoments

Hello, people of the Blogopshere. As Scrutiny gets closer and closer to opening night (3 weeks to go!!), the development of characters and of the plot is becoming clearer and more resolute. Recent character choices about one character have sent the play into a different, and much better, direction. Jeff Erazo, a fellow member of the blog crew and a seasoned Berkshire theater veteran, made the decision to spin his part around in a new way, changing quite a bit about the play. While we are losing what could have possibly been a very interesting character, we are gaining a new Scrutiny contestant who will add new components to the story. Many decisions are made like this, as we rely heavily upon improvisation and love to experiment. Additionally, tech crews continue to meet (including blog, costumes, props, publicity, etc.), really spinning the play in motion, as all of the wheels are turning and things are clicking rapidly into place. The shows are coming fast, and there is tons of excitement in the air! 

-Allie Kohlkins

Real Talk with Jeff

Howdy everyone! Welcome to the first Real Talk with Jeff. Get ready to get the latest scoop as to what’s happening in Allen Theater!

To begin today’s topic, I first want to prompt you with a question: How often do teachers ask you for your input in school? Aside from class participation, I don’t know of many teachers that allow their students to dictate what happens in class. This is what makes working on Scrutiny  a rewarding experience. Not only are we revamping an old version of the script, but WE have a huge say in what direction we want to take this play in.

Most of the rewriting of the script happens through improvisation. Yes, you read right! During rehearsals, Mr. Howard, our director, gives us an idea to work with and our job is to create a scene (through improv) that captivates the idea of the theme. For those of you that have taken improvisation, you know that improv can take a scene in a million directions.

This, of course, requires us to trust each other, have vision, and accept failure. Unlike in other aspects of life, failure is completely embraced in theater. Not only does it enable us to learn from our mistakes, but it helps us create better art. And theater is all about trying to convey human emotions through art.

With three weeks to go before opening night, I can say that all of us have thoroughly enjoyed this challenging, yet gratifying experience. In life, it’s pretty rare to become part of an amazing process like this one, so we make sure to make every second count.

Until next time!
Jeff

Tech Day!

Here at Berkshire Theater we consider ourselves a varsity activity because we dedicate ourselves as actors and as tech members as you would any varsity sport. On Saturdays we take time to create the set for Scrutiny we call these days Tech Days.  This weekend, some members of the cast built pieces that will be used for the show.

On our Tech Days we also work on other tech activities that don't include drills.  We have tech crews for cast bios, costumes, props, publicity, and blog! Spotted in the picture below is the hard-working blog crew, as they find new ways to enhance the blog even more.




As always thanks for reading.

-Amani Bethea

Mountain Day!

On Monday the Berkshire theater group participated in the Mountain Day festivities with a team hike up to Black Rock. The trail goes up to a vast open space with a beautiful view of Berkshire and the surrounding town of Sheffield. We set out from Allen Theater at 9:45 sharp and set upon the mountain. After a good hike, we reached Black Rock, where we played several theater games, such as Questions a game that requires the competitors to have a conversation using only questions and The Manner of the Word which is an interpretation game in which one player has to guess what word another player is acting out based on actions they do. Between games there were many pictures taken, sword fights fought, and lots of fun had for everyone who participated. After some time spent up high, we headed back down the somewhat precarious trail and all sat and relaxed during what was definitely a well-deserved lunch.

-Allie Kohlkins