Michael Early
(spring semester)
Spring 2006 Evaluation
Gary Ploski was a student in Acting The Poetic Text during the 2004-2005 school year. Because of his passion, commitment and talent, I expressed to Gary my desire to continue our collaboration. I was delighted that he decided to take the class again, enrolling for the Spring Semester.
The majority of the second semester in Acting The Poetic Text was spent rehearsing the Patocleia Section of Christopher Logue’s WAR MUSIC, which was performed April 27, 28 and 29 at Heimbold Visual Arts Center. The project was undertaken in order to give each student an opportunity to practice the skills and techniques aquired during the first semester of the class. We spent many hours beyond the alotted class time preparing for the performances. The project was an enormous success: Gary rose to the demands of bringing to life an extremely dense and challenging text.
It has been a pleasure having the opportunity to work with Gary again. His professionalism during the process was exemplary.
Personal Evaluation
It’s hard not talking about War Music when Achilles or the Trojan War comes up in conversation. One might be surprised how often this happens. I knew the experience was going to be somewhat different because the plan was to work on the show in class and on weekends. Working on a show in class? For four (4) hours a week we trudged through beautiful text trying to tell one (1) story with seven (7) voices.
It was extremely challenging and monumentally successful because of everyone’s willingness to provide input. This was not a show created by Michael in class to show off his directing or teaching abilities it was a show built by eight (8) people during a class. I was in a class called “Collective Creation” this semester but found Acting the Poetic Text to be more collective.
Unfortunately support of the department wasn’t as strong as Michael had hoped but the show must go on. And it did. One show we played to two (2) people. Yes. Two people. I described the piece in the following way: No music, no scene changes, no cross fades. This is a story that will be told by 7 actors with nothing but 4 stools, 3 chairs, and their bodies.
The more chorus work I do the more I enjoy it. Equus and War Music are possibly my two favorite shows. The work that goes into a chorus piece is like that of a musical because much more time is needed to choreograph everyone’s movements throughout the entirety of the show. It’s exhausting and thrilling.
With that said I’d like to work on something that is not chorus based next. A 4:1 ratio, character:chorus, is a good number to work with when choosing shows sounds nice. Of course I say that now. Who knows if it will be 2:1 or 10:1.
If Michael does this again I am going to have a very difficult time not taking his class again. =)