Lope Is My Friend: A Spanish Comedia

Yesterday I (and all of the Theatre History students at RTT) turned in their gigantic final research papers for the semester. It was quite a feat finishing that beast, let me tell you. Mine came out to about 16 pages with 60 endnotes, 4086 words, and a four page bibliography. I could not be more proud of it, though. It's beautiful. It's my personal little (or not-so-little) work of art. And in the whole process of researching and writing this monstrosity, I think I made a friend.

That friend is Lope de Vega, a 16th Century Spanish Renaissance playwright and poet, and the subject of my paper. Lope was a child prodigy of the written word, and once claimed that he had written fifteen hundred plays in the span of his life. He had a dark past filled with women (LOTS of women, Lope was a player. He finally married an insane woman. Literally, insane.), exile, travels throughout Spain, death, a stint as an ordained priest, and an eventual decline in popularity, health, and well being. This totally did not stop him from being completely awesome, though. He had huge impacts in the world of literary drama and theatre. Lope was writing during the Spanish Golden Age of theatre when the private and public spheres were colliding, when the world of theatre was becoming professional with acting troupes (which even included women on the stage), when elaborate costumes were paid for and contributed by the community, and the building of permanent theatres. In 1609, Lope went before the Madrid Academy (the big cheese of the Spanish literary world) and introduced his Arte nuevo de hacer comedias en este tiempo in which he introduced a new form of the comedia (play). Lope's form would become the national drama of Spain because it combined the classical styles with modern Spanish concepts to create more accessibility with its audiences. Not only that, but Lope's dramas emphasized the theme of honor in the lowest classes on people, even peasants. He also created strong female roles which embodied honor and a woman's virtue. Lope was amazing, despite his personal failings.

My paper also explored the reasons why we as a Western culture do not know anything or study anything about Lope or all of Spanish culture/literature. What I found was a historical phenomenon known as the Black Legend, a prejudice that traces its roots all the way back to the Protestant/Catholic tensions between Spain and the rest of Europe, especially its worst enemy England. It's this prejudice that has lasted us for so long, and it's this same type of prejudice that prevents us from truly seeing modern cultures such as some Middle Eastern and Asian cultures because of stereotypes and prejudices we have placed on a whole group of people. It makes you see the world differently when you have it all laid out in front of you.

Lope stood for the little people. He wrote about the passion and honor of the peasant, even if he was a player... He made contributions to the intellect, form, and evolution to the Spanish drama. That's why Lope is my new friend. I got pretty emotional as I finished the final sentences Sunday night at 12:30 in the morning, and it wasn't just because I was exhausted. I felt like I was letting go of and losing a really great friend. But Lope will always be in my mind and in history. And by the way, bringing all of those books back to the library was an unbelievable feeling.

Yeah, that's right. A whole Price Chopper shopping bag.

One of my books on the Black Legend was called Tree of Hate, and there was a hilarious picture of the professor who wrote it. He looked terrifying and like he was constantly judging you. I forgot to take a picture of it, but here is me trying to replicate it for you:

This doesn't really do it justice, especially with my Reese's bowl behind me, but you get the idea. TREE OF HATE!!!

Thanks Lope for all the fun times!

Peace out!

Political Action

I've been reflecting and acting on a lot of political things lately. It started with the whole "ground zero mosque" thing as you could tell from this blog post and with the talks about repealing "Don't Ask Don't Tell" - fueled by Lady Gaga. (Click here for some info.) Megan and I even ended up calling our Vermont state senators about that one. This week, on Wednesday, I continued my streak of political action by wearing purple. It was LGBTQ Spirit Day - so called to memorialize, remember, and reflect on all the teen suicides that have occurred recently and which have been sparked by bullying and harassment because the individuals were gay. For more information, click here. To see what Megan wrote about the subject, click here.

These tragedies cannot go unnoticed. Someone needs to take a stand. Wearing purple on Wednesday was a sign of what a few people can do to spark change and hope. Almost everyone in the theater at UVM was adorned in purple. It was amazing, and we were all incredibly excited to be a part of the movement and support. Our generation must be the voice that stands up for what is right. Discrimination and harassment just because someone is different from who you are is one of the cruelest evils in this world, a wrong going back to the slave trade in America and the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960s. Some people can say, "get over it," or "it's a part of life." But, I've been there. You can't get over it. Sometimes suicide can seem like the only way out, and the only form of escape for these people, but that is only because they feel so alone and so isolated. But they need to know that they are not alone, that there are people out there who care about other people, and who are willing to make a difference.

So I wore purple.

On another note, today Megan and I watched the new documentary film Waiting for Superman for one of her classes.

The film is about our nation's educational system and basically how America is failing our children. Did you know that America ranks last in math and science scores among developed nations? Did you know that the reason most jobs in America go to foreign countries is because no one is qualified for them...because they haven't been educated? I think the chancellor of the District of Columbia school system Michelle Rhee put it very well. She said that the education system has become this thing that keeps the adults involved happy when it really should be about the kids. With my new career goal as a theater teacher, I realize I will soon be thrown into the system, but that is why I want to be a teacher. I want to help kids and inspire them like I have been inspired. I wept when I saw how these children are being cheated out of life. Their entire futures depend on a lottery that will tell them if they get into school of not. They have teachers who don't even teach them. They just sit there reading a damn newspaper, completely protected by tenure while the kids slip right through the system. It made me incredibly upset to see how messed up our system is.

I don't know why I've been so fired up about political things lately. Maybe it's just because a lot of stuff has happened recently all at once. Maybe it's just because as I get older I notice more about our world and all of its wrongs. Maybe I'll follow Bertolt Brecht and do political presentational theater. I don't know. It's really sad when you think about it, but then there's always hope. There's always a protagonist willing to stand up for what is right. I think the voice of our generation is just that. Thanks for listening. I hope I've brought some things to light maybe you haven't thought of before, and maybe I've inspired you. Just know that you are never alone.

Peace out!

Happy Constitution Day

Today is Constitution Day and with 9/11 being only a week ago, it's had me thinking about a lot of things political (or maybe it's the atmosphere at UVM, it breathes political protest). One of which, actually one of the biggest that really has been plaguing my mind for quite awhile, is the so-called "Ground Zero Mosque" that is being proposed for New York City. This "mosque" is supposed to be built near the site of the World Trade Center. The building in question, however, is NOT A MOSQUE! What is being proposed is a community center with a basketball court and swimming pool. And yes, on the top floor there is going to be a prayer center for Muslims. Another fact that has been blown entirely out of proportion is that this "community center that the media has sold as a mosque" is to be built right next to Ground Zero. IT'S GOING TO BE TWO BLOCKS AWAY. Do you know how far away that is? It's quite a distance. People need to get over it. If we as closed minded Americans do not let a community center be built because it is pertained to a single religion, we are giving in to the extremist terrorists. It's saying-"yes, we are going to judge an entire group of people because of a few radicals." The same thing has happened to my religion, Christianity. Because of radicals and extremists, the entire religion has been judged. This needs to end. Wouldn't it be a stronger image if we as one people can rise above this hate and judgmental attitude and tell terrorists that we do not care what they do-we will stand for who are?



In tandem with this topic is that fact that before September 11th of this year, a Florida Baptist church said it would hold a "Burn a Qur'an Day" is memory of 9/11. Honestly? That's what we will do in the face of terrorists? Fuel a fire of hatred? Show them that they are right? Really? And when President Obama condemned this, the church said it would end it's proposition. Guess what, another church, the Westboro Baptist Church from Kansas said it would take the initiative in this horrible act. This is wrong on so many levels I can't even begin to describe. Not only that, but it goes against everything Christianity is about. My belief is that Christianity is inherent love because God has love for all his people. How can a church condone this kind of action in the face of Christianity, in the face of love?

Maybe if America actually still stood for its Constitution, then maybe Constitution Day would still hold some weight. In these moments, I'm not very proud of my country and some of the people who live in it. That does NOT mean that I hate America (jeez, I can see the FBI coming after me now). I am so grateful I live in a country where I have the opportunities that I do. I understand the value of freedom, but is that what America is standing for right now? I would like to think that I stand for what America originally stood for: love, tolerance, respect. Maybe we should reflect on that during the time of September 11th and Constitution Day.

Quoted from RamenXBaka (Youtube):

The new mosque is not in the least disrespectful in fact did you know there were two mosques inside the WTC? So stop your bigotry, and learn what America is about, do your homework.

Peace out!

My Haunted Dorm

This post is dedicated to Henry who apparently is the ghost who haunts my new dorm Converse Hall. After moving in on Sunday, I went over to 308 and I checked out this book that Ashley has called Haunted Burlington. Guess what building is on the cover? Yep, you guessed it...Converse Hall. Of course. So apparently there was this kid named Henry who went to UVM back in the 1920s. He was a very insecure kid who got so stressed out by college stuff (who doesn't) that he hung himself in the attic of the building.

Yeah, it's pretty creepy as this picture shows...even though I love it.

Flash-forward to the present, or move in day to be exact when Megan, Ashley, and I took a trip up to the top floor (right above my floor) where the kitchen is located. The place looks like it used to be a children's playroom basically because there's a mural of the campus on the wall that looks like it was painted by a six year old. That place is sketchy. Then, that night, my mirror fell off the wall where I had taped it, and my Rent poster also flew off the wall. (I tacked those events on the scorching hell-heat we've had the past week and poor tape quality.) Then today, as I walked into the creepy kitchen to wash my dishes, I heard something that sounded like the floor squeaking with footsteps right outside the door. I hurried and ran down the stairs. Needless to say, my dorm is creepy. I still love it though. I love the privacy, how quiet it is at nighttime, having my own space, and being so close to everything on campus. I'm not leaving any time soon.

Peace out!

QNEK

Wow, so much has happened since I last blogged. One of the biggest is that I helped Erin move. Yes, with her new marriage Erin is leaving LI to teach at U-32 high school in Montpelier, VT. I couldn't be happier for her. U-32 has an amazing program and a supportive staff. Basically, she's going to rock that house. I can only hope that when I get to be a theater teacher I find just as an amazing place as Erin. Also this past weekend I got to see many of my friends perform. My hats off to Jill Bearce and Lizzy Vinton in Vermont Children Theater's Cosmic Nightingale; and Kim Stacy and Jasper Craven in the performance by comedy group Aardvark Malarky. All of their performances inspired me and got me motivated to be excited once again for the show I'm doing this summer: Curtains!

We're kind of in a hard spot in the rehearsal process right now. The show is in less than a month and we know all of the choreography and blocking, we just need the extra umph that will bring it all together. It'll happen, I have complete faith in that for a play always comes together at the last minute. I'm so excited for this show!

I just want to give you, the blogosphere, a quick history of the Haskell and QNEK:

The Haskell Opera House was built in 1904 by Martha Stewart Haskell and Carlos Haskell. It is the only opera house in the United States to exist in two different countries for half of the Haskell is in the US and half is in Canada. It is also the only theater in the US with no stage (which is in the Canada section), and the only library with no books (also in Canada). It is an absolute Northeast Kingdom treasure. However, when the stock market took its decline not too long ago, the Haskell lost its endowment. The Board thought of shutting the beautiful Haskell Opera House down, but one woman wouldn't have it.

Enter Lynn Leimer, stage left.

Lynn saw the beauty and artistic creativity that was wonderfully alive in the Haskell, and she was not going to see it shut down. Her fantastically bossy diva attitude convinced the Board to let her take over as the House Manager. She started the QNEK Productions theater company ("Queen of the Northeast Kingdom" a.k.a. Lynn) in 1993 which became the resident theater group at the Haskell and she scheduled tons of amazing performances to make the Haskell the creative center of the NEK.

Enter Curtains, stage right.

This is not my first time working with Lynn. My senior year of high school we took our award winning performance of The Laramie Project to the Haskell to perform internationally for the community. My friend Kat Woodard has been stage managing and performing with her mother Carol Woodard for years, practically her whole life. We have gone and helped Lynn cleaned the costume barn which is fittingly stored at her house. I am so delighted to be a part of this creative group and show. Thank you QNEK for opening your doors to me. Please come to the show!

Peace out!

Eden

Saturday. I had just returned from an eight hour day at work, finished my shower, and was just grabbing a book because (surprise surprise) I had no plans for that night. That generally tends to happen in Lyndonville. However, just as my slump was about to begin, my phone vibrated. It was Eden!

"Hey, what are you doing right now?"

"Nothing."

"Wanna hang out maybe go for a drive?"

"Sure!"

Eden is one of my closest friends who hasn’t been introduced to this blog yet because we haven’t been in too much contact recently since we both started college. We started to become close friends in high school during my freshman/sophomore year. We were both in theater and Select Ensemble so we spent a lot of time together. We especially connected after Eden and Megan became friends when they roomed together at the Vermont Districts music festival. The three of us were absolutely inseparable; and we took Lyndon Institute, Lyndonville, the state of Vermont, and our families for a whirlwind ride with our friendship. Some of the greatest adventures of my life happened with Eden and Megan, and most of my personal growth and strength had a lot to do with our time together. I have told Eden before that she is like a ray of sunshine. When I see her, I can’t help but smile. Eden is the perfect artist. She views everything as a beautiful canvas. Her dream is to one day own her own health food store with a café. What is there not to love?

Unfortunately, once college started taking over our lives; Eden and I drifted apart. We were focused on our own lives and playing catch up was getting too difficult to maintain. We stayed in semi-contact but that didn’t really seem to work. You know that feeling where if you are away from someone for so long that it suddenly seems like you don’t know them anymore? That’s kind of how it felt with Eden. Life got ahead of us.

Saturday was the day to reconnect however. Eden and I met up in her new (to her) car which she had decked out with beaded seat covers and washable paint, went to Cumby’s for some iced coffee, and then parked for about an hour. Just talking. My ray of sunshine came back to me. Later we stopped by Kinney Drugs to see Megan. In a spontaneous gesture that reminded me completely of our high school adventures, we made plans to go dancing at the Packing House (Lyndonville’s not-as-cool version of a city club) and then stay the night at Eden’s house. What followed was a night to remember with a fun dance party, a stunning photo session in Cumby’s parking lot, making plans to visit each other at college, playing dress-up at Eden’s house, getting to know her seven new hamsters, four hours of sleep while trying to watch The Time Traveler’s Wife, and a delicious breakfast of smore’s pancakes and coffee. It was amazing being able to reconnect again, and wouldn’t give the night up for anything.

Peace out!

Quartet

"The Clean Shaves," "The Sick Pups," and "Plaid:" all possible names for this quartet I have started singing with this summer. Last night we had another rehearsal which went fabulously so we began planning our first gig which will hopefully be open mic night at Catamount Arts in St. Johnsbury on July 9th. At least, that's what we're planning. The only things we need are more rehearsals, and a name.

I'm really happy I joined this group. And while our repertoire is entirely barbershop, we're having an awesome time. It's also a great way to keep my voice up during the summer, and in fantastic shape for the musical which begins rehearsing soon. (On another note, I've been promoted in the play apparently and given a bigger part. Not that I didn't love the part I had before, but now I get my own solo song, which you can imagine makes me VERY excited.)

Another wicked awesome plus to this group is its director: Mrs. Fields. Mrs. Fields was, and still remains, the strictest teacher I've ever had. She was the director and teacher of the Select Choral Ensemble at Lyndon Institute when Megan and I were both members. Both of us were in Select Ensemble from our Sophomore through our Senior years. We did so much with that group. So many trips, concerts, rehearsals, recordings, and fun/hard times. And Mrs. Fields was there the whole way. She pushed us extremely hard to be the best and to challenge ourselves to create a team that could succeed at anything we put our minds to. She taught me how to be a performer and a leader, and I am forever grateful for everything she has given me. And though there were moments when Megan and I thought Mrs. Fields was absolutely insane, and times when we were pushed to our absolute breaking point, I think we can both look back now and see how things would never have been the same without her. You can imagine my excitement and joy as last night Mrs. Fields, her husband Ross (who is the tenor in the quartet), and I rocked out to Glee's Don't Stop Believin' over Pete's (in case you've forgotten, my dad's car) stereo system. We harmonized together! I'm so happy to be working with her again, and this quartet really is going to be awesome.

We just need a name...any ideas?

Peace out!