Once On This Island

Once on this land, a beautiful love story was bursting into bloom. In this magical world of laughter and peace, people dance and sing, composing a symphony of harmony. I am impressed by every detail of the musical. It is hard to imagine that this is the work of high school students. In my opinion, Once On This Island fulfills the requirements of a professional musical. Music, dance, songs and dialogues are mixed in a fascinating way, which results in a perfect show.

My favorite part about the musical is the costume. I love the Bohemian style of the entire play. They make every actor and actress shine on the stage. I like the way that they are unique and coherent at the same time. The color blending and the matching of prints of these clothes work perfectly and create a catchy effect. Moreover, the jewelry and the hair accessory catch my full attention through the whole play. I love the details of the accessory of the four gods, especially the gods of death and love. I also love the gorgeous henna on their legs and hands. My favorite costume is the one on the blue god. The actress sparkles with that fascinating outfit.

Music is one of the best parts of the play. They add colors to the dialogue. I still remember the mind washing cadence when people with green masks come out. Beats drop on my heart and make me move. Music is what feeling sounds like. In Once On This Island, the feeling of every character is expressed naturally though dancing music notes. I feel upset when Ryan dies. I feel happy when the couple accepts the baby. I am totally surprised that the music and the acting can mixed in a so great way. I feel proud for my friends who are on the stage and behind the stage.

In addition, I like the props and the special effects of the show. I see the great effort of the backstage people from the delicate props. They are attractive but not too dramatic.  They lights up the performances. My favorite prop is the tree. The design is so creative and adorable. I can see the girl’s face through the tree. There is staircase for the girl to “get off” from the tree. I also like the painting on the stands of four gods. They express the symbols of four gods. For example, the stand for the god of death is painted in black with patterns of human skulls.

Last but not least, I love the performances of our student actors. They use different skills such as facial expressions, eye contacts, actions and tones to express the personality and style of different characters. They create a smooth and natural show. At some points of the play, I feel that I am one of the residents on the island. The actors use their powerful performances to force me to join the play. I really enjoy watching the show. It is my pleasure to learn from every part of the musical.

Dialogue Script

Script link: http://hollywoodactingworkshop.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/03/Taking_Advantage_-_2_men_1_woman_70s.pdf

My Dream Speech

My Dream Speech

This week, we are assigned to do individual monologue performances. I chose “I have a dream” speech of Martin Luther King. He delivered the speech to a massive group of civil rights marchers gathered around the Lincoln memorial in Washington DC on August 28, 1963. Originally, I chose a monologue about the dream of a musical teacher. I liked it, but I felt that my ideas of dream cannot be expressed fully through it. I wanted to show a bigger dream that can force me to use my emotion, facial expression and body movements to have better interpretation. Therefore, I chose this challenging piece. Because of the special background of the speech, it requires speaker to show grief and indignation about the unequal situation. It also requires encouragement from the speaker to his fellow black people.  

Firstly, I read the speech for several times in my own way.  I took notes on my speech to mark for interpretation for different words. Secondly, I listened to the original version of speech online. I changed a little intonation, but I still kept my own style. Then, my group leader used software in smart phone to help me maintain a constant rhythm. She also gave me specific advices to improve. I memorized the lines carefully. I found that it was pretty easy to do so if I had read it for too many times. After taht, another group leader gave me advices on emotional expression of the speech. Finally, I presented my final draft in front of class. I still felt shy, but practice helped me a lot. (Special thanks should be given to Mrs. Guarino for your encouragement to me)

I feel so happy to have my first speech successfully delivered. I learned a lot through the process. Firstly and most importantly, I learned to work hard for every single issue in my life. Honestly, I have never thought of Martin’s effort before. I had no idea that a successful speech requires so much hard work. I also gained several skills and strategies to perform. Since I was imitating a person, I had to find a balance point between acting and my own style. My group leaders instructed me to go on the right track so that I could have my own interpretation of Martin Luther King. In addition, I was still not confident enough to perform. Jaden found a perfect music for my speech. I felt relaxed with the music. I really felt thankful for everyone who has helped me and encouraged me.

My favorite speeches are Jaden’s and Kade’s. Jaden had perfect props and background music. He also spent a lot of time to get fully prepared for the show. I like his unique performance. I believe that it will be better if he act and speak in a more confident way. I also like Kade’s interpretation of character. I like his movements. His performance is really catchy and fantastic. I feel that it will be even better if he tries to use some props.

Attached is my speech. Yellow highlighted parts are keywords. Blue highlighted parts are  words that my group leaders suggested me to work on. / are pauses. 

Let us not/wallow/in the valley of despair, I say to you/today, my friends.

And so--- even though/ we face the difficulties /of today/ and tomorrow, I still/ have a dream. It is a dream /deeply rooted/ in the American dream.

I /have a dream /that one day /this nation will rise up/ and live out the true meaning/ of its creed: "We hold these truths/ to be self-evident, that all men /are created equal."

I /have a dream /that one day /on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves/ and the sons of/ former slave owners/ will be able to sit down together /at the table of brotherhood.

I /have a dream/ that one day/ even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering/ with the heat of /injustice, sweltering/ with the heat of/ oppression, will be transformed/ into an oasis /of freedom and justice.

I /have a dream/ that my four little children/ will one day/ live in a nation/ where they will not /be judged /by the color /of their skin/ but by the content /of their character.

I have a dream /today!

https://youtu.be/S28D8_Hn2zQ