I've recently had the opportunity to see three MIT productions - I know, I know, three plays AND five elections and/or speakers, how does she do it?
Last week I saw Musical Theater Guild's Wild Party, which Keri produced entirely during "the Month of January/IAP." It was about a couple during the 1920's that decides to throw a party to make themselves feel better about their failed relationship, and the party turns out a lot more exciting than either of them expected. I really liked the music because it was jazzy and the show in general was pretty energetic and nice to watch.
Like I've said before, I am not a great photographer, but apparently Jax Kirtley is, and since their photos are on the Wild Party photo page, they hopefully won't mind if I use a couple.
I never wrote about it, but I saw MTG's production of Cabaret early this year which I really enjoyed - I believe it was their summer production. The pictures are taken from the website. Again.
So anyway, back to this semester, I saw Dramashop's production of Suburbia. It was about some kids in a small town that hang out in a parking lot and their various issues, usually centered around Being Stuck In This Crummy Place, Not Caring That You're Stuck In This Crummy Place, and Trying to Escape This Crummy Place.
I can't find any pictures of the play, which is really sad because one of my friend's pointed out that the set was AMAZING - it was incredibly detailed, and especially considering it was just a parking lot and a 7-11, I was really really impressed.
Last semester I also went to a Gilbert and Sullivan Players show called Cox and Box. It was quite a small affair - only three or four characters, but I really enjoyed it. If you haven't caught on by now, I really love all sorts of theater. I'm not talented in any way in this department, unfortunately, but that's okay, I'm busy with other things and am quite alright leaving it to the experts.
I feel really bad about myself whenever I don't have pictures for you guys, or I do have pictures but they're terrible. Seriously, when did it become an unstated prerequisite that you have to be a great photographer to be a blogger? Even my normal, non-artistic pictures turn out badly. Maybe I should take a class.
Anyway, moving on. The most recent show I saw (last night) was the Vagina Monologues. I'd never seen it, but it's pretty famous so I was excited to do so. Apparently, on February 14th, or "V-Day" (for Valentine's Day, Violence and Victory), thousands of Vagina Monologues productions are put on around the world to raise awareness and money for campaigns and charities that work to stop violence against women. MIT's production of it It was held in the Stata Center in a large auditorium with soft red chairs, I might add, since people seem to care a lot about chairs nowadays. I was surprised to see the turnout: the 318-person auditiorium was full!
Look at all the people that love to hear about vaginas!
This is the only picture taken by me in the whole entry. Now you know why I rely on other people for photos.
After discussing the (very entertaining and hilarious and sometimes sad) play with my guy friends,I noticed that they all believed that this was wild feminist propaganda that belittled men and encouraged women to keep to themselves. I'd like to take this moment, with thousands of you listening, both guys and girls, to state that this is not what the play is about. Okay, so it is empowering towards women, it makes us feel good about being female and it makes us feel more comfortable with ourselves, and though there may be a few pokes taken at the opposite gender, in general, it is not an attack on men, nor is it counter-productive towards making society equal. It's hard to explain without you actually seeing it, but it is two simple things: a feel-good production, and just as importantly, an awareness campaign. That's not to say that each production is not unique and that some may turn it into something else - which is fine - just don't make assumptions about something you haven't actually seen.
Funnily enough, I think I ended my last entry on a similar note. I don't mean for this to be uber-serious or anything. Just something to keep in mind. Any questions about theater at MIT will probably not be answered by me, because I'm just a groupie ;) Someone from ARTalk can probably help you out :)
Comments (Closed after 30 days to reduce spam)
Posted by: KaYnaR on February 16, 2008
Posted by: Libin Daniel on February 16, 2008
Posted by: 0 on February 16, 2008
Posted by: 0 on February 16, 2008
Hopefully that motto applies to photography as well.
Posted by: Hyun Jin on February 16, 2008
I was also planning on going to Suburbia tonight because one of my friends is in it...Karen, do you want me to take some pictures? :D
Posted by: Paul on February 16, 2008
Also, I can only think of like 2 times that men were mentioned in any sort of negative way, and they were both clearly in jest, and well-received as funny by the whole audience, I thought. (As in, men laughed at them too.)
Posted by: Laura on February 16, 2008
Posted by: May on February 16, 2008
Also, OMG YOU POSTED ABOUT WILD PARTY. I WAS GOING TO DO THAT.
(Honestly, though, I don't care.)
Posted by: Keri on February 16, 2008
Posted by: Keri on February 16, 2008
I don't know why other universities don't have bloggers. I've been reading these blogs for a year and every post gives me new insight of what MIT offers. I love the MIT bloggers!
Question to MIT bloggers (or other MIT students for that matter): Have any of you taken a class(es) at the Glass Lab?
http://web.mit.edu/glasslab/classes.html
Posted by: Steph on February 16, 2008
Anyway, I love the fact that MIT has a glassblowing lab! I really want to take a class there next IAP...I also have quite a few photos of the glassblowers at work; I'm definitely going to be posting them soon. :D
Posted by: Paul on February 16, 2008
I'll be looking forward to seeing those pictures. Glassblowing is awesome.
Posted by: Steph on February 16, 2008
Posted by: Tanmay on February 16, 2008
i want the feministic physicist that would work by my side and refuse to be a stay-at-home mom. you know, the sort of woman that i'd order to make me sandwich and she'd slap me for it.
i think feminists are sexy.
i want the feministic physicist that would work by my side and refuse to be a stay-at-home mom. you know, the sort of woman that i'd order to make me sandwich and she'd slap me for it.
<3
Posted by: 0 on February 17, 2008
Posted by: Ana on February 17, 2008
Posted by: Tanmay on February 17, 2008
Posted by: Shruthi on February 17, 2008
Posted by: Masud on February 17, 2008
Posted by: Paul on February 17, 2008
Posted by: Tanmay on February 17, 2008
@Paul, do you realize that your Ben Jones link points to your page? What blasphemy is this?!?
Posted by: Hawkins on February 17, 2008
"VAGINA IS NOT A DIRTY WORD". Well!! That’s what my mother had to convince my Aunt Pratima last year (my Father’s elder sister) when she told her that she was taking me to watch The Vagina Monologues playing at a famous local theatre. I?? I wasn’t sure I was willing to watch it, especially after the previous night’s intense ‘debate’ (it was literally a quarrel of sorts) between my parents regarding the play after they came back after watching the play together. My Dad (or was it the egoistic MAN in him) was furious over the play because he thought that it was the work of a bunch of dirty ‘publicity crazy’ (ironically the same reason he went to watch the play; it had generated a lot of controversy here in India and he was curious what all the hullabaloo about ) pseudo-feminists who were, in the name of fight against violence with women were polluting the society. This brought out the "WOMAN" in my Mom: vehemently supporting the play and negating my Dad’s (which after watching the play my self I can say were, dubious) observations. My Mom praised the play saying that it is not merely a play written for and by feminists, it is a form of rebellion, a step closer to the elusive goal of female emancipation; and contrary to what my Dad (or rather the selfish man driven society at large) thought the play does not reduce women to their sexual organs, but merely acknowledges that our identities as people are inextricably linked to our sexualities. (I don’t think Eve Ensler could’ve presented the objective of her play better herself). And this went on for quite a while…..before my Dad give up (And now I know that he had no other option).
Yes…I did go to the play that day with my Mom. Though I won’t say that I was very comfortable watching it with my Mom ‘initially’, but after the play I found me and my Mom discussing how deep rooted this problem and was not limited to the slums of the poor. Before I saw this play, I knew there was a problem. I just didn’t appreciate the extent of it. At the end of the day I really thought that I had evolved as an individual, as a "MAN".
P.S. Yes!! Even my Aunt Pratima watched the play
Posted by: Samujjal on February 17, 2008
Hey!! Formula SAE's definitely the place n thing for me. Thanks for the info. Man!!! the concept's just mind boggling. Guess its one thing the both Aerospace Engineer and Formula 1 CCrazy in me will love to be a part of. Hey if you could kindly help me with some links to any blogs or something by any of the participants about their activities. It would be really helpful.
You people are making it more difficult for me to even think of thinking of not getting an acceptance letter. With every post and comment by you guys I feel that at MIT is where my destiny lies.
Posted by: Samujjal on February 17, 2008
Posted by: Paul on February 19, 2008
Posted by: Samujjal on February 19, 2008
MIT has theater buffs!!!!!!!!!! Happiness Abounds for a frustrated musical theater/costume design/ANY production junkie!
And, lastly, to echo the masses: Utterly catching title...
Posted by: E. Rosser on February 19, 2008
Posted by: ISHMAel back on March 2, 2008
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