Virtual Discussion

Print Close
The Tempest Concept Discussion

Kelleen Moriarty 4 months ago
Concept
Just throwing it out there, but I think The Garden of Eden as a concept is a really fitting one. It
highlights the human themes of the play, particularly forgiveness and knowledge, as well as the
ideas of life and rejuvenation. Because of the Biblical implications. I think there needs to be
purpose in the setting, not just in a random island. This is a new, magical place of life and
humanity, as well as of something higher (a magical/spiritual/godly being).

Krista Cowan 5 months ago
How can this play speak to Madeira?
Post your responses!

Kristin Joostema 5 months ago
I know we talked a little about this in the first meeting already, but I think switching the gender
is a really fantastic idea. It worked really well for the play two years ago and I think it could
work again. It jut makes the character so much more interesting! Women are fascinating and
complex and there is just a whole lot to explore in terms of relationships and motivations and oh
my goodness, just so much. I think that we are an all female school, and while it is fun to play a
male, or see a play about a man, it is just more real and accessible and more powerful to see a
play with a super complex and interesting female lead.

I agree with Kristin. Making Prospero a woman adds a whole new level of complexities. She and
her relationships are so much more interesting and so much more fun and insightful for us to
explore.

I'm so glad you love the idea! The image of Prospera as a mother figure, yet also the figure of
power and rule, is a modern and complex image, and one which we will continue to contend with
as women continue to rise and gain prominance in positions of power and authority all over the
world. Women will be presidents and governors, and yet also bear children, thereby also taking
on the role of mother. How will women balance these all-consuming and sometimes conflicting
roles? Will they do it well? Will one role suffer at the expense of the other? How must women
maintain a balance between these roles? It strikes me that our production of The Tempest, where
many of the male roles would be played as women, could raise these questions and point to the
future. I wonder what you all think about these ideas?

in reply to Krista Cowan
I think that if we make the character a woman, we should also make the brother a woman. This
way, the power struggle is evident because they are equals. Additionally, the power dynamic of
sisterly relationships and dominance plays well within the story.

What theatrical style will accomplish this?
Post responses. You may also attach images or music or post video links!!

Movement tempest - I think this play analyzes humanity and human emotion. In making the
storm on stage with the beauty of human movement, we could highlight the emotional chaos and
raw beauty of the humanity. Does this make sense?
http://www.candoco.co.uk/media/Imperfect-Storm-Annie-840x560.jpg

I agree with Kelleen. I think the idea of a movement piece in the play is really interesting. I think
that it could be our twist that will get people over the "ugh, Shakespeare" hump and get everyone
super excited to either be a part of something really cool and new, or to come and see what
interesting things we have done.

Great! I love that you all want to do movement. There are many ways to incorporate movement.
Deciding on what time period and conceptual idea or metaphor we go with will help us
determine the style of movement and how/where to incorporate it. I'm so glad you are up for
experimentation and exploration of new theatrical territories!

I really like it. I am so excited for the movement idea to happen! Do we have a
metaphor/concept/image yet for the play? I do agree that we should have one to guide us before
we go any further.

What major theme/message do you want to highlight?
Post your responses and feel free to engaged in a discussion amongst yourselves.

I think that the idea of forgiveness is a fascinating theme in this play.

I also think that magic and the power of magic are really interesting. They're not themes, but I do
think they're important aspects of the show.

Hi ladies -
I agree that forgiveness is a central theme in the play. What a great theme! It is so hard to
forgive, yet so essential for life.

I also agree that magic is a huge theme in this play, and something fun to play with! What is this
magic? Where does it come from? What does it represent for us? How do we relate to it?

I am inspired by the idea that magic, in Shakespeare's time, was that mystery of supernatural
power which was still in the realm of the unknown. We know a lot more now than they did back
then about magic - magic tricks, supernatural phenomena which we cannot explain, those we
can, etc... But there are still plenty of things we marvel at in our day and age. It strikes me that
something we marvel about quite at bit, nowadays, is the mystery of what might be possible soon
through continued scientific progress. Will science fiction become a reality? Is Star Trek fiction,
or may it become tomorrow's reality? How much of our current science fiction will someday
become reality?

What if we explored a futuristic world where women were dominant in positions of power, and
where advanced scholars and researchers, such as Prospera, were so advanced in their
knowledge, skills and understand of the forces and rules of nature and the universe, that they
were able to perform acts and feats that are so far beyond our current comprehension they seem
as magic or supernatural to us (and to those of their time?)

Grace Owen 5 months ago
I also really really like the way that magic is explored in this play and I think that there are a lot
of ways that we could play with it. Giving the magic a more futuristic vibe might be interesting.
Seeing Prospera as an incredibly advanced scholar also promises a lot of interesting character
tweaks. I think that magic is a central part of the play, and we can definitely do something with
that as it relates to the different characters - seeing it as a form of power, or a source of wonder,
and how that changes power structures and relationships. I think that the intersection of magic
and nobility is also interesting.

Grace, I really agree with everything you said. I like the idea of a more futuristic magic, I'm not
exactly sure how we would do that, but I really like it as an idea to be explored. Your point about
magic as a sign of power and how it changes power structures and relationships is really
interesting. I see power as a big theme in most of the relationships between the characters and I
think the power theme is important because it is so evident in real life relationships, or at least it
is for me. I also see now how magic is a super important aspect of power and the relationships
and structure and I definitely think we should keep this idea of the role of magic as we continue
moving forward.

I really like this play so far! I haven't read all of it yet but I plan to over the summer and I already
have fallen in love with the characters. I think that the complexity of the plot will keep the pace
interesting. I also LOVE the idea of portraying this play as a movement piece. I think that would
be exciting and allow everyone to be as creative as they can. I know we talked about
genderbending some of the characters, which I think would definitely be interesting (and
possibly make some of the jokes funnier). I like the idea of a female Ariel, but I also think
Prospero should remain male because I have a very clear vision of him in my head. Again, I
really like the characters in this play and I think that with some of the tweaks we could put in
(changing genders, movement) it would be extremely fun for us and the audience!

Grace, I agree very much with a lot of your points. However, I am very wed to the idea of
Prospero being a lady. I think that in changing the character's gender, she becomes more
powerful, complex, and ultimately interesting. The strength and power of this character
untraditionally applied to a woman adds new dimensions to the story and the relationships
between the characters.

in reply to Kelleen Moriarty
That makes a lot of sense! I think that putting that sense of power and positive magic in the role
of a woman would be very significant - especially when Prospero's magic is already used to
contrast the evil magic of Sycorax. It might be fun for us to combat the idea of masculine magic
being "good", while Sycorax's feminine magic being "evil"

Another cool thing that I have seen is that there is a lot of art about this play, which really
interests me. I guess this is more of a tech thing but I think that there are a lot of ways to play
with the setting and the characters of this play. I think it could be gorgeous - I see a lot of rich
fabrics and colors and strong old-time naval themes. I think that with fabrics we could play with
movement even more. Here are some examples I've found:
http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/2/2d/Miranda_-
_The_Tempest_JWW.jpg/800px-Miranda_-_The_Tempest_JWW.jpg
http://www.english.emory.edu/classes/Shakespeare_Illustrated/Dadd.Sands.jpg
http://www.english.emory.edu/classes/Shakespeare_Illustrated/Fuseli.Ariel.html (this painting is
by one of my favorite artists, Henry Fuseli)
http://www.english.emory.edu/classes/Shakespeare_Illustrated/Huskisson.Sands.html
http://www.english.emory.edu/classes/Shakespeare_Illustrated/Poole.Tempest.html
http://www.english.emory.edu/classes/Shakespeare_Illustrated/Ward.Miranda.html

What stands out for you?
What characters or major events stand out for you?

I think the relationship between Prospero and Ariel is interesting. I';m not sure what it means or
where it comes from. What does Ariel symbolize? What is her purpose? I can't decide.

What would you like to learn?
Post anything!

Any images, metaphors that inspire you?
Post ideas - feel free to attach images, copy links, or upload other source material.

What is this play about for you?
Please feel free to begin the discussion and reply to one another's posts.

Virtual Discussion

Transféré par

Informations du document

Titre original

Copyright

Formats disponibles

Partager ce document

Partager ou intégrer le document

Options de partage

Avez-vous trouvé ce document utile ?

Ce contenu est-il inapproprié ?

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

Virtual Discussion

Transféré par

Droits d'auteur :

Formats disponibles

Print Close

The Tempest Concept Discussion

Vous aimerez peut-être aussi