Day 17: A Day in Ameriville

Today we had classes again at the CS office.  For our Fine Arts class, we split the class in half between the two instructors.  Unfortunately, all of my roommates who are in the class with me will be taking it with the other instructor which made me sad.  But we had fun going around the room introducing ourselves and talking about our art backgrounds (for those of us who have them).  We spent the second half of the class being led in a workshop by some folks from the Victory Gardens Theatre (where we would be seeing Ameriville later that night).  They had us do some “story telling” exercises that were really fun.

For my Metropolitan class, we discussed a reading that we had done for the day, and then we spent the last hour and a half taking a walking tour of the city and its architecture.  It was fun to take a closer look at the ins and outs of some of the buildings throughout the city. 

Tonight, for our Fine Arts class, we went to the Victory Gardens Theatre to see their production of Ameriville.  It was AMAZING!  It was a show all about different political issues in America (like race, poverty, war, etc.), looking at them based on the events of hurricane Katrina.  And it was directed in such a different style.  They used very little furniture and set them up to make different pieces (sort of like when TCC produced As It Is In Heaven).  The four actors took on the roles of numerous people, personifying those whose stories they were depicting.  There was also constant music throughout.  Some of the monologues were sung, and even when they were spoken, the actors sang and stomped beats and danced in the background.  The woman in the show had such a powerhouse voice!  She was incredible! The different genres of music and the way that they portrayed all of these stories and issues were so powerful and moving, and I absolutely loved it! 

Seriously, you should all go see it! 

Today was a long, full, but wonderful day overall.  I am so looking forward to all the other cultural opportunities that will be offered to me over the next three months!  As so many of you already know, theatre and music (and other kinds of artistic expression) are like nourishment for my soul.  I love to see things that make me think and touch my heart; and this city can offer that nourishment to me in so many ways!

Thanks to all of you, as always, for your love and encouragement.

I miss you.  I love you.  Always.

~ Julie ~