final monologue presentation reflection

Nicholas Arnovitz

Reflection

            Although I wasn’t delighted with the idea of the combined monologue, I believe that the performance went very well.  I think it went well since we practiced a lot before the performance and saw each other perform individually, so we both got feedback from both the teacher and the partner.  Also, since we worked together two years ago in a short scene called “Long Island Iced-Tea” I think that help since we already have some experience together.  I was surprised that there were a lot of people since I thought that there were going to be many workshops and presentations going on.  I was very nervous at first, but in the end it was good for me since it is a preview of what the play audience is going to be like.  In the end the most important thing was to practice in front of each other since it gave us confidence and we told each other what we should work on.  I am very glad I could be a part of GIN through theatre since it’s a worldwide event.   I think that our combined monologue stood out since it was the longest and was different to all the others because of how mine started and how we both “interrupted” each other.    

play reflection

Play Reflection

            I think that the play is going all right, but it could be much better.  I am starting to feel nervous because the play is soon and this is the first production that I am in.  It is necessary to practice and to recuperate my confidence since this play has great potential and it can be very funny.  The only problem that I have is that there is not a great atmosphere with the cast.  There are some that seem very negative mood and that affects all the play since this brings all the play down.  It is very important to have everybody 100% committed to making this play a success because if not you shouldn’t have signed up for this in the first place.  However, in the final two weeks I am hopeful that we have a moment of brilliance and bondage.  I am an optimistic person, so I do believe that the play is going to turn out well, but we have A LOT of work to do.  As for myself, I have to work more on my dramatic pauses and my facial expressions.  I have to stop second guessing myself and start experimenting different expressions and ideas that I have.   

Combined Monologue

Cake. I want cake. There is one thing in the world that I want, its cake. You never realize how awful and terrifying the world really is until you experience it yourself. You never think about yourself being in a position in which you’ll suffer every day of your goddamn life. I haven’t eaten real food in over a month and there is one wish that I have… it is cake. . I know for a fact my life has been taken away from me and I know I won’t get out of here alive. If I had a choice it would be chocolate, but it would make my mouth thirsty.. but I don’t care since it would be my last meal. I was sold to a man yesterday. First one ever. Apparently he was the highest bidder, but what does that matter, they all treat us like shit anyway. If we don’t please them enough, we get the beating. That smell of chocolate fudge that makes you crave for more sweetness. And the taste of joy and happiness nourishes me. Many people wouldn’t understand since cake isn’t exactly a meal, but I would really want some cake. This one night however, I will never forget. I was walking back to the brothel after receiving a beating from the man who bought me and I found a little girl crying hysterically on the footsteps of this apartment building.  She wasn’t crying because she was forced to have sex unwillingly, she wasn’t crying because she had been beaten up, she wasn’t crying because she was stripped naked and chained, she wasn’t crying because her “so-called” parents had shoved a baton down her throat to get her to do it, she was crying because after her rehabilitation she had nowhere else to go, other than to return to those parents. I haven’t been fed in this place for weeks, there is a hole in my stomach that can no longer be filled. I cannot express the pain that I feel since outside there are children playing and having fun when I am stuck here working, living in misery. We are slaves, pushed around, beaten up, forced to work all day long. You’re being used and exploited and all for money. Hell on Earth. They make me work on this sweatshop, they starve me, they abuse me, they take advantage of me, the make me work like a dog and all I ask is for a piece of some god damn cake! No one gets out of here alive. I don’t expect to get out of here alive. Now that I think about it this piece of cake would really make me thirsty.. so a glass of coke would also be nice. Or maybe a glass of clean water for once, since it is the last meal I will have. I miss the feel of the sun warming my body. I used to sit beside this beautiful magnolia tree in a park a few blocks down from my house. I’d put my sunglasses on and just lie there on the grass, feel the breeze on my arms and I’d fall into such a deep sleep. It’s been so long though, I can barely remember what it feels like. I want to go home, I want to see the smile on my parents’ faces. But I’m stuck here, I’m a slave now and I can’t be saved. Imagine, all your freedom, just taken away from you, in one second. And in one second, you’re life is over. 

Reflection Cake

Cake Monologue

            The monologue will be presented on Friday 2:30 on the Center Stage for GIN.  The monologue that will be presented in the Center Stage is a combined monologue between Daniela Chavez and myself because we are tackling similar Global Issues.  I am not exactly thrilled with the idea of the combined monologues, but it will be interesting how it plays out.  Ms. Morrison said in class that I am supposed to make my character more like a little kid, which I agree to some extent.  I understand her point of view and I will try to make my attitude and stance more playful and childish.  By making this approach I will attract the attention of the audience more effective.  Ms. Morrison also told me that she wants me to be angrier and make my monologue based on anger.  However, I read my monologue and realized that there was something that wasn’t right since my whole point was to make a sad kid begging and basically “fantasizing” about cake.  I changed the line that says, “I cannot express the anger that I feel” since what this boy is really feeling is pain and despair.  I changed the key word “anger” to “pain” to make my monologue change its purpose.  The reason I did this was because I think that it will fit better with the story and help myself.  Also, when I see the other monologues (no disrespect) I often feel that they are over-acted and too over the top.  If I made this kid be angry and make it too much about anger it was going to end up being too overacted.  What I saw in the monologues in class, the most effective monologues were the ones that were just spoken since the words were the most powerful element, not the motions.  The words of the monologue are what the monologue’s message is.  My final decision is to make a child to be sad and be in pain “fantasizing” about cake.  I am going to make an honest approach, not over-acted. 

Monologue Improved

I want cake.   There is one thing in the world that I want, its cake.  I haven’t eaten real food in over a month and there is one wish that I have... it is cake.  If I had a choice it would be chocolate, but it would make my mouth thirsty... but I don’t care since it would be my last meal.  That smell of chocolate fudge that makes you crave for more sweetness.  And taste the fresh sugariness that nourishes me. Many people wouldn't understand since cake isn't exactly a meal, but since I know this is my last one... I would really want some cake.  I haven’t been fed in this place for weeks; there is a hole in my stomach that can no longer be filled.  I cannot express the anger that I feel since outside there are children playing and having fun when I am stuck here working, living in misery.  Hell on Earth.  They make me work in this sweatshop, they starve me, they abuse me, they take advantage of me, they make me work like a dog and all I ask is for a piece of some GOD DAMN cake!  

(Pause) Now that I think about it this piece of cake would really make me thirsty... so a glass of coke would also be nice.   Or maybe a glass of clean water for once, since it is the last meal I will have.  

journal 2