Concept for a production of Ruined

The unifying vision for this production is to have as much realism as possible. The set and various parts of the audience area will be as realistic a representation of the African jungle as possible. The audience should get the feeling of actually being in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. The experiences of the characters of Ruined can only happen in a third world country. The audience needs to feel the experience for themselves, and understand the resiliency of spirit required of the characters in keeping their dignity throughout the atrocities they endure.

The theater chosen for this production is the Gillespie Theater at the News-Journal Center in Daytona Beach, Florida. There are several reasons for this choice. First, it is local and familiar. The size of this theater is very important. The stage is large enough for the set, but the audience seating area is small enough to promote intimacy between the audience and the action of the play. The people of Daytona Beach are the perfect audience for this play, because the purpose behind Ruined is to enlighten the privileged people of the United States about the horrible atrocities of this civil war. Most of the residents of Daytona Beach know nothing of this war.

Gillespie Theater Floorplan

Audience Seating

The Stage

The scenic design would be done in such a way as to give the illusion that the audience is in the jungle and part of the scenery. The aisles of the seating area would have sheets or carpet painted to look like dirt road tacked to them leading all of the way to the stage. There would also be some jungle foliage along the walls. Center stage is a partially built hut similar to the picture below. Bamboo walls built to stand just enough off the stage floor to show that they are there, and a thatch roof hung from the theater ceiling. The upper portion of the walls is left open, so the audience can see the action taking place inside the bar. All of the furniture is made of bamboo.

The Bar/Brothel

The characters costumes would be similar to the pictures below. Christian will also have a faded brown or blue suit jacket, until the end when he gets a new suit. Mama’s costumes will be royal colors like blue and purple, to show her place as the owner of the brothel and the person in charge. The other women’s costumes will be red, yellow, or white. The miner’s costumes will appear to be filthy. There will be enough differences between the rebel soldier’s uniforms and the government soldier’s uniforms for the audience to be able to tell them apart from each other.

Mama & Christian's costumes

Mama's Girls Costumes

Miner's Costumes

Government Soldier's Costumes

Rebewl Soldier's Costumes

The lighting for this production will be somewhat different from a typical theatrical production. The audience seating area will be included. This area will be left dimly lit throughout the production, instead of being dark. This will promote the feeling for the audience of being part of the action taking place on the stage. The stage lighting will change depending on the scene. Daytime scenes will be lit with a yellowish hue to resemble sunlight. Scenes that take place in rainy weather will have a grayish hue to the lighting to resemble sunlight through cloud cover. Nighttime scenes will have a bluish hue to resemble moonlight and starlight. The thatch roof will have some sort of festive lights hung around it to show that this is a jovial place for relaxation. During the scene with the confrontation between the government soldiers and Mama there will be a smoky haze over the stage to show that the war has arrived on their doorstep.

The sound design for this production will also include the audience seating area. Throughout the production, there will be an ambient sound of jungle birds, monkeys and other jungle animals playing at low volume surrounding the entire audience. This will further enhance the audience’s feeling of being in the action of the production. The music for the bar will come from a radio prop in the set that is rigged to produce the sound of an old transistor radio. During the confrontation scene, there will be the sound of explosions and small arms fire surrounding the entire audience seating area. This will also enhance the audience’s feeling of being a participant in the action.

Adherence to all of the specific directions included in the script will also be paramount. This realistic presentation along with including the audience in the environment of the production should have a very great impact on the audience. A production of Ruined done in this way should have a deeply emotional and long lasting impact on the audience that attends this production. This was the purpose the author of this play had in mind when she wrote it.

Daytona State College. News-Journal Center at Daytona State College. Daytona State College. November 10, 2008. Web. May 11, 2011. http://www.daytonastate.edu/venues/njc.html

Kershner, Geoffrey. Theater Arts at Daytona State College, Rehearsals Begin. Blogspot. September 9, 2009. Web. May 11, 2011. http://daytonastatetheater.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.html

Kershner, Geoffrey. Theater Arts at Daytona State College, Rehearsals Continue. Blogspot. September 14, 2009. Web. May 11, 2011. http://daytonastatetheater.blogspot.com/2009_09_01_archive.html

Anonymous. 9Q0HQ/6 Democratic Republic of Congo. AT International. January, 2011. Web. May 11, 2011. http://dxing.at-communication.com/en/9q0hq-6_democratic-republic-of-congo/

Parry, Tom. Developing World Stories, Rankin Congo exhibition. Mirror Blogs UK. February 12, 2010. Web. May 11, 2011. http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/developing-world-stories/congo/

Parry, Tom. Developing World Stories, Global Witness names British firms dealing with Congo rebels. Mirror Blogs UK. July 21, 2009. Web. May 11, 2011. http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/developing-world-stories/congo/

Parry, Tom. Developing World Stories, CAFOD from Congo gold mine. Mirror Blogs UK. May 17, 2009. Web. May 11, 2011. http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/developing-world-stories/congo/

Parry, Tom. Developing World Stories, a new front on the battlefields of eastern Congo. Mirror Blogs UK. January 22, 2009. Web. May 11, 2011. http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/developing-world-stories/congo/

Script Analysis Assignment  

In a blog post, fully answer these questions for Bat Boy: The Musical.

1. Identify the MAJOR CONFLICT of the play. This is between two characters or a character and a group of characters or force.

The major conflict in Bat Boy: The Musical is between Bat Boy and the town’s people.

2. Identify what these characters REPRESENT.

Bat Boy, Edgar, represents a desire to be accepted. The town’s people represent prejudice.

3. Identify the TURNING POINT of the major conflict. This is the point of no return. At this point in the story the protagonist and the antagonist are destined to reach the climax of the story.

The turning point is when Dr. Parker kills Ruthie Taylor, the girl that Edgar bit in the beginning of the play, and then blames her death on Edgar at the revival. At the revival, the town’s people were considering accepting Edgar, but when they hear Dr. Parker’s accusation, it reinforces their prejudice against Edgar. They change their minds, and all hope of acceptance is lost.

4. Identify the CLIMAX of the major conflict. This is the height of the conflict. There is no where else for it to go and it breaks open, explodes, or dies. Be as specific as possible. Write the scene number and describe the specific moment.

The climax happens when Edgar kills Gertie, one of the rancher’s cows, after Meredith Parker confesses to him that she is his mother and Shelley Parker is his sister. Shelley is the only person who has truly accepted Edgar and they have fallen in love with each other. The loss of this forbidden love enrages Edgar and when he kills Gertie, this enrages the town’s people. The act of killing the cow reinforces the people’s prejudice that Edgar is less than human.

5. Identify the RESOLUTION of the conflict. The conflict comes to a conclusion. Be as specific as possible. Write the scene number and describe the specific moment.

The resolution comes when Meredith and Dr. Parker reveal the whole story of Edgar’s creation. When Edgar learns that he is half-bat and half-human his only desire is to die, because he now believes that it is impossible to be accepted. The town’s people are still enraged because of their prejudice and want him dead. Now Edgar and the town’s people both want the same thing, Edgar’s death.

6. Identify the FINAL ACTIONS of the two figures involved in the major conflict. Then explain its significance.

The final action of the town’s people was inciting Dr. Parker to kill Edgar. This caused Dr. Parker to cut his own throat to incite Edgar to attack him out of instinct to drink blood. Although this results in Dr. Parker’s own death, it allows him to kill Edgar without guilt, because killing Edgar is in self-defense.

Edgar’s final action was attacking Dr. Parker after the doctor cut his own throat. This resulted in Edgar’s death, because the doctor stabbed him with the knife while he was biting the doctor’s throat. Meredith Parker is also killed, because her love for her son causes her to grab Edgar while Dr. Parker is stabbing him, and she is also stabbed by the knife.

7. Identify each of the characters' (in the major conflict) over all OBJECTIVES. This is a want that drives them all the way through the play. Keep this active and playable for an actor. Think of action verbs.

Edgar wants the acceptance of other people.

The town’s people want to eliminate the thing that they do not understand.

8. Identify the SUBJECT of the play. Force yourself to one word.

The subject of Bat Boy: The Musical is prejudice.

9. Identify the IDEA of the play.

The idea behind Bat Boy: The Musical is that prejudice is a negative reaction to the diversity that surrounds us in this world, and that the results of prejudice are always damaging. In extreme cases, these results include unjustified death.

10. Write a short paragraph, 75 to 100 words that describes what the play is ABOUT to you and what it conveys. This is your interpretation of the over all meaning of the play FOR YOU.

Our world is full of diversity. There are billions of people with a wide variety in appearance, culture, religion, etc. Even today, many people meet this diversity with prejudice and do everything in their power to belittle those who are different. I believe that the message in Bat Boy: The Musical is that we should all rid ourselves of prejudice. We should all learn to accept other people just the way that they are, and even learn to try to understand their differences. If we do this, we might even learn to appreciate some of those differences.

The Ancient Art of Storytelling




1. Painting of ancient Native American storyteller.



Our textbook states,"Storytelling has long been considered an origin of theater. It contains all the fundamental elements of the form---a performer, an audience, characters, and narrative. In fact, gifted storytellers can transform into the characters in their tales, turning their narrative into a form of theatrical performance. Solo storytelling performance has a long and continuing history." ( Felner 161). Storytelling is ancient and universal. Its origins are unknown because it predates recorded history, as a matter of fact it was the means by which prehistoric tribes passed on their tribal histories from one generation to the next, before there were any forms of written language. It is universal because every culture has stories and storytellers to express these stories. Some examples include European stories like the story of Saint Nicolas, or Santa Claus, Jewish stories such as David and Goliath, or Moses and the exodus from Egypt, and the Native American stories that tell of how the rabbit got its long ears, or the owl got its large eyes.



2. Photo of modern day Native American storyteller.

Although there are many professional storytellers, it is one form of theatrical performance that can be done by anyone. In most churches, Sunday School teachers use storytelling to present their lessons to their class, particularly in children's classes. Many parents end the day with telling their children bedtime stories. These are just a couple of examples of nonprofessional storytellers. Storytelling is used for purposes other than teaching history, it can also be used to teach children valuable life lessons, such as the value of honesty taught in the story of Pinocchio. Sometimes storytelling can involve other art forms, such as the Native American dance in the picture below, this can also get the community involved in the telling of the story, instead of just being a passive audience.

3. Native American storytelling through dance.

Storytelling still takes place today and has even evolved into other forms of solo performance. One of these is stand-up comedy. Many stand-up comedians use stories from their everyday lives to create humor, but it is still storytelling. It just has another purpose, that is to evoke laughter.

Benton, Steve. Yellow Woman, Dr. Murphy, Eve, and the Virgin Mary. Responding to Literature with Dr. Benton. 17 September, 2010. Web. 4 April, 2011. http://bentonseculit.blogspot.com/2010/09/yellow-woman-dr-murphy-eve-and-virgin.html

Phillips, Charlie. Sierra Storytelling Festival. Sierra Nevada Geotourism Map Guide. National Geographic Society. 2009. Web. 4 April, 2011. http://www.sierranevadageotourism.org/content/sierra-storytelling-festival/Sie3FDFE8B8A46CF79DE

Cindy. Native American Exhibition & Demonstrations. Bohemia Mining Days. 7 July, 2010. Web. 4 April, 2011. http://bohemiaminingdays.org/2010/07/native-american-exhibition-demonstrations/

Ken Little Hawk. "One Heart" Little Hawk's Message to the World. Little Hawk Films. 3 February, 2010. Web. 4 April, 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SunKBX8Osjk&feature=related

Ken Little Hawk. Trees Are the Lungs of the Earth. Little Hawk Films. 11 May, 2010. Web. 4 April, 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bb937hfqe74&feature=related

Felner, Mira, Claudia Orenstein. The World of Theater, Tradition and Innovation. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc. 2006. Print.

Puppet Traditions

Puppetry is an ancient theatrical art form and there does not appear to be one specific origin for this art form. Almost every culture in the world has some form of puppetry that is native to their culture. Some of these include Burmese marionettes, Thailand's shadow puppets, and vietnamese water puppets. In the United States, puppet shows are usually thought of as children's shows, probably because the puppets used the most in the United States are like the simple paper bag puppets pictured below. Many times these simple puppets are used to appeal to the children's imaginations to teach them ideas or concepts that may be hard for them to understand or accept from adults.



1. Simple Paper Bag Hand Puppets

The act of giving life to an inanimate object provides the artist with an anonymity and separation from the audience that can not be acheived in other types of theater. This is the reason puppetry can also be used to address adult audiences. Our textbook says, "Puppets pass on myths and legends, illustrate moral teachings and philosophical questions, and present stories of emotional complexity. They are used in political activism and rituals of magic and healing." (Felner 140). The anonymity can help protect the artist from retribution, particularly in the instance of political activism.

Puppets can vary significantly in size and complexity. They can be small and simple like the paper bag hand puppets shown above. However, they can be huge and extremely complex like the giant marionette puppet use in a street play in Germany, shown in the picture below.

2. Giant Puppets in a street play in Germany.

One of the biggest influences on the modern veiw of puppetry in the United States and the world over would have to be Jim Henson and his muppets. Jim Henson used puppets combined with human actors in a couple of different television shows and these shows made his muppets extremely popular. "Seseme Street" was a children's educational show that used the muppets and human actors to teach young children. The best use of puppets, in my opinion, was in his television show that combined his muppets and human actors in a variety show for the simple purpose of entertainment. This was "The Muppet Show" and a couple of video clips from this show are below.

Pacon Creative Products. Rainbow Paper Bag Puppets. Pacon Corporation. 2004. Web.

2 April, 2011. http://www.pacon.com/projects/PaperBagPuppets.htm

Emily. Not Your Average Puppet Show. Rober Media, LLC. 11 November, 2009. Web.

2 April, 2011. http://theberry.com/2009/11/11/not-your-average-puppet-show/

The Muppets Studio, LLC. The Muppets: Bohemian Rhapsody. The Muppets Studio, LLC.

23 November, 2009. Web. 2 April, 2011. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tgbNymZ7vqY

The Muppets Studio, LLC. Muppet Show Moreno and Animal. The Muppets Studio, LLC.

2006. Web. 2 April, 2011.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0yvHWyvexZA&feature=related

Felner, Mira, Claudia Orenstein. The World of Theater, Tradition and Innovation. Boston: Pearson Education, Inc. 2006. Print.