Update on the Second Week!

It's hard to believe it's only been about two weeks abroad. LDA is starting to feel like home, and at the risk of sounding overly sentimental, I can already see how hard it will be to leave...12 weeks from now. But in any case-this past week has been incredible, I got to see three shows-one with my school, and two on my own. The schoolwork is piling up as we get past syllabus week and introductions, but I've been craving the work. I feel at home in the studio, but I don't have anything specific to talk about yet as we have not really gotten into true class work-this week, however, will change all of that, I'm sure.

No that's not true-acting is becoming more intense as we explore Stanislavski's seven questions for our individual object exercises, and we are already starting to explore different characters through the same exercises, which are extremely detailed and helpful. Just goes to show that the work is there, and needs to be done...much like a pianist practices his or her scales every day, so this kind of exploration is to the actor. I am also looking forward to the mime and mask work we are to do in Physical Theatre, based on Lecoq's studies. One show that I saw this week, "Blind Man's Song" at Jackson's Lane in North London, demonstrated mask work beautifully, coupled with dance. I'm starting to see how all of the classes at LDA, much like the pieces of a puzzle, will fit together to produce stronger, more well-rounded actors of us all.

And now, to the pictures!

Some friends in Flat 10, after cooking a meal of pasta and salad.

During one of our walks with Simon Dormandy, around the West End, learning about the history of theatre in the area!

One of the studios at LDA, the Shaw Room. We have Acting and Movement here. 

Pre-movement class jam session!

Our first "Space, Place, and Text" class took us to the Victoria & Albert Museum. We went to the theatre exhibit and were told to choose a set that intrigued us-I chose this fanciful set of the English National Opera's production of "RUSALKA" by Dvorak at the London Coliseum. 

We are to write a piece on our chosen set, about the meaning of space and place, and how it affects our  thoughts and emotions as we walk into the theatre. I can't imagine walking into a theatre and beholding this set-the sheer magnitude of it astounds me. The play is set in a Victorian nursing home that eventually transforms into a magical forest with a pool. It is about a child longing to reach adulthood. The set is obviously shown mid-transition, and it has a dream-like, yet eerie quality, that finally drew me in. 

Me and my flatmate and a rather grotesque statue of Oscar Wilde.

And that concludes this week's recap. More to come very soon, as always. 

cheers!

M.Ang

Oh, the Places you'll go!

Switching it up a little-the first of many Top 5 posts...presenting: my Top 5 travel destinations!

1. Taipei, Taiwan

-my parents met while attending college in Taiwan, so this destination is a bit personal/sentimental. Regardless, Taiwan has a great food scene and the best boba (bubble tea, tapioca) in the world. Not too mention charming corners such as this.

2. Prague, Czech Republic

-Beautiful architecture-it is also the landscape for one of my favorite books-"The Unbearable Lightness of Being" by Milan Kundera. I also think that it would be challenging to visit a place that is starkly different from any other place I have encountered so far.

3. Cape Town, South Africa

-Coastal, vastly different. I would also like to experience the theatrical culture here.

4. Petra, Jordan

-I enjoy history. And I think that this place will humble me.

5. Moscow, Russia

-I mean, come on, it would be like a pilgrimage for me. Also, vodka.

Look for more Top 5 posts coming soon!

cheers,
M

Week 1.

I wanted to wait until the end of the week to do a post, but I couldn't wait.

So far, all of our classes have consisted of sitting around in a circle and talking, some exercises, but no real meat as of yet. Which is to be expected, it's only been two days for God's sake.

Only two days, but I can tell the next couple of weeks are going to kick my ass. I must say, the standout class thus far belongs to Kathy Pogson, the director of the program and a hell of a dame.

She is...really something, she is unapologetic, and demands every last bit of mental and physical energy from us. Which makes her such a great teacher but I have to admit that I was caught off guard and even a little offended by her being in our faces right from the start. It was weird because all of the points that she brought up, I knew inwardly. How serious the stakes are, how it is ok to take your time to really prepare, how acting is about effecting change in another person. I was not able to articulate it, however, and I think that may be why I've been feeling a bit weird these past two days in her classes. Made me realize how soft I've become. How undisciplined and coarse.

There is a certain frankness about her that I appreciate but also, in a small way, resent. I'm so used to thinking about only pleasant things that I forgot what it was like to face reality and truth...both of which are usually not so pleasant. And so I can feel myself recoiling from some of the activities we do in class, and I can't quite place why. I've become so closed off during the past semester, I realized, I forgot what it was like to work in a big group. She can sense my reluctance, I know it. Among other goals for this semester, I want to be able to (re)confirm for myself my desire to pursue acting-or theatre-in general. By which I mean, if I finish this semester with my love for theatre intact, I can most definitely continue among this path. (and perhaps continue with a more expansive heart for it and for others.) I want to know if I must act. If I can only be an actor-and not, say-a human rights lawyer.

Lots of personal reflection. But this blog is supposed to be about studio life with my classmates. So, a couple of pictures from our first few classes.

not a class, during a lunch break in the library. 

stage combat...? 

The rapiers we get to work with in stage combat are so cool. That's it for now. Tomorrow we see our first theatre show as a group, "Behind the Beautiful Forevers" at the National Theatre. 

more updates (and perhaps a guest blogger!) soon, 

-M 

Orientation Week

Three days in London feels like a century. It is humbling to be here, especially today, where we got a walking tour of the Globe Theatre and the Rose Theatre.

Since classes have not started yet, I thought I would share some pictures from our adventures around town thus far. Starting next week, however, we are in class from nine to five/five days a week. So-expect a lot more studio pictures/stories come next week.

My goal is to blog at least once a week. Will have guest bloggers soon!

Blue London at 6am

We decided to walk from our flats to the Globe Theatre this morning. 

Conclusion of first tour at the River Thames 

burial ground for the "Westminster Geese," in other words, London prostitutes. 

enjoying European beer and comedy night at Heythrop!

-More to come, cheers all :)

-M.Ang