CMU Drama School Blog - post-gazette.com: "On April 14, “The Alice Project” takes Lewis Carroll’s Victorian sensibility and drags it kicking and screaming into the present-day to be tattered and transformed. Directed by faculty member Marianne Weems, this highly anticipated interdisciplinary performance explores the character of Alice through a modern-day lens of technology. The production uses layers of multimedia, including several live cameras, projection surfaces and soundscapes on an overwhelming three-story steel maze of a set that fills the Philip Chosky Theater.
Friday, April 08, 2011
"The Alice Project" Re-imagines Lewis Carroll Classic with Blending of Performance and Technology
CMU Drama School Blog - post-gazette.com: "On April 14, “The Alice Project” takes Lewis Carroll’s Victorian sensibility and drags it kicking and screaming into the present-day to be tattered and transformed. Directed by faculty member Marianne Weems, this highly anticipated interdisciplinary performance explores the character of Alice through a modern-day lens of technology. The production uses layers of multimedia, including several live cameras, projection surfaces and soundscapes on an overwhelming three-story steel maze of a set that fills the Philip Chosky Theater.
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8 comments:
I think it is good that The Alice Project is getting media attention already and this will probably translate into good ticket sales. Being around the process for several weeks I have seen it in many different stages so I really liked the seeing the picture of everything coming together more or less. I've kind of wondered what the show will end up looking like and after seeing this picture I am fairly excited for it now.
Wow this looks great! With all the talk and mystery that seems to be surrounding this show, I'm excited to see what has come from this unique to CMU process. Just from this photo it looks really interesting, and just as Jackson mentioned, I hope that it translate into box office success. No matter what, the experience I hope will have benefitted students involved as well as those who see the show.
First of all, that is a great picture.
Every time I see or read a version of Alice it seems more confusing and random than the last. It's such a strange story open to so much interpretation that I have no idea what to expect. In a way that's really cool because I'll have no expectations and just be able to enjoy the show. It's good to know that's exactly what I'm getting.
I don't know how strong of a theatrical background the author of this article has, but it disappoints me that for a piece of theatre to be called "interdisciplinary", it needs to push the technical aspects right into the forefront. I am not trying to downplay the work being done in Alice, but every piece of theatre is interdisciplinary, and I'm sure other shows done at CMU have placed just as strong of an emphasis on the relationship between performance and technology. But because this piece (and others like it in the professional world) involve cameras that show the actors, suddenly it becomes interdisciplinary. There is no new revelation here; I think audiences have always felt technical and performance aspects of shows don't go together, but this just further solidifies it.
I completely agree that the mystery around the show and the common joke around Alice being "no one knows", makes me really excited to see what the finale product is. And I'm also really excited to see what the media aspect of the show adds to the story and how it integrates in. I also agree that is a great photo.
I really look forward to seeing "The Alice Project", I think it is very interesting that it has received a ton of attention in the school of drama. Also it has gained attention out side of the university judging from this article. While I am excited to see the show, I have heard some mixed reviews from people who are skeptical. People I've heard have compared it to Spiderman in regards to its start date, budget, design, and director. But I think that any show that is willing to step out of what a normal show is trying to do is good. Also, the show will never be finished and this to me is the most important part because it makes the show exciting. I hope that this does not mean that the show is not accessible though, and I also hope that it does not lose integrity because of this.
At least the visual here is good, but personally I felt that this article has too much vagary in it for my taste. When I'm reading about a potential show I might want to go see, I want to know what I'm getting myself into. But just telling me it will be a modern, technological adaptation doesn't sell it for me. It makes it sound like a half baked idea. Hopefully people reading this will know the reputation and bank roll behind the school and give this show more than a passing glance.
I'm truly looking forward to this production! Considering my lack of understanding of media used in theatre, I'm curious about how these conventions will play out on stage and primarily how they will either hinder or support the story of the play. The story of the play is the most important element of the show, therefore if the story is lost in the theatrical elements of the production it will truly be a tragic result. As a designer, I naturally consider the theatrical element first, but non the less I am still an audience member. We shall see.
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