Pipeline - Brecht

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Article on Brecht Technique - https://thedramateacher.com/epic-theatre-conventions/ 
  • instead of projection on the screen, the pushing and the fight continues to happen between each scene, but in different ways 
  • at one point its like a boxing match, at another point its in slow motion, at another point it is something else 
  • flashing lights here? 
  • at the points where Nia is talking to the class, she actually interacts with the audience sort of like in Mobile 
  • the stage is confined within a box, changing out set pieces inside the box 
  • the characters themselves do the changing 
  • moments in the scene, the characters pause and ask the audience what they would do 
  • Nia would get the audience to recite the poem back with her --> repeat after me
  • Omari would be sitting in the audience as if he was a member of the class, but when he recites the poem he will be yelling 
  • BRECHT technique 
  • characters that are not on stage are in the audience, watching 
  • that same theater would be used 
  • narration: instead of projections of the videos, instead projected on the wall would be a description of what would happen in the scene 
  • costumes the same 
  • sets similar, but again sparse, maybe the box idea? 
  • house lights weren't on, but had some low lights on so that the audience could see when characters would be sitting in the audience 
  • for the announcements that come on, someone would hand an audience member a script and a microphone, make the audience read out the script for the announcement 
  • important moment: when Nia is reading the poem to the class
    • Omari is in the Audience, but he stands up 
    • Nia makes the whole audience recite the poem ("repeat after me") 
    • Nia freaks out when she sees Omari, but when its over he sits back down in the audience and she moves on to changing the set to signify that the scene is over 
  • lighting, coloring, and costume would be pretty much the same --- I think it works for Brecht 
  • though this is not super Brecht, I want the characters to keep their acting intense --- I want that strong contrast because the actors do seem completely emersed in their characters -- no distancing 
  • blocking/movement would be similar, except Omari is in the audience not behind Nya 
  •  when Nya says: "Class, today we're going to look at one of my favorite poems by Gwendolyn Brooks." Nya hands out some pieces of paper to the people in the audience -- just the front row? 
  • breaking away from the script, Nya has the audience recite the poem 
  • when Omari is reciting the poem in between her lecture, he is yelling the poem from the audience -- does he stand up? 
  • As soon as Nya "leaves the classroom" she changes the setting -- takes the props away 

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