Saturday, April 30, 2011

The Best We Can Do?

Tonight I was duly disappointed...
in my generation.
In our society.
In my passion.
And in my college.


The college I am attending put on three One Acts this weekend. Each act was directed by a theatre student.
I almost auditioned. I didn't, because I was afraid I wouldn't have the margin for rehearsals every night.
Now, for a different reason, I'm glad I didn't.
The first act of the play consisted of, as best as I can remember,
  • At least three uses of the middle finger (once was two hands at once)
  • four uses of the 'F' word
  • two uses of the 'S' word
In the FIRST ACT alone-- which was about a thirty minute production!! The second act, thankfully, was actually not insulting. The third act started out as a bit questionable, but when the discussion quickly turned to a man doing lewd sexual act with a woman and his desire to hurt her with fingernails... along with the 'A' word and another naughty word... my friend and I had to get up and leave. 

I wish I had asked for my five dollars back.

I was, when I was three years younger, seriously naive, and overly optimistic about our society, an aspiring theatre major. 'Was' is the operative word. Now, I realize that if this is the best a community college in the heartland of America (and the Bible Belt) can do, then I have no hopes of ever going to New York or L.A. and finding any form of media I would ever want to be a part of.

I thought the Arts was all about expressing yourself in a creative way. Forgive me, but I do not consider the use of the 'F' word or the middle finger as expressive. I consider it just the opposite-- an uneducated, offensive, and obtrusive way of expressing yourself. It's what one resorts to when he or she has such a small vocabulary that he or she is unable to find a word to describe such strong feelings he or she is experiencing! If you are a talented enough writer, actor, or director, you shouldn't ever have to stoop to such a low level to express what you are feeling with the middle finger or the F bomb!!! You shouldn't want to!  Aren't there facial expressions, other words, other (non-offensive) gestures to get across what you are wanting to say?!?! Isn't that what you go to a college acting class to learn?? Do we have to resort to using a high schooler's expressions of disgust on a college stage?? Aren't we better educated than that?


I am ashamed to say that a portion of my college tuition went to support the creation of that production. And, better yet, my college tuition has hiked all in the name of building a bigger, better theatre to host more of these such productions!

That isn't art. That is a lewd, disgusting, uninspired, uneducated use of theatre. Directors have captured the attention of fellow human beings who want to be drawn in by the stage, not turned off by it. If this had been my first theatrical production to attend, I would never go back to a play ever again.


 Just for the record, the people in the audience weren't entertained by these little immature obscenities. I could tell by their reactions--they were shocked and not appreciating or enjoying what they were seeing. I'm afraid this is only a small glimpse of our culture's new norm: a steady decline of morals and a steady rise of immoral and offensive gestures/words to get our points across. 

Wake up, people. We can do better than this.

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Theatre!!

So... you know what I said a few posts ago about not getting cast in that play I auditioned for??
Well, I was wrong. For the first time in THREE years I have finally arrived back on stage!

Wooooohoooooo!
Anyone who has been bitten by the acting bug knows how frustrating it can be when no good parts/plays are coming along and when your schedule simply won't allow a production. It's frustrating. It's annoying. It's disheartening.
My mom has a term for it: creative constipation.
Ew. A bit graphic for me... but I suppose it does sum it up quite nicely.
So anyway, I have to tell the story about how I got the part. It's quite fascinating. But first I have to tell you that there is a running list of "special" things that happen to me on the 22nd. My birthday being the most pertinent. I also met an all-time favorite singer, donated a foot of hair to locks of love, among over things. This story, as you will see, is no exception.
  The last part I got cast in was on March 22, 2008. It was on a Saturday night, and my mom, sister and I went out to eat for Easter dinner because we don't have family that we get together with over Easter. Earlier that week I had auditioned, and hadn't received a call, so I knew I wasn't cast. I sadly dropped the script back at the library, feeling horribly bummed and telling myself "better luck next time!" Just as we got in the car, my cell phone rang-- and what do you know? It was the director giving me THE part that I was dying to play. It was probably the most wonderful production I'd ever been in. The cast, the story, the characters, everything was magical for me.

Fast forward three years and one month. I had auditioned for a production-- I guess I should tell you that it's Steel Magnolias-- last week and didn't get cast in the play. I was really disappointed-- I've auditioned for several plays and ALMOST got cast but for various reasons never did. My mom, sister, and I went out to eat for Easter dinner on Friday, April 22. In the midst of my fake mashed potatoes and blackened tilapia I got a call on my cell phone-- the director-- asking me if I would like to play the part of Annelle!!!
At the same theatre (that I've always loved) on the same day of the month doing the same thing with the same people.
                                                            On the 22nd, NO LESS.
Coincident? I think not.

Well, I have to go. It's late and I'm sooooo tired!

Happy Tuesday!
Annelle :D

Sunday, April 24, 2011

THAT'S my King!


Happy Resurrection Day! I hope everyone is having a wonderful and blessed day with family. Today, after a very, very long drought and lots of prayer for relief, it began raining. It started after midnight and rained on and off all day long. It was so welcome and appreciated, and very timely, in my opinion. :)

A few weeks ago I was taking a class and they showed this video. I've been thinking about it and thought I would share it with everyone, in case you've never seen it:



Whooo! This video gives me goosebumps and a lump in my throat all at the same time. THAT'S my King! It's unbelievable what a loving, forgiving, kind, powerful, attentive, steadfast King Jesus is. Do you  know Him personally? If you don't you're missing out on the relationship you were created for. Meet Him now. Jesus wants to be your Lord and Savior and Friend and King!

My pastor said that when we take communion, we take it in remembrance of Jesus' death until He comes again. I've thought about it hundreds of times before, but today it really struck me-- in remembrance of His death until He comes again. And the only reason why He's able to come back for us is because He's ALIVE!  He's coming again. I can't wait. I'm so ready!

Waiting--
Lena

Saturday, April 16, 2011

Busyness!

Yes. I am still alive.
I can't believe how long it's been since my last blog! I guess I just kinda forgot about posting for a bit. And I'm still learning the ropes on having a blog. I don't know what to talk about besides stuff going on in my life, but I don't want it to be all about me. I'm going to be working on that part. 
So what's new with everyone?? 
I don't know that I mentioned my new job... but I'm working at a bridal shop, selling any dress that isn't a wedding dress. So far, so good! I'm actually selling and restocking/pulling dresses so I don't have an hourly commission to make. Thank God! I do NOT want to be on that performance treadmill of trying to sell, sell, sell all the time! 

I also auditioned for a play that I didn't have time for. A mixed blessing... I didn't get cast. It totally sucks cuz it's been like three years since I've gotten to act. But my family's anthem is "God either says 'yes' or 'I've got something better'" so I'm just trying to tell myself that when the time's right I'll be on stage again. 


What else is new? 
Oh. My family surprised me yesterday. With a new bed. My dream bed. 
A way too expensive bed. One that I've drooled over but never in my wildest dreams actually thought I would own. I also thought that I was in on all the family secrets and that I would never be surprised by anything simply because I'm too sleuth-y.  Right? Wrong. My sis and I went shopping for new cell phones and when we came home I went in my room and what did I see in my room? Not my old dumpy headboard (bought from a garage sale for $10) that's ugly and embarrassing and hidden behind pillows. No, quite the opposite. This amazing, exquisite, piece of furniture was actually in my room holding my mattress: 
Lilac Bed

Is that carving not exquisite? Here's a close-up:
Lilac Bed
I was shocked and speechless and thrilled all at once. 
I don't deserve it. I shouldn't have it. But yet it was given to me simply because I am loved. Reminds me a lot of God's grace. 
I am so thankful. And blessed. 
Thank you Jesus. Thank you, family! 


So what's new with everyone else in the blogosphere? More blogging to come (hopefully) in the not-too-distant future!  


Lena

Wednesday, April 6, 2011

TV

Hello Blogging People!

Sooooooo I'm in a major state of procrastination once again... I have a massive science test tomorrow that I CANNOT, I mean cannot bring myself to study for. woohoo. I know I'm going to be kicking myself tomorrow, but I just don't care at the moment. So I'm here, blogging instead. Which makes me happy.

I've been noticing a disturbing trend lately on TV. Not that I watch that much of it... I would, but most of the stuff is pretty gory and I find it more painful than enjoyable to watch, so I either watch reruns that air at random times of the day or game shows. And the occasional reality TV show, but that's neither here nor there. :)
Anyway. My mom was watching Grey's Anatomy last week (I saw parts of it too, but I was watching it at the gym so I couldn't hear the dialog). From what I could tell, it was a weird combination of Glee, a Broadway play, and a soap-opera. Torres was (from what I could tell) in a car accident, and was having an out-of-body experience. All the while she was singing to the Universe. All throughout the episode, the cast was singing to/about Universe as if it were God. I don't know about anyone else, but I find that more than a little odd. Or is there something else going on about this episode (since I don't follow it regularly) that I need to be enlightened about??

Our culture, which I believe has shifted dramatically in the past few years, has become more and more absurd, and the weirder the content becomes the more enthusiastically the American public seems to accept it. Like V, the new series featuring aliens inhabiting earth. Am I out of the loop here or something? I don't find this entertaining to watch. Is it too much to ask for normal TV shows like RebaHome Improvement, West Wing? I feel dweebish because I still like watching the Disney channel. But at least I know I'm not going to be watching someone's guts splattered all over the concrete and reenactments of someone shooting a bullet into someone's head half a dozen times.
I'm not against watching TV shows. I want to watch TV shows. I'm just not the type of person who enjoys blood, guts, and gore every time I sit down on my sofa!!
Ugh.
Well now that I've got that off my chest, I'm-a gonna go study for my big, hairy, scary test tomorrow. :) yaaaay!
I hope you have a fantastical Wednesday!

~Lena

Sunday, April 3, 2011

To Date or to Court, That is the Question

So it's been a crazy weekend.
But with beeeeautiful weather! 90 degree weather, blustery afternoons, and sunshine! It feels good to wear shorts again...
Today my mom, sister, and I discussed the hairy, scary topic of....

DATING VS. COURTSHIP
Dun dun dun!!!!! 
I know that there are very, very opinionated people on both sides of the subject, while others are on the fence about the whole issue and are quite content to stay there.  
I personally know people of both persuasions, and in the past, oh three years or so, I've actually hopped the fence completely on my beliefs. I hope not to offend any blog browsers, but I'm going to state my beliefs on the whole subject because this blog is my personal platform to spout my opinions on subjects... which is good because if I'm in a group setting chances are I won't speak out on stuff. 
I do not believe in courtship anymore. I did, once. But I've personally seen too much legalism in courtship and I believe that if a couple has been saved by grace and redeemed by the blood of the Lamb they are completely set free, are new creations, and are able to have a godly dating experience. I think the courtship view is good in theory, but it stands on the belief that you must live by a set of man-made rules to keep a man and a woman  out of trouble because they aren't strong enough. Let me ask this: if Christ is living in you, then how can you not have enough strength? Is it you or Christ who is going to be giving you strength? Is Christ not strong enough to lead you and the person you love in a righteous, God honoring relationship?

And if a Christian is completely free to live in the grace and love of God, then must a couple go back to man's rules in order to have a godly romantic relationship? To quote the Apostle Paul, "having been begun in the Spirit, are you now being made perfect in the flesh?" (Galatians 3:3)  Putting ourselves back under the law--under the bondage of man's authority--is putting the effort back on ourselves, on our flesh and our effort to try and have a Godly relationship. Where's the focus--on ourselves? Or on Christ? I believe it makes us self-reliant instead of God-reliant. Romans 8:14-15 says:  "For as many as are led by the Spirit of God, these are sons of God.  For you did not receive the spirit of bondage again to fear, but you received the Spirit of adoption by whom we cry out, 'Abba, Father.'"

I have a real problem with living a life of grace and freedom then going back to man's rules to discover how to have a godly relationship with the opposite sex. 
Don't get me wrong, I believe in remaining a virgin until I'm married-- I've had a purity ring since I was thirteen years old. I don't think it's wise or smart to date 100 different guys just because they're there and dating is considered 'fun'. I believe you should date with a serious, non-flippant attitude. But I don't believe courtship is the only way to find your mate if you are a Christian. 

So there you have it. My two cents for the night.
Thanks for reading my rant! 
Feel free to chime in if you vehemently agree, disagree, or wager somewhere in the middle. I promise I won't bite!
Lena ><>