THE ODYSSEY

A couple of months ago my journey began when George Drance of Magis Theatre Company visited our facility. He performed a one man dramatic adaptation/teaching of Homer’s “The Odyssey” and asked if we would have interest of possibly putting on the production. What an amazing opportunity that was offered to us. I immediately shouted that there would be interest and that we’re all in as if I were afraid that George would leave before we had a chance to answer. The rest of the men in the room were all in agreement and enjoyed what was presented to us. Fast forward to this afternoon (Sat., 12/21/19) and George came back!

Today we did an acting workshop and started with the basics. In all honesty most, if not all of us, never had any real acting experience other than perhaps our grade school plays. For myself, I remember doing these little skits with friends as a teenager. We had a camcorder (you know, the kind with videotape) and we would make these sets out of whatever household items we could find. We had lots of fun and at the time felt that we could be great writers for Saturday Night Live. Anyway…

Today George taught us the actor’s roles: the Body, the Voice, and the Imagination; as well as the three “commandments” of acting: Be seen, Be Heard, and Be-lieve. We started with some simple exercises that grounded us and gave us an understanding about how our bodies move and how to control our kinetic energy. He showed us some techniques such as the “red wave”, “blue wave”, and the “big X”. We practiced voice articulation, volume, and projection as well as showed how our actions on stage must be believed to be believable.

What’s more is our community learned a lot. What George did was show us that we are not lost nor forgotten. It gave all of us a sense of accomplishment and meaning. During this holiday season all of us are away from our families. We are men, we are fathers, brothers, uncles, nephews, and even some of us are grandfathers and great-grandfathers. George took his time to come visit us and teach us. He gave us dignity.

We will be practicing what was taught us and learning the script over the next months. When George comes back we will be ready for our next workshop and I look forward to where this journey takes me.

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