Southern Girls - Play Review

A Bit of Background
After going to watch Julius Caesar with my drama elective, the producer, Linda Bisesti, had invited us to go watch her production of Southern Girls up at the Cal Poly Main Stage Theatre. This play is about 6 childhood friends (3 white and 3 black) that grow up during 1950s-1990s Alabama and how they grow apart in these times of race issues. It was a very powerful play that I thought really brought into light that our racial problems aren't that different from those harsh times.

Changes
After the show, we were allowed to stay for a Q&A session with the entire cast and crew. Something that the director had mentioned was that she had to cut a lot because it was too sentimental and unnecessary. I thought that this change was a really big risk because it made the play less interesting. I felt as if she tried too hard on trying to make a point about how America can't talk about race, instead of portraying the story. This was my (and many others of the drama elective) concern with the show because it didn't feel as if the play gave us any closure with the characters. It seems as if they only got so far but didn't say what happened after.

Acting
I don't have any complaints with most of the actors. At first I thought they had put on excellent performances, which they did. However, after a discussion with my drama elective, I did notice that their portrayals of the characters came off a bit stereotypical.

I had no issues with the actresses who played June Adele-Taylor (Jasmine Mosebar), Wanda Sue Johnson (Kapri Enjoli Margary), and Ruth Hurdle (Ajouraye D. Jefferson). These women put on excellent performances and I really enjoyed their characters and their acting in general.

The stereotypical characters that I saw was the weak (Charlotte Cecil Martin, played by Samantha Girod), the angry (Naomi Hurdle, played by Janeth Garcia), and the racist (Dolly Granger Jackson, played by Ashley Tello). Although these women did put on great performances, their characters were just not there. For Charlotte, I felt as if she was always weak and never got any character development which didn't add to the story. Naomi was very angry all the time and did have character development, but I don't think she portrayed it effectively. Dolly was just always a racist. She was nothing but a racist until her very last scene.

Two things that I believe really hurt these actresses are that maybe a lot of their great scenes were cut out and that the director didn't allow them to cry. Not allowing the actresses to cry was a really huge risk and choice to make especially in such a sentimental play as this. I believe that not crying took away from the characters and that it really all goes back to the director wanting to make a point and not the story of the play.

Technical (Lighting, Sound, Set, and Costume Design)
Not having a lot of experience with tech, I think that the sound and set were well used. The costumes weren't anything special either, they were just true to the time period.

The set I thought was a little plain but very clever. Having the split stage really gave that feel of separation. Making the white platform higher than the black gave that subtle hint that the white are definitely higher than the black during that time period.

In Conclusion
Cal Poly's production of Southern Girls was very influential on America's racial problems. However, this did make the story a lot less impactful. The acting was excellent but was held back by some very risky choices made by the director. Overall, it was a good play with some very deep messages that really get you to think: "Can America really talk about race?".

EQ

1. Review

• I reviewed the rule of three for writing an EQ.

2. Review the following EQ's and tell us if they meet the rule of three and why they do or do not.

• What is the most important factor in healthy weight loss?
• This EQ does follow the rule of three.
• It allows for more research in different methods, benefits, and consequences to healthy weight loss.
• The answer can be based on facts but also on opinion which allows the person to take a stance (pick sides).
• The question is clear and specific in what it is asking for.
• What is most important to securing a conviction in a criminal investigation?
• This EQ does follow the rule of three.
• This question allows for more research on various parts of criminal investigations, convictions, and their processes.
• This answer can be viewed from multiple points that allow the person to take a stance.
• The question in very clear and specific to what it's asking.
• What is most important in creating a hairstyle that best satisfies a customer?
• This EQ does not follow the rule of three.
• It allows for further research into different hairstyles, psychological satisfaction on deciding on a hairstyle, and customer satisfaction.
• The answer can have different stances because a topic such as hairstyles can be very opinionated.
• The question doesn't seem to be specific enough and can have a very broad range of answers.
• How can an anesthesiologist best treat chronic pain?
• This EQ does not follow the rule of three.
• It allows for more research on the general topic on chronic pain and curing it.
• The answer seems that it would be heavily relied on facts and can't really be argued against.
• The question is clear and specific.

3. Based on your review of the rule of three and your experience with assessing four EQ's, please write another draft EQ for your senior project.

• What is the most effective method a theatre actor/actress can use to best build character?

Lesson 1 Reflection

1. Positive Statement:

• What are you most proud of in your Lesson 1 Presentation and why?
• I was really proud of my hook because I feel as if I got everyone's attention after having to go through all of the lessons. It was also a lot of fun and a lot different than what everyone else did.

2. Questions to Consider:

• What assessment would you give yourself on your Lesson 1 Presentation?
• P
• Explain why you deserve that grade using evidence from the Lesson 1 component contract.
• I believe I accomplished all of the P requirements for this lesson. I didn't really go above and beyond, other than having a very different hook from everyone else.

3. What worked for you in your Lesson 1?

• My hook worked very effectively. I also think that I got my point across really well with strong examples.

4. What didn't work? What would you have done differently to improve your Lesson 1?

• I would have relaxed a lot more and talked slower. Although rehearsing beforehand really helped, the nervousness overpowered my preparedness and I think that that didn't allow me to present as strongly as I would have.