“East Meets West: The Shanghai Project”

Students who participated in the ”East Meets West: The Shanghai Project” performance.
Photo Credit / Dana Reese
Students who participated in the ”East Meets West: The Shanghai Project” performance.
Photo Credit / Dana Reese

BY JAMIE REESE
SC Web Editor

 

As a part of Inauguration week, On April 3, ten students from ESU and five from Shanghai Normal University demonstrated their theatrical talents to the public.

Directed by Dr. Margaret J. Ball, the demonstrations included performances ranging from Shakespearean sonnets to Eastern martial arts. Other performances included “ Shall we Dance,” from The King and I, monologues, dancing and a finale of Seasons of Love from “RENT”.

“We have been working all semester, bit by bit,” said Ball. The hard work culminated in a spectacular evening of entertainment.

“I am not a big fan of Shakespeare, but I thought that was very good – very moving,” said Susan Jones, a member of the audience.

And this should be of no surprise. Many of these students are active and experienced in theatre. Icey and Cindy, students from Shanghai Normal, are acting majors.

“I have been performing for three years,” said Icey.

“I have been doing dance for about then years,” said Cindy.

From ESU, Hunter Fogel and Alex Misurella are fresh off the stage from “The Goat, or Who is Sylvia?”.

On comparing Sylvia to The Shanghai Project, Fogel and Misurella had much to say.

“It’s a different animal,” said Fogel. “It’s less work than the play, and less preparation.”

“It was different because of the setting. It was more intimate (than the play) because we didn’t have the set,” said Misurella. “It wasn’t intimidating at all.”

If a play seems too daunting or like too much of a commitment, then perhaps projects like this one are better for students to enter into theatre.

A bulk of the performers came from Ball’s Voice for Performance class.

“The class looks at how to use your voice,” said Ball. According to the online class description by the Theatre Department, the course develops a person’s voice “in range, power, flexibility and articulation.”

Any students who have been contemplating trying out theatre might want to consider a class. Doing so will fulfill credits and provide introductory instruction.

Otherwise, keep your ears open for future performances; you do not want to miss any more.

Email Jamie at:
jreese6@live.esu.edu