Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven"; an adaptation - flashback memory/film

For my theatre arts senior thesis at Hartwick College I wrote, directed, and designed my own show. I wrote a 20+ minute one-act play that was based on Edgar Allan Poe's poem "The Raven." To flesh out Poe's poem, I used a series of other stories and poems, creating more of a back story for my nameless narrator. At one point in the play I did a flashback memory/film that I projected onto the backdrop. This is that film. The poem that my narrator and Lenore are reciting is Poe's poem "Ulalume."

Rehearsal Pics from Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven": an adaptation

Here are some rehearsal pictures from my Theatre Thesis at Hartwick College. I did a stage adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's well loved poem, "The Raven." It was a resounding success with very positive feedback from everyone both in the Theatre Program and the English Department! I'll try to upload one of the rehearsal videos I shot to give you a sense of some of the creative license I was able to take with the dialogue, as well as the video that I used as a flashback memory during the performance :)

"Quoth the Raven, Nevermore."

Helping "Death" brace himself on the stilts before starting rehearsal.

Angels surrounding Lenore.

Seated; our Narrator. Standing; Angels and Lenore (green dress).

Some old pics from various theatre projects

Found some old pics that I wanted to share!

"The Solo Show" cast (January 2011). I'm front right.

Dearly Deaparted Hartwick College January 2010 production. I'm back row, far right.

2012 Hartwick College Freedman Prize Winners. I did two projects in one. My English Thesis was about Theatrical Presentation and Convention in Edgar Allan Poe's work; and I wrote, directed, and designed a stage adaptation of Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven" for my Theatre Thesis.

Sam MacColl Garfinkel's Freedman Prize Presentation. Dance/Movement.

Drama Kids International: Update

So I completely forgot about the fact that I never updated my status in terms of Drama Kids (it's only been 7+ months haha). I didn't get a head teaching position but I was offered the Teaching Apprenticeship, which I gleefully accepted. I moved to the Albany area back in June of last year with my boyfriend. I've really enjoyed Drama Kids. The kids are wonderful (with the exception of some rambunctious students here and there). I started classes in late September and am currently working with the kids during their January session. It took the new teachers and myself awhile to get into the rhythm of how the classes are structured and how the kids "operate."
Unfortunately I can't go into great depth about our curriculum because it would be a breach of contract; but what I can tell you is that we focus primarily on increasing each student's confidence and willingness for public speaking. Improvisational skills and speech are our main focus. It isn't a production based program, though we do present what we do in class to the parents.

Drama Kids International

So I might have a job out in Albany NY with Drama Kids International. It would be a part-time teaching position teaching theatre to kids from ages 4-12. I would be teaching one class a week but the lady who runs it said there is room for growth and advancing into a full-time position. Next week I'll be sitting in on a class to see if I'm up for their teaching style and I'm really excited! I'm hoping to set up a formal interview within the next two weeks because I'm also applying for the Theatre Arts box office internship at Hartwick College. Judging by how the theatre department has been this semester/year I'm not sure if I want to work there. It's been very unorganized this year and it's really disappointing. I'm also looking forward to moving on with my life so I'm really hoping to get this job with Drama Kids Int'l (plus I'll be able to move in with my boyfriend *bonus*).

Directing Experience

Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven": an adaptation - Writer, Director, and Designer
Fall 2011 Monologue Festival - Director, Co-Producer
Fall 2011 24-hour Play Festival - Director
Spring 2011 Monologue Festival - Director, Co-Producer
Dec. 2009 One Acts (Yesterday's Window) - Director
Oct. 2009 One-Acts (Phone Sex and a Dumb Show) - Designer/Stage Manager, Co-Director

Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven": an adaptation

I'm currently in the final stages of my Theatre Arts Senior Thesis, Edgar Allan Poe's "The Raven": an adaptation. This project has been a year-long endeavor that I am proud to call my very own. I adapted the work myself, taking Poe's 5-6 page poem and turned it into a 20+ minute piece of work for the stage. I proposed the idea to the Theatre Department at Hartwick College back in April of 2011 and finalized my script in September 2011. I cast the show in February (had to make some adjustments with casting because of scheduling conflicts) and now my show opens in less than three weeks! I'm excited and nervous at the same time. Directing as well as designing the show that I wrote (with Poe's help of course) has been an interesting process. Not only that but I wrote my English Thesis this past January on Theatrical Convention and Presentation in Poe's Work; so this fascination with Poe and Theatre has spawned two projects!

After the show goes up, I will be posting pictures as well as video segments from our dress rehearsal so everyone can see my creation. A couple weeks after the show goes up I'll be presenting at our scholarship showcase, as well as posting videos on YouTube.