Fall Quarter Activities - Week Two

 

Announcements:
MAHABHARATA WRITING ASSIGNMENT: Your first writing assignment will be due next week, on Thursday, October 13, at the end of class.

Here is the assignment: Take one scene from the epic after the Kauravas and Pandavas (Duryodhana and the five Pandava brothers) appear in the text and write the scene out as a performable dialogue. Understand the characters as described in the text, visualize them in action and speech. Then write the dialogue. Then re-write that scene from a different point of view--feminist, the underdog, or anything else that makes you think of a variant perspective. You may choose any scene that you like. However, if you are at a loss, some of the scenes I would suggest are:
1. The archery contests-particularly the scene in which Karna appears.
2. The dice game-before, after, or during.
3. The machinations of Duryodhana.
4. Duryodhana, Shakuni, and Karna convincing King Dhritarashtra.
5. Any of the battle scenes, particularly when Arjuna decides to give up arms.
6. The aftermath of the battle-where the philosophy of the MHB is expounded.
7. Yuddhisthira's visit to Hell.
There is a chart in your books that gives the lineage so that it is easy for you to address the various characters as “Uncle,” “Son,” “Nephew” etc. In the seminar on Wednesday (October 12), we will produce your scripts as a rough readers' theatre. Then you have 24 hours to re-write if necessary.

On Tuesday, October 4, there will be a lecture/demonstration by Sri Mohini Mohan Patnaik, a music composer who is also the foremost flautist of India's Orissi area. This will take place on the Evergreen campus, exact venue to be arranged. Beginning on October 6, Dr. Sunil Kothari, a Fulbright scholar, will begin his residence in the program. Also, on Friday, October 7, the entire program will take an evening fieldtrip to Seattle, to attend a performance at the Seattle Repertory Theatre. This is a required event. For more information, click on the title of the performance below.

Cathay: Three Tales of China
by Ping Chong and Shaanxi Folk Art Theatre
Innovative theatre artist Ping Chong returns to Seattle Rep with his newest creation, Cathay: Three Tales of China. Like the delicately evocative Obon: Tales of Rain and Moonlight, Cathay is a theatrical triptych that weaves together tales from far-flung eras of China’s past and present, mixing puppetry and actors. This original work was commissioned by the Kennedy Center and developed in partnership with China’s Shaanxi Folk Art Theatre.

 

Readings:

The Mahabharata of Vyasa, by P. Lal. Available in class.

Tuesday, October 4

10-12: Com 110 (Roy), Com 341 (Williams), Com 323 (Tsutsumi) and Com 210 (Jang)

Workshops on language and arts; note: Tsutsumi-sensei's classes begin at 11:00.

1-4: Com 107 - India (Ratna Roy)

Wednesday, October 5

10-12: Com 310 (Tsutsumi), Com 320 (Roy), Com 323 (Jang), Com 338 (Williams)

Seminars on themes introduced by the readings

1-3: rehearsals, films, and independent practice on your own

Thursday, October 6

10-12: Com 110 (Roy), Com 341 (Williams), Com 323 (Tsutsumi) and Com 210 (Jang)

Workshops on language and arts.

1-4: Lecture Hall 3 - India (Ratna Roy)