#rutgers

(During the week)

Sylvi has been trying her best to keep up with the reading and assignments. It's a lot more than high school.

Sylvi had to pick one of the arts and humanities... she chose (Pick one)

Intro to Music
Art of the Western World
Introduction to Philosophy

(or something theatre related 😉 )

Totally Intro to Theater. ( 😉 )

The Greeks had some interesting stage concepts.

She absently wonders if Sully has ever used any of these.

Indeed... she settles next to Phoebe. Phoebe should be a kithain. She's not but that's neither nor there

"Hey, Phoeb."

Phoebe looks like a prep type, if the term still applies, fashion conscious, ultra trendy, and ... to many surprise, nice as hell "Hey Sylvi Starpower , they converted you to theatre major yet? Have you heard the word of Shakespeare our lord and Sayether?"

She plops next to Sylvi

A grin. "You joke. That was kind of the original plan, but...well, it's not real practical, right?"

"Pracitcal smacktical, anyone can be a hit at doing what makes them happy, all you need is a strong will, big dreams, a bit of talent, and... rich parents. Remember that last one. It's big" She winks

The professor is used to a little chatter, at least as classes start up "Hope everyone read up on the Greek Chorus?"

"Yeah, well...I'm a little short on the last part." Then she hushes as the lesson starts.

Phoebe holds up her hand "Are we allowed to answer that question singularly?"

A bemused grin at Phoebe. "Goofball," she mutters goodnaturedly.

The professor has a sense of humor and chuckles "The Greek Chorus , as you either studied on your own or wikied fast, is a homogeneous, non-individualised group of performers, who comment with a collective voice on the dramatic action. Now it has evolved, adapted, but it can be fun to go back to the roots"

Phoebe winks at Sylvi

"That must have been kind of...awkward, right? Like, these people parading around, telling you what you're supposed to think about the play? The audiences liked that?"

"Every enjoy a voice over narrator? " The professor says

She blinks, and says, "Huh. Okay, yeah...."

"Now it can be annoying, forced even" She nods " And that's a legitimate danger, over playing the use of it. Now a days I think you guys would call it 'Anvilicious'... when someone almost BULLIES you with the moral of the tale or yes, how you should feel if something's wrong with you. Guess what some greeks did when it got done wrong?"

One student says "they didn't go to the show?"

"Some didn't, but this is one of the few community events everyone goes to, FOMO was real there. Think of it as boycotting socialmedia, you can, but argh" The professor says "So anyone else have any other ideas of how some reacted?"

"They mocked the hell out of it?" Phobe finally says

"Satire! Not a new thing!" The professor smiles "Oh heckling was done, bronze age style . And others made plays mocking the works of the first plays. One thing you'll learn in this class is that the fore fathers of theatre today could be positively catty. "

"But " the professor continues "It also lead to experimentation of the Greek Chorus. What happens when the Greek Chorus that's supposed to be rooting for the hero of the story switches sides? What happens when the Greek Chorus obviously LIES, blantantly? See this is one reason I actually prefer comedies; I have a theory that comedy, more than tragedy or drama, was where most theatrical R&D was done, but I have good peers I respect who disagree. Sadly, we know a lot less about Greek Comedies."