1. New Orleans History Online
http://www.neworleansonline.com/neworleans/history/
This website is AMAZING!!! It is an all inclusive look into the cresent city. I highly recomend for research purposes or planning a vacation!
2. New Orleans INETours
http://www.inetours.com/New_Orleans/French_Quarter_History.html
This was an excellent resource for maps and visuals of several locations in New Orleans and the French Quarter.
3. Curtain Up Theatre Review
http://www.curtainup.com/
For reviews this is the place to go. I may not have always used this site for the reviews of each performance but it provided a wide scale of choices and very informed opinions.
4. The music, culture and food of New Orleans
http://www.gumbopages.com/neworleans.html
This is another all inclusive site that had many helpful facts on music, food and history.
5. Wikipedia Tennessee Williams
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tennessee_Williams
Tennessee Williams wrote with such passion and knowledge of his themes and characters I thought it was crucial to really have the facts on the man himself.
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Dramaturg's Statement
A streetcar named desire is a brilliant production steeped in colorful emotions and surrounded in sweet New Orleans sweat. In order to deliver a heart-wrenching, powerful performance there are several elements that need to be given special attention. Setting is key to the production. New Orleans, more specifically The French Quarter is a place like no other. The filthy, yet tempting streets that intersect each other making the French Quarter and Jackson Square offer opportunities that are found few other places on earth. Let alone all with-in walking distance of each other. The audience needs to feel the heat and humidity of the hustle and bustle. They need to be able to taste the sweet bourbon and biegnets. They need to feel the click-ity clack of the street car with out ever seeing one. The specific architecture including picturesque wrought iron balconies are key to the setting in New Orleans. However, The Kowalski’s apartment is on a seedy, multi-cultural, working class section of the quarter, not an upscale loft. More of a tiny, crowded two bedroom abode. Still, the audience needs to know that the action of the all day, all night circus is right around the corner. The French Quarter is a temptress that has a heartbeat of her very own.
Fantasy vs. Reality is a major theme of this production. This needs to be evident throughout. Thankfully Mr. Williams did a brilliant job putting this into his characters, mainly Blanche. The actress playing this role needs to be completely aware that Blanche has no grasp on reality and thus she needs to be able to make choices in this frame of mind. The set being built with the split room apartment but still having the street visible gives the impression that the apartment is a safety zone. Letting the street represent the outside(scary) world. This only adds to Blanche’s downfall when she is attacked inside the “safety zone”. Blanches inability to over come her fantasy life eventually pulls her so far under water that she has to be hospitalized. Throughout the production we hear fantastic webs of lies created by Blanche, though we are entertained by them, we feel sorry for by the end of the play.
Sex is a very powerful theme throughout the play. It is used as a weapon, a control tactic, a release and as a balance of power. Stanley is dripping with raw, male sexuality the entire show. Very controlling, very vocal and has the look every woman loves. Hard working and knows what he wants but can still be knocked to his knees by the right woman. Stella controls her sexuality but it is still very present. She does not flaunt it but does not make a secret about when she is satisfied. If fact the “Stella!!!” scene in the second act allows Stella to emote her sexual prowess and control when she slinks down the stairs to meet a screaming Stanley. Blanche is sexually confused and that is very necessary to the character. We know she likes to think she likes sex and wants to portray herself as a seductress. When deep down she needs it for the ultimate human connection if nothing else.
Lighting is another element to pay close attention to. I think it is important to watch the way light is used around Blanche. She is never in full lighting and finds many opportunities to shut curtains and cover lamps, almost as if she doesn’t really want to be seen by anyone. She wants to only create an illusion of herself.
Music! The Varsouviana Polka. Blanche hears this through out the production. This music is crucial to her sanity, or lack there of due to the fact she heard this just before her husband shot himself. Jazz and swing music were crucial to the era. Smokey lounges and cocktail bars were engulfed in dance music and the slow sounds of the trumpets and trombones.
Finally desire itself should be clearly delivered in this production. Stanley, Blanche and Stella, the true human nature of desire is apparent in each one of them. We see Blanche’s desire for a better life or for the life of luxury she once knew or thought she knew. We also see her struggle with the fact desire is what got her here in the first place. No one thinks a drunk, abusive, unfaithful man is a real catch, but in Stella’s mind he is. Due to her desire to be wanted and protected allows her to love and accept him.
This is a very intense and emotionally draining show for the cast, crew and audience, however your work and dedication will most definitely pay off.
Fantasy vs. Reality is a major theme of this production. This needs to be evident throughout. Thankfully Mr. Williams did a brilliant job putting this into his characters, mainly Blanche. The actress playing this role needs to be completely aware that Blanche has no grasp on reality and thus she needs to be able to make choices in this frame of mind. The set being built with the split room apartment but still having the street visible gives the impression that the apartment is a safety zone. Letting the street represent the outside(scary) world. This only adds to Blanche’s downfall when she is attacked inside the “safety zone”. Blanches inability to over come her fantasy life eventually pulls her so far under water that she has to be hospitalized. Throughout the production we hear fantastic webs of lies created by Blanche, though we are entertained by them, we feel sorry for by the end of the play.
Sex is a very powerful theme throughout the play. It is used as a weapon, a control tactic, a release and as a balance of power. Stanley is dripping with raw, male sexuality the entire show. Very controlling, very vocal and has the look every woman loves. Hard working and knows what he wants but can still be knocked to his knees by the right woman. Stella controls her sexuality but it is still very present. She does not flaunt it but does not make a secret about when she is satisfied. If fact the “Stella!!!” scene in the second act allows Stella to emote her sexual prowess and control when she slinks down the stairs to meet a screaming Stanley. Blanche is sexually confused and that is very necessary to the character. We know she likes to think she likes sex and wants to portray herself as a seductress. When deep down she needs it for the ultimate human connection if nothing else.
Lighting is another element to pay close attention to. I think it is important to watch the way light is used around Blanche. She is never in full lighting and finds many opportunities to shut curtains and cover lamps, almost as if she doesn’t really want to be seen by anyone. She wants to only create an illusion of herself.
Music! The Varsouviana Polka. Blanche hears this through out the production. This music is crucial to her sanity, or lack there of due to the fact she heard this just before her husband shot himself. Jazz and swing music were crucial to the era. Smokey lounges and cocktail bars were engulfed in dance music and the slow sounds of the trumpets and trombones.
Finally desire itself should be clearly delivered in this production. Stanley, Blanche and Stella, the true human nature of desire is apparent in each one of them. We see Blanche’s desire for a better life or for the life of luxury she once knew or thought she knew. We also see her struggle with the fact desire is what got her here in the first place. No one thinks a drunk, abusive, unfaithful man is a real catch, but in Stella’s mind he is. Due to her desire to be wanted and protected allows her to love and accept him.
This is a very intense and emotionally draining show for the cast, crew and audience, however your work and dedication will most definitely pay off.
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Educator's Packet
It is with great excitment and pleasure that I can share this amazing piece of theatre with you and your students. Tennessee Williams is considered one of America's greatest playwrites and is a vital literary resource. "A Streetcar Named Desire" is heralded as one of his greatest works. Tennessee Williams was born in 1911 in Columbus, Mississippi to very difficult household. A heavy drinking father, hysterical mother and mentaly challenged sister is not the ideal upbringing for anyone. Williams turned to writing as an escape and found that is was his one true passion. Attending college at Washington University in St. Louis local theatre groups began performing his plays. Shortly after arriving Williams dropped out due to personal problems only to return and graduate from the University of Iowa. After graduation he lived a confusting but creative bohemian lifestyle that led him to study playwriting at the New School in New York. His first Broadway production premiered in 1945, "The Glass Menagerie" opened to rave reviews, ran for 563 performances and was awarded the New York Drama Critics Circle award. A string of theatrical and literary smash hits followed. Tennessee Williams' brilliance sparks contstant interest into his lonely, dependent world that led to the birth of today's theatre classics!
Written in 1947 "Streetcar" is full length drama done in three acts. Set in the 1940's "A Streetcar Named Desire" transports us to the tempting, toe-tapping streets of New Orleans' French Quarter. Known for it's colorful street performers, diverse cultural population, woman, whiskey and all night jazz fests! Just off lively Bourbon Street we meet the people that narrate this twisted world for us. Stanley Kowalski is a WWII veteran that is dripping with brute sexuality and steaming with a hot-headed Polish temper. Stella Kowalski brings us balance to Stanley. She is more docile and level headed but at the same time ironically finds nothing wrong with Stanley's outlandish behavior. Finally we meet Blanche du Bois. Blanche is Stella's sister and thats about the only normal thing about her. She is a delusional, fading southern belle with a scandelous past. She lives in a self-created world of nonsense! First performed on Broadway in 1947, "A Streetcar Named Desire" became a instant success and it's relitivly unkown lead actors became stars over night. Running for a total of 855 performances and going on to be awarded Tony's and a Pulitzer Prize. The popularity of the show led it to be one of the most performed works of Williams. In 1951 the movie was made, including some of the original Broadway cast. Elia Kazan silver screen version won 4 Oscars, was nominated for a total of 12 and went on to win many other prestigious awards.
**Classroom Activity**
Setting the Scene
Tell students that they will be studying the Tennessee Williams play, A Streetcar Named Desire. The setting of the play, New Orleans, is an essential element of Williams' play.
Ask if any students have lived in or visited New Orleans, which is the setting of A Streetcar Named Desire. If so, have them share their impressions of the city. Expand this discussion by asking other students to share any perceptions they have of New Orleans. Break students up into groups, making sure they can work productivly together.
Advise them to take notes as preparation for brief class presentations of the information they have gathered. A display map of New Orleans would be a useful backup for the presentations.
The following can be used as topics for the groups to discuss:
The French Quarter
Elysian Fields
Bourbon Street
Preservation Hall
Lake Pontchartrain
Location of Desire streetcar and others that visit Bourbon and Canal Street
Discussion Questions
1. What influence did the fact the play is set in the South have to do with building the set?
2. Did you give the actors specific traits and qualities to play or did you give them freedom to explore on thier own?(for director)
3. Were there key points or scenes that you spent more time and than others? If so which ones and why?(for director)
4. Is there music that is specific to New Orleans or could you have used just Southern jazz music?
5. How did you design Blanche's costumes? Were they modled after the movie version?
Written in 1947 "Streetcar" is full length drama done in three acts. Set in the 1940's "A Streetcar Named Desire" transports us to the tempting, toe-tapping streets of New Orleans' French Quarter. Known for it's colorful street performers, diverse cultural population, woman, whiskey and all night jazz fests! Just off lively Bourbon Street we meet the people that narrate this twisted world for us. Stanley Kowalski is a WWII veteran that is dripping with brute sexuality and steaming with a hot-headed Polish temper. Stella Kowalski brings us balance to Stanley. She is more docile and level headed but at the same time ironically finds nothing wrong with Stanley's outlandish behavior. Finally we meet Blanche du Bois. Blanche is Stella's sister and thats about the only normal thing about her. She is a delusional, fading southern belle with a scandelous past. She lives in a self-created world of nonsense! First performed on Broadway in 1947, "A Streetcar Named Desire" became a instant success and it's relitivly unkown lead actors became stars over night. Running for a total of 855 performances and going on to be awarded Tony's and a Pulitzer Prize. The popularity of the show led it to be one of the most performed works of Williams. In 1951 the movie was made, including some of the original Broadway cast. Elia Kazan silver screen version won 4 Oscars, was nominated for a total of 12 and went on to win many other prestigious awards.
**Classroom Activity**
Setting the Scene
Tell students that they will be studying the Tennessee Williams play, A Streetcar Named Desire. The setting of the play, New Orleans, is an essential element of Williams' play.
Ask if any students have lived in or visited New Orleans, which is the setting of A Streetcar Named Desire. If so, have them share their impressions of the city. Expand this discussion by asking other students to share any perceptions they have of New Orleans. Break students up into groups, making sure they can work productivly together.
Advise them to take notes as preparation for brief class presentations of the information they have gathered. A display map of New Orleans would be a useful backup for the presentations.
The following can be used as topics for the groups to discuss:
The French Quarter
Elysian Fields
Bourbon Street
Preservation Hall
Lake Pontchartrain
Location of Desire streetcar and others that visit Bourbon and Canal Street
Discussion Questions
1. What influence did the fact the play is set in the South have to do with building the set?
2. Did you give the actors specific traits and qualities to play or did you give them freedom to explore on thier own?(for director)
3. Were there key points or scenes that you spent more time and than others? If so which ones and why?(for director)
4. Is there music that is specific to New Orleans or could you have used just Southern jazz music?
5. How did you design Blanche's costumes? Were they modled after the movie version?
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