Student Blogs

November 30, 2015 - 12:12PM

This blog post is by Kathleen Kelly, a junior government & politics and communications double major.

Tartuffe photo by Stan Barouh

Tartuffe, originally written in French by Molière in 1664, was vibrantly brought to life by the UMD School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies this season. The play depicts how a family’s life is turned upside down as a certain houseguest by the name of Tartuffe acts as the moral authority over all their lives, when in fact Tarfuffe is nothing more than a hypocrite who enjoys meddling in their lives. This interpretation of one of the most famous comedies written by Molière is delightfully comical and great fun for the entire audience.

UMD’s School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies added some modern touches to their interpretation of the play. Characters were often seen playing on their cell phones, or would call each other to inform them of the goings-on in the house.The addition of modern technology to the storyline of the play only helped make it more relatable to audience members.

October 12, 2015 - 11:11AM

This blog post is by Karla Casique, a sophomore journalism major.

Edmar Castaneda

Edmar Castaneda
 

The Venezuelan llanos stretched out before me, painted in a nostalgic haze, the land pulsing and blurring with each pluck of the harp, every coax of Edmar Castaneda’s fingers causing memories to peel themselves away from the dark closets of my mind and dance before me on the cabaret style theatre on a Friday night.

It was a fascinating thing to watch Castaneda and Tierra perform together, their souls clearly forged from the same stone. It’s not surprising since they are husband and wife—20 days after meeting, they got married and now have 2 kids plus 12 years of marriage. Both have the gift of smudging reality, making the music visible across the air, their passion and devotion vibrating the skeletons of the crowd.

October 7, 2015 - 11:11AM

Philip Kershaw is a senior theatre and history double major, and Marina di Marzo is a senior theatre and broadcast journalism double degree candidate. Here, they give some insight about Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Lynn Nottage's Intimate Apparel, a UMD School of Theatre, Dance, and Performance Studies production that runs October 9-17.

Intimate Apparel

Intimate Apparel cast & crew photo courtesy of Philip Kershaw & Marina di Marzo
 

The American Dream is the first product we ever buy. It comes in a shiny package with the promise of the world being at your fingertips if you give in to its alluring aroma. The willingness to bet on ourselves to be able to reach the happy ending that we all desperately desire is injected into our psyche from an impressionable age and never truly leaves us. But what if you don't get that happy ending? What if there are roadblocks on the pathway to the Promised Land that you cannot move?

Nottage's work highlights the ties that bind us together, the inner stitching of the American quilt whose individual panels represent a wealth of differing experiences.

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