The GED tests are a way to finish high school without completing the traditional four year program at a traditional four year school.
I pursued the GED because my family situation made it impractical to both care for them and pursue my diploma in a diligent fashion. It has never really bothered me that I had to get my GED, but it has always bothered me that it limited my options.
My sister recently received her GED for similar reasons. There was a graduation ceremony, and I initially didn’t want to go. Academic ceremonies tend to make me puke.* They tend to remind me of High School, and people who want to remember High School unnerve me.
*Except College Graduations.
But we went, and I was very happy for it. Unlike other ceremonies, I felt very included. The ceremony celebrated the hard work and initiative it takes to get the GED. But beyond that, it really brought something home for me.
The GED program was started to enable WWII vets to return to civilian life. And while none of the stories shared were so severe as a war experience, all of them shared something that they had been through. Whether that something was parenthood, immigration, or just dropping out, the acquiring of the GED meant something because of that something. The GED signified the moving on and the triumphing over some extreme life situation.
Maybe it’s not a High School Diploma. But it means that you’ve made it. Life has met you, and you have socked life in the face.
I seem to have tremendous luck with watching documentaries on the most seemingly bland subjects. (My previous luck was with a documentary on a font, “Helvetica.”) I watched “Between The Folds” on netflix last night with friends and was blown away. This film beautifully shows the intense and focused world of origami. I was particularly please with how often they referenced the world of music, with one paper folder going so far as to mark his creations by opus number. But I think the thing that intrigued me the most was the fact that origami has a fairly short history as a “legitimate” art form, and it set me off thinking about the wonderful prospects for art as the result of globalization. The hyper-connected age we now live in allows people to from all corners of the world to build what might otherwise have been a niche area. And for that, our culture is enriched.
This winter, a new performance venue opened in the Asheville River Arts District.
The Magnetic Field is a full-service bar, cafe and performance house, featuring original attractions in theatre, music, comedy and more.
I think my favorite word in the above description is “original.” The Magnetic Field is a venue that seems genuinely interested in fostering new work in the Asheville area. To that end, they have introduced Magnetic Midnight.
How about I let them describe it for you . . .
Magnetic Midnight is a magical, mysterious, monthly event (the first Friday of each month) in which the best of The Magnetic Theatre meets the best of you. Arrive at 10 P.M. to participate with an original script, song, dance, or routine no more than 5 minutes long, or if you wish to act or direct. Up to 12 acts accepted as they appear. The hunt for the great is on!
Regrettably, the first Magnetic Midnight was plagued with snow. But luckily, thespians are plucky and adventury and decided that the snow show must go on!
Being familiar with the format, the patrons settled in nicely. Two wonderful actors made a bit from one of my recent plays come alive, and it was a delight to watch. One of the actors had been persuaded to come earlier that night when she stopped by the bar for drink! Having a bar next to a theatre is a wonder and a joy.
Also, in addition to the 12 five minute spots, there is a ten minute slot worked into the evening for invited artists to come and workshop longer pieces. It’s these touches that really excite me about the Field as a place for new theatre and artistic pursuits. For example, they also have something called the “Synergy Story Slam.” Which, in the words of Spock, sounds fascinating.
This place really excites me. Their first two productions are both original works! I’m hope to get out there and see what happened “When Jekyll Met Hyde.”
This is the second in a series of blogs based around returning to themes and ideas I discussed in my earlier blogs.
In a very early post of mine, I ranted and railed at the fact that Jerry Herman had not yet received a Kennedy Center Honor. I was besot with frustration. At the time, I was rather obsessed with his music, and to this day I hold his work in high regard.
Well, it came to attention recently that he has finally achieved that honor, and this has completely mollified my inner hormonal teenage nerd. I sought out the Jerry Herman section of the celebration. I was absolutely blown away by how exciting the videos were. Jerry Herman is a legend, and an inspiration, and it was wonderful to see him so honored.
Looking back over my blogs of the past, I discovered some themes that either needed resolution or continuation. This is the first blog that hits on that idea.
I found a blog from a while back where I posted a review from Doctor Faustus. I remember being so excited just to see my name printed! This summer, I received a rather nice notice for my performance as Priam in Montford Park Players “Troilus and Cressida,” in a review penned by Steven Samuels.
. . . Shakespeare’s language is handled especially well by Mycoff, Marshall, Madden, and Nathan [Hathaway] in a surprisingly sympathetic reading of the minor part of the Trojan ruler Priam . . .
The review was posted in the Mountain Express. It was quite flattering and very nice to be noticed for such a small role. Performing in Troilus and Cressida was an extremely enriching experiences of my theatrical life, and for that I have the wonderful cast and crew to thank. In particular our director Jason Williams. He also directed Doctor Faustus, which was another highlight in my playing experiences. It was a lovely surprise to remember these two lovely productions. If you haven’t read Troilus and Cressida, do so. What you find may surprise you.
I am now sitting in my dorm room dreading the approach of classes come morning.
It was a good break. Thanksgiving was delightful and my family managed not to kill each other.
The most interesting/annoying part of break is the fact that you begin to think about life beyond college. This break I started looking at Graduate Schools. Ahhhh! I’m considering getting an MFA in Dramatic Writing. Concentrate in Playwriting, Screenwriting, or Television. Hmm, should I be artistically satisfied, seek fame, or eat?
I also was completely satiated by my artistic consumption over break.
I read “The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe,” “The Fifth Elephant,” and “Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf.” And I watched “The Invisible Man,” “Frankenstein,” “Were the World Mine,” and “Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1.”
I hadn’t read “The Lion, The Witch, and the Wardrobe” previously, due to the story being spoiled for me as a child thanks to BBC Films and Storybooks. In some ways, I’m glad I waited this long to read it, because I feel like I appreciated the nuances more as an adult. The tome I received from the library also featured underlined sentences and corrected verb tenses. (Oddly enough, “The Fifth Elephant” also had a lot of pencil edits, but that book required it.)
Harry Potter was, as everyone has already said, incredible. I was able to take my sister Artemis to go and see it, and I loved giving her that experience. Dobby had the best one liners, and I plan to incorporate them into my daily life.
My siblings loved the films of James Whale, especially “The Invisible Man.”
“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf” was monumental, and I think I have only begun my study of that play.
“Were the World Mine” needed some work. I didn’t enjoy anywhere near as much as I was expecting to. I might write more about that later.
Well, that’s a pretty decent shake down of my break. Some other things happened, but I feel those things need a more thorough dissection.
So thanks to a banner ad on YouTube today, I have been introduced to “Monster High.”
They have “Fearleaders” and “Scary Aptitude Tests.” It seems to be a book . . .
They have a series of revolting (not in the good way) web shorts . . .
My first reaction to this is that it is a disgusting shallow commercialization of the weird and freaky. Which now seem like trite words after hearing them used by primping pimple paranoid pop princesses.
My second reaction is, “That’s just the way it goes, everything gets run through the mill of pop culture sooner or later.”
And then I remember, “No, this is disgusting. My friends are going to vomit book glue.”
I think it’s sort of sweet that they’re trying to promote “Everyone is different and it’s wonderful!” But it’s so half-hearted, and it really annoys me when people try to be different, but they only end up being different in a way that’s acceptable.
So I have recently discovered this wonderful place called Mr. K’s Used Books, Music, & More. It’s an amazing used bookstore with an incredible selection. I’ve kind of become obsessed with selling my old books to them for store credit. If you live in Asheville and haven’t check them out (I’m looking at you Montreatians.) They’re located in the River Ridge Shopping Center out by Exit 8 on 240.
As a part of my recent obsession with books, I recently organized my collection, and I now refer to my top shelf of books as the “Nathan Hathaway Library of Drama.”
Today, I ran across these two music videos, both amazing. One by Eminem-
And one by a Christian band called Gungor-
Tonight I open my second and final weekend of Troilus and Cressida. Come see the show! It runs for three more weekends. I, alas, most leave the show early for school.
I will be playing Priam and Margarelon for the first two weekends, after which I am leaving the show to get ready for the Fall Semester at Montreat College.
Doublets and camo and swords, oh my! This play is very rarely performed, so don’t miss your chance to see romance and sex and lechery and wars and politics and wrestling and sword fights!
The show runs from July 30th to August 22nd, Friday/Saturday/Sunday at 7:30. Visit the Montford Park Players website for more info.
Nathan Hathaway Adams 