Once on this Island

Participating in "Once in this Island" will be one of the memories most important to me as I look back on my high school career. Throughout countless music, blocking, and dance rehearsals, I gradually fell in love with the show and everyone in my cast acting beside me. I have friends who have participated in "Once on this Island" and when asked about it, all they say is how much they loved being in it. Before we started the process of putting the show together, I couldn't understand them to the full extent that I do now. I will miss working being a part of this show, but I know that through all of our hard work to present it, I am a better performer.

One of my favorite elements from the show was the outstanding music. Every year I become more amazed with the performance of the Pit, and every year they’re hard work clearly pays off. In addition, the majority of comments that I receive from audience members is how much they have loved the live music and thought how well they all performed.

About two days before we were scheduled to perform, it seemed like the majority of the cast was hit with a virus. That being said, not one person lacked in energy in rehearsal or the performances. We were all supportive of each other, whether we were sharing honey for thousands of cups of tea, or volunteering to be a swing, like wiebke did for the ballroom dancing scene.  

In addition to supporting one another, we were able to adapt in unpredictable situations. When we were in the middle of a performance and waited for a lightning sound cue to move to our next positions, we stayed calm and held our poses. As actors, this was extremely well done. We hadn’t had to practice adapting to mistakes in rehearsals, so I feel as though we really did a great job.  

Next, our scenery was beautifully done. The hand-painted background was so beautiful. I loved how the visuals depicted of the difference between the two classes by having both types of homes, and had many colorful types of wildlife. In addition, this scenery caused most of the viewers attention to fall on the performers,, and it did not distract from any of the performance. Overall, it was very well executed.

Again, I will miss being a part of “Once on this Island”. It was a phenomenal experience and I am so grateful that I got to be a part of it. Like I said before, it made me be a better actor, singer, and dancer.  

The Great Gatsby Script

DAISY 
Open another window.

ice spilt off from a hunk as a
hot, it has been filled with to cool it. Gatsby, Tom, Nick, a thin sheen of perspiration.

NICK
There aren't any more.
DAISY
Then telephone for an axe...
TOM
Forget about the heat. You make it
worse by crabbing about it.
GATSBY
Why not let her alone, old sport?
TOM
That's a great expression of yours,
isn't it?
GATSBY What is?
Tom turns to Gatsby...
TOM
'Old sport'. Where'd you pick it
up?
DAISY
Now see here, Tom; if you're going
to make personal remarks I won't stay here one minute.
Gatsby's foot beats a restless tattoo; Tom eyes him suddenly.
TOM
Mr. Gatsby, I understand you're an
Oxford man.
GATSBY No, not exactly.

100.

TOM
I understand you went to
TOM
Sure; the man in the pink suit went
to Oxford!
DAISY Tom...!
Gatsby stands.
GATSBY (slow, intense)
I told you I went there.
TOM
I heard you, but I'd like to know
when.
GATSBY
You’d like to know when....? It was
in nineteen-nineteen, I only stayed five months. That's why I can't exactly call myself an Oxford man.
Tom glances around to see if the others mirror his disbelief. But they are all looking at Gatsby.
GATSBY (CONT’D)
You see, it was an opportunity they
gave to some of the officers who actually fought in the war.
Nick can’t help but smile.
NICK (V.O.)
I wanted to get up and slap Gatsby
on the back.
DAISY
I'll make you a drink Tom, then you
won't seem so stupid to yourself... But Tom’s not done yet.

Oh yes, Oxford.
Yes - I
Tom's laugh is incredulous and insulting.

GATSBY went there.

101.

TOM
Wait a minute, I want to ask Mr.
Gatsby one more question.
GATSBY
Go on. Please Mr. Buchanan, go on.
TOM
What kind of a row are you trying
to cause in my house anyhow?
They are out in the open at last and Gatsby is content.
DAISY
He isn't causing a row; you're
causing a row. Please have a little self-control!
TOM
Self-control! I suppose the latest
thing is to sit back and let Mr. Nobody from Nowhere make love to your wife? Well, if that's the idea you can count me out... See, nowadays people begin by sneering at family life and family institutions and next you know they'll throw everything overboard and we’ll have intermarriage between black and white!
JORDAN
We’re all white here, Tom.
GATSBY
Your wife doesn't love you. She's
never loved you. She loves me!
TOM
You must be crazy.
GATSBY
No, old sport. See, she never loved
you... She only married you because I was poor and she was tired of waiting. It was a terrible, terrible mistake, but in her heart she never loved anyone but me!
JORDAN We should go...
GATSBY
Daisy and I have nothing to hide...

102.

DAISY
Jay let’s go, please...!
TOM Sit down Daisy!
GATSBY (reassuring)
Yes, Daisy, please sit down.
Tom's voice gropes unsuccessfully for the paternal note.
TOM
What's been going on? I want to
hear all about it.
GATSBY
I just told you what's been going
on; its been going on for five years...!
Tom turns to Daisy sharply.
TOM
You've been seeing him for five
years?
GATSBY
Not seeing. No, we couldn't; but
both of us loved each other all that time, old sport, and you didn't know. I used to laugh sometimes, to think that you didn't know...
TOM
Oh - that's all; you're crazy! I
can't speak about what happened five years ago, because I didn't know Daisy then - but I'll be damned if I see how you got within a mile of her unless you brought the groceries to the back door. But all the rest of that's a god-damned lie. Daisy loved me when she married me and she loves me now.
Tom starts to make himself a drink...

103.

No...

GATSBY

TOM
She does, though... And what's
more, I love Daisy too. Once in a while I go off on a spree, but I always come back, and in my heart I love her all the time...
DAISY You’re revolting...
Daisy’s voice drops an octave lower, filling the room with thrilling scorn...
DAISY (CONT’D)
Do you know why we left Chicago...? I'm surprised they didn't treat you
to the story of that little spree. Gatsby walks over and stands beside Daisy.
GATSBY
That's all over now. Just tell him
the truth, that you never loved him; and all this... all this pain will be wiped out forever.
Daisy looks at Gatsby blindly.
DAISY
Why, how could I love him,
possibly?
GATSBY You never loved him.
Daisy hesitates; too late, she realizes what she is doing.
DAISY
I never loved him.
GATSBY That’s right...
TOM Not at Kapiolani?

104.

DAISY

No.
Not that day I carried you down from the Punch Bowl to keep your shoes dry...? Daisy? Never?

TOM
(a husky tenderness)

DAISY Please don’t.
TOM Daisy...
Her voice is cold, but the anger is gone.
DAISY There, Jay.
She trembles as she looks to Gatsby...
DAISY (CONT’D)
You want too much! I love you now;
isn't that enough? I can't help what's past.
(begins to sob)
I did love him once; but I loved you too.
GATSBY
(shocked, uncomprehending)
You loved me too?
TOM (savage)
Even that's a lie. She didn't know you were alive. There are things between Daisy and me that you'll never know, things that neither of us can ever forget.
The words seem to bite physically into Gatsby.
GATSBY
I want to speak to Daisy alone.
She's all excited now...
DAISY
Even alone I can't say I never
loved Tom. It wouldn't be true.
TOM
Of course it wouldn't.
Daisy turns to her husband.
DAISY
As if it mattered to you.

105.

TOM
Of course it matters. I'm going to
take better care of you from now on.
GATSBY
You're not taking care of her any
more! Daisy's leaving you.
TOM Nonsense.
DAISY
(with visible effort)
I am, though.
TOM
She's not leaving me; and certainly
not for a common swindler!
Tom's words suddenly lean down over Gatsby.
TOM (CONT’D)
Mr. Gatsby, who exactly are you
anyhow? You see, I have made a small investigation into your affairs... You're one of Meyer Wolfsheim’s bunch.
Tom turns to the others and speaks rapidly.
TOM (CONT’D)
See, he and this Wolfsheim bought
up a lot of 'drug stores' and sold bootlegged alcohol over the counter!
GATSBY
What about it, old sport?
TOM
Don’t call me ‘old sport!’ This
drug store business is just small change compared to the bonds stunt you and Wolfsheim have got going on now.
GATSBY
Well your friend Walter Chase isn’t
too proud to come in on it.

106.

TOM
I’ve been giving that some thought.
How does a reputable banker like Walter Chase find himself up to his eyeballs in debt to a little kike like Wolfsheim?
GATSBY
It’s called ‘greed,’ old sport.
TOM
That’s right; you’ve got half of
Wall Street out there swilling your free booze at that fun park every weekend...
(to Nick)
I’m surprised he hasn’t tried to drag you in...
Nick looks away sharply. Tom registers this.
TOM (CONT’D) My God, he has...
GATSBY
He’s got nothing to do with--
TOM
With your little racket...
(to Daisy)
Daisy... Can’t you see who this guy is? With his house and his parties and his fancy clothes; he’s just a front for Wolfsheim, a gangster, to get his claws into respectable folk like Walter...!
GATSBY
(a vicious sneer)
The only respectable thing about you, old sport, is your money, that’s it, and now I’ve just as much as you; so that means we’re equal!!
Tom smiles with smug, condescending scorn.
TOM
Oh no, no, we’re different; I am,
(gesturing at Nick and Jordan)
They are...
(now at Daisy)
She is;
(MORE)

107.

TOM (CONT'D)
we’re all different from you - we
were born different, it’s in our blood, and nothing you do, or say, or steal or dream up, can ever change that... And a girl like Daisy will never...!
Gatsby explodes with terrifying rage.
GATSBY
SHUT UP! SHUT UP! SHUTTT UP!!!!
Shock jolts the room. We float toward Gatsby. His rage-filled eyes stare into the void, as, with all his willpower, he restrains himself from ripping Tom apart...
NICK (V.O)
Gatsby looked, in that moment... as
if he had “killed a man.” Tom snorts a dismissive laugh.
TOM
That’s right Mr. Gatsby, show us
those fine Oxford manners...
Gatsby recovers and turns to Diasy, who is trembling in the corner, on the verge of tears.
DAISY
My sincerest apologies. I... I seem
to have lost my temper.
Struggling for self control, Gatsby turns toward her as if Tom suddenly no longer exists.
GATSBY
Daisy darling... None of this has
any consequence. Don’t listen to him Daisy.
Daisy blanches; Gatsby, now desperate, babbles incoherently.
GATSBY (CONT’D)
We’re going back to Louisville to
be married. Then we’re going to live together in our house; it’s-- 

Monologue Process Reflection

At first, I was excited and nervous to help other students with their monologues. I didn’t want to be overbearing with suggestions, but at the same time, I wanted to offer helpful advice. My group was great to work with and and each April, William, and Robert’s pieces turned out really well.

A challenge that I faced working with my group was having them be focused on each other and thinking and being open to what they could improve upon. If I could do this project again, I would want to make sure that everyone was fully listening and watching each other, ready to give others advice and offer opinions on their pieces. I would also like them to be open to more change and collaboration with their pieces. I think that if an actor is not open to other’s suggestions (not just the director, but also other actors’) their piece will improve and change. However if they are close minded and only focus on their ideas, there is not a lot of room for improvement. That being said, it is vital that actors don't take criticism personally. When people suggest ways to change a monologue, it is often just helpful advice and is not meant to be a hurtful comment. In addition, as an actor, I feel that it is important to be open to new strategies and exercises. When I tried to have my group try a vocal exercise to learn about projection, a few people went along with it, but others struggled because it was a new experience. It is hard to try new, odd things, especially when you are in a group, but if you are able to focus on the exercise it will only help you and your technique.

My group did very well learning and memorizing their pieces in a timely manner. About three days after they had picked their piece, many of them started to practice off book, barely missing a line. I was happy because we were able to focus on body and facial movements, as well as vocal differentiation. My group also did a great job at encouraging one another, and showing each other support by giving back positive feedback and helpful advice. 

I learned in this process that many people have great ideas about what to do in their piece. It is helpful to ask them vague questions such as, “Who are you?” or “Where/what are you doing?” to get them to really think about their character development and to form their piece. Watching everyone on our class develop a monologue was a unique experience, one that I really loved.