Semester 1

Arts TRYathlon #1: NextNOW Exhibit

9/5/2024, Clarice Performing Arts Library,

Max Waldman Photography Exhibit

#visualart

At NextNow Fest, I visited the photography exhibition of Max Waldman, who curated a series based on imagery from stage productions (i.e. plays, ballets, etc.). I bookmarked this event to visit due to my longstanding interest in photography as an art form. Additionally, all the photos were sourced from the Special Collections in Performing Arts (SCPA) [from the Performing Arts Library]. They demonstrated a collected and curated exhibit that is partially representative of what I hope to do with Library Sciences in the future. The photographs exhibited were taken in the 1960s and 70s by a man who loved classical productions, including but not limited to Shakespearean works. My family, specifically my mother, has forever instilled in me a love of Shakespeare and a plethora of quotes I will never forget. The representation of the works Waldman translates also ties into what I am currently learning in my LGBTQIA+ Literature and Media class, wherein students are challenged to observe either explicitly queer texts or explore the subtexts of literature like Shakespeare. I enjoyed the composition of the works, specifically the action of the photos. The posing of the actors was very well done, introducing dynamic movement to the static image. The costuming was also worthy of note, especially with Waldman’s rendition of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” and the sensuality between Tatiana and Nick Bottom. As someone who, on occasion, does action photography and portraiture, I understand how beautiful and difficult it can be to photograph dancer portraits, especially with how quick the moments happen and how precise the posing has to be for a great photo. The lines in each of the photos created by the subjects’ arms and legs perfectly encapsulate the situations within the plays the images represent.

Arts TRYathlon #2: Punchbowl Comedy

10/2/2024, Baltimore Room at Stamp, Student Comedy Showcase Presented by Punchbowl Comedy

#theater, #presentation

I recently attended a Student Comedy Showcase at the Stamp Student Union on the University of Maryland campus. The event was sponsored by Punchbowl Comedy, which hosts similar events and open mic nights for the various comedy organizations and groups at UMD. I became aware of this event through my membership in Hysterics, a comedy troupe for women and gender minorities, as several [Hysterics] members were performing. I have a vested interest in stand-up comedy, specifically in my history doing competitive public speaking in various forms in high school, and my love of public speaking. The event featured an example of what I hope to do in the future with Hysterics and tied into what we’ve previously discussed in colloquium regarding improvisation and the definition of art. While many may not consider stand-up an art form, the effort and animation of performing it showcase a theatrical element. Additionally, the ability to read a room and crack a joke about a response to a question directly ties into the rules of improv discussed in lesson. Events like the Student Comedy Showcase are crucial to projecting the student voice on campus, especially with a group like Hysterics. Oftentimes, the norm of white male comics overshadows all the women, gender minorities, and racial/ethnic minorities whose voices should be heard. Comedy is an outlet for experiences and thoughts, which everyone has a right to share. The showcase I attended featured numerous acts from a variety of cultural backgrounds, sexualities, and ages, and I think it is simply brilliant that the voices of so many are being heard.

Arts TRYathlon #3: Tales from Around the World

10/30/2024, St. Mary's Hall Multipurpose Room, Presented by the UMD Language House

#literature, #presentation

I attended the “Tales from Around the World” event sponsored by the University’s Language House. The event featured three professors at the University: Dr. Koser from German, Dr. Accilien from French, and Dr. Browne from Japanese. Each professor regaled specific stories or mythos from their respective cultures of study, from the Brothers Grimm rendition of Blue Beard to the Haitian Lougarou, the event centered around the joy and shared experiences of storytelling. Personally, I enjoy the art of storytelling and consider myself a storyteller of sorts. We as humans constantly seek to share our experiences and tell stories, and I think that method of connection directly contributes to my future career goals in the archival and librarian fields. I intend to pursue a career in keeping those old stories preserved and alive for everyone to enjoy and witness at events like this. It is hugely significant to exist in a space with good company and food as you witness passionate individuals discuss all that interests them and simply tell stories from cultures they have spent their entire lives studying. Not to mention the historical context and understanding that permeates mythos and folklore: how the tale of Blue Beard exists to vilify a woman’s curiosity, how the Lougarou exists as a result of a fear of the unknown, and how monks in Japan were told stories about how abstinence will save you from being trapped in a bell by a dragon. Our world is shaped from the past, and our understanding of folklore and fairy tales illuminates that.

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