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The musical theater department at Reinhardt University requires all seniors to perform a showcase at the end of their final semester. I began creating mine an entire year in advance and the end product was an hour-and-a-half musical-style performance called, "Colors of the Mind," which featured an original script, blocking, choreography, direction, light and sound design, and two music compositions. The theme of the show centers around mental health and the many "voices" that exist in my head. The use of several colors is also a subtle nod to the rainbow infinity sign used by the neurodivergent community. The mind can be extremely complex and functions differently for everyone. For years, this has left me feeling out-of-place from those who seemingly operate "normally" and the more I struggled to fit in, the worse my overall mental health became. Many share these same experiences, and my showcase intended to communicate the message that every aspect of ourselves is a real and valid part of who we are as perfectly imperfect human beings.
The musical theater department at Reinhardt University requires all seniors to perform a showcase at the end of their final semester. I began creating mine an entire year in advance and the end product was an hour-and-a-half musical-style performance called, "Colors of the Mind," which featured an original script, blocking, choreography, direction, light and sound design, and two music compositions. The theme of the show centers around mental health and the many "voices" that exist in my head. The use of several colors is also a subtle nod to the rainbow infinity sign used by the neurodivergent community. The mind can be extremely complex and functions differently for everyone. For years, this has left me feeling out-of-place from those who seemingly operate "normally" and the more I struggled to fit in, the worse my overall mental health became. Many share these same experiences, and my showcase intended to communicate the message that every aspect of ourselves is a real and valid part of who we are as perfectly imperfect human beings.
Program design by Judah Norman
Showcase Performance
Showcase Performance
Act one shows my typical interactions with the mental voices: Wisdom, Faith, Felicity Realism, Drive, Imagination, the Wild Thoughts, & Mal. The opening audio, "To You, One Year from Now," is inspired by a real letter written to my future self at a time when I was desperate for God to help me understand myself. As a fan of Attack on Titan, it also imitates the episode title, “To You, 2000 Years in the Future.” (Song: “Charon’s Burden” by Max LL from Spiritfarer)
1. To you, One Year From NowTwo original compositions were also featured in act one. The first (above) is a slideshow featuring a choir piece that illustrates my close relationship to my mother. She’s loving, strong, beautiful, vibrant, wise, and a bold woman of faith, hence why I equate her to an evergreen tree. The second (below) is a voice and piano piece made for my friend, Fiona Garner, who also plays Felicity. It illustrates the communicative nature and vibrant life of forest trees and how we as people can learn from that when it comes to community and solidarity.
1. The Root of the Wood Sheet Music.pdf1. The Root of the Wood MuseScore Audio.mp31. Non-Stop (Parody) Sheet Music.pdfFor most of my life, especially as a college undergraduate, it seems as though there are a million ideas at once, countless passionate life goals, and consistent unquenchable noise in my mind, not to mention my daily schedule has rarely been anything except full. This all escalates into the finale of act one, a parody of Lin-Manuel Miranda's "Non-Stop" from his Broadway hit, Hamilton.
1. Non-Stop (Parody) GarageBand Audio.m4a
Act two explores the raw and darker side of mental health and a racing mind. All of the mental voices are causing a stir, and moreover, Mal and the Wild Thoughts are also bombarding the entire mind as well. Meanwhile, I do my best to keep an outward smile and pretend to be okay, at least until it all falls back on me and leaves me in an emotional and mental mess.
"Warfare" is a dance that depicts the all-too-real struggle of mental warfare that everyone faces at one time or another. Loud, racing, and intrusive thoughts can often plague the mind but in the midst of my own experience with this issue, I find comfort in the knowledge that God is still with me, even in my darkest hour. (Songs: “Don’t Be Scared Stella” by Max LL from Spiritfarer; “Anyhow” by Tye Tribbett)
2. Warfare
"From You, One Year Ago," is inspired by the response to the letter from my past self. As a fan of Attack on Titan, it also imitates the episode title, “From You, 2000 Years Ago.” (Song: “LENぞ97n10火巨説MAHLE” by Hiroyuki Sawano from Attack on Titan)
3. From You, One Year Ago
The biggest takeaway at the end is that everything about the mind is simply a facet of being human. We shouldn't pretend that certain parts of ourselves don't exist, nor does it mean we shouldn't continue to grow as a person. Life will always be a complex journey but at the end of the day, all of the colors in or minds are real parts of who we are.
Reception
Reception
Senior showcases at Reinhardt University can also have optional receptions after the performance. Mine included custom made water bottle covers, a journal for classmates to write farewell notes, and a spread of my visual artwork as an additional piece of experience to share with my guests.
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