Final performance sharing

The final performance sharing was in every way interesting. It was very different from midterm sharing. I did not know how it would turn out as a final performance.

                This performance was primarily a solo performance which was very different from the midterm sharing since I performed with two other classmates in friendlier environment. Performing alone in that giant hall provided more pressure on me and the other performers. Also, the sudden silence besides the chanting made me more nervous. During practice, we talked to each other trying to fix each other’s position and trying to avoid the silence.

I first thought that it was a little boring compared to the midterm sharing where everybody had different script and different movements. However, I soon discovered the final sharing’s merit. It was interesting that even with everyone doing the same thing we still saw different styles and different details during the performance. The art is not only creation, but also reinterpretation of existing art. Maybe Guru wanted us to learn this lesson by having us perform the same thing but see for ourselves that they were all different.

Observing other people, I thought that I should bend down more and make sure my torso was straightened. I tried my best to execute this while performing. However, after I finished and saw the video that one of my friends took, I realized that I didn’t bend my knees enough. That’s when I fully understood Guru stressing about how hard it is for people to learn the basics of Noh.

I enjoyed performing in front of everyone and hope to have another opportunity to do so.