Final Performance

     I thought that everyone did a great job on their final performance.  For the chanters, it took a lot of practice trying to memorize the lines, and for the dancers it took a lot of practice trying to perfect their walk.  I think that for the dancers it was very valuable for us to have gotten to watch so many different youtube clips and videos of dancers performing.  Watching professionals perform gave us a good idea first off as to how much time and practice it takes to perfect the walk and second off what kind of energy and style you were looking to achieve.  As for the chanters being able to practice it with guru at the end of class everyday was also valuable.  We were able to see the kind of chi and rhythm we were trying to produce.
    When it came time for our final performances I thought that each person achieved the right style of walk but also had a uniqueness about it.  As for the chanters I think that it was a little bit more difficult because although we had the chant memorized I think stage freight got to most of us.  I knew that thing front and back by Wednesday but having to perform it in front of everyone for some reason was so much harder than doing it alone in my room!  Although even when I performed for my roommates it was hard to concentrate....But when guru explained that it was more about our chi more than anything I know that everyone was relieved.  But it kinda threw me off because I was trying so hard to memorize it even though the lines were in front of me.  It was hard to concentrate on releasing my inner chi and memorizing the chant!  But I am happy to say that I was proud of everyone for just getting through that chant!
     It was nice to be able to share our feelings about the class in our banjar.  It was very interesting to hear the theatre majors' perspective on the class.  They have taken several theatre classes already so it was cool to hear how they thought this class compared to their other theatre classes.  It was also interesting to hear other people like myself talk about how this was their first theatre class and how it changed their mindset as well.  This is my second theatre class and I learn so much after each one.  It really opens your eyes and mind to other cultures and other beliefs and passions.  The dedication of performers and love for the theatre that I observed throughout this class was very admirable.  I'm glad I took this class and I learned so much about Asian theatre and even myself!