Final Thoughts

            And so, here it is, my last blog for this class. There is so much to say and not much to say all at the say time. I feel like I have said most of it, through my other blogs and my time spent in class. I took this class because I wanted to, having taken Southeast Asian Folklore Performance last semester. Through this class, I was able to expand my knowledge of Asian theater forms even further through lecture and practice. Basically, this semester I learned a lot, and connected me to a part of theater that I had never been able to see before. As a planned Asian and Middle Eastern Studies major focusing on East Asia I was absolutely mesmerized by Noh and Kabuki Theater. Never before have I seen such expressive dancing. Though I have to admit that the Noh masks absolutely terrify me, especially the one with painted lips and a blank stare, they are ridiculously beautiful when used. The Kabuki play we watched was one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen, the one where the crane was mourning the lost love of a past life. I really wish we had been able to finish it. Still, that is for another day and another time.

            I would really just like to thank Guru and Professor Palmer for being such wonderful teachers. I would like to thank the class for putting up with my dancing antics, and for being so open and sharing not only their dances but their thoughts and feelings. I hope to see you all again sometime in the future!

            Thank you!