Baptism by Fire

It's official, I'm a Grad Student!
I just had the busiest week ever. I had a bazillion presentations this week (more than my peers) and I got them all done on time and they were quality work! I am very proud of myself for that and for not having to stay up later than 2am on any given night this week. I actually didn't get stressed out until after it all was finished--more like when your body decides to shut down because it can't run on adrenaline anymore sort of things!
I had renderings for Arcadia in Design 3 due on Tuesday (presentation 1). I had a lot of fun rendering some of the characters--Jellaby especially, I made him fat and he's really adorable! I'll put a pic on here after I get him back!
Wednesday, I taught in my Costume History class (a 50 minute lecture= presentation 2). I actually had a blast doing it! I spent HOURS setting up my powerpoint, putting together guided notes, finding and making handouts, pulling actual costume pieces to bring in and inventing "Elizabethan Bingo."
In class: I passed out the handouts--which included an Elizabethan coloring sheet I found and a "design your own Tresham Triangle" worksheet I made! Then I started my presentation, covering a the Tudor family tree from Henry VIII-Elizabeth I, social and political context, the reformation, art and theatre of the time and architecture. Then, we discussed men's costume. After that, I dressed up 2 guys in the class in some pieces and played "what are you wearing?" Then I presented on women's clothing, dressed up 2 gals and played "what are you wearing? round 2." After that, we played "Elizabethan Bingo." I passed out blank bingo cards, put up a slide with new terms on it, and let them make their own bingo cards (with a "free indulgence" in the center space-- 10 points for anyone who gets that reference!) Everyone got real excited when I passed out M&Ms to use as their little bingo markers. Then I played a series of slides that contained pictures of these terms, each slide had 12 seconds for them to identify and mark their cards. The first bingo was crowned King of the class with a King-size snickers. Then we reviewed the bingo slides to see if they got them all right. I'm sorry if this section dulls you, but I HAD SO MUCH FUN TEACHING!!!! I loved it, and how many people can have fun preparing a lesson plan?
Thursday, I had my half drape for costume construction due (presentation 3= a 16th Century dress, picture will be included here later.) It wasn't as hard as I thought it would be to do it, but I know that it will only get harder as Donna continues shoving huge loads of new things into my brain! My little brain is so tired by the time I get home everyday!
Also on Thursday, I had a presentation (#4) on the costume design group Motley. It was interesting researching Motley's designs because there are actually 3 people who make up Motley! It's not often you find a group of people doing designs under 1 name! And then I had to show and tell (presentation 5) my research and collage for the next play we're doing in design 3: Suburbia. Suburbia is about a bunch of 20-somethings who are stuck in the rut of suburban life and hang out outside the seven-11. It's an awesome play for anyone who likes theatre! I highly recommend reading it!
Thursday night, after having a party to stain the new costume tables (and getting a huge headache from that!), I did no homework--I couldn't anymore!-- so I watched Mansfield Park and ate ice cream.
Friday after work, I went shopping for art supplies and fabric swatches with Diane and Danielle. We ate some good mexican food, too!
Saturday I realized how terribly messy my house really was so I cleaned! I also sewed myself a toga for festivities later that night. I went to a BBQ at Krystal's apartment with a handful of the other grads and then most of us went to Guerrilla Theatre--sort of a talent show that the undergrads do once a month. This month they had a toga theme. I was really really impressed at the quality of stuff! It was a lot of singing and dancing from the musical theatre majors this time. Everyone told me I looked like a little Sprite in my costume.
Today, Sunday, is homework day and dress rehearsal for Moon Over Buffalo! Life doesn't seem to stop! But, the last few days have been full of fun and "me" time so I think I am refreshed enough!
Next weekend is USITT Masterclass-- Oy! I'm sure I'll write about that next week!
Love and Hugs to all who read this!