Beatrice vs. Chinedum

Due to the fact that I live in an urban neighborhood where bullets have no name, I thought it would be quite easy to approach such a character as Beatrice. I thought, "How hard could it be?" But when I'm actually on stage and reading through my lines, I realize that it's COMPLETELY different. It's different because I was never face-to-face with peer pressure or violence. Beatrice is pressured to join the Shepherds.  Personally, I feel as though she's reluctant but finally agrees to join the gang because she's new at school and longs for acceptance. Although, she chooses the wrong way to go and faces challenges in the end, Margaret and Ursula, Shepherds, accept her. They see her hesitance but keep pursuing her and Beatrice gives in because that's probably the closest she'll get to acceptance.
For me, I appreciate such a role. Playing Beatrice has opened my eyes to certain aspects of my community that I've never really noticed. I walk home every day in a Catholic school uniform past lost teenagers and drug dealers, and sometimes it can become routine. But now, I see that everyone I come across may very well be a Biron or Beatrice. Or maybe a King Navarre. Everyone meets a crossroad at some point in time. And it's up to them which path they choose.

Hurricane Sandy Stops School but Not My Work

When Hurricane Sandy rolled into our neck of the woods I was a little surprised by how badly it affected us. I mean St. Benedict's even closed and we never close EVER, but I didn't let it stop me learning lines during the storm. Even when my power was out I took an hour or even two out of my chaotic day to go over my lines, because even through thick and thin the SHOW MUST GO ON.

My first BIG Composition

Hello, I stated before in my first post that I don’t just play a character, the Poet, I also play and create the music. In my first play here at SBP, Tibetan Book of the Dead, I did most of the underscoring along with other members of the cast. In that play I played 3 instruments - my main instrument, an acoustic guitar, a student metal flute, and a Tibetan flute. However, I only worked and composed some of the music. Then, in The Beaux' Stratagem, my second SBP play, I also played the acoustic guitar for one scene, and in one song accompanied the lead actor. What makes this play different and the most important play I’ve done yet, is that I’m in charge of composing the entire music for the play. Finally I’m able to use my electric guitar, Fionna, and use my full rig. My group of artists for this play is called the Urban Beat Band (UBB), that includes another guitarist, and 3 percussionists who made their own drum rig out of city material and sounds.  Now I might also be gaining orchestral instruments like the clarinet and baritone. We will play the transition scenes, scene moods, and underscoring. Other than being the songwriter and bandleader of my own band, The Fallen Legends, composing this play will be a big step in my music experience and career.  This will be the first time I ever composed an entire play and I am so happy that Ms. Flynn chose me to do this. The process is hard but rewarding, seeing how all my UBB members bring their talents and skills to our music. Those who know my playing style will hear that “Dakota flavor” in there, but I hope to thin that out and allow everyone’s spice to add to the taste of my composition, making it an explosion of styles, sounds, and textures. So when you come, listen to the music and feel the hard work we all put in, and if you ever get a chance to talk to me don’t be afraid to give me some feedback. Remember, this is my first time composing something of this caliber. Thank you, and thanks to the Members of the UBB.

Farrad's advantages vs. Biron's disadvantage

Many people think that when you grow up in a town like Newark or Irvington, that you cannot become successful, because of things that may distract you in life. This may be true, but there are children who live in Newark who have been given a golden opportunity to attend a school that will allow you to have options and have a successful life. One of those children happens to be me. Not everyone is able to attend one of the best schools in the country. so I am grateful for this wonderful opportunity I've been given. As for my character Biron, who's also from Newark, he suffers because of the absence of his dad and because of the lack of opportunities that students are given who attend public schools. It makes me feel like so many more people deserve to have a successful life, and shouldn't have to deal with what happens In public schools everyday. Because Biron and others around him like Curtis and Borachio do not have this advantage, they will probably end in a bad situation, which is what parents fear the most about their children growing up in cities like Newark . In order for Newark's school system to make some kind of progress, so that everyone can receive the education they deserve, someone needs to speak up. So are you going to be that person, or are you going to be the one to allow things to get worse?     

Acting vs. technician

Drama guild

Most people join Drama Guild at St. Benedict's Prep because they want to act, or be a technician. Rarely are there people who are technicians and actors. I have decided to do both because the feeling is overwhelming when you look back at what you have contributed to the show as an actor as well as a technician.  Being an actor throughout the week allows me to rehearse scenes with my cast mates. Rehearsal helps us understand what we can do to make the play better. This time is a mixture of laughter and  being serious. Meanwhile, most of my Saturday is spent working on our wonderful set. There's no telling what the day has in store for you with Ms. Pat Flynn in charge. One minute we're hanging flats, the next we're painting them. Even though being a technician on weekends takes up my free time, I've learned it's not a waste of time, because everything that's being done is helping the play become a success !

Playing a Gang Member VS. Being One

       When someone auditions for a role, the person usually hopes to be the protagonist, because no one likes to be the person that does dangerous and harmful things to others. So, if they don't get the lead, they audition for a role that supports another hero, or that could be a doctor or lawyer. A figure of some good nature. But here, I'm playing a gang member.  For me, playing the role of Biron, a freshman who becomes a gang member, has allowed me as a person to learn more about gangs and how they can seem helpful to some, but how they are harmful to others. Portraying this role is allowing me to pretend to be someone who is in deep pain without the help of his father (who has been arrested for being a lead gangster), to show him what he should and should not accomplish in life. With this absence, it allows my character to become a spitting image of his dad, which is exactly what mothers are afraid of.  I think that this is the reason why so many people are members of gangs, because even though moms try their hardest to keep their children out of harm's way, it's not the same as having a fatherly figure to teach you right from wrong - someone you can talk to about anything. There's a special bond between a father and son that's really important for a kid Biron's age, or any child.

Kukiele Kimonawoko

During Drama Guild, we have been exploring gangs and how dangerous they can be. I've realized that gangs can be really dangerous, and hard to figure out what you are getting yourself into. And when you have figured out what you are getting yourself into, it's already  too late. Now I know, and it will be much easier to stay away from gangs. While I was in Drama Guild, I got to meet a lot of new and fun people, as well some people outside of school. I got to learn names of people in my school, and everything about them. I'm glad to have had this great experience with acting and friendship.