Contradictions

=“Contradictions of Self”= This is a skit for a play containing many skits. My friends are writing a play formed of skits, and all I know is that the title is “No Apologies.” I am hoping that this might fit into their set somehow. I have a lot of ideas about how to perform this piece. I think in its final form, I’d like to offer a few suggestions in the script, but leave the actual decision of the performance up to the director. All of my ideas bring to my mind a giant Mandala as the backdrop. Some ideas are: [Poses can be ambiguous and represent either statement with only slight variations in body language and facial expressions. Alternately, poses can be modified to fit the director’s intentions.] **Woman One**: [arms up, as if contracting muscles in a show of strength] //I am as strong as a man, and after a night of stress and despair, I get up and do what needs to be done.// **Woman Two**: [same arms, now shaking like a baby’s do] //Yet I am weak as a baby, and I crumble at displays of authority.// **Woman One**: [hands overhead in prayer position] //I am a goddess, in control of all that I see and touch.// **Woman Two**: [same hands, now swaying as if a plant] //I am nothing more than a weed, under the whim of one who will pull me.// **Woman One**: [hands encircling face, as in a smiley face] //I am yellow, cheerful and friendly, greeting all that I meet.// **Woman Two**: [same hands, but glaring eyes] //And I am blue and cold, sitting in solitude, speaking with no one.// **Woman One**: [Hand out as if to shake another’s] //I am a great friend.// **Woman Two**: [Same hand, now with a pleading, “no, no, that’s not what I meant” gesture] //But I have let people down.// **Woman One**: [ tilted head, as in looking and thinking, “how sweet” ] //I love my kids.// **Woman Two**: [same tilted head, now with droopy eyes, as in very tired ] //But sometimes I wish they’d go away for just a minute.// **Woman One**: [arms out as if in a large embrace ] //I buy tons of flowers.// **Woman Two**: [arms now speak “what have I done?” ] //Yet I frequently let them die in their plastic containers.// **Woman One**: [ stuck on this gesture] //I am a family pet, loyal and happy, and slightly rounded from family life// **Woman Two**: [ditto – same gesture ] //And I am an eagle, soaring above all to discover opportunities forgotten; not taken, not tried.// **Both Women**: [ hands crossed over heart] //There are no apologies. I am the self I love.// Mode: Skit in a play Media: computer Audience: actors, directors, producers, theatergoers Purpose: I’ve always wanted to try writing in the stage genre, since it is one of the deepest loves of my life. This is my first attempt. Situation/Writer: This skit came from the “Mandala Project” introduced to CRWP by Beth, to cover in detail the ideas of metaphors and abstract ideas. Situation/Audience: I want my audience to be intrigued by this piece and want to either perform it or see it performed. I hope that they see a bit of themselves in it, especially in the whole idea of a contradiction of their internal voices.
 * Two women on stage, both mostly in shadow. They are facing each other and give the illusion of mirror images.
 * One woman onstage, semi-lit, speaking both parts either in one voice or in two distinct voices
 * One woman onstage speaking the first part, echoed by either an off-stage voice or a recording of her own voice
 * One woman onstage, obviously the represented one, two women on either side of here speaking the parts while she acts.
 * Etc. – the possibilities go on, and I’m not yet sure which ones I like best. It might depend on the rest of the play and how the various skits are tied together.