Expert: Wanda Reinholdt - 12/9/2010

Question
QUESTION: Dear Wanda,
For my Cabaret Drama performance, we have to perform anything of our own choice, which relates to the media..Me and my partner were thinking women representation and how we are portrayed by men throughout the years. (since 1950s). But we are struggling with ideas of getting that message across. If you have any ideas to help support us we'd be most appreciated.

ANSWER: Hey there, Sabrina...And thanks for writing.

I have a question or two to clarify:
1.  What do you mean - relate to the media?
2.  Your partner - male or female?
3.  What are the key ideas you have on how women were portrayed by men through the years?

Wanda

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Well now we are basing it on self esteem..And how we may have changed in the past...instead of being yourself. Here is our rough plan;

Staging – like a therapy session
Have the audience sat in a circle, with me and my parnter right next to each other
Starting with me telling the audience how I became affected by changing myself for a boy.
Nix will then talk about how she got affected by trying to fit in (bullied)
Try getting the audience to join in
Use the poem for inspiration: http://www.ellenbailey.com/poems/ellen_077.htm

Somehow we need to make it more "cabaret stlye" for it to be entertaining as wel as creatign a message

Many Thanks Sabrina


Answer
Sabrina...Thanks for your answers.  I'm assuming that your partner in this is also a female?

I think you have a really great idea.  And I am intrigued by the staging and setting idea and the interest you have in getting the audience involved.  Develop the script around your ideas that you list above first and then do the following:

I think it is essential that you understand what a cabaret style is.  Here's a little on it.
Cabaret is a form of entertainment featuring comedy, song, dance, and theatre, distinguished mainly by the performance venue—a restaurant or nightclub with a stage for performances and the audience sitting at tables (often dining or drinking) watching the performance being introduced by a master of ceremonies or emcee (MC).

Do some reading on the history of cabaret to figure out what is missing from your set up and the experience you want to give.  Obviously, you don't have to go total cabaret.  But having elements of cabaret mixed in with whatever else you want to accomplish would be fun.

And ask yourself what makes these women change for the men?  Why are they not able to stand up for themselves?  

And what is the journey?  Where do these women start and where do they end up?

Also, who is the audience in the script?  Why do you want them joining in?  Are they more men?  Are they the general public?  Are they more women?  

I think you are on the way to having a really amazing show here if you take the time to develop it well.  This really could be something that people will talk about for a long while.  

Does that help you?

Wanda