FAR 1500: The Skin of Our Teeth Post-Performance

NamePaper # The Skin of Our TeethPost-PerformanceFAR 1500 1. Thesis Statement The performance was trying to communicate that the common man must survive even though the times may be turbulent and stressful outside. The purpose of the performance was also to highlight that crises situations are becoming the norm and a family still needs to find happiness for itself in some moments of each day. The performance was trying to achieve motivation for a common man living with his family. This was being achieved through dark comedy in the performance. However, with quick shifts in the Acts and each Act in a totally different surrounding, the purpose of the performance was more hastily communicated. Moreover, some content seemed out of place. The audience did not get a time to ponder and reflect on the serious nature of the content other than the comedy. 2. Concrete Examples As mentioned in the thesis statement, the purpose was hastily communicated in the Acts and some performance seemed unnecessary. For example, the role of the girl in Act II seems inappropriate and irrelevant. For a family guy suffering with problems at home and crises situations outside the home, the role of the girl who was trying to attract the father to herself seems out of place. However, the message at the end of the scene is inspiring as the father appears loyal and loving to his own family, including his children. Secondly, the war-like situation is causing disharmony and disagreements in this family in Act III but the final message is useful and motivating for a common man watching the performance. The son has feelings of revolt and is severely affected by the war. However, he ultimately respects his family’s love and care, and not even a war can overpower those feelings. 3. Design Aspects The scenery in Act II during the family’s vacation in Atlantic City poses a different perspective and angle to the war that is taking place. Such aspect of the design is meant to communicate, as per the thesis statement above, that life must go on even if trouble has come nearby. The family has planned this vacation in turbulent times and the accompanying scenery adds to the festive mood. Secondly, the lighting played a significant role in making the audience realize the seriousness of the situation besides the fun elements and comedy in the performance. For example, the lighting to indicate flooding and also to indicate changing landscape points to the quickly changing environment around the performance. The lighting had a strong impact in communicating turbulent and quickly changing times for this family. 4. Reference to Pre-Performance Paper The work prior to the performance focused on the dynamics of a nuclear family. The pre-performance paper defined and understood roles for each family member. Similarly, the production exhibited strong connection and communication between the family members. However, there were disagreements between the father and the son. The lectures support my thesis as the lecture focused upon making sense of our daily lives in stressful times and trying to survive each day. The lecture emphasized that there are no shortcuts or an easy way out of the problems....