The Russian Theatre Experience

This weekend marks the half way point of my adventures in Moscow. I know I shouldn't think about it like this, but I'm already sad. I can't help rehearsing what it will feel like to leave. It's like leaving behind a new friend that you feel like you've known for a long time. It feels like it could be home...but at the same time, I know it's not...so my only option is to not be sad, and soak in all the good stuff...and not let anything petty get in the way of my lust for Moscow. I may as well stay in love while I have the passion and I plan on picking Passion with me and bringing it to my 'for now home' in the States. who knows what will happen after I graduate this year...the excitement/anticipation is no loner scary, it's thrilling. I haven't really talked about what it's like to see wtheatre in Moscow since I've been here...it's much different than what I'm accustomed to. I've seen six shows plus one showcase of the MAXT students (Moscow Art Theatre, same place where I'm taking classes while m here). All of my Moscow Theatre experiences have been in different theatres, and I haven't even visited half of all of the theatres in this city yet. There are dozens of venues here in the city. It fascinates me how many 'art houses' (a name I just made up for theatres, concert halls, galleries, ect). And all of these theatres I have attended thus far have packed houses. On the streets at around 6pm you'll see many people holding bushels of flowers while walking in there amazing, fashionable outfits....because they are going to the theatre and giving flowers to their stars....just like the cartoons...at curtain call people walk up to the stage and hand their favorite actors flowers....and shout Brava! And clap in a rhythm (very different from U.S. clapping) for minutes after the shows. It's an event, and it's every night. And it's wonderful. The audience energy is magnetic and powerful. Every other person has their own personal opera glasses (must get some for myself so I can be like them). And the shows always ends with standing ovations. did I mention the plays are in Russian? You probably already gathered that...and you would think that it it would be hard to understand what's going on..or frustrating...or boring...but it's very much the opposite. Words are not the most important...and as a wanna be actor, that's crucial news to me. We know body language is what makes up most of our communication, so of course that makes sense in thestre as well. The physicality these actors have is incredible, and not human like. I've spoken with a few Russian actors and asked about their training, and the hours and dedication they put in puts my 70 hours a week to shame. They don't have the kind of doubt I have, they may question if they are 'good' like all of us do...but they don't question if this lifestyle is meant for them. It's in their bones. The dedication and committment level is truly admirable. Above all else, They are all so multi talented. They act, sing, dance, play instruments and tumble like acrobats. The things I see them do with their bodies are not so much impossible, but with such force and enegry, all while having the lightness of an angel....it makes me cry just trying to describe what they sweat out on stage for us. I can see them dying on stage for us, with grace and humility. It's not just me being ridiculous, I've seen 7 performances and the all have this in common: it's living, breathing art. Nothing about it is presentational, or polished coldly to perfection. It's raw, honest, authentic...and they are just people. They look 40 feet tall in stage. They look untouchable. But I see them in the cafeteria at school every day. They have rollers in their hair, they poke fun of my bad Russian, they smile at me when I drool all over them. I saw Peer Gynt walk out of the stage door in his jeans and stripped shirt and converse like shoes with his messenger bag, hopping' puddles and dodgin' the rain just like me. He's about 5 feet tall and 100 pounds soaking wet! But I had just seen him tear up the stage and roar like a lion, how could that be? Where did he come from? Seregi is his teacher and I'm taking his class right now, I asked him, where and what is that guy? Seregi said he comes from a little village in Russia and has only been acting for 6 years. I about shit myself. You mean he hasn't been singing and dancing out of the womb?! How? What? Can that be? Seregi told us, he was like a diamond, and all he did was cut him. Ever since he told us that, I have been praying to God, please, please let me be a diamond. And when I go to class every day in my head I'm screaming to my teachers CUT ME! Whenever I'm feeling tired, or sore, or crabby, or down on myself, I just think- well cutting isn't exactly going to feel good so just buck the f up and get cut! And all the while, like Vladimir says, (in angry Russian man voice) "SMILE!" Yes Sir; you got it.