blog, week 9:

Friday May 6, 2011

I cannot believe we've already had our last day of class. This semester has gone by far too quickly. Looking back on it, I feel we've both achieved a lot and nothing at the same time. We've been able to introduce Shakespeare and some of his accomplishments to this class of inmates. We've been able to read through and understand an entire play, adapt it into modern language, and even perform it. With less than 10 actual classes, I'm so impressed with how much the students, Gabby and I have been able to get through and accomplish.

The morning of May 6 th was bittersweet. All of our students were late, but it was certainly worth waiting for them. Steveo walked in with the bottom of a mop on top of his head, and Mikey walked in with a homemade yamaka and Jew-curls attached to his ears. The sight sent Gabby and I into hysterics, because these identifying props were completely unexpected. Since we had been limited in what we could bring into the prison, we assumed that the only things we could use to identify each person/their character were by the signs Gabby made for everyone. Steveo and Mikey walked in and changed that - they took the initiative to take the performance to another level, which Gabby and I were very proud and appreciative of. When they saw that I had brought tissue paper with me for the caskets (which I had just intended to cover chairs with), Travis, Steveo and Mikey rushed back to their living spaces to grab property boxes. Despite the fact that I told them they didn't have to, in fear that if they dumped their property out of them they would lose something, they all insisted on grabbing the boxes and covering them in the gold, silver and black tissue paper. Steveo said he wanted to make the performance as believable as possible, as well as the best. I admit it nearly put tears in my eyes.

When it came to practicing for the performance, no one could remember their lines. Even Gabby and I were tripping over our words. We practiced the play as fast as we could in the hour time slot we had before we had to perform, and I sincerely thought we weren't going to be able to make it through the whole performance in twenty minutes or less without messing up in several places. However, the students pulled through beautifully and sailed through the parts they seemed to struggle with when we were rehearsing. Even though Steveo stopped during the end of Act 4 to tell the audience he always messes up on the part where Portia and Nerissa discuss why they are following their husbands to Venice, he did perfectly. I mostly watched the audience while the students performed, and although it was clear that it was difficult at times for them to understand exactly what was going on, they certainly seemed to enjoy it.

At the end of the performance, Gabby and I gave each of the students an index cards with comments on their work during the semester and encouragement to continue. None of them read the cards in front of us, instead choosing to put them in their pockets. While Luis and Travis were quick to leave, Steveo and Mikey stayed and got very red in the face while saying good bye. I felt so bad when we had to tell them we more than likely would not be able to write, even though they asked over and over again for us to double check. While I managed to play it cool while we were saying good bye, I felt increasingly distraught as we were walking away through the yard and our students seemed to follow us out, calling after us and still good bye. It was hard to drive away that day, knowing we would not be able to see them again or contact them. It makes me sad, because I truly would like to see how they turn out, and I wish I could continue to send them words of encouragement. What is worse is the fact that I know ENG 584 will not be able to continue next semester for them, even though they all wanted to attend the creative writing class. I can only hope for the best for each of them now. I hope they find it.

 

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