Rachel's Pentathalon

Arts Scholars Pentathalon Assignment

[rachelhcpsarts]

Pentathlon #4

For my pentathlon, I watched an Arts Ted Talk about Shakesperian Insults. I found it very interesting and informative as I have read a lot of Shakespeare in high school, but have never gave a second thought to the insults used. In the Ted Talk, they mentioned that the insults were used to unite audiences through humor. No matter where they were sitting or their social class, audiences would all laugh at these outrageous insults. I think this is a very relevant topic as amidst the COVID-19 crisis, humor and entertainment has been able to unite people all across the world. 

[rachelhcpsarts]

Pentathalon #3

I watched Aladdin on Disney Plus for my film pentathlon.*This post will contain spoilers* I was really impressed with the CGI effects, the music, and the acting. I have seen the original Aladdin as well Aladdin on Broadway, and found strong similarities and differences. Like the music was all similar, but some lyrics and some of the rhythms were different. I loved the added songs as well, it really highlighted the strength of Princess Jasmine. Overall, the music, sounds, acting, and effects were all brought together to create a highly effective piece. I would recommend everyone to watch this during quarantine! 

[rachelhcpsarts]

Pentathalon #2

This past Friday I saw Noises Off at the Clarice, but on by TDPS. The show, which I was in in high school, was incredible. I loved the take the actors took on the characters and was particularly interested in the differences in artistic choices my cast vs their cast took. The show is a play within a play and is a complete farce. Funny is an understatement, and the actors portrayed that well. The set was incredibly done. Not only was it a two story house built with craft, but it rotated to show the behind the scenes for act two. Overall I was incredibly impressed! 

[rachelhcpsarts]

Pentathalon #1

I attended the Concert in Close Quarters put on by the Clarice and Arts Scholars. Leyla McCalla performed many songs both in English and French that touched on many issues. It was very cool to see how music portrayed social issues such as gender, social class, race, etc. Even though I don’t speak French, based on the emotions portrayed in her performance. I was also very intrigued with how she is a mom and a working musician, a combination that unfortunately is rare. It was very cool to hear that you don’t have to give up your dreams to have a family, that you can be successful and have a family and not have to sacrifice one for the other. 

[rachelhcpsarts]

Pentathlon #5

I went to go see Richard Montgomery High School’s Production of the Addams Family. It was a great performance with Broadway choreography and a live pit orchestra. The set was also absolutely incredible. The lighting design, using the moon as seen in the picture, was a great touch as well. All of the lighting design, music, and were all done by students. It was very impressive. 

[rachelhcpsarts]

Pentathlon #4

Last Wednesday I went to see the Homecoming Comedy Presentation, John Mulaney. It was really funny. Mulaney highlighted UMD throughout his act, including bringing up the latest issue of The Diamondback on stage to point out some of the hilarity of our UMD world that we may be blind too. My particular favorite was when he highlighted the campus famous “Hi Five Guy” who is now a flight attendant and commented on how strange it was that we had a hi-five guy. Overall, Mulaney’s comedic timing is impeccable and I was in stitches almost the entire time. 

[rachelhcpsarts]

Pentathalon #3

I went to go see the Treblemakers a cappella concert at the Chapel Friday night. The treblemakers are an all girls group. The concert had 3 sets, covers of popular songs, songs that are tradition in which they invited their alumni on stage, and original songs from their upcoming album. I thought they blended well both as a small group and with the alumni. It was great music and such a positive, uplifting vibe in the room. 

[rachelhcpsarts]

Pentathalon #2

Today I saw the MFA Thesis Concert at the Clarice. The performance consisted of two pieces by two masters students. The first was a political statement about Black Women in society. It really made me think about the privilege that I have. both pieces incorporated live music and singing which was very cool as well. the pieces mostly danced to live music, video audio, or silence. it really challenged my perspective on what “dance” means. 

[rachelhcpsarts]

Pentathalon #1

Last Friday I went to go see SEE’s Back To School talk with Josh Peck. Josh talked a lot about his childhood in the Hollywood industry and how his background in theatre got him there. He also touched on his current career as. YouTuber and how that was just as much art as being in Hollywood. I thought it was very cool that he encouraged everyone to start creating if they wanted to and that they shouldn't be afraid to get creative. I think that is such an important message, creativity can be in so many different forms. 

[rachelhcpsarts]

Pentathlon #5

Last Thursday I was a part of New Dances, a dance concert at the Clarice withy the Terrpain Tap Troupe. We performed Mambo #5. It was very cool to see what the other dance groups on campus were doing. All the dances were student choreographed so it was very inspiring to see the styles of everyone showcased. I choreographed a section of my dance. This isn’t the type of music I usually choreographed to so it was great to stretch my repertoire.

[rachelhcpsarts]

Penathalon #4

Last Thursday I went to the Terp Talk with Aly Raisman in Stamp. She talked about her gymnastics story as well as speaking out against her assaultor. She talked about how she was never the best at gymnastics growing up but always the one who was willing to work the hardest. It was very inspiring and motivating and empowering for everyone but especially women.

[rachelhcpsarts]

Pentathlon 3

Last weekend I went home to go see Take The Stage Performance Company perform their Anual Musical Review, Stand Out. I was a member of Take The Stage Innaugural Cast and then continued for 5 more seasons up until my senior year. The show was high energy, impactful, and impressive. The songs they performed ranged from a fun Spongebob the Musical to a more somber and serious Come From Away. These kids ages 9-18 are incredibly impressive and make a magical show on stage. Not to mention the costumes, sound design, and lighting that makes it all the better.

[rachelhcpsarts]

Pentathlon 2

On Tuesday, I saw the band “Summer Salt” at Milkboy Arthouse in College Park. They are a band that has just started gaining popularity. They fall into the indie pop category. I liked that it wasn’t incredibly hype the whole time. Many times when people think of concerts they think of super intense mosh pits and jumping the whole time. The aura of the event was perfect for a weekday.

[rachelhcpsarts]

Pentathlon 1

I went to the Renwick Gallery in Washington DC. My favorite exhibit in the museum was the temple exhibit. It was made of entirely wooden panels and filled with grafitti from patrons ranging from “In memory of..” to uplifting messages to confessions. It was very powerful. It was an amazing anonymous way to honor yourself or others and realize that other people have similar struggles as you. If anyone is looking for some inspiration or needs some motivation or uplifting, I highly recommend this exhibit. I also liked that what made the exhibit was the patrons, the art was made from everyone.

[rachelhcpsarts]

Extra Pentathalon

I went to the National Gallery of Art in Washington D.C. I appreciate the fact that there is a wing of modern art and a wing of traditional, older art. The three pieces here are from the modern, east wing. I chose to include a statue because I appreciated the variety of art within the genre of fine art. As someone who is more a performance art based person I was very pleased and enjoyed it a lot. The Jackson Pollack painting was my favorite by far. I did not expect it to speak to me as much as it did. 

[rachelhcpsarts]

Pentathalon #5

For my music pentathalon, I attended the Kaleidoscope of Bands concert put on by the University Band, Community Band, and Mighty Sound of Maryland Marching Band. I was supposed to partake in the concert, but unfortunately due to injury, I was unable to. The highlight of the show was the Marching Band. They were in all parts of the hall creating a surround sound experience. The band is also known for incorporating movements and showmanship to their performance set. It was not just amazing music, but a fully entertaining show to enjoy. 

[rachelhcpsarts]

Pentathlon number four

I watched the film the greatest showman. It was a movie musical. Both the musicians and the craftsmanship of the movie were very impressive. The music really added to the stories even the underscoring of the music throughout the movie when there was no singing made the tale come to life even more. The animations were incredibly impressive. The animals in the circus made it look very real and made everything come together.