Reaction Paper

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School

Florida International University *

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Course

2000

Subject

Arts Humanities

Date

Oct 30, 2023

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pdf

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Uploaded by JusticeFreedomLyrebird27

Theatre Appreciation 21 February, 2023 Reaction Paper: “Airness” The world of competitive air guitar is examined in the humorous and touching play "Airness" by Chelsea Marcantel. Nina is a timid young lady who is given a tour of the world of air guitar by her friend and fellow fan, Shreddy Eddy. The movie follows Nina's journey through this new realm. Nina, together with a colorful ensemble of characters, decides to participate in the US Air Guitar Championships. It is there that she not only finds her aptitude for playing air guitar but also a community of like-minded people who embrace her for who she is. "Airness" is a fascinating and engaging investigation of a distinct subculture, and as someone who has never observed or played in air guitar before, I found it to be very interesting and enjoyable. The play does an amazing job of capturing the thrill and intensity of air guitar performances, even to someone who has no previous knowledge or experience with the art form. The over-the-top motions and expressions on the performers' faces, in addition to the accompanying sound effects and music, provide a completely immersive experience that is both entertaining and engrossing for the audience. Particularly notable is movement consultant Lesley-Ann Timlick's creation of the play's choreography, which features sophisticated and dynamic passages that reflect the spirit of air guitar performance. Yet, what struck me as most stunning about "Airness" was the manner in which it employed the realm of air guitar to explore themes of coming into one's own, being accepted by others, and finding a place to call home. To illustrate this theme of acceptance, the characters in "Airness" interact with one another in a unique way. All of the individuals are total strangers at the start of the story, each with their own unique history and personality. Yet as they get closer via their common interest in air guitar, they start to regard each other more as friends and comrades than rivals. During the highs and lows of competition, they come to tolerate and even embrace one another's eccentricities and defects. The characters in "Airness" are also a symbol of acceptance since they are able to accept themselves. Each character enters the air guitar contest for their own unique reasons, but ultimately they are all looking for some kind of social affirmation. The experience of competition helps them recognize and appreciate their own strengths and gives them the courage to be themselves. The play is a coming-of-age drama at its heart, following the character "Nina" (played by Alexandra Reyes) as she learns to accept her own self and finds her own skills during the course of the play. During the course of the play, Nina suffers with a fear of judgment and a sensation that she does not belong, which is likely to resonate with a large number of audience members. Her road toward self-acceptance is a tremendous one, and the loving and welcoming community that she discovers in the world of air guitar gives it an added layer of significance that would not be there otherwise. The performer Elizabeth Chavez, who plays the part of the reigning air guitar

champion, "Cannibal Queen," turns in one of the play's most memorable performances as a result of her portrayal of the character. Elizabeth completely embodies the larger-than-life aspect of her character via her performance, which is marked by a ferocious passion and charm on her part. Her command of the physical components of air guitar performance is very astonishing, as she dances smoothly around the stage with a degree of talent and confidence that is simply awe-inspiring. The actor Christian Torres, who portrays the character of "Golden Thunder," also gives a noteworthy performance in this production. The play is made funnier and lighter thanks to Christian's performance, which is also engaging and sympathetic. He lends a sense of comedy to the role, as well. His interpretation of the role is sophisticated and intricate, displaying a range of emotions and a degree of vulnerability that is absolutely engaging. Nathaniel Heustis, who plays the role of Shreddy Eddy, is another actor who deserves recognition. "Nina," who is timid and introverted, is introduced to the world of air guitar by her friend and fellow devotee, who is also a fan of air guitar. Nina is given guidance and support by Shreddy Eddy, who acts as a mentor to her. He encourages Nina to continue her interest in air guitar and assists her in getting ready for the US Air Guitar Championships. He also acts as a humorous counterbalance to the characters in the play who are more serious and severe, and he is the primary source of much of the comedy and lightness in the play. Ultimately, the position of Shreddy Eddy in the play is significant since he serves as a guide, a buddy, and a source of comedic relief. In addition to the outstanding work done by the cast members, the set and lighting design for this play were created by Neena Devila and Chloe Vouglas, respectively. With a stage that is decked out with a bar, a sofa, and many other current grungy aesthetics, the set design does an excellent job of capturing the grungy, DIY look that is associated with the air guitar subculture. Almost as stunning is the lighting design, which features brilliant colors and dramatic effects that amp up the level of intensity and excitement brought by the performances. In addition to this, topics such as gender dynamics and racial representation in the air guitar community are discussed throughout the performance. Nina is first reluctant to compete in air guitar contests because she feels that male artists predominate in the field; nevertheless, the example of the defending champion, Golden Thunder, finally inspires Nina to overcome her initial reservations and compete. One of the play's most memorable aspects is the character of Golden Thunder, which is brought to life with contagious energy and charm. Being a guy of African descent, he defies the preconceived notions of what the appearance of an air guitar champion "should" be like. Moreover, he is an inspirational example for Nina and other people who are interested in performing. In addition to the ideas it explores and the people it portrays, "Airness" is an absolute pleasure to watch. During the whole of the play, I found myself laughing out loud at the play's fantastic one-liners as well as its physical humor. Each of the performers is very skilled and infuses their performances with a distinctive vitality and sense of flair. I was especially struck by the physicality of their motions, which reflected the intensity and emotion of their air guitar performances in a manner that seemed real and appealing to the audience. The manner in which "Airness" muddles the line between truth and performance is without a doubt one of the

most fascinating features of the show. Many times throughout the course of the play, the characters will interact with the audience members in what is known as "breaking the fourth wall." They tease and compete with one another, both on and off the stage, which adds a lighthearted element to the dynamic. Because of this, there is a feeling of spontaneity and improvisation, which is not only exhilarating but also engrossing. In conclusion, the performance "Airness" is an absolute must-see since it exemplifies the extraordinary innovation and ability that exists within the theatrical community. The themes of the play, which include self-discovery and acceptance, are universally relevant, and the play's characters and comedy are certain to win over even the audience with the greatest skepticism. I was left feeling energised and motivated after leaving the theater as a result of the production team's and performers' impressive levels of ability and inventiveness, respectively. In its whole, "Airness" is a genuinely extraordinary piece that presents an original and illuminating viewpoint on the world of air guitar performance. The performers, designers, and other members of the creative team worked together to produce a performance that is not only physically magnificent but also emotionally compelling. The play conveys a profound message about the significance of following one's interests and finding pleasure in the act of performing. This message is conveyed via the play's study of the human yearning for connection and validation. It is extremely astounding how it makes use of body and movement to communicate the excitement of air guitar performance, and the performances of the actors are a monument to the devotion and expertise they have shown throughout the production. The play has a meaningful and encouraging message that is guaranteed to resound with audiences of all ages and backgrounds since it investigates topics such as self-expression, connection, and passion. One of the criticisms that may be leveled at the play is that its depiction of the world of air guitar is either excessively hopeful or extremely simple. It is true that "Airness" portrays a very positive and supportive perspective of the air guitar community. Nevertheless, it is important to note that the actual experience of playing air guitar in the real world may not be nearly as rosy and straightforward as shown in the show. There is always the potential for tension within every creative group or subculture. In addition, air guitar was presented as a comedic performance within the context of this theatrical play, when in reality, the art form is taken far more seriously. To minimize the conflict between performance act and reality it is important for the audience to gain an understanding of the comedic undertone of the performance and the unauthentic representation of air guitar in the play.

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