Here is a rough draft of my vignette; I am still testing out the two "tools" I want to use, so will talk with you guys as we peer review in class. I guess I need some feedback before I go plunging ahead with something and hate it--will explain my concerns and hopefully, everyone's input will help me and my game plan! It is a tiny bit longer then the original time of 3:45, but I am trying to keep it under 5:00 maximum, with light music (perhaps?) to play behind the "storyteller"--let me know what you think in class! Oh, and Devon, your Draft #2 Is wonderful!! And Laura, yours is absolutely amazing!!!
Once upon a time, there was a
little girl who was sweet, and sunny, and very shy. She was sensitive to people’s
feelings, and might cry when she listened to music, or felt someone’s sadness,
or even their joy! It seemed her emotions would overwhelm her at times. She
loved to sing to her dolls and make up wonderful stories for them, usually when
she thought no one was looking. One special day, her Mom took her to dance
school and everyone thought she would surely be afraid to dance onstage. But
this little girl fell in love with ballet! And
with the energy of the theatre. Here was a wonderful place to express all those
emotions which nobody understood she was feeling.
When she
got to perform on the big stage, she was mesmerized by the lights, the music,
and the audience—all so alive and exciting. It was the first time she felt the
“magic” and whenever she performed, there it was, again and again. The music,
the lights, the curtains, and—most of all--the energy of the audience, waiting
to be entertained. It was all part of an incomparable magic and she was part of
it too! She loved to be performing
and the only thing she liked as much, was writing it all down when she got back
home, as fast as her emotions poured out on the page, so that she could
remember the feelings of these beautiful moments. And it would come to life
again, each time she read those special pages.
As
this little girl grows up, she plans to study and perform as long as she
possibly can. Her dream? To earn a dual degree in Theatre and English—her two
favorites—but to perform as long as she can create that stage “magic.” And earn
a living doing it! After that, she would complete any other degrees (if needed),
and go forth with her plan of teaching one—or both—of her two favorites. But, the day comes, sooner than planned, to
put those dreams on a shelf to make room—and enough time—for other things.
The other
things? “Grown-up things” like marriage and babies that bring a new, different kind of magic. Sometimes it is
so very wonderful, and other times,
quite hard. But dance is still her old, reliable “cure”, there to help release
some energy—good or bad—and, of course, writing
it all down, as fast as her emotions pour out on the page—so she can always
remember and make sense of all these different
new experiences. It is also her special way to thank God for the beauty, the
laughter, the joy of her babies, the daily challenges, and even the struggles.
Finally
one day, that same little girl—very grown up with almost grown-up children, returns to school to earn her degree. Dance is still her wonderful
release, and she loves those courses, but knows she must decide on her major.
It has to be something she loves, and wants to do for the rest of her life. A
passion she can share with students, like the shows she did for years with the
students at her children’s schools! Music is a thought, but she knows that Theatre
and English—her soul-mates—have to be
the choice. English means writing and theatre has movement---this will be the
perfect fit! But oh my—so much work! Sometimes not enough time to write anything down, as fast as any emotions might
pour out on the page--except each new writing assignment...
BUT,
that is when a great new magic appears. It flows from her fingers, sometimes
writing on a pad, other times as she types on the computer. The words—her
words—are painting a picture. Much the same as painting scenery for a
production, her words are making magic
by coming to life in front of her eyes! The emotions she feels are as
heightened as playing a difficult role or performing in her favorite ballet—the
excitement and energy are unmatched as she stares at this new phenomenon. Has
this magic always been there? Or did she just forget that she can do this!
The words
are real. They are life, telling a story and reaching people. Simply discovered
through an assignment, and then another--yet they are her words speaking clearly. Words of rage or sorrow; words of
beauty and joy. But words creating something wonderful for someone else to read
and embrace. A different audience yes, but one that will laugh or cry and feel
exhilarated or cleansed by the magic she wrote on the page. And she had always
held this magic, but never really believed in it until she was moved by reading
her own words. Words she wrote as fast as she could, so all the emotions in her
heart and head would be on the page, now to share with others.
Oh, in
case you hadn’t guessed, the little girl who loved to sing and dance was me.
And the magic did appear as I was
writing an assignment, late at night, hunched over the computer with a cold cup
of tea on the desk. I embraced that moment then, and still do every time it
happens…
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