Climate Survey Activity/Stream; Writing Time; Hedwig & the Angry Inch: Day 1

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During period one there will be some activity the "climate committee" would like us to do. Then use time until 8:00 to write for your portfolio and/or discuss the play the Vagina Monologues.

We will then view the play/film Hedwig & the Angry Inch.

Details:

Written/Directed by StephenTrask (music & lyrics) & John Cameron Mitchell (book). Rolling Stone called it the best rock musical ever. It premiered off-Broadway in 1998 and then closed in 2000 after 857 performances. It has been revived throughout the world in London's West End, England, Germany, Brazil, Canada, Mexico, The Netherlands, Turkey, Italy, Thailand, the Czech Republic, and Austria. It was revived on Broadway in 2014 with Neil Patrick Harris as Hedwig and won a Tony Award for Best Revival of a Musical. Actors as diverse as Taye Diggs, Michael Cerveris, Ally Sheedy of the Breakfast Club.  and Michael C. Hall who played the serial killer Dexter.

As you watch, please use the film and play script as resource materials to write a researched/analysis or creative personal narrative/essay using the Gender criticism notes given to you at the beginning of this unit. You may wish to expand your discussion to personal understanding or experiences, or comment on contemporary culture. This essay will serve as a "test" for the film/play script. Consider the following as you watch:

  • Rock & Roll, particularly "heavy metal" is often viewed as being primarily a masculine musical form. Why?
  • Examine the film/play's depiction of transgender identities in roles traditionally played by cis-gender actors cross-dressing. 
  • In your opinion, does the film/play teach you anything you did not know about gender? Is the play relevant today? Why or why not?
  • Examine pop culture in regards to gender and identity (particularly transgender, for example). Has pop culture helped or hurt the transgender community? Has the media, for example, helped change our culture's attitude towards gender fluidity?
  • What exactly does it take to love oneself? How does not loving yourself or your identity cause suffering in one's life? How "broken" are we? Is there hope for finding our other half? Explore the topic.
  • Other*
HOMEWORK: Take one of these bulleted ideas/prompts and begin working on your essay draft. Bring your drafts back with you to our next class.

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