Monday, March 23, 2015

Red Castle

Last summer I went on a backpacking trip with my friend and his family. We went to the Uintas! The forests and mountains there are gorgeous! The fishing is amazing and there a ton of lakes up there. As we hiked the 11 miles in as we watched moose, birds, squirrels and other wild life. For half the time the trail ran along side a river and we had to cross it a couple times over bridges. The actual castle juts straight out of the ground and is made up of red rock, therefore the name Red Castle!


The Medival Era

There is something about the times of castles, knights, and medieval history that is so compelling. Every time I go and study around the era of 1100 - 1500 I am lost in the stories of honor, courage, treachery, and even tragedy.

I love thinking about what it would be like to be a man-at-arms fighting for a powerful knight. Going forward to vanquish foes or retreating behind castle walls to defend the inhabitants within. Rubbing shoulders with the Knights Templar on the holy crusades, or feasting at banquets with royalty.



Recently I have had the experience of immersing myself in medieval history. I have read novels like Rangers Apprentice, acting in the robin Hood play, dressed up for a medieval feast with some friends, or fought in battles with AMRS and Belegarth groups. Can you tell that I love Medieval History?




















Thursday, March 19, 2015

Robin Hood



In September 2014, I was inspired by a friend.

First of all, I love acting, I love writing, and I love hanging out with friends. So when my friend, Sadie called me and said she wanted to put on a play, I was so excited! She was debating between doing "Robin Hood" and the musical "Annie". In the end, she decided to put on Annie.

As well as acting and writing, I am fascinated by the medieval era. I can't get enough of the battles, legends, and history from that time. As we rehearsed 'Annie' I was so impressed with how Sadie was able to put her dream into a reality. My mind started to form an idea. I decided that once the production of 'Annie' was finished, I wanted to write and direct my own play.

I was going to do Robin Hood!

I am very passionate about the story of Robin Hood. I find Robin's adventures so intriguing. I wanted this play to be great! This play would have everything. It would have the memorized parts, costumes, props, a stage, set, and action!

I started with research. I read every Robin Hood story published on earth and watched almost every Robin Hood movie that was ever made. I read and studied the medieval era that Earl Robert of Locksley (Robin Hood) lived in and used that to add authenticity to the storyline.

Then I started writing. There are so many versions of the Robin Hood story that I couldn't pick which one to use. So I started from scratch and wrote my own version of Robin Hood using what I thought was all the best parts from the ones I researched. I wrote, rewrote, revised, and edited my play script for three months. Then in January 2015 it was complete. I emailed my friends and asked them if they wanted to join me in producing this play. After which I worked on casting.

Once that was complete I sent my cast the script and they started memorizing! After a lot of hard working rehearsals, we performed Robin Hood! It was such an amazing experience, and to me was very fulfilling.

Here are pictures of the Cast and Performance!

----------------

At Robin Hood's wedding, Sir Guy proclaims Robin an outlaw.


Robin Hood's Merry 'Men'! : )


Robin Hood finds out his friend Will Scarlet has been captured and is to be hung.


Robin Hood and his Merry Men come to Will Scarlet rescue just in time.


Robin Hood meets a 'young man' in the forest only to discover 
it is his beloved Lady Marian disguised.


Little John invites some thieving monks to a feast 
were the merry men relieve them of their stolen goods.


Sir Guy, Prince John and the Sheriff of Nottingham discussing their evil plans.


Robin Hood is captured and brought to the Castle Nottingham.


Sir Guy vents his emotions of his hatred for Robin Hood.


Our wonderful Narrator.


The very beautiful Lady Marian.


Will Scarlet talks to Lady Marian in the forest.


Sir Guy surprises them. Will Scarlet defends Lady Marian.


Will Scarlet gives his life to protect Lady Marian.


Robin Hood in the dungeon guarded by soldiers.


Robin escapes and finds Lady Marian gone and Will Scarlet before he dies.


Robin Hood demonstrates his skill with the longbow. 


Robin Hood kills Sir Guy in a desperate fight. He laments his old friend who turned into his enemy.


Robin Hood marries Lady Marian!!