Over the past couple of days, I have sat in a classroom with new peers as we prepare to embark on a journey to London to study the magic and education of theatre. It is quite difficult to conceptualize the idea that soon we will be in the places our professor shows images of to us on a projector. We have studied the works of Shakespeare in the class on campus such as A Midsummer Night’s Dream and The Comedy of Errors. My favorite play that we have studied is a play called Dancing at Lughnasa by an Irish playwright named Brian Friel. I have enjoyed reading these plays and I can’t even begin to imagine how fascinating it will be to see them be performed by talented actors on a decorative stage. It is quite astounding to think that in a short amount of time I will be in The Globe Theatre where Shakespeare himself performed his plays. We are planning on seeing over 33 plays during our 28 day stay. Towards the end of our trip, we are packing our bags to stay at Stratford-Upon-Avon where the one and only Shakespeare was born and grew up. To say that I am ecstatic is an understatement. I am so eager to learn of all the different cultural differences and landmarks of England. I even plan to take a day trip to Paris and also take a weekend get away to Ireland if I can. It is in moments like these that I am so grateful for technology and that it allows me to take friends and family along for the journey through these blogs. As I sit here and type, I think of how blessed I am to have such an opportunity that my parents and even grandparents never had. I am so grateful to do and see the things they never got the chance to. That is what we want for our children, for them to have the opportunity to experience realities we never had the privilege of even dreaming about. I hope my family sees the role they play in my ability to set off to see new parts of the world, and I hope they know that all the while, I am carrying them with me as I go.
P.S. I may or may not have been practicing my accent when I’m alone in my room and I may or may not have made an entire Pinterest board of outfits I plan to wear while I’m over there.
Theatre in London U of A 