The Ensemble Composition

Hi all!

So, our class recently had to do an assignment called an “ensemble composition.” Basically, we had to put on a performance of no more than 10 minutes, with just a few days of rehearsal. We divided up into two groups and got a paper that detailed everything that we needed to include in out composition (for example: a song, a work of art, and embrace, a moment of violence, etc.). With all those elements we needed to create something that posed a question that was relevant to all members of the group.

My group (Cara, Grace, Jocelyn and I) had a little adventure while trying to decide on a topic. We started off with the idea to do something with reality TV shows. We had a good jam session and spun out some really great ideas… But as we talked, a bunch of stories would pop up about the stars of those reality TV stars. And most of those stories had to do with plastic surgery. As more and more of those stories piled on, we started talking about how we could include them in our composition. Finally, we had so much more work focusing on plastic surgery than we did on reality TV, which is how we finally arrived at out final topic.

Now, one of the problems we had with this assignment (and one of the problems I’m thinking we’ll have all semester in this class) is that we all had so many great ideas, we couldn’t possible fit them all into the same composition. Almost everything that was said got an “Ohhh, yeah! I like that! Let’s use that!” And the worst part was, they were all incredible ideas. We spent a lot of time working out how to really show the physical change caused by cosmetic surgery.

We spent some time considering the markings drawn on the skin, showing where the doctor would be cutting. I certainly thought it would be an interesting image, having someone’s face nearly blacked out with things they wanted to change about themselves. But, as we worked, we realized that it would be messy, and whoever was marked would need to get cleaned up fast, so we abandoned the idea. After some more talk, we stumbled onto another great idea: paper bags. Everyone got a hold of a paper back and drew a face on it, a ridiculous, horrific face that not even plastic surgery could create. For example, one thing I said during the performance was that I’d gotten an eyelift (blepharoplasty). So, on my bag, I drew two huge, uneven, misshapen eyes.

The final product was amazing. There we were, looking like monsters, chattering on about how great we all looked. I didn’t realize this until after we’d already done ours, but the only actual human face that’s seen is Cara’s (the only one who, until we finished with her, hadn’t had any work done), and once we get our hands on her, she got a bag of her own.

I’ll end with a quick summary of our composition:

Our question, “How much can you change about yourself and still be you?”

Our anchor, “A plastic surgery party!”

Our structure, “Rehab.”

Jocelyn, Grace and I are all together, bagged, whispering to each other when Cara enters. We hug, reminisce, and have a seat. Things get increasingly awkward as we point out to Cara all the work we’ve had done. As we ready to pounce, she tries to make a run for it. But she’s out of luck, we grab her, hold her down and get to work, sucking and implanting and doing all sorts of crazy things to her until, finally, a bag is thrust upon her head and the transformation is complete! The three of us back off and begin to sing “I Feel Pretty,” from West Side Story as Cara (who’s not looking so pretty), tries to dance around the stage. As the song ends, Cara tries to pick up her chair. POP! POP! Her implants explode and she slowly sinks to the ground, deflating and very dead. The three of us then make a very quick exit (better get out of there to avoid a malpractice suit, right?), leaving Cara alone onstage.

Curtain.