This weekend I took Whitaker (my son, age 9) and a couple of his friends to see live Star Wars characters at Richard's Comics on Laurens Road
and a Civil War encampment/reenactment in
Pendleton.
The Star Wars people were really amazing in a kind of geeky, endearing kind of way. These people are all members of a club, the "
Carolina Garrison" of very serious, Star Wars lovers. Their costumes were mostly terrific--especially the two
Jawa kids and both stormtroopers.
Boba Fett was there, Darth Vader, a
Tusken Raider, rebel soldier, various Jedi warriors, etc. The best moment had to be seeing Whit and his friends running around,
playing with the
Jawas. It was hilarious...certainly would have been my dream as a kid...playing with
Jawas. Too cool.
The Civil War
reenactors were also very cool...kind of redneck in a way, but equally devoted and serious about their costumes. They too, represent an upstate club of
reenactors--both Union and Confederates. Most impressive was when they fired their cannon. Yeah...like an authentic, Civil War-era cannon. It was super-loud...shook the ground under your feet. These people had set up a whole bunch of tents on the grounds of this old plantation house right off Highway 88 in
Pendleton. It was drizzling rain all day, but it didn't dampen their spirits. The people stayed "in character" the whole time. A group of rebels asked the kids if they wanted to join the army. When Whit said no...that he wanted to join up with the Federal troops, this woman asked for a musket and aimed it at him. He ran off screaming. Great, great stuff.
So, of course, I spent the day comparing these two very different, yet very similar encounters. Both represent a strange degree of devotion...lifestyle choices that are, frankly, a bit geeky. Yet both also reflect a kind of theatre that is undeniable compelling. From childhood Halloween costumes to high s
chool plays to jobs that require specific uniforms...people--all people--like to play dress-up. We like to put on the clothes of our heroes (I dressed a
USC football player several years ago when I was making BRAGGING RITES. It was a thrill.).
What does this mean? Why are people like this?
How should this knowledge affect what we do at J.L. Mann as theatre artists?
Four rising seniors (Phillip Calvin, Ross Ovington, Michael Real, and Knox White) have been selected to serve on a writing team for next spring's production. This past weekend we started the process. Our goal is to have a finished draft of the as-yet-to-be-titled play by late September.
