Day 12: Under the Mask

Salvete!

We were excited to participate in Greek lessons this morning, as we focused on the disturbing story of Oedipus Rex, which we translated a summary of in Ancient Greek during our spoken Greek class. During Greek Rituals, we focused on agonistic magic and competitive curses, as well as beginning preparation for our final project, which includes creating our own ritual based on personal moments at GLA. Common motifs include ὅς καλός, Berryville, "dawgs", and our much-beloved RA, Jack Purple.

After classes, we had a quick lunch and some free time before heading to our first off-book rehearsal for Miles Gloriosus. It was a little rough, as all new things are, but Magistras Blanks and McIntire were very patient and we are confident in our abilities to bring the best show possible to the stage. After rehearsal, we welcomed a wonderful guest speaker, Amy R. Cohen, who told us all about Ancient Greek plays and the methods which were used to perform them using the best technologies available to those in the ancient world. There was a special focus on theatrical masks, which Cohen and her team are working to recreate. We had the opportunity to handle some of her recreations and even try them on, which definitely helped us humanize the Ancient Greeks as we suddenly had a common experience to unite us with them. We learned about similar ideas in our Mysterium Colorum class today, in which we investigated the use of color in the ancient world, especially in contrast with the white marble aesthetic that we have come to associate with Greco-Roman society. 

We convened after dinner to work on another batch of art projects, this time with emphasis on jewelry making and small carvings in everyone's favorite building material, Sculpey. From rings and bracelets to stamps and fresco-style wooden panels, there was a chance for many different creative visions to come to life. After that, we had epistulae then gladly headed to bed, excited for what's to come tomorrow.

Signing off, your aediles,
Ananya and Mercury :D