To the Banjar

It has been a couple of weeks since my last post, so there is a lot to reflect on. First of all, Francis has asked all of us to think about how we have progressed and what we want to achieve. I believe that I have really improved the dance steps since the beginning of the semester, but where I could improve is being more creative with them. An important part of this class has been the idea of surrendering, and I feel like I have not put enough effort into doing that. I am reserved by nature, so this is my biggest challenge. I think that I may have been putting too much focus on just doing the dance steps and hand movements. Francis said that this is not like other classes where you leave your emotions and everything from the outside world at the door, but I find that I still do that. If I am able to get past that obstacle, being able to surrender, I think that my creativity will improve and I will get more out of performing.

In the last class, we started the storytelling. The Ramayana is very long and has a lot of action, but with everyone in the banjar working together to retell the story, I think we covered most of the plot. We mostly just had trouble recalling the names. We also got to wear the clothing that we will be wearing during the performance. It is going to make movement a little more difficult and will make even sitting down more of a challenge.

I am willing to play any role in the performance, I’m not really set on a particular character or scene. I think it would be challenging but fun to participate in one of the fight scenes, and there are many to choose from.

I have gotten a lot out of this class so far. When I signed up on a whim last spring, I had no clue what I was getting into, but it has been a great experience. I think I can get even more out of it if I let myself go and try to be more creative with what I have learned.