Erin Kirkpatrick-- A mixed Media Surrealist and Graphic artist
By Emilie Weiner
This month’s issue of the Buccaneer brings yet another artist approaching her graduation from the school’s fine art program-- Erin Kirkpatrick. She is a senior who is immensely grateful for her time at RBR and incredibly talented! Her showcase piece for the spring issue is “Rooster”, a mixed media work of paint and fabric.
“I love combining mediums to result, because it allows me to experiment,” Kirkpatrick says, and this piece is an exemplary example of her ability to do so successfully.
Erin describes herself as both a mixed media surrealist and a graphic artist. She gathers inspiration from her favorite artists, Salvador Dali and Wassily Kandinsky, a surrealist and an abstract painter respectively.
“Being able to express myself creatively and just having the chance to do that is half my inspiration,” Kirkpatrick told me. “The other half would be a mix of nature, the people I meet, and the places I visit.”
Ambitious, creative, and inspired, Erin flourished in the Studio Art program.
“It was work with so many talented artists and exploration of different styles… this program taught me a lot. Being able to explore colors and mediums has made me a stronger artist,” she explains.
However, her journey with art does not end here at Red Bank Regional. Kirkpatrick plans on joining the Art Society at the University of St. Andrews in the fall, and of course, the Buccaneer wishes her the best of luck in her endeavors.
“I love combining mediums to result, because it allows me to experiment,” Kirkpatrick says, and this piece is an exemplary example of her ability to do so successfully.
Erin describes herself as both a mixed media surrealist and a graphic artist. She gathers inspiration from her favorite artists, Salvador Dali and Wassily Kandinsky, a surrealist and an abstract painter respectively.
“Being able to express myself creatively and just having the chance to do that is half my inspiration,” Kirkpatrick told me. “The other half would be a mix of nature, the people I meet, and the places I visit.”
Ambitious, creative, and inspired, Erin flourished in the Studio Art program.
“It was work with so many talented artists and exploration of different styles… this program taught me a lot. Being able to explore colors and mediums has made me a stronger artist,” she explains.
However, her journey with art does not end here at Red Bank Regional. Kirkpatrick plans on joining the Art Society at the University of St. Andrews in the fall, and of course, the Buccaneer wishes her the best of luck in her endeavors.
iii, Miike Snow-- Album Review
By Emilie Weiner
Although none of the members of Miike Snow are actually named Mike, they certainly don’t lack personality. Their third album, appropriately titled iii, is an embodiment of the electronic indie pop they are known for, yet simultaneously drifts from the sounds on their first two records. It dropped on March 4th, and fans were massively excited after a three year hiatus. Miike Snow is on the move musically, exploring new territories of their genre through the high reaching falsetto and funk beats inspired by the legendary Mark Ronson (with whom lead singer Andrew Wyatt has already worked).
Lyrically, the album breaks bounds both seriously and playfully. “Genghis Khan”, their second single off of iii makes metaphor of Genghis Khan himself, and his way with women. “I Feel the Weight”, on the other hand, makes plain of how easy it is to become empty in our society, reaching everyone through its bleak synthesiser.
iii is proof that Miike Snow is aging as their fans do, making intense and honest music that still allow for dance, while also reaching new heights. The record is proof of the group’s chemistry and serves as one of the best indie releases of 2016 thus far.
Lyrically, the album breaks bounds both seriously and playfully. “Genghis Khan”, their second single off of iii makes metaphor of Genghis Khan himself, and his way with women. “I Feel the Weight”, on the other hand, makes plain of how easy it is to become empty in our society, reaching everyone through its bleak synthesiser.
iii is proof that Miike Snow is aging as their fans do, making intense and honest music that still allow for dance, while also reaching new heights. The record is proof of the group’s chemistry and serves as one of the best indie releases of 2016 thus far.
March - April 2016
Fiddler on the Roof: A Picture Story
RBR VPA Student Art Honored by Monmouth County Superior Court
By Alex Sosa
Red Bank Regional’s writers and artists gain much acknowledgement for their talent through a variety of contests they enter each year. The latest accolades came from the Monmouth County Superior Court for its Black History Month celebration.This year, the Monmouth County Courthouse honored not one, but seven of the Creative Writing Majors.
In order to qualify, you would have to submit an essay, poem, or piece of art relating to the theme: Black History Month, a topic specifically relevant to the RBR student community due to our recent Black History Month presentation. The winners were then invited to a ceremony at the Courthouse where they were honored.
Phoebe Carr, one of the winners, recalls, “The whole experience felt so enriching – there were so many captivating performances and interesting people to talk to. It was also great to be surrounded by peers of mine that also won awards, or were simply interested in the series of cultures that few in America’s society know much about.. “
A list of the Winners follow:
Nicholette Glenn (1st Place, Art)
Desiree Marshall (Honorable Mention,Writing)
Anthony Jimenez (1st place,Writing)
Mya Nunnally (2nd place, Writing)
Emily Lugos (Honorable Mention,Writing)
Phoebe Carr (Honorable Mention,Writing)
Isabel Halloran (Honorable Mention, Art)
In order to qualify, you would have to submit an essay, poem, or piece of art relating to the theme: Black History Month, a topic specifically relevant to the RBR student community due to our recent Black History Month presentation. The winners were then invited to a ceremony at the Courthouse where they were honored.
Phoebe Carr, one of the winners, recalls, “The whole experience felt so enriching – there were so many captivating performances and interesting people to talk to. It was also great to be surrounded by peers of mine that also won awards, or were simply interested in the series of cultures that few in America’s society know much about.. “
A list of the Winners follow:
Nicholette Glenn (1st Place, Art)
Desiree Marshall (Honorable Mention,Writing)
Anthony Jimenez (1st place,Writing)
Mya Nunnally (2nd place, Writing)
Emily Lugos (Honorable Mention,Writing)
Phoebe Carr (Honorable Mention,Writing)
Isabel Halloran (Honorable Mention, Art)
Artist’s Corner: Deysi Perez’s “Friendship in Time”
by Emilie Weiner
This month’s feature for the Fine Art’s column is Deysi Perez, senior art major in the VPA. As an artist inspired by the world, her featured piece is an ebony portrait on paper titled “Friendship in Time”. Although black and white, the work does not lack depth, nor emotion. Perez says she does not yet have a style of her own, but really enjoys realism, something that holds true in her beautiful representation of these people frozen in a moment of time.
Red Bank Regional is proud to have served her well.
She states, “I learned a lot, and about myself as well. I’ve gained experience from [the art program] and it challenged me to constantly think outside the box.”
Without a favorite medium or artist, she keeps her artistic vision open to everything, and even plans to pursue art in the future.
“Not exactly sure what field yet!” Perez adds
Red Bank Regional is proud to have served her well.
She states, “I learned a lot, and about myself as well. I’ve gained experience from [the art program] and it challenged me to constantly think outside the box.”
Without a favorite medium or artist, she keeps her artistic vision open to everything, and even plans to pursue art in the future.
“Not exactly sure what field yet!” Perez adds
The 1975 Are Back and Breaking Records
by Emilie Weiner
The last Friday of February meant the arrival of the long-awaited, sophomore album by the 1975 for all their fans. It would become an album that found unprecedented success within weeks. I like it when you sleep for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it is an eclectic menagerie of songs and it’s setting the 1975 even further down their path of record-breaking success.
The album begins with their self-titled track “The 1975”, a new version of the same track that appeared on their self-titled album, but with a mood reflecting the band’s “new era”. The dramatic intro is merely the beginning. I like it when you sleep is ethereal, dreamy, exciting pop that defies the rules of any typical genre. Tracks like the acoustic ballad “She Lays Down” and “Lostmyhead” run a melancholy rain over listeners, while other pop anthems such as “Love Me” and “She’s American” will take you back to the 80’s, falling in love to sounds that are undeniably Bowie and Peter Gabriel.
The band, based in Manchester, UK, has been together for more than a decade and signed to Dirty Hit records. Because of their independent label, they have overflowing artistic liberty, which has been steering them in just the right direction: up. They’re dominating the pop music with something utterly more than that. The alternative and rock worlds admire them just as much. I like it when you sleep has already broken records, topped the UK and US charts, and is known for its longest album title on the billboard.
The ambient electropop music is influential lyrically just as it is musically, as Matty Healy (frontman, vocalist, guitarist) and George Daniel (percussion) write all the music. The album deals with Healy’s drug struggle and comments on 21st century celebrity culture, as well as the concepts of religion, self-acceptance, and understanding.
From here, it seems as though the 1975 and I like it when you sleep for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it will only see more success. They’re touring worldwide in 2016 and will be headlining the local Shadow of the City music festival in Seaside Heights, NJ this June.
The album begins with their self-titled track “The 1975”, a new version of the same track that appeared on their self-titled album, but with a mood reflecting the band’s “new era”. The dramatic intro is merely the beginning. I like it when you sleep is ethereal, dreamy, exciting pop that defies the rules of any typical genre. Tracks like the acoustic ballad “She Lays Down” and “Lostmyhead” run a melancholy rain over listeners, while other pop anthems such as “Love Me” and “She’s American” will take you back to the 80’s, falling in love to sounds that are undeniably Bowie and Peter Gabriel.
The band, based in Manchester, UK, has been together for more than a decade and signed to Dirty Hit records. Because of their independent label, they have overflowing artistic liberty, which has been steering them in just the right direction: up. They’re dominating the pop music with something utterly more than that. The alternative and rock worlds admire them just as much. I like it when you sleep has already broken records, topped the UK and US charts, and is known for its longest album title on the billboard.
The ambient electropop music is influential lyrically just as it is musically, as Matty Healy (frontman, vocalist, guitarist) and George Daniel (percussion) write all the music. The album deals with Healy’s drug struggle and comments on 21st century celebrity culture, as well as the concepts of religion, self-acceptance, and understanding.
From here, it seems as though the 1975 and I like it when you sleep for you are so beautiful yet so unaware of it will only see more success. They’re touring worldwide in 2016 and will be headlining the local Shadow of the City music festival in Seaside Heights, NJ this June.
January - February 2016
Art Corner: Gabriela Vega’s “2100”
by: Emilie Weiner
The feature piece of the Buccaneer’s art column for this issue is senior art major Gabriela Vega’s “2100”, done in the medium of colored pencil. She drew her inspiration from Mr. Hussey’s environmental science class, where the students watched a movie of the same title that depicted a worst case scenario of what could happen to daily life if we continue a lifestyle of careless pollution. Vega’s piece only exemplifies what RBR’s art program has done for her.
“It has taught me so much from improving on my skills and techniques to expanding on ideas and thoughts when it comes to my artwork,” she says.
She describes her style simply as “very realistic. I like being able to draw exactly what I see.”
One of her favorite mediums, oil paint, allows for that precision and exactness, whereas watercolor, another one she is partial to, is much more fluid and provides a chance for realism.
Her style is something she plans to take further; she says, “...my goal would be to take what i know and will learn and intertwine that to be become a makeup artist of all sorts.”
Her love for RBR’s art program has only grown stronger and we at the Buccaneer wish her luck in pursuing that passion through college.
“It has taught me so much from improving on my skills and techniques to expanding on ideas and thoughts when it comes to my artwork,” she says.
She describes her style simply as “very realistic. I like being able to draw exactly what I see.”
One of her favorite mediums, oil paint, allows for that precision and exactness, whereas watercolor, another one she is partial to, is much more fluid and provides a chance for realism.
Her style is something she plans to take further; she says, “...my goal would be to take what i know and will learn and intertwine that to be become a makeup artist of all sorts.”
Her love for RBR’s art program has only grown stronger and we at the Buccaneer wish her luck in pursuing that passion through college.
In Celebration of Black History Month
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A Different Approach
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Cartoonist's Corner
By: Jonah Cuozzo
November/December
“Fa-la-la-lidays”
By: Claire Taylor
A Christmas Carol, also known as Scrooge, was originally written by a novelist from England known as Charles Dickens. In 1843, Dickens was nervous of his declining writing career. He was writing a novel at the time, known as Martin Chuzzlewit, and ended up owing money to his publisher. His financial crisis is what gave him the drive to jump into his imagination and create a story that would become popular among the public.
Dickens was very aware of the separation between the rich and the poor throughout the country. He decided to become an activist and gave a speech at a benefit in Manchester, England that raised money for an organization that helped bring culture and education to lower income families. This economical issue gave him a sense of inspiration for things he could, perhaps, incorporate into his new story.
Late at night, Dickens would go on long walks through London just thinking through his ideas. That is when he thought through the plot:
Ebenezer Scrooge, a miser, was visited by his former business partner, Jacob Marley, and the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and the Yet to Come. After he travels through time, all within one Christmas Eve’s night, he realized he had been greedy and cruel. He then decided to celebrate Christmas- a time of giving, family and love. He even gave a raise to his well-deserved employee, Bob Cratchit, who he had treated poorly.
After six short weeks he had completed A Christmas Carol, just in time for Christmas. Published on December 25,1843, it was immediately recognized as a perennial holiday story for all ages. However, Dickens would have never imagined the effect it would still have on our culture today. Before the 19th century, Christmas was not considered a major holiday. Due to the captivating story with a heartfelt moral, Christmas became a major holiday known for charitable giving and family celebrations.
Though this started out as a book, over the years it has been transformed into stage plays, films, and television productions. Have you ever heard the quote “Bah! Humbug!”? That quote originates from A Christmas Carol.
What better way to start off the holiday season then going to see Scrooge, the musical, at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park. Fun for all ages!
Dickens was very aware of the separation between the rich and the poor throughout the country. He decided to become an activist and gave a speech at a benefit in Manchester, England that raised money for an organization that helped bring culture and education to lower income families. This economical issue gave him a sense of inspiration for things he could, perhaps, incorporate into his new story.
Late at night, Dickens would go on long walks through London just thinking through his ideas. That is when he thought through the plot:
Ebenezer Scrooge, a miser, was visited by his former business partner, Jacob Marley, and the Ghost of Christmas Past, Present, and the Yet to Come. After he travels through time, all within one Christmas Eve’s night, he realized he had been greedy and cruel. He then decided to celebrate Christmas- a time of giving, family and love. He even gave a raise to his well-deserved employee, Bob Cratchit, who he had treated poorly.
After six short weeks he had completed A Christmas Carol, just in time for Christmas. Published on December 25,1843, it was immediately recognized as a perennial holiday story for all ages. However, Dickens would have never imagined the effect it would still have on our culture today. Before the 19th century, Christmas was not considered a major holiday. Due to the captivating story with a heartfelt moral, Christmas became a major holiday known for charitable giving and family celebrations.
Though this started out as a book, over the years it has been transformed into stage plays, films, and television productions. Have you ever heard the quote “Bah! Humbug!”? That quote originates from A Christmas Carol.
What better way to start off the holiday season then going to see Scrooge, the musical, at the Paramount Theatre in Asbury Park. Fun for all ages!
Poet’s Corner: Honeycombs and Sweets
By Alex Sosa
People talk in Hummingbird Wings as
Trees tend to fall
As I tend to leaves
As winter snow begins to go
Down
Down
Down
Just a type of
Drown
Drown
Drowning
Is hard to do when you know how to swim
In pools of teardrops and eyes
Eyes that shine Gold with patterns of champagne and liquor
Twisted in the soul filled with broken bones
Broken bones won't seem to heal
Healing is not easy
Easy things will not be worth it
It is nothing but the drummer beating on his set
Set the time and place
Pour out all the liquor
Taste in on your tongue
Hear the people talk
In hummingbird wings
On rooftops
Trees tend to fall
As I tend to leaves
As winter snow begins to go
Down
Down
Down
Just a type of
Drown
Drown
Drowning
Is hard to do when you know how to swim
In pools of teardrops and eyes
Eyes that shine Gold with patterns of champagne and liquor
Twisted in the soul filled with broken bones
Broken bones won't seem to heal
Healing is not easy
Easy things will not be worth it
It is nothing but the drummer beating on his set
Set the time and place
Pour out all the liquor
Taste in on your tongue
Hear the people talk
In hummingbird wings
On rooftops
Art Column: Aisling Carney’s “Katie”
By: Emilie Weiner
Aisling Carney, the Buccaneer’s December feature in the art column, is extremely driven. “My inspiration is to be really great as an artist,” she states. She joined RBR’s art program to improve her skills and receive the technical benefits that the VPA Academy at RBR truly offers. “I can’t imagine what my pieces would look like without all the clinical training I’ve received here,” Carney says.
Her feature piece is a charcoal of a girl named Katie, for which it is appropriately named. She used her own photography as reference and took inspiration from the beach background and the various textures throughout the image. Because charcoal is a grayscale medium, it's even more difficult to capture all the depth within a photograph, which Carney accomplished extremely well.
Her favorite medium is oil paint, something not very akin to charcoal; it is much more layered and intense in color, something that she values. “Impressionism is my favorite [style of art] because you typically use many bright colors,” she adds.
Her favorite artists, Monet and Degas, fall under the same category of Impressionism, both of whom from which she draws inspiration. She relates to Degas, in particular, due to his focus on ball dancers, since her concentration in the Art program this year is capturing dancers.
The Buccaneer wishes her luck in her final year at RBR and in her AP Art class!
Her feature piece is a charcoal of a girl named Katie, for which it is appropriately named. She used her own photography as reference and took inspiration from the beach background and the various textures throughout the image. Because charcoal is a grayscale medium, it's even more difficult to capture all the depth within a photograph, which Carney accomplished extremely well.
Her favorite medium is oil paint, something not very akin to charcoal; it is much more layered and intense in color, something that she values. “Impressionism is my favorite [style of art] because you typically use many bright colors,” she adds.
Her favorite artists, Monet and Degas, fall under the same category of Impressionism, both of whom from which she draws inspiration. She relates to Degas, in particular, due to his focus on ball dancers, since her concentration in the Art program this year is capturing dancers.
The Buccaneer wishes her luck in her final year at RBR and in her AP Art class!
September - October 2015
Top 5 Back-to-School Albums!
by: Pheobe Carr
BADLANDS by Halsey
BADLANDS is the debut album from 22-year-old Ashley Frangipane – a.k.a Halsey. It’s a melodic, oddball concept album telling the story of a young girl escaping the dystopian Badlands. Badlands is thought to be a metaphor for the inner mechanisms of Frangipane’s mind, the token slogan being “Those are the badlands, we don’t go there.” It toys heavily with the concept of lost love and pride in one’s generation, all while being poetically written and endlessly catchy.
BADLANDS is the debut album from 22-year-old Ashley Frangipane – a.k.a Halsey. It’s a melodic, oddball concept album telling the story of a young girl escaping the dystopian Badlands. Badlands is thought to be a metaphor for the inner mechanisms of Frangipane’s mind, the token slogan being “Those are the badlands, we don’t go there.” It toys heavily with the concept of lost love and pride in one’s generation, all while being poetically written and endlessly catchy.
Caracal by Disclosure
Caracal, released September 25th, is the second album from duo Discolsure, but it is far from sophomoric in itself. Featuring accomplished artists like The Weeknd, Sam Smith, Lorde, and Miguel, the album is diverse and electrifying. Self described as R&B club music, Caracal will appeal to just about anyone and has already become a fan-favorite.
Caracal, released September 25th, is the second album from duo Discolsure, but it is far from sophomoric in itself. Featuring accomplished artists like The Weeknd, Sam Smith, Lorde, and Miguel, the album is diverse and electrifying. Self described as R&B club music, Caracal will appeal to just about anyone and has already become a fan-favorite.
Beauty Behind The Madness by The Weeknd
The Weeknd, or Abel Tesfaye, has gracefully shifted from an R&B favorite to a new, exciting brand of pop star. Don’t make any assumptions yet, Beauty Behind he Madness is much, much more than single “Can’t Feel My Face”. He collaborated with artists Ed Sheeran and Lana Del Rey on two tracks on the album, choices that may seem strange, but undoubtedly work in the music’s favor. Beauty Behind The Madness is dark, epic, and emotional, but still shines a hopeful light on the pop industry today.
The Weeknd, or Abel Tesfaye, has gracefully shifted from an R&B favorite to a new, exciting brand of pop star. Don’t make any assumptions yet, Beauty Behind he Madness is much, much more than single “Can’t Feel My Face”. He collaborated with artists Ed Sheeran and Lana Del Rey on two tracks on the album, choices that may seem strange, but undoubtedly work in the music’s favor. Beauty Behind The Madness is dark, epic, and emotional, but still shines a hopeful light on the pop industry today.
Fetty Wap by Fetty Wap
There’s no doubt Fetty Wap has been one of the most talked about artists in the past couple months, so we may not be very original in saying this, but his self-titled album is no disappointment. Featuring chart-toppers “Trap Queen”, “679”, and “My Way”, no one was expecting the album to let down. Fetty Wap is overflowing with anthems; song after song can be sung at the top of lungs and written as ‘edgy’ instagram captions. There’s a reason Fetty is at the top of the charts right now – this album.
There’s no doubt Fetty Wap has been one of the most talked about artists in the past couple months, so we may not be very original in saying this, but his self-titled album is no disappointment. Featuring chart-toppers “Trap Queen”, “679”, and “My Way”, no one was expecting the album to let down. Fetty Wap is overflowing with anthems; song after song can be sung at the top of lungs and written as ‘edgy’ instagram captions. There’s a reason Fetty is at the top of the charts right now – this album.
Currents by Tame Impala
Though the rest of this list seems to be comprised of relative newcomers, our fifth and final pick is not a rookie to any degree. Psychedelic is one way to put it – Currents is an experience to listen to. Thick synthetic tracks are laced with soulfully androgynous vocals and excellent lyricism, and though it may sound like it would be mayhem, we can’t think of anything smoother. Great to listen to while studying or unwinding, as well as when you’re trying to find some long-lost inspiration, Tame Impala has yet to release a song that’s not infectious, groovy, and downright weird.
Though the rest of this list seems to be comprised of relative newcomers, our fifth and final pick is not a rookie to any degree. Psychedelic is one way to put it – Currents is an experience to listen to. Thick synthetic tracks are laced with soulfully androgynous vocals and excellent lyricism, and though it may sound like it would be mayhem, we can’t think of anything smoother. Great to listen to while studying or unwinding, as well as when you’re trying to find some long-lost inspiration, Tame Impala has yet to release a song that’s not infectious, groovy, and downright weird.
Jessica Auriemma's "Cascading"
By: Emilie Weiner
Jessica Auriemma, this month’s senior art feature for the Buccaneer says, “I’ve done so much more than become a better artist because of the program… I’ve also learned how I can make art a permanent part of my life.”
In just a few words, Auriemma is able to describe just how much RBR’s art program changes lives. The four-year program has allowed her to not only learn and improve her art skills, but also extend them throughout her life, and, potentially, her future.
“Joining the art program was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life,” Auriemma states.
Among the many pieces she will have to create for her AP Art concentration of body comparatives, her feature painting is a watercolor entitled “Cascading.” Body comparatives take aspects of the human figure and equate them to things found in nature. To create the piece, she referenced a picture of her friend Gabriela Vega’s hair and hands, and used online images for the water.
Auriemma’s interest in art began in her youth, and has only grown since.
“I’m inspired mostly by my imagination and things I see nature. I really enjoy combining the two.”
She stated that her two favorite mediums to work in are watercolor and pen, which allow a spectrum of beautiful color and fine detail. She takes inspiration from surrealist artists like Salvador Dali because “it’s so out of the box and creative,” one of her personal goals. Surrealism as a whole gives outlook into an artist’s mind, just as Jessica’s “Cascading”, gave us a peek into hers. The Buccaneer wishes her luck in her final year at RBR and in her AP Art class!
In just a few words, Auriemma is able to describe just how much RBR’s art program changes lives. The four-year program has allowed her to not only learn and improve her art skills, but also extend them throughout her life, and, potentially, her future.
“Joining the art program was one of the best decisions I’ve made in my life,” Auriemma states.
Among the many pieces she will have to create for her AP Art concentration of body comparatives, her feature painting is a watercolor entitled “Cascading.” Body comparatives take aspects of the human figure and equate them to things found in nature. To create the piece, she referenced a picture of her friend Gabriela Vega’s hair and hands, and used online images for the water.
Auriemma’s interest in art began in her youth, and has only grown since.
“I’m inspired mostly by my imagination and things I see nature. I really enjoy combining the two.”
She stated that her two favorite mediums to work in are watercolor and pen, which allow a spectrum of beautiful color and fine detail. She takes inspiration from surrealist artists like Salvador Dali because “it’s so out of the box and creative,” one of her personal goals. Surrealism as a whole gives outlook into an artist’s mind, just as Jessica’s “Cascading”, gave us a peek into hers. The Buccaneer wishes her luck in her final year at RBR and in her AP Art class!
Poet's Corner
Mixed In - Alex Sosa & Grace Cody
This piece is about knowledge that comes with age, and the heritage our childhood will never let us forget.
When I was younger,I knew my colors quite well. I loved the sparkle of silver and gold, the warmth of a yellow sun. I spent days jumping in mud puddles and climbing up trees My hands were always dirty, but no matter what, the earth always knew how to comfort me.
In school, Ms.Jane taught me how to string together letters to form words. Generosity and Plentiful were my favorite, they slipped off my tongue like new shoes on wet floors and spelling them out was easy to me. But the meanings didn't come until later in life. I didn't learn the true definition of generosity until people showed it to me. John Ortega, Ellen Ochoa (Grace), Joe Martinez, Rudolph Davila: you've probably never even heard their names.They gave what we never had.
I loved to hold doors and pick up pencils when they fell off my classmates’ desks, but I learned a cold stare in mid-summer. Not everyone was looking to help me. People didn’t show the kindness I thought I would find; I opened my own doors, picked up the pieces scattered around the hallways.
Ms. Jane taught me please and thank you, sorry (Grace) forgive me. my mother's hands have turned dry with the cold, and I can’t seem to find the words to thank her. These phrases keep mixing in my head like the white cake batter she never seemed to figure out the instructions for. It was always de esta manera de esa manera, but all I ended up with was a stomach ache
I’ve stopped glancing at the world through my fingers because peek-a-boo is for babies and i hate being scared. I get nervous to talk in class despite having so much to say. if only my arms could stretch a little bit higher.
I sit on a swing set, push with my legs to go higher. My grandmother is watching, and I fall into her lap. “Volaste, she whispers.My best friend tugs on my arm, asks what the secrets say. I tell her that some moments are meant to be private.
I’ve gotten good at hiding. We play manhunt in the dark, run quickly through the night despite not knowing what’s chasing us. But age shines flashlights on the people trying to hide behind trees.. So I learn to run and hide.
At ten years old I feel powerful. The two digits make me feel old, like I’m long and lean, tall and strong. Mother says I remind her of mi abuela. She only speaks to me in a different language. Remember to stick to your roots. Remember to de pie alto, no matter how short you may be.
I used to call out in class because raising your hand was stupid. Peek-a-boo was stupid. Manhunt and hiding were stupid. When i was twelve, everything was stupid, especially those new white shoes. I want to be seen and I want to keep seeing, but there are so many people with their knees upon a silver platter with only a taste for gold.
Equality is no longer a word in my vocabulary. My mother is losing her grip, but I hold firm. I am young, but so is she, and sometimes you have to gain knowledge on your own. I have learned that not all cake batter makes me sick, and not all instructions come so simply. You can’t always see the ingredients, but they’ll be there, mixed in
When I start to discover myself. I throw around the question “who am I?” as if I will find an answer. Do I blend in or be different? I write words on my hands, but I’m scared of someone reading them. So I wash them off before dinner, tucking away the details of my day.
I still remember the most important thing I had ever learned: The funny thing:how you can know so little about someone if you’ve only ever heard their name. I never liked that. I used to write about girls and boys I’d never met, speak loudly and never be heard. When I complained, I was taught to take kindness in the palm of my hands, treat it like a dandelion. If you weren’t careful, it might just blow away.
When I was younger,I knew my colors quite well. I loved the sparkle of silver and gold, the warmth of a yellow sun. I spent days jumping in mud puddles and climbing up trees My hands were always dirty, but no matter what, the earth always knew how to comfort me.
In school, Ms.Jane taught me how to string together letters to form words. Generosity and Plentiful were my favorite, they slipped off my tongue like new shoes on wet floors and spelling them out was easy to me. But the meanings didn't come until later in life. I didn't learn the true definition of generosity until people showed it to me. John Ortega, Ellen Ochoa (Grace), Joe Martinez, Rudolph Davila: you've probably never even heard their names.They gave what we never had.
I loved to hold doors and pick up pencils when they fell off my classmates’ desks, but I learned a cold stare in mid-summer. Not everyone was looking to help me. People didn’t show the kindness I thought I would find; I opened my own doors, picked up the pieces scattered around the hallways.
Ms. Jane taught me please and thank you, sorry (Grace) forgive me. my mother's hands have turned dry with the cold, and I can’t seem to find the words to thank her. These phrases keep mixing in my head like the white cake batter she never seemed to figure out the instructions for. It was always de esta manera de esa manera, but all I ended up with was a stomach ache
I’ve stopped glancing at the world through my fingers because peek-a-boo is for babies and i hate being scared. I get nervous to talk in class despite having so much to say. if only my arms could stretch a little bit higher.
I sit on a swing set, push with my legs to go higher. My grandmother is watching, and I fall into her lap. “Volaste, she whispers.My best friend tugs on my arm, asks what the secrets say. I tell her that some moments are meant to be private.
I’ve gotten good at hiding. We play manhunt in the dark, run quickly through the night despite not knowing what’s chasing us. But age shines flashlights on the people trying to hide behind trees.. So I learn to run and hide.
At ten years old I feel powerful. The two digits make me feel old, like I’m long and lean, tall and strong. Mother says I remind her of mi abuela. She only speaks to me in a different language. Remember to stick to your roots. Remember to de pie alto, no matter how short you may be.
I used to call out in class because raising your hand was stupid. Peek-a-boo was stupid. Manhunt and hiding were stupid. When i was twelve, everything was stupid, especially those new white shoes. I want to be seen and I want to keep seeing, but there are so many people with their knees upon a silver platter with only a taste for gold.
Equality is no longer a word in my vocabulary. My mother is losing her grip, but I hold firm. I am young, but so is she, and sometimes you have to gain knowledge on your own. I have learned that not all cake batter makes me sick, and not all instructions come so simply. You can’t always see the ingredients, but they’ll be there, mixed in
When I start to discover myself. I throw around the question “who am I?” as if I will find an answer. Do I blend in or be different? I write words on my hands, but I’m scared of someone reading them. So I wash them off before dinner, tucking away the details of my day.
I still remember the most important thing I had ever learned: The funny thing:how you can know so little about someone if you’ve only ever heard their name. I never liked that. I used to write about girls and boys I’d never met, speak loudly and never be heard. When I complained, I was taught to take kindness in the palm of my hands, treat it like a dandelion. If you weren’t careful, it might just blow away.
Bringing Classical to the Modern Era
By: Jonah Cuozzo
To kick off RBR’s next theatre production of the play Amadeus, the team at the Buccaneer sat down with director Reuben Jackson of the RBR theatre company to ask him a few questions about the show,
Q. When and who wrote Amadeus?
Q. Where does the play take place
Q. What is Amadeus about?
Q. Why did you choose the play Amadeus?
Q. How do you plan to make RBR’s version of Amadeus different from other previous versions of the play?
Q. If you could go back in time and have a conversation with any composer who would that be?
Q. When and who wrote Amadeus?
- “Peter Shaffer wrote Amadeus in 1979. Peter Shaffer was a British writer. He is best known for his play Equus and its theme of alienation and the search for God and meaning in the universe”
Q. Where does the play take place
- “The action of the play takes place in Vienna, (Italy) during the time of Mozart’s conflict with Salieri”
Q. What is Amadeus about?
- “Amadeus is about a lot of things; primarily it is about the search for meaning in life through music and a search for an explanation of why things are the way they are. It’s one artist’s argument against God or what he considers to be God in regards to his own fate in the face of a musical genius.”
Q. Why did you choose the play Amadeus?
- “Because I have a huge love of classical music and Mozart being one of my favorite composers. His music has always influenced me as an actor and as a writer. I love both the film that came out in 1984 and original text as it’s a great character study.”
Q. How do you plan to make RBR’s version of Amadeus different from other previous versions of the play?
- “Unlike the original film production, it’s going to be set in contemporary times so we will be dealing with modern fashion and clothes; and it deals with the contemporary world of classical music. The set will reference back to the classical area of Mozart’s time but with touches of the 21st century interior. I am staging it this way as I really want the audience to focus in on the story, the acting and the work the actors are bringing to this text and less on a costumed runway show of 18th century royalty.”
Q. If you could go back in time and have a conversation with any composer who would that be?
- “I’d like to speak with Mozart, I’d like to ask him where he got his inspiration and how did he survive. How did he truly live his life till the end?
