Time Crunches and Themewriting :: Teaching Writing Education Essays

Of Time Crunches and Themewriting So, Thanksgiving break has been over for about two and a half weeks and winter quarter has begun. One would think that the three weeks between Thanksgiving break and Christmas break wouldn't be too difficult. Classes are just beginning, so there are no big papers due, no exams or final projects. Most students are getting used to their new classes; teachers are getting used to their new students. Most people are slipping back into the college life routine. Most, but not all. A small percentage of students are musically "talented," and have chosen to be in choir. For these students, myself included, the first three weeks back are not quietly restful and relaxing, but agonizing and taxing mainly for one reason: Madrigal dinners. Madrigal dinners are apparently leftovers from medieval times, when ancient kings would hold Christmas feasts, inviting lords and ladies from throughout the kingdom to join in celebration of the birth of Christ. During the middle ages, those who displeased the king would be sent to the dungeons to endure torture. This idea of torturing unfortunate souls has developed into the Madrigal dinner. In present times unfortunate souls are expected to spend long hours every night memorizing music, memorizing lines, setting up the stage and the banquet hall for the performances on the first three weekends after break. Every Friday, Saturday and Sunday from 5 PM until 10:30 PM we spend performing, singing, acting, and waiting tables, those of us involved with the Madrigal dinners then have to stay later, usually until 2:30 or 3:00 AM cleaning tables, washing dishes, and generally cleaning up before we set up for the next performance. None of us get much rest on the weekends. During the third week, everyone involved in the dinners (except the waiters) go down to the cities to perform at the St. Paul Radisson. So the second Sunday after break, after we have finished performing, and after the dishes are done and the tables taken down, we have to tear down the set. Then, we have to pack the set up, miss three days of classes to go and perform two more times in the cities, which also means that we have to set up and tear down the set once again. I can see why the shows are nicknamed "Mads;" being in them drives you crazy. The first rehearsals begin even before break, however. Dr.