SPILL BY MAYA ROUX
THE SPATIAL EXPERIENCE
From the outside, the Constans Theatre is a modern concrete building surrounded by a lake a lush trees. Upon entering, you are greeted by a bright foyer with floor to celling windows casting light on colorful sculptures suspended by the windows. The bright feeling of the foyer made me feel relaxed and joyful. This light is contrasted by the theater itself, which feels dim yet cozy. The small size of the theater makes all seats good despite which row you are in. I was seated pretty close to the stage and felt like the actors were talking directly to me, as if we were the only ones in the room, thus making me more engaged and emotionally invested in the play. When the lights dimmed and the audience quieted, I felt excited and curious for what was to come. I am a dancer and love performing, so the dimming lights also reminded me of what its like to be on the stage rather than in the audience, so I also felt some adrenaline. As far as the Good Life goes, it what you experience is absolutely affected by place. I felt very comfortable and warm in the theater, so I might have enjoyed the play more than others who did not feel the same way.
THE SOCIAL EXPERIENCE
I attended the play with a friend from my hometown Madison. To prepare for the performance, I watched the recommended videos and also a read a little bit about the play on the Chicago Tribune website. Attending with my friend Madison did make me feel a little more comfortable in the theater, however we were both engaged in the play and I would have likely enjoyed the performance regardless of my company. I think having shared experiences gives you the opportunity to reach out to people you might not normally speak to. I walked home with a complete stranger after the show, however it was great being able to have common ground from the play and hear someone else's perspective on it.
CULTURAL AND INTELLECTUAL EXPERIENCE
The story centered around the events of April 20th, 2010, when an oil rig in the Gulf of Mexico exploded into flames. It then follows the story of grieving family members and how they felt/copped with the loss of their loved ones. Prior to the performance, I did know that the BP Oil Spill was a terrible disaster that greatly impacted the wildlife in Louisiana. Although I was fairly familiar with the general story of the rig exploding and oil leaking continuously for months on end into the Gulf, I hadn't really considered the men killed in the explosion nor their families' grieving. Because the story gave insight into how families were effected by loosing their sons and husbands, it made the spill seem less like something purely science related and rather more personal. I am from Marco Island, Florida, an island in the Gulf, so seeing the impact of the spill on people and the environment reminded me that I would hate to see drilling occur in my own backyard.
The Emotional Experience
Spill gives the audience opportunity for Katharsis because it is relatable. Everyone in the audience could parallel the story to their own lives in some way. As stated previously, the play reminded me that something like this could happen near my hometown if a rig is allowed to dig, so Spill served as a way to remind me that I cant take the beauty in my town for granted, and should think twice before I vote yes for an oil rig to drill nearby. For others, the play may have resonated with them through the death and mourning of the characters. If you have ever lost a loved one, the play would have been good to see to remember you are not alone and that everyone must morn in some way.