Out of the several special events and workshops we attended, here are my thoughts on Baruch Voices – the most recent such event of showcased poetry and monologues. The pieces, written by students and read aloud by rehearsed and animated narrators, were undoubtedly one of the most interesting gigs I’ve seen on campus. Spanning an array of topics ranging from overbearing parents, suicide and lust for bacon, it was apt to give anyone looking for something funny, serious or both a decent time.
None of the messages found in the topics particularly resonated with me on a personal level, but I give serious props to the second and fourth orators (both male) for their acting and voice talent. The feel, the attitude, and the spirit of these works were very well portrayed and “lived-through” the actors on the stage, but especially through these two readers. In regards to the writer with the greatest talent, this would easily be the piece on growing up. The selection on bacon lust, however, was a close second. I think the part on restrictive parenting was quite trivial; it was the individual that still needed to grow up if they hadn’t found the stones to say no to that sort of control by age 19 or 20. The suicide piece could have also had more constructive and inspirational twists or spin, but instead it still felt a bit downer even at the conclusion.
In short, checking out Baruch Voices just once won’t hurt; it’s likely you’ll have a good time if you have nothing else to do. Again, kudos to the talented people writing and recounting these works, the school is better because of you.
– ZH
