Maidens
in UniformMaidens
in UniformThis brief paper introduces some preliminary thoughts on the formation of a new Aristasian school in London and also possibly in Elektraspace comments on any of the points raised are welcomed
This is intended to be the first of a series of papers on Life Theatre both in Elektraspace and in the District of _______ (geographically situated in London). This is a discussion paper purpose is both to summarise some of the discussion that has taken place so far on the subject of the foundation of a renewed Theatre of Life and to allow any girl who may be interested to contribute her own thoughts to this discussion.
While we hope that this Theatre will encompass many areas and forms of activity, we have begun with the discussion of the foundation of a school for reasons that the paper itself should make clear.
The concept of Total Life Theatre is central to the new Life Theatre strategy being pursued in Aristasia-in-Telluria. This would involve an interlinking of "real-life" or "physical manifestation" events (sometimes referred to as "blue" events owing to the policy of reporting them in blue at Girls' Town) with Elektraspatial events, games and other forms of activity - for some of which the technical means are only beginning to develop.
IMPORTANCE of a SCHOOL
Miss Isalene recently stated the case for the importance of a school in Aristasian Life Theatre in a contribution to Girls' Town:
I am much of the opinion (one that has been being talked over privately a lot lately) that school groups should be a starting point for many newcomers in real-life, or "blue", Life-Theatre. Beginning as Mädchen in Uniform in an "institutional" setting gives a powerful and very natural beginning to one's Aristasian life and helps one to see the realities of one's new world.
We also feel this opinion is correct. A school provides a clearly-defined setting for theatre with definite relationships between the characters. Aristasian school meetings have been conducted successfully in physical manifestation over several years in the past, and Elektraspatial Aristasian school roleplays have worked very well but proved of limited duration. We shall return to this point in the paper devoted specifically to proposals for an Elektraspatial school.
When considering adding a more definite roleplay content to the current Aristasia Friends site, the idea of establishing a wide-ranging roleplay, allowing girls to take on any role within Girls' Town was at first attractive, however, from our experience so far we concluded that the relatively limited and institutional "closed world" of a school was actually necessary to give a roleplaying game sufficient "focus". From this, girls might then venture into town and encounter "civilian" characters who may be played by other players, players from the school or be N.P.C.s (Non-Player Characters). We may indeed find that from this basis on-line roleplay could be broadened, but at present we feel that the school basis is necessary.
Physical roleplay, of course is much less limited. Cinemas and other social events are perfectly possible and will be held. Nonetheless a school has numerous important advantages. It facilitates "dramatic" as opposed to purely "social" roleplay. It provides a natural setting for basic training in various aspects of Aristasian life, it creates an excellent ambience for developing one's persona and for truly feeling the reality of being a blonde or a brunette (the difference also being strongly visually underlined by the contrasting blonde and brunette uniforms).
In line with our vision of Total Life Theatre, there would be points of connexion between physical school events and Elektraspace. At mimimum this would take the form (as with other physical events) of "blue entry" reports allowing some degree of vicarious participation by those who were not present, as well as *post facto* digestion by those who were. If an Elektraspatial school were to be formed the "two" schools would actually be regarded as two manifestations of the same school.
We are aware that some players could not attend - and some could not often attend - the physical school for reasons of distance, while others might participate only - or mostly - in the physical one. This need not, we feel, affect the continuity between the two.
Further contributions to this discussion are cordially welcomed.