Anna uses her impersonation skills to deliver the unique stories of others struggling to make sense of life.
-By Daniel Holley
Anna brought a unique performance to the Krannert Center as she entertained the crowd not with song or dance, but rather her incredible ability to tell the stories of others. With years worth of interviews from a diverse group of people recorded, she was able to present these characters to the audience as parts of a greater story. Today’s theme of “getting through the day” was showcased with a carefully crafted blend of humor and intensity as Anna impersonated a few of her interviewees. She retold their stories of challenges large and small while imitating their accents and mannerisms, ensuring the audience felt the emotions as much as they heard the words.
One of the most impressive aspects of Anna’s performance was her ability to convey so much emotion with just her body. As she portrayed different interviewees, Anna’s drastic change in vocalization and movement was all she needed to pull her audience in. She never changed her costume or used any props, but it was still easy to become immersed in her words and the tone she was trying to convey.
The style of storytelling Anna utilizes sets her apart from other styles of media by conveying the thought processes of her interviewees. Hearing stories or quotes told by a third party can be impactful, but Anna brings another dimension that makes it all the more emotional. Hearing the accounts of real people impacted by certain events or issues makes it more personal, which allows the audience to more easily understand the highs and lows of those suffering. For example, as Anna impersonated a man who told his story about police brutality and racism, she used dramatic pauses more often to let the intense parts of his story settle in.
All in all, this performance was the most unique one I have seen so far this semester. It is no easy task entertaining an audience of several hundred people, especially with no special costumes, props, or other cast members, but Anna definitely delivered. Her unique style of entertainment and storytelling was surprisingly impactful, and although I was occasionally confused about what point she was trying to get across, I think that was sort of her intention. No situations are binary, and humans have an amazing ability to find humor in even the worst of situations.