Berky shares “Foolosophies”

    Making his second appearance in Milledgeville on Oct. 12, Doug Berky performed “Foolosophies” in Russell Auditorium.  The Department of Music Theater and Arts Unlimited co-sponsored the showcase of mime and mask.
    Berky said the blend of foolishness and philosophy in the title is an outlook on life. “The serious and comedic storylines come out of my belief system,” Berky said.
    The night was full of Berky’s transitions from physical comedy to focused storylines with puppets and masks.
    Berky began the performance in a large costume giving a visual and auditory illusion of two students trying to sneak into the show. He removed the outfit to face the audience for introduction.
    For those not familiar with the art of mime, Berky demonstrated the illusion of stillness and isolation.
    The head stays still while the extremities move. Berky interpreted the mime in a box scenario.
    “I don’t know how or why they always get stuck in here,” Berky said.
    Berky’s facial expressions and masks depicted characters and emotions ranging from a wild monkey to a man despising Mondays.
    Exhausting his many talents, Berky performed big band-inspired juggling with audience assistance.
    Berky acted out David and Goliath from the perspective of Goliath’s shield carrier. When the action failed to get laughs from the crowd, Berky adjusted the dialogue and direction of the piece.
    “You have to learn to listen to the audience as well as knowing their capabilities,” Berky said. “The performance must adjust to the audience.”
    The next story, entitled “Give Us This Day,” featured Berky standing over a trunk full of clothes and masks helping transform him into stereotypical American characters.
    Scott Howard, a sophomore theatre major, said “Foolosophies” was funny yet still brought big messages to the audience. 
    Berky went from a happy Hugh Hefner wannabe to a porky and inept southern minister in smooth transition.
    The skit faded to black as an old man cradled a starving baby near death.
    A Native-American story of loyalty and love made use of Berky’s large puppets.
    “These stories told over a campfire help us understand culture and ourselves,” Berky said.
    The night ended in excitement as Berky blared his harmonica in perfect rhythm.
    Justin Yates, a sophomore psychology major, said Berky’s easy transitions and thought provoking action made the show enjoyable.
    “The time he spent creating the masks really came through on stage,” Yates said.
    Doug Berky was a sociology major at Oregon State University when he received his first major role in “Death of a Salesman”.
    The performing arts have led Berky around the world to spread his talent through live action and teaching. He has performed in groups such as      The Montanaro Mime Theatre as well as his one man shows, for the last two decades.
    Berky has produced and performed in television specials before, but has no plans on returningto television.
    His mask creations are used in schools and theaters from Sweden to the United States.

Posted by Colonnade Archives on Oct 20 2006. Filed under Features. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can leave a response or trackback to this entry