When in doubt, go to the groupies

I've been having some difficulty with my research paper simply because for the past couple weeks I haven't had a computer (hopefully I will by the end of next week). With this said, my research recently has taken the form primarily of looking back to the primary texts and gathering "social proof." I've decided that my research paper is going to be centered around The Winters Tale which BYU is soon to put on a production of (A Winter's Fairy Tale). So, in an attempt to find enthusiasts on my topic, I went and spoke with members of the cast about the play. Wow. I mean wow. I've talked to roommates and friends about my ideas, but frankly they didn't always care or have any input for me. Talking with enthusiasts was extremely beneficial for me in that 1. they seemed excited about what I was doing, which made me excited and 2. they were able to give me some new insights.

When I told some cast members about how Time was a form of power, one of the actors pointed out that the irregular passage of time went against the rules for popular theater in England at the time. It made me think... was the peculiar use of time in A Winter's Tale a means for Shakespeare to display his power over Elizabethan theater? I had only thought of Time being a power controlling the characters in the play, but this broadened my perspective to see Shakespeare's use of time as a power play within historical context, fighting against Neoclassicism.

I also told them some of my thoughts on music, and they informed me that they would be incorporating a dance number in their production. They told me about how rhythm was the driving force within their choreography which brought up another idea for me - if Time is power, and music and dance is dictated by rhythm/timing, then isn't music in the Winter's Tale one more demonstration of the power of time?

Anyways, it was definitely a good idea to talk to the cast. I'm going to see if I can talk to the dramaturg and director as well and I'll definitely go to see the performance!