12
March
2008
On Wednesday, I was extremely busy. In the morning, I got up early to get tickets for the matinée of my choice. A lot of my close friends went to Mary Poppins. I did want to go see it, but I knew I would regret it if I did not go and see The Phantom of the Opera. So I headed to the Majestic Theatre to purchase tickets. I got a cheap ticket in the mezzanine. Well it was not that cheap…but it was better than I thought it was going to be.
I then met Latera at the subway by Bryant park and headed downtown where we were going to be Jon and David for a voice lesson with Tom Burke. It was a rather terrifying journey because we went on the elevator to the 4th floor and the elevator broke for a while and I panicked…luckily Latera was there to keep me sane hehe! The lesson was extremely helpful, yet a little intimidating. I was really frustrated because I left my music book at home so I had to sing a song that I knew but was not confident on. So, I sang Find your Grail from Spamelot. I did well and he was able to bring back a voice that has been missing since I got mono freshman year. I really need to work on my confidence when it comes to singing. I am very uncomfortable with it. I get nervous that I am not good enough and that I need to stick to plays- even though I do not want to.
I then headed to the Majestic theatre- actually I ran to the majestic theatre. On the way, I got a text from Patricia Phillips letting me know that my name was on the list and that I could meet her after the show at the stage door. So, I headed up the mezzanine. I was really far away from the stage, but it was still amazing. I thought the Phantom, however, was a little disappointing. He came off way too mean and the actor that played the title role at the Kennedy Center was a lot more captivating. Patricia Phillips was wonderful. After the show, I headed to the stage door and waited a few minutes while she was getting out of her dress. She came downstairs, gave me a huge hug, and showed me around the theatre. It was cool to go down beneath the stage and see how all of the technical elements worked. We then sat in the house and discussed her career and her experiences. She was really interesting and said that I just need to keep training and working, and never stop singing!
Posted: Contacts, Dreams, New York, broadway, music, show
7
March
2008
Tuesday, I traveled to Brooklyn by myself for my first interview with Amy Graves. Amy was a professional actor since she was young and now has established and owns her own children’s theatre in Brooklyn.
The journey to Brooklyn was rather insane actually. A guy flashed a young woman on the train and then a homeless man came up and asked me for food and a hug from a pretty lady (I told him where to go)!
So, I finally met Amy at Connecticut Muffin. It was a lovely coffee shop by Prospect Park. When she walked in I knew there was no worry and I was not nervous at all. We talked about how she got into the business. She actually went to NYU. She talked about the importance of confidence. She tries to instill that into all the children in her theatre company. Her message of confidence really effected me. There are times when I retract and lose focus and sense of what I am doing because I lose confidence in myself. Her message of keeping that confidence definitely helped me.
Amy also discussed the importance of her family. She chose to give up the actor’s life for the moment because her family was more important. She said there is a point where one needs to get there priorities in order. I think that made a lot of sense. She said when her daughter is a bit older she might go out and audition again- but for now the theatre was what she was focused on.
The class also went to see Patrick Stewart in Macbeth at the BAM. I did not like it. It effected me and it did its job- but it was too loud , I was too high up, and I did not like being frightened the whole time. The acting was wonderful, and the new and revolutionized concept was also amazing- but I did not like the blood, the noises, and the horrific scenes. I certainly apprecreiated the art and was grateful to the actors- but it was just not my cup of tea.
Posted: Contacts, New York, brooklyn, show
28
February
2008
I have made some amazing contacts, and I am extremely honored and excited. So- I have made the contacts…but what is next? When you first meet the contact, how do you start the interview? Is it formal? If you are going to dinner with a contact how do you get the ball rolling? I am rather worried that I am going to sound like a blabbering idiot!
Any suggestions?
I AM EXCITED!
Posted: Contacts
20
February
2008
Well, I have not posted for a week. I know that is bad! Since my last post I have been getting my contacts together. I have sent a few emails to some prominent female actors that I really want to talk to. I tracked down Patricia Phillips, the current Carlotta on Broadway. It would be a dream to talk to her and find out how she was able to get to this place in her life where she is able to play such an amazing role. I also have tried to make contact with Shannon Durig (Tracy in Hairspray) and actors that are in the chorus of musical productions to see what their days are like. I am still waiting to hear back.I have made some contacts, however, in the other aspects of my research. I am auditing a class at TVI acting studio and meeting with a recruiter to discuss possible summer programs and internships. I am going to steps studio to ATTEMPT to take a dance lesson. Also I have an appointment with a recruiter from Julliard to discuss an advanced degree in vocal performance. I really want to get a vocal lesson while I am there, but I am not sure where to start with that at the moment.I am getting stressed and I feel a little overwhelmed. I haven’t been blogging about it, but I feel like it would be good to get it out. I got the role of Mrs. Hardcastle in She Stoops to Conquer. I am extremely glad I got the role. As I read the script magical ideas pop into my head of what I could do (comedic timing wise.) I also plan to change my voice to create a bubbly effect. I am scared though I may not be able to express these ideas I have. I am working with a different director. I am sure that is a great thing, but since freshman year I have gotten into a pattern of how the production is put up and how much leeway I am allowed creatively - and that is a lot. We have begun blocking. The director said she likes to begin blocking first because movement can help with character development. I think that is a great idea and I have never done that before in a process. Yet, I feel a little tense because I want to get to know and work on Mrs. Hardcastle- and I am doing that at the moment with no guidance. I wonder what it is like for actors to go from director to director and have to switch the mode of what they are used to in the process. The director said she does not want to play it safe with Mrs. Hardcastle.I think playing it safe means playing it like Mother Superior or Domina. She said I brought a little Domina into the audition and wants me to take a different route. I have taken a different route – and I am excited to see where it goes. In high school I was given the opportunity to play different kinds of roles. Here at university, I have started to get into playing the comedic relief stock characters. Believe me, I enjoy them immensely! I think it is what I do best. But that is all I know I do best because I have not had the opportunity to do anything different. I think even though Mrs. Hardcastle is that stock like character- I can make some changes to delve into different aspects and personalities of the character. My mum and dad bought me a laminated map of New York City and sent it to me this week. I think they are coming to terms with it. My mum and dad saw the you-tube video and I think my dad was slightly taken a back. Not only from the technology, but he got a little upset. Not mad, like teary eyes. I think they are beginning to realize that this trip is not only going to have a huge impact on my life- but also theirs. Even though we are still close, I think they are beginning to go through the separation process! O well blog more real soon!
Posted: Contacts, feelings, nervous, thea435
7
February
2008
Last class we watched all of our two minute digital stories. It went really well. Everyone’s was really different and it was nice to see the variety of creativity in the class. Mine, I feel was really different. I made mine really personal. I do not think there was a right and a wrong- but I talked about some really personal things that I hope some can appreciate and relate to.
Each class, we are asked to read the Washington Post, Style and Arts and the New York Times Sunday Arts sections. We discuss important articles in class and add our imput to the articles. Gregg pointed out that we are not making connections to our work or to our world when discussing the articles. When I read the articles, I take them in- but I know I am not really connecting them to the outside world or our culture. I will start doing that. I understood that we were reading the newspapers for a greater reason than just to see what is going on- but I do tend to read the newspaper just to scan and see what interesting things are happening. After last night’s class, however, I will start to make those deeper and important connections.
Speaking of connections, we started researching last night on who we might want to see and talk for our projects. I am excited to start making contacts- but where on earth do I start!? There are a few names that I have found that you can see on my wiki page- but I know that is not enough. How many contacts/interviews do we need to do? Is there a decent number? What will I ask? I just want to get the ball rolling so I can start cracking down to focus on this project.
The more I think about this class, the more I think this is what I want to do. I was thinking of going to law school- but that is flying out the window because I am so concentrated on this particular aspect of my life right now. I am scared that I won’t make it though. I mean that is a fear for everyone- but I think I could make it into law school more easily than making it in this business. I know I need to have faith in myself- but there is a lot of competition and talent out there. How am I going to stand out? How am I going to make this happen? Can I survive and get through those cattle call auditions? I will make an audition? I have to brush up on my dancing- is it too late to learn? I know I am putting up these obsticles…but they are constantly on my mind. Maybe I will be able to find someone to talk to who will ease my mind…or just validate how I am feeling right now.
Posted: Contacts, New York, feelings, thea435