Dream Seeker

It has been a while…0

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

Connections0

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

YouTube and Videos0

So, I was rather nervous to research YouTube and the video aspect of this project. I can shoot with a video camera quite well, but uploading that onto a website is something completely different. With more practice, I am sure I will be able to achieve this technical aspect of this class.

While researching on the website, I came across this  lovely five minuite video on New York City and Broadway. When I see media like this, it makes me a lot more comfortable about going to the city. This video reminds me about the reason I want to go to New York. I want to see where I will be potentially living, and I want to see what I may be doing if I am blessed enough to retain those opportunities. I really want to make it that far- I do want to make it to New York City- and I think this class will give me the courage I need to reach that dream.

Posted: New York, feelings, thea435

The “where am i” assignment0

So, last class we were asked to prepare a two minute digital video that would be due in two weeks. I am getting really excited about this project. I have been playing with Windows Movie Maker on my laptop. I enjoy meshing narration, pictures, and music to tell my little story.

I though it was going to be really difficult to get started on this assignment. I was not quite sure where to start. I took a look at the Wiki website. There are so many online sources that I could choose from to start the assignment. However, I felt like I just wanted to stick with something less technical. But it turns out Windows movie maker is not that easy- however it is manageable. I enjoy having the choice on what to put in my digital story. I am in a digital history seminar and we have to make a website and there is NO room for creativity and originality. I am looking forward to being able to express my self in this digital story as well as my blog!

The next thing I need to learn is to upload videos. I am not sure it will be too hard:)

Posted: Uncategorized, technology, thea435

I am a tourist!0

So, I have decided to put my fear of going off alone and having this responsibility into a positive view. I was in Borders yesterday with friends and came across the travel section. Well, I though what the hey and bought Fodor’s See it: New York City guide. It has over 100 pages of listings and color photos of what I can find in New York. I know I am going to be very busy while I am there researching and holding interviews- but in that free time- I want to go adventuring. It would be lovely for people to come along- but even if not, I am going to bite the bullet and go by myself!

So, here is a list of places I want to go and see (no in a particular order).

American Museum of Natural History- This museum look fabulous! It has over 40 grand exhibition halls. So if I do find some time to go, I am going to have to pick only a few things to see.

The Statue of Liberty- I know this is far away from where we need to be- but as a recent immigrant who lived the American Dream- I feel like I owe it to myself to see it!

The Jewish Heritage Museum- I say no more…

I also have chosen some neighborhoods that I really want to explore. Some could be possible homes for me in the future, and I really want to try and look at the city not only with a tourist mindset, but also like someone who lives there.

There are plenty of other places I want to go…but while skimming through the tourist book…the above choices just stuck out. Are there any places that you visted that I should consider checking out?

Well off to do some tech work for the course!

Posted: New York, thea435, travel plans

A New Day…0

So, after my long-winded blog last night I felt like a new day may give me some more rationality…right? Well I am still rather worried that we did not come to any conclusions yesterday in class. I am going to continue to research and get some figures…but even with 20 people gathering figures- we will still be in the same place.

I have been reading a few of my friend’s blogs, and I wanted to talk about them. My close friends Helena and Katie have been discussing the fears they do and do not have with this class and upcoming trip. I can relate to Helena. Katie gives another perspective where she writes that she is not afraid of anything. I admire that- but I am certainly nothing like that. In class, Gregg asked us if we had any fears with the class. People were discussing the research and the potential interviews- none of this was on my mind. I can converse quite well- but I am extremely frightened about being in New York by myself. I guess I am quite lucky to have so many friends that are independent and adventurous. I have never gone on a trip without my support system and I have never been on a trip where I could be potentially out of my comfort zone. My mum and dad are always there, or if not- I have only been on trips with my boyfriend or friends that I have known since 7th grade. I have never been to New York, and I am nervous about going in the city by myself. I am quite capable; I a sure of it. It is just that the idea of being a grown up is staring me right in the face. I am sure lots of people my age want to embrace that- but I am come from a place where I have been cushioned and sheltered. It is about time that I grow up in this way- but I have apprehensions about it.

I am anxious to see how I will do in the city, but I am glad that I have some close friends who will be there with me!

Posted: New York, feelings, nervous, thea435

Slighty confused…0

Well I am not sure where to begin with class this evening. A lot happened, and a lot did NOT happen! First of all our discussion  about the articles we were required to read was really good. I think those that contributed gave different perspectives and really interesting ideas and thoughts. The critic discussion was the most interesting to me. Do critics have a great influence on potential audience members? Do critics have even more influence over the actors, creators, and production staff?

But come on- let’s get to the point of what really was going on this evening. We were asked to get our facts in order and come up with a hotel, travel plans, and what we were going to see. To be honest, when I realized that we were going to be left to come up with all of this in class I knew it was going to be mayhem. I mean how could it not be with 20 people trying to get their say and straighten out plans and such. I am not even sure if we could have resolved the New York plans in one night- even though we were given three hours. I could not say that we were fighting- I mean 20 people were trying to get their voices heard so it was going to get loud and lary- and it did. I just wish that everyone could have stayed on task and that we were working as a group. I am not saying that our task this evening was easy- but if we cannot do this, how on earth are we all going to be able to communicate and keep on task in NYC?

I have never been to NYC. I am extremely excited about it. I hope that we can all work together as a group so that our trip can be enjoyable and we can enjoy it together. Getting 20 people to agree on things is difficult and sometimes near impossible. But, there must be compromise, and there must be a voice of reason. I felt like I needed a leader tonight- I tried to be for a little while, but unfortunately gave up. I felt like me raising my voice to just keep everything on task was not very helpful. I am sure this will be resolved- well it has to be.

Off to figure things out…

Posted: group work, thea435, travel plans

The Phantom of the Opera0

I am not sure what I should be writing about, or if there is anything specific that needs to be said in this journal, but I did want to talk about The Phantom of the Opera. It is a really close and personal production and overall experience for me. My mum and dad went to see it twice when my mum was pregnant with me. She said I was literally kicking to the music- I like to think that is the reason I was kicking. Honestly, I was probably kicking because it was bloody loud in the theatre. But when I was four, my dad put on a cassette in the car on my way to school and I sang all the songs and knew all the words- I had not heard the soundtrack before-well I had but I was not here technically. I know this sounds strange and silly, but it is true. Since I was very little, I have always had a connection to this show and it would be a dream to see it in New York City. My parents took me and Jason to see Phantomat the Kennedy Centre this summer. It was breathtaking. I am sure it is bigger and more spectacular in New York, but I was blown away. I felt that I was destined to see this particular production. I think I cried through the entire production- I am sure I was quite embarrasing!

The music is so moving in this musical. Music always moves me. I feel like I am always yopping (tearing up), or getting goose bumps when I hear music. It is an amazing and electrifying feeling. I wonder if I can ever sing those songs from the musical…can I ever make this forever favorite be an even greater impact on my life? The story itself is heart wrenching. I got a lot of mixed signals from my peers with this show. Some love it, some hate it, and most indifferent. I guess it is just an opinion- but there is something about this specific musical that just makes me stop. It makes me think that maybe I heard that in my mum’s tummy for a reason- it was destined.

Posted: music, thea435

What to Think, and Where to Start.0

Without fail, I wake up every morning and ponder on that one thing. Can I do this? Is this some illusion, or some sort of fantasy that I’m living in? Can this thing, this dream, this passion- can this happen to me? Or more appropriately, can I happen to it? Essentially, can I live in a dream? Or will the realities of this society bring me back to earth- and cause me to realize that I have lots of things to do, and lot of unfinished business to handle before I can just go off and in a way make my dreams come true. I realize all these questions are confusing to anyone reading, believe me I’m all muddled up about it too. But these personal questions are ideas and thoughts that I hope this class and this trip will help me answer.

When I walked into class last Wednesday, I was very eager; eager to hear news about the trip to New York City, as well as eager to know what exactly I need to accomplish in this course. With many objectives, the one that struck out to me the most was the objective to “draw conclusions about our own path as we reflect on where we find ourselves in the context of the greater world of theatre.” I am so excited to go on this journey. I can safely say that since I joined the theatre department at Mary Washington, I have changed. I may not have changed drastically, but I have grown up slightly, and look at the world differently. I am thrilled to go on this journey to grow even more as a student and more importantly, as a person. I am anxious to start my research project. I feel like I am at the start line, just waiting for the flag to drop so I can start running, start exploring.

We had a technology boot-camp this Saturday. It was really cool. I knew there was media and software out there, but I had no clue it was right at my fingertips. I want to use all of it. I know I can’t though. I am looking forward to compiling all the media together to create this digital story. I am amazed over how much is out there on the web! I have experience with the delicious bookmarking site, and I know it will be extremely helpful in my research. Flickr is something I have not experimented with and I am enjoying exploring the website. I am really tempted to get a primary account so that I can utilize the website to the best that I can. It is an amazing site, and it is also amazing how regular people can catch such phenomenal photos. I hope to catch some great photos in the city. I shall continue to research and play with all the things that I was shown in the technology boot-camp. I’m having lots of fun with it!

I am looking forward to this class and delving deeper into my research. I think this class may be a life-changing experience. I welcome it.

Posted: technology, thea435