Week Two
Friday performance lab is over and that wraps up week two. It feels more like a month, but in a good way. I'm happy to report that the initial soreness has gone away! Or maybe I'm just numb to it. Hooray! Thus far the only dents and dings I have suffered are a bruise on my shoulder (from improper rolling technique) and a scratch on my toe (from not looking where I was going and tripping while doing laundry). I'm knocking on wood that that's the worst of it.
Monday was Nature Day! The condensed story: met at 5:30 AM in front of the main building. Caravaned to Titlow hill and watched the sunrise. Caravaned to Patrick's Point and climbed all over the sea rocks. Caravaned to Elk Prairie and went on a 6 mile hike through the redwoods, ending up in Fern Canyon and wading through the stream, and temporarily being stopped by a herd of elk grazing on the path (one of whom was at least an 8 point buck and stood taller than me at the shoulder). Caravaned to Luffenholz beach and watched the sunset, threw heavy rocks in the water, and watched the Joe vs. the First Years sand wrestling ultimate showdown. Then we all went back to Blue Lake and had a bonfire by the river complete with fire juggling and poi. Our fire juggler showed us all how to get used to the fire which involves briefly touching the lighted club to your hand and letting the fire burn for an instant on your palm. It is an odd sensation, because it doesn't hurt, it only feels warm. But your brain is going: OHMIGOD I'M ON FIRE SERIOUSLY GUYS!!!
I can't really do Nature Day justice. It was incredible. And the throwing heavy rocks in the water and watching the sunset have deeper significance than I'm saying here. Maybe I will be able to write about it later.
Tuesday was back to the "norm" schedule and our review of week one's performance lab. Usually those reviews come on Friday but we ran late that week. We had all been very nervous because we knew that around here, people don't pull punches when it comes to critiquing work. I've never felt any critique come out of spitefulness or nastiness though. It might be hard to hear but it's always for the best.
Wednesday and Thursday were consumed by classes and rehearsals for Friday's week 2 performance lab. Classes include Daily Practice, acrobatics, creative writing, Tai Chi, Play, Vocal Ensemble, mask studio and movement analysis. We're go go go every day from about 8AM to 5PM with one lunch break that averages around an hour. Except for Wednesday. Wednesday is "Life Repair Day", the official day that gives us all the afternoon off so we can grocery shop, nap, do laundry, go to the bank, go to appointments, etc.
Friday's Daily Practice is Running Day. First years through MFA 3rd Years go running together first thing in the morning in a group through Blue Lake. Friday's school day ended with Performance Lab where the first years presented their weekly assignment to the faculty, staff, 2nd and 3rd years, and anyone else who felt like coming.
In the evenings I am usually rehearsing for performance lab and then playing the piano in the studio. In the mornings I get up early for extra curricular Tai Chi lessons. When I can, I hop into a carpool and go grocery shopping or just sightseeing.
I'll end this post with two songs I have learned here:
Home in Blue Lake
(As sung to the first years as we were rounded up by the MFA 2nd and 3rd years at the end of orientation. And I mean literally rounded up. To the tune of Home on the Range)
Home, Home in Blue Lake
Where the deer and the antelope play
Where seldom is heard an encouraging word
And the skies are all cloudy all day
The second song
When I Get Drunk
(I don't know what it's actually called. Legend has it this song was made up by the school founder and a faculty member who got in several drunken fights one night and spent the night in jail. This was taught at orientation as we toasted the new year with dixie cups of Carlo Rossi. The tune is its own. Sung in a round.)
When I get drunk
On a gallon of Carlo Rossi
I lose control
And I beat people up
And spend the night
In the cold hoosgow
Monday was Nature Day! The condensed story: met at 5:30 AM in front of the main building. Caravaned to Titlow hill and watched the sunrise. Caravaned to Patrick's Point and climbed all over the sea rocks. Caravaned to Elk Prairie and went on a 6 mile hike through the redwoods, ending up in Fern Canyon and wading through the stream, and temporarily being stopped by a herd of elk grazing on the path (one of whom was at least an 8 point buck and stood taller than me at the shoulder). Caravaned to Luffenholz beach and watched the sunset, threw heavy rocks in the water, and watched the Joe vs. the First Years sand wrestling ultimate showdown. Then we all went back to Blue Lake and had a bonfire by the river complete with fire juggling and poi. Our fire juggler showed us all how to get used to the fire which involves briefly touching the lighted club to your hand and letting the fire burn for an instant on your palm. It is an odd sensation, because it doesn't hurt, it only feels warm. But your brain is going: OHMIGOD I'M ON FIRE SERIOUSLY GUYS!!!
I can't really do Nature Day justice. It was incredible. And the throwing heavy rocks in the water and watching the sunset have deeper significance than I'm saying here. Maybe I will be able to write about it later.
Tuesday was back to the "norm" schedule and our review of week one's performance lab. Usually those reviews come on Friday but we ran late that week. We had all been very nervous because we knew that around here, people don't pull punches when it comes to critiquing work. I've never felt any critique come out of spitefulness or nastiness though. It might be hard to hear but it's always for the best.
Wednesday and Thursday were consumed by classes and rehearsals for Friday's week 2 performance lab. Classes include Daily Practice, acrobatics, creative writing, Tai Chi, Play, Vocal Ensemble, mask studio and movement analysis. We're go go go every day from about 8AM to 5PM with one lunch break that averages around an hour. Except for Wednesday. Wednesday is "Life Repair Day", the official day that gives us all the afternoon off so we can grocery shop, nap, do laundry, go to the bank, go to appointments, etc.
Friday's Daily Practice is Running Day. First years through MFA 3rd Years go running together first thing in the morning in a group through Blue Lake. Friday's school day ended with Performance Lab where the first years presented their weekly assignment to the faculty, staff, 2nd and 3rd years, and anyone else who felt like coming.
In the evenings I am usually rehearsing for performance lab and then playing the piano in the studio. In the mornings I get up early for extra curricular Tai Chi lessons. When I can, I hop into a carpool and go grocery shopping or just sightseeing.
I'll end this post with two songs I have learned here:
Home in Blue Lake
(As sung to the first years as we were rounded up by the MFA 2nd and 3rd years at the end of orientation. And I mean literally rounded up. To the tune of Home on the Range)
Home, Home in Blue Lake
Where the deer and the antelope play
Where seldom is heard an encouraging word
And the skies are all cloudy all day
The second song
When I Get Drunk
(I don't know what it's actually called. Legend has it this song was made up by the school founder and a faculty member who got in several drunken fights one night and spent the night in jail. This was taught at orientation as we toasted the new year with dixie cups of Carlo Rossi. The tune is its own. Sung in a round.)
When I get drunk
On a gallon of Carlo Rossi
I lose control
And I beat people up
And spend the night
In the cold hoosgow