(no subject)
I've not written since June or July (some J-month that's not January). I'd pretend that I'm surprised or saddened by this, but really, I'm not.
And, because I like when other people do them, I want to look back on my year.
This was DEFINITELY a learning year for me.
I started off with a bang by getting thisclose to getting cast at Stages as a Liebesliedersinger but blowing it by getting scared shitless in the dance call. BUT, I honestly wasn't ready to get cast in an equity house this past year, so it's ok. I made a good impression in the acting and singing department, and those are my strengths.
As a result of the Stages fiasco, I went to COCA the day after I found out about it (from Lisa C-A, naturally, who is the bearer of all information about such things) and got my ass in some dance classes. Hey, I'm never going to be a dancer. But at least I can stay calm during the dance call (I learned how to stay calm during math tests in 3rd grade, I can do this, too).
I also gave a good audition at the MyoontasticMuny and got Mr. Blake's attention...but it's the Mmmuny and I have no connections, so naturally that didn't happen. I'll keep going back. The way I see it, they'll eventually cast me, or wish they did. Oh, misplaced confidence, how you soothe me.
Completely unrelated to my artistic life but relating directly to my sanity and mood, I quit working at the Daniele Hotel (which is closed now, funnily enough) in March at went to work for the Sbux. And it's fine, all things considered. I could probably write tomes about my petty aggravations related to that job, but everyone's said everything I think a million times and generally much better than I ever could. Suffice to say, I love having health insurance and I love flexibility. I don't like being treated like I'm a high school dropout.
I got to play Maggie in After the Fall with Muddy Waters and that was a tremendous experience. We got some great reviews (Thisis my favorite one, from the RFT. I don't expect to get notices like that again anytime soon. Call it beginners luck). John Flack is effing brilliant and will certainly receive a Kline nomination for his work in this show. The RFT (again) noted his brilliance by giving him their award for best actor in a play in their 2007 Best Of St. Louis issue. Damn straight.
In September, I did my very first unified audition, the Fall Professional SETC auditions in Charlotte, NC with Laura Ernst. And it was exhausting and draining and enlightening and fun. Laura is a great audition partner for me because we both like to analyze everything TO DEATH, and so neither annoys the other by doing this. I didn't get any work out of it, but I definitely learned something about how to present myself, and I think I'm much readier to do UPTA auditions in February than I otherwise would have been.
In October, I went to Chicago with Laura and auditioned for TheaterAttheCentre (JustinH has worked there), and had a great audition and a great response. They told me they were definitely going to call me back for Phantom (which runs over the summer), so we'll see. Hopefully that will pan out, because that would be an equity house and equity points.
In November, I played Suzanne and two other small roles in an ok production of Picasso at the Lapin Agile. It wasn't terrible but it wasn't great. It was a lot of fun. I also went to Texas with Chris for Thanksgiving and it was delightful. I really, really love his family.
In December, I started auditioning a lot again. Went to Chicago again for another audition (MarriottTheatre in Illinois) and that was an eh-audition. Got cast in a community theatre production of Measure for Measure as Isabella, for which I am STOKED. Just having that role on my resume is a coup. FINALLY, maybe people will give a chance with Shakespeare. Now hopefully I can do some good work in the show.
At the end of the day, I've gotten some great roles on my resume this year. I am pretty certain that I'm going to audition for MFA in theatre programs next year...but only at the big name schools. Because...I really don't think I want to teach. If I'm going to do this, I want to perform. And I see no point in wasting my time and energy on a program that won't give me fantastic connections, because, let's face it. This is a business, and it's really effing hard to get anywhere without connections.
If I don't get into one of the big schools (right now, after discussing it with Barrie I'm planning on looking into Tisch, Juilliard (hey, they DID give me an audition as a singer, after all....haha), and Yale), I won't go. I know it's a massive long shot to get into any of those programs, but, whatever. It can't be bigger or scarier for me than auditioning for Juilliard's MM in voice program was. And I did that. I don't really think I'd get in. But you can't get what you don't try for.
And I really, really believe I'm a better actor than I am singer. Or at least that I have the potential to be some day.
Personally, life is wonderful. Chris and I are still living together and I'm still stupidly in love with him. I'm fairly certain that he's the best thing that ever happened to me....he graduates in May with his MS in Computer Science, and our plan is to move home base to Chicago after that. And just kind of play everything by ear, which I am trying to learn to be good at.
And, because I like when other people do them, I want to look back on my year.
This was DEFINITELY a learning year for me.
I started off with a bang by getting thisclose to getting cast at Stages as a Liebesliedersinger but blowing it by getting scared shitless in the dance call. BUT, I honestly wasn't ready to get cast in an equity house this past year, so it's ok. I made a good impression in the acting and singing department, and those are my strengths.
As a result of the Stages fiasco, I went to COCA the day after I found out about it (from Lisa C-A, naturally, who is the bearer of all information about such things) and got my ass in some dance classes. Hey, I'm never going to be a dancer. But at least I can stay calm during the dance call (I learned how to stay calm during math tests in 3rd grade, I can do this, too).
I also gave a good audition at the MyoontasticMuny and got Mr. Blake's attention...but it's the Mmmuny and I have no connections, so naturally that didn't happen. I'll keep going back. The way I see it, they'll eventually cast me, or wish they did. Oh, misplaced confidence, how you soothe me.
Completely unrelated to my artistic life but relating directly to my sanity and mood, I quit working at the Daniele Hotel (which is closed now, funnily enough) in March at went to work for the Sbux. And it's fine, all things considered. I could probably write tomes about my petty aggravations related to that job, but everyone's said everything I think a million times and generally much better than I ever could. Suffice to say, I love having health insurance and I love flexibility. I don't like being treated like I'm a high school dropout.
I got to play Maggie in After the Fall with Muddy Waters and that was a tremendous experience. We got some great reviews (Thisis my favorite one, from the RFT. I don't expect to get notices like that again anytime soon. Call it beginners luck). John Flack is effing brilliant and will certainly receive a Kline nomination for his work in this show. The RFT (again) noted his brilliance by giving him their award for best actor in a play in their 2007 Best Of St. Louis issue. Damn straight.
In September, I did my very first unified audition, the Fall Professional SETC auditions in Charlotte, NC with Laura Ernst. And it was exhausting and draining and enlightening and fun. Laura is a great audition partner for me because we both like to analyze everything TO DEATH, and so neither annoys the other by doing this. I didn't get any work out of it, but I definitely learned something about how to present myself, and I think I'm much readier to do UPTA auditions in February than I otherwise would have been.
In October, I went to Chicago with Laura and auditioned for TheaterAttheCentre (JustinH has worked there), and had a great audition and a great response. They told me they were definitely going to call me back for Phantom (which runs over the summer), so we'll see. Hopefully that will pan out, because that would be an equity house and equity points.
In November, I played Suzanne and two other small roles in an ok production of Picasso at the Lapin Agile. It wasn't terrible but it wasn't great. It was a lot of fun. I also went to Texas with Chris for Thanksgiving and it was delightful. I really, really love his family.
In December, I started auditioning a lot again. Went to Chicago again for another audition (MarriottTheatre in Illinois) and that was an eh-audition. Got cast in a community theatre production of Measure for Measure as Isabella, for which I am STOKED. Just having that role on my resume is a coup. FINALLY, maybe people will give a chance with Shakespeare. Now hopefully I can do some good work in the show.
At the end of the day, I've gotten some great roles on my resume this year. I am pretty certain that I'm going to audition for MFA in theatre programs next year...but only at the big name schools. Because...I really don't think I want to teach. If I'm going to do this, I want to perform. And I see no point in wasting my time and energy on a program that won't give me fantastic connections, because, let's face it. This is a business, and it's really effing hard to get anywhere without connections.
If I don't get into one of the big schools (right now, after discussing it with Barrie I'm planning on looking into Tisch, Juilliard (hey, they DID give me an audition as a singer, after all....haha), and Yale), I won't go. I know it's a massive long shot to get into any of those programs, but, whatever. It can't be bigger or scarier for me than auditioning for Juilliard's MM in voice program was. And I did that. I don't really think I'd get in. But you can't get what you don't try for.
And I really, really believe I'm a better actor than I am singer. Or at least that I have the potential to be some day.
Personally, life is wonderful. Chris and I are still living together and I'm still stupidly in love with him. I'm fairly certain that he's the best thing that ever happened to me....he graduates in May with his MS in Computer Science, and our plan is to move home base to Chicago after that. And just kind of play everything by ear, which I am trying to learn to be good at.