Positivity!
Okay! SO much has gone on throughout my first semester of college. I unfortunately was unable to move out due to money...but I'm hoping for an apartment next year with Hailey and Jon. I am currently a Theatre Arts major.
HOWEVER.
This spring I am auditioning at ASU and U of A for their Musical Theatre departments. U of A has a FANTASTIC all around conservatory style program and ASU has a very musically based program...both very good. I chickened out last year and quite honestly...I wasn't good enough to make it in! I've had a year to prepare and I think I'm ready. If I don't make it in this year, I'll just try again next year! I am SO excited. I have to prepare a Broadway song, an opera song in a foreign language (I am an OPERA virgin ;-), a monologue, an interview, and I need to complete a theory test. I have never studied music theory in my life and just started in September. It is challenging BUT I'm willing to put forth the effort! I've decided that I've spent too long sulking and thinking I'm not good enough. I CAN BE "good enough," I just need to try. And that's what I'm going to do!
Now, the reason why this entry is entitled "positivity" is because I am going to add all theatre-related positive comments I have received since the summer to this entry. I will add more as they come (hopefully!) and if ever I am in doubt or feeling down, I will be able to look at this!
So, this summer I played Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables. I trained and pushed myself SO HARD to get the role of Fantine. Ever since I was little I've always wanted to play Fantine. Not only is her music beautiful, she is a strong, noble, and loving character. It would have been an honor to play her. This girl who gets great roles in every show ended up being Fantine and I found myself not caring so much about the ACTOR but about the CHARACTER. Fantine is gorgeous and I wanted the actor to do her character justice. I was upset and cried quite a bit at first BUT I got over it and ended up playing my most favorite role. I grew as an actor and most importantly (since it's my weaker trait) I grew as a singer.
Far too often do I doubt myself. Contrary to what many believe, I am sometimes very insecure. And though I know that no one but ME can TRULY believe in myself...it's nice to hear compliments from an outside observer.
Some comments!
Les Miserables
Rosie R (my closest friend in high school): "I'm so proud of you, girl! Seriously, you are on the path to stardom!"
Heather J (previous voice teacher): "You rock! I'm very proud. Now, hurry out after so I can see you!"
Holly P: "I just wanna tell you again how well you did, Mo. I loved it! Your singing was beautiful...even more beautiful than in Seussical!"
Taylor W (well, technically her grandpa!): "I liked Eponine and the Inkeeper's Wife. Fantine hurt my ears."
Erin E: "I just wanted to pull you aside and tell you that you absolutely stole the show. You were so fantastic!"
Kathleen (current voice teacher): "I'm not just saying this because I want you to be my student or something, but do you remember Nico who used to go here?"
Me: "Yes, he was SO great!"
Kathleen: "I know! And I turned to my friend and told her, 'Maureen reminds me of Nico...just how she is so invested into the part and completely transforms into the character yet you can tell that she absolutely loves what she's doing.' You were awesome!"
Kathleen (when we were talking about music to sing for my ASU audition): "It really depends on what you want to do, but as your teacher I want you to know that I think you should sing a character piece because I just think you're a great actress."
Acting 1
Lauren (my teacher): "This character is VERY odd but you add a humanistic quality to her and keep her grounded."
Matt/Javi: "Your confession was so real. I really enjoyed watching it. It was very heartfelt."
Lauren: "Lovely work throughout. Nice taking in the space at the beginning. In class you've said that you feel like you're behind but you should be confident with the work you're doing. Keep pushing forward and trust yourself."
Lauren: "When you did your monologue, you changed. Your posture and your eyes were different. You had a darkness in your eyes and personality and it was almost gothic. I definitely don't think of the word gothic when I think of you. Good."
Lauren: "In theatre it's nice to see a character solve a problem. Very good with that."
Matt: "I didn't get to tell you last week, but your monologue is my favorite one in the class."
Also, just for my own entertainment...the musical of the week for me right now is Evita! (The movie version!) I personally think that Patti LuPone was better in her early years (London Cast of Les Mis) and I think when she sings (in her later years...i.e. Evita and the Gypsy Revival especially) she belts every song and passes over the whole "interpretation" part. She's too busy showing off her belting skills to act out the song. In my opinion, Madonna was the best Eva Peron. I know a TON of people who would disagree with me. (Normally people HATE movie musicals. I do myself sometimes. However, I loved this one). Down to the hair, clothes, and especially the physical gestures, Madonna was spot on. This is my video of the week! Just click to view it =) It looks like a broken link but it's not!
HOWEVER.
This spring I am auditioning at ASU and U of A for their Musical Theatre departments. U of A has a FANTASTIC all around conservatory style program and ASU has a very musically based program...both very good. I chickened out last year and quite honestly...I wasn't good enough to make it in! I've had a year to prepare and I think I'm ready. If I don't make it in this year, I'll just try again next year! I am SO excited. I have to prepare a Broadway song, an opera song in a foreign language (I am an OPERA virgin ;-), a monologue, an interview, and I need to complete a theory test. I have never studied music theory in my life and just started in September. It is challenging BUT I'm willing to put forth the effort! I've decided that I've spent too long sulking and thinking I'm not good enough. I CAN BE "good enough," I just need to try. And that's what I'm going to do!
Now, the reason why this entry is entitled "positivity" is because I am going to add all theatre-related positive comments I have received since the summer to this entry. I will add more as they come (hopefully!) and if ever I am in doubt or feeling down, I will be able to look at this!
So, this summer I played Madame Thenardier in Les Miserables. I trained and pushed myself SO HARD to get the role of Fantine. Ever since I was little I've always wanted to play Fantine. Not only is her music beautiful, she is a strong, noble, and loving character. It would have been an honor to play her. This girl who gets great roles in every show ended up being Fantine and I found myself not caring so much about the ACTOR but about the CHARACTER. Fantine is gorgeous and I wanted the actor to do her character justice. I was upset and cried quite a bit at first BUT I got over it and ended up playing my most favorite role. I grew as an actor and most importantly (since it's my weaker trait) I grew as a singer.
Far too often do I doubt myself. Contrary to what many believe, I am sometimes very insecure. And though I know that no one but ME can TRULY believe in myself...it's nice to hear compliments from an outside observer.
Some comments!
Les Miserables
Rosie R (my closest friend in high school): "I'm so proud of you, girl! Seriously, you are on the path to stardom!"
Heather J (previous voice teacher): "You rock! I'm very proud. Now, hurry out after so I can see you!"
Holly P: "I just wanna tell you again how well you did, Mo. I loved it! Your singing was beautiful...even more beautiful than in Seussical!"
Taylor W (well, technically her grandpa!): "I liked Eponine and the Inkeeper's Wife. Fantine hurt my ears."
Erin E: "I just wanted to pull you aside and tell you that you absolutely stole the show. You were so fantastic!"
Kathleen (current voice teacher): "I'm not just saying this because I want you to be my student or something, but do you remember Nico who used to go here?"
Me: "Yes, he was SO great!"
Kathleen: "I know! And I turned to my friend and told her, 'Maureen reminds me of Nico...just how she is so invested into the part and completely transforms into the character yet you can tell that she absolutely loves what she's doing.' You were awesome!"
Kathleen (when we were talking about music to sing for my ASU audition): "It really depends on what you want to do, but as your teacher I want you to know that I think you should sing a character piece because I just think you're a great actress."
Acting 1
Lauren (my teacher): "This character is VERY odd but you add a humanistic quality to her and keep her grounded."
Matt/Javi: "Your confession was so real. I really enjoyed watching it. It was very heartfelt."
Lauren: "Lovely work throughout. Nice taking in the space at the beginning. In class you've said that you feel like you're behind but you should be confident with the work you're doing. Keep pushing forward and trust yourself."
Lauren: "When you did your monologue, you changed. Your posture and your eyes were different. You had a darkness in your eyes and personality and it was almost gothic. I definitely don't think of the word gothic when I think of you. Good."
Lauren: "In theatre it's nice to see a character solve a problem. Very good with that."
Matt: "I didn't get to tell you last week, but your monologue is my favorite one in the class."
Also, just for my own entertainment...the musical of the week for me right now is Evita! (The movie version!) I personally think that Patti LuPone was better in her early years (London Cast of Les Mis) and I think when she sings (in her later years...i.e. Evita and the Gypsy Revival especially) she belts every song and passes over the whole "interpretation" part. She's too busy showing off her belting skills to act out the song. In my opinion, Madonna was the best Eva Peron. I know a TON of people who would disagree with me. (Normally people HATE movie musicals. I do myself sometimes. However, I loved this one). Down to the hair, clothes, and especially the physical gestures, Madonna was spot on. This is my video of the week! Just click to view it =) It looks like a broken link but it's not!
Click to view