I put in an eight hour day at the box office, and then decided it was time to stop dreaming and start hustling. I have written emails and submitted resumes to four different theatres this evening, with three of them being new ones for me. My last show in any production capacity was almost a year ago. I'm good at what I do in my [two] current day jobs, but it's time to get out there. It's time to face my fears of transportation, money [lack of], failure, and career and just do what I love, as much as I can, and see where it takes me.
~DB
Showing posts with label Theatre: Being a stage manager. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Theatre: Being a stage manager. Show all posts
June 5, 2014
October 9, 2012
iHouse.
This post is brought to you by me trying to distract myself with frivolous things and escaping from the stress of today...
I got an iPhone! I left AT&T and the Blackberry family after many years of pretty decent service to join HTB on his Verizon plan. In the process I got the new phone (FOR FREE) and am hoping for a lower monthly bill. I got this fancy case (the white and gold striped one) to celebrate (I know, my logic is slightly flawed). It looks just as great in person, and survived its first meeting with a linoleum floor like a trooper!
In less frivolous matters, I will say I am stressed out at work, "Titanic" tech is a little more than two weeks away, and Nathan and I are searching high and low for a home.
It would be neat if we were blogging about the whole house-hunting experience, but since we don't take pictures at the properties it seems a little pointless. I'm not sure if we're allowed to do so, but I'd feel a little awkward. We've seen ranchers, colonials, and Cape Cods, among others. We've seen fixer-uppers and we've seen houses so spanking fresh you can still smell the paint (literally). We've seen dead crickets and cigarette butts on the floor of a sketchy kitchen and we've seen a furnace from 1912 in a basement. We've visited houses that were empty and calling out to me to dream in them, and we've been in houses still housing occupants and their yappy dogs (or over-curious children). It's an adventure. I am thankful for three things: our knowledgable and friendly real estate agent, and the good sense and kind heart of my fiance. This feels like a long road, but I believe our home is at the end of it.
I got an iPhone! I left AT&T and the Blackberry family after many years of pretty decent service to join HTB on his Verizon plan. In the process I got the new phone (FOR FREE) and am hoping for a lower monthly bill. I got this fancy case (the white and gold striped one) to celebrate (I know, my logic is slightly flawed). It looks just as great in person, and survived its first meeting with a linoleum floor like a trooper!
In less frivolous matters, I will say I am stressed out at work, "Titanic" tech is a little more than two weeks away, and Nathan and I are searching high and low for a home.
It would be neat if we were blogging about the whole house-hunting experience, but since we don't take pictures at the properties it seems a little pointless. I'm not sure if we're allowed to do so, but I'd feel a little awkward. We've seen ranchers, colonials, and Cape Cods, among others. We've seen fixer-uppers and we've seen houses so spanking fresh you can still smell the paint (literally). We've seen dead crickets and cigarette butts on the floor of a sketchy kitchen and we've seen a furnace from 1912 in a basement. We've visited houses that were empty and calling out to me to dream in them, and we've been in houses still housing occupants and their yappy dogs (or over-curious children). It's an adventure. I am thankful for three things: our knowledgable and friendly real estate agent, and the good sense and kind heart of my fiance. This feels like a long road, but I believe our home is at the end of it.
September 19, 2012
Decision Updates.
Sorry I've been quiet. The following events have been keeping me busy:
I worked my last regular day in the CCBC Catonsville theatre department today. I will miss the scene shop, the power tools, the jokes, the best boss ever, the heavy key ring jingling on my belt loop, the memories in every corner, and the constant creation and purging of new stories under the stage lights.
I work for my church now; I'm the administrative assistant to the children's ministry. I have so much to learn and do starting on Monday morning. It's going to be a crazy ride. (I will also continue to work for Everyman Theatre.)
Nathan and I agreed on a font color for our invitations (Blue versus grey, such intense decisions. :-p). I have to buy postage and (with the help of my bridesmaids) address envelopes, fill out RSVP cards, and mail out invites really soon!! We are four months away from the big day. :-D
The cast and staff of Titanic at Dundalk Community Theatre has been incredible to work with thus far. It's truly a pleasure to sit at every rehearsal, even though taking down blocking and keeping up with 30-some cast members is a big challenge!
In reference to my last post, this is what the balance looks like for me. I had to let go of some things and hold on to others. It hurts, but it feels good. It will all pay off.
I worked my last regular day in the CCBC Catonsville theatre department today. I will miss the scene shop, the power tools, the jokes, the best boss ever, the heavy key ring jingling on my belt loop, the memories in every corner, and the constant creation and purging of new stories under the stage lights.
I work for my church now; I'm the administrative assistant to the children's ministry. I have so much to learn and do starting on Monday morning. It's going to be a crazy ride. (I will also continue to work for Everyman Theatre.)
Nathan and I agreed on a font color for our invitations (Blue versus grey, such intense decisions. :-p). I have to buy postage and (with the help of my bridesmaids) address envelopes, fill out RSVP cards, and mail out invites really soon!! We are four months away from the big day. :-D
The cast and staff of Titanic at Dundalk Community Theatre has been incredible to work with thus far. It's truly a pleasure to sit at every rehearsal, even though taking down blocking and keeping up with 30-some cast members is a big challenge!
In reference to my last post, this is what the balance looks like for me. I had to let go of some things and hold on to others. It hurts, but it feels good. It will all pay off.
August 26, 2012
Current Course
Last week we had a rehearsal for the guys playing the officers and crew of our "Titanic". The director combed the script with them, working on dialects, character development, and general backstory of the ship and tragedy as it relates to their particular roles.
I was very content to sit alongside, jotting notes for the rehearsal report and occasionally contributing a comment or question. It was the first rehearsal for this show at which I've felt truly comfortable with myself and the surroundings of my new project. As with most other things in my life, I've felt enormously shy and anxious at our auditions and rehearsals. But also as usual, I remind myself to plow forward as confidently as possible (and seek a little encouragement from my mentors).
This particular rehearsal reminded me why I fell in love with stage managing. I still miss acting, but there is really no other position on a production that gets to see all sides of the journey from beginning to end like the SM does. Since ALL things theatre fascinate me, I think SMing is really the best task to continue honing my skills on. Being fascinated by the "big picture" of theatre is also probably why I'm having so much trouble finding career direction right now.
I was very content to sit alongside, jotting notes for the rehearsal report and occasionally contributing a comment or question. It was the first rehearsal for this show at which I've felt truly comfortable with myself and the surroundings of my new project. As with most other things in my life, I've felt enormously shy and anxious at our auditions and rehearsals. But also as usual, I remind myself to plow forward as confidently as possible (and seek a little encouragement from my mentors).
This particular rehearsal reminded me why I fell in love with stage managing. I still miss acting, but there is really no other position on a production that gets to see all sides of the journey from beginning to end like the SM does. Since ALL things theatre fascinate me, I think SMing is really the best task to continue honing my skills on. Being fascinated by the "big picture" of theatre is also probably why I'm having so much trouble finding career direction right now.
August 15, 2012
Announcements Lacking Any Epic Importance
I was thinking that my summer has felt like any other time of the year, just without classes. But to prove to myself that this summer has had its own very pleasant days, I got around to uploading and looking at ALL the pictures I've captured since June on my phone and iPod. To make up for my sparse blogging in recent months, I plan to take you all on a little journey through a summer picture round-up (just the highlights)! Stay tuned.
The Current Events page on my blog has been updated! (Didyaknow even know I have one? :-p) So, please go check out the debut announcement of my current theatrical project. :-)
The Current Events page on my blog has been updated! (Didyaknow even know I have one? :-p) So, please go check out the debut announcement of my current theatrical project. :-)
May 26, 2012
Costs and Gains: Grades Versus Real Life
Is there a difference between being a perfectionist and setting goals that are too high?
Should any goal ever be considered unattainable?
I'm asking myself these questions in light of my final grades for the semester that were posted yesterday. The last grades before graduation. They weren't the straight "A"s I had set my sights on. I got all "A"s in my program of study (meaning, all four of the performance-based classes I took) and "B"s in Abnormal Psychology and Macroeconomics (my electives). I am grateful for the "B" in economics because at one point in the semester I was overwhelmed and panicking, thinking that I was failing the course. If I could have just brought up my psychology grade I would have made Dean's List one more time, and my graduating GPA might have been a little bit higher.
What I'm trying to focus on is the same thoughts I coached myself with when I didn't get Distinguished Graduate. "I am not a failure." "This is not a measure of my success." "Look at all the real world progress I've made in my field." At some moments those mini pep talks work and at others they don't.
Something I took away from studying economics that applies to my current musings is the principle of opportunity cost. Could have I gotten an "A" in either of those "B" classes if I had worked harder? Probably. But could I have been as great a stage manager or performer if I had devoted more time and energy to doing other homework? Possibly not.
I was recommended for and got a temporary job at a big theatre downtown. The recommendation came from the director I stage managed Spring Awakening for (he currently works at the theatre). The aforementioned opportunity cost? Here it is in action: I'll be working for the next few weeks in their box office, and he's trying to recommend me to their resident production coordinator as a stage manager! I'm going to do my best to focus on walking through the open doors outside the classroom, and stop looking back on small disappointments.
Should any goal ever be considered unattainable?
I'm asking myself these questions in light of my final grades for the semester that were posted yesterday. The last grades before graduation. They weren't the straight "A"s I had set my sights on. I got all "A"s in my program of study (meaning, all four of the performance-based classes I took) and "B"s in Abnormal Psychology and Macroeconomics (my electives). I am grateful for the "B" in economics because at one point in the semester I was overwhelmed and panicking, thinking that I was failing the course. If I could have just brought up my psychology grade I would have made Dean's List one more time, and my graduating GPA might have been a little bit higher.
What I'm trying to focus on is the same thoughts I coached myself with when I didn't get Distinguished Graduate. "I am not a failure." "This is not a measure of my success." "Look at all the real world progress I've made in my field." At some moments those mini pep talks work and at others they don't.
Something I took away from studying economics that applies to my current musings is the principle of opportunity cost. Could have I gotten an "A" in either of those "B" classes if I had worked harder? Probably. But could I have been as great a stage manager or performer if I had devoted more time and energy to doing other homework? Possibly not.
I was recommended for and got a temporary job at a big theatre downtown. The recommendation came from the director I stage managed Spring Awakening for (he currently works at the theatre). The aforementioned opportunity cost? Here it is in action: I'll be working for the next few weeks in their box office, and he's trying to recommend me to their resident production coordinator as a stage manager! I'm going to do my best to focus on walking through the open doors outside the classroom, and stop looking back on small disappointments.
April 2, 2012
Spring Break [or, Where I Talk About How Great Life Is]
Unfortunately we cannot (as Niki suggested) get married in the "Tree Castle". Longwood Gardens doesn't allow for contracts for private events to be held on the grounds. :-( Bummer. However, I am happy to report I am back on the wedding planning train, as we both feel ready to be and as spring break allows me the luxury to do so. We've started looking for an apartment in the area (hear of a cheap one? let me know!) and want to make a decision soon about a venue. We actually already have a reserved date at a venue, but I'm going to keep the when and wheres of that under wraps for now. ;-)
So, a few other items worth reporting about include...
The interview for Distinguished Graduate went, in my opinion, pretty well. I could feel from everyone in the interview that I had done well, but I don't have a feeling one way or another about whether I will be their final recommendation. I sat through a video-taped interview conducted by members of the Student Life staff, communications department faculty, and a member of the college's media team.
In the mean time, I was contacted personally by a college dean on behalf of the president to be the student speaker at a reception for the Baltimore County Council!!!!! I am extremely honored and excited for the reception, which will be held in a few weeks.
I didn't get cast in any Cockpit shows, and was disappointed about that for a few days. However, it frees up my summer for wedding planning/the wedding, a possible job search, and for working events at the job I currently have. It was a good learning experience, even without getting cast.
Not getting cast also further opens the door for opportunities that are presenting themselves after stage managing Spring Awakening. What an experience that was!! My crew and cast and I had to overcome challenges I really wasn't expecting, and the result was one of the best shows I've ever been apart of. Everyone I know who saw it commended it, and feedback I received about my abilities as SM were overwhelmingly positive. I feel born to do it, even though production and management isn't what I originally pictured myself doing in theatre. Before the show wrapped the director (who I look up to and had an absolute blast with) asked me to come on board another show he was already working on (and in which many of my SA friends are in). So in May, I'll be doing props for the current show at Dundalk Community Theatre. I'm actually going to my first rehearsal tonight to get started on things.
What a life I've been given! I'm currently very, very content in all things.
So, a few other items worth reporting about include...
The interview for Distinguished Graduate went, in my opinion, pretty well. I could feel from everyone in the interview that I had done well, but I don't have a feeling one way or another about whether I will be their final recommendation. I sat through a video-taped interview conducted by members of the Student Life staff, communications department faculty, and a member of the college's media team.
In the mean time, I was contacted personally by a college dean on behalf of the president to be the student speaker at a reception for the Baltimore County Council!!!!! I am extremely honored and excited for the reception, which will be held in a few weeks.
I didn't get cast in any Cockpit shows, and was disappointed about that for a few days. However, it frees up my summer for wedding planning/the wedding, a possible job search, and for working events at the job I currently have. It was a good learning experience, even without getting cast.
Not getting cast also further opens the door for opportunities that are presenting themselves after stage managing Spring Awakening. What an experience that was!! My crew and cast and I had to overcome challenges I really wasn't expecting, and the result was one of the best shows I've ever been apart of. Everyone I know who saw it commended it, and feedback I received about my abilities as SM were overwhelmingly positive. I feel born to do it, even though production and management isn't what I originally pictured myself doing in theatre. Before the show wrapped the director (who I look up to and had an absolute blast with) asked me to come on board another show he was already working on (and in which many of my SA friends are in). So in May, I'll be doing props for the current show at Dundalk Community Theatre. I'm actually going to my first rehearsal tonight to get started on things.
What a life I've been given! I'm currently very, very content in all things.
March 6, 2012
Pre-Tech Week Post
Trying to balance the show while getting good grades is, as usual, difficult. It's causing me to neglect other things in my life I'd like to be paying attention too. If you've read my blog long enough, you know the drill. ;-)
I auditioned for the summer season at Cockpit in Court last weekend, and felt really good about my readings for two plays. However, I haven't heard anything yet and am getting sad and anxious about it.
My classes are so good this semester, and much harder than I expected. I feel like I'm being stretched as an intellectual and a performer this semester, and it's great! I'd like to write a more detailed post sharing about all that...but probably not till after the show, haha.
If you're in the Baltimore area, please come check us out next weekend!!
I auditioned for the summer season at Cockpit in Court last weekend, and felt really good about my readings for two plays. However, I haven't heard anything yet and am getting sad and anxious about it.
My classes are so good this semester, and much harder than I expected. I feel like I'm being stretched as an intellectual and a performer this semester, and it's great! I'd like to write a more detailed post sharing about all that...but probably not till after the show, haha.
If you're in the Baltimore area, please come check us out next weekend!!
February 15, 2012
February Woes
Happy February! The show is going well, wedding planning has slowed, and I already feel behind in all my classes.
I'm trying to pull an all-nighter so I no longer have to feel behind on everything and surrounded by disorganization all the time. Every night I do the rehearsal report and try to do homework, but usually feel unmotivated. Stress of work, school, and engagement has hit Nathan and I pretty hard, and that has been somewhat of a distraction.
Anything worth having is not easily got. I'll work to stay focused on building healthy relationships, and having a successful graduation semester.
I'm trying to pull an all-nighter so I no longer have to feel behind on everything and surrounded by disorganization all the time. Every night I do the rehearsal report and try to do homework, but usually feel unmotivated. Stress of work, school, and engagement has hit Nathan and I pretty hard, and that has been somewhat of a distraction.
Anything worth having is not easily got. I'll work to stay focused on building healthy relationships, and having a successful graduation semester.
January 25, 2012
New Roles
I thought I would have moments of regret or sadness during S.A. rehearsals. Even though I've briefly stage managed before this, I couldn't quite imagine myself sitting contently by while other actors worked with the director to create their roles. Surprisingly, I've enjoyed every minute of my week of note-taking, report-writing, and schedule-keeping. This is going to be a thrilling two months. :-)
In mushy news: I still get a little flutter every time Hubby-To-Be asks me out on a date. :-) I'm looking forward to our weekly date nights this semester! I also get really excited every time I picture walking down the aisle to become his wife. Like wanting-to-jump-from-my-skin-with-happiness-excited.
I like learning about how love is an attitude AND a choice. Earlier this week we had some wedding-centric conflict, caused mostly by mutual stress. Within a day, the conflict was resolved with kindness and compromise, and left me loving him and how he cares for me more than ever. I'm striving to remember that no detail of wedding planning is more important than respecting each others' feelings.
In mushy news: I still get a little flutter every time Hubby-To-Be asks me out on a date. :-) I'm looking forward to our weekly date nights this semester! I also get really excited every time I picture walking down the aisle to become his wife. Like wanting-to-jump-from-my-skin-with-happiness-excited.
I like learning about how love is an attitude AND a choice. Earlier this week we had some wedding-centric conflict, caused mostly by mutual stress. Within a day, the conflict was resolved with kindness and compromise, and left me loving him and how he cares for me more than ever. I'm striving to remember that no detail of wedding planning is more important than respecting each others' feelings.
January 23, 2012
Awakening and Creating
Sometimes life intersects art. By which I mean, you see yourself in a song, a painting, or a play.
In some instances those intersections are liberating; finding voice and colour to things you previously knew not even how to whisper.
In other cases, art make you want to turn and run from what it reveals about yourself.
The crazy fandom hype that is spewed all over the internet about the play I'm currently working on annoys me, and I'm a bit older than the average hormone-crazed teenager posting about it on Tumblr. I don't sit for hours in my room listening to the soundtrack and enjoy wallowing in the angst it stirs. So when I read the script for the first time I was not prepared to be emotionally accosted. It speaks openly of things that I have always been hesitant to discuss or question. The words of the dialogue and songs fell over me, poking little holes in places where I have put up walls for my innermost thoughts and memories.
Seeing it come to life and managing it all in an objective position (instead of as an actress) should prove to be interesting.
In some instances those intersections are liberating; finding voice and colour to things you previously knew not even how to whisper.
In other cases, art make you want to turn and run from what it reveals about yourself.
The crazy fandom hype that is spewed all over the internet about the play I'm currently working on annoys me, and I'm a bit older than the average hormone-crazed teenager posting about it on Tumblr. I don't sit for hours in my room listening to the soundtrack and enjoy wallowing in the angst it stirs. So when I read the script for the first time I was not prepared to be emotionally accosted. It speaks openly of things that I have always been hesitant to discuss or question. The words of the dialogue and songs fell over me, poking little holes in places where I have put up walls for my innermost thoughts and memories.
Seeing it come to life and managing it all in an objective position (instead of as an actress) should prove to be interesting.
January 18, 2012
The Ring Is Warm and The Plans Are Dry
(And now we return to regular programming. Thanks for so enthusiastically enjoying the proposal stories with us. :-))
I went back to work at the scene shop today. Since before finals until now has been a pretty slow time, and I haven't seen the shop for weeks. I was given keys to pretty much every door in the theatre, and taught how to properly read a floor plan and spike (tape) a stage for a set. Stoked. A secret part of me feels like I have a whole lotta keys and very little knowledge fit for using them, but then again, it has taken me a long time to build any confidence at this job. I still panic on the inside when I'm told to pick up tools and use them. Fortunately I have a boss/professor that does nothing but cheer me on and make me laugh while simultaneously teaching me things.
Those keys will come in handy this semester as I am the stage manager for our production of "Spring Awakening: A New Musical". Yep, any theatre geeks who may read this blog, CCBC is the first college in our area to do the musical version of this show. Tonight our director showed us the ad in a playbill from a local Equity theatre and it was so exciting to see us in print. This will be the biggest thing I've ever stage managed and I'm both scared and excited. I'm currently toying with the idea of changing my major to another concentration of theatre besides acting, and if this SM venture goes well I will definitely start to make some decisions.
Because, like whoa, do I need to make a decision about school. I'm engaged. I need a full time job, I need money, I need a well-rounded vision for my life....I need so many things. And no, my dears, there is NOT a wedding date yet. People literally begin to ask you for one before the ring is warm on your finger and it's like, excuse me, let me bask in the glow of being ENGAGED before I stress over the logistics that a WEDDING entails. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to be Nathan's wife, but rushing into wedding planning was the last thing I wanted to do. Yet we did it.
I expressed several times today to a few people that I currently long to either eat or sleep (mostly sleep) all the time recently. Life just feels really overwhelming right now. Last weekend after returning from a long trip (Tuesday through Friday at KCACTF :-)) I spent a total of 18 hours sleeping. Ridiculous, right? I just wanted to rest and hide from everything, and so I did. It was amazing. I'll probably never be doing that again, unless taken severely ill, but I also probably won't forget how awesome it felt.
Guess I should visit with you guys more often. All of that came out like a shook up soda that couldn't wait to spill all over you.
I went back to work at the scene shop today. Since before finals until now has been a pretty slow time, and I haven't seen the shop for weeks. I was given keys to pretty much every door in the theatre, and taught how to properly read a floor plan and spike (tape) a stage for a set. Stoked. A secret part of me feels like I have a whole lotta keys and very little knowledge fit for using them, but then again, it has taken me a long time to build any confidence at this job. I still panic on the inside when I'm told to pick up tools and use them. Fortunately I have a boss/professor that does nothing but cheer me on and make me laugh while simultaneously teaching me things.
Those keys will come in handy this semester as I am the stage manager for our production of "Spring Awakening: A New Musical". Yep, any theatre geeks who may read this blog, CCBC is the first college in our area to do the musical version of this show. Tonight our director showed us the ad in a playbill from a local Equity theatre and it was so exciting to see us in print. This will be the biggest thing I've ever stage managed and I'm both scared and excited. I'm currently toying with the idea of changing my major to another concentration of theatre besides acting, and if this SM venture goes well I will definitely start to make some decisions.
Because, like whoa, do I need to make a decision about school. I'm engaged. I need a full time job, I need money, I need a well-rounded vision for my life....I need so many things. And no, my dears, there is NOT a wedding date yet. People literally begin to ask you for one before the ring is warm on your finger and it's like, excuse me, let me bask in the glow of being ENGAGED before I stress over the logistics that a WEDDING entails. Don't get me wrong, I can't wait to be Nathan's wife, but rushing into wedding planning was the last thing I wanted to do. Yet we did it.
I expressed several times today to a few people that I currently long to either eat or sleep (mostly sleep) all the time recently. Life just feels really overwhelming right now. Last weekend after returning from a long trip (Tuesday through Friday at KCACTF :-)) I spent a total of 18 hours sleeping. Ridiculous, right? I just wanted to rest and hide from everything, and so I did. It was amazing. I'll probably never be doing that again, unless taken severely ill, but I also probably won't forget how awesome it felt.
Guess I should visit with you guys more often. All of that came out like a shook up soda that couldn't wait to spill all over you.
September 22, 2010
Here A Play, There A Play
I'm not really in the mood to blog, but I feel like I would be cheating myself and you, lovely readers, if I did not blog this week!
Two tech rehearsals and one dress rehearsal are over for "The Perfume Counter". We had significant design and technical issues all week long, but things seem to be coming together!
One personal worry I had concerning this show was relationships. I did not want my new-found friendship with the director to be strained before the end of this show. I don't know what it is, but all shows in my experience can strain or break friendships (I say the same thing about weddings :-p) But my worry was misplaced, and I'm so happy that as a first time director and stage manager, Michelle and I are going strong both personally and professionally! My actors, several of which are first-time actors, have consistently blown me away and I enjoy working with each of them. I made my brother the sound/light operator, and we work each night at treating each other with the same respect and patience that we would treat other crew members. Going pretty well so far. :-) Boyfriend and I are once again working together, and I don't have a minute in which I don't enjoy that. We're professionally compatible, I highly respect his talent, and I've learned so much from him that has enabled me to stage manage for the first time without any major disasters. I have received tremendously positive feedback from cast and crew that as a novice SM I did not expect and that I dearly treasure. This position on the "other side of the curtain" is forcing me to broaden and mature in my relational and organizational skills, and just overall mature as a person, and I'm really excited about that.
But I am at heart an actress, and today I had an audition for "Accidental Death of An Anarchist" (main stage school show). Yes, in the middle of tech week for one show I auditioned for another. I am truly a theatre major! :-p I feel so confident and good about how the audition went, and am really anxious and excited to see the cast list tomorrow!
That's a wrap for now. :-)
Two tech rehearsals and one dress rehearsal are over for "The Perfume Counter". We had significant design and technical issues all week long, but things seem to be coming together!
One personal worry I had concerning this show was relationships. I did not want my new-found friendship with the director to be strained before the end of this show. I don't know what it is, but all shows in my experience can strain or break friendships (I say the same thing about weddings :-p) But my worry was misplaced, and I'm so happy that as a first time director and stage manager, Michelle and I are going strong both personally and professionally! My actors, several of which are first-time actors, have consistently blown me away and I enjoy working with each of them. I made my brother the sound/light operator, and we work each night at treating each other with the same respect and patience that we would treat other crew members. Going pretty well so far. :-) Boyfriend and I are once again working together, and I don't have a minute in which I don't enjoy that. We're professionally compatible, I highly respect his talent, and I've learned so much from him that has enabled me to stage manage for the first time without any major disasters. I have received tremendously positive feedback from cast and crew that as a novice SM I did not expect and that I dearly treasure. This position on the "other side of the curtain" is forcing me to broaden and mature in my relational and organizational skills, and just overall mature as a person, and I'm really excited about that.
But I am at heart an actress, and today I had an audition for "Accidental Death of An Anarchist" (main stage school show). Yes, in the middle of tech week for one show I auditioned for another. I am truly a theatre major! :-p I feel so confident and good about how the audition went, and am really anxious and excited to see the cast list tomorrow!
That's a wrap for now. :-)
September 19, 2010
Playlist of Tyranny
What do
Lady Gaga
Relient K
Foo Fighters
KT Tunstall
Anberlin
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Katy Perry
the B52s
Dave Matthews Band
Cake
the Glee cast
Van Halen
Aerosmith
and John Mayer
have in common?
They all make an appearance on the tech week playlist I just made for myself. The one I'm going to make the sound op play over the theatre sound system between call time and the open of house. I'm as nervous as heck but will make the most of some privileges of stage manager! ;-) Tonight is the first tech rehearsal which means between now and the end of the run (next Sunday) THIS GIRL IS IN CHARGE. Gaaahh. Cross your fingers. :-)
Lady Gaga
Relient K
Foo Fighters
KT Tunstall
Anberlin
Joan Jett and the Blackhearts
Katy Perry
the B52s
Dave Matthews Band
Cake
the Glee cast
Van Halen
Aerosmith
and John Mayer
have in common?
They all make an appearance on the tech week playlist I just made for myself. The one I'm going to make the sound op play over the theatre sound system between call time and the open of house. I'm as nervous as heck but will make the most of some privileges of stage manager! ;-) Tonight is the first tech rehearsal which means between now and the end of the run (next Sunday) THIS GIRL IS IN CHARGE. Gaaahh. Cross your fingers. :-)
August 24, 2010
Outside Rehearsal
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| Weather vane on roof of the Barn Theatre |
In a break from filling out the rehearsal report, taking down blocking, and nagging the actors, I took this picture.
The magic this building has for me will probably persist for the run of my CCBC career and beyond. <3
August 16, 2010
Pampering Day (And Other Events)
Last weekend my mom, Bethelle, and I went to the fabulous Tysons Corner Mall in McLean,Virginia. We had been given cards for free Shiseido facials at a women's church event we attended in the spring, and went to their counter at Tysons to claim them (the Shiseido manager from there attends our church; nice, right? ;-)
The Shiseido make-up artists and attendants were lovely people! They gave each of us personal attention with cleansing and make-up, using only as much product as suited our personal styles. I got treatment for my breakouts and lots of pretty eye make-up and lipgloss, Bethelle got a dramatic and pretty model look, and Mom got a face massage with lotion that made her skin glow and a pretty lipstick and light eye-shadow. And the manager gave us lots of free gifts! It was so fun being pampered!
After we were made-over, we hit the mall to eat lunch, shop, and take lots of pictures. The mall is so large (it's three stories and very, very long) that we only saw most of the second floor and some of the first!
My favourite part post-facial was:
Trying on these gorgeous dresses in the Jessica McClintock store (the one above was my favourite...I just felt so perfect in it! and the one below looked fabulous/sexy)
And playing with all the pretties in the Coach store! (especially drooling over the Maggie line bags)
While we had fun playing with expensive things, we did buy some things more in our means including: books, coffee, jewelry, a hat, and some Shiseido products.
***
My blog has a new look, a couple new pages, and a new profile picture. What do you think?
Church was so, so great today. It seemed like every song we sang and the message we heard was perfectly suited to things I'm struggling with. I love when God sends me a little extra sign that He will never, ever leave me or forget about me. The trials I face now are fitting me to be more like Him in the future!
Nathan cooked for us today! (and allowed me to help :-p) He did bacon-wrapped chicken breast, and potatoes and green beans in red wine. We most definitely drank a little wine while we were cooking, and got slighty silly.
This evening we had rehearsal number two for the one-act play Barnstormers is doing at the end of September. This time in the theatre (not disturbing people in Panera) and with a lot of character work accomplished. I enjoyed being a super-organized and business-like stage manager, while still cracking jokes and getting to know the cast better. I adore our director! I haven't known her for very long, but she is super-fun and dedicated (and reads my blog, so Hi Michelle! <3)
I'm gearing up for a busy week, and shall strive to fill my heart with hope and my mind with positive thoughts. I have two weeks of summer vacation left. :-\
August 10, 2010
Script Reading
See those people in the corner of this little cafe?
They are loud. They are laughing. Their voices reverberate by turn with glee, consternation, and passion. Their gaze is focused on each other and the words before them. They have coffee. They have pens. They briskly turn papers.
Some are timid but earnest. Others are confident and pronounced. Most are young, a few are older. Some are tired from a long day at work, and some are brimming with youthful energy for the evening ahead.
See the people at that big table in the corner? They are actors and actresses. They are my cast. I am working on my next show. :-)
"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women are merely players."
They are loud. They are laughing. Their voices reverberate by turn with glee, consternation, and passion. Their gaze is focused on each other and the words before them. They have coffee. They have pens. They briskly turn papers.
Some are timid but earnest. Others are confident and pronounced. Most are young, a few are older. Some are tired from a long day at work, and some are brimming with youthful energy for the evening ahead.
See the people at that big table in the corner? They are actors and actresses. They are my cast. I am working on my next show. :-)
"All the world's a stage, and all the men and women are merely players."
February 18, 2009
Thespian Government
I won the election for Barnstormers Theatre Club President!!!! I am so excited, and have a lot of ambition for the club. I am also very excited about my officers- Anderson, my dear friend and director of the play, is VP; Emily, who takes amazing notes and knows lots of helpful people, is secretary; and Anton, who is brand new to all of us but amazing just the same, is treasurer.
As result of being elected President I had to attend my first Student Government Association meeting this afternoon. Anton came with me, which was very comforting since I have limited exposure to the SGA and he has none. :p The SGA takes itself very seriously, and the meeting is run in an orderly and professional fashion. Order is reassuring and being a part of campus activities is exciting, so I liked it.
The auditions for "I Hate Hamlet" are over, and this evening I had the pleasure of calling four people to tell them they were cast. We're still looking to fill two roles, one male and one female. We have a good prospect of filling them by the end of this week.
I'm tired, but it's still early and I really need organize my notes for the club and work on a paper for English class. It's a personal exploration paper...it's an uncanny time for me to have to work on such a thing :-/ but hopefully it'll be a successful process.
Have a good evening. <3
As result of being elected President I had to attend my first Student Government Association meeting this afternoon. Anton came with me, which was very comforting since I have limited exposure to the SGA and he has none. :p The SGA takes itself very seriously, and the meeting is run in an orderly and professional fashion. Order is reassuring and being a part of campus activities is exciting, so I liked it.
The auditions for "I Hate Hamlet" are over, and this evening I had the pleasure of calling four people to tell them they were cast. We're still looking to fill two roles, one male and one female. We have a good prospect of filling them by the end of this week.
I'm tired, but it's still early and I really need organize my notes for the club and work on a paper for English class. It's a personal exploration paper...it's an uncanny time for me to have to work on such a thing :-/ but hopefully it'll be a successful process.
Have a good evening. <3
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