Life is busy... but life is good.
The program is in flux, so it feels like there are a lot of unanswered questions and important "things to do" hanging out in the open, buzzing in front of my face like flies I just can't shoo away. But I'm starting to slowly blast those suckers down!
TH502 is the Intro to the Creative Project. (Something I should be working on right now, but just can't bring myself to do at this moment. I need a brain break.) The class is over (we reviewed so much information about what goes into the thesis binder, how it's organized, etc etc...) In this class, we are preparing a draft of the first section of our Thesis Project Binder. There's a lot of paperwork that goes into this (your course of study, project approval form, all sorts of crazy forms and explanations to fill out.) Some of these papers go to multiple people/offices for filing, so it reminds me of being stuck in a paper tornado. I'm plugging my way through and have a lot done, but still have to re-read and comb through the script for details so I can create a suggested rehearsal schedule and fill out the project approval form that details a lot of the technical requirements of the script. It's crazy to do this for something that's 2 years out, but whatever... I'm jumping through hoops, but then at least I'll have a frame of reference that I can shuffle around when the time comes to actually DO IT. The good thing about this is that it's a DRAFT and things CAN and WILL change.
Part of Section One refers to your committee... Who's going to be your project chair and actually read, give feedback, and grade your production... Who's going to fly out and watch the production, etc etc. And then preferencing the other members of the committee who also read your project, watch the recorded production, and take part in your oral exam as well. Today, I preferenced my committee, and it was assigned. I'm really happy with the results. (Not necessarily exactly what I requested, but I think it will be a balanced committee and I really like and respect each of the people on it.)
I ACCOMPLISHED SOMETHING!!!
Musical Theatre has been going well except for the singing part. (If my professor read the previous sentence, she would kill me!) I *love* the Professor. She's been working professionally in musical theatre and singing since she was 14. She's amazing-- passionate, kind, receptive, intuitive, nurturing, but also challenges us. I'm petrified of singing in front of people alone. I can do it in a group, but when I get up there by myself, it's like a deer in the headlights. Part of this course is directing a classmate in the performance of a ballad. (AKA- MY WORST NIGHTMARE). But Terri (the prof.) teaches you how to sing for musical theatre (completely different from choral singing) and really works with you to make sure that you're protecting your voice, and gives a lot of really great advice on correcting your singing to maintain that style. Singing by myself was freaking scary. I almost couldn't produce sound. But everyone in the class is really supportive and kind, and I'm hoping to get over my fear (at least a little bit.) In ten days, I will be performing "I'm Still Hurting" from The Last 5 Years by Jason Robert Brown.
I'm Still Hurting (via YouTube
Holy crap. Expectations much? It will happen. It's just that HUGE MONSTER HURDLE that is my mental attitude/fear/etc. of singing in front of people. I don't know how to get over that... But I'm going to work my damndest to make it happen.
In an ideal world, I'd like to come out of this class (beyond being able to direct musical theatre, which is the true aim of the course) having the confidence to be able to go out and audition for a musical. Just a chorus role, though. Baby steps. :)
I started Lighting Techniques today in the afternoon class (taking the spot of Intro to The Creative Project) and the Professor (who also happens to be my program advisor) is really awesome as well. She's also on my thesis committee.
...Speaking of thesis, I should probably get back to work on section one.
Wednesday, June 27, 2012
Saturday, June 23, 2012
Hello, 2012!
So... I just realized how long it had been since my last post. Dead Man's Cell Phone... really?!? When I look back at it, coming off the grad program last summer and doing that show was really a defining moment for me as a theatre artist. I'd do it again in a heartbeat. I've been pretty busy...
So, to recap the theatre of the year, post Cell Phone, I:
-directed Without Strings: children's show with Honors Drama.
-assistant directed Rent at MST
-led the Honors class in writing original scenes about different historical figures and events of the War of 1812 and traveled to local elementary schools to perform
-played Celia in As You Like It
-directed The Music Man at RSHS, amidst all sorts of drama, understudies, developing carpel tunnel syndrome in the process
-assistant directed CAGTASM at MST
-performed a reading of My Name is Rachel Corrie at MST (another profoundly moving, eye-opening experience simply because of the history and nature of the piece...)
-directed Night Chills with Honors Drama, a collection of 4 Poe stories. (Lots of fun-- lots of stage blood!)
-worked on helping develop Storefront Theatre (with some of the best people to work with in the theatre that I know!) to bring professional theatre and children's theatre to Cecil County and the surrounding areas
-stage managed Cabaret at MST
-left for school.
Wow, that's a lot...
Yeah, that pretty much sums up my year. (besides, you know, teaching theatre full time...)
So, as I sit here in my room, desperately trying not to cave into the desire to take a nap (as I am still kind of jet lagged... and by kind of I mean EXHAUSTED!), I am anxiously awaiting the start of classes tomorrow, and excited for the welcome back picnic at Scott's house (the head of the department).
The program has been kind of restructured, and it feels like things are in a state of flux. The schedule for this summer was changing as recently as a couple weeks ago, so that leaves me a little anxious to be in some of these classes, most notably TH502: Intro to the Creative Project; and Musical Theatre Directing. (Both of which start tomorrow...)
TH502 makes me nervous because my thesis is still 2 years off... and I can barely think about next year, let alone plan one of the most important shows I will direct in the near future. But I guess it will be good to get a jump start on planning and go in with a solid foundation. I'm really excited about the show I've chosen, and just hope that the show is approved. I have no backup plan if it's not.
Musical Theatre directing makes me nervous because we have to direct and BE IN each other's scenes. The directing part I'm fine with. Try to get me to sing in front of people and I shake. Literally. I might consider the class a success if I don't throw up all over my classmates. I've heard wonderful things about the professor though, so that's slightly eased my nerves.
I'm also taking Theory/Criticism/Literature, Lighting Methods, Stage Combat, and Costume Methods. (I like to be busy: proof right here in this post!)
There are lots of things I'm already missing from back home... friends, my fat cats, seeing my family, going to the pool, sleeping in, closing weekend of Cabaret, helping out with Storefront's first production, not being able to audition for (or even see) Midsummer... I wish I could be in two (or twelve?) places at once!!!
It's great to be back, to see my friends here again, to be in Washington (where I'm not being knocked over by the oppressive MD heat & humidity!) As I was on the shuttle from SEATAC to Ellensburg, I found myself again in awe at the absolute beauty of the state. Even on an overcast, grey, rainy day I couldn't focus on completing any of my reading because of the beauty of the partially snowy mountains disappearing into the fog (clouds?), the waterfalls, the evergreen forests we were driving through... I found myself thinking back to a lot of what Rachel Corrie wrote in her journals about the nature and beauty of Washington State and everything seemed to kind of come full circle. Maybe (just maybe) I even got a little bit choked up, overwhelmed by being able to immerse myself in theatre again purely for myself, overcome by nature, ecstatic with the temporary feeling of freedom from the bureaucracy of the classroom...
I'm excited for this summer. Now if I could just get on Washington time, everything would be pretty near perfect! ...Maybe I will give in to that nap.
So, to recap the theatre of the year, post Cell Phone, I:
-directed Without Strings: children's show with Honors Drama.
-assistant directed Rent at MST
-led the Honors class in writing original scenes about different historical figures and events of the War of 1812 and traveled to local elementary schools to perform
-played Celia in As You Like It
-directed The Music Man at RSHS, amidst all sorts of drama, understudies, developing carpel tunnel syndrome in the process
-assistant directed CAGTASM at MST
-performed a reading of My Name is Rachel Corrie at MST (another profoundly moving, eye-opening experience simply because of the history and nature of the piece...)
-directed Night Chills with Honors Drama, a collection of 4 Poe stories. (Lots of fun-- lots of stage blood!)
-worked on helping develop Storefront Theatre (with some of the best people to work with in the theatre that I know!) to bring professional theatre and children's theatre to Cecil County and the surrounding areas
-stage managed Cabaret at MST
-left for school.
Wow, that's a lot...
Yeah, that pretty much sums up my year. (besides, you know, teaching theatre full time...)
So, as I sit here in my room, desperately trying not to cave into the desire to take a nap (as I am still kind of jet lagged... and by kind of I mean EXHAUSTED!), I am anxiously awaiting the start of classes tomorrow, and excited for the welcome back picnic at Scott's house (the head of the department).
The program has been kind of restructured, and it feels like things are in a state of flux. The schedule for this summer was changing as recently as a couple weeks ago, so that leaves me a little anxious to be in some of these classes, most notably TH502: Intro to the Creative Project; and Musical Theatre Directing. (Both of which start tomorrow...)
TH502 makes me nervous because my thesis is still 2 years off... and I can barely think about next year, let alone plan one of the most important shows I will direct in the near future. But I guess it will be good to get a jump start on planning and go in with a solid foundation. I'm really excited about the show I've chosen, and just hope that the show is approved. I have no backup plan if it's not.
Musical Theatre directing makes me nervous because we have to direct and BE IN each other's scenes. The directing part I'm fine with. Try to get me to sing in front of people and I shake. Literally. I might consider the class a success if I don't throw up all over my classmates. I've heard wonderful things about the professor though, so that's slightly eased my nerves.
I'm also taking Theory/Criticism/Literature, Lighting Methods, Stage Combat, and Costume Methods. (I like to be busy: proof right here in this post!)
There are lots of things I'm already missing from back home... friends, my fat cats, seeing my family, going to the pool, sleeping in, closing weekend of Cabaret, helping out with Storefront's first production, not being able to audition for (or even see) Midsummer... I wish I could be in two (or twelve?) places at once!!!
It's great to be back, to see my friends here again, to be in Washington (where I'm not being knocked over by the oppressive MD heat & humidity!) As I was on the shuttle from SEATAC to Ellensburg, I found myself again in awe at the absolute beauty of the state. Even on an overcast, grey, rainy day I couldn't focus on completing any of my reading because of the beauty of the partially snowy mountains disappearing into the fog (clouds?), the waterfalls, the evergreen forests we were driving through... I found myself thinking back to a lot of what Rachel Corrie wrote in her journals about the nature and beauty of Washington State and everything seemed to kind of come full circle. Maybe (just maybe) I even got a little bit choked up, overwhelmed by being able to immerse myself in theatre again purely for myself, overcome by nature, ecstatic with the temporary feeling of freedom from the bureaucracy of the classroom...
I'm excited for this summer. Now if I could just get on Washington time, everything would be pretty near perfect! ...Maybe I will give in to that nap.
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