I have a reoccurring nightmare that includes one of the following: I forget to arrive for a show, I'm hours late for a rehearsal, I go onstage and don't know a single line of the play I'm performing.... etc. But never has any of this happened before.
Until today.
I'm sitting here in sweatpants, half listening to the Olympic races, half working on an essay that is due in Ethics class tomorrow. I get a text message. I reach over to my phone and open the message. Its from the stage manager of my show that opens in two weeks. Her text was short: "Are you coming to rehearsal tonight?"
This is the part of the story when I start to hyperventilate as I frantically click through my email, trying to find the latest rehearsal schedule. Hidden under 6 other call times for this evening's rehearsal was a call for me to be at the last hour of rehearsal. OH MY GOODNESS.
Now, I'm hopeful that this story will have a happy ending. My stage manager didn't seem too upset when we realized I was 50+ miles away from even making it to the last 30 minutes of rehearsal. My heart beat has started to resume its normal patter, and I'm even attempting regular breathing as I type this post. Tomorrow is a new rehearsal with no mistakes in it, if I can quote from Anne of Green Gables.
And the moral of the story?? ALWAYS check the rehearsal schedule over and over. and over.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
Sunday, January 24, 2010
2 weeks down, 14 to go...
Last week I looked at my calender for the next 15 weeks and laughed! I had only two Saturday evenings and three Sundays open on my calender... not a single other free day. Now, a week later, I booked the two Saturdays and have tentative events on the Sundays. I honestly can't imagine how my life can get any crazier!
Rehearsals start for my new show this week, so there go my nice evening study sessions for the next 6 weeks... not like I was getting much studying in anyways.
In other news I am singing the senior solo at my school's graduation.... (Eeek I'm so intimidated for it!) ...and was just asked to record some songs for a friend's project. Hmmm maybe this whole music-degree thing is starting to be worth it?!
Rehearsals start for my new show this week, so there go my nice evening study sessions for the next 6 weeks... not like I was getting much studying in anyways.
In other news I am singing the senior solo at my school's graduation.... (Eeek I'm so intimidated for it!) ...and was just asked to record some songs for a friend's project. Hmmm maybe this whole music-degree thing is starting to be worth it?!
Monday, January 4, 2010
Its a new year!
I love that we've just begun a new decade! Its amazing to look back at the last ten years, and see how far I've come. I can only hope I will grow just as much in the next ten years.
Goals for this year? Well, they aren't so different than some of last year's goals.... build connections, perform as much as possible, stretch myself in new ways, add to my resume....
I think my two big goals are (1.) Graduate college (2.) Find a full time job that I love.
I already have so many new projects; two shows, two teaching jobs, and 18 units of classes. It makes me wonder: What will I learn and discover in the 17 weeks before I'm a college graduate? Let's do this, 2010!!
Goals for this year? Well, they aren't so different than some of last year's goals.... build connections, perform as much as possible, stretch myself in new ways, add to my resume....
I think my two big goals are (1.) Graduate college (2.) Find a full time job that I love.
Monday, December 28, 2009
Diva? or Artist?
I received some very strong words from a dear friend this weekend. This friend was condemning the "star-seeking" attitude that seems to come with anyone in show business. I can see how this might be assumed: the photo shoots to find the perfect headshot, the hunger for feedback after a performance, the desire for leading roles in a show, the constant battle for a perfect self image, etc. I can also understand how hard it must be to have a friend in the industry. Instead of being able to hang out or go to parties, they have long rehearsals and multiple shows.
Since hearing her thoughts, I've thought a lot about this. Yes, I, like many performers, have a need for attention and encouragement. I want to know that what I'm doing is good and enjoyable. But is it this attention that has made me so addicted to being a performer? NO! My passion is for stories told truthfully, for music performed exquisitely, for magic to be found in every day things, all of which being presented to and audience in a way that makes them laugh, cry, wonder, and discuss. I want every performance I am a part of to be something that touches you in a way that other things can't. There is something so special about live theater, something that no other art form has been able to quite capture, and that is what brings people back to it. That is what brings ME back to it.
Since hearing her thoughts, I've thought a lot about this. Yes, I, like many performers, have a need for attention and encouragement. I want to know that what I'm doing is good and enjoyable. But is it this attention that has made me so addicted to being a performer? NO! My passion is for stories told truthfully, for music performed exquisitely, for magic to be found in every day things, all of which being presented to and audience in a way that makes them laugh, cry, wonder, and discuss. I want every performance I am a part of to be something that touches you in a way that other things can't. There is something so special about live theater, something that no other art form has been able to quite capture, and that is what brings people back to it. That is what brings ME back to it.
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