Arrrright! Computer working once more, and I couldn't be happier. No. I couldn't be happier. Oh god, Wicked, go away. So, now I get to fill you in on everything that's been happening these past few weeks, there's a lot to get through, I'll try to simplify.
Week One was filled to the brim with tons and tons of shit to do. I rehearsed with my director for MonoFest about five times in all before our tech/cue to cue runs on the weekend. It was going well, but got a lot better when I found an audience. It ended up being a great piece, everyone enjoyed it, and I was proud. I definitely was not the star of the show, that prize goes to Trevor Shor as Delicious. He inspired me to be a drag queen every night. And it was bottom-line inspiring to watch him transform into that character so seamlessly, using bits of himself and his sense memory (we'll get to that) in order to create Delicious, which he did in a most sensitive, careful way. I believed him. Video link at the end.
Jak Watson and Emily Mckeown performed my monologues, Disney Princesses and Blood, both of which were huge hits! The crowd was totally responsive and those two talented actors really gave my pieces life. Their directors deserve a lot of thanks and gratitude from me.
Tuesday Week One was One Act auditions, I used Cuckoo's Nest, perf'd for Shaun, Colin (the directors) and Tom, my acting teacher, who was the faculty advisor. Tom gave me a laugh at the end, I felt good, and both directors shot me callbacks. Success! Callbacks were the next night, I read the plays, "prepared" my sides, and went in confidently. Reading for Colin was so much fun because I was grouped with classmate/scene partner Jordan, hammy Ben Margolith, stunning Kelsey Foltz, and radiant Maggie Yeomans. We all had ridic British accents and Maggie couldn't have been more kind after, wanting so much to work with me. Shaun's callback was next, and I didn't feel too hot about a few of my scenes (I was called for two parts), but when I finally did one with Emily Mckeown and Robert Torres, we rocked it.
I left the callback and headed over to Dr. Daphne auditions at CCS. Sang my song, read a million sides, two of them Russian (thank you Eastern Promises and Mr. Mushnik's yiddish). Sat there forever in the green room with the other auditioners, some my close friends. Throughout the night, things got really weird. I kept hearing how desperate they were for men, that they needed seven males and only seven auditioned. I was getting nervous because I had planned to not take Daphne if I made it into the One Acts. There was even a clause in the Daphne paperwork that said you could not be in any other productions along with Daphne. So, at the end of the night, I was told I was cast, though not for which character. I freaked, and went back into the theater to touch base with the director and musical director. The theater was full of the writers and techies (all thirty of them) as it had been when I sang/read.
After explaining my situation, they kept saying things like, "Well, you have such a gorgeous voice, we really need you in our cast. Is there anyone in the BFA who can sing as beautifully as you can? You are just so perfectly what we're looking for." I explained that I would love to do Daphne, but would have to cede to Department shows if I got in. They understood eventually, and promised alternate rehearsals if needed. I finally surrendered and left. It was eleven.
I checked the cast list on my way back. Shit. I was in! Shaun had cast me in a small part with one line. I felt on top of the world! I was cast in my first One Act! And tons of my classmates had made it in, too! Shit, what would this mean for Daphne?
I then realized I left my bag in CCS, set off to get it, hoping it wasn't locked and deserted. Ran into the Music Director, told him I had a small part, would probably be able to do it. "We need you." Blablabla... I had to jig open a window and crawl into the locked green room. Thank you movement, jeff mills, and increased flexibility! Then, I talked for a while with some of the writers. Their enthusiasm for the project touched me. I suddenly felt I had to give their work a voice. This is a section of the email I sent to the director after that:
Original work is very important to me, and I think it is lamentable that the Theater Dept is not presenting the New Plays Festival this year. I chatted with some of your writers and composers last night and realized that giving a voice to their work is something I can't wait to do. In short, thank you for overseeing this, as opportunities like it are hard to come by. Thank you for your kindness and understanding, and for trusting me with your and your students' art.
I have a lot of conflicts with rehearsals and that made for a terrible week of emailing back and forth about what I could and couldn't do. I got really frustrated and very scared when they said they would talk to department heads on my behalf. Um... no. I'm a sophie in this program, I have no clout, I could be gone like that. I'd like to keep my rep clean, thanks.
You should know that Dr. Daphne is my highest priority behind departmental obligations. It very important to me, but there are some things I have to do. Being a sophomore in the BFA means I am on probation the entire year. I am afraid that trying tor reschedule with department heads could jeopardize my standing in the program. If dropped from the BFA, I don't know what I would do. I'm not saying Dr. Daphne is a hindrance, in fact it will look great on my resume. I'm simply saying I don't want to make waves when my situation is so unstable.
They relented and I felt better. The reading was Monday. I was shocked. It's not a complicated show at all. One act, about an hour long, and the kicker: My part is pretty small. I have some solos, but nothing to myself. I've got one big scene at the beginning and that's pretty much it until I die. From the way they were pressuring me, I thought I was the damn lead. I'm not disappointed though, I'm relieved! I'll be able to get a way more often to work on the One Act and run crew and other department shit.
I dropped Solo Performance. It conflicted with Daphne and I had too many units with the One Acts and crew. It's really sad because the first day was amazing, but I'll be okay. I have two more years.
So, the One Acts are in two weeks, so are midterms for Acting and Movement. Need to choreograph my ball piece. Need to meet with Allie to work our scene from Picnic, which became the musical Hot September! Thanks, [tos].
Daphne runs the last week of the quarter. I'll have to sneak away during Super Saturday to get into makeup for the TV shoot. Oh yeah, it's gonna be on nationwide TV. Directing midterm auditions are Wednesday, Crucible scenes. The Directing finals are scenes from Angels in America!!!! SO EXCITED FOR THOSE!
Simon's Shakespeare class rocks.
Roomie gone, partying it up with the window open.
Got very drunk last night.
Living in IV next year with Andrew, Brian (not from the BFA, Andrew's roommate) and my new roommate Hasmik! Hellz yeah. Trevor Shor would have been magical, but this fantastic bitch will so do. We were gushing with excitement last night.
Well, that's about all... I really tried to streamline things... sorta worked.
-Big D.
Jak Watson- Disney Princesses
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFNz3oB9NbY
Trevor Shor- Delicious
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2925bswem2k
Food For Thought:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ArzjmxOGBjw
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KL4mwQoedQI
