Wow. It is strange how time has seemed to go by so fast, and at the same time I feel like we've been here and in classes for months already!
I really don't have time to update this, but my mom will continue to request that I blog until I do, so I guess I'll save her the hassle. ;)
I knew this program would be intense. Victoria warned me, as did Meredith Owens. And they were right. It's a LOT of work! I am learning/working on/doing written analysis for 5 songs so far, a musical scene from Oklahoma we are presenting on Wednesday, an acting scene we are presenting Tuesday. I have music theory homework, business of theory charts to fill out, plays and librettos to read, and lots of copies to make. Whew!
Yesterday was my first Saturday of CAP. I woke up early, and met Becca and Jason at the Music Box theatre to stand in the rush line and buy cheap tickets for Jerusalem. We ended up all getting tickets, thank goodness! We ate and went to the Drama Bookstore, Crumbs, and walked around for a few hours before I had to go to CAP. I met up with Cody and rehearsed our musical scene. Then Michael came, and we rehearsed our acting scene. They are both really cool guys! After, I walked around with Michael, who is from Long Island, and he showed me his favorite park, and the building he wants to raise his kids in. After a while, we parted ways, and I went home to get ready for Jerusalem! I found my way to the theatre on the Subway by myself for the second time that day. My $26.50 ticket ended up being a box seat (whoa!) and I sat next to the family of one of the guys in the cast! They were great! They had seen the show 3 times before, so they kept glancing back at me to see my reaction to certain things. THE SHOW WAS PHENOMINAL! Holy cow. The writing is fantastic, the cast is perfection, and I AM SO IN LOVE WITH MARK RYLANCE. I knew I had an actor crush on him before (from when we saw his performance in La Bete in London) but this confirmed my love for him. He is most definitely one of my favorite actors. His performance was unreal. I don't understand how he does it every night. And it was a TWO show day! I was blown away. After the show Becca, Jason, and I went to Shake Shack to discuss our love of the show. Then I again made the Subway trip back to my dorm. I really like being alone in the city. That might sound weird, but it is so fun and refreshing to go out on my own and go places by myself. I feel like an adult. Like a New Yorker. I love it. Not to say that I don't enjoy other people's company, obviously. But I also love it when I get to have time to myself here.
Today I slept in for the first time. I got up at 10:30 and started on my homework. In a little while, I'm meeting up with my roommates, and we're going to check out the Pride Parade! I'm excited. Then at 4:30 I have rehearsal with Cody for our scene from Oklahoma. Then at 7:30 I'm meeting up with Carner & Gregor at Bar Luna to catch up and set up a time that I can come to their apartment and sing through some new music. I'm really excited to see them!
I still have a lot to do before tomorrow, and I'm hoping I can squeeze everything else in that I want to do today. It's time to be productive. I'm not getting on Facebook. I'm not going to be distracted. I can't afford to be.
Oh ya, and I LOVE IT HERE.
Sunday, June 26, 2011
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
placement day, 1st day, 2nd day!
OK so I have a lot to catch you up on. Wait, who am I addressing? Who is "you"? ...Anyway, so much has happened in the past three days.
Sunday was the placement audition day. We showed up to CAP, sat through Orientation, which took about 2 hours, but wasn't boring at all. We got to meet several of the faculty and teachers. Then we split into groups based on how much dance experience we'd had. We learned a jazz combo (fast but fun) a ballet combo (which I picked up very easily, thanks to Meredith Sutton!) and then all came together into the shop. We did each combo in a group of 4 or 5. They asked me to do the ballet combo twice. Who knows why. Then, the people who had experience tapping before learned a SHORT tap combo... like 32 counts... but in 3 minutes. Seriously. She did the combo twice for us, did it once with us, and then we had to do it for the panel in groups of 4. It wasn't hard, but it was tricky, and super fast. We had to tap individually as well. After that was over, we waited for our specific time to sing and do our monologue. When my time came, I went in prepared to sing "Sing, But Don't Tell" and even explained it to the accompanist and everything. But I was asked by the lady at the panel to sing what I wasn't good at, or uncomfortable with. Where I needed work. That threw me off! I only had two songs with me, so I sang Hold Down the Fort. Not as belty, where I'm most comfortable. I did my monologue, and then I was done for the day!
OK, fast forward to the 1st day of class! We had to get there early to find out our class placement and schedules. I was placed into beginner music theory, intermediate jazz and ballet, and advanced tap! Holy cow! Now that I've completed my 2nd day of classes, I've had most of them, but I won't have gone to them all until the end of the week. I LOVE ALL OF THEM AND EVERYONE IN THEM! CAP 21 is the best thing ever. I love ALL of my teachers. I've already learned so much. I'm already super sore (that's a great thing!) and I feel like I might have already lost 5 pounds... haha!
I just want to be a sponge and soak up EVERYTHING that these teachers and this program and these people and this city can offer me. Today after class was over I asked if any studios were available, and I practiced all the dances I've learned so far. By myself. I'm going to try and do this every day. Whether its dancing, singing, or scene work, I'm going to bust my butt and work as hard as I can. I have no other priorities to worry about. THIS is what I'm here for. To learn. To improve.
That's something I've been chanting to myself the past few days: "I'm here to improve, not to impress." I don't want any silly notion of competition or show-offiness to get in my way. I'm here to work on my craft. There's no need for me to feel like I have to impress anyone. I'm already here. All I can do is my best, and work hard. My work ethic should be impressive. And by the end, hopefully, my progress will be impressive on its own. Without me trying to impress.
I'm pumped. Let's do this.
Sunday was the placement audition day. We showed up to CAP, sat through Orientation, which took about 2 hours, but wasn't boring at all. We got to meet several of the faculty and teachers. Then we split into groups based on how much dance experience we'd had. We learned a jazz combo (fast but fun) a ballet combo (which I picked up very easily, thanks to Meredith Sutton!) and then all came together into the shop. We did each combo in a group of 4 or 5. They asked me to do the ballet combo twice. Who knows why. Then, the people who had experience tapping before learned a SHORT tap combo... like 32 counts... but in 3 minutes. Seriously. She did the combo twice for us, did it once with us, and then we had to do it for the panel in groups of 4. It wasn't hard, but it was tricky, and super fast. We had to tap individually as well. After that was over, we waited for our specific time to sing and do our monologue. When my time came, I went in prepared to sing "Sing, But Don't Tell" and even explained it to the accompanist and everything. But I was asked by the lady at the panel to sing what I wasn't good at, or uncomfortable with. Where I needed work. That threw me off! I only had two songs with me, so I sang Hold Down the Fort. Not as belty, where I'm most comfortable. I did my monologue, and then I was done for the day!
OK, fast forward to the 1st day of class! We had to get there early to find out our class placement and schedules. I was placed into beginner music theory, intermediate jazz and ballet, and advanced tap! Holy cow! Now that I've completed my 2nd day of classes, I've had most of them, but I won't have gone to them all until the end of the week. I LOVE ALL OF THEM AND EVERYONE IN THEM! CAP 21 is the best thing ever. I love ALL of my teachers. I've already learned so much. I'm already super sore (that's a great thing!) and I feel like I might have already lost 5 pounds... haha!
I just want to be a sponge and soak up EVERYTHING that these teachers and this program and these people and this city can offer me. Today after class was over I asked if any studios were available, and I practiced all the dances I've learned so far. By myself. I'm going to try and do this every day. Whether its dancing, singing, or scene work, I'm going to bust my butt and work as hard as I can. I have no other priorities to worry about. THIS is what I'm here for. To learn. To improve.
That's something I've been chanting to myself the past few days: "I'm here to improve, not to impress." I don't want any silly notion of competition or show-offiness to get in my way. I'm here to work on my craft. There's no need for me to feel like I have to impress anyone. I'm already here. All I can do is my best, and work hard. My work ethic should be impressive. And by the end, hopefully, my progress will be impressive on its own. Without me trying to impress.
I'm pumped. Let's do this.
Saturday, June 18, 2011
Move-in day!
Today we slept in, and then ate at Au Bon Pain. They have the best iced coffee I've ever tasted! I'm going back as much as I can! We went back to the hotel, got all 4 suitcases loaded into the hotel car, and headed to the New School housing! It didn't take long at all to empty my suitcases and get everything situated. My dorm is pretty cool! When I'm a little more moved in I'll make a video of it. I met my roommate and suite-mates and walked to CAP with them. We went up and looked around for a while. They all seem really neat, and I cant wait to get to know them more.
Then my mom, sister, and I broke off and did some grocery shopping. Shopping here is a much bigger pain than at home because you have to lug all the stuff you buy either onto the Subway with you, or just carry it. I think that will be a good thing, though... it will keep me from buying stuff that I don't ABSOLUTELY need.
I said goodbye to my mom and sister because I probably won't see them again before they leave. Now I'm organizing my room and practicing for tomorrow's placement auditions!
Now I'm going to run out and get a few more things I'm still missing. On my own. Let's hope I don't get lost!
Then my mom, sister, and I broke off and did some grocery shopping. Shopping here is a much bigger pain than at home because you have to lug all the stuff you buy either onto the Subway with you, or just carry it. I think that will be a good thing, though... it will keep me from buying stuff that I don't ABSOLUTELY need.
I said goodbye to my mom and sister because I probably won't see them again before they leave. Now I'm organizing my room and practicing for tomorrow's placement auditions!
Now I'm going to run out and get a few more things I'm still missing. On my own. Let's hope I don't get lost!
I made it!
New York, New York! A hell of a town. The Bronx is up but the Battery’s down. The people ride in a hole in the ground. New York, New York! It’s a hell of a town!
Yesterday I didn't have internet, so here is my entry for yesterday:
Today was filled with a lot of “hurry up and wait” situations. (Which I have a feeling are a common occurrence in New York, what with all the lines and public transportation, etc.) We got to the airport super early, and then after boarding the plane, we waited at the gate for 2 hours while a technical problem was fixed. But alas, we made it finally to my home for the next 48 or so days. We’re staying at the W New York hotel downtown, which is literally RIGHT next to ground zero. I took a video of our view from our room.
After walking around Times Square for a while, we headed to the Golden Theatre to see The Normal Heart. Holy cow. I have never been so emotionally moved by a play before. I found myself weeping several times throughout the play. I recommend it to everyone. And the first chance I get I’m buying a copy of it so I can read it. The writing is so good and incredibly moving and full of truth and raw human emotion and passion and…ugh. I don’t really know what else to say about it because I haven’t fully processed it all yet.
ANYWAY, moving in tomorrow. Can’t wait.
Star sightings today: Patricia Clarkson, Liev Schrieber, Naomi Watts (all in the audience of The Normal Heart)
Thursday, June 16, 2011
It's New York EVE!
So, here it is, the night before I head off to New York. To live for 6 weeks. On my own.
I. Can't. Wait.
I will be attending CAP 21's professional musical theatre training program, taking classes from 10-6 every weekday. I have a feeling its going to kick my butt. I sure hope so!
My mom and sister are flying up with me, so thankfully I'll have help moving in. We're checking 4 suitcases... of all MY stuff... But only one of them is a huge suitcase... so it's not thaaaat bad, right...?
I sort of have this sinking feeling that I'm forgetting something important. Let's hope either that feeling goes away, or that I realize what it is I'm forgetting.
I'm so thankful that Victoria attended this program last summer! I've been able to pick her brain about what to expect and I've gotten all sorts of tips from her. I'm also stealing this blogging idea from her. Reading it has been so helpful to me, and maybe next year someone else will find mine helpful too. I dunno... if nothing else, its a good way to update lots of people at the same time, and it will be a good memory keeper.
Until recently, I was really apprehensive about this. It's a scary prospect living on your own 2,000 miles away from home! But now that I've talked to more people about it and worked with Stan on my placement audition pieces (2 songs and a monologue) I feel much more prepared. I've also had a chance to talk a little bit with a few girls also in the program this summer. They seem great!
I have to be awake in 5 and 1/2 hours. Gross. BUT SO EXCITING!!!
Goodnight!
I. Can't. Wait.
I will be attending CAP 21's professional musical theatre training program, taking classes from 10-6 every weekday. I have a feeling its going to kick my butt. I sure hope so!
My mom and sister are flying up with me, so thankfully I'll have help moving in. We're checking 4 suitcases... of all MY stuff... But only one of them is a huge suitcase... so it's not thaaaat bad, right...?
I sort of have this sinking feeling that I'm forgetting something important. Let's hope either that feeling goes away, or that I realize what it is I'm forgetting.
I'm so thankful that Victoria attended this program last summer! I've been able to pick her brain about what to expect and I've gotten all sorts of tips from her. I'm also stealing this blogging idea from her. Reading it has been so helpful to me, and maybe next year someone else will find mine helpful too. I dunno... if nothing else, its a good way to update lots of people at the same time, and it will be a good memory keeper.
Until recently, I was really apprehensive about this. It's a scary prospect living on your own 2,000 miles away from home! But now that I've talked to more people about it and worked with Stan on my placement audition pieces (2 songs and a monologue) I feel much more prepared. I've also had a chance to talk a little bit with a few girls also in the program this summer. They seem great!
I have to be awake in 5 and 1/2 hours. Gross. BUT SO EXCITING!!!
Goodnight!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)