My non-demanding schedule at the moment (which won't last for too much longer) gives me little to write about...
So I thought I'd remind you that I'm not the only blogger in my program.
Wifey wrote about our adventures in London here:
Lindsay Sees London
2nd-Year MD (who happens to be my roommate) blogged throughout her 1st-year in the program:
My MFA Journey
And 1st-Year BR has started a grad school blog, so you can follow his journey from the beginning:
An Actor Repairs
So now you can get filled in on the world of my program, even when my posts are few and far between. :)
All good things,
~A~
I Crossed the Sea
8/31/10
8/27/10
Friday, August 27
Today we had our first class. I don't even really know what this class is called, to be honest. We have it once a week. We discuss issues with showcase, the Rep season, and the business of being an actor. It's just the 3rd-years.
Traditionally, the class is held on Fridays from 9am-12pm (although it often gets shortened). But this year, Wifey and Newbie are teaching a class at a local high school some mornings. So some weeks our class will be scheduled on Thursday instead of Friday in order to accommodate their needs.
So here's basically discussed.
1. We all need to find scenes for Showcase.
- They should be 2-person scenes, and we will each do two of them.
- If someone wishes to sing in lieu of one of their scenes, they may. But they should only do that if they really want to put themselves into the casting pool of trained singers. (Our program is NOT a musical theatre program, so Head-of-Program doesn't seem ecstatic about the idea.)
- We got a huge list of playwrights to look into (which I have decided not to post, as I don't want to give away our leads; people in other grad programs can do their own research)
- The scenes should be from plays that are fairly recent and have not been performed much
- They should not be from shows that are currently running in NYC (or have had recent runs)
- Each scene should have a sharp and focused beginning, drive through the scene, and have a clear ending.
- The scenes should be well balanced and good for both partners.
- They should not be dark and dramatic, as that rarely plays well in a 3-minute scene.
- Look to show your range, but don't try to take leaps. We want to show what we're good at, not what we'd like to try.
- Not too dense.
- When asking for advice from people, ask for HONEST OBJECTIVE RESPONSES.
2. We have a lot of responsibilities to take on as a class
- Website for the class, including headshots/résumés (they assigned this one to me... I guess I shouldn't be surprised)
- Mailing List of casting directors/agents/theatres to be compiled from Ross reports (D-Train & O.D.)
- Communicate with the other theatre we partner with for Showcase, and also work on our Postcard design. (All-The-Way)
- Headshots! Research photographers, group rates, etc. (all of us)
- Group Photos for our postcard and other materials (Two-Shots-Up has done some modeling in the area and knows some edgy local photographers, so she's going to look into that)
- Get local Showcase well-attended (invite theatres/reps from Miami, Atlanta, etc.)
- Get other communities out to our NYC showcase (Newbie is going to work on New Jersey and Pennsylvania; I volunteered to do Connecticut)
- Set up an RSVP line (which we might be able to do through Skype... Does anyone know anything about that?)
- Figure out who we want as a graduation speaker
- Sort out a graduation brunch (we need at least 3 bids... and it's all about the $ for us)
3. Potential Other Showcase?
We're DEFINITELY doing a Showcase in NYC. But we've decided to also look into:
- Flying important agents out to see us here
- a Chicago Showcase
- a Los Angeles Showcase
4. Fundraising (which we'll ESPECIALLY need if we're having an extra showcase!)
We have a lot of ideas, but we're going to need even more.
Our first fundraiser is a Used Book Sale on September 6th, from 10:00am-2:00pm. (We're accepting book donations!) Add it to your calendars, all ye locals!
5. Head-of-Program is going to bring in people to talk to us throughout the year about the business...
- Equity stage managers
- agents & casting directors
- professional actors
- a Tony-winning director
And then we got an instruction from Head-of-Program to go forth and behave well. He said that this year, we are going to be working with people whom we want to hire us again. Additionally, the people we work with WILL talk about us with others in the future. He said that we're already great actors, and we will be able to prove that to them easily. Our task now is to be people that they will WANT to be with in a rehearsal room. We must always know the demands that are being made on us, and be able to achieve them in a non-aggressive, non-defensive, non-threatening, sociable way.
And then he said, "actually, with this group, I'm not worried about that."
I'm glad to hear it.
It's going to be a good year.
Much love,
~A~
Traditionally, the class is held on Fridays from 9am-12pm (although it often gets shortened). But this year, Wifey and Newbie are teaching a class at a local high school some mornings. So some weeks our class will be scheduled on Thursday instead of Friday in order to accommodate their needs.
So here's basically discussed.
1. We all need to find scenes for Showcase.
- They should be 2-person scenes, and we will each do two of them.
- If someone wishes to sing in lieu of one of their scenes, they may. But they should only do that if they really want to put themselves into the casting pool of trained singers. (Our program is NOT a musical theatre program, so Head-of-Program doesn't seem ecstatic about the idea.)
- We got a huge list of playwrights to look into (which I have decided not to post, as I don't want to give away our leads; people in other grad programs can do their own research)
- The scenes should be from plays that are fairly recent and have not been performed much
- They should not be from shows that are currently running in NYC (or have had recent runs)
- Each scene should have a sharp and focused beginning, drive through the scene, and have a clear ending.
- The scenes should be well balanced and good for both partners.
- They should not be dark and dramatic, as that rarely plays well in a 3-minute scene.
- Look to show your range, but don't try to take leaps. We want to show what we're good at, not what we'd like to try.
- Not too dense.
- When asking for advice from people, ask for HONEST OBJECTIVE RESPONSES.
2. We have a lot of responsibilities to take on as a class
- Website for the class, including headshots/résumés (they assigned this one to me... I guess I shouldn't be surprised)
- Mailing List of casting directors/agents/theatres to be compiled from Ross reports (D-Train & O.D.)
- Communicate with the other theatre we partner with for Showcase, and also work on our Postcard design. (All-The-Way)
- Headshots! Research photographers, group rates, etc. (all of us)
- Group Photos for our postcard and other materials (Two-Shots-Up has done some modeling in the area and knows some edgy local photographers, so she's going to look into that)
- Get local Showcase well-attended (invite theatres/reps from Miami, Atlanta, etc.)
- Get other communities out to our NYC showcase (Newbie is going to work on New Jersey and Pennsylvania; I volunteered to do Connecticut)
- Set up an RSVP line (which we might be able to do through Skype... Does anyone know anything about that?)
- Figure out who we want as a graduation speaker
- Sort out a graduation brunch (we need at least 3 bids... and it's all about the $ for us)
3. Potential Other Showcase?
We're DEFINITELY doing a Showcase in NYC. But we've decided to also look into:
- Flying important agents out to see us here
- a Chicago Showcase
- a Los Angeles Showcase
4. Fundraising (which we'll ESPECIALLY need if we're having an extra showcase!)
We have a lot of ideas, but we're going to need even more.
Our first fundraiser is a Used Book Sale on September 6th, from 10:00am-2:00pm. (We're accepting book donations!) Add it to your calendars, all ye locals!
5. Head-of-Program is going to bring in people to talk to us throughout the year about the business...
- Equity stage managers
- agents & casting directors
- professional actors
- a Tony-winning director
And then we got an instruction from Head-of-Program to go forth and behave well. He said that this year, we are going to be working with people whom we want to hire us again. Additionally, the people we work with WILL talk about us with others in the future. He said that we're already great actors, and we will be able to prove that to them easily. Our task now is to be people that they will WANT to be with in a rehearsal room. We must always know the demands that are being made on us, and be able to achieve them in a non-aggressive, non-defensive, non-threatening, sociable way.
And then he said, "actually, with this group, I'm not worried about that."
I'm glad to hear it.
It's going to be a good year.
Much love,
~A~
8/23/10
Monday, August 23
Guess what, everybody...
I'm back!
Today was Orientation for all three classes. Part of me can't believe that it was my third time through this... But I clearly remember the last two times, so most of me was on board with the concept.
My rehearsals don't start until September 17th. Until then, I'll just be having one class a week, which focuses on preparing for our New York Showcase in the Spring.
Yes, that's right. One class a week. That's it.
After two years of busy schedules, I'm not exactly used to taking it slow.
Orientation was pretty much exactly what it has been in the past. We elected two new class representatives (D-Train & O.D. volunteered). We got the lecture about hurricane safety. We got a quick rundown of all of the expectations placed upon us. And I made a special request of Head of Program to tell us one more time that "the future of the American Theatre is in this room," as he has the last two years (although I have a feeling he would've done it without my request).
I can't believe I'm a third year. But somehow it isn't hard for me to believe that the 1st-years have become 2nd-years. Maybe it's just because I have a brand new group to refer to as 1st-years (who are all delightful, by the by). But somehow my own progress seems more insane.
I survived my first year. I survived my 2nd-year. I made it through London. And now I'm in the final stretch. From where I'm standing now, it almost feels like a victory lap.
I know there's a lot of work ahead, but it seems like everything is winding down. I'm not sure how to feel about that, yet.
I'm off to read Deathtrap. It's the only show in the season that I haven't read yet. I want to make sure I know what it's about in case I end up understudying it. (I've read the first scene so far, and I think I might request to understudy it. It seems like a great show.)
Much love, my long-lost blog readers.
~A~
I'm back!
Today was Orientation for all three classes. Part of me can't believe that it was my third time through this... But I clearly remember the last two times, so most of me was on board with the concept.
My rehearsals don't start until September 17th. Until then, I'll just be having one class a week, which focuses on preparing for our New York Showcase in the Spring.
Yes, that's right. One class a week. That's it.
After two years of busy schedules, I'm not exactly used to taking it slow.
Orientation was pretty much exactly what it has been in the past. We elected two new class representatives (D-Train & O.D. volunteered). We got the lecture about hurricane safety. We got a quick rundown of all of the expectations placed upon us. And I made a special request of Head of Program to tell us one more time that "the future of the American Theatre is in this room," as he has the last two years (although I have a feeling he would've done it without my request).
I can't believe I'm a third year. But somehow it isn't hard for me to believe that the 1st-years have become 2nd-years. Maybe it's just because I have a brand new group to refer to as 1st-years (who are all delightful, by the by). But somehow my own progress seems more insane.
I survived my first year. I survived my 2nd-year. I made it through London. And now I'm in the final stretch. From where I'm standing now, it almost feels like a victory lap.
I know there's a lot of work ahead, but it seems like everything is winding down. I'm not sure how to feel about that, yet.
I'm off to read Deathtrap. It's the only show in the season that I haven't read yet. I want to make sure I know what it's about in case I end up understudying it. (I've read the first scene so far, and I think I might request to understudy it. It seems like a great show.)
Much love, my long-lost blog readers.
~A~
7/19/10
Raising Funds
This coming spring, the class of 2011 will be doing an NYC Showcase. We'll be performing scenes for an audience of agents, managers, and the like, and hope to make brilliant connections that will launch us skyward, toward our dreams.
And during the coming school year, we have to raise money to get us there.
I got an e-mail last week from Wifey, already making suggestions about things that we can do as a class to raise money. Late Night performances. Play-readings in people's living rooms. Auctions. Garage sales. Cleaning houses while dressed as the Spice Girls. I don't know which things will come to fruition, but the list is already long, fun, and exciting.
So now, I'm going to take the first step that I can toward helping my class.
For the last two years, I have been happily blogging away about my grad school experience, and introducing you to myself and all of my classmates. Some of you might be local, meaning that you have seen us perform, met us, and supported us (and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the love you have shown). And some of you might be far away, and my classmates and I might just be characters in a story that's still being written. In any case, if you've been reading, I think you know just how amazingly talented my classmates are, and how much respect I have for all of them. I want to help them in this fund-raising journey as much as I can. And I hope you do, too.
Here are a few ways that you can help:
1. Do you have any brilliant ideas as to ways that we can help raise our funds? Please let us know! Leave them in the comments on my blog, e-mail them to AngelaActs(at)gmail(dot)com, or tell me in person the next time you see me around. We're happy to have all the suggestions we can get.
2. Are you in Florida and have an idea for something that you'd like to hire someone to do? We're highly-trained performers, and might be able to entertain at a party you're throwing. And after all of our experience with organizing our student lounge, we might be able to help clean out your garage or put tags on items for your yard sale. If you need a helping hand, send us an e-mail. We'd love to help!
3. If you are in the area, please keep an eye out for notices about events that we're planning for the coming year. Any donations given at Late Night performances (which are free to attend, and you are not obligated to donate) go directly to our NYC Showcase fund. Sometimes we also sell cookies in the lobby. :) Bring your friends, and spread the word!
4. Do you have any items lying around the house that you'd like to get rid of? You're welcome to donate them to us. We might be able to put them into an auction or yard sale later this year.
5. Are you out of town, but still want to help? You can donate to our class through PayPal!
I've posted a "Donation Station" on the upper-left hand side of my blog with a Donate button, and I'll keep it up throughout the year. Whether you can spare $50 or 50 cents, we'd be grateful. It adds up, and every little bit helps. (Clichéd, but true.)
6. Send prayers, hope, love, and good vibrations. :)
Thank you.
All good things,
~A~
And during the coming school year, we have to raise money to get us there.
I got an e-mail last week from Wifey, already making suggestions about things that we can do as a class to raise money. Late Night performances. Play-readings in people's living rooms. Auctions. Garage sales. Cleaning houses while dressed as the Spice Girls. I don't know which things will come to fruition, but the list is already long, fun, and exciting.
So now, I'm going to take the first step that I can toward helping my class.
For the last two years, I have been happily blogging away about my grad school experience, and introducing you to myself and all of my classmates. Some of you might be local, meaning that you have seen us perform, met us, and supported us (and I thank you from the bottom of my heart for all the love you have shown). And some of you might be far away, and my classmates and I might just be characters in a story that's still being written. In any case, if you've been reading, I think you know just how amazingly talented my classmates are, and how much respect I have for all of them. I want to help them in this fund-raising journey as much as I can. And I hope you do, too.
Here are a few ways that you can help:
1. Do you have any brilliant ideas as to ways that we can help raise our funds? Please let us know! Leave them in the comments on my blog, e-mail them to AngelaActs(at)gmail(dot)com, or tell me in person the next time you see me around. We're happy to have all the suggestions we can get.
2. Are you in Florida and have an idea for something that you'd like to hire someone to do? We're highly-trained performers, and might be able to entertain at a party you're throwing. And after all of our experience with organizing our student lounge, we might be able to help clean out your garage or put tags on items for your yard sale. If you need a helping hand, send us an e-mail. We'd love to help!
3. If you are in the area, please keep an eye out for notices about events that we're planning for the coming year. Any donations given at Late Night performances (which are free to attend, and you are not obligated to donate) go directly to our NYC Showcase fund. Sometimes we also sell cookies in the lobby. :) Bring your friends, and spread the word!
4. Do you have any items lying around the house that you'd like to get rid of? You're welcome to donate them to us. We might be able to put them into an auction or yard sale later this year.
5. Are you out of town, but still want to help? You can donate to our class through PayPal!
I've posted a "Donation Station" on the upper-left hand side of my blog with a Donate button, and I'll keep it up throughout the year. Whether you can spare $50 or 50 cents, we'd be grateful. It adds up, and every little bit helps. (Clichéd, but true.)
6. Send prayers, hope, love, and good vibrations. :)
Thank you.
All good things,
~A~
7/16/10
7/15/10
Back in the States
In the last 24 hours, I have been contacted by two prospective MFA students who found this blog and were looking for grad school advice. I always get so excited and flattered by e-mails like that. :)
But then I realized, "Whoops... I haven't written anything on that blog in ages."
So here I am, readers.
*waves*
I am alive. I am back in the USA. And I am unbelievably sad to have left my second home: London.
Perhaps at some point I'll have the energy to tell you all about my amazing adventures. But if I don't, at least now you can rest assured that I had a great experience, and I made it home safely.
I'll be starting my third (and final!) year of graduate school at the end of August. I'm going to be an Associate Company Member for the Rep theatre that my program is connected to, and I'm filled with anticipation.
That great adventure is only weeks away. Get excited.
All good things,
~A~
But then I realized, "Whoops... I haven't written anything on that blog in ages."
So here I am, readers.
*waves*
I am alive. I am back in the USA. And I am unbelievably sad to have left my second home: London.
Perhaps at some point I'll have the energy to tell you all about my amazing adventures. But if I don't, at least now you can rest assured that I had a great experience, and I made it home safely.
I'll be starting my third (and final!) year of graduate school at the end of August. I'm going to be an Associate Company Member for the Rep theatre that my program is connected to, and I'm filled with anticipation.
That great adventure is only weeks away. Get excited.
All good things,
~A~
6/6/10
Political Speech
For our Voice class with Charmian, we all have to work with political speeches. Here's the one I have been assigned:
Suffragist leader Anna Howard Shaw, Albany NY, June 21 1915
250,000 Men Killed Since the War Began
I said you ask me what woman knows about war?
No woman can read that line and comprehend the awful horror; no woman knows the significance of 250,000 dead men, but you tell me that one man lay dead, and I might be able to tell you something of its awful meaning to one woman.
I would know that years before, a woman whose heart beat in unison with her love and her desire for motherhood walked day by day with her face to an open grave, with courage which no man has ever surpassed, and if she did not fill that grave, if she lived, and if there was laid in her arms a tiny little bit of helpless humanity, I would know that there went out from her soul such a cry of thankfulness as none save a mother could know.
And then I would know, what men have not yet learned, that women are human; that they have human hopes and human passions, aspirations, and desires as men have, and I would know that that mother who had laid aside all those hopes and aspirations of herself, but never for one moment did she lay them aside for her boy, and if, after years had passed by, she forgot her nights of sleeplessness and her days of fatiguing toil in her care of her growing boy, and when at last, he became a man, and she stood looking up into his eyes and beheld him bone of her bone and flesh of her flesh, and there he stands, the most wonderful thing in all the world, for in all the universe of God, there is nothing more sublimely wonderful than a strong limbed, clean hearted, keen brained, aggressive young man standing as he does on the border line of life, ready to reach out and grapple with its problems.
Oh how wonderful he is, and he is hers.
She gave her life for him, and, in an hour, this country calls him out, and, in an hour, he lies dead; that wonderful, wonderful thing lies dead, and sitting by his side, that mother looking into the dark years to come knows that when her son died her life's hope died with him, and in the face of that wretched motherhood, what man dare ask what a woman knows of war?
Suffragist leader Anna Howard Shaw, Albany NY, June 21 1915
250,000 Men Killed Since the War Began
I said you ask me what woman knows about war?
No woman can read that line and comprehend the awful horror; no woman knows the significance of 250,000 dead men, but you tell me that one man lay dead, and I might be able to tell you something of its awful meaning to one woman.
I would know that years before, a woman whose heart beat in unison with her love and her desire for motherhood walked day by day with her face to an open grave, with courage which no man has ever surpassed, and if she did not fill that grave, if she lived, and if there was laid in her arms a tiny little bit of helpless humanity, I would know that there went out from her soul such a cry of thankfulness as none save a mother could know.
And then I would know, what men have not yet learned, that women are human; that they have human hopes and human passions, aspirations, and desires as men have, and I would know that that mother who had laid aside all those hopes and aspirations of herself, but never for one moment did she lay them aside for her boy, and if, after years had passed by, she forgot her nights of sleeplessness and her days of fatiguing toil in her care of her growing boy, and when at last, he became a man, and she stood looking up into his eyes and beheld him bone of her bone and flesh of her flesh, and there he stands, the most wonderful thing in all the world, for in all the universe of God, there is nothing more sublimely wonderful than a strong limbed, clean hearted, keen brained, aggressive young man standing as he does on the border line of life, ready to reach out and grapple with its problems.
Oh how wonderful he is, and he is hers.
She gave her life for him, and, in an hour, this country calls him out, and, in an hour, he lies dead; that wonderful, wonderful thing lies dead, and sitting by his side, that mother looking into the dark years to come knows that when her son died her life's hope died with him, and in the face of that wretched motherhood, what man dare ask what a woman knows of war?
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
