So I realize that it's been nearly a month since I've last blogged, but I have a good excuse! (Sort of...) I've been drowning in the deadly mixture of the insane IB workload, choir, and the musical (Into the Woods for the more forgetful readers). This combination wasn't nearly as bad when we first started musical rehearsals, but now as we're approaching opening night, which is this Thursday, I will basically be living up at my school. You see, I get to school at like seven in the morning because I my zero-hour class starts at 7:15. (The normally school day begins at 8:20.)Then I go to all my classes and at the end of the day I have Junior Release seventh period and then right after school I usually have choir practice. After choir I would normally get to go home for at least an hour and a half before I returned the school for ITW rehearsal at seven, but this week that is sadly not the case.
Starting today, the school is my new home. I have rehearsal from one until whenever our director lets us leave, which is estimated to be around seven PM. Then tomorrow we have rehearsal from one to four, but I'll have to get there early and won't be ready to leave until probably an hour after rehearsal is over.
Then starting Monday I don't even get to go home after school; I will go straight from choir practice to the Green Room to begin putting on my make-up and costume so that we can start dress rehearsal as soon as possible, and I probably won't get home until like 11PM. That schedule applies through Wednesday. Then on we open on Thursday, so I won't get home until probably 12PM or somewhere close to there, and this applies to Friday, Saturday, Monday the 1st and Tuesday the 2nd. (Sunday we have a matinee so I'll get home around 5PM.)
Where does homework fit into all this madness? I have no idea. That's what I'm currently trying to figure out. I am at a loss as to how I am ever going to get all my schoolwork done this week without a scenario that involves me pulling all-nighters. And seeing as I am not a Night Owl, that would not be a valid option.
The worst part about all this is that I am losing my mind. Mind you, that was sort of already a problem for me, but it's getting increasingly worse as the weeks progress. But there are a few bright, shining beacons of light that give me the will to live:
1. The musical. Even though it is the main cause of all my stress right now it's what I love to do- perform.
2. Madrigals, the choir I have during class. Another source of stress, but not as a large a contributor as the musical and homework. Plus, music is my life, so I don't really hate all the work... I actually really, really enjoy having to go home to sing through a difficult Whitacre piece five-thousand time just so I can struggle through class the next day because I know that, in the end, our choir is going to sound so incredible when we sing the song. Right now we're singing "i thank You God for most this amazing day" by Eric Whitacre and it so beautiful. Well, all Whitacre pieces are fabulous, but I really like this one.
3. Super Smash Brothers. Okay, so this one most likely seems really random to you and you're probably wondering when I even have time in my hectic schedule to even play SSB... Well, as I mentioned early, I have Junior Release seventh period, which means that I don't have class, but since I don't have my license I can't leave, go home, and then come back for rehearsal, so I chill in the choir room. More specifically, I go into one of the practice rooms and play SSB with some of the choir boys on a TV someone brought in.
In case any of you care, or even know what I'm talking about, I play as Roy. For those who don't know what I'm talking about, I play as an awesome ginger with a sword.
The best part about playing SSB is that I have gotten A LOT better since I first started playing at the beginning of this year. I can actually beat a lot of the guys who play, which is a good thing because that's basically the only reason I'm allowed in that room anymore. See, a month ago they had to go from playing a projector in the copy room to playing on a smaller TV in a dinky practice room. The main problem being that the practice room cannot hold as many people as the copy room could, so in order to conserve space the boys decided that girls were no longer allowed in GameCube room. This was upsetting to me because I really like to play, but thankfully one of my friends would still let me play during seventh. This was good because the play time runs into the beginning of after school rehearsal, so all the guys that came in to play right after school would come and I eventually got to the point where I could beat most of them, so now I am pretty much the only girl allowed to play- it's great.
If you're interested in hearing the Whitacre Madrigals is singing listen to this:
My choir is going to sound a lot better, not that I'm biased in any way, but it's still a nice rendition to listen to.
Showing posts with label Into the Woods. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Into the Woods. Show all posts
23 October, 2010
03 September, 2010
Into the Woods!
GUESS WHAT READERS OF THIS FABULOUS BLOG: This girl landed herself a role in her school's musical!
I am one of Cinderella's stepsisters! Now, to some of you this might not seem like a role large enough to get all excited about, but I would have to disagree. It's not that the stepsisters have a lot of lines or play a major part in the show, but it is the first time that I will have lines in a high school production. I also believe that the stepsisters each have some minimal solos (like one line of a song), which is also very exciting. A lot of people at our school go to the musicals to support their friends in the shows and this role will finally allow me to show people that I have talent, which is always nice for an ego boost. (People need those every now and then.)
Anyway, I am really looking forward to the start of rehearsals, which I believe start sometime next week!
I have to say, before I got called-back to read for three different roles, I didn't think I was ever going to get cast as a character with actual lines. The main reason that would have upset me is because there's a sort of path that you have to follow (of course there are always exceptions) to make your way to a lead role in a musical.
1. Get a part in the chorus your freshman or sophomore year.
2. If you were in the chorus freshman year, then you at least need a chorus part with a line your sophomore year.
3. Junior year you get a smaller part with some lines and some solos.\
4. Senior year! If you've managed to follow the rest of the "plan" then you should be on your way to one of the leads this year.
Of course, this plan doesn't apply to everyone and it won't always ensure you a lead your senior year, but most of the time if you've made it to some sort of actual role your Junior year you'll have a decent role your when you're a senior.
It also helps your odds of getting a lead when you're a senior if there are only like four or five senior girls auditioning. Of course, leads roles can go to the junior girls, but they tend to go to the seniors since it's their last musical at the school. I'm not trying to imply that I am without a doubt going to get a lead role next year; I'm just saying that my odds are much better considering the progress I've made thus far.
Sorry, if you're not really all that interested in musical theatre or anything. I just really needed to express my joy to the world (or at least to my small group of dedicated readers).
Oh, and I don't know this for sure, but I will probably get to wear a really gorgeous dress for my role because they're going to the "festival" (basically the ball) and will, of course, need beautiful ball gowns to wear. I hope I feel like a Princess in it.
I am one of Cinderella's stepsisters! Now, to some of you this might not seem like a role large enough to get all excited about, but I would have to disagree. It's not that the stepsisters have a lot of lines or play a major part in the show, but it is the first time that I will have lines in a high school production. I also believe that the stepsisters each have some minimal solos (like one line of a song), which is also very exciting. A lot of people at our school go to the musicals to support their friends in the shows and this role will finally allow me to show people that I have talent, which is always nice for an ego boost. (People need those every now and then.)
Anyway, I am really looking forward to the start of rehearsals, which I believe start sometime next week!
I have to say, before I got called-back to read for three different roles, I didn't think I was ever going to get cast as a character with actual lines. The main reason that would have upset me is because there's a sort of path that you have to follow (of course there are always exceptions) to make your way to a lead role in a musical.
1. Get a part in the chorus your freshman or sophomore year.
2. If you were in the chorus freshman year, then you at least need a chorus part with a line your sophomore year.
3. Junior year you get a smaller part with some lines and some solos.\
4. Senior year! If you've managed to follow the rest of the "plan" then you should be on your way to one of the leads this year.
Of course, this plan doesn't apply to everyone and it won't always ensure you a lead your senior year, but most of the time if you've made it to some sort of actual role your Junior year you'll have a decent role your when you're a senior.
It also helps your odds of getting a lead when you're a senior if there are only like four or five senior girls auditioning. Of course, leads roles can go to the junior girls, but they tend to go to the seniors since it's their last musical at the school. I'm not trying to imply that I am without a doubt going to get a lead role next year; I'm just saying that my odds are much better considering the progress I've made thus far.
Sorry, if you're not really all that interested in musical theatre or anything. I just really needed to express my joy to the world (or at least to my small group of dedicated readers).
Oh, and I don't know this for sure, but I will probably get to wear a really gorgeous dress for my role because they're going to the "festival" (basically the ball) and will, of course, need beautiful ball gowns to wear. I hope I feel like a Princess in it.
31 August, 2010
Isn't it Nice to Know Alot?
I'm sad that ever since school has started I've had less time to devote to my beloved readers; though I'm sure that you all are just as busy, if not more-so, so it all evens out in the end. Right?
Tonight, I got lucky and didn't have nearly as much homework as I normally do, so I'm going to use the extra time to get some writing done. I know you've all been anxiously awaiting this post all week. (Which is actually kind of sad because I don't really have much to write about. Darn that Writer's Block!)
OH! I just thought of something fantastical to share with you all; the auditions for my school's musical are TOMORROW!!!
I'm starting to get nervous, but I really know the song well and I finally mastered the really nasally voice that the character I'm auditioning for needs. In case you've forgotten, I'm auditioning to the role of Little Red (yes, the one who wears a red cape and hood) in the musical Into the Woods. The songs our director gave us to choose for our audition are all from the show and the one I am singing is called "I Know Things Now". It's a pretty difficult piece to sing because it's very wordy (most Sondheim songs are) and the notes skip around and go from pretty low to pretty high (Like high E). What's more is that I have to sing it while using a voice described by our director as "Annie gone bad". If you have never seen the musical Annie, then shame on you; go and watch it right now. I'm sure it's on YouTube somewhere...
Anyway, back to my upcoming auditions. They consist of the singing portion, which I just talked about, and then we're doing something new. Normally, after you sing you then move onto an acting portion where you do cold readings of the script, but this year is going to be different. Since there aren’t many scenes in the musical that are just talking the director has decided to have us all do Improv instead. Not too sure how that's all going to work out, but I'm a little worried because I'm really not very good at improvisation. Especially not in a larger group of people, which is how I think she's going to organize it. Of course, I could be completely wrong and it could turn out to be really good and I'll do a fantastic job, make everyone laugh (because I'm being a good comic, not because I do something stupid), and then at least get called back for the role of Little Red.
That's my current goal- get called back. Then at least I'll know that I'm being considered. I hate it when you don't get called back for any of the major roles and then you just sit around twiddling your thumbs for the rest of the week, waiting for the cast list to be posted. Then comes the morning that the list is posted and you scan the list in search of your name only to discover that it's not there, and then you get to spend the rest of the day trying to hold back your tears of disappointment. Not that I'm speaking from experience or anything...
The outlook at least looks somewhat brighter this year though because I was actually in the musical last year, so hopefully I managed to show the director my dedication and talent through that, and she'll decide that she simply must have me in the show. As Little Red.
I'm going to get some shut eye now, so that I might be well rested and refreshed for the auditions tomorrow. Wish me luck! Cross your fingers for me ALL DAY. Just kidding! (Sort of...)
Tonight, I got lucky and didn't have nearly as much homework as I normally do, so I'm going to use the extra time to get some writing done. I know you've all been anxiously awaiting this post all week. (Which is actually kind of sad because I don't really have much to write about. Darn that Writer's Block!)
OH! I just thought of something fantastical to share with you all; the auditions for my school's musical are TOMORROW!!!
I'm starting to get nervous, but I really know the song well and I finally mastered the really nasally voice that the character I'm auditioning for needs. In case you've forgotten, I'm auditioning to the role of Little Red (yes, the one who wears a red cape and hood) in the musical Into the Woods. The songs our director gave us to choose for our audition are all from the show and the one I am singing is called "I Know Things Now". It's a pretty difficult piece to sing because it's very wordy (most Sondheim songs are) and the notes skip around and go from pretty low to pretty high (Like high E). What's more is that I have to sing it while using a voice described by our director as "Annie gone bad". If you have never seen the musical Annie, then shame on you; go and watch it right now. I'm sure it's on YouTube somewhere...
Anyway, back to my upcoming auditions. They consist of the singing portion, which I just talked about, and then we're doing something new. Normally, after you sing you then move onto an acting portion where you do cold readings of the script, but this year is going to be different. Since there aren’t many scenes in the musical that are just talking the director has decided to have us all do Improv instead. Not too sure how that's all going to work out, but I'm a little worried because I'm really not very good at improvisation. Especially not in a larger group of people, which is how I think she's going to organize it. Of course, I could be completely wrong and it could turn out to be really good and I'll do a fantastic job, make everyone laugh (because I'm being a good comic, not because I do something stupid), and then at least get called back for the role of Little Red.
That's my current goal- get called back. Then at least I'll know that I'm being considered. I hate it when you don't get called back for any of the major roles and then you just sit around twiddling your thumbs for the rest of the week, waiting for the cast list to be posted. Then comes the morning that the list is posted and you scan the list in search of your name only to discover that it's not there, and then you get to spend the rest of the day trying to hold back your tears of disappointment. Not that I'm speaking from experience or anything...
The outlook at least looks somewhat brighter this year though because I was actually in the musical last year, so hopefully I managed to show the director my dedication and talent through that, and she'll decide that she simply must have me in the show. As Little Red.
I'm going to get some shut eye now, so that I might be well rested and refreshed for the auditions tomorrow. Wish me luck! Cross your fingers for me ALL DAY. Just kidding! (Sort of...)
15 August, 2010
I Wish, More than Anything
Yesterday, I attended a workshop hosted by my school's drama club for the upcoming musical, "Into the Woods". The whole point of going to this workshop is to give you a leg up on the people who don't come. (At least that's the plan, but it doesn't always work that way.) We get a packet upon arrival filled with the girls' auditions pieces and a CD that has all the audition songs on it for our listening pleasure.
Our day started at 9:30am and we spent three hours learning the pieces with the music director. Then we were allowed an hour for lunch and then it was back to the auditorium for the opportunity to perform the songs individually for the director. At least, that was the plan, but our director decided to split up the group of kids and half of them stayed with her; the half that my friend and I belonged to got to go into the Black Box and work with another Theatre teacher at our school. This did not please me. I have two main reasons why:
1. Until the last week of school this year, he had basically ignored me, and it was very clear that I had somehow offended him (though I was at a loss as to how).
2. He wasn't going to be directing the musical; the whole point of performing at this workshop was to receive feedback from the women whom we were trying to impress come auditions.
To make matters worse, the guy who we were stuck with had us perform as a group! That was NOT supposed to be the point of this afternoon session. I had been looking forward to performing by myself because I felt that it better help me prepare for the auditions, but I was disappointed.
Anyway, I promised myself that I wouldn't dwell too much on that because I've already ranted to three or four of my friends and I just need to move on.
Soooo, after learning all the songs at the workshop I decided on two songs that I plan on singing at the auditions. One is sung by Little Red, "I Know Things Now", and the other by the Baker's Wife, "Moments in the Woods". Thankfully, I won't have to sing these songs in their entirety because for the auditions we are only required to learn the cuts.
Interesting side note, the Baker's Wife doesn't really have a name. Throughout the entire play she isn't referred to as anything. I think it's fascinating. Sondheim probably did that so that then people could more easily relate to her character. The Baker and his wife are the only two characters in the show not from a fairy tale and so it's more like two people who have been thrown into this imaginary world, which turns out to be more like a nightmare.
Alright, I'm done given you guys a synopsis, so to speak, of the play; if you are still curious then use the resource already at your fingertips (The internet- more specifically- Google.)
Oh, and don't think that I'm done blogging about "Into the Woods" just yet. I still have the auditions coming up and so I will definitely be telling you all about it, since I apparently have nothing better to do. Not that I don't enjoy sharing my life with total strangers.
In case you were wondering, I don't really care what role I get (though I do draw the line at the horse's rear end), but I would love to be Little Red or the Baker's Wife. Baker's Wife is my first choice, but that's more of a dream than something I think will actually happen. Though dreams have come true before, so why not this one?
"Now I understand, and it's time to leave the woods."
Our day started at 9:30am and we spent three hours learning the pieces with the music director. Then we were allowed an hour for lunch and then it was back to the auditorium for the opportunity to perform the songs individually for the director. At least, that was the plan, but our director decided to split up the group of kids and half of them stayed with her; the half that my friend and I belonged to got to go into the Black Box and work with another Theatre teacher at our school. This did not please me. I have two main reasons why:
1. Until the last week of school this year, he had basically ignored me, and it was very clear that I had somehow offended him (though I was at a loss as to how).
2. He wasn't going to be directing the musical; the whole point of performing at this workshop was to receive feedback from the women whom we were trying to impress come auditions.
To make matters worse, the guy who we were stuck with had us perform as a group! That was NOT supposed to be the point of this afternoon session. I had been looking forward to performing by myself because I felt that it better help me prepare for the auditions, but I was disappointed.
Anyway, I promised myself that I wouldn't dwell too much on that because I've already ranted to three or four of my friends and I just need to move on.
Soooo, after learning all the songs at the workshop I decided on two songs that I plan on singing at the auditions. One is sung by Little Red, "I Know Things Now", and the other by the Baker's Wife, "Moments in the Woods". Thankfully, I won't have to sing these songs in their entirety because for the auditions we are only required to learn the cuts.
Interesting side note, the Baker's Wife doesn't really have a name. Throughout the entire play she isn't referred to as anything. I think it's fascinating. Sondheim probably did that so that then people could more easily relate to her character. The Baker and his wife are the only two characters in the show not from a fairy tale and so it's more like two people who have been thrown into this imaginary world, which turns out to be more like a nightmare.
Alright, I'm done given you guys a synopsis, so to speak, of the play; if you are still curious then use the resource already at your fingertips (The internet- more specifically- Google.)
Oh, and don't think that I'm done blogging about "Into the Woods" just yet. I still have the auditions coming up and so I will definitely be telling you all about it, since I apparently have nothing better to do. Not that I don't enjoy sharing my life with total strangers.
In case you were wondering, I don't really care what role I get (though I do draw the line at the horse's rear end), but I would love to be Little Red or the Baker's Wife. Baker's Wife is my first choice, but that's more of a dream than something I think will actually happen. Though dreams have come true before, so why not this one?
"Now I understand, and it's time to leave the woods."
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