It appears the last blog I wrote was Monday...and a lot has happened since then! Let's see...Tuesday was somewhat uneventful. Acting class, more repetition. I don't think I went that day but it's cool to watch other people squirm up there! Then we had singing class. Thankfully we did not have to sing our songs, but I did not know this so was still incredibly nervous when he made us all go up and speak the words of our song. He had to stop me because I was not breathing right, or something. Later he pulled us all aside individually and said that I was holding my breath when I spoke, and not releasing it. This guy knows his stuff! He is right. I guess I do that when I'm nervous. It's kind of funny actually. So anyway if I concentrate on letting my breath out, it helps a lot. Then the pianist recorded the accompaniment for our tunes so we can practice. The remaining 4 classes we will be singing and working on our songs. So, I have FIVE more days until I have to panic! Sweet!
Tuesday I was in a funk, as some of you know. Sudden, random panic about the realization that I am up here in this big city all by myself with no job, no income, lots of outcome, what if I can't find a job here, ohmygod I'm taking acting classes? what the hell am I going to do with my life, la la la. So Tuesday I had a big old pity party and tried to sleep the day away which did not work, and I had to sulk in my misery with full consciousness! Life is so cruel. But luckily, Wednesday I realized I do NOT want to waste my time up here worrying! And if I do fail here and fall flat on my face, I am so blessed to have two wonderful parents who would take my unemployed self back into their home. So after some phone calls, long walks, and a few valium (kidding), I am feeling much better! :-)
Wednesday we had...you guessed it, acting! I just have to say, I freaking LOVE this class. When I am there, I sometimes find myself just grinning...I just love everything about it. Well this day I did get a turn. The couple that went before us had a very emotional exercise, I mean, it was intense. So maybe it was partly that, or my stress and anxiety built up from Tuesday, or the fact that my partner was being particularly judgmental of me that day, or whatever...but I actually started crying, out of the blue, unexpectedly. It was so weird! I have never experienced such intense emotion on stage before. Of course it felt bad at the time, but afterwards, it felt really good! Not that crying is the goal of this exercise - the goal is whatever comes out, as long as it is genuine and honest. I am anxious to see how the technique will apply to our scenes, which he assigned at the end of class. We got a scene from Doubt (originally a play but they recently made it into a movie with Meryl Streep, Amy Adams, Philip Seymour Hoffman). I am playing the Amy Adams character - a sweet, young, innocent, passive Catholic nun. My scene partner is the Meryl Streep nun - the uptight, nasty principal. Eh...we'll see. Oh yeah then we had voice and speech which was not interesting enough to write about, or maybe I'm just too tired.
Sidenote: I found a really great article about the Meisner technique (what we are doing in acting class). Actually, it's a blog I think. Here is the link in case anyone is interested in what we are doing, I guess if you're really bored or something! Anyway it's just a great description of what it's LIKE, but it does not describe the actual exercises (if I described those you'd probably think I was crazy, you really have to see it I think).
Wednesday night a girl at my residence, who goes to Circle in the Square summer conservatory, told me that her teacher got so mad at a student because the student would not get angry, that the teacher started a fist fight and the student ended up with a bloody nose. That sure made me grateful for my teacher! He yells and screams at us sometimes, to try and rile up some emotion from us, but he draws the line at physical violence, thank God! Wednesday night I went to a Q&A with some talent agents in New York City. It was at my school. Very interesting. Moral of the story: it's hella hard to get an agent.
Thursday: acting again. Got a turn again. Did not cry today! But it was good. Different than yesterday. It's different every time, depending on what mood you and your partner are in. Then we had some drama in drama class, and not the good kind! I think it will be helpful for everyone to have a few days away. After that we had movement class which I was dreading. We started class by doing some weird stretches but ohmygosh they were amazing. The class is very zen-like... After that we did the yoga again, but it was gobs easier than last time. Teacher said it was because we had warmed up with the stretches. Then we did an exercise where we had to get in a circle and be totally silent but still try to run, stop, jump, etc at the same time as the whole group. It's supposed to hone your focus and keep you in tune with what the group is doing, or something like that. After class we got pizza which was sooo yummy... hung out in the park for a bit and walked around then went home.
Tonight I visited yet another library, the 58th Street branch. No picture because it was ugly - they were doing construction. It was on the upper east side which is kind of ritzy. But they DID have my book, which I was happy about! I am starting An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser...I know Julie will remember this, because Jeff had to read it for school! I read a little of it at their house way back when and liked what I saw, and then a line from the book randomly shot into my head during a recent Thursday evening, and I thought I must read it! When I came out of the library, there it was, looming, inviting me in, calling my name...
The New York & Company of New York! My favorite store! I did have to go in and take a peek. Then back home for dinner and I applied for another job. (So I can go shopping - what good motivation!)
Well that is all for now! I am so exhausted and have to get up early - tomorrow we have electives. Musical theatre from 9-11 (why oh why did I take this class) and Career Counseling from 11-1 (maybe they can tell me what the hell to do with my life)!
I promise to take better pictures and update more often in the future, so they won't have to be this long! Goodnight :-)
So THAT'S the store you were in when I called you! :-)
ReplyDeleteKeep putting one foot in front of the other, and before you know it, you'll be where you want to be. And remember to HAVE FUN!!!
Hey, thanks for the update! It's better than watching Mary Tyler Moore, anyday. Love you!
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