Well hello!
It has been a little while.
So, as you may or may not know, my high school is performing Phantom of the Opera this fall! First high school in Massachusetts (represent!) to be putting this show on. That is pretty darn exciting, if I do say so myself. We started with auditions on the first day of school- a Wednesday, might I add- and after a long and frightening weekend of waiting for results, our wonderful assistant director Audrey sent out a facebook message of the callback list. I received 2 callbacks: 1 for Carlotta and 1 for Madame Giry. If you are familiar with my voice at all, you know that I fit Madame Giry best (if you are not, familiarize yourself here) but this summer, through all of the Drowsy love and craziness, I did a lot of vocal work and my head voice has come a very long way. Well, to cut a very long story short:
The cast is like this (I can't legally post last names, so, these will have to do) ...
Phantom: Caleb
Christine: Jill
Raoul: Nick
Carlotta: Hana, Bri (me! :] )
Piangi: Felix
Madame Giry: Christie
Meg: Nicole, Jackie
Andre: John
Firmin: Paul
I am VERY happy with how this cast turned out. I am extremely excited to be playing Carlotta in a team with one of my good friends and the rest of the principals are fantastically placed. I am very proud of them all, as well as myself for achieving my summer goal.
So, we have now begun rehearsals. We had a successful run of Act One last week and we are working on Act Two currently. We are far from finished, but it is coming along wonderfully. If I get the chance, I will be posting pictures and videos and audios of rehearsals so that you can also mark our progress and see how things are going. I am going to try and keep this blog up to date through the process, since I rarely ever do that. So, although we have been rehearsing for a few weeks now, I am going to start with today's rehearsal with our wonderful conductor.
Hana and I met with Mr. C today after school to work on our intonation, rhythm and overall singing. I have been sick for the past 3 or 4 days, so, I really didn't have much of a voice and had to sing most of it an octave down, which turned out to be fine. Hana was fantastic, as always, and we ended up having a very successful rehearsal with him. He taught us about positive thinking (mostly for me because I wasn't feeling too great due to my lack of voice today) and of course, he taught us the correct notes!! Very important when we're doing Phantom of the Opera.
This has been a brief, and yet informative update for you all! I hope that you will be joining me for this journey to the Opera Populaire over the next month and I will be writing again soon!
Love,
Bri :]
Monday, September 20, 2010
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
Team Drowsy
Well friends,
It is done. We've put on our maid and butler and 1920s costumes for the last time and performed the best show in our power for a final audience of adoring fans. Holding hands with all of you before our show on Sunday, I realized something. This truly has been the most influential and meaningful experience that I have had. I'm just sorry it took me until the program was over to figure it out. Each and every one of you have a special place in my heart where you will all stay for the rest of my days. We met as a cast for the first time on our second day of camp and read through the script. At the time, I don't believe that any of us foresaw how tight-knit we would become or that by the end we would all be begging to return. I say a lot of these things at the end of shows. I usually write a note to the cast about the end or how it all made me feel. Never before have I felt so accepted in a group of (with an exception of a few) complete strangers. I didn't know that in a short 5 weeks, these strangers would morph into friends.
This has been one hell of a ride. I came into this program blind. I did not know what to expect, who would be here, what was happening, or anything. I walked into the auditions with a few friends from Seuss and I was off. People can be clique-y. I know from experience that when doing a new summer program, people aren't the most accepting of newcomers. Fortunately for me, this is not just any random camp. Over the weeks, I have come to know and love all of you with my whole heart. I believe that we truly were and are a family, no matter where we live, no matter who we are, no matter our past or present, or future. I am truly honored to have been a part of this cast.
You should all be so proud of our accomplishments. Somehow, we managed to put together a knockout show, learn a'cappella and group pieces, perform individuals and grow as people of the planet as well. I know that I grew. I am more confident, I know myself and others better, and I learned that you don't have to play a principle to be a part of the family.
I wish I could write more. My mind is pulling me in seven different directions and I have all of these things that I want to say, but I do not know how to place them in the form of a blog or email. I shared with you at the end of our run that I was honored and touched to be accepted into such a loving and caring group of people. You are all truly my new family. I wish for you the best of luck and I hope to see you all soon. Know that we are all here for each other as we stumble through life's crazy labrynth ;]
Love,
Brianna
It is done. We've put on our maid and butler and 1920s costumes for the last time and performed the best show in our power for a final audience of adoring fans. Holding hands with all of you before our show on Sunday, I realized something. This truly has been the most influential and meaningful experience that I have had. I'm just sorry it took me until the program was over to figure it out. Each and every one of you have a special place in my heart where you will all stay for the rest of my days. We met as a cast for the first time on our second day of camp and read through the script. At the time, I don't believe that any of us foresaw how tight-knit we would become or that by the end we would all be begging to return. I say a lot of these things at the end of shows. I usually write a note to the cast about the end or how it all made me feel. Never before have I felt so accepted in a group of (with an exception of a few) complete strangers. I didn't know that in a short 5 weeks, these strangers would morph into friends.
This has been one hell of a ride. I came into this program blind. I did not know what to expect, who would be here, what was happening, or anything. I walked into the auditions with a few friends from Seuss and I was off. People can be clique-y. I know from experience that when doing a new summer program, people aren't the most accepting of newcomers. Fortunately for me, this is not just any random camp. Over the weeks, I have come to know and love all of you with my whole heart. I believe that we truly were and are a family, no matter where we live, no matter who we are, no matter our past or present, or future. I am truly honored to have been a part of this cast.
You should all be so proud of our accomplishments. Somehow, we managed to put together a knockout show, learn a'cappella and group pieces, perform individuals and grow as people of the planet as well. I know that I grew. I am more confident, I know myself and others better, and I learned that you don't have to play a principle to be a part of the family.
I wish I could write more. My mind is pulling me in seven different directions and I have all of these things that I want to say, but I do not know how to place them in the form of a blog or email. I shared with you at the end of our run that I was honored and touched to be accepted into such a loving and caring group of people. You are all truly my new family. I wish for you the best of luck and I hope to see you all soon. Know that we are all here for each other as we stumble through life's crazy labrynth ;]
Love,
Brianna
Friday, July 30, 2010
The forgotten blog post!!!
The following post was written in the middle of Summer and never posted. I just found it and it amused me :] the original title was, "Time passes WAY too quikly" enjoy!! Real update to come later today!
Do you like my random capitalization in the title?
It certainly amuses me.
Well, friends, it has been a few weeks since I have written. Amazing how fast time flies. I know its a bit cliché to say that, but for real, have you ever really thought about it? now you will ;]
In my past weeks at BCT, things have certainly improved. My last post was not the happiest, I will admit. This one will be a lot better. The purpose of this blog is to primarily write and document my life and also to share some insight that I think might one day help the world... possibly.
This was our final week of classes, unfortunately. Next week begins tech and production week which is both sad/terrifying and exciting. This week, we danced the best combinations of the program, sang our songs confidently, and created the best characters in acting. A good way to end the summer, I think. Although it is not over yet, we can't fight the fact that it will be all coming to a close in a short 9 days. I feel like I just began to get to know everyone and making friends. That initial audition day seems like it happened years ago while the time in the actual program has floated away and been lost. The days pass slowly some of the time, but then you look back and wonder where the weeks have gone. I am not pronouncing it over yet, because it is not and that would make people sadder. Instead, I would like to celebrate right now some of the awesome times that we have shared backstage and around the campus in the past week.
In no particular order (especially not in chronological, Dear God)...
-Alexis slept over in the dorms
-Daniel told me that my shirt reminded him of hooters
-There are Gazelles everywhere
-There was a scary spider in the shower this morning and it frightened me and the dorm
-I hid under Abbie's bed
-Philipp talked to an empty room by accident
-Kristina and I wonder how they clean the ceiling of the theatre
-Allsun is Sutton foster
-Rachel is Alice Ripley (but so is Brian...)
-Abbie and Magda (they don't even need an explaination)
-Kyle as Aldolpho
-Kevin (because I promised I would mention him in the next blog and I don't really know what to say about him other than that he's in the program and speaks a lot in acting class)
-The improv exercise between Burgess and Mark
-The understudy run-through on Wednesday
-scheduling "cake" for Brian's birthday into the rehearsal
-Getting no food from GDA (hey, thanks Governor Dummer)
-Playing the celebrity game
-Philipp the God
-Team Drowsy T-Shirts
-Dressing like Ashley
-Dancing to Iris and Quicksand and S-Club 7
-Making Friends
-Everyone always asking if Josh is alright after his fake fall
-Gaga
-Billy has to eat SO MUCH FOOD during the show
Good times :]
love,
Bri
Do you like my random capitalization in the title?
It certainly amuses me.
Well, friends, it has been a few weeks since I have written. Amazing how fast time flies. I know its a bit cliché to say that, but for real, have you ever really thought about it? now you will ;]
In my past weeks at BCT, things have certainly improved. My last post was not the happiest, I will admit. This one will be a lot better. The purpose of this blog is to primarily write and document my life and also to share some insight that I think might one day help the world... possibly.
This was our final week of classes, unfortunately. Next week begins tech and production week which is both sad/terrifying and exciting. This week, we danced the best combinations of the program, sang our songs confidently, and created the best characters in acting. A good way to end the summer, I think. Although it is not over yet, we can't fight the fact that it will be all coming to a close in a short 9 days. I feel like I just began to get to know everyone and making friends. That initial audition day seems like it happened years ago while the time in the actual program has floated away and been lost. The days pass slowly some of the time, but then you look back and wonder where the weeks have gone. I am not pronouncing it over yet, because it is not and that would make people sadder. Instead, I would like to celebrate right now some of the awesome times that we have shared backstage and around the campus in the past week.
In no particular order (especially not in chronological, Dear God)...
-Alexis slept over in the dorms
-Daniel told me that my shirt reminded him of hooters
-There are Gazelles everywhere
-There was a scary spider in the shower this morning and it frightened me and the dorm
-I hid under Abbie's bed
-Philipp talked to an empty room by accident
-Kristina and I wonder how they clean the ceiling of the theatre
-Allsun is Sutton foster
-Rachel is Alice Ripley (but so is Brian...)
-Abbie and Magda (they don't even need an explaination)
-Kyle as Aldolpho
-Kevin (because I promised I would mention him in the next blog and I don't really know what to say about him other than that he's in the program and speaks a lot in acting class)
-The improv exercise between Burgess and Mark
-The understudy run-through on Wednesday
-scheduling "cake" for Brian's birthday into the rehearsal
-Getting no food from GDA (hey, thanks Governor Dummer)
-Playing the celebrity game
-Philipp the God
-Team Drowsy T-Shirts
-Dressing like Ashley
-Dancing to Iris and Quicksand and S-Club 7
-Making Friends
-Everyone always asking if Josh is alright after his fake fall
-Gaga
-Billy has to eat SO MUCH FOOD during the show
Good times :]
love,
Bri
Saturday, July 10, 2010
"Champagne makes me drowsy"
Good Morning!
Today is my first day back home with air conditioning and a comfy bed. This week I started Boston Children's Theatre's Summer studios. I am dorming there because it would interfere with SSPA if my parents had to drive me every day, so, we decided that it would be a good experience to live away from home (excluding weekends) for 5 weeks. I have survived week one (narrowly, might I add). I think that I am going to break this blog down into days. It is going to be a long one, so if you don't have the time right now, I would advise that you wait to read it.
Day 1
After waking up extremely early to shower and get ready for the hour long ride to campus, we started on our journey East. We arrived around 8 and met one of my RAs, Brian. And then my parents wanted a tour of some sort. I stood awkwardly while kids stared and wondered why my parents were there. After they left, auditions began. That's a lie. After introductions from the staff, auditions began. As you might know, I am a very nervous person. Whenever I have to get up in front of people and do things, I get extremely nervous. Good thing I'm a performer, right? Everybody who sang was incredibly talented. Finally, it was my turn to go up on stage and wait my turn. Two seats away. One seat away. Time to go. I sang Out Tonight from Rent, hoping that it would result in a callback or consideration for the Wedding Singer. After everybody finished singing, we all went down to the black box an learned dance combinations from the Wedding Singer and the Drowsy Chaperone. The space was very cramped and it was difficult to learn the dances with so many people around. Somehow I was able to do so, however, and not completely suck. When the dancing was over, the numbers for Wedding Singer were called and I was not one of them. I sat in the lobby waiting to hear anything about anything for probably an hour or two. Finally, they called for the remaining girls to the black box for Drowsy callbacks. I sang for Drowsy and Mrs. Tottendale. They went well, I thought and that was pretty much the end of the day. We had orientation and introductions back at the dorms. We met each other and I found out that there are 4 Briannas at the camp. Good. I am also living with 10 German students and 2 American girls (not the dolls, literal people). Also- There's no AC.
Day 2
Our classes were chosen and assigned in accordance with our auditions and I was put into Dance, then Music, and then Acting. Every morning we go to these classes starting at 9am. I thought that I would hate dance, because I suck, but I actually rather enjoyed it. Its a really nice workout and we did a combination to Tainted Love. It was a lot of fun :] In Music, we started an ensemble piece- A Weekend in The Country from A Little Night Music. It is difficult, let me tell ya. Then in Acting we were introduced and we went around the circle saying out names, who our favorite actor/actress is, and then say something that we wouldn't normally tell anyone the first time we met them. It was pretty upsetting. The whole idea was to become comfortable with being vulnerable around each other. We had to stop part-way through due to the time. Then it was time for the cast list. Still holding a little bit of hope in my heart, and still knowing that I was not going to be in the Wedding Singer, I approached the large group of people crowded around the small bulletin board upon which our fates were posted. I scanned the Wedding Singer's list for my name and when I didn't find it there, I found it next to the label, "u/s Drowsy Chaperone." I then went off to lunch and rehearsal where we learned a few group numbers and then I went back "home" a bit upset.
Day 3
The hottest day in history. I woke up slightly discouraged and dragged myself to the shower at 6am (how disgusting) to cool myself off. Breakfast was good, then classes were good. In dance we continued with Tainted Love, in music we learned theory and sight singing, and in acting we finished our exercise and started watching Dog Day Afternoon. In the afternoon we had rehearsal and then I went back to the dorms and chilled with the Germans.
Day 4
In dance we learned some salsa stuff. I wasn't the biggest fan of this. This is because I am an awkward human being. In Music we were assigned group numbers. Everyone got duets aside from 2 groups- one of three, one of four. I was in the group of four girls. We were assigned a number from The Frogs by Stephen Sondheim- originally performed by Nathan Lane and Roger Bart. Yes, 4 women singing a song written for 2 men. It's fine. I'm sure we can do it. Acting we almost finished Dog Day Afternoon and then after lunch the entire cast of Drowsy Chaperone almost died because of the heat in the room. Fun day.
Day 5
The opening of Day 5 includes our first Master Class. This week's was dance- again, my weak point. It was completely intense (in my opinion- I mean, it might not have been that bad to people who actually dance) We learned two combinations- one from the 20s for the Drowsy people and one from the 80s for the Wedding Singer people. They were fun :] I was better at the 20s one. I think it has something to do with my Chicago experiences. After that we had rehearsal and we danced on the lawn with Brian to Toledo Surprise.
My comments
During Acting, Burgess said something about how sometimes (in fact, most times) getting what you want is not what you need. I guess that is what happened to me this week. I went to the program hoping to be cast as Holly in the Wedding Singer. I chose my audition song based on that desire, I dressed for the occasion, and I did my hair differently in the hopes that I would be cast as the crazy, young, fun person from the 80s. When I wasn't even considered at all for that show, I won't lie, it really made me sad. The Drowsy Chaperone is a fun and hilarious show and I should be honored to be a part of the small cast that it is made of. I'm learning to accept things for the way they are. I cannot make people consider me for a role they just don't believe I fit. I cannot belt higher than my abilities will take me at this time. I cannot make myself shorter. I am myself. All I can do is stand up in front of the directors and choreographers and the others and accept my life for what it is. I can only embrace what I have. I can't change what people are going to think about my talents or what they can be used for because it is not in my power to do so. I guess what I'm trying to say is that even though I am still not crazy about the role that I have been assigned, I am learning to accept it. I am up to the challenge and I will be learning all the way. I didn't need to be in The Wedding Singer. I needed to be in The Drowsy Chaperone. I know this because if it weren't meant to be, it would not have happened. Someone with more power and wisdom decided my fate and I can do nothing but trust that they were right. I have no doubts that if I go about this correctly, smiling, embracing, and accepting the hand that I was given, I will learn more than I have ever imagined.
Enjoy the week, friends-
I'll be back soon.
Love,
Bri
Today is my first day back home with air conditioning and a comfy bed. This week I started Boston Children's Theatre's Summer studios. I am dorming there because it would interfere with SSPA if my parents had to drive me every day, so, we decided that it would be a good experience to live away from home (excluding weekends) for 5 weeks. I have survived week one (narrowly, might I add). I think that I am going to break this blog down into days. It is going to be a long one, so if you don't have the time right now, I would advise that you wait to read it.
Day 1
After waking up extremely early to shower and get ready for the hour long ride to campus, we started on our journey East. We arrived around 8 and met one of my RAs, Brian. And then my parents wanted a tour of some sort. I stood awkwardly while kids stared and wondered why my parents were there. After they left, auditions began. That's a lie. After introductions from the staff, auditions began. As you might know, I am a very nervous person. Whenever I have to get up in front of people and do things, I get extremely nervous. Good thing I'm a performer, right? Everybody who sang was incredibly talented. Finally, it was my turn to go up on stage and wait my turn. Two seats away. One seat away. Time to go. I sang Out Tonight from Rent, hoping that it would result in a callback or consideration for the Wedding Singer. After everybody finished singing, we all went down to the black box an learned dance combinations from the Wedding Singer and the Drowsy Chaperone. The space was very cramped and it was difficult to learn the dances with so many people around. Somehow I was able to do so, however, and not completely suck. When the dancing was over, the numbers for Wedding Singer were called and I was not one of them. I sat in the lobby waiting to hear anything about anything for probably an hour or two. Finally, they called for the remaining girls to the black box for Drowsy callbacks. I sang for Drowsy and Mrs. Tottendale. They went well, I thought and that was pretty much the end of the day. We had orientation and introductions back at the dorms. We met each other and I found out that there are 4 Briannas at the camp. Good. I am also living with 10 German students and 2 American girls (not the dolls, literal people). Also- There's no AC.
Day 2
Our classes were chosen and assigned in accordance with our auditions and I was put into Dance, then Music, and then Acting. Every morning we go to these classes starting at 9am. I thought that I would hate dance, because I suck, but I actually rather enjoyed it. Its a really nice workout and we did a combination to Tainted Love. It was a lot of fun :] In Music, we started an ensemble piece- A Weekend in The Country from A Little Night Music. It is difficult, let me tell ya. Then in Acting we were introduced and we went around the circle saying out names, who our favorite actor/actress is, and then say something that we wouldn't normally tell anyone the first time we met them. It was pretty upsetting. The whole idea was to become comfortable with being vulnerable around each other. We had to stop part-way through due to the time. Then it was time for the cast list. Still holding a little bit of hope in my heart, and still knowing that I was not going to be in the Wedding Singer, I approached the large group of people crowded around the small bulletin board upon which our fates were posted. I scanned the Wedding Singer's list for my name and when I didn't find it there, I found it next to the label, "u/s Drowsy Chaperone." I then went off to lunch and rehearsal where we learned a few group numbers and then I went back "home" a bit upset.
Day 3
The hottest day in history. I woke up slightly discouraged and dragged myself to the shower at 6am (how disgusting) to cool myself off. Breakfast was good, then classes were good. In dance we continued with Tainted Love, in music we learned theory and sight singing, and in acting we finished our exercise and started watching Dog Day Afternoon. In the afternoon we had rehearsal and then I went back to the dorms and chilled with the Germans.
Day 4
In dance we learned some salsa stuff. I wasn't the biggest fan of this. This is because I am an awkward human being. In Music we were assigned group numbers. Everyone got duets aside from 2 groups- one of three, one of four. I was in the group of four girls. We were assigned a number from The Frogs by Stephen Sondheim- originally performed by Nathan Lane and Roger Bart. Yes, 4 women singing a song written for 2 men. It's fine. I'm sure we can do it. Acting we almost finished Dog Day Afternoon and then after lunch the entire cast of Drowsy Chaperone almost died because of the heat in the room. Fun day.
Day 5
The opening of Day 5 includes our first Master Class. This week's was dance- again, my weak point. It was completely intense (in my opinion- I mean, it might not have been that bad to people who actually dance) We learned two combinations- one from the 20s for the Drowsy people and one from the 80s for the Wedding Singer people. They were fun :] I was better at the 20s one. I think it has something to do with my Chicago experiences. After that we had rehearsal and we danced on the lawn with Brian to Toledo Surprise.
My comments
During Acting, Burgess said something about how sometimes (in fact, most times) getting what you want is not what you need. I guess that is what happened to me this week. I went to the program hoping to be cast as Holly in the Wedding Singer. I chose my audition song based on that desire, I dressed for the occasion, and I did my hair differently in the hopes that I would be cast as the crazy, young, fun person from the 80s. When I wasn't even considered at all for that show, I won't lie, it really made me sad. The Drowsy Chaperone is a fun and hilarious show and I should be honored to be a part of the small cast that it is made of. I'm learning to accept things for the way they are. I cannot make people consider me for a role they just don't believe I fit. I cannot belt higher than my abilities will take me at this time. I cannot make myself shorter. I am myself. All I can do is stand up in front of the directors and choreographers and the others and accept my life for what it is. I can only embrace what I have. I can't change what people are going to think about my talents or what they can be used for because it is not in my power to do so. I guess what I'm trying to say is that even though I am still not crazy about the role that I have been assigned, I am learning to accept it. I am up to the challenge and I will be learning all the way. I didn't need to be in The Wedding Singer. I needed to be in The Drowsy Chaperone. I know this because if it weren't meant to be, it would not have happened. Someone with more power and wisdom decided my fate and I can do nothing but trust that they were right. I have no doubts that if I go about this correctly, smiling, embracing, and accepting the hand that I was given, I will learn more than I have ever imagined.
Enjoy the week, friends-
I'll be back soon.
Love,
Bri
Monday, June 14, 2010
High School Never Fails to Amuse Me... Oh Wait... That's a Lie.
Weird that it has literally been a year since I started writing this blog. I know that nobody reads, but someday it might turn into a thing. Until then, I'm just writing for my own and my one follower's enjoyment. Friday night marked the 11th annual Academy Awards (if you have no idea what I'm talking about, look at my past blogs- I explain there) Next year's season was announced.
Our main stage season is as follows:
Season one- Phantom of the Opera
Season two- Picasso at the Lapin Agile
Season three- Julius Caesar
Season four- The Women
Season five- Flat Stanley the Musical
Along with these, the seasons for the black box were also announced. Each year, a lucky handful of senior students are chosen to direct a show in our studio theatre (Black Box). Since my freshman year, my goal has been to direct a musical in the black box, something that has never previously been done at our school. My original plan was to direct Last 5 Years by Jason Robert Brown since there are only two people and I think that it would be amazing down there, but after much consideration, it was decidedly too difficult for freshmen and sophomores to pull off. It was this decision that led me to Children's Letters to God the Musical. I submitted my director's proposal a few weeks ago and eagerly awaited the announcement on Friday. Of course, I was interested in the awards themselves, but really, I had been waiting the entire ceremony to hear the results of my efforts.
After sitting through the announcements of the guest directors for the main stage and breaking Matt's hand, it was finally announced that another first was going to be present in the season. So, my dear friend(s), you are reading the words of a person making history. Children's Letters to God is going to be living in the studio theatre during the third season next year. I am incredibly excited and honored to have been chosen for this and I cannot wait to start working. Unfortunately, I submitted my only copy of the libretto for my proposal, so I am going to need that back. If you are interested in hearing some of the music, click HERE. That is probably my favorite song from the show. It is called, "I Know"-it makes me smile and I love it. The kids who perform in it are incredibly talented- this particular video is from a Philippines version of the musical (according to the video description) I tried to find the obc on youtube, but it wasn't there. The official website of the show is HERE. I can't wait to scout talent from my own neck of the woods.
If any freshmen or sophomores are reading this: Here is a bit of information to get you ahead of the game...
Characters: 3m, 2f
Brett, age 13- his parents are divorced. He loves his father and wears a hat full of pins from places they have gone together. Although he says that he doesn't wear it to bed, he completely does.
Joanna, age 13- she wants desperately to be a princess. She wants a fairytale ending and she is head-over-heels in love with Brett, even though he is sort of a jerk sometimes.
Iris, age 11- her best friend is her pet turtle, Arnold. She resents anyone who doubts the love between her and her turtle, but she secretly longs for more friends. She likes Brett a little bit, too.
Theo, age 10- he wants to be Brett's friend so badly. He wants nothing more than to please his parents and learn how to play baseball and be more athletic. He does not want to be chosen last anymore.
Kicker, age 9- he is Joanna's sister. He loves her, but also hates her. (it is a mutual hatred, but it is just sibling rivalry, nothing violent or horribly mean here)He wants to be accepted by the older kids and fit in.
Obviously, this is completely early- a little less than a year in advance- to be releasing the information, but I am extremely excited. Hopefully more people will read this blog and become interested in auditioning.
I am still eagerly awaiting the rooming list for BCT!
Hopefully that will be in very soon.
Another exciting thing,
For my job shadow in April, I took a trip to New York to follow a Casting Director, Mark B. Simon (he has cast all of JRB's shows and many others). I was allowed to sit in on the auditions for Eric Whitacre's New York production of Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings. It was a fantastic experience. I hope to return someday and do some more "work" with them. For now, I have tickets to see the show, so there will be a review of some sort up when I return. I know it is going to be absolutely wonderful. I can't wait!!
Sorry this post is so unorganized- I am supposed to be working on a project for Creative Writing right now :P
I hope you could follow easily enough and I am excited to write more this summer!
Have a wonderful week everybody!
Love,
Bri :]
Our main stage season is as follows:
Season one- Phantom of the Opera
Season two- Picasso at the Lapin Agile
Season three- Julius Caesar
Season four- The Women
Season five- Flat Stanley the Musical
Along with these, the seasons for the black box were also announced. Each year, a lucky handful of senior students are chosen to direct a show in our studio theatre (Black Box). Since my freshman year, my goal has been to direct a musical in the black box, something that has never previously been done at our school. My original plan was to direct Last 5 Years by Jason Robert Brown since there are only two people and I think that it would be amazing down there, but after much consideration, it was decidedly too difficult for freshmen and sophomores to pull off. It was this decision that led me to Children's Letters to God the Musical. I submitted my director's proposal a few weeks ago and eagerly awaited the announcement on Friday. Of course, I was interested in the awards themselves, but really, I had been waiting the entire ceremony to hear the results of my efforts.
After sitting through the announcements of the guest directors for the main stage and breaking Matt's hand, it was finally announced that another first was going to be present in the season. So, my dear friend(s), you are reading the words of a person making history. Children's Letters to God is going to be living in the studio theatre during the third season next year. I am incredibly excited and honored to have been chosen for this and I cannot wait to start working. Unfortunately, I submitted my only copy of the libretto for my proposal, so I am going to need that back. If you are interested in hearing some of the music, click HERE. That is probably my favorite song from the show. It is called, "I Know"-it makes me smile and I love it. The kids who perform in it are incredibly talented- this particular video is from a Philippines version of the musical (according to the video description) I tried to find the obc on youtube, but it wasn't there. The official website of the show is HERE. I can't wait to scout talent from my own neck of the woods.
If any freshmen or sophomores are reading this: Here is a bit of information to get you ahead of the game...
Characters: 3m, 2f
Brett, age 13- his parents are divorced. He loves his father and wears a hat full of pins from places they have gone together. Although he says that he doesn't wear it to bed, he completely does.
Joanna, age 13- she wants desperately to be a princess. She wants a fairytale ending and she is head-over-heels in love with Brett, even though he is sort of a jerk sometimes.
Iris, age 11- her best friend is her pet turtle, Arnold. She resents anyone who doubts the love between her and her turtle, but she secretly longs for more friends. She likes Brett a little bit, too.
Theo, age 10- he wants to be Brett's friend so badly. He wants nothing more than to please his parents and learn how to play baseball and be more athletic. He does not want to be chosen last anymore.
Kicker, age 9- he is Joanna's sister. He loves her, but also hates her. (it is a mutual hatred, but it is just sibling rivalry, nothing violent or horribly mean here)He wants to be accepted by the older kids and fit in.
Obviously, this is completely early- a little less than a year in advance- to be releasing the information, but I am extremely excited. Hopefully more people will read this blog and become interested in auditioning.
I am still eagerly awaiting the rooming list for BCT!
Hopefully that will be in very soon.
Another exciting thing,
For my job shadow in April, I took a trip to New York to follow a Casting Director, Mark B. Simon (he has cast all of JRB's shows and many others). I was allowed to sit in on the auditions for Eric Whitacre's New York production of Paradise Lost: Shadows and Wings. It was a fantastic experience. I hope to return someday and do some more "work" with them. For now, I have tickets to see the show, so there will be a review of some sort up when I return. I know it is going to be absolutely wonderful. I can't wait!!
Sorry this post is so unorganized- I am supposed to be working on a project for Creative Writing right now :P
I hope you could follow easily enough and I am excited to write more this summer!
Have a wonderful week everybody!
Love,
Bri :]
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
It has been Months, but I'm back!
Hello people!
Well... person.
I am here to talk about a few things this blog post. The topics will be as follows:
1. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
2. Evening of One Act Plays
3. BCT and Bri!
4. BroadwayPants
1. Broadway Cares
Currently I am sitting in a very hot and humid Marine Biology room pretending to do a project on oil spills (well, not actually pretending- for more info go HERE)and I am reflecting upon the wonderful success that was the Broadway Cares Club Cabaret! My friend Krissy is the president of the Broadway Cares Club here at school and I am the Vice President :] We co-chaired/directed a Cabaret about a month ago now. The cabaret consisted of many musical theatre numbers as well as some EXTREMELY talented individuals. Footage will be posted on my youtube channel at some point (soon I hope!!) and I will post pictures once we all go through the pictures that were taken and sort out the good and bad. I just wanted to give a little shout out to the wonderful people who helped and I thank you all! I love you so much :] We ended up making over $600, so you should all be proud. :]
2. Evening of One Act Plays
This happened a few weeks ago now, but there were 3 black box shows to see and I saw them all 3 times :) one role in each show was double cast, so I had to see both and everyone was wonderful! Krissy directed a show called The American Century, Jen directed 27 Wagons Full of Cotton, and Katie directed The Pokey.
The American Century was a play about family and a boy who shows up at the house of his parents post WWII. He is their son from the future and things all get jumbled and confused, but it is wonderful. The cast (Jill, Jackie, Nate, and Johnny) was amazing and everybody did absolutely wonderfully. The chemistry between them was real and believable. My mom loved it too. (My dad showed up about two seconds after the show started and so, he missed the whole thing because it was in the Black Box and if someone comes in late to a Black Box show, it just disrupts everything.) Wonderful job! Congratulations :]
27 Wagons Full of Cotton was more difficult to follow, but it was wonderfully directed and cast. It was about a married couple who have issues (abuse, arson, etc.) and a plantation burning down. What was cool, though, was it was a political allegory to the Good Neighbor Policy. The cast (Michelle, Alexa, Dylan, and Ryan) was believable and I could see the situation and how it was all affecting them. The set was really cool, too. They made a legit PORCH on the stage with a swing and a screen door and everything. It was great.
The Pokey was very interesting. It was the most modern, I would say. It was about a rockstar who wakes up in the jail of a town in MiddleOfNowhere, Texas (aka Prolly). She swears a lot and jumps around and is crazy, but likes books and befriends the jailor who is never named :( The end was cute and I was glad the last line was, "you motherrrr" because that just makes it funnier. The cast (Patty, Emily, and Matt) made it completely hilarious. All three were perfectly cast. It was great
A Job WELL DONE to the directors, casts, and crews of all three of these wonderful productions!!
3. BCT
I am proud to announce that this summer I will be working with Boston Children's Theatre (LINK!) to improve my skills as a performer and to be in one of two productions: The Drowsy Chaperone or The Wedding Singer. Personally, I hope to be cast in The Wedding singer after the whole Chicago thing. (In cast you didn't know, Chicago was not the BEST experience I have ever had in my life. It was incredible fun, however the comments that were made on my hair were a bit much.) Needless to say, I do not want to cut my hair for the 1920s again. Either way, this summer is going to be wonderful. I am so very excited to join this company for another "season". My plan right now is to document the summer in the form of a reality show (giving an update of some sort each day or week or possibly bi-weekly.) and making "episodes". The show will be on my youtube channel all summer and should be pretty dramatic and fun :P Hopefully I can get some good "interviews" from new friends to make it even better. I'm pretty pumped about this plan. I'm not going to lie. I am super duper excited to be living in the dorms and I am eagerly awaiting the information about rooming. That is the update as of right now for that particular area. Hopefully I will be learning more soon! I can't wait :]
4. BroadwayPants
Well. It is my pleasure to introduce BroadwayPants. I am not exactly sure how this is going to work yet, but I have decided to announce this anyway. The people who read this blog are most likely familiar with the pants that I create when seeing certain Broadway shows. I have decided to extend this project with the world. For right now, I am taking orders for the summer. Half of the proceeds will go to Broadway Cares, the other half will go to the BroadwayPants fund which will help pay for new sharpies and materials that go into MAKING the pants. Email requests to: Tootsiepopowl210@gmail.com (For now. This will change later. I will post an update for a new email address in the coming months)
I hope that you all have a wonderful week!!
I love the people reading!
Don't be afraid to comment :]
Love,
Bri <3
Well... person.
I am here to talk about a few things this blog post. The topics will be as follows:
1. Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS
2. Evening of One Act Plays
3. BCT and Bri!
4. BroadwayPants
1. Broadway Cares
Currently I am sitting in a very hot and humid Marine Biology room pretending to do a project on oil spills (well, not actually pretending- for more info go HERE)and I am reflecting upon the wonderful success that was the Broadway Cares Club Cabaret! My friend Krissy is the president of the Broadway Cares Club here at school and I am the Vice President :] We co-chaired/directed a Cabaret about a month ago now. The cabaret consisted of many musical theatre numbers as well as some EXTREMELY talented individuals. Footage will be posted on my youtube channel at some point (soon I hope!!) and I will post pictures once we all go through the pictures that were taken and sort out the good and bad. I just wanted to give a little shout out to the wonderful people who helped and I thank you all! I love you so much :] We ended up making over $600, so you should all be proud. :]
2. Evening of One Act Plays
This happened a few weeks ago now, but there were 3 black box shows to see and I saw them all 3 times :) one role in each show was double cast, so I had to see both and everyone was wonderful! Krissy directed a show called The American Century, Jen directed 27 Wagons Full of Cotton, and Katie directed The Pokey.
The American Century was a play about family and a boy who shows up at the house of his parents post WWII. He is their son from the future and things all get jumbled and confused, but it is wonderful. The cast (Jill, Jackie, Nate, and Johnny) was amazing and everybody did absolutely wonderfully. The chemistry between them was real and believable. My mom loved it too. (My dad showed up about two seconds after the show started and so, he missed the whole thing because it was in the Black Box and if someone comes in late to a Black Box show, it just disrupts everything.) Wonderful job! Congratulations :]
27 Wagons Full of Cotton was more difficult to follow, but it was wonderfully directed and cast. It was about a married couple who have issues (abuse, arson, etc.) and a plantation burning down. What was cool, though, was it was a political allegory to the Good Neighbor Policy. The cast (Michelle, Alexa, Dylan, and Ryan) was believable and I could see the situation and how it was all affecting them. The set was really cool, too. They made a legit PORCH on the stage with a swing and a screen door and everything. It was great.
The Pokey was very interesting. It was the most modern, I would say. It was about a rockstar who wakes up in the jail of a town in MiddleOfNowhere, Texas (aka Prolly). She swears a lot and jumps around and is crazy, but likes books and befriends the jailor who is never named :( The end was cute and I was glad the last line was, "you motherrrr" because that just makes it funnier. The cast (Patty, Emily, and Matt) made it completely hilarious. All three were perfectly cast. It was great
A Job WELL DONE to the directors, casts, and crews of all three of these wonderful productions!!
3. BCT
I am proud to announce that this summer I will be working with Boston Children's Theatre (LINK!) to improve my skills as a performer and to be in one of two productions: The Drowsy Chaperone or The Wedding Singer. Personally, I hope to be cast in The Wedding singer after the whole Chicago thing. (In cast you didn't know, Chicago was not the BEST experience I have ever had in my life. It was incredible fun, however the comments that were made on my hair were a bit much.) Needless to say, I do not want to cut my hair for the 1920s again. Either way, this summer is going to be wonderful. I am so very excited to join this company for another "season". My plan right now is to document the summer in the form of a reality show (giving an update of some sort each day or week or possibly bi-weekly.) and making "episodes". The show will be on my youtube channel all summer and should be pretty dramatic and fun :P Hopefully I can get some good "interviews" from new friends to make it even better. I'm pretty pumped about this plan. I'm not going to lie. I am super duper excited to be living in the dorms and I am eagerly awaiting the information about rooming. That is the update as of right now for that particular area. Hopefully I will be learning more soon! I can't wait :]
4. BroadwayPants
Well. It is my pleasure to introduce BroadwayPants. I am not exactly sure how this is going to work yet, but I have decided to announce this anyway. The people who read this blog are most likely familiar with the pants that I create when seeing certain Broadway shows. I have decided to extend this project with the world. For right now, I am taking orders for the summer. Half of the proceeds will go to Broadway Cares, the other half will go to the BroadwayPants fund which will help pay for new sharpies and materials that go into MAKING the pants. Email requests to: Tootsiepopowl210@gmail.com (For now. This will change later. I will post an update for a new email address in the coming months)
I hope that you all have a wonderful week!!
I love the people reading!
Don't be afraid to comment :]
Love,
Bri <3
Tuesday, March 23, 2010
"Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened."
Quote- Dr. Seuss.
This Sunday, I wrapped up one of the most meaningful theatrical ventures of my life. Weird how I am talking about a production of Seussical Jr. the same way that I talked about RENT last year. This production was a complete step outside of my comfort zone. People who know me think that I'm crazy-outgoing but, I am extremely shy. I walked into the audition at Boston Children's Theatre with my friend Tara, thinking that we were going to take this adventure together. Turns out that she had traveled for nothing when she realized that she could not actually audition for Anne Frank because she will be in Italy when it is being performed (lucky duck!). So instead, I walked in alone. I sang my Spring Awakening song, did my Ilse monologue, and took a step out side of my little box. A few weeks later, I stepped farther when I returned for a callback. After I was cast, rehearsals started and I was on my own. I had two almost friends from auditions/callbacks, but that was it. Who knew that I would be begging to return not even two days after it all ended for good?
I have never been involved with any sort of production outside of my little high school theatre world until now. It took me this experience to realize that I am capable of so much more than I ever thought. I don't get cast as the lead. I get the chorus roles. Chorus roles are just as important, but when you don't ever get that chance to really be there after the hard work that you have put in, it seems almost hopeless. It is now that I have realized that I can do it. This step out of my boundaries, this allowed me to grow so much as a performer and as a person. I have been in the same town for my entire life, surrounded by the most talented people I have ever met and maybe, because of this, I didn't feel like I could ever live up to them. I didn't have the confidence that I needed to make those roles because I didn't know that I could ever do it. This whole opportunity gave me the chance to show myself what exactly I was capable of.
This is my thank you. I want to thank the whole cast and creative team for working together and really being a family to me and each other over the last month. You have ALL taught me so much about myself and about friendship and about theatre arts in general. The professional atmosphere scared me a bit, but really when it comes down to it, that was what I was used to anyway. My only complaint is that I wasn't allowed to help build the set. :P I'd like to keep in touch with all of you after this is over (which it now is). I have many of your numbers and facebooks and things such as this. But I wanted you all to know that, even though its weird to say, you have truly changed my life. I leave this production with more confidence and happiness and experience than I ever have any other. I owe this growth to all of you and only hope that I have helped any of you in the slightest bit.
You don't need a big performance space and 4000 audience members to have a successful and beautiful show. You could perform on a 20'x20' stage with yellow curtains and still experience something meaningful. I know first-hand now. You could ask my friends- I had issues with some technical aspects but once we all started working together and really getting to know the show, I truly loved being there and putting on that feathery hat every day. :)
I feel like I have written way too much at this point. It would be a miracle if you read this whole thing. Thanks to those who did.
I look forward to seeing you in the summer, BCT, it has been wonderful.
Love,
Brianna
P.S. http://www.BostonChildrensTheatre.org
This Sunday, I wrapped up one of the most meaningful theatrical ventures of my life. Weird how I am talking about a production of Seussical Jr. the same way that I talked about RENT last year. This production was a complete step outside of my comfort zone. People who know me think that I'm crazy-outgoing but, I am extremely shy. I walked into the audition at Boston Children's Theatre with my friend Tara, thinking that we were going to take this adventure together. Turns out that she had traveled for nothing when she realized that she could not actually audition for Anne Frank because she will be in Italy when it is being performed (lucky duck!). So instead, I walked in alone. I sang my Spring Awakening song, did my Ilse monologue, and took a step out side of my little box. A few weeks later, I stepped farther when I returned for a callback. After I was cast, rehearsals started and I was on my own. I had two almost friends from auditions/callbacks, but that was it. Who knew that I would be begging to return not even two days after it all ended for good?
I have never been involved with any sort of production outside of my little high school theatre world until now. It took me this experience to realize that I am capable of so much more than I ever thought. I don't get cast as the lead. I get the chorus roles. Chorus roles are just as important, but when you don't ever get that chance to really be there after the hard work that you have put in, it seems almost hopeless. It is now that I have realized that I can do it. This step out of my boundaries, this allowed me to grow so much as a performer and as a person. I have been in the same town for my entire life, surrounded by the most talented people I have ever met and maybe, because of this, I didn't feel like I could ever live up to them. I didn't have the confidence that I needed to make those roles because I didn't know that I could ever do it. This whole opportunity gave me the chance to show myself what exactly I was capable of.
This is my thank you. I want to thank the whole cast and creative team for working together and really being a family to me and each other over the last month. You have ALL taught me so much about myself and about friendship and about theatre arts in general. The professional atmosphere scared me a bit, but really when it comes down to it, that was what I was used to anyway. My only complaint is that I wasn't allowed to help build the set. :P I'd like to keep in touch with all of you after this is over (which it now is). I have many of your numbers and facebooks and things such as this. But I wanted you all to know that, even though its weird to say, you have truly changed my life. I leave this production with more confidence and happiness and experience than I ever have any other. I owe this growth to all of you and only hope that I have helped any of you in the slightest bit.
You don't need a big performance space and 4000 audience members to have a successful and beautiful show. You could perform on a 20'x20' stage with yellow curtains and still experience something meaningful. I know first-hand now. You could ask my friends- I had issues with some technical aspects but once we all started working together and really getting to know the show, I truly loved being there and putting on that feathery hat every day. :)
I feel like I have written way too much at this point. It would be a miracle if you read this whole thing. Thanks to those who did.
I look forward to seeing you in the summer, BCT, it has been wonderful.
Love,
Brianna
P.S. http://www.BostonChildrensTheatre.org
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Many things to discuss...
This blog comes to you in many parts: 1. The follow-up on the Chamber Music and Catholic School Girl auditions 2. Catholic School Girls Show (I think you can guess how number one went now) 3. BCT 4. Musical Theatre: The Class! 5. A Tragic Story
1. The Follow-Up
So, Once again, I glanced upon the cast list on the beloved box office glass that my existence surrounds and saw the absence of my name. I'm not going to lie, I had dreams about it the nights leading up to that day and they all had something to do with the directors assigning me some kind of technical position like props. So, I signed up for props. (Only to find out that I could not be involved with Chamber Music... more info on that in number 3!) I don't remember if I cried for this cast list. I don't think I did, though, because I remember not expecting to get very far with Chamber Music and I was happy to have even been called back for both of them. For Catholic School Girls, I was called back and the first half went very well and then I was asked to stay for the second portion. That was wonderful and I'm honored to be able to say that I had a second callback. I feel like I saw it as an opening. I was kind of learning to let go and being grateful for the opportunities was enough for me. I think that people in this business and doing this for fun need to think about it as fun and looking out for opportunities. We are all just going around and looking for new experiences and, if we're lucky, we absolutely love what we are doing. I think that we all need to look at this theatre thing and not just see it as a form of entertainment or a career, but as something that we love. If people get up every day and say, "Goodness, I hate going to work. I hate my job." Obviously, some adjustments need to be made. It can't get much simpler than that, really.
2. Catholic School Girls...
was WONDERFUL! I saw it twice while it was happening. The cast list was as follows:
Elizabeth - Rachel
Maria Theresa - Patty
Colleen - Ashley
Wanda - Erin
Sister Mary Lucille - Hannah
Sister Mary Agnes - Christie
Sister Mary Thomasina - Lizzy
Sister Mary Germaine - Christina
I honestly wish I could put last names, but I don't want to put any of these girls in danger and so, there they are, in their one-name glory. All of them were spectacular. If any of you read this, please, know that all of the performances were fantastic and that I am proud of all of you. Many of you I have had the privilege of working with before or watching grow in some way and everyone was wonderful. I love you all.
The show was directed by the lovely Patti (I have mentioned her before, so, go back to the archives to read more about her) and the set was a simple set of 4 desks, a beautiful stained glass window that was constructed by many people and out of light gels and two giant blackboards. The show is a satire on life in a Catholic School by Casey Kurtti. I suggest reading it, it is wonderful =]
3. BCT
Short for Boston Children's Theatre. (Links: Website, Facebook Page) I went to audition for their productions of Diary of Anne Frank, Miss Nelson is Missing the Musical, and Seussical Jr. a while ago. After singing my heart out with Spring Awakening's Blue Wind and getting the feedback that it did not show off my full potential as well as being one of nine girls who had a monologue prepared (also from Spring Awakening in the role of Ilse- you can just call me redundancy) I landed 3 callbacks out of three. The first one, for Anne Frank, I had to leave early. The second, for Miss Nelson, I had to turn down because I realized that I am busy on the show dates. The third one, for Seussical Jr. , took place two weeks after the initial audition. My, what a long two weeks that was to wait. I have been in one production of Seussical before. I played the Cat in the Hat along-side Mike and Emily (we had three cats, don't even bother to question it. I tried and just ended up confused) at SSPA's version the summer of my Freshman-going-into-sophomore-year. At this callback, I would just like to point out, what I like to call a "Callback Miracle" happened. A Callback Miracle is something that I created a term for. In other words, it happens at a callback and one is able to suddenly hit a note that is just a little bit higher than they are normally able to reach, or dance a little better than they think they can, or anything that enhances skills for just that moment and occasion. This happened to me at these callbacks. I'm not going to go into extreme detail because they would be boring, but, basically, we all danced (a combination that was one million times easier than one of Larry's. Once you have worked with Larry, you win. That's it. haha) a combination and then everybody sung Oh The Thinks You Can Think (this is when said miracle occurred), and then they gave me Sour Kangaroo music, and then Bird Girl music, they shaved off a round of people and had the bird girl people sing, they threw me to the other side of the room for some reason, the Hortons and Jojos sang, then I was given Gertrude music, Mayzies sang, Gertrudes sang and they made me sing mine again because they thought I gave up (haha... oops.), and though this whole thing, they shaved people off until there were literally 7 or 8 girls left and those people sang for Sour Kangaroo. I was among those last girls and so were two nice people I met during the whole process (Alexis and Michaela) and then we all left. The cast list was posted and it was like a Christmas miracle. I was cast as Gertrude. For those of you who are not familiar with Seussical, let me just say, that Gertrude is the lead female role in the show. I am completely honored and excited to start working on the 16th of February. This saturday, we have measurements for costumes being taken and that should be fun as well. The only thing about this is that is interferes greatly with Chamber Music and after bringing this up with CM's director, it is clear that I am sticking with BCT for this run. For those of you who'd like to buy tickets- *LINK!*- please do! =]
4. Musical Theatre: The Class!
This is just a quick school update. I have started the musical theatre class of 2010 and I am loving it so far!! I sang Mama Who Bore Me from Spring Awakeningand it went very well. Everybody else is doing wonderfully! When I know more about it, I will let y'all know!
5. Untitled
I did not really name this section. I'm not going into specifics because I feel that is unnecessary. But I don't want to go about things like nothing happened. Liv, you will be missed in the hearts of many. Keep smiling on. Live For Liv. <3
I hope that you all have a wonderful week and weekend
Love,
Bri =]
1. The Follow-Up
So, Once again, I glanced upon the cast list on the beloved box office glass that my existence surrounds and saw the absence of my name. I'm not going to lie, I had dreams about it the nights leading up to that day and they all had something to do with the directors assigning me some kind of technical position like props. So, I signed up for props. (Only to find out that I could not be involved with Chamber Music... more info on that in number 3!) I don't remember if I cried for this cast list. I don't think I did, though, because I remember not expecting to get very far with Chamber Music and I was happy to have even been called back for both of them. For Catholic School Girls, I was called back and the first half went very well and then I was asked to stay for the second portion. That was wonderful and I'm honored to be able to say that I had a second callback. I feel like I saw it as an opening. I was kind of learning to let go and being grateful for the opportunities was enough for me. I think that people in this business and doing this for fun need to think about it as fun and looking out for opportunities. We are all just going around and looking for new experiences and, if we're lucky, we absolutely love what we are doing. I think that we all need to look at this theatre thing and not just see it as a form of entertainment or a career, but as something that we love. If people get up every day and say, "Goodness, I hate going to work. I hate my job." Obviously, some adjustments need to be made. It can't get much simpler than that, really.
2. Catholic School Girls...
was WONDERFUL! I saw it twice while it was happening. The cast list was as follows:
Elizabeth - Rachel
Maria Theresa - Patty
Colleen - Ashley
Wanda - Erin
Sister Mary Lucille - Hannah
Sister Mary Agnes - Christie
Sister Mary Thomasina - Lizzy
Sister Mary Germaine - Christina
I honestly wish I could put last names, but I don't want to put any of these girls in danger and so, there they are, in their one-name glory. All of them were spectacular. If any of you read this, please, know that all of the performances were fantastic and that I am proud of all of you. Many of you I have had the privilege of working with before or watching grow in some way and everyone was wonderful. I love you all.
The show was directed by the lovely Patti (I have mentioned her before, so, go back to the archives to read more about her) and the set was a simple set of 4 desks, a beautiful stained glass window that was constructed by many people and out of light gels and two giant blackboards. The show is a satire on life in a Catholic School by Casey Kurtti. I suggest reading it, it is wonderful =]
3. BCT
Short for Boston Children's Theatre. (Links: Website, Facebook Page) I went to audition for their productions of Diary of Anne Frank, Miss Nelson is Missing the Musical, and Seussical Jr. a while ago. After singing my heart out with Spring Awakening's Blue Wind and getting the feedback that it did not show off my full potential as well as being one of nine girls who had a monologue prepared (also from Spring Awakening in the role of Ilse- you can just call me redundancy) I landed 3 callbacks out of three. The first one, for Anne Frank, I had to leave early. The second, for Miss Nelson, I had to turn down because I realized that I am busy on the show dates. The third one, for Seussical Jr. , took place two weeks after the initial audition. My, what a long two weeks that was to wait. I have been in one production of Seussical before. I played the Cat in the Hat along-side Mike and Emily (we had three cats, don't even bother to question it. I tried and just ended up confused) at SSPA's version the summer of my Freshman-going-into-sophomore-year. At this callback, I would just like to point out, what I like to call a "Callback Miracle" happened. A Callback Miracle is something that I created a term for. In other words, it happens at a callback and one is able to suddenly hit a note that is just a little bit higher than they are normally able to reach, or dance a little better than they think they can, or anything that enhances skills for just that moment and occasion. This happened to me at these callbacks. I'm not going to go into extreme detail because they would be boring, but, basically, we all danced (a combination that was one million times easier than one of Larry's. Once you have worked with Larry, you win. That's it. haha) a combination and then everybody sung Oh The Thinks You Can Think (this is when said miracle occurred), and then they gave me Sour Kangaroo music, and then Bird Girl music, they shaved off a round of people and had the bird girl people sing, they threw me to the other side of the room for some reason, the Hortons and Jojos sang, then I was given Gertrude music, Mayzies sang, Gertrudes sang and they made me sing mine again because they thought I gave up (haha... oops.), and though this whole thing, they shaved people off until there were literally 7 or 8 girls left and those people sang for Sour Kangaroo. I was among those last girls and so were two nice people I met during the whole process (Alexis and Michaela) and then we all left. The cast list was posted and it was like a Christmas miracle. I was cast as Gertrude. For those of you who are not familiar with Seussical, let me just say, that Gertrude is the lead female role in the show. I am completely honored and excited to start working on the 16th of February. This saturday, we have measurements for costumes being taken and that should be fun as well. The only thing about this is that is interferes greatly with Chamber Music and after bringing this up with CM's director, it is clear that I am sticking with BCT for this run. For those of you who'd like to buy tickets- *LINK!*- please do! =]
4. Musical Theatre: The Class!
This is just a quick school update. I have started the musical theatre class of 2010 and I am loving it so far!! I sang Mama Who Bore Me from Spring Awakeningand it went very well. Everybody else is doing wonderfully! When I know more about it, I will let y'all know!
5. Untitled
I did not really name this section. I'm not going into specifics because I feel that is unnecessary. But I don't want to go about things like nothing happened. Liv, you will be missed in the hearts of many. Keep smiling on. Live For Liv. <3
I hope that you all have a wonderful week and weekend
Love,
Bri =]
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)
