Chicago Run Through

On Sunday at rehearsal for Chicago, we ran through the portion of the show that we have staged! We have staged most of the first act so far. The whole cast was very nervous because we were scared we were going to mess up or forget choreography. We decided that we were all going to meet up at the theatre early for rehearsal and practice all of the large dance numbers before we had to do them in front of the choreographer and the leads of the younger cast of Chicago so they could gain inspiration from the older cast and see where they could go with hard work and practice! We ran through the show twice and it honestly went very well. It was very long and quite exhausting because we were dancing for four hours straight, hut I felt really good after. I feel that this connects with learning outcome 1, identifying own strengths and develop areas for growth. I felt really good with my memorization of lines, lyrics and choreography, but I still need to work on feeling comfortable in my body when dancing and working on calming my nerves when singing a solo! Overall, I am excited to see this show come together! I will keep this blog updated throughout the process!!!

Chicago Rehearsal Update!

Today I had rehearsal for Chicago!!!! Today was the first day I had lines and solos in the show! I have a sinus infection, which was a minor setback, but I was just so excited to prove to the directors that I was a good choice for my role! The role I have is different from anything I have ever played! She is a soprano and has a wild personality! I was so excited to sing and act for my cast. When it was time to sing the song I have lines in, I was so ready. I sang my part for the class and I got great feedback from the music director. He gave me great tips on how to combine my action and singing. When we staged the song I sing in, I got to do my lines in front of the directors for the first time. It was so fun to act as someone that is so different from me and just have fun with it.

I feel that this aligns with CAS Learning Outcome 1, identify own strengths and develop areas for growth. I got so much great and helpful tips and constructive criticism that I think I will be able to portraythis role very well! I am excited to see how the show turns out and I am excited to have fun with this role!

Browning- Teaching by Myself

Last week, before my internship my co-teacher Rachel texted me that she was sick and she was coming to class but couldn't talk at all. I was very nervous when I went in because I had to execute her whole lesson plan by myself without verbal assistance, having never taught music classes by myself. The kids were very patient with me and when Rachel want dot talk to me and give me notes she'd write it down for me. This experience gave me a great opportunity find places where I succeed and where I need to grow, which ties perfectly to learning outcome 1, identifying my own strengths and develop areas for growth. I learned that I am great at engaging with the kids and the also relate to me more becauseI'm closer to their age. I learn one thing I need to do better is taking command of the room, but I hope next semester I will continue to grow and become a better teacher.

CAS- Carrie Audition

Yesterday night, I had an audition for the musical Carrie. Carrie is a musical, based on a movie from the 1980's,  about a girl raised by a highly religious mother and is bullied at school. I auditioned at the theatre where I have done all of my past productions, like Hair, which I wrote about a few blogs back. For auditions, I need to prepare a cut of a musical theatre song and read lines from different characters from the show that are given to me. My song went pretty well and I feel that I did well with my vocals and acting. I got a lot of laughter during the song, good laughter due to my (hopefully) subtle but humorous acting choices. The line reading went okay. I felt I could have done better, which ties into Learning Outcome 1, Identifying own strengths and develop areas for growth. I identified my strengths, like my vocals and acting during the song, but recognized areas for growth during the lines. But overall, the audition went well and I hope I get cast in the show!

CAS- Hair

For my fall production at the theatre I act at, we are doing Hair. Hair is a musical about hippie counterculture in the late 1960's. This show is different than any show Ive done because it feels so real. The entire cast in the show is a tribe and we all need to act accordingly. I am a person who loves blocking and a set plan, but this show has pushed me top just feel and connect with other people, which is just as, or even more powerful than staging effective and intentional blocking. This show has expanded my horizons and pushed me out of my comfort zone and has helped me improve a lot as an actor. To me, this experience aligns with learning outcome one, increasing awareness of strengths and areas for growth. I have been pushed during this process to challenge me physically, it has pushed my ways of thinking and pushed my thought processes. Even though Hair is set in the 60's it is extremely relevant today than ever. We are facing issues of social injustice now, that are very similar to issues that were occurring in the 60's. For example, the characters in the show are standing up for social beliefs by protesting at the pentagon, which parallels to recent events that are happening now in our supreme court, which are causing people to protest on the steps of the supreme court. So as I said, this show is using my physically. It is pushing my technique and acting and showing me places I can improve, but most of all it is pushing my mind and hopefully will bring an intense, but beautiful story form the 60's, back into today's generation and portrayed in a powerful and organic way.