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!

First Day at Clemente Martinez!!!

Last week I received an email that Hope Stone, the organization I intern with, is no longer teaching at Browning Elementary. I was devastated because I had bonded so much with the kids there and wanted to return and see how much my students have grown over the summer. I was informed that Hope Stone's program was being moved to Clemente Martinez Elementary School, just down the road from Browning. Instead of teaching 4th grade ukulele and 5th grade guitar, I was told I was teaching a mixed 4th and 5th grade guitar. It was going to be shift, but I was excited for a new experience and the opportunity to impact more children.

The first day went very well! The group of kids I have is amazing! They all seem interested and willing to learn! To me this whole shift aligns with Learning Outcome #4, demonstrating that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process. I will admit that shifting schools in such a short period of time was challenging, but I learned how to adapt and think on my feet!

I am excited to see these new students grow!!!!

Dancing at Chicago Rehearsal

Today was our third rehearsal for Chicago. We finished the opening number and started learning the dances to the next two songs in the show. Dancing has never been my strongest suit. Out of the three components of musical theatre, singing, acting and dancing, dancing is my weakest. Chicago has really broadened my horizons in recognizing my dance skill. It has also allowed me to practice, grow and improve my dance skills in a safe and supportive environment. The dance style for Chicago, fosse, is very style specific and pretty technical. Although it is difficult, I am enjoying the process of learning and practicing this new style that I have never experienced. This connects to Learning Outcome #2, Demonstrating that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process. I have struggled the past few weeks with learning the dance steps and keeping up with the choreographer, but I am learning and improving with time. I love learning new skills in an environment where I know I am supported and encouraged to step out of my comfort zone.

Chicago Callback

Today I had my callback for Chicago! I was excited to know that the director wanted to see me again after my audition. This boosted my confidence walking into the theatre for the callback. We were notified before that the callback would specifically highlight dancing, since the dance style for Chicago is so specific and technical. We began with the choreographer telling us to walk across the stage confidently to music, which is a lot harder than it sounds! I felt very confident afterwards! Next we learned a dance combination to the end of the most famous song from the show, All That Jazz. This was one of the hardest dances I had ever learned. Out of the three components of musical theatre, singing, acting and dancing, dancing is my weakest. Even though I was struggling with the technicality of all of the steps, I tried my best to let me personality shine through! By the end everyone was sweating and exhausted! This experience aligns strongly with Learning Outcome 2: Demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process. I undertook the challenge of learning a new dance style and combination, but I learned the steps and tried my best to show style and personality! While dancing is not my strong suit, I tried my best and I was very proud of myself after. The fact that I did as well as I did even though I wasn't a dancer made me proud. I look forward to the casting process and learning my role. The rehearsal process is going to be exciting and different from anything I have ever done, but I am excited to learn from this new experience!!!!!

Chicago Audition

 I auditioned for Chicago where I do theatre. I had not sung, acted or danced all summer so I was very nervous. I practiced my song for the audition at home and in my car on the way to the theatre. When it was time to get up and audition I was so nervous, but I recognized that all go my friends were also nervous and we had to support and encourage each other. I sang my song and it was pretty good. I was rusty but I am still proud of my work. This represents CAS Learning Outcome 2,

demonstrate that challenges have been undertaken, developing new skills in the process. I faced a challenge by coming back to something I haven't done in a while and I learned to calm my nerves by leaning on my friends!!!!!

Chicago Audition Prep

While at summer camp this summer, I learned that my theatre was doing a production of Chicago in the fall and the audition was soon after I came home. The genre of the show was different from things I had performed in in the past. Chicago is set in Chicago in the 1920's and has many themes of love, fame and murder. The show also has a ton of dancing, so I did a lot of research and practice into the dance style of the show, which was very technical. I did a lot of research into the style of Fosse and songs I could use for the audition. I decided to sing the song Maybe This Time from the musical Cabaret because the musical styles of the two shows were very similar. I learned the lyrics to the song and practiced any time I had the chance! This connects to Learning Outcome 4, show commitment to and perseverance in a fieldwork experience. I was committed to doing well in the audition and showing that I had done my research into the show and practiced my song to perfection. I am excited for the audition process and I hope my work pays off!

Walking at Camp

At summer camp, I had an hour off every day. I could do whatever I wanted with this hour and I would usually take it so sleep or watch television because it was the only time I had away from my campers to rest. Today I decided to use my hour to walk around camp to increase my step count and take some time outside to myself! I walk around camp all day every day, taKing care of my campers and walking to activities, but today I took time walking around camp to myself to think and reflect. It was a great experience, walking around with no stress and no place to go. I feel that this aligned greatly with Learning Outcome Number Seven: Recognize and consider the ethics of choices and actions. I knew I could have taken my hour off to nap, which sometimes is beneficial, but today I took initiative and recognized what was best for me, my body and health and got outside and took some time for myself to walk around camp. I explored new paths and trails that I didn't know existed! I learned to analyze my body and mental state and do whatever is best for me in that moment! I hope to get my friends involved on their hours off and walk with me.