I'm totally excited to go see Master Class tonight, a play about opera goddess/diva Maria Callas in the decline of her career, courtesy of a coworker who didn't want his ticket. Hooray free theatre. Brava to research!!
Now that exuberance is out of the way, the rest of today's post is in commiseration of any New Yorker, really any resident in any city who has had to deal with unexpected roommate behaviors. Be warned, oh ye of fragile constitution.... this is NOT a pretty tale.
My roommate of about six or seven months recently asked if her boyfriend could stay with us for a few days while he searched for a new apartment. I thought it a bit odd (because she had only been dating him for about a month), but I was inclined to be empathetic. He had been unceremoniously kicked out of his apartment, and it can be genuinely difficult to figure out housing in New York.
Wellll that was about three months ago. I recently asked him to pay $300 toward our rent, given that he hadn't paid anything since moving in. He wasn't even splitting my roommate's rent with her, due to an arrangement between the two of them that he would buy her a ticket to Hawaii.
That's great for her, but that doesn't address the reality that the two of them are paying $800 for a bigger room, a bigger closet, a functioning air conditioning, and a wall. My original agreement with the roommate was that $800 would be fine for her, because she was a poor dancer, and that my co-signer S on the lease would pay the $300 difference.
Lately, I have been paying $1200 (our total rent is $2000 a month, not including utilities) for my room, which doesn't even have it's own wall, not to mention a closet or a working air conditioning unit. Though S had been paying the difference, I thought it reasonable that the boyfriend addition take on extra responsibility. Especially considering that I am now having to share my kitchen and bathroom with not one but two different people... both of whom are not given to cleanliness, encroaching on messy (I'm being polite by mincing words here, btw).
His response was that he would only pay $300 if he and my current roommate got to split my friend S's furniture when the lease was up. As you might imagine, my initial response was shock and silence at his audacity, and then a rarely decisive for me "Um No. That's not a good idea." I still for the life of me don't grasp how he thought he had any grounds to a) protest being asked to pay a modest sum to me, who had graciously given him a roof over his head and b) to suggest that he deserved my friend's furniture in return for paying more money.
Long story short, he paid me a check for $200 - and I'm still not quite sure why he saw fit to knock $100 off the very reasonable difference I was asking him to contribute for our gorgeous apartment and incredibly convenient location. That will be remedied tonight, to be sure.
One thing about being a dancer in New York is that to carve out the kind of life you want for yourself here, you have to learn your lessons and grow some big brass balls. And quickly. I should have started proceedings to find a new roommate when I came home from a ten day long trip to California to find trash literally piling up in the kitchen and to an apartment that hadn't been cleaned in at least two or three weeks.
After telling this story to a few guy friends, whose opinions I hold in high regard, I realized that it's on me to take initiative and change this absurd situation. I've been nice and understanding enough. Craigslist post is out in the world, I'm setting up interviews for next week, and so help me I will have a new, respectful, clean, and unabsurd roomate come August 1st.
Cross your fingers!
Yours in defiance against absurdity,
A Broadway Baby
Thursday, June 30, 2011
Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Friends in Yummy Places
As I send my sultry office voice out over the phone lines on this stunning Wednesday afternoon, how I wish I were out of doors basking in this sunshine. Instead I settle for casting an occasional longing glance toward the rays of sunshine to my right. On days like today, it's certainly both a gift and a curse that my office has gorgeous floor-to-ceiling windows.
New York has a way of being one of the most unforgiving, welcoming, mercurial, yet wonderful places in which I have had the pleasure to live. In celebrating a dear friend's birthday this past Monday, the city's personality was out in full force.
For a brief moment, life schedules and Broadway performance calendars put my surprise plans for my girlfriend quite literally in the dark. I had completely forgotten that almost all Broadway shows are "dark" on Mondays, which means that the performers have the night off, and there will be no "light"- ing up the stage that night. Imagine my dismay when I call the ABT and Anything Goes box offices for student tickets (which must be purchased and redeemed on the same day) only to find that my plans had been foiled by a misbehaving memory!
Fortunately, the niches this city supports - from the hipsters, to the dancers, to the restaurateurs - are all relatively small, vibrantly interconnected communities that, like a loyal lover, yield unexpected delights when you treat them well.
In my case, the Cuban restaurant guru came to the rescue! My friend A and I were treated to the most amazing and decadent dinner I've had in a long time at Morimoto in Chelsea Market. We splurged and got the whole bottle of prosecco to accompany our seemingly endless line of appetizers, shared this amazing fish entree that cooked itself in the cast iron bowl that it was presented in, yet I was only charged for about 30% of what hit the table. A delicious reminder of the importance of networking in all environments you encounter, especially when the benefits are the fantastic and generous company of friends in yummy places!
Yours in gastronomic bliss,
A Broadway Baby
Shoutout to my favorite Rockette Astrophysicist: I miss you, come back to New York asap!!!
New York has a way of being one of the most unforgiving, welcoming, mercurial, yet wonderful places in which I have had the pleasure to live. In celebrating a dear friend's birthday this past Monday, the city's personality was out in full force.
For a brief moment, life schedules and Broadway performance calendars put my surprise plans for my girlfriend quite literally in the dark. I had completely forgotten that almost all Broadway shows are "dark" on Mondays, which means that the performers have the night off, and there will be no "light"- ing up the stage that night. Imagine my dismay when I call the ABT and Anything Goes box offices for student tickets (which must be purchased and redeemed on the same day) only to find that my plans had been foiled by a misbehaving memory!
Fortunately, the niches this city supports - from the hipsters, to the dancers, to the restaurateurs - are all relatively small, vibrantly interconnected communities that, like a loyal lover, yield unexpected delights when you treat them well.
In my case, the Cuban restaurant guru came to the rescue! My friend A and I were treated to the most amazing and decadent dinner I've had in a long time at Morimoto in Chelsea Market. We splurged and got the whole bottle of prosecco to accompany our seemingly endless line of appetizers, shared this amazing fish entree that cooked itself in the cast iron bowl that it was presented in, yet I was only charged for about 30% of what hit the table. A delicious reminder of the importance of networking in all environments you encounter, especially when the benefits are the fantastic and generous company of friends in yummy places!
Yours in gastronomic bliss,
A Broadway Baby
Shoutout to my favorite Rockette Astrophysicist: I miss you, come back to New York asap!!!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Monday, June 27, 2011
Getting in shape, summer program commences
As a promise to myself, my "summer program" begins in earnest this Thursday, July 1st, and will run through the end of August, when my Met Opera contract begins.
I opted not to go to NYU or a similar regimented (not to mention expensive) program to continue honing my skills this summer. Instead, I'll be attending a summer program of my own making. To prep intensively these next few days, I'm sleeping well, protein shaking it up, and taking as many workout classes at NYSC (New York Sports Club) as my work schedule will allow. I got a pleasant surprise this morning when my total body conditioning instructor proved to be James Earl Jones, but super gay, hilarious, and enviably fit!
This Broadway Baby has relished planning this summer's events, thanks to the varied and valuable offerings at Broadway Dance Center (especially Bettina Sheppard's Monday lineup of Vocal Technique, 2-3pm and Vocal Peformance 3-4:30pm, and Ray Hesselink's Theatre Tap class Tuesday and Thursday nights).
In combination with technique classes at BDC, I'll be taking a workout class or personal training at least four days a week at the gym that lives under my apartment, if not every day! (Gotta dream, right?)
Tomorrow I'm working again for the School of Visual Arts, and it's swimsuit theme day... always fun from the front, but could prove interesting with any profile shots (my butt seems highly resistant to all forms of prodding for it to behave in a more ladylike, contained fashion). C'est la vie!
Summer's here!!
I opted not to go to NYU or a similar regimented (not to mention expensive) program to continue honing my skills this summer. Instead, I'll be attending a summer program of my own making. To prep intensively these next few days, I'm sleeping well, protein shaking it up, and taking as many workout classes at NYSC (New York Sports Club) as my work schedule will allow. I got a pleasant surprise this morning when my total body conditioning instructor proved to be James Earl Jones, but super gay, hilarious, and enviably fit!
In combination with technique classes at BDC, I'll be taking a workout class or personal training at least four days a week at the gym that lives under my apartment, if not every day! (Gotta dream, right?)
Tomorrow I'm working again for the School of Visual Arts, and it's swimsuit theme day... always fun from the front, but could prove interesting with any profile shots (my butt seems highly resistant to all forms of prodding for it to behave in a more ladylike, contained fashion). C'est la vie!
Summer's here!!
Thursday, June 23, 2011
It's Raining
And it's NOT raining men. Whomp whomp.
Although come to think of it, "It's Raining Men" is a great contemporary belt song that I should find sheet music for to use at auditions! Gotta love the Weather Girls... and the hilarious period music video that they created.
Even if there was an audition today, I would certainly think twice about sneaking out - given the fact I can hardly see through the torrents of rain sloshing against our office windows. "June Gloom" indeed.
So today will have to be about making the monayyy, and in service of such a feat I'm at work for a full day, and running over to a modeling gig right after I get off. We have a retro dresses of the 60s and 70s theme, so I'm pretty excited to see what the photographers have in mind! If only my hair and this humidity weren't having such a nasty, knock out, throw down battle of epic proportions...
In other news, there is a wedding on the horizon of my weekend, and I'm excited to be visiting Ithaca in upstate NY for the first time. Apparently it's beautiful (Cornell University, some deep gorges, general mountainous region, etc). I'll be sure to report back.
COUNTDOWN UNTIL MET OPERA STARTS: Only two more months!!
Although come to think of it, "It's Raining Men" is a great contemporary belt song that I should find sheet music for to use at auditions! Gotta love the Weather Girls... and the hilarious period music video that they created.
Even if there was an audition today, I would certainly think twice about sneaking out - given the fact I can hardly see through the torrents of rain sloshing against our office windows. "June Gloom" indeed.
So today will have to be about making the monayyy, and in service of such a feat I'm at work for a full day, and running over to a modeling gig right after I get off. We have a retro dresses of the 60s and 70s theme, so I'm pretty excited to see what the photographers have in mind! If only my hair and this humidity weren't having such a nasty, knock out, throw down battle of epic proportions...
In other news, there is a wedding on the horizon of my weekend, and I'm excited to be visiting Ithaca in upstate NY for the first time. Apparently it's beautiful (Cornell University, some deep gorges, general mountainous region, etc). I'll be sure to report back.
COUNTDOWN UNTIL MET OPERA STARTS: Only two more months!!
Tuesday, June 21, 2011
And Now I'm Back...
From outer space, and I walked in here, to find you with that sad look upon your face!
Haha I have returned to my favorite city after a glorious sojourn to California for my brother's graduation from high school. I am SO impressed by him and happy for all he has accomplished.... and definitely wondered at the state of my weepy tear ducts more than once!
As there are almost no auditions during the summertime, I am ready to bog down into some hard work on my dancing and singing technique over the next three months. Could not be happier to be back in New York and have my work cut out for me in this little summer program that I have planned for myself and WILL stick to.
More importantly.... I am pleased and privileged to announce that one of my very best dance friends has just booked a Fame tour to China!! I could not be more proud and ecstatic on the behalf of my wonderful namesake, and wish her all of the best.
Success that signals the achievement of one's goals is so rare and inspiring, especially in this business, that one must always take the opportunity to rejoice as the dreams of friends and fellow dancers come true before your eyes.
As another dear friend and I discussed this evening, so much of one's happiness stems from the energy that one puts out into the universe. Because you best believe that the universe will respond accordingly to what energy you choose to contribute.
Yours in hope and happiness,
A Broadway Baby
Haha I have returned to my favorite city after a glorious sojourn to California for my brother's graduation from high school. I am SO impressed by him and happy for all he has accomplished.... and definitely wondered at the state of my weepy tear ducts more than once!
As there are almost no auditions during the summertime, I am ready to bog down into some hard work on my dancing and singing technique over the next three months. Could not be happier to be back in New York and have my work cut out for me in this little summer program that I have planned for myself and WILL stick to.
More importantly.... I am pleased and privileged to announce that one of my very best dance friends has just booked a Fame tour to China!! I could not be more proud and ecstatic on the behalf of my wonderful namesake, and wish her all of the best.
Success that signals the achievement of one's goals is so rare and inspiring, especially in this business, that one must always take the opportunity to rejoice as the dreams of friends and fellow dancers come true before your eyes.
As another dear friend and I discussed this evening, so much of one's happiness stems from the energy that one puts out into the universe. Because you best believe that the universe will respond accordingly to what energy you choose to contribute.
Yours in hope and happiness,
A Broadway Baby
Friday, June 10, 2011
In Every Lovely Summer's Day
Off to California for ten days to get some rest, to address the transparency of my skin, to consume vast quantities of Inn and Out, and bask in some temperate weather (hopefully).
I'll be seeing you!
Cheers,
I'll be seeing you!
Cheers,
Thursday, June 9, 2011
Early Bird Gets the Fosse Worm
Shameless plug: This weekend, if you're in New York, go see my two lovely friends in Fashion: The Musical, at the West Village Musical Theater Festival at 13th Street Repertory (50 W 13th between 5th and 6th avenues). For more information & tickets: http://www.wvmtf.com/
Now on to today's topic! In what has become an increasingly more rare occurrence, the audition for Chicago, by Bob Fosse (to be staged in Vermont, intrigue) almost did not see any non equity ladies this morning, even though there were only 25 equity ladies total.
That's about equivalent to the typical size of one group of auditioning dancers. And it takes about 45 minutes at most to get through each group. The casting company had rented out the studios for the entire day, and started the call at 11:30am. The boys singing call wasn't until 2pm, so you'd think that they should be able to see at least three groups, conservatively, even if they took an hour to teach the combination and to audition each group.
Luckily a girlfriend was kind enough to sign me up, because she lived a block away and since it's increasingly difficult for me to get off work. I'm SO fortunate that she decided to wake up early this morning, because we were number 2 and number 3 on the non-equity list, and they only saw 10 of 50 non equity ladies.
Pretty sure Liz and I danced as closely to the "effortlessly sexy" request as we could ... and it was certainly nice to have a challenging combination! After today, I'm super bummed I didn't make it to Becoming Chaplin workshop audition. I hear tell there was a triple pirouette into twelve fouette turns into a double pirouette into a split to the floor - all in character heels! Now THAT'S my kind of audition routine... Sigh... those were the competition dance days :-)
Anyway, today's audition was a prescient reminder of the importance of being earnest AND early. Still slightly shocking because if they decide to see some nonequity girls, they'll often see all of us. The monitor (the guy running the audition) essentially guaranteed that they would see all non equity dancers. Yet in a quick change of fate, the company decided it had seen what it needed to see and let everyone else (aka the other 40 non-union dancers) go.
Crazy sauce! I'm continuing to count my lucky stars.
Now on to today's topic! In what has become an increasingly more rare occurrence, the audition for Chicago, by Bob Fosse (to be staged in Vermont, intrigue) almost did not see any non equity ladies this morning, even though there were only 25 equity ladies total.
That's about equivalent to the typical size of one group of auditioning dancers. And it takes about 45 minutes at most to get through each group. The casting company had rented out the studios for the entire day, and started the call at 11:30am. The boys singing call wasn't until 2pm, so you'd think that they should be able to see at least three groups, conservatively, even if they took an hour to teach the combination and to audition each group.
Luckily a girlfriend was kind enough to sign me up, because she lived a block away and since it's increasingly difficult for me to get off work. I'm SO fortunate that she decided to wake up early this morning, because we were number 2 and number 3 on the non-equity list, and they only saw 10 of 50 non equity ladies.
Pretty sure Liz and I danced as closely to the "effortlessly sexy" request as we could ... and it was certainly nice to have a challenging combination! After today, I'm super bummed I didn't make it to Becoming Chaplin workshop audition. I hear tell there was a triple pirouette into twelve fouette turns into a double pirouette into a split to the floor - all in character heels! Now THAT'S my kind of audition routine... Sigh... those were the competition dance days :-)
Anyway, today's audition was a prescient reminder of the importance of being earnest AND early. Still slightly shocking because if they decide to see some nonequity girls, they'll often see all of us. The monitor (the guy running the audition) essentially guaranteed that they would see all non equity dancers. Yet in a quick change of fate, the company decided it had seen what it needed to see and let everyone else (aka the other 40 non-union dancers) go.
Crazy sauce! I'm continuing to count my lucky stars.
Wednesday, June 8, 2011
Rest Day
Goal: Sneak out on my lunch break in hopes that I could be seen at the Equity (union) audition for the new Becoming Chaplin workshop. I sang for the workshop's creative team on Monday (they were SO nice) and wanted to show them I could also dance.
Game Plan: My lovely namesake signed me up, I had a friend at work willing to cover me - every thing was arranged according to plan.
Foiled! Just as I was getting ready to leave, I got a text that the monitor had called all names much earlier than expected and closed the call. How swiftly and gleefully the winds of fortune upset my best laid plans! Yet some how, I'm not sad at all. In fact, I'm surprised to be relieved!
Lesson learned. Lately I've admitted to myself that it runs counter to my nature to give anything than the most energy and enthusiasm and effort I can muster to anything I commit to doing. Whether that is my survival job in PR, my teaching job at Kaplan, my personal fitness, my diet, my relationships. Sounds good in theory, especially to me. Yet with reality banging on my lifestyle's front door, I find it exorbitantly exhausting in practice.
To The Universe, The Victory. Some days, you just have to take a day to give your body some much needed rest & relaxation. If you don't, you may just find that circumstances will force you to do so, for your own good.
***
There are so few factors that can be controlled for in this life. You can do everything in your power to make the impossible happen, and some days it even works! Other days, like this morning for me, your desired outcome couldn't be farther away from what the universe deigns to give you. I find myself rationalizing away some missed opportunities with the ever popular "it happens for a reason" mantra, but whether you rationalize, accept, or lament an outcome, there is nothing to be done but move forward. For who can tell what plan - if any - there may be for us?
Game Plan: My lovely namesake signed me up, I had a friend at work willing to cover me - every thing was arranged according to plan.
Foiled! Just as I was getting ready to leave, I got a text that the monitor had called all names much earlier than expected and closed the call. How swiftly and gleefully the winds of fortune upset my best laid plans! Yet some how, I'm not sad at all. In fact, I'm surprised to be relieved!
Lesson learned. Lately I've admitted to myself that it runs counter to my nature to give anything than the most energy and enthusiasm and effort I can muster to anything I commit to doing. Whether that is my survival job in PR, my teaching job at Kaplan, my personal fitness, my diet, my relationships. Sounds good in theory, especially to me. Yet with reality banging on my lifestyle's front door, I find it exorbitantly exhausting in practice.
To The Universe, The Victory. Some days, you just have to take a day to give your body some much needed rest & relaxation. If you don't, you may just find that circumstances will force you to do so, for your own good.
***
There are so few factors that can be controlled for in this life. You can do everything in your power to make the impossible happen, and some days it even works! Other days, like this morning for me, your desired outcome couldn't be farther away from what the universe deigns to give you. I find myself rationalizing away some missed opportunities with the ever popular "it happens for a reason" mantra, but whether you rationalize, accept, or lament an outcome, there is nothing to be done but move forward. For who can tell what plan - if any - there may be for us?
Monday, June 6, 2011
Turning Over New Leaves
After spending a few months meditating on the theme of dance karma, professional behavior, and generally just being the best dancer/performer I can be, I've decided that for today, I'm not going to report on the day's audition proceedings.
Other than to say that I was seen at Cats most of the afternoon, and was pleasantly surprised to get in the tail-end of the Becoming Chaplin EPA call at Telsey & Co. Although it was an equity call, I strode in the building at 5pm and there was no one there. The monitor took me in to sing right away! I worked some new material that I've been practicing with B Wade, but I could have done without the congestion monster that's taken residence in my sinuses.
Please by the love of all that is beautiful, clear, and on pitch, I beg the universe that I am not developing allergies. After five years in New York, I assumed I had figured out how to survive a city summer. I hope the tides aren't changing in that respect!!
After a morning of work and an afternoon of auditions, I took dance class (Int/Adv Theatre and Ballet) at Broadway Dance Center and came home to do an arm workout at my gym. Now I'm relishing in the easy silence of an Upper East Side evening and the gentle croonings of my current obsession, the ever-refreshing Fleet Foxes.
Tomorrow I'm debating waking up at 6am for a total body conditioning class, and then making my way back to the dance studio for some ballet and vocal tech before I work in the dance studio office. We'll see how I'm feeling when my alarm goes off at 6am.
Here's to continued perseverance and turning over new leaves!
Lots of summah love,
Other than to say that I was seen at Cats most of the afternoon, and was pleasantly surprised to get in the tail-end of the Becoming Chaplin EPA call at Telsey & Co. Although it was an equity call, I strode in the building at 5pm and there was no one there. The monitor took me in to sing right away! I worked some new material that I've been practicing with B Wade, but I could have done without the congestion monster that's taken residence in my sinuses.
Please by the love of all that is beautiful, clear, and on pitch, I beg the universe that I am not developing allergies. After five years in New York, I assumed I had figured out how to survive a city summer. I hope the tides aren't changing in that respect!!
After a morning of work and an afternoon of auditions, I took dance class (Int/Adv Theatre and Ballet) at Broadway Dance Center and came home to do an arm workout at my gym. Now I'm relishing in the easy silence of an Upper East Side evening and the gentle croonings of my current obsession, the ever-refreshing Fleet Foxes.
Tomorrow I'm debating waking up at 6am for a total body conditioning class, and then making my way back to the dance studio for some ballet and vocal tech before I work in the dance studio office. We'll see how I'm feeling when my alarm goes off at 6am.
Here's to continued perseverance and turning over new leaves!
Lots of summah love,
Saturday, June 4, 2011
These are a few of my favorite things
Tonight I saw Lady of the Camellias, from American Ballet Theatre at the Metropolitan Opera House in Lincoln Center. The program was essentially the ballet interpretation of the source material written by Alexandre Dumask, which also went on to become the opera La Traviata.
The music was Chopin, the dancing devine (if not a bit choppy in the first act), the costumes and sets were stunning, and my company was most stimulating & sexy (J Bogs, best date I've ever had with someone I wasn't dating).
Combined with the fab - and affordable! - character taps I got this morning at LaDuca's annual shoe sale extavaganza* and the afternoon I spent in Central Park, today has been a magical day.
*LaDucas are the premiere character shoe that every dancer on Broadway wears (as well as Katy Perry's tour dancers, apparently). Normally they cost about $200-$250 per pair, but one a year the store has a sale with mark downs all the way to $45. Like the little eager beavers we are, there were dancers in line at 8am for a sale that didn't begin until 11:30am... I was def #11 in a line of 60 people... for all those dancers out there, keep an eye out for the next sale this time next year. Definitely a dance experience not to be missed, if but for once in your life.
Yours in ballet-induced euphoria,
The music was Chopin, the dancing devine (if not a bit choppy in the first act), the costumes and sets were stunning, and my company was most stimulating & sexy (J Bogs, best date I've ever had with someone I wasn't dating).
Combined with the fab - and affordable! - character taps I got this morning at LaDuca's annual shoe sale extavaganza* and the afternoon I spent in Central Park, today has been a magical day.
*LaDucas are the premiere character shoe that every dancer on Broadway wears (as well as Katy Perry's tour dancers, apparently). Normally they cost about $200-$250 per pair, but one a year the store has a sale with mark downs all the way to $45. Like the little eager beavers we are, there were dancers in line at 8am for a sale that didn't begin until 11:30am... I was def #11 in a line of 60 people... for all those dancers out there, keep an eye out for the next sale this time next year. Definitely a dance experience not to be missed, if but for once in your life.
Yours in ballet-induced euphoria,
Friday, June 3, 2011
Veuve Clicquot & Ponytail hats
The office is boiling over with nervous energy today. Tiny fashionistas are lugging around polo sticks longer than they are tall. The south side of our loft office is in a frenzy over Nacho and the upcoming Veuve Clicquot sponsored Polo Classic in the Hamptons this weekend, the north side embroiled in sales and client drama.
And here I sit, literally in the middle of it all, completely content and gazing dreamily out at the crystal blue sky. I could be bummed, because the summer stock production of Cats that I planned on doing for July has called to say that they are postponing until next summer, but life's too short for that.
Just finished reading that California is planning to close 1/4 of its state parks. Such a shame. Yet the NYTimes opinion article featured the Jack London park, and brought memories galloping back of the author I loved and left in my youth:
And here I sit, literally in the middle of it all, completely content and gazing dreamily out at the crystal blue sky. I could be bummed, because the summer stock production of Cats that I planned on doing for July has called to say that they are postponing until next summer, but life's too short for that.
Just finished reading that California is planning to close 1/4 of its state parks. Such a shame. Yet the NYTimes opinion article featured the Jack London park, and brought memories galloping back of the author I loved and left in my youth:
Thursday, June 2, 2011
Old Dog, New Tricks
I need to learn how to do one fierce tumble pass. I'll take a back hand spring round off combo from anyone who will teach me... wow everyone just loves asking for tumbling in auditions these days!
Wizard of Oz was the same cute Jitterbug combo I remember from 8 months or so. I love the movement in the show (so quirky and right up my alley!), though I could not have done the tour anyway as it overlaps with the Met opera contract.
What a novel concept to not have to be up at 6am for an audition! My Wiz of Oz experience must be what a dancer's life is like when they have those much coveted, highly illusive agents. It was nice to be asked in for an invited call, then kept to sing before the other non equity people danced. It would have been even nicer to get kept further than the second cut for reading Ensemble slash U/S Dorothy sides this coming Saturday. It seems I'm always too tall, too thin, too something these days... I'll get you yet, my pretty!
As my wise dancer friend reminds me, we must never second guess ourselves. So I'll continue to work on presenting the best possible work that I can whenever I am lucky enough to have the opportunity. Today that means I'll be going to an epic bootcamp workout session with my personal trainer in the park.
Hooray for summer sun!
Wizard of Oz was the same cute Jitterbug combo I remember from 8 months or so. I love the movement in the show (so quirky and right up my alley!), though I could not have done the tour anyway as it overlaps with the Met opera contract.
What a novel concept to not have to be up at 6am for an audition! My Wiz of Oz experience must be what a dancer's life is like when they have those much coveted, highly illusive agents. It was nice to be asked in for an invited call, then kept to sing before the other non equity people danced. It would have been even nicer to get kept further than the second cut for reading Ensemble slash U/S Dorothy sides this coming Saturday. It seems I'm always too tall, too thin, too something these days... I'll get you yet, my pretty!
As my wise dancer friend reminds me, we must never second guess ourselves. So I'll continue to work on presenting the best possible work that I can whenever I am lucky enough to have the opportunity. Today that means I'll be going to an epic bootcamp workout session with my personal trainer in the park.
Hooray for summer sun!
Wednesday, June 1, 2011
Cough Drops & Protein Shakes
Consumers' little miracles. Today was the kind of day where the westbound crosstown bus decides not to work on an 90 degree/90% humidity day, Lauren Bacall chose today to take up residence in my vocal chords, and my muscles are rebelling from their epic work out yesterday.
And I could care less, because the sun is shining, my skin is bronzing, my voice lesson was amazing, and because having a super sexy voice is certainly making reception work more fascinating than usual.
If only I could stop sneezing! I'm like a walking comedy central skit on the finer points of uncontrollable fluids. BLERGH. Here's hoping it clears up before tomorrow, I'm really looking forward to finding a costume that will enable me to run between Wizard of Oz and Rocky Horror. Dance Team bustiers of yesteryear, here I come!
http://blogstage.backstage.com/2011/05/new-york-auditions-at-a-glance-june-2-10.html
Today's Technique Tips:
I learned in my voice lesson today that when all else fails and you still need find some way to sing after that dance call, a steady battalion of water and cough drops is the way to go. Also, though it's a survivalist instinct to be cautious and keep your voice close to you when your throat feels scratchy, it is actually the worst thing you could do. Then, you're resonating against the mushy part of your throat instead of throwing vibrations toward the bones in your nose and your ziphoid process.
My jedi master B Wade showed me that singing your song on a tongue trill to give attention to breath and pace combined with shooting consonants and notes toward the bones in your nose actually makes singing while sick considerably easier. Also, he's fantastic at acting subtext and gives some of the best acting the song advice EVER.
Crossing fingers that I make my way through tomorrow's invited call and get to sing the material I've been working on!
And I could care less, because the sun is shining, my skin is bronzing, my voice lesson was amazing, and because having a super sexy voice is certainly making reception work more fascinating than usual.
If only I could stop sneezing! I'm like a walking comedy central skit on the finer points of uncontrollable fluids. BLERGH. Here's hoping it clears up before tomorrow, I'm really looking forward to finding a costume that will enable me to run between Wizard of Oz and Rocky Horror. Dance Team bustiers of yesteryear, here I come!
http://blogstage.backstage.com/2011/05/new-york-auditions-at-a-glance-june-2-10.html
Today's Technique Tips:
I learned in my voice lesson today that when all else fails and you still need find some way to sing after that dance call, a steady battalion of water and cough drops is the way to go. Also, though it's a survivalist instinct to be cautious and keep your voice close to you when your throat feels scratchy, it is actually the worst thing you could do. Then, you're resonating against the mushy part of your throat instead of throwing vibrations toward the bones in your nose and your ziphoid process.
My jedi master B Wade showed me that singing your song on a tongue trill to give attention to breath and pace combined with shooting consonants and notes toward the bones in your nose actually makes singing while sick considerably easier. Also, he's fantastic at acting subtext and gives some of the best acting the song advice EVER.
Crossing fingers that I make my way through tomorrow's invited call and get to sing the material I've been working on!
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