So my knee doesn't make that horrid cracking sound every time it bends now... bonus.
Tomorrow is another Rockettes call. Huge because it's non-required which means they didn't get their casting completely done... so there is a space on that line for someone who is legit enough to go for it.
I'm going on principle, even though my heart's not in it.
We'll see how it goes!
Sunday, July 31, 2011
Saturday, July 30, 2011
Small Victories
My Kaplan class has gone up an average of 200 points per student between their first and second Practice Tests. Yay!
Also, I took floor barre this morning (SUCH amazing technique class with minor damage to the joints) from a young man who sounds like Yoda when he gets excited.
I loved how sunny it was today. Maybe I'll really get to lay out in it soon!
Also, I took floor barre this morning (SUCH amazing technique class with minor damage to the joints) from a young man who sounds like Yoda when he gets excited.
I loved how sunny it was today. Maybe I'll really get to lay out in it soon!
Friday, July 29, 2011
The Good Soldier
" But the real fierceness of desire, the real heat of a passion long continued and withering up the soul of a man, is the craving for identity with the woman he loves. He desires to see with the same eyes, to touch with the same sense of touch, to hear with the same ears, to lose his identity, to be enveloped, to be supported. For whatever may be said of the relation of the sexes, there is no man who loves a woman that does not desire to come to her for the renewal of his courage, for the cutting asunder of his difficulties. And that will be the mainspring of his desire for her. We are all so afraid, we are all so alone, we all so need from the outside the assurance of our own worthiness to exist"
- Ford Madox Ford, 1927 The Good Soldier
- Ford Madox Ford, 1927 The Good Soldier
Thursday, July 28, 2011
Give me the mad ones, the dreamers, those whose hearts burn with the fire of a thousand suns. Give me passion or give me death! (I mean... liberty is nice too).
Why is it that every time I seem to have something figured out, a new opportunity comes along and blinds me with its sparkling promise. DARN it.
It would be SO much easier if I were the type that was regularly calm and put together... much less stress on the nervous system, I'm sure.
But ultimately, it's all par for the course. Everyday I wake up, I must remember for the rare chance I've taken on my youth: the chance to do exactly what I want, because I am determined, because I love it, because really there are no rules, and because I CAN.
Gimme Gimme that thing called LOVE!
Why is it that every time I seem to have something figured out, a new opportunity comes along and blinds me with its sparkling promise. DARN it.
It would be SO much easier if I were the type that was regularly calm and put together... much less stress on the nervous system, I'm sure.
But ultimately, it's all par for the course. Everyday I wake up, I must remember for the rare chance I've taken on my youth: the chance to do exactly what I want, because I am determined, because I love it, because really there are no rules, and because I CAN.
Gimme Gimme that thing called LOVE!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
Keep Calm and Carry On
The treadmills at my office job were calling to me today, but my knee most emphatically answered no.
Though I decided out of prudence and minor poverty not to go again to the Mary Poppins audition today (and work instead), I have had the rare opportunity to be an objective observer of the two possible outcomes that the auditioning experience may yield.
Two of my closest dancer friends attended Mary Poppins today. As of this morning, both were not certain if they would attend, both are incredibly talented and arguably in the same "type", yet one was kept and the other was not.
Sometimes I wonder if there is more to life than chaos theory... perhaps the universe subjectively doles out life rewards to those in need? One friend is astonishingly talented and has already booked jobs that are the envy of most dancers in the professional field. She is beyond deserving of accolades not only as a dancer but a scientist and an all around impressive human being. Yet lately she's been in a funk (the universe owes her better than what it's currently doling out, in my opinion), and she was cut at her audition today. Is this a freak casting misstep, or some grander scheme supporting her graduate school considerations?
The other has never danced on a tour or a show and often experiences feelings of frustration that bring her to the brink of wanting to give up altogether. Yet she just booked a job a month ago and was kept through to the end of Mary Poppins today. Was this because she is any more talented than dancer friend #1? Absolutely not. Whether this can be of consequence or not is controvertible, but dancer friend #2 received some awful, awful news a day before... news that would keep dancers of lesser discipline in bed and away from auditions. To Dancer friend #2's credit, she got up and went anyway. I can't help but feel like the cosmos halted for the most miniscule of milliseconds to shine a bright light on her in the interest of turning her day around.
Perhaps my friend, dancer #1, will be doused in the light of future prospects when she least expects it.
Auditions are never fair, and there seems a complete absence of method to the madness. Yet I acknowledge that the decision to actively accept starving-artist-status is not particularly sane...
In the context of those two realities, I am compelled to draw a grander parallel to the life of any person striving beyond the status quo to attain their own version of brilliance. There is so much that we cannot know, so many questions that - even once resolved - somehow give birth to a wealth of other questions that keep any sense of finality and security quite obstinately out of reach.
All over the Kaplan office, people have those Keep Calm and Carry On mugs adorned with the image of a crown. I've never noticed them before. Morale booster for England in WWII back then, morale booster for it's offspring today.
Despite reason, injury, upset, and the utter lack of fairness or control in life, my surroundings have provided the necessary reminder: soldier on, old girl, soldier on.
Though I decided out of prudence and minor poverty not to go again to the Mary Poppins audition today (and work instead), I have had the rare opportunity to be an objective observer of the two possible outcomes that the auditioning experience may yield.
Two of my closest dancer friends attended Mary Poppins today. As of this morning, both were not certain if they would attend, both are incredibly talented and arguably in the same "type", yet one was kept and the other was not.
Sometimes I wonder if there is more to life than chaos theory... perhaps the universe subjectively doles out life rewards to those in need? One friend is astonishingly talented and has already booked jobs that are the envy of most dancers in the professional field. She is beyond deserving of accolades not only as a dancer but a scientist and an all around impressive human being. Yet lately she's been in a funk (the universe owes her better than what it's currently doling out, in my opinion), and she was cut at her audition today. Is this a freak casting misstep, or some grander scheme supporting her graduate school considerations?
The other has never danced on a tour or a show and often experiences feelings of frustration that bring her to the brink of wanting to give up altogether. Yet she just booked a job a month ago and was kept through to the end of Mary Poppins today. Was this because she is any more talented than dancer friend #1? Absolutely not. Whether this can be of consequence or not is controvertible, but dancer friend #2 received some awful, awful news a day before... news that would keep dancers of lesser discipline in bed and away from auditions. To Dancer friend #2's credit, she got up and went anyway. I can't help but feel like the cosmos halted for the most miniscule of milliseconds to shine a bright light on her in the interest of turning her day around.
Perhaps my friend, dancer #1, will be doused in the light of future prospects when she least expects it.
Auditions are never fair, and there seems a complete absence of method to the madness. Yet I acknowledge that the decision to actively accept starving-artist-status is not particularly sane...
In the context of those two realities, I am compelled to draw a grander parallel to the life of any person striving beyond the status quo to attain their own version of brilliance. There is so much that we cannot know, so many questions that - even once resolved - somehow give birth to a wealth of other questions that keep any sense of finality and security quite obstinately out of reach.
All over the Kaplan office, people have those Keep Calm and Carry On mugs adorned with the image of a crown. I've never noticed them before. Morale booster for England in WWII back then, morale booster for it's offspring today.
Despite reason, injury, upset, and the utter lack of fairness or control in life, my surroundings have provided the necessary reminder: soldier on, old girl, soldier on.
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Exhaustion
The unappreciated outcome of working out and being all intense about super health and good foods and waking up at 6am for the Total Body Workout class around the corner.
Errgh. I feel like an old lady. Complete with a rogue, clickity clack knee that seems to be rebelling against the commonly found staircase, native to my New York City apartment. Alas.
I love that I bought ice trays - not for drinks, not to cool water - no, I bought ice trays only so I would always have injury ice at my disposal. Man I forget what this dancer life is like... My body isn't what it used to be!
Errgh. I feel like an old lady. Complete with a rogue, clickity clack knee that seems to be rebelling against the commonly found staircase, native to my New York City apartment. Alas.
I love that I bought ice trays - not for drinks, not to cool water - no, I bought ice trays only so I would always have injury ice at my disposal. Man I forget what this dancer life is like... My body isn't what it used to be!
Monday, July 25, 2011
I've had too long an absence from this and all things dance in the past week. Philadelphia was phenomenal, probably some of the best food I will ever have in my life, courtesy of the Cuban and the gorgeous Le Bec Fin. If heaven had a flavor, I can only imagine that it tastes like that triple creme cow's milk cheese that made my LIFE.
Today there was an audition for Empire, but the rehearsal dates are during my Met contract, and another audition for King and I, but there are really no parts for me in that show (I'm too young to play the headmistress who falls in love with the King, and not ethnically ambiguous enough to be anyone else).
I'm still grappling with the practicality of auditioning again for Mary Poppins this Wednesday, as opposed to working all day long for Kaplan (money is ALWAYS good...). We'll see what I think come Tuesday night.
My summer of cardio is going strong; despite a long work day, a vocal tech class, and a long foray into the necessary world of laundry, I managed to make it to my favorite Step class at the gym tonight before making dinner with the lovely Griffith.
It's a bit later now than I hoped to go to sleep, but I've just decided that I am going to get up tomorrow at 6am anyway. Discipline, like any other muscle, has to be worked and stretched in order to be increased! (Or so I desperately hope).
A little over a month left before Met Opera starts. eeek!!!
Today there was an audition for Empire, but the rehearsal dates are during my Met contract, and another audition for King and I, but there are really no parts for me in that show (I'm too young to play the headmistress who falls in love with the King, and not ethnically ambiguous enough to be anyone else).
I'm still grappling with the practicality of auditioning again for Mary Poppins this Wednesday, as opposed to working all day long for Kaplan (money is ALWAYS good...). We'll see what I think come Tuesday night.
My summer of cardio is going strong; despite a long work day, a vocal tech class, and a long foray into the necessary world of laundry, I managed to make it to my favorite Step class at the gym tonight before making dinner with the lovely Griffith.
It's a bit later now than I hoped to go to sleep, but I've just decided that I am going to get up tomorrow at 6am anyway. Discipline, like any other muscle, has to be worked and stretched in order to be increased! (Or so I desperately hope).
A little over a month left before Met Opera starts. eeek!!!
Tuesday, July 19, 2011
Captain Obvious
A good night's sleep and an early morning's workout can dole out increased levels of healthier feeling energy than coffee.... Who'd've thunk it?!
(Haha what a HORRID grammatical contraction I've just released into the blogosphere)
This week is a ghost town as far as auditions go. Full speed ahead toward the Rockettes Audition on August 1st!
Met Opera rehearsals start in the beginning of September... That's SO soon. I can't wait!!
Check out this video about last year's Rockette auditions (especially around 1:35 for some silly girl's rendition of Thriller):
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/the-scene/events/Would-Be_Rockettes_Work_It_Out_All__National_.html?__source=Watch%20This&autoPlay=true
(Haha what a HORRID grammatical contraction I've just released into the blogosphere)
This week is a ghost town as far as auditions go. Full speed ahead toward the Rockettes Audition on August 1st!
Met Opera rehearsals start in the beginning of September... That's SO soon. I can't wait!!
Check out this video about last year's Rockette auditions (especially around 1:35 for some silly girl's rendition of Thriller):
http://www.nbcnewyork.com/the-scene/events/Would-Be_Rockettes_Work_It_Out_All__National_.html?__source=Watch%20This&autoPlay=true
Monday, July 18, 2011
I Like The Way You Think, You're In the Band
Listen to your friends.
Sometimes they have GREAT ideas.
Thank the universe for your great friends!
Sometimes they have GREAT ideas.
Thank the universe for your great friends!
Friday, July 15, 2011
The Joy in the Little Things
- late night workouts - $79/month
- ricotta and spinach tortellini in red pesto from Trader Joes - $3.99
- two pairs of sneakers from work (so I don't have to put aside $100 for a new pair) - free
- two bottles of Prosecco from work - free
- idea for a book to occupy my time at work - $0.40 cents of a call on Cingular network to my father and then to my significant others
- Theatre tap class & Floor Barre at Broadway Dance Center - $10
Thursday, July 14, 2011
All tapped out
No pun intended!
So today's blog post, for fellow dancers and people who just generally want to be fit, is an aggregate collection of advice from ballet teachers and nutritionists I've spoken with regarding dancer health:
DO NOT DRINK GATORADE (little known fact: while gatorade may taste good and work in a pinch for high performance athletes in need of carbohydrates and electrolytes, its high levels of sodium and sulfites can actually make it more difficult for the body to rehydrate and replenish lost oxygen)
Natural Food Stores in NY
So today's blog post, for fellow dancers and people who just generally want to be fit, is an aggregate collection of advice from ballet teachers and nutritionists I've spoken with regarding dancer health:
Antioxidize:
eat four or more raw fruits a day
eat 6 or more raw vegetables a day
juice plus product supplement: www.maximalhealth.us
Include a mazimum of 4 serving of grains, breads, and cereals. Try sprouted breads, high fiber, whole grain cereals and pasta, or brown rice
Choose healthy fats:
choose your 30-60 grams wisely. Use canola oil, flaxseed oil or olive oil to cook
increase omega 3 fatty acids (wild fish, ground flax seeds, walnuts, omega3-rich eggs)
AVOID PARTIALLY HYDROGENATED OR TRANS fat
Include healthy fats like nuts, seeds, WILD salmon, and avocados
Protect fatty acids with antioxidants (leafy greens, almonds, hazelnuts)
Choose healthy protein sources:
avoid consuming excessive protein
Choose lean cuts of meat, chicken (organic and free range if possible) or wild fish
soy products, soy or rice milk, whole grains, eggs from free range hens
lentils, beans, or raw nuts and seeds
Increase fiber
40-45 grams of fiber in your diet per day:
fruits, veggies, grains, whole grain flours, beans, peas, nuts, seeds
HYDRATION
Drink 64 ounces of a water a day at least
DO NOT DRINK GATORADE (little known fact: while gatorade may taste good and work in a pinch for high performance athletes in need of carbohydrates and electrolytes, its high levels of sodium and sulfites can actually make it more difficult for the body to rehydrate and replenish lost oxygen)
Natural Food Stores in NY
Fairway at 74th
Gary Null's Whole Foods 2421 Broadway @ 89th street
The Health Nuts, Bway W75th & 76th
Green Symphony 255 E 43rd
Westerly Natural Market, 913 8th Ave @ 54th Street
Wednesday, July 13, 2011
You always hurt the one you love
HD is the best friend ever in time of crisis. Very few people I know would drop their plans to come be my gym buddy and work out with me to stave off frustration and stress. What a champion.
Another inspiration, the indefatigable CC exposed me to Blue Valentine and the wonder that is Ryan Reynolds. My cover of the above song is the testament to EVERYTHING I am feeling right now.
www.lauradelaterre.com
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
I'm too sexy..
for my shirt? No... apparently for Mary Poppins!! The choreographer said in his delightful British accent that I was giving too much sexy face. I was just SMILING! Must now re-evaluate all facial expressions, haha.
Off to bed now, for yoga in the morning before work, and ballet in the evening.
Off to bed now, for yoga in the morning before work, and ballet in the evening.
Monday, July 11, 2011
On Partnering
In his book, Beyond Technique (1968), Erik Bruhn (phenomenal Danish principal dancer) discussed his thoughts on partnering:
This afternoon, I'm off to Broadway Dance Center for Vocal Tech, Vocal Audition Rep, and Tap. Tomorrow afternoon there's a Mary Poppins audition. I can't wait! There hasn't been a worthwhile audition in weeks, it seems. Crossing fingers and toes!
Seems to me this works for ballet and other forms of dance, as much as it does for all manner of relationships in life off stage.It has been noticed that I have been able to work with many different kinds of ballerinas, and on most occasions we succeeded in becoming a team if only for a season or two. And that is because I always wanted to relate to them. I don't remain the same. Each ballerina is different; she has a special flavor or she wouldn't be a ballerina. This would color my style and shape my approach. I remain true to myself, but I let her flavor color me as mine colors her ... A good partnership can somehow crystallize something that you have been doing already. When the right people come together, they bring the best out of each other ... With the right person, it becomes a situation of being rather than playing ...The role absorbs you and you become it. And then it seems like you can do nothing wrong because you are so totally absorbed by this being.
This afternoon, I'm off to Broadway Dance Center for Vocal Tech, Vocal Audition Rep, and Tap. Tomorrow afternoon there's a Mary Poppins audition. I can't wait! There hasn't been a worthwhile audition in weeks, it seems. Crossing fingers and toes!
Friday, July 8, 2011
Sleeping Beauty at American Ballet Theatre
Can't wait to go to the Met Opera House to watch ballet tonight with my favvvve man date, J L B the THIRD!
Thursday, July 7, 2011
Clive Owen
's twin just gave me orchids on the corner of 21st and 5th avenue, then sped away in his shiny black escalade.
Who says romance is dead?!
In Broadway news, it turns out the My Fair Lady audition was only for three weeks in Florida and is disastrously underpaid, so no Lerner and Loewe for me this week! Tomorrow there's a Carrie audition (why on earth someone thinks its a good idea to make that terrible film into a musical escapes me, but what can you do). There's also a Hairspray call, but I am unfortunately scheduled to work all day and need the money.
Choices, choices!
Who says romance is dead?!
In Broadway news, it turns out the My Fair Lady audition was only for three weeks in Florida and is disastrously underpaid, so no Lerner and Loewe for me this week! Tomorrow there's a Carrie audition (why on earth someone thinks its a good idea to make that terrible film into a musical escapes me, but what can you do). There's also a Hairspray call, but I am unfortunately scheduled to work all day and need the money.
Choices, choices!
Wednesday, July 6, 2011
Overheard...
On Answers4Dancers.com
"You win some you win some. I never say you lose some. You don't lose in this business, you just don't get the job sometimes" - Melissa, a Justin Timberlake dancer
Heard that they made calls about that Cats job in Albany, NY this week. They didn't call me, so there will be no donning of fake fur & tail in my end of August plans. Oh well! You win some, you win some.
Interviewed ten potential roommates for resigning my lease in September. Bought a fan today, SOOO exciting. Early to bed, early to rise!
"You win some you win some. I never say you lose some. You don't lose in this business, you just don't get the job sometimes" - Melissa, a Justin Timberlake dancer
Heard that they made calls about that Cats job in Albany, NY this week. They didn't call me, so there will be no donning of fake fur & tail in my end of August plans. Oh well! You win some, you win some.
Interviewed ten potential roommates for resigning my lease in September. Bought a fan today, SOOO exciting. Early to bed, early to rise!
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Monday, July 4, 2011
Happy Fourth of July, Bengal Tiger!
Was at the Bagdad Zoo and I sadly, sadly, missed seeing him in the last run of the show this weekend. Salute to Robin Williams, who I just passed in the street on my way home from a Fourth of July party at the lovely future Fame girl's residence.
Hugs and love and Happy Fourth of July to all and to all a good night!
Hugs and love and Happy Fourth of July to all and to all a good night!
Friday, July 1, 2011
Love & Loneliness
Today I pause to ponder on an all too ubiquitous motif in my communication with the universe of late. Everywhere I find my wandering feet unexpectedly anchored - from my current relationship, to the theatre last night, to my morning jaunt through today's New York Times online - I see so much loneliness and so much love.
Last night, I was overwhelmed by Terrence McNally's portrayal of an aging Maria Callas teaching Julliard students in Master Class. Here was a woman who overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to do what she loved most, who swallowed - in silence - every wound she ever received, who swathed herself in armor of finery and fire, and who brashly dared the world to oppose her at every turn. If ever there was the epitome of the silently suffering warrior, Maria Callas must have been it.
What I found most compelling was how Tyne Daly's interpretation of Maria exposed the vulnerabilities and consuming loneliness that Callas successfully hid from most of the world. It was inspiring, yet incredibly sad to relive one of the final chapters in the life of this extraordinarily talented, driven woman. One can only imagine what thoughts must have percolated through her mind as she watched her passions and hopes publicly mocked and dissected by gleefully wicked colleagues and shameless media publications.
She had so much love to give, so much love for her art, for the idea of love. Yet she was conditioned by everyone who should have cared for her that she was ugly, not worthy, never enough. The hard exterior she sought to mold into invulnerability ultimately drove away everyone who wanted to love her. I couldn't help but see my grandmother in her, and more worrisome, a bit of myself.
It's rare to be gifted with such insight into the essence of another person. Even rarer still to see a piece of theater whose commentary suggests the perils of theater. McNally's central thesis expands beyond the realm of the theater, however, to any story where fame, success, wealth, power - devoting one's life to oneself, and/or to proving everybody wrong - comes at the high cost of a chance at true happiness.
This morning, an refreshingly candid article, "A Gift That Came Too Soon," by a young college student reminded me of the good things about love, the novel, encompassing, heady feeling you get when you fall head over heels for someone for the first time. Not to mention the pain, confusion, and frustration when it ends:
Last night, I was overwhelmed by Terrence McNally's portrayal of an aging Maria Callas teaching Julliard students in Master Class. Here was a woman who overcame seemingly insurmountable odds to do what she loved most, who swallowed - in silence - every wound she ever received, who swathed herself in armor of finery and fire, and who brashly dared the world to oppose her at every turn. If ever there was the epitome of the silently suffering warrior, Maria Callas must have been it.
What I found most compelling was how Tyne Daly's interpretation of Maria exposed the vulnerabilities and consuming loneliness that Callas successfully hid from most of the world. It was inspiring, yet incredibly sad to relive one of the final chapters in the life of this extraordinarily talented, driven woman. One can only imagine what thoughts must have percolated through her mind as she watched her passions and hopes publicly mocked and dissected by gleefully wicked colleagues and shameless media publications.
She had so much love to give, so much love for her art, for the idea of love. Yet she was conditioned by everyone who should have cared for her that she was ugly, not worthy, never enough. The hard exterior she sought to mold into invulnerability ultimately drove away everyone who wanted to love her. I couldn't help but see my grandmother in her, and more worrisome, a bit of myself.
It's rare to be gifted with such insight into the essence of another person. Even rarer still to see a piece of theater whose commentary suggests the perils of theater. McNally's central thesis expands beyond the realm of the theater, however, to any story where fame, success, wealth, power - devoting one's life to oneself, and/or to proving everybody wrong - comes at the high cost of a chance at true happiness.
This morning, an refreshingly candid article, "A Gift That Came Too Soon," by a young college student reminded me of the good things about love, the novel, encompassing, heady feeling you get when you fall head over heels for someone for the first time. Not to mention the pain, confusion, and frustration when it ends:
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