Tonight our rehearsal took place in Central Park's Strawberry Fields. Just a five minute walk away from the Delacorte Theatre where the Public Theatre does their annual free production of Shakespeare in the Park.
I've spent 5 summers in New York and Shakespeare in the Park is one of my most favorite things in all the world!!! It's a magical environment where I have experienced some of the most memorable nights of my little life. It would be an absolute dream come true to play that stage.
Tonight, we played in the field, but it was public enough to have a few lookers-on. Good practice in focusing and a great environment to play with the text. I've said it countless times to myself and others, that New York is a place that you can absolutely live your dreams. It might not be the version exactly as I imagined, but if I'm grateful for the version I DO get, then it makes the rest of it that much sweeter.
Saturday, June 1, 2013
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Rehearse, Rehearse, Rehearse
My legs are throbbing. How is this possible? I consider myself a fit person. I run occasionally; I practice yoga regularly; and yet after three days in a row, totally 18 hours of rehearsal, I'm exhausted! And there it is... I'm old :)
Such a fantastic weekend of nothing but "Twelfth Night". If I'm not studying the script, I'm studying the 1980's- which is the time period we're setting this particular play. Surprisingly, I know more of the music than I originally thought. I'm a baby of the eighties.
Wrapping up the weekend with a few episodes of "Arrested Development"... everyone needs a little break!
Such a fantastic weekend of nothing but "Twelfth Night". If I'm not studying the script, I'm studying the 1980's- which is the time period we're setting this particular play. Surprisingly, I know more of the music than I originally thought. I'm a baby of the eighties.
Wrapping up the weekend with a few episodes of "Arrested Development"... everyone needs a little break!
Sunday, April 28, 2013
30...!
Does this mean I'm a real grown-up? Doubtful. But I did decide to take a vacation all on my own for the first time ever. Truth be told, I loved it! I'm such a loner, but I refuse to see that as a negative. So many of my New York friends, and even many who do not live in this madness, expressed profound jealousy when I shared my plans to go to Cancun on my own to celebrate my birthday. It was heaven!
Wednesday, February 20, 2013
Collective Joy
I've got the joy-JOY-joy-JOY-joy-JOYYYYYY!!!
As stated previously, 2013 has been FULL already and it's only February! Technically, I'm at work and should be doing something constructive, but I received a certificate of exceptional service from the Leading Hotels of the World site inspector, who visited us recently. So, I feel a little "me" time is justified.
But this post is not about me at all. My co-worker got a callback to Yale Drama. I acknowledge, this will not be nearly as exciting for any of you reading this as it is for me, and especially him! He and I started at the same time at the hotel. He's is also an actor, has a wicked sense of humor and my favorite person to share a shift with because we laugh too much & can talk theatre and acting the whole time! I'll never forget the expression of shock & surprise (that read as terror) on his face as he listened to the voicemail inviting him to New Haven. Plus, the hilariousness of observing him try to collect his thoughts to form sentences and figure out the logistics of covering shifts and making it to CT. So so so very thrilled for him! I will not jinx the weekend by writing more (we actors are so superstitious) but only 30 actors are invited to the callback and 16 are invited to attend their 3 year program. Pressure.
Days like these are what make life as an actor so exhilarating. It's an out-of-body elation, but that floating feeling can be terrifying when you want it so bad. I've said it a million times, but the highs are so high & the lows are so low, but to witness someone on the brink of their dreams is hard to match! Good luck Jason!
As stated previously, 2013 has been FULL already and it's only February! Technically, I'm at work and should be doing something constructive, but I received a certificate of exceptional service from the Leading Hotels of the World site inspector, who visited us recently. So, I feel a little "me" time is justified.
But this post is not about me at all. My co-worker got a callback to Yale Drama. I acknowledge, this will not be nearly as exciting for any of you reading this as it is for me, and especially him! He and I started at the same time at the hotel. He's is also an actor, has a wicked sense of humor and my favorite person to share a shift with because we laugh too much & can talk theatre and acting the whole time! I'll never forget the expression of shock & surprise (that read as terror) on his face as he listened to the voicemail inviting him to New Haven. Plus, the hilariousness of observing him try to collect his thoughts to form sentences and figure out the logistics of covering shifts and making it to CT. So so so very thrilled for him! I will not jinx the weekend by writing more (we actors are so superstitious) but only 30 actors are invited to the callback and 16 are invited to attend their 3 year program. Pressure.
Days like these are what make life as an actor so exhilarating. It's an out-of-body elation, but that floating feeling can be terrifying when you want it so bad. I've said it a million times, but the highs are so high & the lows are so low, but to witness someone on the brink of their dreams is hard to match! Good luck Jason!
Sunday, February 3, 2013
Loss
As I've learned over the years in New York City, life continues at the same breakneck speed, no matter what you happen to be experiencing on any given day. Trust me, I'm aware that NYC is not the only place where life does not seem to allow time or opportunity to process big changes, but the constant claustrophobia and lack of privacy make it a little harder.
On January 25th, 2013, my dear sweet friend Miguel received relief from his struggle with cancer as he made his way to Our Heavenly Father. His peace and faith for the last year of his life gives me comfort knowing that he recognized his gift of life & tried to share that with as many people as he could. I remember receiving many random texts from him with a word of encouragement or love. So much love...
His passing comes in the midst of a performance run of Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure" which I'm playing the bawd, Pompey, the comedic relief in the show. I mean, cause Shakespeare isn't difficult enough! I can safely say this has been the greatest challenge in my performing life! I find myself in a different emotional place before each show & entering the world of Shakespeare has provided some respite from the hurting, but also an opportunity to express what I cannot in my own.
My cast, director & stage manager have been my legs when I cannot stand, my lungs when I cannot breathe & my smile when I cannot stop crying. Christopher, Far, Chris, Melissa, Neil, Tawney, Talieson, Lydia, Tania, Faith, Wilton, John, Emily, Lily, Mike, & Faith-- I have to write these names because they held me in their hearts. Saying 'thank you' will merely scratch the surface of the depth of gratitude I feel towards each of them. As one of my cast mates shared with me, theatre heals on both sides of the curtain. Truer words were never spoken!
The week before we opened I jokingly told Miguel that I'd tape the show, since he wouldn't be able to leave the hospital to come see it. Now I know he's watching each night, just shaking his head and laughing, "Oh Babyface". How I miss his laugh!
On January 25th, 2013, my dear sweet friend Miguel received relief from his struggle with cancer as he made his way to Our Heavenly Father. His peace and faith for the last year of his life gives me comfort knowing that he recognized his gift of life & tried to share that with as many people as he could. I remember receiving many random texts from him with a word of encouragement or love. So much love...
His passing comes in the midst of a performance run of Shakespeare's "Measure for Measure" which I'm playing the bawd, Pompey, the comedic relief in the show. I mean, cause Shakespeare isn't difficult enough! I can safely say this has been the greatest challenge in my performing life! I find myself in a different emotional place before each show & entering the world of Shakespeare has provided some respite from the hurting, but also an opportunity to express what I cannot in my own.
My cast, director & stage manager have been my legs when I cannot stand, my lungs when I cannot breathe & my smile when I cannot stop crying. Christopher, Far, Chris, Melissa, Neil, Tawney, Talieson, Lydia, Tania, Faith, Wilton, John, Emily, Lily, Mike, & Faith-- I have to write these names because they held me in their hearts. Saying 'thank you' will merely scratch the surface of the depth of gratitude I feel towards each of them. As one of my cast mates shared with me, theatre heals on both sides of the curtain. Truer words were never spoken!
The week before we opened I jokingly told Miguel that I'd tape the show, since he wouldn't be able to leave the hospital to come see it. Now I know he's watching each night, just shaking his head and laughing, "Oh Babyface". How I miss his laugh!
Tuesday, November 13, 2012
Hope Restored
To say the weeks following Hurricane Sandy have been an adjustment is a vast understatement. One feels guilty for having lost nothing & rejoining "normal" society at the NY pace. Today concluded with the most beautiful gift from the heart of a couple of a-ma-zing human beings!
Since my last post when I was at my wits end, I almost immediately encountered the most gracious and grateful couple who began my restoration in the belief of good in people of New York City. Slowly but surely I've come across more good than bad, so once again I believe that not everyone is evil.
As many of you may know, I put out the word regarding one of my friends who had lost everything. Now, I know there are big hearts in Texas (and elsewhere) who love to show love, so I sent a dreaded email blast. It was not self-promoting and had no information in regards to upcoming shows/films I'm working on, so I did not mind sending it to... everyone I knew! The response overwhelms & I know there are people giving that I don't even know about and probably never will! But tonight, I returned home from an impromptu solo trip to the theatre (for free) and found a handwritten note from my two favorite Phillies. I was overcome with gratitude & humility and fell to my knees in tears. Its such a clear picture of love and I feel so blessed to be witness to what we're capable of in terms of selflessness! Thank you Zoe & Chance!
Since my last post when I was at my wits end, I almost immediately encountered the most gracious and grateful couple who began my restoration in the belief of good in people of New York City. Slowly but surely I've come across more good than bad, so once again I believe that not everyone is evil.
As many of you may know, I put out the word regarding one of my friends who had lost everything. Now, I know there are big hearts in Texas (and elsewhere) who love to show love, so I sent a dreaded email blast. It was not self-promoting and had no information in regards to upcoming shows/films I'm working on, so I did not mind sending it to... everyone I knew! The response overwhelms & I know there are people giving that I don't even know about and probably never will! But tonight, I returned home from an impromptu solo trip to the theatre (for free) and found a handwritten note from my two favorite Phillies. I was overcome with gratitude & humility and fell to my knees in tears. Its such a clear picture of love and I feel so blessed to be witness to what we're capable of in terms of selflessness! Thank you Zoe & Chance!
Sunday, November 11, 2012
PERSPECTIVE!!!
This is a rant, but I truly cannot contain my heartache right now!
I've promised a post regarding my adventures during the week of Hurricane Sandy, and it will come, but first I must address the way people have been behaving post-Sandy.
NYC can be an extremely generous and forgiving and intimate place, but selfishness dominates this City! Stories absolutely exist of people raising support for those who've lost everything, people have taken car loads of supplies to the needy, spent their weekends traveling out to Rockaway, Staten Island & NJ to lend a hand and a smile.
I AM TRAPPED in Manhattan with the miserable, selfish, ungrateful, self-pitying rich who do not care beyond their trivial needs! The details that have spawned this rant are not as important as the powerless I feel to change it! Tomorrow I will return to work & most likely be screamed at for a very simple and (in global perspective) small miscommunication. What will I do? Apologize (which will go unheard), grovel (because i work in customer service) & wonder how long I can remain polite and civil without rolling my eyes and walking away.
People that I know lost absolutely everything two weeks ago! Some people lost their lives or loved ones. Our City is still not completely repaired! Can we please remember that?!?
I've promised a post regarding my adventures during the week of Hurricane Sandy, and it will come, but first I must address the way people have been behaving post-Sandy.
NYC can be an extremely generous and forgiving and intimate place, but selfishness dominates this City! Stories absolutely exist of people raising support for those who've lost everything, people have taken car loads of supplies to the needy, spent their weekends traveling out to Rockaway, Staten Island & NJ to lend a hand and a smile.
I AM TRAPPED in Manhattan with the miserable, selfish, ungrateful, self-pitying rich who do not care beyond their trivial needs! The details that have spawned this rant are not as important as the powerless I feel to change it! Tomorrow I will return to work & most likely be screamed at for a very simple and (in global perspective) small miscommunication. What will I do? Apologize (which will go unheard), grovel (because i work in customer service) & wonder how long I can remain polite and civil without rolling my eyes and walking away.
People that I know lost absolutely everything two weeks ago! Some people lost their lives or loved ones. Our City is still not completely repaired! Can we please remember that?!?
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