So...I'm going to be brief about the last couple of days!
Monday was a holiday for normal people but an early morning of rushing to various audition calls. I was "typed out" for the first time for a production of "Thoroughly Modern Millie" in WI. Typing is when they bring you in front of the director in a large group and he looks at you and your resume and puts everyone's resumes in seeminly random piles before calling out the few that he'll keep and hear sing. I was apparently not a cute flapper-to-be. Oh well. I did get to sing Ogunquit which felt great since I had spent 8 hours a few weeks ago trying to crash their EPA. They were really nice and asked how well I tapped. I said, "pretty good" and one asked, "Susan Stroman good?" and I nodded yes and said "no" at the same time. They thought that was funny. :)
Monday night I went to the Bixlers' house in Harlem for a Redeemer Performance Workshop. They host the gathering of musicians once a month and several people play before we all eat dinner together. I ended up singing a short song and reall enjoyed hearing a great Prokofiev quintet and a trumpeter's excerpts for a symphony audition. I met some nice people and it felt so nice to be in a home among children, not to mention a yummy home-cooked meal. Harlem is a little shady though, outside their house, and I was glad for new friends to join on the subway.
Tuesday was disappointing in the audition department, with two failed attempts, including the chorus call for Mary Poppins. I guess I'm not the only one that thinks she can sing "supercalifragilistic..." with charm! I used some of the extra time to bake some brownies for somebody special's upcoming birthday and brought the extras to bible study. Such a great way to make friends! They were a big hit! I'm so thankful for the oasis that the group is for me, and each week I gather more courage to speak up. They are all so smart! I came home to find Adrienne had made an amazing dinner of Chicken Parmesan with pasta and zucchini. Yummers....
After the disappointment of yesterday and the general feeling that every audition I do get to sing, they enjoy me, but don't know what to do with my trained sound, I decided to take the day off auditions to work on my "book" and do some more productive practicing. I went back to NIA class...it had been a while and it was great to shake those bones again. I spent a lot, a lot of time at Staples copying all my new songs for my "book" and was excited to get a phone call from Shari Mowlavi who got engaged last week. She met him on Match only a month ago and her story was better than any romantic comedy I've encountered. I cried and laughed hearing all the juicy details, including the description of her 4-carat rock. Oh my, I'd settle for 1, okay 1/2. Goodness. I did some practicing and organizing before taking a nice walk to the West Side because it's 50 degrees outside!!! Amazing! It's kind of a strange temperature, nearly too hot for the sleeping bag that I am used to wearing at all times. I barely made it to the library before it closed, copying "Come unto Him" for the "Coram Boy" audition that I'm hoping and wishing I'll get seen for. I killed some time working on my acting choices for my songs before heading over to Juilliard to wait in line for their production of "Iphigenie en Aulide" an early French opera. Other than the mezzo, who I had heard before and love, it was a bit boring so i ended up taking off after the first act. And now, it's time for bed. Thanks for checking in. I miss you all, all the time. xoxoxo
Wednesday, February 21, 2007
Monday, February 19, 2007
Happy New Year and Debbie V!
Okay...I'm catching up on the weekend, again!
Friday was one of those days where all the best plans were disrupted and the day evolved into something entirely wonderful, depite it all. Plan--go to Nia, then 2 more dance classes at Steps, go to the library and research news songs and then have a coaching with Michael at Juilliard. Reality--go to the gym, barely miss beginning of Nia and skip it and work the cross-trainer instead, go get soy milk and splenda (Ah!!!! I couldn't take no splenda life anymore!) at Key Market where I was 26 cents short and the cashier tells me to bring it in next time (amazing! NYers can be nice.), get call from Maria D'Amato that she is in the neigborhood and decide to ditch dance and meet Maria at the cutest tea place in the world called, "Alice's Tea Cup." It is completely decked out with Alice in Wonderland paraphenelia and Maria says the waitresses often wear fairy wings. Maybe I should get a job there!? It is just a sweet and wonderful place and I loved the chance to really catch up with Maria and not just hear her gorgeous voice from the stage. I tried a pot of ginger tea and Maria had two amazing-looking scones (pumpkin and chocolate-cranberry, I think?). I can't wait for you all to visit so I can take you there...I'll even eat some sugar with you, I promise! Since I am now aware that people can find this blog on the WWW...to all you opera directors out there, trust me, you want to hire Maria...she rocks! I practiced in my apartment a bit before heading to the West side...and then got a call that Michael had to cancel. I looked positively on the great opportunity I had to linger at the library! I ended up meeting a woman in the aisle where the Handel opera scores live...she ran up to me and asked me if I was a soprano and if I could help her find a Handel choral-like piece for an upcoming Broadway audition. She was so excited when I picked "Bel piacere" and wrote out the pronunciation and even found her a CD of Renee Fleming singing it...she said, "I just know God sent you to me as my little angel." And you know, I like to believe God did send me to help her and also tell me about that audition that I will definitely be crashing on Thursday! There was a reason I didn't go to dance class and my coaching got cancelled. All good. I had so much fun finding several of the songs that Laura had recommended the night before. I loaded myself up with scores and books and braved getting on the subway during rush-hour. I have to say it's not real fun. When I arrived home I was met by Adrienne and her mom, Susan, who came for the weekend from Pennsylvania. We had such a nice evening, ordering in Chinese and watching "Wordplay" a documentary about crossword puzzlers (I heart Will Shortz) which inspired a friendly competition of Scrabble. Adrienne cleaned up and I lost, but I'd like to blame it on all those vowels!
Saturday morning I rose with the sun to attend the Redeemer Membership Seminar. My new strategy is just to leave my blinds open at night. I find waking up early for the casting calls, etc. is so much more pleasant and I don't have to get frustrated with the finicky blinds that sometimes don't like to close!
The Redeemer Offices are down on Broadway near Herald Square. They had catered coffee and fruit and breads and there was a little awkward mingling before the sessions began. We sat in tables from which we split up into groups and I met some interesting girls. I know, I keep meeting girls. Yeah, yeah. I learned a lot about Redeemer and how it started and its vision for the whole of NYC...very cool stuff and I was also interested in hearing about the PCA denomination and how that differs with PCUSA. Basically, it's a bit more conservative in the areas of women's ordination but similar in that way to what I knew at Highway. I was really impressed with the two staff members who led us...both seminary graduates and so quick on their feet about really tough questions that people posed...mostly having to do with the hot button topics of infant baptism, pre-destination (EEK!) and the ordination of women.
Adrienne had thrown out the possibility of going to Jersey for the afternoon to do some shopping and just get out of the city but she and her mom were pooped and disappointed with the shopping they found in the morning so we altered our plans. Instead, we had an amazing Malaysian dinner at "Penang" where I had some desserty banana frozen cocktail and the Curry Mee. Yummmmm. We were stuffed but saw a "Pinkberry" across the street which is a fro-yo place that had been highly recommended by my new friend Grace. They only have two flavors, yoghurt and green tea. It's all-natural, pretty low in sugar, and comes with the option of many fresh fruit choices. I went for yoghurt with mango...so refreshing and delicious!
We had gotten tickets to the Radio City Music Hall that evening. Adrienne had wanted to see the Chinese New Year Spectacular and so her mom bought us amazing orchestra tickets. Gong hay fat choy. Oh my goodness...first of all, it was a nightmare getting into the Music Hall and getting our tickets from Will Call. Mob scene! But once inside I was thrilled by the art-deco space...really really cool. Our seats were perfect and I sat next to a woman and her husband who slept through the entire show. He snored through it all and I decided they must have just gotten off the plane from China! The show started with a funny dramatization about some Emperor and Adrienne nearly lost it when the set graphics started floating around. Hard to explain. The costumes were stunning and it was a sort of variety show with singers, instrumentalists and a lot of dance numbers with props and banners. We didn't realize until about halfway through the 1st Act that this show was full of Falun Gong propaganda. It turns out that the TV station that organizes it is a Falun Gong affiliate. Hmmm....very interesting. My favorite part was the woman who played the two string instrument that is a hybrid of a guitar and a violin. She was amazing and there were no words to ponder about the Divine Way or Tianamen Square.
Of course, as soon as we came home, we did google research and found out exactly what we suspected...undercover Falun Gong propaganda at Radio City! Hmmph!
On a side note...I seem to have a frequent problem when i open cab doors...the wind pulls the car door and generally hits the car next to it....oops!...Adrienne has now witnessed this 3 times...the first time I actually saw yellow paint on a shiny black Mercedes. Nightmare!
Arising again with the sun, I enjoyed my walk across the park to church. The snow is still packed onto the lawns and the sun was out and so were all the dogs in Manhattan. The only problem with these long walks is that I end up arriving at church a bit hot and sweaty. You know, here, you're either hot or cold. I guess I prefer hot. Church was wonderful as always with highlights being an amazing violin sonata and a quartet from Mendelsohn's Elijah that included two guys from my small group. The bass, Louis, was especially amazing. Wowsers! I chatted bit with the two women next to me who happened to be visiting from Baltimore. One of them grew up in Mountain View! Random. As I was chatting with the them, I saw, out of the corner of my eye, the one and only Deborah Voigt, talking to my friends from small group. Oh my goodness gracious. I didn't want to go over there and fawn all over her but I did end up saying "Hi" to Rosemary and by way of her, getting a hug from Mark. I slithered away, not wanting to be another drooling fan, and went downstairs to get coffee. I ran into Julia, a girl I met a few weeks back at a Citilights praise night and I really enjoyed catching up with her. She is so sweet and gentle. While we were talking, Mark came up to me and said, "Kristen, I'd like you to meet my friend Debbie!" ahahahah! I shook her hand and I think I said something like, "Wow, it's such a pleasure to meet you" before introducing her to Julia and making a bit of small-talk. It was pretty amazing and she is so beautiful and kind in person! Jenny, a fellow singer that I met last week, came up to me a few seconds later and we giggled about how we couldn't believe we got to meet her! It's like meeting Bono in opera-land, really. I giddily walked back through the park calling all my opera friends that I thought would be awake to let them know what had happened! On my way back home, Alexandra, my new friend from the library, called me with desperation in her voice. I ended up meeting her at a studio on the West side to teach her a song for Thursday...we ended up with "Dido's Lament" from "Dido and Aeneas." I really was happy to help her and like she said, I hope I get to sing for this audition, because it's perfect for me!
I had hoped to meet up with Laura Andersen, one of my Redwood Camp campers and a freshman now at Georgetown. She was in town visiting some family and after about 6 games of phone tag it ended up not working out. We had a good chat on the phone and I was glad for the extra time to practice and get my week of auditions in order.
I took my first trip to Queens to have dinner with 3 Rice friends: Amy Krivo, Jameson James and his new wife Naomi Horowitz. I had such a great time with them and felt home once again. Jameson was a voice major with me at Rice and I have fond memories of straddling him during "Pirates of Penzance". Naomi actually directed the Hanszen College production of "Guys and Dolls" I was in and Amy K was and is an amazing actor-singer and someone I always felt was a kindred spirit. Jameson and Naomi live in Astoria which is famous for its Greek food. Astoria apparently has the greatest concentration of Greeks outside of Greece....Opa! Actually, their house is right near a restaurant called, "Opa!" that has a great recommendation. Can't wait to try it! The dinner and wine was amazing...Jameson is now a cheese and wine expert and is the general manager of a new wine store in addition to singing tenor. He hooked us up with a beautiful Pinot Gris. Yum. They served a white bean puree with truffles to start and then some Greek sausage with an asparagus and edamame risotto. Tres gourmet and so delicious. I really loved looking through their amazing wedding photos and seeing the passion that both Naomi and Jameson had for eachother's dreams. Really sweet! Amy K lives across the street from them and we had fun commiserating about the life of the non-equity actor. She has a real job, as a copywriter for Oxford Press, and isn't auditioning as much, but still may join me at some of the auditions to come. It was such a great, great night and I hated to leave but with two auditions early in the morning...I left around 11 pm. Just a note, the subways are scariest on Sunday nights. That's all. :)
Friday was one of those days where all the best plans were disrupted and the day evolved into something entirely wonderful, depite it all. Plan--go to Nia, then 2 more dance classes at Steps, go to the library and research news songs and then have a coaching with Michael at Juilliard. Reality--go to the gym, barely miss beginning of Nia and skip it and work the cross-trainer instead, go get soy milk and splenda (Ah!!!! I couldn't take no splenda life anymore!) at Key Market where I was 26 cents short and the cashier tells me to bring it in next time (amazing! NYers can be nice.), get call from Maria D'Amato that she is in the neigborhood and decide to ditch dance and meet Maria at the cutest tea place in the world called, "Alice's Tea Cup." It is completely decked out with Alice in Wonderland paraphenelia and Maria says the waitresses often wear fairy wings. Maybe I should get a job there!? It is just a sweet and wonderful place and I loved the chance to really catch up with Maria and not just hear her gorgeous voice from the stage. I tried a pot of ginger tea and Maria had two amazing-looking scones (pumpkin and chocolate-cranberry, I think?). I can't wait for you all to visit so I can take you there...I'll even eat some sugar with you, I promise! Since I am now aware that people can find this blog on the WWW...to all you opera directors out there, trust me, you want to hire Maria...she rocks! I practiced in my apartment a bit before heading to the West side...and then got a call that Michael had to cancel. I looked positively on the great opportunity I had to linger at the library! I ended up meeting a woman in the aisle where the Handel opera scores live...she ran up to me and asked me if I was a soprano and if I could help her find a Handel choral-like piece for an upcoming Broadway audition. She was so excited when I picked "Bel piacere" and wrote out the pronunciation and even found her a CD of Renee Fleming singing it...she said, "I just know God sent you to me as my little angel." And you know, I like to believe God did send me to help her and also tell me about that audition that I will definitely be crashing on Thursday! There was a reason I didn't go to dance class and my coaching got cancelled. All good. I had so much fun finding several of the songs that Laura had recommended the night before. I loaded myself up with scores and books and braved getting on the subway during rush-hour. I have to say it's not real fun. When I arrived home I was met by Adrienne and her mom, Susan, who came for the weekend from Pennsylvania. We had such a nice evening, ordering in Chinese and watching "Wordplay" a documentary about crossword puzzlers (I heart Will Shortz) which inspired a friendly competition of Scrabble. Adrienne cleaned up and I lost, but I'd like to blame it on all those vowels!
Saturday morning I rose with the sun to attend the Redeemer Membership Seminar. My new strategy is just to leave my blinds open at night. I find waking up early for the casting calls, etc. is so much more pleasant and I don't have to get frustrated with the finicky blinds that sometimes don't like to close!
The Redeemer Offices are down on Broadway near Herald Square. They had catered coffee and fruit and breads and there was a little awkward mingling before the sessions began. We sat in tables from which we split up into groups and I met some interesting girls. I know, I keep meeting girls. Yeah, yeah. I learned a lot about Redeemer and how it started and its vision for the whole of NYC...very cool stuff and I was also interested in hearing about the PCA denomination and how that differs with PCUSA. Basically, it's a bit more conservative in the areas of women's ordination but similar in that way to what I knew at Highway. I was really impressed with the two staff members who led us...both seminary graduates and so quick on their feet about really tough questions that people posed...mostly having to do with the hot button topics of infant baptism, pre-destination (EEK!) and the ordination of women.
Adrienne had thrown out the possibility of going to Jersey for the afternoon to do some shopping and just get out of the city but she and her mom were pooped and disappointed with the shopping they found in the morning so we altered our plans. Instead, we had an amazing Malaysian dinner at "Penang" where I had some desserty banana frozen cocktail and the Curry Mee. Yummmmm. We were stuffed but saw a "Pinkberry" across the street which is a fro-yo place that had been highly recommended by my new friend Grace. They only have two flavors, yoghurt and green tea. It's all-natural, pretty low in sugar, and comes with the option of many fresh fruit choices. I went for yoghurt with mango...so refreshing and delicious!
We had gotten tickets to the Radio City Music Hall that evening. Adrienne had wanted to see the Chinese New Year Spectacular and so her mom bought us amazing orchestra tickets. Gong hay fat choy. Oh my goodness...first of all, it was a nightmare getting into the Music Hall and getting our tickets from Will Call. Mob scene! But once inside I was thrilled by the art-deco space...really really cool. Our seats were perfect and I sat next to a woman and her husband who slept through the entire show. He snored through it all and I decided they must have just gotten off the plane from China! The show started with a funny dramatization about some Emperor and Adrienne nearly lost it when the set graphics started floating around. Hard to explain. The costumes were stunning and it was a sort of variety show with singers, instrumentalists and a lot of dance numbers with props and banners. We didn't realize until about halfway through the 1st Act that this show was full of Falun Gong propaganda. It turns out that the TV station that organizes it is a Falun Gong affiliate. Hmmm....very interesting. My favorite part was the woman who played the two string instrument that is a hybrid of a guitar and a violin. She was amazing and there were no words to ponder about the Divine Way or Tianamen Square.
Of course, as soon as we came home, we did google research and found out exactly what we suspected...undercover Falun Gong propaganda at Radio City! Hmmph!
On a side note...I seem to have a frequent problem when i open cab doors...the wind pulls the car door and generally hits the car next to it....oops!...Adrienne has now witnessed this 3 times...the first time I actually saw yellow paint on a shiny black Mercedes. Nightmare!
Arising again with the sun, I enjoyed my walk across the park to church. The snow is still packed onto the lawns and the sun was out and so were all the dogs in Manhattan. The only problem with these long walks is that I end up arriving at church a bit hot and sweaty. You know, here, you're either hot or cold. I guess I prefer hot. Church was wonderful as always with highlights being an amazing violin sonata and a quartet from Mendelsohn's Elijah that included two guys from my small group. The bass, Louis, was especially amazing. Wowsers! I chatted bit with the two women next to me who happened to be visiting from Baltimore. One of them grew up in Mountain View! Random. As I was chatting with the them, I saw, out of the corner of my eye, the one and only Deborah Voigt, talking to my friends from small group. Oh my goodness gracious. I didn't want to go over there and fawn all over her but I did end up saying "Hi" to Rosemary and by way of her, getting a hug from Mark. I slithered away, not wanting to be another drooling fan, and went downstairs to get coffee. I ran into Julia, a girl I met a few weeks back at a Citilights praise night and I really enjoyed catching up with her. She is so sweet and gentle. While we were talking, Mark came up to me and said, "Kristen, I'd like you to meet my friend Debbie!" ahahahah! I shook her hand and I think I said something like, "Wow, it's such a pleasure to meet you" before introducing her to Julia and making a bit of small-talk. It was pretty amazing and she is so beautiful and kind in person! Jenny, a fellow singer that I met last week, came up to me a few seconds later and we giggled about how we couldn't believe we got to meet her! It's like meeting Bono in opera-land, really. I giddily walked back through the park calling all my opera friends that I thought would be awake to let them know what had happened! On my way back home, Alexandra, my new friend from the library, called me with desperation in her voice. I ended up meeting her at a studio on the West side to teach her a song for Thursday...we ended up with "Dido's Lament" from "Dido and Aeneas." I really was happy to help her and like she said, I hope I get to sing for this audition, because it's perfect for me!
I had hoped to meet up with Laura Andersen, one of my Redwood Camp campers and a freshman now at Georgetown. She was in town visiting some family and after about 6 games of phone tag it ended up not working out. We had a good chat on the phone and I was glad for the extra time to practice and get my week of auditions in order.
I took my first trip to Queens to have dinner with 3 Rice friends: Amy Krivo, Jameson James and his new wife Naomi Horowitz. I had such a great time with them and felt home once again. Jameson was a voice major with me at Rice and I have fond memories of straddling him during "Pirates of Penzance". Naomi actually directed the Hanszen College production of "Guys and Dolls" I was in and Amy K was and is an amazing actor-singer and someone I always felt was a kindred spirit. Jameson and Naomi live in Astoria which is famous for its Greek food. Astoria apparently has the greatest concentration of Greeks outside of Greece....Opa! Actually, their house is right near a restaurant called, "Opa!" that has a great recommendation. Can't wait to try it! The dinner and wine was amazing...Jameson is now a cheese and wine expert and is the general manager of a new wine store in addition to singing tenor. He hooked us up with a beautiful Pinot Gris. Yum. They served a white bean puree with truffles to start and then some Greek sausage with an asparagus and edamame risotto. Tres gourmet and so delicious. I really loved looking through their amazing wedding photos and seeing the passion that both Naomi and Jameson had for eachother's dreams. Really sweet! Amy K lives across the street from them and we had fun commiserating about the life of the non-equity actor. She has a real job, as a copywriter for Oxford Press, and isn't auditioning as much, but still may join me at some of the auditions to come. It was such a great, great night and I hated to leave but with two auditions early in the morning...I left around 11 pm. Just a note, the subways are scariest on Sunday nights. That's all. :)
Thursday, February 15, 2007
early morning and lots to smile about...
OOOH. It was a rough wake-up when that alarm went off at 6 am. Today was an open-call extravaganza and I was determined to get seen...and that I did! I left the apartment at 6:55 with probably the worst hair I've ever called my own. I mean, really, New York hates my hair. Or does my hair just hate the winter? The Nor'Easter as they like to call it here? My ball of frizz was a sad, sad scene. More on that to come. I went to NOLA studios (after walking the 8 avenues to get there, because remember, i don't believe in transferring) and arrived there around 7:20 to be #13 on the unofficial list that was hanging on the door. The studio didn't open till 8:30 so I was left with more than an hour to pace around in the cold sludge. I first went to Kinkos and made some copies, then went and got some more coffee and a bottle of water, then walked around the block a few times before picking up a copy of my new favorite magazine, Time Out New York, at Duane Reade and cutting myself on one last venti tea at Starbucks. Every warm place I went into I ended up spending money! The monitor for the audition was really, really nice, almost suspiciously nice. But he honored our list and in fact kept thanking us for arriving so early. Nice, but WEIRD. In the holding room I met a nice girl Megan who is from Southern California. More on her later. Who should walk in the door but sweet RJ? It was so fun spending a few hours with him and catching up on his life. Because I was #13 and we were only singing 16 bars I was out of there by 10:30. I got a heartfelt "Lovely, thank you" but no callback. Honestly their season is not really right for me but a callback would feel warm and fuzzy regardless.
I went straight to Chelsea Studios and signed myself and new-friend-Megan up for the Hilton Head production of "Fiddler on the Roof." Time to cash in on all those assumptions that I'm a good Jewish girl. The non-equity women's call wasn't going to start until 3:30 so I went home to just taste the gym before doing some hair 911. I had seen a girl with my hair on a great day at NOLA that morning. I asked her what the secret was and she told me she used some drugstore gel that I hadn't tried yet. I went on a mission to find just that and failing, decided to take a chance on some Suave...shhh...yes, I'm really saying it out loud...MOUSSE!!! Huge improvement. Not feeling like a frizzy poodle, I jaunted back to Chelsea Studios where by the time they got to us lowly non-equity girls, we were allowed a whole 8 bars to sing. OOOOH.....that pretty much makes for girls all singing the same 10 words and then a high note at the end. Apparently whatever everyone was singing was getting tiresome because the pianist came in the holding room and gave a little lecture that all the high notes were not really appropriate. Too bad that is all I do. I sang 8 glorious bars of "If I loved you" and got another "thank you" with yet again, no callback. But I did have fun at that audition running into nearly all of the girls from the oppression tap musical callback and enjoying also my new friend Megan. And my favorite non-equity new friend, Emily, from last week also showed up. It was so nice to see her and get a hug! I hope that we can be true buddies. It's a funny thing...some of these girls that you see everywhere are nice and newsy on a certain level...like a "what are you doing? and what should i be doing that you're not? and what callbacks are you getting?" and then others have potential for true friendship. I see Emily in the latter category.
I got out of there by about 4:45 and reflected on my day...a whole day of waiting and prepping for a grand total of 24 bars of music...amazing!
I had a few hours to kill before my first "The Gym" class nearby Chelsea. I wandered around about 8 blocks popping into stores before realizing my hunger. I somehow resisted the pull of Trader Joes, even though I was in Union Square, but went into Whole Foods and got an amazing piece of whole-wheat, cheeseless, roasted-veggie pizza. YUM. So good. I went upstairs to the picnic area to eat and it was around 5:45 and there were no seats anywhere. Well, I spotted one in the middle of a large table and went to sit down. In a typical bizarro NYC moment, my new friend Mitch from church was staring across from me. He was on break from his new job at Strand Books (where Claire Danes was apparently spotted this week) with a co-worker. So crazy! It was such a blessing to chat with them and feel so connected to this wild city. They had to go back to work and I prepped myself for class, anticipating hard questions about my song.
Class was soooo great. I love it and I'm so inspired to learn and grow and not be a perfect opera singer but instead have conversations and problems and uncomfortable moments in my songs. And then maybe I'll stop being lovely and start being called back! The teacher, John Ruocco, was awesome and so quick on his feet with each girl. There are 8 of us and I went last being pretty scared about how undefined my story was for my songs and feeling pretty inadequate next to the focused acting of the others. The pianist was amazing and gave me tons of tips for songs to learn. I am going to the library tomorrow! Eek. I'm excited.
And now I'm trying to wind down after all that excitement and so to that end I'm going to try to go to bed....sweet dreams!
I went straight to Chelsea Studios and signed myself and new-friend-Megan up for the Hilton Head production of "Fiddler on the Roof." Time to cash in on all those assumptions that I'm a good Jewish girl. The non-equity women's call wasn't going to start until 3:30 so I went home to just taste the gym before doing some hair 911. I had seen a girl with my hair on a great day at NOLA that morning. I asked her what the secret was and she told me she used some drugstore gel that I hadn't tried yet. I went on a mission to find just that and failing, decided to take a chance on some Suave...shhh...yes, I'm really saying it out loud...MOUSSE!!! Huge improvement. Not feeling like a frizzy poodle, I jaunted back to Chelsea Studios where by the time they got to us lowly non-equity girls, we were allowed a whole 8 bars to sing. OOOOH.....that pretty much makes for girls all singing the same 10 words and then a high note at the end. Apparently whatever everyone was singing was getting tiresome because the pianist came in the holding room and gave a little lecture that all the high notes were not really appropriate. Too bad that is all I do. I sang 8 glorious bars of "If I loved you" and got another "thank you" with yet again, no callback. But I did have fun at that audition running into nearly all of the girls from the oppression tap musical callback and enjoying also my new friend Megan. And my favorite non-equity new friend, Emily, from last week also showed up. It was so nice to see her and get a hug! I hope that we can be true buddies. It's a funny thing...some of these girls that you see everywhere are nice and newsy on a certain level...like a "what are you doing? and what should i be doing that you're not? and what callbacks are you getting?" and then others have potential for true friendship. I see Emily in the latter category.
I got out of there by about 4:45 and reflected on my day...a whole day of waiting and prepping for a grand total of 24 bars of music...amazing!
I had a few hours to kill before my first "The Gym" class nearby Chelsea. I wandered around about 8 blocks popping into stores before realizing my hunger. I somehow resisted the pull of Trader Joes, even though I was in Union Square, but went into Whole Foods and got an amazing piece of whole-wheat, cheeseless, roasted-veggie pizza. YUM. So good. I went upstairs to the picnic area to eat and it was around 5:45 and there were no seats anywhere. Well, I spotted one in the middle of a large table and went to sit down. In a typical bizarro NYC moment, my new friend Mitch from church was staring across from me. He was on break from his new job at Strand Books (where Claire Danes was apparently spotted this week) with a co-worker. So crazy! It was such a blessing to chat with them and feel so connected to this wild city. They had to go back to work and I prepped myself for class, anticipating hard questions about my song.
Class was soooo great. I love it and I'm so inspired to learn and grow and not be a perfect opera singer but instead have conversations and problems and uncomfortable moments in my songs. And then maybe I'll stop being lovely and start being called back! The teacher, John Ruocco, was awesome and so quick on his feet with each girl. There are 8 of us and I went last being pretty scared about how undefined my story was for my songs and feeling pretty inadequate next to the focused acting of the others. The pianist was amazing and gave me tons of tips for songs to learn. I am going to the library tomorrow! Eek. I'm excited.
And now I'm trying to wind down after all that excitement and so to that end I'm going to try to go to bed....sweet dreams!
Wednesday, February 14, 2007
catching up with st. valentine
Okay...so I'm a few days behind.
Here's to the highlights of the last four days:
Sunday...Double-Dipping at Church
I walked to church in the morning, finding yet another path through the park. This week the string quartet was back and Mark Delevan (from my bible study, and frequent baritone at the Met) sang "Love bade me welcome" from Vaughn Williams' "5 Mystical Songs." Tim Keller continues his series on the end of Mark and the beauty of the Cross. This week he spoke on the Garden of Gethsemane passage. I had never heard an insight into the parallel between the first garden where Adam sinned and this garden where Jesus had a foretaste of the hell he would encounter to take on that first sin and everything inbetween. Adam was asked by God to obey Him by the tree and he failed. Jesus was asked to obey God by the tree, a different tree, and as our substitute fulfills the law for us. Okay...sorry for the divergence but I am loving learning about the cool details of God's plan for us. In fact, I was so into the sermon that I went back for a second round in the evening. More on that later. At the first service I ran into Coke, (yes that is his name) a tenor who is also in my bible study. He introduced me to Jenny, the girl who sang in church last Sunday. I really liked meeting her and she also introduced me to another singer, Piper, who told me about a Monday artists fellowship group called "the Haven" that I'm planning on checking out in a few weeks.
I walked home from church...I just love Central Park and all the little hidden groves and playgrounds (all ready for Char!) that I keep finding.
It was quite chilly went I headed back to church so I went for the bus and subway route. The evening west-side service is held in an ancient Baptist Church on Broadway. I sat next to a really sweet girl from rural West Virginia named Samantha. She just graduated from Princeton and decided to move to NYC. We exchanged info...Adrienne tells me I'm really great at meeting nice girls at church but that I should work on the nice boys part. Hmmmph. I went out to eat with the Citilights group afterwards at Cosi...a chain cafe here. My new friend Mitch came along...he has quite the ascerbic wit. I also met Christine, a second year drama major at Juilliard; Bob, an engineering student at Columbia; Cambron, a boy from OK who moved here on Wednesday; and Elizabeth, an oboe player who also just moved to the city.
Monday...No audition love
I woke up early, early Monday to press my luck at an EPA for The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse. I got to NOLA studios at 8 in the morning...only to wait in line out side for 20 minutes before being shuffled into a hallway for another half an hour...not being able to sign in till 9. I had a bad feeling, as I saw the steady stream of Equity Cards being flashed, that I had skipped beauty hours for nought....and around 10:30 the monitor dismissed us. I decided to go to the MOMA for some free inspiration. I explored the special exhibit on the 6th floor which is currently featuring Reveron, the first modernist of Venezuela. He was a quirky dude with a penchant for building his own dolls and then painting them, often in the background of his own self-portraits. The exhibit included some of the actual dolls as well as the self-portraits.
I also spent some extensive time on the 5th floor where some of my favorites were the Kandinsky paintins, Klimt's "The Park" and Van Gogh's "Starry Night." It's cliche to say but the brushstrokes up close make for an amazing museum moment! I enjoyed eavesdropping on a tour guide with an English accent...she was very passionate about DuChamp, who seems to be a bit of a nut.
I met Grace, Mary and Seri's friend, for lunch wayyyyyyy downtown. The problem with downtown is that all the numbers go away and I remember how truly directionally challenged I am. It took me a while to find Grace but we ended up meeting on a corner in Tribeca...very fun and chic down there. I passed by the Odeon Cafeteria and glanced at the menu...sandwiches for $19! Eek. I guess that is how lunch goes down in Tribeca. Grace and I went to a really yummy pan-asian place called "Mangez Avec Moi." I could mangez there every day...it was delicious and they had really reasonable lunch specials with brown rice!!! Hurrah! I had a peanut-curry chicken with potatoes..yum-o. I walked with Grace to her office...in the historic Woolworth Building...wowsers! For the first time, I walked past the World Trade Center site. I think it's easy to think of 9/11 as something that happened a long time ago, in a far-away place that doesn't exist. Seeing the big hole in the ground and the bustle of business people all around made me think of the faces I see in the Subway on their way everyday to those surrounding buildings...realizing they probably knew someone in that hole, or could have been neighbors had I lived here then. Heavy thoughts. To run away from the heaviness, I went across the street where NYC's most famous discount store lives...Century 21. I'd heard about it since I moved here and seeing it across the street from the WTC Construction made me think it's a great big dose of retail therapy for NYC. The great prices are certainly no secret...the place was packed. I went straight to the hosiery department and bought some tights...my daily staple in the cold weather.
On my way back uptown, I stopped by Trader Joes for a few essentials and you will not believe who I saw again!!!!! Angela from Project Runway. I guess we are meant to be besties...Crazy, right?
I did some practicing and went to the gym before making dinner. I was planning on going to DTUT (coffehouse) for a Citylights Coffehouse event...it was funny, they didn't have a clear sign marking the group and although I guessed it was them, I found myself unusually shy and ended up cozying up in a corner and journaling. At that point, I felt like it would be reeeeeely dorky to approach them so I spent about 20 minutes journaling before my new friend Carrie met me. She had agreed to check out Brandy's Piano Bar where my friend Michael sings on Mondays. I was so glad she came...we had so much fun at the somewhat random place...Michael was dreamy and amazing as always and Carrie and I both expressed regret on why the cutest ones are always gay. Ah. It was a late night but Michael's run-through of his Xanadu audition sent me to sweet dreams.
Tuesday...lots of homework!
I slept in a little bit on Tuesday, went to the gym and read a play. I did a bunch of practicing before walking across the park for Bible Study. Ah! I got lost. In fact, it was a little scary for awhile. I ran into the pond, I think, where there were signs that said "no outlet." I guess it DOES matter which cross street you start at....hmmm...I arrived at bible study not too late but much too sweaty for a wintry day! It was a great study on Romans 5 and I am starting to feel more comfortable and able to speak up. I found out that Louise, our leader, has been playing in the pit of "The Producers" for over 6 years and they are set to close this summer. Right now Tony Danza is starring...you better book your tickets! Adia, a new girl, came and visited the group. I really liked her and she is also a singer-actor and actually went to CCM. I look forward to talking to her more when we're both not rushing off. I had to go back to the East side to see my friend Maria D'Amato in the cover performance of L'Arlesiana that she is singing with the Opera Orchestra of New York. It was so great to hear her beautiful singing again and I also ran into Luke Grooms, another CCM friend. I was so excited to hear how well his career is going. He has management is getting set to travel to Baltimore for a stint with their opera company. As I walked home it began to snow! I was so excited for the snow...I figure if it's going to be this cold, we should get rewarded with the pretty powder.
I went to bed much earlier than I had been and fell asleep with the windows open. Really, the blinds I have don't keep out much morning light anyways and I have to say it was pretty thrilling to wake up, on Valentine's day with a pinkish cloud spurting out snowflakes!
Wednesday...oooh, did I really wish for the snow?
Okay, the snow on the ground, so beautiful. The snow on the ground, run over by dirty Taxi wheels, when I have to walk through it, disgusting. Today was a productive Valentine's day. If I'm not going to be wooed, I may as well be clean and efficient. I did my laundry in the morning and prepped for my coaching before heading over to the West side. I was excited to get some errands done before meeting Michael at Juilliard at noon but my plans were totally foiled. I ended up walking around for about 35 minutes in the freezing rain, which really hurts your face when you're walking downwind of it. Yuck. The Nor'Easter is no longer my friend. After my coaching, I headed to midtown to get some heeled tap shoes, a necessary evil. I had gotten a bit scolded at the one dance call I attempted for my flat shoes. I figure it's time to grow up and learn to tap like a star! Walking around, collecting ice on my boots and jacket and then trying shoes on was not a great idea, but I got what I needed, all in time to go to tap class back uptown. I just love the teacher, Germaine Goodson. She is so positive and patient. On my way home I stopped by Gourmet Garage to replenish the Peets supply...they sell the beans!...and also got Adrienne some Valentine tulips. I made us my special dinner...goat-cheese and pineapple and walnut stuffed chicken breasts with spinach and whole-wheat cous cous. I made creative use of the extra peach cups that I bought for Charlie's package...and made a wine reduction sauce with them. I don't know how Char would like his peaches after tasting that! I enjoyed hearing him say "Bye, bye Kithy" on the phone tonight. Aw. Adrienne and I just watched Idol and I'm a little bit shocked about some of the choices...hmmmm...I need to get ready for my really long day of open calls and my first class tomorrow night. It should be an exciting Thursday!
Here's to the highlights of the last four days:
Sunday...Double-Dipping at Church
I walked to church in the morning, finding yet another path through the park. This week the string quartet was back and Mark Delevan (from my bible study, and frequent baritone at the Met) sang "Love bade me welcome" from Vaughn Williams' "5 Mystical Songs." Tim Keller continues his series on the end of Mark and the beauty of the Cross. This week he spoke on the Garden of Gethsemane passage. I had never heard an insight into the parallel between the first garden where Adam sinned and this garden where Jesus had a foretaste of the hell he would encounter to take on that first sin and everything inbetween. Adam was asked by God to obey Him by the tree and he failed. Jesus was asked to obey God by the tree, a different tree, and as our substitute fulfills the law for us. Okay...sorry for the divergence but I am loving learning about the cool details of God's plan for us. In fact, I was so into the sermon that I went back for a second round in the evening. More on that later. At the first service I ran into Coke, (yes that is his name) a tenor who is also in my bible study. He introduced me to Jenny, the girl who sang in church last Sunday. I really liked meeting her and she also introduced me to another singer, Piper, who told me about a Monday artists fellowship group called "the Haven" that I'm planning on checking out in a few weeks.
I walked home from church...I just love Central Park and all the little hidden groves and playgrounds (all ready for Char!) that I keep finding.
It was quite chilly went I headed back to church so I went for the bus and subway route. The evening west-side service is held in an ancient Baptist Church on Broadway. I sat next to a really sweet girl from rural West Virginia named Samantha. She just graduated from Princeton and decided to move to NYC. We exchanged info...Adrienne tells me I'm really great at meeting nice girls at church but that I should work on the nice boys part. Hmmmph. I went out to eat with the Citilights group afterwards at Cosi...a chain cafe here. My new friend Mitch came along...he has quite the ascerbic wit. I also met Christine, a second year drama major at Juilliard; Bob, an engineering student at Columbia; Cambron, a boy from OK who moved here on Wednesday; and Elizabeth, an oboe player who also just moved to the city.
Monday...No audition love
I woke up early, early Monday to press my luck at an EPA for The Merry-Go-Round Playhouse. I got to NOLA studios at 8 in the morning...only to wait in line out side for 20 minutes before being shuffled into a hallway for another half an hour...not being able to sign in till 9. I had a bad feeling, as I saw the steady stream of Equity Cards being flashed, that I had skipped beauty hours for nought....and around 10:30 the monitor dismissed us. I decided to go to the MOMA for some free inspiration. I explored the special exhibit on the 6th floor which is currently featuring Reveron, the first modernist of Venezuela. He was a quirky dude with a penchant for building his own dolls and then painting them, often in the background of his own self-portraits. The exhibit included some of the actual dolls as well as the self-portraits.
I also spent some extensive time on the 5th floor where some of my favorites were the Kandinsky paintins, Klimt's "The Park" and Van Gogh's "Starry Night." It's cliche to say but the brushstrokes up close make for an amazing museum moment! I enjoyed eavesdropping on a tour guide with an English accent...she was very passionate about DuChamp, who seems to be a bit of a nut.
I met Grace, Mary and Seri's friend, for lunch wayyyyyyy downtown. The problem with downtown is that all the numbers go away and I remember how truly directionally challenged I am. It took me a while to find Grace but we ended up meeting on a corner in Tribeca...very fun and chic down there. I passed by the Odeon Cafeteria and glanced at the menu...sandwiches for $19! Eek. I guess that is how lunch goes down in Tribeca. Grace and I went to a really yummy pan-asian place called "Mangez Avec Moi." I could mangez there every day...it was delicious and they had really reasonable lunch specials with brown rice!!! Hurrah! I had a peanut-curry chicken with potatoes..yum-o. I walked with Grace to her office...in the historic Woolworth Building...wowsers! For the first time, I walked past the World Trade Center site. I think it's easy to think of 9/11 as something that happened a long time ago, in a far-away place that doesn't exist. Seeing the big hole in the ground and the bustle of business people all around made me think of the faces I see in the Subway on their way everyday to those surrounding buildings...realizing they probably knew someone in that hole, or could have been neighbors had I lived here then. Heavy thoughts. To run away from the heaviness, I went across the street where NYC's most famous discount store lives...Century 21. I'd heard about it since I moved here and seeing it across the street from the WTC Construction made me think it's a great big dose of retail therapy for NYC. The great prices are certainly no secret...the place was packed. I went straight to the hosiery department and bought some tights...my daily staple in the cold weather.
On my way back uptown, I stopped by Trader Joes for a few essentials and you will not believe who I saw again!!!!! Angela from Project Runway. I guess we are meant to be besties...Crazy, right?
I did some practicing and went to the gym before making dinner. I was planning on going to DTUT (coffehouse) for a Citylights Coffehouse event...it was funny, they didn't have a clear sign marking the group and although I guessed it was them, I found myself unusually shy and ended up cozying up in a corner and journaling. At that point, I felt like it would be reeeeeely dorky to approach them so I spent about 20 minutes journaling before my new friend Carrie met me. She had agreed to check out Brandy's Piano Bar where my friend Michael sings on Mondays. I was so glad she came...we had so much fun at the somewhat random place...Michael was dreamy and amazing as always and Carrie and I both expressed regret on why the cutest ones are always gay. Ah. It was a late night but Michael's run-through of his Xanadu audition sent me to sweet dreams.
Tuesday...lots of homework!
I slept in a little bit on Tuesday, went to the gym and read a play. I did a bunch of practicing before walking across the park for Bible Study. Ah! I got lost. In fact, it was a little scary for awhile. I ran into the pond, I think, where there were signs that said "no outlet." I guess it DOES matter which cross street you start at....hmmm...I arrived at bible study not too late but much too sweaty for a wintry day! It was a great study on Romans 5 and I am starting to feel more comfortable and able to speak up. I found out that Louise, our leader, has been playing in the pit of "The Producers" for over 6 years and they are set to close this summer. Right now Tony Danza is starring...you better book your tickets! Adia, a new girl, came and visited the group. I really liked her and she is also a singer-actor and actually went to CCM. I look forward to talking to her more when we're both not rushing off. I had to go back to the East side to see my friend Maria D'Amato in the cover performance of L'Arlesiana that she is singing with the Opera Orchestra of New York. It was so great to hear her beautiful singing again and I also ran into Luke Grooms, another CCM friend. I was so excited to hear how well his career is going. He has management is getting set to travel to Baltimore for a stint with their opera company. As I walked home it began to snow! I was so excited for the snow...I figure if it's going to be this cold, we should get rewarded with the pretty powder.
I went to bed much earlier than I had been and fell asleep with the windows open. Really, the blinds I have don't keep out much morning light anyways and I have to say it was pretty thrilling to wake up, on Valentine's day with a pinkish cloud spurting out snowflakes!
Wednesday...oooh, did I really wish for the snow?
Okay, the snow on the ground, so beautiful. The snow on the ground, run over by dirty Taxi wheels, when I have to walk through it, disgusting. Today was a productive Valentine's day. If I'm not going to be wooed, I may as well be clean and efficient. I did my laundry in the morning and prepped for my coaching before heading over to the West side. I was excited to get some errands done before meeting Michael at Juilliard at noon but my plans were totally foiled. I ended up walking around for about 35 minutes in the freezing rain, which really hurts your face when you're walking downwind of it. Yuck. The Nor'Easter is no longer my friend. After my coaching, I headed to midtown to get some heeled tap shoes, a necessary evil. I had gotten a bit scolded at the one dance call I attempted for my flat shoes. I figure it's time to grow up and learn to tap like a star! Walking around, collecting ice on my boots and jacket and then trying shoes on was not a great idea, but I got what I needed, all in time to go to tap class back uptown. I just love the teacher, Germaine Goodson. She is so positive and patient. On my way home I stopped by Gourmet Garage to replenish the Peets supply...they sell the beans!...and also got Adrienne some Valentine tulips. I made us my special dinner...goat-cheese and pineapple and walnut stuffed chicken breasts with spinach and whole-wheat cous cous. I made creative use of the extra peach cups that I bought for Charlie's package...and made a wine reduction sauce with them. I don't know how Char would like his peaches after tasting that! I enjoyed hearing him say "Bye, bye Kithy" on the phone tonight. Aw. Adrienne and I just watched Idol and I'm a little bit shocked about some of the choices...hmmmm...I need to get ready for my really long day of open calls and my first class tomorrow night. It should be an exciting Thursday!
Sunday, February 11, 2007
A diner, some Schubert and an audition
Saturday morning I made the ultimate sacrifice for my treasured friend Karim. I must really love him to skip my two favorite classes at Equinox to take the A train on the weekend all the way up to Washington Heights to brunch with him. I was happy to spend the time with him since he really lives in Toronto most of the year and is only in NYC now for specific auditions or performances. But, I missed my classes for the second week in a row, and also my new friend Gail.
The A train was a total nightmare. They are doing construction on the C train on the weekends so all the trains are running local and you're required to take a shuttle at the last leg of the trip. Craziness. All in all, it took about an hour to get to Karim's house on 184th. His apartment is really nice with tons of space and great high ceilings. We went to a really cheap and somewhat craptastic diner on 181st. Our waitress was a total space cadet and brought our food at different times and then made us ask for the check three times. My favorite moment was watching her read the NY Post as we sat and waited for her to deliver our check. Awesome. I helped Karim pack and then we got on the A train and relived all that madness.
I came home, took a quick shower and headed off to my friend David's concert at a church nearby. He's doing a series of Schubert's "Die Schone Mullerin" in Florida and Minnesota with this one NYC concert. It was such a treat to hear him sing again and see all his growth from CCM days. He's always been one of my favorite baritones. I saw his parents and loved watching their pride swell from across the aisle. I unfortunately didn't get to stay too long to celebrate him as my Opera North audtition was scheduled an hour later in Midtown.
On the subway I met an adorable two-year-old boy named Micah who was all smiles and a huge flirt. He was trying to ride the pole that you hold onto for dear life as though he was a fireman. I really enjoyed playing hide and seek with him and told his dad that he made me miss Char. Aw. It was my most joyful subway ride yet.
My audition was in NOLA studios, a very popular venue for December opera auditions. I hardly recognized the place without the hundreds of singers pouring through the halls. It was so mellow with only one audition happening instead of the usual five or six. I had plenty of time to get warmed up and ready and then entered the room, with the attitude of knowing all my French wouldn't be perfect but wanting to be in the moment and enter in the space that God has already prepared for me. Yesterday when I was practicing I realized that I hold onto the singing as though it is mine and only mine when really it is the place where God allows me to enter into his work. That thought brought so much joy and relieved so much pressure in my practicing and I wanted to bring that into the audition as well. I have to say the auditor threw me off a little bit. He stood up and paced through my entire audition, very rarely actually looking at me. I started with "Du gai soleil" which went well. He said it was charming and sweet, refreshing after so many Turandots in a row. (Turandot is one of the operas they are doing this summer and it has a honkin soprano role that I guess a bunch of girls were aiming for!) He asked for "Deh vieni" one of my all-time favorites to sing. It was okay, but unfortunately not much better than that. I couldn't get my breath under me and because of that couldn't stay in the moment as well as I would have liked. It wasn't a bad audition by any means but not great enough to get a job, I think. I guess I am always learning....
I had to call Charlie after that and got to hear him say, "HI Kithy" for the first time. Amazing. I miss him so much and loved hearing him say, "yeah" so casually. Aw. I always love talking to my best sister, of course.
Adrienne and I went to the movie theatre down the street for "Catch and Release." We smuggled in some Tasty-Delite and homemade popcorn for a snack-tastic experience. The movie was pretty good but kind of all over the place. I was soooo tired after the two late nights in a row and was happy to settle to sleep before midnight.
The A train was a total nightmare. They are doing construction on the C train on the weekends so all the trains are running local and you're required to take a shuttle at the last leg of the trip. Craziness. All in all, it took about an hour to get to Karim's house on 184th. His apartment is really nice with tons of space and great high ceilings. We went to a really cheap and somewhat craptastic diner on 181st. Our waitress was a total space cadet and brought our food at different times and then made us ask for the check three times. My favorite moment was watching her read the NY Post as we sat and waited for her to deliver our check. Awesome. I helped Karim pack and then we got on the A train and relived all that madness.
I came home, took a quick shower and headed off to my friend David's concert at a church nearby. He's doing a series of Schubert's "Die Schone Mullerin" in Florida and Minnesota with this one NYC concert. It was such a treat to hear him sing again and see all his growth from CCM days. He's always been one of my favorite baritones. I saw his parents and loved watching their pride swell from across the aisle. I unfortunately didn't get to stay too long to celebrate him as my Opera North audtition was scheduled an hour later in Midtown.
On the subway I met an adorable two-year-old boy named Micah who was all smiles and a huge flirt. He was trying to ride the pole that you hold onto for dear life as though he was a fireman. I really enjoyed playing hide and seek with him and told his dad that he made me miss Char. Aw. It was my most joyful subway ride yet.
My audition was in NOLA studios, a very popular venue for December opera auditions. I hardly recognized the place without the hundreds of singers pouring through the halls. It was so mellow with only one audition happening instead of the usual five or six. I had plenty of time to get warmed up and ready and then entered the room, with the attitude of knowing all my French wouldn't be perfect but wanting to be in the moment and enter in the space that God has already prepared for me. Yesterday when I was practicing I realized that I hold onto the singing as though it is mine and only mine when really it is the place where God allows me to enter into his work. That thought brought so much joy and relieved so much pressure in my practicing and I wanted to bring that into the audition as well. I have to say the auditor threw me off a little bit. He stood up and paced through my entire audition, very rarely actually looking at me. I started with "Du gai soleil" which went well. He said it was charming and sweet, refreshing after so many Turandots in a row. (Turandot is one of the operas they are doing this summer and it has a honkin soprano role that I guess a bunch of girls were aiming for!) He asked for "Deh vieni" one of my all-time favorites to sing. It was okay, but unfortunately not much better than that. I couldn't get my breath under me and because of that couldn't stay in the moment as well as I would have liked. It wasn't a bad audition by any means but not great enough to get a job, I think. I guess I am always learning....
I had to call Charlie after that and got to hear him say, "HI Kithy" for the first time. Amazing. I miss him so much and loved hearing him say, "yeah" so casually. Aw. I always love talking to my best sister, of course.
Adrienne and I went to the movie theatre down the street for "Catch and Release." We smuggled in some Tasty-Delite and homemade popcorn for a snack-tastic experience. The movie was pretty good but kind of all over the place. I was soooo tired after the two late nights in a row and was happy to settle to sleep before midnight.
Late night #2...
Friday I tried to sleep in with little success but definitely started slowly. I spent the morning finishing my Valentines and shopping for last minue additions to Charlie's box (okay, I guess it's not going to be a surprise.) Surprise! I had an interesting trip to the post office where an old man was flirting viciously with the girl behind me. At first, he seemed sweet and harmless, "how did I get so lucky to hit the post office behind a beautiful blonde" but his comments grew salty and rude. It was a taste of the weirdos that clearly are all around!
I did a bunch of cleaning in the afternoon and had a practice in the apartment breakthrough....I was able to sing full out with abandon for the first time. Jessie and Karim had given me a pep talk the night before, telling me I didn't need to worry about the neighbors...this is how the city works!
I went to the gym for a quick workout and then made us some whole-wheat pizza for dinner. That Trader Joes crust is just the best...except, note to self, don't forget to flour the pizza stone before baking. Eeek.
Ali had invited me to a party that night at her friend Melissa's place near Columbia. Adrienne and I headed over there around 9:45 to learn how to play "The Village." It's a game where everyone has different roles and you are trying to kill wherewolves and decide who is telling the truth. We had fun and met some true characters and once again, left there around 1:30 in the morning. Two nights in a row of being up way past my bedtime!
I did a bunch of cleaning in the afternoon and had a practice in the apartment breakthrough....I was able to sing full out with abandon for the first time. Jessie and Karim had given me a pep talk the night before, telling me I didn't need to worry about the neighbors...this is how the city works!
I went to the gym for a quick workout and then made us some whole-wheat pizza for dinner. That Trader Joes crust is just the best...except, note to self, don't forget to flour the pizza stone before baking. Eeek.
Ali had invited me to a party that night at her friend Melissa's place near Columbia. Adrienne and I headed over there around 9:45 to learn how to play "The Village." It's a game where everyone has different roles and you are trying to kill wherewolves and decide who is telling the truth. We had fun and met some true characters and once again, left there around 1:30 in the morning. Two nights in a row of being up way past my bedtime!
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Late night #1...
Thursday morning I put some time in at the gym. Equinox has these turbo elliptical machines that have crazy resistance with hills...I love them for days without dance classes. I did some warming up and prepping for my noon coaching with a pianist that Craig Verm recommended. I met him at Juilliard, where he is on staff. He was so great and cleaned up my languages. He mostly made me realize how much refining work I have to do. The thing about musical theatre is that I can always be working on my dramatic interpretation but the vowels and language come pretty easy. I was really encouraged and inspired after the coaching, knowing that if I do my homework I can sound a million times more professional and polished.
I went to Starbucks by Lincoln Center expecting to see Midori or James Levine. Instead, I got a coffee and ate my peanut-butter and banana sandwich (my new favorite...it's the best) as I wrote valentine cards (coming soon to your mailboxes!) I was set to meet Ali Dawson at her law-firm at Rockefeller Center at 4 pm. On my way there I ran into RJ, my Billy from "Anything Goes" in Salinas. So random! He had just sent me a message on myspace that morning and there he was on 6th Avenue! Very fun chance encounter.
Ali and I went to the Starbucks under the Rockefeller Center (I know, 2 Starbucks in one day...please don't tell) and had fun catching up on all the fun teaching jobs she has as well as her new boyfriend. I was lucky to steal an hour of her time considering she works about 12 hours a day in various locations. Eeek. The life of the starving artist.
I was supposed to meet Karim at 5 but he ended up cancelling on me. I had dinner plans with the two girls I met at church (Carrie and Kristin) on Saturday. I was going over to their house and offered to bring a bottle of wine. I first tried the Whole Foods in the Time Warner building...totally overwhelming in typical NYC fashion and devoid of any wine!!! I told the concierge that the CA Whole Foods have amazing wine selections to which he responded, "This isn't CA." He was nice though and explained that with so many great outlets for wine in the neighborhood they stopped carrying it as a public relations favor.
I walked all the way along Central Park South to greet the 6 train right smack in the middle of rush-hour. I was to passive to get on the first, second and nearly the third train that came by. From mid-town at that time it is nearly impossible to cram onto an already packed train, especially when you're fending off career pushers! Karim thinks that in no time NYC will change me...be agressive. Be agressive.
I got off the train at 86th and ran right into a great wine store called "Best Cellars." They have nightly wine-tastings and all of their bottles are less than $20. I got to taste two really yummy wines including a champagne made from Pinot grapes that I will definitely be back to buy. For the moment I found a Rueda which is the region in Spain where my favorite Bodeguita wine is from. The clerks were so helpful at the store and gave me a chilled bottle and I was on my way. Carrie and Kristin live with another girl from Redeemer, Ruth, who I also really liked. She is a nurse at NY Presbyterian and she is planning on going back to school with the goal of doing full-time medical missions. Ruth is a vegetarian and so the dinner was a wonderful smorgasbord of veggies...a pumpkin-ginger soup, steamed asparagus, sauteed squash and a salad with green beans and some kind of fancy cheese. YUM-O. Their apartment has really high-ceilings and is totally charming but the kitchen is even smaller than ours and requires lots of creativity on their end. I'm really excited those girls live so close and I'm looking forward to more dinners and fun times together.
Karim called me while I was there, asking if I wanted to meet him at the stage door of Carnegie Hall at 10. Our friend from Rice, Jessie Lloyd, who is a singer now living in Toronto, was performing there with her choir. I had tried to get in touch with her earlier in the week but those dang Canadian cell phones don't work in the Big Apple. We met up with Jessie and her dad and step-mom...it was the first trip to NYC for all of them so we went to the famous Carnegie Deli. I think they are more famous for their imposing stacks of pastrami than their service but it was fun to hear about the Dave Letterman taping that Jessie's dad and step-mom had attended. Jessie, Karim and I then looked for a place to get a drink and catch up further. It was ssssssooooooo cold that even the Canadians were complaining. We ended up at Rue 57, a French restaurant and sushi bar that happens to have the best drink I've ever tasted....called, the Rue 57, go figure. It was a champagne cocktail that included some sort of grapefruit yumminess in a glass that had a rim of caramelized sugar, almost like a lollipop with some bonus bubbles. Karim and Jessie somehow convinced this lightweight to have a second cocktail...I definitely can pull that off only among dear friends. Those sweet bubbles (and even sweeter friends!) made sure that I took a cab home and I was happy to meet my bed at around 1:30.
I went to Starbucks by Lincoln Center expecting to see Midori or James Levine. Instead, I got a coffee and ate my peanut-butter and banana sandwich (my new favorite...it's the best) as I wrote valentine cards (coming soon to your mailboxes!) I was set to meet Ali Dawson at her law-firm at Rockefeller Center at 4 pm. On my way there I ran into RJ, my Billy from "Anything Goes" in Salinas. So random! He had just sent me a message on myspace that morning and there he was on 6th Avenue! Very fun chance encounter.
Ali and I went to the Starbucks under the Rockefeller Center (I know, 2 Starbucks in one day...please don't tell) and had fun catching up on all the fun teaching jobs she has as well as her new boyfriend. I was lucky to steal an hour of her time considering she works about 12 hours a day in various locations. Eeek. The life of the starving artist.
I was supposed to meet Karim at 5 but he ended up cancelling on me. I had dinner plans with the two girls I met at church (Carrie and Kristin) on Saturday. I was going over to their house and offered to bring a bottle of wine. I first tried the Whole Foods in the Time Warner building...totally overwhelming in typical NYC fashion and devoid of any wine!!! I told the concierge that the CA Whole Foods have amazing wine selections to which he responded, "This isn't CA." He was nice though and explained that with so many great outlets for wine in the neighborhood they stopped carrying it as a public relations favor.
I walked all the way along Central Park South to greet the 6 train right smack in the middle of rush-hour. I was to passive to get on the first, second and nearly the third train that came by. From mid-town at that time it is nearly impossible to cram onto an already packed train, especially when you're fending off career pushers! Karim thinks that in no time NYC will change me...be agressive. Be agressive.
I got off the train at 86th and ran right into a great wine store called "Best Cellars." They have nightly wine-tastings and all of their bottles are less than $20. I got to taste two really yummy wines including a champagne made from Pinot grapes that I will definitely be back to buy. For the moment I found a Rueda which is the region in Spain where my favorite Bodeguita wine is from. The clerks were so helpful at the store and gave me a chilled bottle and I was on my way. Carrie and Kristin live with another girl from Redeemer, Ruth, who I also really liked. She is a nurse at NY Presbyterian and she is planning on going back to school with the goal of doing full-time medical missions. Ruth is a vegetarian and so the dinner was a wonderful smorgasbord of veggies...a pumpkin-ginger soup, steamed asparagus, sauteed squash and a salad with green beans and some kind of fancy cheese. YUM-O. Their apartment has really high-ceilings and is totally charming but the kitchen is even smaller than ours and requires lots of creativity on their end. I'm really excited those girls live so close and I'm looking forward to more dinners and fun times together.
Karim called me while I was there, asking if I wanted to meet him at the stage door of Carnegie Hall at 10. Our friend from Rice, Jessie Lloyd, who is a singer now living in Toronto, was performing there with her choir. I had tried to get in touch with her earlier in the week but those dang Canadian cell phones don't work in the Big Apple. We met up with Jessie and her dad and step-mom...it was the first trip to NYC for all of them so we went to the famous Carnegie Deli. I think they are more famous for their imposing stacks of pastrami than their service but it was fun to hear about the Dave Letterman taping that Jessie's dad and step-mom had attended. Jessie, Karim and I then looked for a place to get a drink and catch up further. It was ssssssooooooo cold that even the Canadians were complaining. We ended up at Rue 57, a French restaurant and sushi bar that happens to have the best drink I've ever tasted....called, the Rue 57, go figure. It was a champagne cocktail that included some sort of grapefruit yumminess in a glass that had a rim of caramelized sugar, almost like a lollipop with some bonus bubbles. Karim and Jessie somehow convinced this lightweight to have a second cocktail...I definitely can pull that off only among dear friends. Those sweet bubbles (and even sweeter friends!) made sure that I took a cab home and I was happy to meet my bed at around 1:30.
Thursday, February 8, 2007
oh the places i went...
It's official. I completely wore myself out today. I went to bed with every ounce of muscle, bone and thought spent. I didn't brave any EPA auditions...nothing interesting enough to get out of bed for and then not get called. Do I sound like I'm getting cynical? Well, maybe a little bit, but also a little choosier. The extended vacation is about me getting better and getting to the next level and some days I need to do that by myself. I had really missed my NIA classes so I went to one of those in the morning. The theme for the day: taking our time. What a good theme for me!
I've been really frustrated with my hair out here. I know it is quite vain to admit it but I hate how I look like a mess everywhere I go...when I use the diffuser I end up looking frizzy and frazzled or like Jersey. It's not real great...I think it might be a product issue. So, after the gym I took a shower and tried a new technique of styling my hair and then applying product...much better result but I'm still working on it. Suggestions?
I went to two dance classes at Steps. See, I told you I was vain. I was sick of looking like the wicked witch of the west at all these classes. It is strange how not being apalled by what you see in the mirror does inform your dancing. Deep thoughts...
I took Beginning Theatre Dance again and I got called out at one point for not extending my arms on this one move. I thought it was a little unfair as I was just trying to avoid running into the ballet barre, but, hey, I'm here to learn! I then took Germaine's tap class again. I really really like her and even though I am one of the slowest she always makes me feel good, and as though she's glad I came. I have to say that three dance classes in one day was a little draining and by the end of tap I was giving up in using my brain to remember combinations, etc. I'll remember that next time.
I next headed off to my first lesson with Carol. Yesterday it took me about 45 minutes but at $100/hr (and that's pretty reasonable, if not cheap here for a voice lesson!) I was taking no chances! I was so beat from dancing that I fell asleep a little on the train but clutched my valuables close to me. I ended up getting to Inwood about a half-hour early which was kind of a bummer because unlike the parts of NY that I usually frequent there is no Starbucks, no delis or any kind of store in which to browse. I mean, I guess if I was truly desperate, I could strike up a conversation at the gas station or body shop. I took a walk in the freezing cold and found a really beautiful park. Her apartment overlooks a bridge as well as the Columbia football stadium. Finally, 5:30 arrived and I had a great lesson. Her technique is new to me...all about onset and keeping the throat open. I found myself singing much "bigger" than I'm used to. It's a little scary but it doesn't hurt and she's in her 60s and can still sing like a goddess. I'm really excited as I feel like this may be the technique that gets me over high note issues for good. Yippee!
I took the train home and then the crosstown bus. I quickly grabbed some dinner before heading to Union Square. I had an audition scheduled at 9:20 for Theatre Ludicrum, a theatre company specializing in classic plays that they modernize. I'm frankly not that interested in the project but a scheduled audition is always a great opportunity to practice auditioning. I went to Trader Joes first madly picking up the 12 most necessary items so that I could be in the 12 or less line...it was still a total madhouse and they were out of our Fiber bread...but I got out just in time! I took the L train to 8th Street and walked a few blocks to the Atlantic Theatre Company which is housed in a really fancy building...they took my picture and gave me a label to wear with my picture, etc. Very swanky, especially for a place to learn how to be a starving artist! The audition was interesting with two somewhat awkward but really nice men running it. I did my monologue, then a strange cut of "Simple Joys" that threw the pianist so we did it twice and then two monologues from their script. There was a crazy Latin name in one of them and I had asked how to pronounce it. When I got to it in the reading, I totally blanked. Ah! I think it was fine and like I said, I don't want the job, so it's all good!
It took forever to get home but I finally made it back at around 10:30.
And if you haven't guessed it's now Thursday morning and I just had the best 8 hours of sleep since I can remember! I just counted and yesterday I got on 3 different busses and 7 different trains. Thank goodness for the unlimited metro card!
I've been really frustrated with my hair out here. I know it is quite vain to admit it but I hate how I look like a mess everywhere I go...when I use the diffuser I end up looking frizzy and frazzled or like Jersey. It's not real great...I think it might be a product issue. So, after the gym I took a shower and tried a new technique of styling my hair and then applying product...much better result but I'm still working on it. Suggestions?
I went to two dance classes at Steps. See, I told you I was vain. I was sick of looking like the wicked witch of the west at all these classes. It is strange how not being apalled by what you see in the mirror does inform your dancing. Deep thoughts...
I took Beginning Theatre Dance again and I got called out at one point for not extending my arms on this one move. I thought it was a little unfair as I was just trying to avoid running into the ballet barre, but, hey, I'm here to learn! I then took Germaine's tap class again. I really really like her and even though I am one of the slowest she always makes me feel good, and as though she's glad I came. I have to say that three dance classes in one day was a little draining and by the end of tap I was giving up in using my brain to remember combinations, etc. I'll remember that next time.
I next headed off to my first lesson with Carol. Yesterday it took me about 45 minutes but at $100/hr (and that's pretty reasonable, if not cheap here for a voice lesson!) I was taking no chances! I was so beat from dancing that I fell asleep a little on the train but clutched my valuables close to me. I ended up getting to Inwood about a half-hour early which was kind of a bummer because unlike the parts of NY that I usually frequent there is no Starbucks, no delis or any kind of store in which to browse. I mean, I guess if I was truly desperate, I could strike up a conversation at the gas station or body shop. I took a walk in the freezing cold and found a really beautiful park. Her apartment overlooks a bridge as well as the Columbia football stadium. Finally, 5:30 arrived and I had a great lesson. Her technique is new to me...all about onset and keeping the throat open. I found myself singing much "bigger" than I'm used to. It's a little scary but it doesn't hurt and she's in her 60s and can still sing like a goddess. I'm really excited as I feel like this may be the technique that gets me over high note issues for good. Yippee!
I took the train home and then the crosstown bus. I quickly grabbed some dinner before heading to Union Square. I had an audition scheduled at 9:20 for Theatre Ludicrum, a theatre company specializing in classic plays that they modernize. I'm frankly not that interested in the project but a scheduled audition is always a great opportunity to practice auditioning. I went to Trader Joes first madly picking up the 12 most necessary items so that I could be in the 12 or less line...it was still a total madhouse and they were out of our Fiber bread...but I got out just in time! I took the L train to 8th Street and walked a few blocks to the Atlantic Theatre Company which is housed in a really fancy building...they took my picture and gave me a label to wear with my picture, etc. Very swanky, especially for a place to learn how to be a starving artist! The audition was interesting with two somewhat awkward but really nice men running it. I did my monologue, then a strange cut of "Simple Joys" that threw the pianist so we did it twice and then two monologues from their script. There was a crazy Latin name in one of them and I had asked how to pronounce it. When I got to it in the reading, I totally blanked. Ah! I think it was fine and like I said, I don't want the job, so it's all good!
It took forever to get home but I finally made it back at around 10:30.
And if you haven't guessed it's now Thursday morning and I just had the best 8 hours of sleep since I can remember! I just counted and yesterday I got on 3 different busses and 7 different trains. Thank goodness for the unlimited metro card!
Tuesday, February 6, 2007
new friends and a full day!
Today was a great day...it had definite moments of questioning and imperfection...but also wonderful tastes of the community that is being knit in the pockets of NY that I've discovered. The day started early, again, this time for an open call for the Sharon Arts Playhouse. Their season includes a Carousel in concert so I was excited to sing for them. I fought the bitter cold to get to Ripley Grier on 8th Avenue...this time I walked along 32nd and found Koreatown. I need Soon to visit now!
At the audition I found a girl I've been seeing at other EPAs and became acquainted...her name is Emily and I really like her! Yay! I feel like she could be my audition buddy. She is also a Christian and we shared stories about the churches we've been going to. I sang well but didn't get a callback. Oh well. From there, I headed to the Performing Arts Library and had so much fun looking through scores and finding songs and books on acting.
Tuesday has become my favorite day of the week thanks to my fellowship group. I just love the people. They are all so smart yet artsy and humble and full of faith. Even though I had to leave early, I was so inspired and excited and encouraged for the future friends and family I see in them! There was a new guy, Mitch, that moved to NYC a week after I did. He is a pianist and composer and has lived in Paris for the last 6 years. He was quirky and smart and I think he and I will be friends! Yay!
I left early because I was going out to Inwood to observe a few voice lessons taught by a potential new teacher, Carol Kirkpatrick. She was recommended to me by a colleague of Adrienne's at Cornell. The two sopranos I observed had fierce, rich voices with great tops and I was so excited by Carol's teaching. I have a lesson scheduled for tomorrow! She is a warm and no-nonsense kind of a teacher in the vein of Dr. Farwell. I really clicked with Anna, the second student who I joined on the train home. She studied at Indiana and we know some people. I'm excited for her potential friendship!
So that's the daily summary...I'm really thankful for all the points of connection I made with folks. On the bus ride home I started feeling like this could be home, temporarily of course.
At the audition I found a girl I've been seeing at other EPAs and became acquainted...her name is Emily and I really like her! Yay! I feel like she could be my audition buddy. She is also a Christian and we shared stories about the churches we've been going to. I sang well but didn't get a callback. Oh well. From there, I headed to the Performing Arts Library and had so much fun looking through scores and finding songs and books on acting.
Tuesday has become my favorite day of the week thanks to my fellowship group. I just love the people. They are all so smart yet artsy and humble and full of faith. Even though I had to leave early, I was so inspired and excited and encouraged for the future friends and family I see in them! There was a new guy, Mitch, that moved to NYC a week after I did. He is a pianist and composer and has lived in Paris for the last 6 years. He was quirky and smart and I think he and I will be friends! Yay!
I left early because I was going out to Inwood to observe a few voice lessons taught by a potential new teacher, Carol Kirkpatrick. She was recommended to me by a colleague of Adrienne's at Cornell. The two sopranos I observed had fierce, rich voices with great tops and I was so excited by Carol's teaching. I have a lesson scheduled for tomorrow! She is a warm and no-nonsense kind of a teacher in the vein of Dr. Farwell. I really clicked with Anna, the second student who I joined on the train home. She studied at Indiana and we know some people. I'm excited for her potential friendship!
So that's the daily summary...I'm really thankful for all the points of connection I made with folks. On the bus ride home I started feeling like this could be home, temporarily of course.
Monday, February 5, 2007
Super Bowl Sunday and Super Cold Monday
I think I've definitely settled on the AM West Side service at Redeemer. Maybe in a month or two I'll even have regular friends to sit beside! My new friends from last night go to the PM West Side service...I would consider giving that one another chance but apparently last night's band leads at that service...and as hard as it is to criticize a band leading worship...it was too loud for me! I LOVE the music in the morning service. I can't wait for you all to visit! This week a flutist played a Bloch concerto as well as the Mozart "Laudate Dominum" (my wedding hit) with a soprano soloist. So beautiful! Tim Keller continues to be an amazing teacher and I can't write down fast enough all the morsels he shares! This week he talked about the significance of the Last Supper and all the ways it connected to the celebration of Passover. I love nerdy Bible talk!
I jetted over to an audition that I'd been called in for after submitting my materials via mail. I learned a painful lesson about the necessity of always caring extra headshots and resumes. Eek! I wrongly assumed that they would have my h/r on hand since I had submitted and they called me. Nope! It made my audition really awkward and I was embarassed that I made that rookie mistake. The good news is that I don't even think they got my last name so hopefully they'll forget they ever met me! It was an audition for a small company in Florida who is doing a show about Judy Garland called, "Beyond the Rainbow." They had called me in for Young Judy...a fun prospect but not a great match vocally. After some serious self-beating I went home and got ready for our fun adventure to North Plainfield, NJ for the Six's Super Bowl party. Scott and Amy have a really nice house...and they went all out with mini-hot-dogs and mac and cheese and every kind of chip and dip you could imagine. YUM! It was really fun to see Gabe and be around Amy's energetic family! We also had a fun time meeting some of their friends, including Chemagne, who we've invited to stay with us in NYC for some big city partying. Chemagne gave us a ride to the NJ Transit station after the Prince half-time show. Good times!
Today was a fun and somewhat productive day. I had high hopes for an audition for Musicals Tonight, a company very similar to 42nd St. Moon, but when I arrived and found the line already looping around hallways I knew my chances were slim. Two fun things happened. I realized that a guy I'd recognized a few weeks ago was indeed the Richard I lived across the hall from in Aspen. I guess he's doing a lot of musical theatre in addition to opera work. I also ran into Michael Hunsaker, my prince from "Into the Woods." He is one of the funniest guys I know and it totally lit up my lackluster morning to see him! I was #3 on the EMC list but the way things were going it wasn't looking great, so I left around noon and didn't return in the afternoon, opting to leave my headshot behind. From my other experiences, the afternoon only seems to get worse with the Equity alternate situation. I think the hardest thing for me is that second-class citizen feeling all based on a little card that I don't yet have. I end up feeling after a while that I'm not talented, that I don't belong in that room, etc, etc and it puts me into a spin of self-doubt that certainly doesn't help my confidence.
The best thing I did for myself was leaving and deciding to spend the afternoon practicing and remembering why I came here (not just to spy on equity actors!). I had intended on going to the Performing Arts Library and picking out some new songs...alas, closed on Monday! I walked in the bitter cold for nothing but luckily found a bus home pretty soon thereafter. After practicing a bit at home I decided to rent a studio for an hour to really let loose and SING. I'm so glad I made that decision. I now feel energized and excited to keep learning and growing and practicing!!!!
I went to a fun and intense "urban rebounding" aerobics class where everyone bounces on individual trampolines. I loved the teacher. He made lots of high screams, ala Prince yesterday!
I had planned with my two new friends, Carrie and Kristin, to go to Michael's piano bar tonight. I had thought it was weird that they hadn't called me after I left the directions. But then Carrie called to let me know the fire dept. was on their way over....they think they had Carbon Monoxide poisining. Yikes! And honestly, it's 8 degrees out, with a windchill of negative that, so I decided I couldn't trek out there alone. Hoping for next week!
I just opened an amazing package from Pie. She knit me the most beautiful and colorful scarf...I just love it and even more I love the note she sent with it. I write with a heart very full of thanks for the amazing friends and family God has given me! Miss you!!!
I jetted over to an audition that I'd been called in for after submitting my materials via mail. I learned a painful lesson about the necessity of always caring extra headshots and resumes. Eek! I wrongly assumed that they would have my h/r on hand since I had submitted and they called me. Nope! It made my audition really awkward and I was embarassed that I made that rookie mistake. The good news is that I don't even think they got my last name so hopefully they'll forget they ever met me! It was an audition for a small company in Florida who is doing a show about Judy Garland called, "Beyond the Rainbow." They had called me in for Young Judy...a fun prospect but not a great match vocally. After some serious self-beating I went home and got ready for our fun adventure to North Plainfield, NJ for the Six's Super Bowl party. Scott and Amy have a really nice house...and they went all out with mini-hot-dogs and mac and cheese and every kind of chip and dip you could imagine. YUM! It was really fun to see Gabe and be around Amy's energetic family! We also had a fun time meeting some of their friends, including Chemagne, who we've invited to stay with us in NYC for some big city partying. Chemagne gave us a ride to the NJ Transit station after the Prince half-time show. Good times!
Today was a fun and somewhat productive day. I had high hopes for an audition for Musicals Tonight, a company very similar to 42nd St. Moon, but when I arrived and found the line already looping around hallways I knew my chances were slim. Two fun things happened. I realized that a guy I'd recognized a few weeks ago was indeed the Richard I lived across the hall from in Aspen. I guess he's doing a lot of musical theatre in addition to opera work. I also ran into Michael Hunsaker, my prince from "Into the Woods." He is one of the funniest guys I know and it totally lit up my lackluster morning to see him! I was #3 on the EMC list but the way things were going it wasn't looking great, so I left around noon and didn't return in the afternoon, opting to leave my headshot behind. From my other experiences, the afternoon only seems to get worse with the Equity alternate situation. I think the hardest thing for me is that second-class citizen feeling all based on a little card that I don't yet have. I end up feeling after a while that I'm not talented, that I don't belong in that room, etc, etc and it puts me into a spin of self-doubt that certainly doesn't help my confidence.
The best thing I did for myself was leaving and deciding to spend the afternoon practicing and remembering why I came here (not just to spy on equity actors!). I had intended on going to the Performing Arts Library and picking out some new songs...alas, closed on Monday! I walked in the bitter cold for nothing but luckily found a bus home pretty soon thereafter. After practicing a bit at home I decided to rent a studio for an hour to really let loose and SING. I'm so glad I made that decision. I now feel energized and excited to keep learning and growing and practicing!!!!
I went to a fun and intense "urban rebounding" aerobics class where everyone bounces on individual trampolines. I loved the teacher. He made lots of high screams, ala Prince yesterday!
I had planned with my two new friends, Carrie and Kristin, to go to Michael's piano bar tonight. I had thought it was weird that they hadn't called me after I left the directions. But then Carrie called to let me know the fire dept. was on their way over....they think they had Carbon Monoxide poisining. Yikes! And honestly, it's 8 degrees out, with a windchill of negative that, so I decided I couldn't trek out there alone. Hoping for next week!
I just opened an amazing package from Pie. She knit me the most beautiful and colorful scarf...I just love it and even more I love the note she sent with it. I write with a heart very full of thanks for the amazing friends and family God has given me! Miss you!!!
Saturday, February 3, 2007
Crazy for You!
I woke up this morning at about 6:15. I did not intend to be #2 in line for the open dance call of "Crazy for You." I had set my alarm for 8:30 since last night ended a bit late. But, I was wide awake and ready to fake my way as a dancer. I headed over to Chelsea Studios and arrived there before 8. I guess I was walking through the Hell's Kitchen neighborhood on my way there...not the best, but I did discover they have a flea market there and lots of cheap wig stores if anyone is in the market for one.
Like I said, I was the 2nd girl to arrive and we waited about half an hour in the hallway of the 6th floor before the studios were opened. I was afraid the audition wasn't going to happen because of the low turnout, especially considering the masses that have been showing up at every audition. But, at 10 o'clock the fun began and we were taken as a group of 30 to learn a short tap routine. It really wasn't impossibly hard but I psyched myself out at the beginning, intimidated by leggy dancers in fancy leotards and well-oiled tap shoes. I was lucky enough to be in the last group of three. I wasn't the worst in the room but also not in the top 75% and I didn't get asked to stay to sing. I was hoping my smile and shimmy might have made them forget my missteps. Alas. I knew going into the call, that as a singer-actor-dancer, I would be competing amongst dancer-actor-singers...and I think for now, I'm going to stay away from such calls! I was just proud of myself for not escaping from the room before my number was called.
I came home and intended to take a nap but instead Adrienne helped me put together a match.com profile...haah! Here's to meeting some NYC boys that are not actor-singer-dancers!
I took a walk in the freezing cold weather, finally finding my way across the park from 94th and catching up with friends on the phone.
After I made dinner, (tonight... Adrienne's special salad and a whole-wheat quesadilla) I got to talk to Mom and Dad briefly and hear about my favorite boy. I think that got me crying for about an hour. Sorry for the crazy message, Lis.
I then bravely headed out by myself to a Redeemer praise night for the 20s and 30s group. It reminded me a lot of Sanctuary at MPPC except that the band was soooooooo loud. I seriously could not believe it. No restraint whatsoever. I really loved some of the songs and learned a few new ones. The greatest answer to prayer is that I happened to be sitting next to two girls who I ended up following out to dinner. They were helping lead the after-worship dinner at Arnie's Deli. It turns out they live really near me on the UES and I loved talking to them and hearing about their graduate studies in forensic psychology! I gave Carrie my number and we're planning on meeting up maybe even on Monday. I'm so thankful for the promise of new friends! Okay...need to go to bed!
Like I said, I was the 2nd girl to arrive and we waited about half an hour in the hallway of the 6th floor before the studios were opened. I was afraid the audition wasn't going to happen because of the low turnout, especially considering the masses that have been showing up at every audition. But, at 10 o'clock the fun began and we were taken as a group of 30 to learn a short tap routine. It really wasn't impossibly hard but I psyched myself out at the beginning, intimidated by leggy dancers in fancy leotards and well-oiled tap shoes. I was lucky enough to be in the last group of three. I wasn't the worst in the room but also not in the top 75% and I didn't get asked to stay to sing. I was hoping my smile and shimmy might have made them forget my missteps. Alas. I knew going into the call, that as a singer-actor-dancer, I would be competing amongst dancer-actor-singers...and I think for now, I'm going to stay away from such calls! I was just proud of myself for not escaping from the room before my number was called.
I came home and intended to take a nap but instead Adrienne helped me put together a match.com profile...haah! Here's to meeting some NYC boys that are not actor-singer-dancers!
I took a walk in the freezing cold weather, finally finding my way across the park from 94th and catching up with friends on the phone.
After I made dinner, (tonight... Adrienne's special salad and a whole-wheat quesadilla) I got to talk to Mom and Dad briefly and hear about my favorite boy. I think that got me crying for about an hour. Sorry for the crazy message, Lis.
I then bravely headed out by myself to a Redeemer praise night for the 20s and 30s group. It reminded me a lot of Sanctuary at MPPC except that the band was soooooooo loud. I seriously could not believe it. No restraint whatsoever. I really loved some of the songs and learned a few new ones. The greatest answer to prayer is that I happened to be sitting next to two girls who I ended up following out to dinner. They were helping lead the after-worship dinner at Arnie's Deli. It turns out they live really near me on the UES and I loved talking to them and hearing about their graduate studies in forensic psychology! I gave Carrie my number and we're planning on meeting up maybe even on Monday. I'm so thankful for the promise of new friends! Okay...need to go to bed!
Friday, February 2, 2007
Restaurant Week!!!
Friday, friday! I didn't have any auditions to crash this morning and after a little research, I realized that the S & M retelling of Oliver called "Twist" I briefly considered singing for was even less appealing than a tap-dancing opression piece. So, I had the morning free to do our weekly Trader Joes stock-up. We are doing so great on our whole grains and no sugar plan. Except for very special occasions...like tonight...I can't wait to tell you all about it!
There was a problem with the local train on the East Side and I've never felt so crowded than in that teeny, tiny subway car. Eek. Needless to say, I took the bus home and I was sure excited to have my new cute Bible because as great as the bus is, it takes forever to get home!
I nearly missed my tap class, but I had great luck getting on an express train. This was my second attempt at Scott Thompson's Broadway Style Tap Class...so much better this week! He didn't make us do crazy pull-back combos and instead we did a routine to "Move" from Dreamgirls. So fun and I have th soundtrack so I can practice!
I came home and prepared myself for a long afternoon of waiting around for the cable guy (again! but this time for the right company). To my amazement he arrived about 15 minutes into the 4 hour window and now I have internet. All the time! No excuses for late blogging from here on out. I will say that I noticed that this week my blogs got kind of boring. I'll try to boil down the uninteresting stuff and don't worry, you can just skim...I'll never know!
I did some practicing and chose a great time to run out to WaMu for some cash...it started raining, almost freezing, and certainly got me nice and cold. Too bad I was having a great hair day. Oh well.
So, tonight we did a really fun thing. We had made plans to have dinner with Adrienne's friend Stan (the one who is an intern at Union Square Cafe and hooked us up on her birthday) and last night, searching Open Table, we realized that it was still NY Restaurant Week. It is this great tradition where most of the best restaurants serve a prix fixe menu to let us poor laymen taste what the rich get to eat, once a year! The lunches are $24.07 for three courses and the dinners are $35. Most of these places have entrees above and beyond $35 so it's quite the deal! I wish I had known earlier...next year! After reviewing several menus online last night we landed on Maya (http://www.modernmexican.com/mayany/index.htm), a modern Mexican restaurant on the Upper East Side. OH, yum! We had a 6:15 reservation. We started with homemade guacamole and Sangria...my new favorite. For an appetizer Adrienne and I both chose the mushroom tamale...amazing...and Stan had the duck puff pastry something, something. My entree was an adobo chicken breast, sliced like steak and stacked with a fried manchego cheese dumpling on top and garnished with a cilantro pesto and roasted corn. YUMMMMMMMMMMMMY. Adrienne and Stan had a tender hanger steak with chipotle sauce of some sort. Also delicious. And for dessert we shared a flan (almost as good as Mom's) and a silky arroz con leche (rice pudding). My favorite thing by far was my second drink (I know, scandalous), a mango mojito. AH, the best drink I've ever tasted. It was a really fun evening and Adrienne came out of nowhere and treated us which was totally out of control and generous.
And now we're home...Adrienne and Stan are playing Donkey Kong and I'm all caught up on my blog! Yay! Happy Weekend everyone!
Here is the full menu if you're interested:
MAYA
RESTAURANT WEEK MENU $35
January 22-26 & January 29-February 2nd
ENTRADAS
~choice of
MAHI-MAHI CEVICHE
mahi-mahi / mustard seeds / capers / horseradish / red onion / cilantro
CARNITAS DE PATO
braised duck / puff pastry / camembert cheese /
butternut squash pureé / frisée salad / chile ancho~cranberry sauce
TAMAL CON MORILLAS
steamed cornmeal / goat cheese~requesón /
chanterelle and morel mushrooms / tomatillo sauce / crispy leeks
PLATOS FUERTES
~ choice of
PECHUGA ADOBADA
adobo marinated chicken breast / roasted corn / pico de gallo /
cilantro pesto / huitlacoche-manchego cheese dumplings
HANGER STEAK
grilled hanger steak / black bean purée / grilled tomato /
caramelized onion / guacamole / chile de arbol sauce
SALMON CON PEPITAS
spicy pumpkin seed crusted salmon / mixed vegetable fondue /
creamy wild mushroom-chile chipotle sauce
POSTRE
~choice of
ARROZ CON LECHE
~ mexican style rice pudding
FLAN DE ELOTE
~ caramel corn flan
There was a problem with the local train on the East Side and I've never felt so crowded than in that teeny, tiny subway car. Eek. Needless to say, I took the bus home and I was sure excited to have my new cute Bible because as great as the bus is, it takes forever to get home!
I nearly missed my tap class, but I had great luck getting on an express train. This was my second attempt at Scott Thompson's Broadway Style Tap Class...so much better this week! He didn't make us do crazy pull-back combos and instead we did a routine to "Move" from Dreamgirls. So fun and I have th soundtrack so I can practice!
I came home and prepared myself for a long afternoon of waiting around for the cable guy (again! but this time for the right company). To my amazement he arrived about 15 minutes into the 4 hour window and now I have internet. All the time! No excuses for late blogging from here on out. I will say that I noticed that this week my blogs got kind of boring. I'll try to boil down the uninteresting stuff and don't worry, you can just skim...I'll never know!
I did some practicing and chose a great time to run out to WaMu for some cash...it started raining, almost freezing, and certainly got me nice and cold. Too bad I was having a great hair day. Oh well.
So, tonight we did a really fun thing. We had made plans to have dinner with Adrienne's friend Stan (the one who is an intern at Union Square Cafe and hooked us up on her birthday) and last night, searching Open Table, we realized that it was still NY Restaurant Week. It is this great tradition where most of the best restaurants serve a prix fixe menu to let us poor laymen taste what the rich get to eat, once a year! The lunches are $24.07 for three courses and the dinners are $35. Most of these places have entrees above and beyond $35 so it's quite the deal! I wish I had known earlier...next year! After reviewing several menus online last night we landed on Maya (http://www.modernmexican.com/mayany/index.htm), a modern Mexican restaurant on the Upper East Side. OH, yum! We had a 6:15 reservation. We started with homemade guacamole and Sangria...my new favorite. For an appetizer Adrienne and I both chose the mushroom tamale...amazing...and Stan had the duck puff pastry something, something. My entree was an adobo chicken breast, sliced like steak and stacked with a fried manchego cheese dumpling on top and garnished with a cilantro pesto and roasted corn. YUMMMMMMMMMMMMY. Adrienne and Stan had a tender hanger steak with chipotle sauce of some sort. Also delicious. And for dessert we shared a flan (almost as good as Mom's) and a silky arroz con leche (rice pudding). My favorite thing by far was my second drink (I know, scandalous), a mango mojito. AH, the best drink I've ever tasted. It was a really fun evening and Adrienne came out of nowhere and treated us which was totally out of control and generous.
And now we're home...Adrienne and Stan are playing Donkey Kong and I'm all caught up on my blog! Yay! Happy Weekend everyone!
Here is the full menu if you're interested:
MAYA
RESTAURANT WEEK MENU $35
January 22-26 & January 29-February 2nd
ENTRADAS
~choice of
MAHI-MAHI CEVICHE
mahi-mahi / mustard seeds / capers / horseradish / red onion / cilantro
CARNITAS DE PATO
braised duck / puff pastry / camembert cheese /
butternut squash pureé / frisée salad / chile ancho~cranberry sauce
TAMAL CON MORILLAS
steamed cornmeal / goat cheese~requesón /
chanterelle and morel mushrooms / tomatillo sauce / crispy leeks
PLATOS FUERTES
~ choice of
PECHUGA ADOBADA
adobo marinated chicken breast / roasted corn / pico de gallo /
cilantro pesto / huitlacoche-manchego cheese dumplings
HANGER STEAK
grilled hanger steak / black bean purée / grilled tomato /
caramelized onion / guacamole / chile de arbol sauce
SALMON CON PEPITAS
spicy pumpkin seed crusted salmon / mixed vegetable fondue /
creamy wild mushroom-chile chipotle sauce
POSTRE
~choice of
ARROZ CON LECHE
~ mexican style rice pudding
FLAN DE ELOTE
~ caramel corn flan
Fun times in the Actors Equity Building, again.
Thursday I woke up quite early to get a jump on the Tuacahn EPAs at the Actors Equity Building. I won! I was the first EMC signed up and I was sure that this was my day to break through! The way it works is that the building opens at 7:30 and so until then we wait in a line outside. (I think I got there about 7:15). Once inside, they make you stay in your original order and sit and wait until 8:30 when they pass out the appointment times for the equity folks or sign you up on the EMC list (me first!). So, depending on when you get there and when the next Bernadette Peters gets there...you never know who you might have to sit next to for an hour. And I had fun luck on Thursday. The girl next to me had been one of the final girls who got cut from Grease Academy before they went to the live shows. And chance would have it that she recognized the girl sitting across from us from the NY callbacks and so they started chatting about their experiences. Girl across from me is actually Derek's roommate for those of you who watch the show. He is my favorite! It was fun to listen in on their conversation and eventually offer up my opinions. I think the guys are more talented because they chose the Sandys more for look than talent. Adrienne and I think they all have the same face. Anyhoo...that was kind of fun. I waited and read my new play for another 3 hours or so (even getting all made up because I was sure I would be called) before they said the EMCs would definitely not be seen before lunch.
I discovered the Drama Book Shop...apparently very famous and most thrillingly across the street from Parsons School of Design, home of Project Runway! EEEEEEEK! It's Fashion Week here too...I wish I was a somebody so I could go in the tents. Wouldn't that be amazing? Adrienne tells me that even though I'm somebody special, I'm not the right kind of somebody to get an invite. Oh well.
I met Manami so that we could walk over to her voice lesson together. I wanted to observe her lesson with this man who has a pretty unconventional teaching method (mostly alien sounds with no real singing for an hour and only $75 for all that). The great news is that I didn't fall asleep (I got really close) and I have one teacher crossed off my list. Hurrah! I got to meet Manami's husband, Sean, and we talked about getting together for dinner soon.
I went back to the Equity Building to check out the situation....of course, more and more alternates showed up and after waiting for another hour, I took off. I went home and quickly worked out (Adrienne thinks I have issues on days where I go sit at these auditions...I have to feel like I accomplished SOMETHING) and then had dinner and tetris time with Adrienne before fun tv and Backstage perusing.
I discovered the Drama Book Shop...apparently very famous and most thrillingly across the street from Parsons School of Design, home of Project Runway! EEEEEEEK! It's Fashion Week here too...I wish I was a somebody so I could go in the tents. Wouldn't that be amazing? Adrienne tells me that even though I'm somebody special, I'm not the right kind of somebody to get an invite. Oh well.
I met Manami so that we could walk over to her voice lesson together. I wanted to observe her lesson with this man who has a pretty unconventional teaching method (mostly alien sounds with no real singing for an hour and only $75 for all that). The great news is that I didn't fall asleep (I got really close) and I have one teacher crossed off my list. Hurrah! I got to meet Manami's husband, Sean, and we talked about getting together for dinner soon.
I went back to the Equity Building to check out the situation....of course, more and more alternates showed up and after waiting for another hour, I took off. I went home and quickly worked out (Adrienne thinks I have issues on days where I go sit at these auditions...I have to feel like I accomplished SOMETHING) and then had dinner and tetris time with Adrienne before fun tv and Backstage perusing.
Dance what you feel!
The Performing Arts Library behind Lincoln Center was my morning project. Earlier this week I discovered the secret to the West Side train....there's an express from 96th (where I get on) to 72nd (where I get off for dance, Lincoln Center, etc). So great! Well, I arrived at the library with high hopes of pouring through scores and scripts for hours upon hours. Alas, it doesn't open until noon! Ding Dong! (That's the new swear word for #7F) So, instead I went to the Barnes and Noble across the street, read through monologue books, read some magazines, bought some monologue books and a great thin-line Bible to carry in my purse. After trekking my big 'ol Study Bible to church and bible studies and nearly breaking my back, I decided it would be great to have a more compact version of the good book. I got the cutest, leather-bound, NIV Bible and it's perfect for everyday use. You never know how much time you'll have on the crosstown bus to break out a little Isaiah. :)
Anyhoo...I did get to go to the library for about 15 minutes and quickly checked out some plays and got really, really excited for all the fun that is in store in all those shelves! They also have viewing rooms where you can watch all sorts of archived Broadway shows and operas. Can you say music-nerd paradise???
I went to two dance classes. I started off with Scott Thompson's Beginning Theatre Dance...yay for a true beginning class! I didn't feel like as much of an idiot. I then went to Germaine Goodson's Advanced Beginning Broadway-Style Tap Dance. She was so encouraging and fun and never made us do steps alone which makes newbies like me really happy.
I spent the rest of the day practicing, cooking dinner and watching American Idol and Top Chef. I still can't believe Sam didn't get to be in the final 2 and win. He was robbed. Seriously.
Anyhoo...I did get to go to the library for about 15 minutes and quickly checked out some plays and got really, really excited for all the fun that is in store in all those shelves! They also have viewing rooms where you can watch all sorts of archived Broadway shows and operas. Can you say music-nerd paradise???
I went to two dance classes. I started off with Scott Thompson's Beginning Theatre Dance...yay for a true beginning class! I didn't feel like as much of an idiot. I then went to Germaine Goodson's Advanced Beginning Broadway-Style Tap Dance. She was so encouraging and fun and never made us do steps alone which makes newbies like me really happy.
I spent the rest of the day practicing, cooking dinner and watching American Idol and Top Chef. I still can't believe Sam didn't get to be in the final 2 and win. He was robbed. Seriously.
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