tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75603428163507517142024-03-08T14:45:59.107-08:00sharpstown in the citysharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-32537195995162614292010-06-02T06:48:00.000-07:002010-06-02T06:50:28.858-07:00Artistic StatementThe following was a requirement in the Dawn U. Carnegie Hall Workshop I'm hoping to land! <br /><br />The assignment:<br />Please attach a statement of approximately 1,000 words that answers the following questions: <br />1. What inspires you as an artist in your professional and personal lives? <br />2. What do you hope to gain from this experience? <br /><br />“What can I do to live a better story?” This piercing question serves as the source of my two main inspirations as an artist: story and excellence. <br /><br />Last summer, a Broadway play (Neil LaBute’s Reasons to Be Pretty) provided the defining balm I needed in a season of much pain. The choice its lead character made in the final scene spoke a healing word into my life that no other amount of counseling or journaling or time could mend. I found, after that play, I was free. Great art, done well, has time and again, brought health and freedom to me. As I grow as an artist and a person that loves art, I am equally inspired by the stories that others tell and compelled to tell a better, more excellent story with my life and gifts. <br /><br /> I started taking voice lessons at the age of 12 so that I could be the best musical theatre performer the San Francisco Bay Area had ever seen. With Les Misérables completely memorized, I was sure I was bound for Broadway. My path was diverted by my first voice teacher who happened to be a tenured chorister with the San Francisco Opera. She cleverly introduced me to opera and claimed me for her genre. I was thrilled by the challenges of singing opera, of learning languages and investigating the history of each composer. Somewhere in my mid-twenties, however, I lost my fuel for pursuing it with the passion I once had. I had concentrated so much on perfect sound projection and “sempre la voce” that I had lost the drama. At this point, my journey twisted back over to my first love, musical theatre, and I proudly called myself a “reformed opera singer!” I dove into acting classes, performing Chekhov scenes and monologues, dusted off my tap and jazz shoes, and built a book of musical theatre songs with which I connected. People often asked me why I left opera for theatre and I would explain that I loved the story-telling that musical theatre demands. In opera I was missing the story. In my time away I learned to love telling stories again, making choices before beautiful sounds and taking risks before rubatos. <br /><br />Now as I am hitting my stride as a singer, I realize, of course, that stories can be told just as vibrantly in opera or art song as they are in theatre. In the past year I have reclaimed the genres of my original training and have re-ignited my passion for classical singing. Art songs have become the main course for my creative mind’s growing appetite and a favorite vehicle to express myself. I recently prepared and performed my first song recital in four years. I loved working with the masterful material and understanding the original context of the poetry while making the text mine. My own story was heightened because of these texts and songs.<br /><br />Great story telling draws me to continue to tell stories of my own. I aim to touch others, to inspire them to tell their own stories choosing the risky road of vulnerability and living a life story better than they imagine for themselves. Music has such amazing power to do just that and I love that I can participate in others’ stories! <br /><br /><br />I never knew how long I would stay in New York when I moved here in 2007. I wasn’t sure if this would be a short-lived experiment, if I would hit the audition scene and rise and fall with its success. Success has come in waves with great opportunities to perform and class but most exciting has been the evolution of a found community of musicians of all shapes and stripes, although quite heavy on the singer-songwriters. Some of my dearest friends create music daily and share it often in the clubs of the Lower East Side. I meet them there to hear how they are working out their often difficult lives through melody and lyrics. <br /><br />Beyond the Lower East Side, the daily accessibility of truly stunning art in all its forms has fueled my continual growth as a singer. Excellence inspires excellence and has been a great source of motivation to be faithful to the gifts I’ve been given as a singer and an artist. Steeped in artistic excellence immersion for the last three years, I have found my goals have changed. I moved to New York so I would never say “what if” but what I have found is much different than what I expected. I thought I was sending myself on a “make it or break it” adventure but instead I have found a community of friends that inspire me to make music, to take chances, to cultivate my own “voice” as an artist without limits or boundaries on “making it” in one particular field or opera house. Their excellence inspires me to continue to drink deep of the well of music, to create perhaps not my own songs, but my own interpretations in the genres where I am gifted. <br /> <br />Even still, I have often listened to my songwriting friends and been jealous of their vision for writing songs and performing them, of creating new material and finding an audience for it. With this workshop, I would love to experience the thrill of collaborating with composers to create something new. Fascinated by composers and their gifts, I would be delighted to originate a new work and to see the behind the scenes pieces come together. <br /><br />As a freelance singer, no longer luxuriating in conservatory life, I have missed so much the master class forum where such valuable learning comes from observing other artists as they try on new music and the challenges that come with telling new stories! <br />I cannot imagine a more fantastic week than a master class with these leaders in our field and among such excellent singers and composers. <br /><br />Recent opportunities to work with up and coming composers in the fields of musical theatre and opera have whet my appetite for more! I have never taken the time to focus my energy in new music as a soloist. This intense week would stretch me and would be a fantastic opportunity to delve into that realm. I would love to meet and grow with the other selected singers and composers and continue to build community with like-minded artists that are passionate about story and excellence.sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-32483843999837513712010-02-10T19:35:00.001-08:002010-02-10T20:20:29.605-08:00Can a Mother Forget?Tim's sermon this week was on Isaiah 49, specifically verses 14-16. He titled the sermon, "Can a Mother Forget?" based on verse 15, where God says to Zion: <br /><br />Can a mother forget the baby at her breast<br /> and have no compassion on the child she has borne?<br /> Though she may forget,<br /> I will not forget you! <br /><br />It was a great 1st Tim sermon for my sister to hear. 3 points, of course. Professorial, anecdotal and the third point was all about Jesus. I eagerly listened to every quote and story, each fun fact and explanation through my sister's ears, wanting her approval and shared excitement. To me it was just another explanation of the gospel, of the unconditional love that God shows us though he has no need of us and we offer him NOTHING. It was a sweet reminder to feast on God and that amazing love and not settle for idol snacks. But I find with so many great sermons, I'm spoiled. I take my notes, I expect Jesus to be the last point, I agree that He's the cure, but I often don't digest it fully.<br /><br />Last night I called to check in on my mom. Lis and I have an AMAZING mom. Always has been, always will be. She has been sick for the past week or so and because of "best.weekend.ever.sharpley.sisters.take.manhattan" colliding with two feverish grandkids, rest and recuperation were traded in for extra babysitting. So while Lisa and I were finding the world's best bargains, eating the country's best pizza, traipsing across the city, enjoying restaurant week with friends, brunching with all the "buddies", tearing up in Broadway shows and bonding and creating memories we'll never forget, our sweet Mom was recycling something she has done so often...bearing the cost of our delight! After I talked to Mom I took the "best.weekend.ever" post off of my facebook, not wanting to rub in what we had enjoyed while she worked on our behalf. And I know she didn't mean to make us feel guilty (Lisa, you are not allowed to feel guilty reading this!), but the fact is someone had to fill in the gap in order for us to have the kind of mad-fun, sister weekend that we had. <br /><br />And suddenly, I remembered the sermon. Here was Mom, someone who not only never forgot us at her breast(!) but even into our 30s never forgets us but continues to make sacrifices to give us the best life. And what did she get? The joy of knowing her daughters love each other and enjoy each other? Maybe. She shows us unconditional love and thereby shows me God's love. <br /><br />This past weekend really was the best.ever. And God promises in Isaiah 49 that this best.life.ever-the culmination of all the best weekends and days-are gifts from Him who took all the pain, all the sickness, all the isolation that we might know joy and love and fullness forever.sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-11936651592776219312010-01-07T19:38:00.000-08:002010-01-07T20:24:17.040-08:00Happy New Year!One day while I was at home watching one of those vapid 7:30pm shows as part of my "I work for a church and December wipes me out" recovery program, they ran a story on Oprah and her resolution for 2009: to get her weight in control. They showed her in January 2009 feigning disgust with her then state and promise that "this would be the year." With so much build-up, I was SURE they were going to say that she fulfilled her goal. Instead, they said "Oprah didn't succeed but she's never looked happier."<br /><br />Well, in hopes to look happier than ever at the end of 2010, I only made one resolution:<br />Less Blackberry, More Jesus.<br /><br />The biggest change I've made thus far, is removing the Facebook application from my blackberry. No mindless walking to work and reading near-strangers status updates. How about some prayer instead? <br /><br />Also, I would like to stop being "that girl" that incessantly checks her Blackberry, including during dinner out with friends, etc. No berries of any kind shall hit the dining table. Unless it's a strawberry that falls off a pillowy cheesecake from Juniors...mmmmm...<br /><br />I was chatting with a friend at our Redeemer Leaders' Meeting on Monday and she had so much earnest enthusiasm for what the New Year can bring. Much of that was because of the spirit of all of us collectively being willing, being open to change and growth. I like that. I can get behind that!<br /><br />So, some areas to grow in for 2010!<br />*Keeping up with my friends far and near<br />*Blogging, writing, staying creative...maybe even writing a song or two (WHAT?! I hang out with too many songwriters, I guess!)<br />*Practicing consistently. Developing new repertoire and demos. Singing for important people.<br />*An opera role or musical theatre role.<br />*Choosing LIFE in relationships. <br />*Less Splenda. Ha. Always.<br />*Consistent time with the Lord. In the mornings.<br />*Less mindless tv.<br />*More Bible literacy.<br />*More reading. Real books. (3 are on order!)<br />*1/2 marathon.<br /><br />Uh, oh. I've completely gone all Oprah. <br />"With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible."<br /><br />Recognizing that, I look forward to 2010 with God.sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-84879469636440277252009-11-27T06:39:00.000-08:002009-11-27T07:11:16.475-08:00ThanksgivingOn Wednesday I spontaneously burst into tears anticipating a Thanksgiving apart from my family. I am now 31 years old. One would think I would be "grown-up" enough to not need my mommy's mashed potatoes at the end of every November. <br /><br />This holiday, this year, however, seems to have brought up more heaviness than usual. I have spent several Thanksgivings with other families...with the Sulaymans a few times in Chicago and with my grandmother's side of the family in KY. Both locations were full of joy and love. <br /><br />Last year's Turkey Day, however, is a stinging memory. I spent the holiday with my ex-boyfriend's family. I had then thought they would soon be my inlaws. Though in many ways our relationship was crumbling, the "happy clappy" shoe hadn't quite dropped and I traversed this different Thanksgiving as part of my new tradition. My family doesn't do "black friday", his family was in line at 3am. My family does broccoli, his did green bean casserole. My family does movies, his family does football. And on and on. That weekend was the last time that I saw any of his family, the family that I had prepped myself to love and enjoy, serve and blend into and this week's reminder of them bowled me over. <br /><br /> In the day to day, I feel I've managed to move on from the relationship well, but commercials for black friday coupons and aromas of turkey and stuffing proved more than I could handle. For the first time in months, I was tempted to make contact, to check in, to see how his brother's college applications were going and if he'd been up to the city to see "West Side Story" yet. I wanted to know if his sister was still dating that guy at the grocery store and to tell her that I got my hair straightened again. But these left-overs if you will, are the last pieces of hanging on to a past that God has carried me through. And I'm not meant to go back there. <br /><br />I wished for a flight home to be with my REAL family, to re-write once again our traditions in my head and forget the stormy end to 2008. I wanted to drown myself in niece and nephew time and disengage with my future or chosen life. Expensive flights wouldn't allow it.<br /><br />Instead I had a wonderful and full day of attempting the parade with Mon, pumpkin pancakes and bacon with Steph and Kevin and a Thanksgiving potluck with NYC orphans at Emily's. I might have been away from my family, but here I was creating new family, new memories and feeling full in every way. <br /><br />I do long for the day when I'm not a single, not an orphan hopping from party to party. I long for my future husband's family to love and for new traditions to absorb. I look forward to caring for his family and not having to wonder about their future. I look forward to the forever. Until then, I'll make my own Cranberry Fluff, I'll call my family and get the entire menu detail from Grandma, giggle at pictures, ooh and ahh over Noe's latest outfit and thank God for the rich life He's given me as a single girl in the city.sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-33331693223208011842009-03-18T19:26:00.000-07:002009-03-18T19:45:11.256-07:006:30, 7:30 and 2:45My cell phone is possessed. While in a long-distance relationship, I might have exercised the cell phone so much that it had no choice but to fight back. After months of bullying, I'm close to tossing it to cell phone heaven. For the past month or so, it has stubbornly refused to let me reset its' alarms. So if I have my cell phone turned on, it will, without fail, buzz or beep at 6:30am, 7:30am, and 2:45pm every day. I use my cell phone as my alarm clock. I know what you're all thinking...it's so obvious: Why don't you turn your cell phone off and buy a $4.99 Duane Reade special alarm clock? Well, everyone, that would make perfect sense, but I'd rather have a small, unreliable, ornery and once shiny, now sadly dulled rectangle rule my mornings and mid-afternoons. <br /><br />The amazing thing in this all? It's been putting me on a schedule! I wake up earlier, got to the gym or practice, have a QT, make breakfast and if I'm feeling particularly luxurious, a cup of tea! So this annoyance is really creating the discipline I need. The Lord truly works in mysterious ways. And every night when I'm tempted to stay up till 12 or 1 scanning facebook statuses or broadwayworld.com, I'm inspired instead to go to bed because I know what will be buzzing at 6:30. That reliable little friend of mine that I can't wait to replace! <br /><br />Off to bed friends...it's past 10:30. :)<br /><br />Oh but wait...I have to share! I'm reading a wonderful Beth Moore called "Get out of that Pit". It truly is helping me to do just that. I thank God for the way He has brought Beth into my life once again to teach me and excite me about His word.<br />Also, I've signed up for the memory verse challenge on her blog: http://livingproofministries.blogspot.com/<br /><br />The first verse that I posted is from our FG's most recent passage, Galatians 5:1<br /><br />"It is for freedom that Christ has set you free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery."<br /><br />This past Sunday's sermon was on Romans 4 entitled "Through the Blood of Jesus Christ" We need redemption because we are slaves to guilt and shame and also our slave masters/idol factories. <br />What are my slave masters? Approval, career, family(husband/kids), ideal weight, so many more, I'm sure!sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-73209682217396708212009-03-09T19:56:00.000-07:002009-03-10T04:38:51.978-07:00Streaker!Monday afternoons mean worship meetings at the Redeemer Offices. All of the worship leaders/pastors, the worship/music staff as well as the Sunday Ops staff meet to discuss what's coming the following Sundays as well as to debrief what went well and what well, didn't, the day before. My predecessor promised these meetings would be entertaining. Mostly, we look across the table from each other either too shy to share what we really think or too eager to get to the next event and we're in and out in just a few minutes. But here and there, we laugh.<br /><br />Matt was sharing that a man at the East Side PM Service somehow got on the stage and plopped down next to Jon, while Jon was playing the postlude. <br />Matt: "I thought this guy might be a streaker."<br />Chris: "Please tell us you mean stalker."sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-28173639805292140772009-03-06T09:32:00.000-08:002009-03-06T10:18:46.490-08:006th months later...Hello long-forgotten blog!<br />I just went to my 6th month post-op appointment last week. The news is good...all is well with the vocal cords, even after 2 weeks of coughing! More alarming was the fact that 6 months has gone by since that momentous time of trusting and waiting and being carried by prayers and my community. <br /><br />Of all the 6 month stretches in my 30 years, this past one has been filled with the most jolting highs and lows. After weeks of real sorrow at the beginning of this new year, I was overjoyed with the way God was reaching down and gripping me out of my pit through the strength of family, old friends, new friends, passions no longer on hold and His Word. But then, most recently, I was brought low once again. Something that should have been encouraging, sent me to despair, back to grieving the loss of the one I thought would forever hold my heart. <br /><br />A few weeks ago I felt utterly lost. While on my walk to work, I wondered what the difference was between my life now and the giddy life I had in the fall. Certainly, a person and a relationship. But as I navigated the same windy path with all its familiar marquees and landmarks, I realized the core of what's gone is the dream of a life with someone, of building a future that is not just in my own hands. My dear friend reminded me I <span style="font-style:italic;">am</span> building a future with that someone and that I can dream of my future with Jesus. It sounds cheezy, like the back-cover of one of those Bible Belt Christian self-help books, but it's true. I've been reflecting on 1 Peter 1:3-8 over the last 24 hours and I'm struck by so many things. The Lord wants to hold and direct our future and so wants us on the inside of his kingdom, of his peace and heart....those verses are dripping with INS!! "In his great mercy"...."into a living hope" "into an inheritance that can never perish.." "kept IN heaven", etc. And so even while we are suffering, we're still "in" with him, never on the outside of his love or gaze. <br /><br />Now on the other side of the past 6 months marked by physical healing and wandering and rejoicing and leaning on one over the ONE I continue to be humbled and stripped down, plainly seeing my sin and the darkness that lies within me. But I can confidently say I also have hope and a future IN Christ Jesus, not because of my record but because of His.<br /><br />"IN this you greatly rejoice, though now for a little while you may have had to suffer grief in all kinds of trials. These have come so that your faith--of greater worth than gold, which perishes even though refined by fire--may be proved genuine and may result in praise, glory and honor when Jesus Christ is revealed." 1 Peter 1:6-7sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-27933634111303387192008-08-26T16:10:00.000-07:002008-08-26T16:31:53.992-07:00time to re-start my wordsSo, I'm determined to visit this blog more often. I've made MANY promises to return, especially in light of the past few days of silence. I would like to continue to enjoy the world from a blogger's view...and I have...I've just kept my findings to myself. But I'm happy to share words of unexpected joy from this past week.<br /><br />The last five days have been terrifying at times and yet completely sweet. I've felt my cup overflow with love and prayers. I know we often say that we'll pray for each other, and I usually accept that promise with gratitude and thanks for the thought, but not really sure if it will impact my result. I can say with confidence that I've never felt so loved and so secure and so whole as I did when I woke up from surgery. The peace that passes all understanding was flooding my heart, and while my jaw and throat felt like a truck had just run over them, I was crying tears of inexplicable joy. Going through something like this has been such a wonderful opportunity to see the community that God has drawn for me here in New York and I have been consistently touched. <br /><br /> There was new-fabulous-British-friend Sam bringing me flowers the day before surgery, Laurel taking two trains and walking across the scariest section of Central Park just to calm my nerves in the hours of waiting, the Doctors and Nurses who were so caring and lovely, despite the 4 hour delay, Jenny's hug and cheer and help in getting me home. She filled my prescriptions, she fought with Duane-Reade, she called 10 or more waiting family and friends and repeated the story over and over again. She set up visitors to come by on Saturday. And then Saturday and Sunday, visitors galore, and more ice cream and pudding and apple sauce and yogurt and drinks than a girl could ever hope for...if you like any of those items, please come by this week! Sam H. indulged me with "Persuasion" and there was a trail of kindness all day long. <br /><br /><br />I walked to church on Sunday and was able to sit next to my dear friend Amber and have her support as I wept through the Doxology and hymns about the goodness of our God. I cried not out of frustration that I couldn't sing but just in the overwhelming redeeming voice of the Lord that shouted to my insides. Truly my heart is full. It sounds a little corny when I write it out like this but there is no other way to explain it. Again, Laurel came beside me after church and was my mouthpiece and even went on silly errands for me, happily explaining all my needs. <br />Perhaps therein lies another lesson...weakness shows us that we are meant to lean on each other. I tend to relish in my self-sufficiency. And this weekend, I had no choice but to rest on the stronger shoulders of my friends and family. <br /><br />Tonight marks the end of my complete prescribed silence. I get to start using my words tomorrow. As I have a chance to speak the thanks I have been mouthing to so many, I look forward to choosing words to explain the depth of this gift. And I'm confident that someday soon, I'll be singing once again, always, only, for my King.sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-73729650818261118322008-04-02T19:44:00.000-07:002008-04-02T19:50:52.852-07:00Angels & YankeesSo, today I had my chance to be on the OTHER, more familiar side of the table in my very own Angels audition. It was wonderful to walk into a room of so many smiling and friendly faces. I sang my first piece, "The Beauty Is" perhaps the most comfortable and enjoyable piece in my "book" and then Laura asked for another style. But at this point, I had horrible, horrible cotton dry mouth. Lips were stuck to my gums. I could barely utter out any consonants. But I got through it...and had a revelation: My saliva is accustomed to 16 bars, not TWO whole songs!<br /><br />On a lighter note, I just returned home from my first Yankees game! So much fun! The Yankees were losing when we left and it was FREEZING cold. I was expecting 60 degree weather and it was closer to 40. Lindsay's boss gave her the free seats in a GREAT section. Unfortunately the Yankees did not score through the 7 innings we watched. But a foot-long hot-dog and some Crackerjacks mixed in with sightings of A-Rod, Jeter and Damon made for good times!!<br /><br />I go to Seattle tomorrow to see the Larsons! Can't wait!sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-12896724196106803932008-03-28T19:46:00.000-07:002008-03-28T20:02:37.040-07:00Ode to the ECCI now know what it's like on the other side off the room, or "the table" as they say in the land of the biz.<br /><br />Today I had the unique and amazing opportunity to sit behind the auditor's table of an Equity Chorus Call (ECC) for a musical that expects to open on Broadway at the end of this year. <br /><br />For 3 and a half hours I sat and watched each girl enter, eyeing every ripped pair of hose, too-short skirt and nervous perma-smile. Relaxed to be on the other side, I drank in what made each audition refreshing, painful, pleasant or forgettable. It was a fascinating education, worth hundreds of dollars in workshop fees and I came away with songs I want to learn, songs I want to forget and stories to keep me giggling. As if that wasn't enough, the notes I jotted down inspired my first stab at poetry.<br /><br />So here I offer you, <span style="font-style:italic;">Ode to the ECC</span>. <br /><br />chills.<br />short skirt. arms go up, skirt is shorter.<br />not a lot of hose.<br />small room.<br />not really acting but who cares?<br />track outfit on a skirt.<br />psychotic laugh.<br />hi, i'm betsy.<br />hate this song.<br />don't be this girl.<br />solid.<br />small room.sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-89376383589843325072008-03-08T11:21:00.000-08:002008-03-08T11:23:06.479-08:00Operation Exodus SpotlightI thought I'd share my "spotlight" for the kids I mentor in Washington Heights at Operation Exodus. <br />Every week, one of the mentors shares a brief lesson, sermon-ette in the large group assembly.<br /><br /><br /><br />I have a very strange job. Many of your mentors and tutors work in amazing and exciting fields: Lana works for the city of New York, Jin is a scientist learning about cancer, Alyssa studies remote Asian cultures, and many others work in finance and law. Well, I moved to NYC a little over a year ago to pursue my passion for musical theatre. I would love to be in a Broadway musical someday! In order to move up that ladder of achieving my goal, I go to countless auditions all around the city, hoping to get parts in different plays and musicals. I once went to 5 auditions in one day! And the craziest part is that sometimes I’ll wait for 6 hours, just to get the chance to sing 15 seconds of a song before I’m abruptly cut off by a disinterested, “thank you!” <br /><br />To be honest, it’s easy to be discouraged about this audition process but God has been gracious to show me all the ways he is unlike the cut-throat, competitive world that I seem to live and work in. <br />Unlike some of the people I audition for, God always approves of me and in fact, wants to hear my entire song. He wants to hear from us constantly in prayer and worship. God made me, and each of you, exactly as we are, for a reason. Psalm 139 says:<br />"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb. I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made." Sometimes when I go to auditions they have a process called, “typing out” where they line you up like a big herd of cattle and choose the “right types” they are looking for, just based on appearance. In God’s eyes, we are always the right type, because he created us uniquely individual.<br /><br />And as much as it hurts to feel rejection, to not get chosen for the play I really want to perform in, I understand that it will probably take 25 auditions to land one job. I sometimes get rejected for being too tall, too light, too dark, my voice is too high, too big, my hair is too curly, all these things I can’t control. The amazing thing about God is that he never rejects us, and always chooses us. Isaiah 41:9 says "I took you from the ends of the earth, from its farthest corners I called you. I said, "You are my servant;" I have chosen you and not rejected you." <br /><br /><br />And unlike the judges that I sing in front of, the God that we get to know and learn about today at Exodus is a perfect and righteous judge. <br />And why is this judge unlike any other? Because he took his most treasured possession, his Son, Jesus Christ, and sent him to our world, to live and teach and play the biggest part in the truest play and story the world will ever know. Jesus took on the hardest role ever imagined, the hero, dying on the cross for all of our sins. Though he had no fault, no crime, no reason to die, he willingly played the part so that you and I who are not perfect, who mess up constantly, and who without him could not stand in God’s presence might have an eternal role in God's family. Because of Jesus' sacrifice we are never condemned, we are loved and wholly accepted by the God who sees us as perfectly spotless as Jesus. <br />And what does this do for me?<br />I know as his precious child, that even though many of these worldly judges and casting directors may not accept me, hire me or want me to play parts in their play, that God ALWAYS has a part for me in His. One of my favorite verses says, "The Lord your God is with you, he is mighty to save. He will take great delight in you, he will quiet you with his love, he will rejoice over you in singing. " Zeph 3:17<br /><br />And because of that love, that delight that I know God has in me, because of Jesus, I continue on. I continue to pursue my dreams, to live my passion “[singing} with all the strength God provides, so that in all things God may be praised through Jesus Christ. To him be the glory and the power forever and ever." 1 Peter 4:11<br /><br />I sing my auditions with all that strength and I’m always thankful for the everlasting and righteous judge I have in God!sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-43872176196476180932008-03-07T08:44:00.001-08:002008-03-07T09:29:06.408-08:00Not to Say Goodbye, Page.I woke up this morning with an email in my inbox with the simple subject: "Sad News from Mark Shaull." You never want to wake up to sad news, and it can never be good when it's from Mr. Shaull, my high school choir director, who is so busy, he rarely writes.<br />My friend, mentor and first voice teacher, Page Swift, passed away last Friday. I had no idea, but for the last year she struggled with cancer. I am so sad that I never told her how much I loved and respected her, and how she ignited my passion for music and singing. I have a feeling she knew all this without my verbal telling but for those of us left when our friends pass on, that visceral telling and sharing is such a comfort. <br />I still remember the first time I walked into Page's voice studio in Palo Alto, trembling after hearing booming, throbbing operatic sounds from the preceding student. Page was always so matter of fact. I think I sang one of my favorite hits of the time, "Bring Him Home" from Les Mis. (Yes, I know that Jean Valjean sings "Bring Him Home" but what 7th grade soprano doesn't want to sing that?) I had sought a voice teacher to get me to the next level in Los Altos Youth Theatre's star progression. I had dreams of "the Broadway." Page was a long-time San Francisco Opera chorus member, and as she was like to do for the next six years, she quickly sized me up and in no time had me trading in Andrew Lloyd Webber for Mozart. Mom sat in that first lesson but after that I was on my own, under Page's steady, exacting yet generous leading. She inspired me to practice, to learn the arias for the roles she deemed me destined to sing and even those she didn't! (I remember a very disappointing day when I brought in Susanna's aria from "Le nozze di Figaro." "Well, you're a Cherubino, not a Susanna." she said to my 15-year-old-self. "You're just not right physically for Susanna.") She was honest with compassion, selfless with her time, so generous with her encouragement. Though she may not have approved, she came to every single one of my theatre performances, kind enough to remind me that I wasn't using my whole voice! It was Page who first led me to opera, to the magic of orchestra and singers and costume and drama all together, other-worldly in its scope. Shortly after beginning lessons with her, she gave my mom and I two tickets to the final dress rehearsal of "L'elisir d'amore" starring Ruth Ann Swenson. Page knew then that I would be trading Broadway for opera and with her steady guidance, I leaped into the world of classical music, of opera training programs and two voice degrees! In the last years, Page continued to encourage me and attend recitals I presented, and until just a few years ago continued to light up the stage of the War Memorial Opera House. <br />Page was a friend and a guide to so many beautiful singers. I count myself so lucky to have been one of her students. One of my greatest honors was being asked to sing in her wedding as an 8th grader. A single woman into her 50s, she was blessed to find a wonderful husband in Ted. I will never forget that most musically stunning celebration, complete with brass and a large portion of the San Francisco Opera Chorus. She had 3 of her students sing, only showing the heart and love she put into developing singers. Without leaving any children of her own behind, Page has instead left a remarkable legacy of singers in the Bay Area. While not all pursue music as a career, certainly all have been defined and enriched with afternoons singing with Page. I can never thank her enough for the time and love she poured into my life. And while I may have drifted closer to Broadway than the Met in my career pursuits, every time I open my mouth to sing, I know I have been shaped by Page. I shall miss you very much, Page.sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-24754395868916920372007-12-26T20:28:00.000-08:002007-12-26T20:59:21.680-08:00WonderfulI'm in a wonderful show. It's so wonderful it's called, "A Wonderful Life." You know the movie and love it. The cast is amazing, new friends I hope to hold near. I wanted this show so so bad since that ever-so-sweaty callback, dancing the Charleston in October. The choreographer said to us as we caught our breath between partner switches, "We appreciate you so much. Some of the best work in New York happens in these rooms and we recognize that. Thank you." Amazing! There was one catch. It's a holiday show and taking the contract meant no Thanksgiving, no baby Noelle sightings and no Christmas in CA. But a NY show...an Equity Theatre...what an opportunity! I took the gig and decided the wonderful show, the wonderful opportunity would give me the strength to survive the holidays without my family. <br /><br />I've survived 5 Lessons and Carols services, 250 Redeemer Musicians Christmas Cards, CD tables at 15 services, missing my niece's birth all the while making 4 hour round trips to Northport, Long Island to sing and dance my heart out. It's been rough! I was so looking forward to December 24, my first real DAY OFF since the start of rehearsals. And then my flight to Chicago was canceled. No Sulayman family to help me forget I wasn't celebrating Christmas with my real family. And these 3 days OFF, this big finish that I was hoping to make it to have come and have been the most challenging of this entire crazy run. I'd rather be running from work to a train or crammed in a 15 person van in Long Island traffic than feel the depth of homesickness I've struggled with these last few days. Whose wonderful idea was this?<br /><br /><br />And yet in the midst of my own selfish "debbie-downer" feelings God is so gracious. As my mom tried to whisper to me in between my gulping sobs, I'm so lucky to have a family that I love so much whose distance makes me ache. I am so so so blessed. And I can only think of God's ache for us, and my ache for Him. This pull of my heart for my family is such a beautiful reflection of that ache we all have built inside of us for the feast with the Father. Thank you Lord for sending Jesus. I am weak and he is strong. He was born in that manger to be weak so that today, even flooded with homesick-laced tears, I can be strong. <br /><br />Do you know that wonderful actually means to flee with wonder? TK's last sermon was on Jesus, Our Wonderful Counselor. He invites us to wonder in Him, to fill our hearts most with what our hearts most need. Certainly these three days have led me to the place I must go when I'm weakest, in the arms of our dear Savior. Wonderful Counselor indeed.sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-55662101967216890852007-09-16T03:49:00.000-07:002007-09-16T04:03:22.674-07:00Settling into a new NYC lifeHi friends,<br />It's been so long since I've written, I know! I have many excuses. None of them are particularly good. I initially took a hiatus because since the title is "sharpstown in the city," I didn't think I needed to document Pennsylvania. But I've been back in the city since July 9 and I haven't written. :(<br />No more excuses. Bella-the-computer has been calling, whispering, "come back to your blog. come back to your blog!" There have certainly been plenty of blog-worthy moments. And a lot of change and grace and blessing and joy and stress and everything inbetween. I won't attempt to wrap up the summer of transition, of moving, of disappointment, of excitement. In fact, I'm going to try to keep my entries less epic. <br />I know what I'm thankful for today. <br />I'm thankful for a room that is finally coming together. It's huge and it awaits every and any visitor. Last weekend I spent several hours putting together a Euro Futon I bought at Target. It's screaming for some love. <br />I'm thankful for this home I get to share with Jenny. For wide open spaces and more square footage than we know what to do with. <br />I'm thankful for my neighborhood, colorful and vibrant in every way.<br />I'm thankful for my new connection with Operation Exodus, a mentorship program for kids in Washington Heights.<br />I'm thankful for my JOB! My first salaried job EVER and it's at the church I love so dearly. If you have to have a day job filing away for hours, I'd rather it be praise songs and hymns than anything else.<br />I'm thankful for my community that is being built here. For the Fellowship Group that is busting at the seams and the potential for a real family in Christ in my neighborhood.<br />I'm thankful for all my Millbrook buddies that live in NYC and who have become a network of support and laughter as we continue to audition and land the next gigs. <br />I'm thankful for my health and for all the ways God sustains me. For no longer coughing through the night and being able to sing again. I'm thankful for new hope and energy invested in singing and performing. <br />I'm thankful for this space to write out my adventures and dreams. <br />I've missed you, silly blog. It's good to be back.sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-59198882050433204322007-06-06T07:04:00.001-07:002007-06-06T07:16:50.727-07:00Phantom and cleaning up!Thursday I begrudgingly woke up after far too few hours of sleep. I dragged myself to the gym to try to trick my internal clock into believing I could actually sing an audition. It worked! I went to the Equity Building expecting to be turned away from the chorus call for "The Phantom of the Opera" but shockingly, every Non-Eq girl was able to sing! I had almost bagged the whole thing in the morning, assuming the worst, and I was so thankful I went for it. I hung out with Kat which was so fun. I will miss her most of the summer. She'll be in NYC while I'm in PA and by the time I'm back she'll be in CT doing "Joseph." The audition went well, I think, as they asked me what else I would sing as well as asking about my time in Lucca. Yay! I was able to fit in a coaching with John R., my acting teacher, on Mrs. Darling. I met him at his house near Central Park and 108th St. He is such a genius and gave me so many great ideas to work with on my character. Time and money well-spent! I headed up to Inwood and got the cheapest $18 mani-pedi in NYC while I waited for Jenny to get off work. She was headed home to show me her apartment. After a lot of prayer and discussion with the parents, I've decided to move up there in September. I really like the area and I'll have so much more space and be able to sustain myself better financially. I ended up spending some time walking around Isham Park where I saw lots of little ones playing....there are two big parks in Inwood! Yay! Jenny and I went down to 79th and Broadway after the tour where we met up with Adrienne. The three of us walked to the 79th St. Boat Basin Cafe which is only open during the summer. So cute but so hopping and we ended up walking along the Hudson for another idea of where to eat. Along the way, I ran into Arthur, a friend from Rice, who had just gotten married that weekend. They were watching the sunset as part of their honeymoon so I tried not to interrupt for too long! We ended up walking and walking and finally settled on a little Southwestern restaurant called, "Santa Fe." I was excited for Adrienne and Jenny, my two girls, to finally meet!<br />Adrienne and I came home and watched our favorite summer guilty pleasure, "So you think you can dance?" Love it!<br /><br />Friday I spent all morning and afternoon cleaning and clearing my room. I was really stressed out most of the day, feeling an ulcer begin to form from the combined stresses of packing, cleaning, laundry, tying up loose ends, a 2nd date that night and most of all needing to talk to A about my plans to move out in the fall. There were some bright spots in the day and evening, including A's meticulous design of my date wardrobe and make-up but it definitely ended on a sorrowful note.sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-7715079950422942372007-06-04T11:46:00.000-07:002007-06-04T11:48:57.863-07:00Recapping CO and CA!I explained to Dad that since this blog is titled “Kristen in NYC” I’m off the hook for recounting my CA and CO adventures. But briefly, I had a wonderful time with the family. We got to visit with Aunt Shannon and Uncle Doug (and Murphy!) in Denver where I insisted we revisit Lola, an amazing coastal Mexican restaurant that Doug and Shannon had taken me last September. Charlie played the remote-garage game with such fervor, that the motor got off track, giving a perfect opportunity for “Vovo fix-it.” And he did! Lisa and I went on an exciting mystic tan adventure. Serious sister bonding! Thursday night Uncle Doug arrived from Nashville and we had a lovely dinner together of Aunt Shannie’s amazing pork tenderloin. Yummy! <br />Friday morning we packed the mini-van and headed towards Snowmass. We had one pit-stop in Vail and the drive through Glenwood Canyon was beyond stunning. We stayed at a 3 bedroom villa at the Snowmass Club. It was very sleepy there, as it is the off-season. It was a beautiful place and I enjoyed a few really nice walks. Aspen trees are my happy place. Friday night Sarahliz and Charlie hosted the rehearsal bbq at their amazing new house. It was so much fun to see all the neighborhood kids so grown up and beautiful! Charlie and I had a giggle-fest after “we almost got soaked” by a sprinkler. That phrase ended up cheering him for hours later that night and throughout the weekend. ☺ <br />Saturday Mom and I scavenged Snowmass for breakfast and I took Charlie for a swim at the fancy pool. We had so much fun and stayed until his illegal, non-swim diaper started busting. We met Lisa at the Roaring Fork Resort in Basalt, the site for the wedding. She was all coiffed and beautiful and the two of us worked hard to get Char in his precious white shorts suit. “I don’t yant to wear it…!” There was a lot of that but thankfully, a golf cart and the bag-pipe player created enough of a diversion to get Charlie through his 4 step lesson on how to be the ringboy of the century. Filip gave him the 4 steps and he was a rock-star on the 1st three (walking towards the aisle with Mommy, taking ring box, handing ring box to Paul, the tall man and groom’s brother!) He just forgot #4: Run to Daddy! He was very cute and we were so proud of him. He nearly stole the show, until Sarahliz walked down the aisle! She was breathtakingly beautiful in her lace dress with large pink sash and the setting overlooking mountains could not have been more beautiful! Charlie continued to participate in the wedding as J.R. began his officiant duties….repeating “celebrate, celebrate” and various other phrases. He was getting a little loud so I rescued him and took him far away to the pool so he could “celebrate” his job well-done with gusto! The reception was wonderful, with a cocktail hour in the ranch clubhouse and dinner and dancing outside in a tent. I loved all the sweet and personal toasts as well as the slide-show! So fun! We left around 11:45 or so, knowing we were in for a short night of sleep. We left for Denver at 5:30 am and had an easy trip there. It was fun being on the same plane with Char. We did laps around the plane, ensuring that anyone that wanted to sleep on the flight could not. ☺ It was a great time of togetherness, even if 6 and a bike in a mini-van is a tight squeeze! <br />Sunday night I met a bunch of friends at Tied House in Mountain View and caught up a bit. I was so thankful to see my Highway family since I missed church! <br />Monday’s highlights were lunch at Crepevine in Burlingame with Pie and Bono and then a Memorial Day BBQ at Mary, Jean and Emily’s house. I stayed late and supervised Mary and Emily’s NYC flight purchases! Yay! They’re coming in July to visit. <br />Tuesday I got to play with Charlie most of the day and even took him to his gymnastics class where he was most interested in the water fountains and speakers. I took a break from the action and met Sheina and Becky for lunch at Beechwood. We picnicked in the garden gazebo, eating my favorite pb and banana sandwiches! Tuesday night I cooked for the family and we enjoyed our last night together until July. <br />Wednesday was a travel day and I arrived late in Newark and took the train and cab home. I think I got to bed around 1:30 am. Back in New York!sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-47448234276436378662007-05-22T20:09:00.001-07:002007-05-22T20:09:42.241-07:00Heading to CA again...Monday was home-improvement day. Since I don’t have much time in NYC before I go off to Millbrook I’ve started to feel the pressure of getting my room together for my subletter. Definitely a blessing and a curse! I walked to Home Depot, checked out the wares and then browsed the Container Store and Bed Bath and Beyond where I found bed-risers and rug tape as well as a dust ruffle that perfectly matches my bed! I lugged back to Home Depot and purchased a lamp and some underbed storage boxes and then spent most of the afternoon organizing, cleaning and actually, mostly stressing over how this was all going to come together. It’s not nearly done, of course. But at least I got a start. The weather was magnificent so I broke the stress and took a run around the reservoir. I seem to always gravitate to running in the park the days before I leave for CA, perhaps to hold onto my favorite place in NYC. My dreams of laundry were foiled by another dryer fire in our basement, placing our laundry room on a temporary hiatus. I went by Barnes and Noble to pick up a going away present for the Seals. They are moving back to Amarillo at the end of the week! Boo. I was thrilled to hear how well Adrienne’s event at Cornell went and had planned to celebrate with her and Jon. But I had also called Laura and asked if I could stop by. She ended up getting me to join them for dinner at Nick’s, a family-style pizza joint on my favorite avenue. I just love that family and they were appropriately excited and interrogating about my date and I heard how they had seen all of NYC that they had intended to in their year of adventure. I went back to their place for a little more play-time, with lots of stories exchanged with Tressa about Dora and Diego, and even the fish bathtoy I named “Elberta.” I had to scoop myself away to pack for this trip and I said goodbye knowing I have lost my most favorite neighbors NYC could have ever brought. ☹ Boo. But, again, soooooooo thankful that God reconnected us, after 10 years of no contact, at that silly subway stop in midtown in February. What a great, great blessing! I will miss them and even though I didn’t get to spend tons of time with them, just knowing they were across the street, was such a joy and a comfort. <br /><br />I was up till about 10:30 packing for CA and CO and this morning the alarm woke me at 3:15. Not as early as the last trip but it turns out, a little earlier than necessary. I got in a cab and arrived at Penn Station before 4 which is tooooooooooooo early. It was one of the shadiest and scariest environments I’ve been in. The NJ Transit doesn’t open their gates until 4 and so there I was with my laptop and backpack and large red suitcase. A coffee stand employee at the place across the way from the station must have read my fear and offered to let me stay inside in the light with them until the station opened. Still, scary Larry. So, next time I’ll be aiming for a 4;15 arrival to hop on that first 4:20 train. I made it, and once again, I’m thankful. Can’t wait to be home and see Charlie and everyone else I love!!!!sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-78523570205655972852007-05-22T20:08:00.001-07:002007-06-01T20:36:47.361-07:002 meals with friends!Even though I woke up plenty early for church, I still managed to leave the house later than I should and once again broke my record. 30 minutes and sweating! After a Saturday of rain and clouds, the sun was coming out! I was so blessed to find Laura B. in the back row and sat with her as well as Jenny and Joe. It’s so fun singing next to my mezzo friends! The brass quintet starring my friends from small group, Amber and Kyle, accompanied us and it doesn’t get much better or closer to heaven than that. Tim K is speaking on Deuteronomy in a new series that will take us through the summer. Sadly, this was my last Redeemer service for the next 6 weeks. I might have to subscribe to the mp3s online! The talk was on the Fire of God and one aspect that really hit me, in light of my intense reaction to the earlier date, were the things I hold as idols. I know, I know that I hold onto fining someone and/or marriage as an idol. I’ve always felt like as soon as I get there I’ll be complete and life will really begin. Tim offered that anything that occupies our thoughts more than God is an idol. Yep. That hit home and just like God, it came on a morning when I most needed to hear it. <br /><br />In the muffin hour, I was really excited to reconnect with Melanie who has been pretty intensely investigating moving to LA to be in the same city with a man she met on-line! Craziness. I loved hearing about her recent trip and the ways she says, “God has had his hand” on every step of their relationship. After church I accompanied Jenny and her friend Chad and his former roommate David to our favorite midtown diner. I was meeting the Gees for lunch at 12:30 but went along with them for company and to whet my appetite for the food to come! <br /><br /> The Gees and I planned to meet at Grand Central where Mr. Gee knew of a seafood restaurant. They walked there only to find it closed and we had a fun game of hide and go seek. Well, I was walking towards them and they were walking towards me and would we ever find eachother? Well, we did and it was really great to see them. Mr. Gee is the current president of the Rice Alumni Association and had come into town for a Rice Alumni College event. I was especially excited to see Mrs. Gee, so healthy after a serious brain aneurysm last year. God is so good, indeed. We walked through the heart of Times Square and eventually ended up with the small “Oyster Bar” across from their hotel. On the way there, we literally ran into Karim and his mom, Aida. Busted! Karim knows how much I love my Chicago mom and he didn’t let me know she was in town?! He said there were just about to call me to go out with them. Of course, my day was full, but it was fun to see her however briefly. The Gees caught me up on Andrew’s gorgeous new baby girl, Isabella, as well as all of the characters at Mr. Gee’s law office, where I was once employed! I left them at their hotel and walked to Bryant Park. The weather had turned breezy and lovely and I wanted a little time of reflection and journaling before the next adventure. <br /><br />I had a wonderful time with David and Penny. They are both graphic artists and just walking with them and noticing things with their eyes helped me see more than just buildings and sculptures. They had said the forecast called for “shower” in the singular and sure enough, around 5 pm there was a shower. We found a bit of scaffolding and watched the rain dance on the pavement. When it ended, we peered through several closed Chelsea galleries and walked our way eventually to their hotel on 46th, right across the street from Actors Equity. They took me to Mesa Grill, Bobby Flay’s restaurant. It was beyond delicious. I told them I would be writing every detail in the blog so here goes: First, I started with a yummy frozen margarita and they had these lovely blue corn muffins and another hand-made white roll which was outstanding. For appetizers we ordered a blue-corn pancake stuffed with barbecued duck and blue-corn (do you see a theme?) chips with a goat-cheese sort of fondue. Delicious! I ordered the cornmeal crusted chile relleno that was stuffed with goat-cheese and lying on a bed of a fig and quince chipotle chutney. Penny had the roasted pork tenderloin and David had venison chops. We shared a butternut squash tamale that was out of this world. So stuffed, we all dipped into one dessert, a coconut macadamia cake with cinnamon-crunch ice cream. Bobbly Flay was out of sight but I was recognized as a fellow audtioner by our actress-waitress. It’s a small world after all! I had such a wonderful day with Penny and David and bid them adieu on the N-R train.sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-74522718889959626862007-05-22T20:06:00.000-07:002007-09-30T04:35:17.669-07:00Dancing what I feel...Saturday morning I punished myself at Nia and the following dance class. Abby usually teaches the dance class in a very stand-up comedian, not-too-much sweating way and so I made sure to get all my “work” done in NIA. But then we had a substitute teacher and she just about killed us with repetitions and no break for air. Whew. I spent the afternoon cleaning and practicing and only nearly losing my lunch. <br /> I came back from dinnere to the apartment and Adrienne was still working in her office. Her big event for Cornell was coming up on Monday and she managed to spend 10 hours of her Saturday tying up some loose ends.sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-42780807820894741172007-05-22T20:05:00.000-07:002007-05-22T20:06:44.262-07:00Coram Boy!When I last left you, dear blog readers, I was standing uncomfortably at the Performing Arts Library, typing away in my 20-minute allowance. Now I sit, perhaps, even more uncomfortably in an airplane headed for SFO, with an unknown allowance of battery life. The destination is more than comfortable, wonderful, in fact. It’s just the guy in front of me has his seat down and I can hardly raise the screen of Bella-the-Laptop. But, I like to write in these most extreme states! I can hardly complain and I’m joking, of course, When I think about the last 4 months and all the adventures and opportunities I have had I can only be really, really thankful and stop to pinch myself along the way. <br /><br />Friday night, Adrienne and I saw “Coram Boy” and it proved to be an amazing feast of fantasy and Jane Austen era romanticism. I LOVED it. In fact, I know I keep saying this, but it may be my most memorable and exciting theatrical experience EVER. <br />The acting was incredible, especially that of Xanthe Elbrick, a British girl my age, who had the task of playing two choir boys. In the first act she was a determined and driven 15-year-old about to grow out of his treble voice. In the second act she transformed into his son, 8 years old and full of spunk and wonder. Incredible! Another neat aspect was a choir that sat above the stage through the entire play and chimed in with Handelian choruses and music in that style. As broad as an epic movie, their interjections punctuated the scenes with Carmina Burana-like intensity. A girl from Redeemer that I met a few weeks ago was in the choir. I had tried to audition for the choir a few months ago but had no luck. I was only a little jealous! The end of the show may have been wrapped up a little too neatly but the entire company (40 in total, unheard of on Broadway!) gathered on the stage and sang the Hallelujah Chorus. Really, really thrilling! I was so sad to read on Saturday morning that the show is closing this next Friday after only being open less than a month. I guess without a film star like Kevin Spacey, a play can be a tough sell for the tourists. I am so glad that we saw it on Friday or I would have missed it completely. One more thing for which I’m thankful!sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-20765847473277026322007-05-18T14:13:00.001-07:002007-05-18T14:34:10.877-07:00I'm makin copies....So, hear I am at the most wonderful library in the world (also known as The Performing Arts Library), standing up at a shared computer and writing a few updates as a break from copying songs! I love this place. So, so fun to sift through every score imaginable but also exhausting. I am toast. I have a very exciting and fun project planned for the summer (it's also a surprise so I can't give details) and I've been copying my brains out with gleeful anticipation. This morning I shook my bones at Nia class and had the chance to tell Serena how much I enjoy her teaching. All the Nia teachers are sooooooooooo nice and encouraging and always say, "great dancing!" when really, we're awkwardly shaking our bones. I've been doing some home research on Peter Pan and J.M. Barrie...a great excuse to watch "Finding Neverland" again. For lunch, I celebrated with a dear friend from Rice days, Christine Hauptly, who is in town with her recently-affianced Matt. They met in the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra where she plays violin and he plays the horn. We ate at Sarabeths on the East Side and I walked with them to the Met before heading across the park to the library. Tonight Adrienne and I are going to see "Coram Boy" a play on Broadway. Since signing up for the TDF discounts I've been thrilled to get some amazing deals to see all these shows! I'm feeling especially show-hungry because I'm worried some of them will close by the time I get back from Millbrook in July.<br /><br />Yesterday (Thursday) was an internet-free day. Apparently God is sending me a message that I spend too much time on-line? but he punished most of the rest of the cable-inclined NYC as well. Collectively, we missed Season Finale Thursday!!!! WHAT??!!!??? What a great opportunity to go to ballet class and be verbally abused by the teacher. Seriously this class is called "Ballet Basics" for absolute beginners and yet she expects a lot and gets very frustrated with some of our (ahem, ahem) lack of natural talent. She even yelled at a girl who was readjusting her hair saying, "You should do that before class!! You shouldn't come to class unprepared!" Yikes. I am glad that she has a hard time remembering my name because poor new girl Claire was getting an earful. And still, I enjoyed the class. I think she's a great teacher and I feel like even after 2 classes, I'm improving. Luckily, Kat was there to share some raised eyebrow disbelief. Earlier in the afternoon I had a Laura B. session and worked on the Ricky Ian Gordon songs that I LOVE. Laura said that when I get them fully-prepared we'll book an hour with her friend and Broadway superstar Judy Blazer, who is a good friend and muse of Ricky Ian Gordon. Won't that be fun???? In the morning I had a brief and somewhat silly rehearsal for Millbrook's Royalty Dinner that I'm participating in. I get to sing "Little Fat Girls" from Black Patent Leather Shoes. Cute song but I wish I could change the words to "Big Tall Girls" because the guy I'm singing with is about a foot shorter than me. Oh well. I guess that's why I got cast as a nun in that show and not a kid! <br /><br />Wednesday I went to a special NIA masterclass with a Nia-master from Sweden. She was awesome and about 6'5". I guess she was an olympic medalist in swimming at some point. Sometimes I think about getting certified in Nia and teaching as a survival job. Things that make you go hmmmmmmmmm....<br />Karim gave me his superstar guest spot at his opera's dress rehearsal. He's doing "Castor et Pollux" by Rameau with Opera Francais de New York. I so enjoyed seeing him onstage again...his character is the whimsical Mercure. Unfortunately he didn't get to sing all that much but he definitely lit the stage whenever he was on it! The singing was mostly great and I especially enjoyed the sopranos and the baritone. On my way out of the theatre a torrential rain storm hit and I realized that my outfit choice of white skirt and flip-flops was a bad one. I still made it to Union Square and grabbed a quite bite to eat at Whole Foods before sloshing over to class. I will really miss the Gym these next few months. John was hard on us this last class and tears were flowing. I'm thankful to have so many notes and so many new ways of looking at communicating my songs. Hooray. Tom, the guy who looks like Matt Damon and sings like an angel, was back in class, so that was delightful. :) We also had a visitor, a guy named Aaron, who is clearly a character actor and sang a rousing "I want to be a Rockette." So fun. <br /><br />Okay, well, I have just a few minutes before the library closes. Love to you all!!! By the way, it's 53 degrees for a high today!!! Can't wait to get home to sunny (please!) CA!sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-13607093645001776022007-05-15T20:16:00.000-07:002007-05-16T04:45:51.714-07:00I'm makin' pies...It's been a lovely few days here in NYC....<br />I'll start with the latest excitement and work backwards. <br />I just took Adrienne on a musical adventure. I recently joined "TDF" a group that supports theatre and gives special discounts to non-profits and artists. I got $25 seats to a new musical off-broadway built around the songs of Patty Griffin, one of the best singer-songwriters in the world (in my opinion!) It was at the Atlantic Theatre Company in Chelsea which is a small theatre, about 160 seats, that was started by William H. Macy and the playwright David Mamet. Well, tonight, Adrienne and I were in two of those 160 seats and William H. Macy was in one of them! He was sitting a few rows back, on the aisle, no Felicity in tow, and we even walked right past him. I held my tongue, wishing I could ask him why "Wild Hogs?" <br />The musical was beautiful. I love the songs, of course, and the acting was amazing. My favorite was Mare Winningham, known best to me as Meredith's recently-deceased step-mom on Grey's Anatomy. She can sing! And she played several different characters with different flavors that all broke my heart. Two favorite moments were "Kite" and "Makin' Pies." a-mazing! Did I mention that we were in the second row and that she was six feet away? A-mazing! I was also very excited to see Matthew Morrison, the original Fabrizio from "The Light in the Piazza" (my favorite musical of the past 3 years!) as Duane. His voice and his looks are very, very nice. Irene Molloy was refreshing and real as Molly and she captured Patty Griffin's style with ease. The 4th and final player was Skip Sudduth, best known for his starring role on 3rd Watch. He was a great character actor but his overly-measured singing seemed a bit stiff. Still, what an evening! I hope the show does well! The last musical that Atlantic produced was "Spring Awakening" which has since moved to Broadway and just picked up 11 Tony Award Nominations today!<br />Other highlights of today, Tuesday: Being turned away at two auditions, renting studio space and trying to teach myself how to belt before my coaching. I had a great coaching with Michael F. who assigned me 6 new songs that I'm totally stoked to learn. It was like being a kid in a candy store, really. <br /><br />Monday was a long day of auditioning. I got in right away for "White Christmas" which my new friend Zach played for (more on him to come) and had the joy of sitting and waiting with Hannelies for our chance to sing for "Spelling Bee." I was 8th in line and ended up getting to sing late in the afternoon. Hannelies didn't make it in. :( I was really bummed, because she is better for the show than I am and she had taken the day off of work. I decided that I would try to make "Unexpected Song" comedic for my audition. The thing is, as I was singing it, I realized, it's just not funny. It's Andrew Lloyd Webber, and well, he's not very funny. Oh well. I was really glad for the time spent with Hanne. And I can finally say I auditioned for a genuine Broadway show! Monday night I made dinner and then went to a citilights (Redeemer's post-college parallel) coffeehouse night that was in my neighborhood. I met some nice people including a guy that works at People magazine on the "nightclub beat." He was saying he had to work later because, well, "Lindsay's in town." Lindsay, being Lindsay Lohan. Crazy, right? <br /><br />Sunday was a glorious day. I booked it to church and made it in record time. I've shaved the walk from 38 minutes to 32. Wihoo. After church, Jenny and her friend Tom and I hung out in the Sheeps' Meadow in Central Park for awhile before Tom had to leave to see his Mama. Jenny and I dined at Whole Foods and I was meandering through the Park, heading home, when Karim called me and convinced me to frolic with him downtown. I met him at Union Square and helped him shop at Paul Smith and Diesel, and later Prada in Soho, which is really more of a museum than a store. Very fancy. We enjoyed a lively ragtime band complete with swing dancers in Washington Square Park (officially one of my new favorite spots.) It's the NYU center of action (where Felicity graduated) and it has a lot of life and beauty to it. The ragtime was especially fun and as Karim suggested, just one of those 1000 reasons why I love living in NYC. After Soho Karim and I walked to the Village and had some yummy Italian food at an outdoor cafe. We parted ways at Columbus Circle (because none of my friends live on the East Side!!!) and I enjoyed, again, walking in the park, even tearing up a bit as I walked past my favorite angel statue accompanied by a duo on violin and guitar. Ah, bliss.<br /><br />Saturday was an early morning after a very, very late Friday end. I was happy to get up and at 'em for a seminar at Redeemer about Beauty and Image and the Christian Woman in NYC. It was a great morning of reflecting on image and identity and I learned a bunch. I may post some of my notes soon! Jenny, Hannelies and Elizabeth were there and we enjoyed debriefing over a picnic lunch in Bryant Park. I went home for a much-needed nap before heading out again to a Redeemer Dance Network Salsa lesson and party. I knew only one person, Russ, and met some really socially awkward men. It was kind of rough, to be completely honest, and I slipped out a bit early, missing my dancing partner-in-crime, Katie!<br /><br />Friday night I met up with Zach, Soon's great friend from Cincinnati, who is a musical theatre pianist in the city. He invited me to meet him and some friends at a bar called Port 41 near the Port Authority. I ended up meeting them at 10:45 and staying out till 3 am! I am way too old for them, I think! It was fun, because a few of them were CCM kids and we talked all about the dangers of the 'nati and the tastes that we missed...Graeters anyone? Zach is real sweet and was so thoughtful to invite me out and meet his friends. We ended up at Ben's apartment where I played Nintendo Wii for the first time. So fun, especially the bowling!!!<br /><br />Thursday was my first coaching with Michael F., a recommendation from Kat. He works with loads of Broadway people and his whole deal is finding you off the beaten track rep. He was super-helpful and though he crushed my dreams of playing Clara in "Light in the Piazza" (says I'm too brunette, tall and womanly! :( ) he was really complimentary of my singing of her song. He's already having me work on my forehead wrinkling and is determined to get rid of many of my stale songs in my book! He has a wonderful spirit to him and I'm excited to work with him. He also owns every Broadway score in the world and happily makes them available to his special needs children, as he likes to call us. :)<br />I was able to audition for "West Side Story" at Actors Equity after my coaching and then headed home to cook up some quick lemon bars for the Seals. They had me over for dinner and ordered some yummy, yummy pizza from Nick's down the street. We had a fun time and I learned all about their extreme gift of hospitality! <br /><br />And now, I'm caught up, however backwards that may be!sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-32027723133522516802007-05-09T20:18:00.000-07:002007-05-09T20:46:49.027-07:00I love new york in may, how about yay?I'm just cooling down from another wonderful session of "The Gym." My classmates are particularly engaging this time around. i found out that the one woman that I loved so much from last week (thanks to a little google research) has for good reason, been in several Broadway shows. I was really intimidated to sing tonight and ended up going very last. But it was a good experience and I felt connected to my material instead of trying to prove myself as a musical-theatre type. That's a much happier place to be! I find John's comments so stimulating and exciting and I find that I take pages and pages of notes. Some highlights so you get a taste of the genius!:<br /><br />When approaching a song, it's all about narrowing in on the most dangerous person you could possibly have this conversation with...<br />Look at underscoring and interpret it on your terms.<br />Be strong and wrong! (Make strong choices!)<br />Auditors want to see someone make a choice.<br />Creativity is in my discomfort. Be courageous enough to be in that uncomfortable place. <br />Start shedding the "acting" and land on who you are---you are interesting enough as a person. Look for opportunities to put that special self into the work.<br />Find material that doesn't necessarily excite you musically but rather has ideas, characters and stuff to fight for. You have to be working through something in a song.<br /><br />The weather has been beautiful here, although it turned a bit hot today. A mere foretaste of what Adrienne promises to be a hellish summer of sweat and smells. Yesterday, after hitting an EPA early and getting seen by 10am (yay!) I met Jackie and Jenny for lunch at the zoo. I then spent some time reading by the pond, which is apparently the popular site to film movies. So beautiful it feels fake! After bible study I went to a basic ballet class taught by a very NY woman. Clearly a former prima-ballerina, she did not mess around and expected a lot even from beginner-beginners. I was glad to reunite with Kat there and finally meet her boyfriend Danny after hearing so much about him.<br />Today I talked myself out of auditioning for the Radio City Music Hall Christmas Show after Danny's comments about how look-driven they are. I did a bunch of practicing and ended up walking across the park to pick up my scores for the Millbrook shows! Yay! I just found out I'll be participating in a Royalty Dinner the night before the rest of the Company arrives. I guess 4 of us will sing a bunch of excerpts to get the patrons excited for the upcoming season. I'm glad to get to know the staff better and let them know me better by pitching in in that way!<br />I did some shopping before grabbing a quick dinner at Whole Foods (do you know they have whole-wheat pizza? yummy! almost as good as mine.) I saw Jerry Mitchell, the director of the new Legally Blonde on Broadway, carefully selecting cuts of meat for his din-din. I wrote some cards and studied for class in Union Square and enjoyed all the buzz of kids careening towards the park and friends calling eachother and explaining which corner they were located. Balmy bliss, really.sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-20792163531053158852007-05-07T19:33:00.000-07:002007-05-07T19:40:31.551-07:00Back in action...I got back on the audition saddle today. Went traipsing around all the usual haunts and found that I totally misjudged the crowds. I could have slept in a bit. I could have done an arm workout at the gym. I could have made myself coffee before I left my houst at 6:15. But instead, I was in midtown by 7:45, racing around, for no real reason. <br />I sang for an Illinois dinner theatre who is doing "White Christmas." There pianist was a no-show and I ended up waiting 2 hours to sing to only be asked if I had anything much more belty. I answered an honest no and was sent away.<br />I then went to the Disney Cruise Line audition and had my first time of singing with Laura B. on the keys. It made me nervous. I really want to do her proud, you know? I sang "De-Lovely" because I had no idea what to sing. I was not called back and that entire experience took over 3 hours...for those 16 de-lovely measures of music. <br />And of course, since I left the house in such a rush I left my cell-phone behind and managed to miss about 5 calls, including a one-time job opportunity to do some Verizon promotions at tomorrow's Yankee's game for Carrie's boyfriend, Justin. Ah, next time! <br />I went on my first match.com date. I was not looking forward to it, dreading in fact, and deciding just to join a convent after all. I stopped by Jenny's office on my way to the bar where I was meeting him. She gave me a nice pep talk as she is a veteran of the match.com where she says "people who have no business getting together meet." Ah, funny. This initial meeting was friendly and easy and we'll see if it happens again. I'll save whatever not-so-juicy details for off-line. <br />I came home and had my special pb powder and dark chocolate popcorn for dinner. And I really ought to pack my gym bag and get my head together for my day of audition fun tomorrow!sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7560342816350751714.post-55287963368404532532007-05-06T18:37:00.000-07:002007-05-06T18:43:59.112-07:00Walking in the moments...I walked by a few neat moments today:<br />1st, I barely made it across the park to church because of the 5-borough bike tour that was passing by.<br />2nd, On my way back to the East Side after church, I couldn't cross 5th Avenue because of some sort of huge Jewish/Pro-Israeli parade. I especially enjoyed a Jewish rapper on one of the floats. I was happy to find a subway station to cross under and I'll definitely be tucking that secret in tight, as I hear that now that spring is sprung, parades and 5th Avenue tie-ups are common. <br />3rd, After an orientation for working in the nursery at church I was walking down 3rd Avenue and just as I passed a French brasserie, Bar Julien, the entire crowd there errupted with joy at the news of the presidential victory. <br />Walking home with these 3 moments savored, I tasted once again why I love living here. Because sometimes, lately, I get sick of the crowds and the attitudes. But moments, they're pretty special. <br /><br />In other news, I rearranged the furniture in my room and even did a little cleaning. <br />We just got home from dinner and tasti-D with Sarah and Eric. We went to an Italian restaurant a few blocks down whose awkward service kind of made us feel like the restaurant helps short-bus waiters find a job. That's not nice. I should erase that sentence. Maybe I will later.sharpstowninthecityhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02467847413635288168noreply@blogger.com2