Day: 17
Location: Swiss Cottage
Well, it has begun. This year of
change, of growth, and of a whole lot of hard work. Monday marked the
first day of grad school. Walking into that building Monday I was
overwhelmed with a number of conflicting feelings. The excitement of
beginning something new, but the fears as well. Joining me in the
lobby that morning were 20 odd other students, all with different
experiences and backgrounds, all going through the same thing.
However, all of us being theatre students, instead of a room of
silent nervous students we had a talkative group of potential
friends. All of us trying to find our balance, make sure that we
belong.
After all of the paperwork and
technicalities were finished they put us right to work. None of this
easing us into classes, we started right away. Every teacher this
week has made it clear that this is going to be an intensive course.
We are no longer undergrads, we are all here to work. And work we
shall. We had running and yoga in fitness, high stakes dodgeball in
acting, and detail work in physical theater. We of course had the
obligatory name games, the talks about expectations, about projects
and curricula. But beyond that we worked. This week we were
stretched, prodded and pushed. And this is exactly why I am here.
I may be sore and tired right now, but
I am also very excited. I am nervous about the coming year. There are
worries about the workload to come, about living up to expectations
both external and internal. Fears of not changing, not improving, or
of not improving fast enough. Fears of not being good enough, or of
not being able to get what I need out of the course. But, there is
also the certainty that this is what I want to be doing, what I have
to do. The thrill of embarking on a life changing journey. The
excitement of gaining knowledge from both my teachers and my peers.
The amazing fact that I will be collaborating with this group of
talented individuals, each of whom brings something different to the
table.
Yesterday morning we watched each other
perform for the first time. Ultimately this was for all of our
professors to remind themselves who we are, and begin to assess our
skills for the work ahead. However, this was also for us. Although we
had begun to get to know each other none of us really had any idea
what the others could do. And WOW, its amazing what they can do.
There are I believe 21 of us in our course, and every single person
was different. Ok, of course we are all different that is a given,
but even so. It was incredible to see the range of style and talent,
voice and physicality. The students for whom English is their second
language were encouraged to sing something in their mother tongue.
That was amazing. We heard a South Korean folk song, Greek Orthodox
chant, The Little Mermaid in Greek and a Chinese pop song. We have
students from all over the UK, with an amazing range of dialects to
match. We have songwriters who can write hilarious songs about
facebook stalking, and beautiful ballads on bass ukelele and piano.
We heard pieces from shows spanning the whole of musical theatre.
From Iolanthe to Spring Awakening, from the King and I to Les Mis,
from Cabaret to the Last 5 Years and more. Every person who
stood up to sing reminded me just how much I love this. I cant wait
to work with all of them.
This year is going to be incredible.
YES!!! Yes, it is going to be incredible! Go get'em!!! You're right, Katie. You are there to be stretched and to learn, not to look back and be held back. Progress. You can do this. You are incredible. You are capable. And I am proud of you.
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