Just had to cross a picket line to get to classes this morning.
I appreciate that times are hard and everyone is struggling. And I support workers protesting having their pensions cut. However I am going into considerable debt to be here this year, and I want to get as much as I can out of my education. So while I support your right to picket, I still need to get to class.
Sorry!
On a similar note, immediately afterwards I fell up the stairs while carrying heavy pots and pans, bruising my knees and elbows. Karma?
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Tuesday, November 29, 2011
Its Show Time
I have had the amazing good luck to have seen three very different shows in the past two weeks. While I was in Barcelona Rebecca and I saw a rather mediocre amateur production of Private Eyes by Stephen Dietz. The show was too confusing to be straightforward and not confusing enough to be really interesting. The actors were all sort of half hearted, the set was boring and the show was miss represented through its advertising. All in all it was a total disappointment. Enough of that.
Back in London a bunch of us went out for a friends birthday with the aim of seeing a West End Musical. After comparing ticket prices and peoples preferences we settled on .... wait for it... Ghost, the Musical. Yes, Ghost, pottery wheel and all. Interesting. Now I must admit I have never actually seen the movie, and to be honest I don't feel a pressing urge to go out and watch it even now. The show itself was interesting. The scenography was incredible. I mean, really really cool design. A lot of fantastic stage effects. People walking through walls, disappearing, things flying through the air. All done flawlessly. Beautiful. The scenery was all big video screens. And there were a lot of neon colors and video clips playing simultaneously with the onstage action. Fascinating and compelling, but totally overwhelming. The poor ensemble. Any time they would come on for a number the screens would go crazy and no one would pay attention to the people. The show itself is not great. The music is generic and totally forgettable. The actors were so over amplified that you couldn't understand them. And the story line is trite. So if you are interested in the design (which is worth seeing) go see the show. If you want to see a good show, don't go see Ghost.
Then this past weekend a few of us got together to see the West End production of Crazy For You. This was absolutely lovely. They didn't do anything crazy with it. The choreography and dancing were wonderful. The ensemble were distinctive and fun to watch. The whole thing was just perfect. The show itself is a bit dated, and it was interesting to see such an American show played here. There were several bits and jokes that didn't work simply because the audience was primarily English. For example the whole song about being English (Chin up, carry on old chum etc etc) really didn't work at all. But on the whole it was simple, and lovely. The kind of show that you cant help but feel great after watching. I wasn't hugely fond of the leading lady, but not to the point where it detracted from the overall experience.
One of the interesting things I noticed about the west end shows was the quality of everyone's American accents. Basically, atrocious. Especially in Ghost. Everyone was going for the sort of New York/New Jersey cop awfulness. It was not pretty. The two leads were fine, although I have yet to check their bios to see if they are actually American. That was the case with Crazy For You, the lead guy (who was wonderful by the way) had a bio that featured mostly work in New York. The girl, who's southern accent was lacking, was not. This I find this quite encouraging, as I do have an actual American accent. Hopefully it will work in my favor!
Back in London a bunch of us went out for a friends birthday with the aim of seeing a West End Musical. After comparing ticket prices and peoples preferences we settled on .... wait for it... Ghost, the Musical. Yes, Ghost, pottery wheel and all. Interesting. Now I must admit I have never actually seen the movie, and to be honest I don't feel a pressing urge to go out and watch it even now. The show itself was interesting. The scenography was incredible. I mean, really really cool design. A lot of fantastic stage effects. People walking through walls, disappearing, things flying through the air. All done flawlessly. Beautiful. The scenery was all big video screens. And there were a lot of neon colors and video clips playing simultaneously with the onstage action. Fascinating and compelling, but totally overwhelming. The poor ensemble. Any time they would come on for a number the screens would go crazy and no one would pay attention to the people. The show itself is not great. The music is generic and totally forgettable. The actors were so over amplified that you couldn't understand them. And the story line is trite. So if you are interested in the design (which is worth seeing) go see the show. If you want to see a good show, don't go see Ghost.
Then this past weekend a few of us got together to see the West End production of Crazy For You. This was absolutely lovely. They didn't do anything crazy with it. The choreography and dancing were wonderful. The ensemble were distinctive and fun to watch. The whole thing was just perfect. The show itself is a bit dated, and it was interesting to see such an American show played here. There were several bits and jokes that didn't work simply because the audience was primarily English. For example the whole song about being English (Chin up, carry on old chum etc etc) really didn't work at all. But on the whole it was simple, and lovely. The kind of show that you cant help but feel great after watching. I wasn't hugely fond of the leading lady, but not to the point where it detracted from the overall experience.
One of the interesting things I noticed about the west end shows was the quality of everyone's American accents. Basically, atrocious. Especially in Ghost. Everyone was going for the sort of New York/New Jersey cop awfulness. It was not pretty. The two leads were fine, although I have yet to check their bios to see if they are actually American. That was the case with Crazy For You, the lead guy (who was wonderful by the way) had a bio that featured mostly work in New York. The girl, who's southern accent was lacking, was not. This I find this quite encouraging, as I do have an actual American accent. Hopefully it will work in my favor!
Monday, November 28, 2011
Spain Time
Right, so I've fallen quite a bit behind. So I am going to try and break this up in to several smaller posts, as quite a lot has happened. Where should I begin. Well we started a new unit at Central, but as that is ongoing I am going to leave that one for last. Also I really need to collect my thoughts about that one. So I'll start with Spain!
To put it simply Spain was pretty incredible. It was rather a whirlwind trip, and I wish I could have stayed longer, but I had a blast. My best friend (or HLM) Rebecca is currently living in Barcelona. She is there for the fall working on some cool top secret project involving 3D printers. So I figured what better excuse to get some jet-setting in to my schedule. Mainly though it was a chance to get to spend some quality time with her. After living together for 2 years after college I've been going though severe Rebecca withdrawal since she moved to Pittsburgh last fall. Amazing that we should reconnect on the other side of the ocean!!
One of the first things we did when I arrived last Friday was to visit the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's famous unfinished Basilica. This is perhaps Barcelona's most easily spotted landmark as it towers above all of the surrounding architecture. It is also absolutely incredible. I mean holy cow, this building is amazing. And it isn't even close to being finished. At the moment the target finish date is 2030. There were models inside chronicling the progress of the building. It is impressive both what they have completed and what is still left to do. I think it is going to end up being nearly half again as tall as it is now, if not more. It will be truly massive.
Even aside from the scale of the building the Sagrada Familia is awe inspiring. The carvings above both the front and back entrances are absolutely gorgeous. And the stained glass windows are incredible. The inside of the basilica is stunning. I don't know whether this is part of the design, or just a side effect of the current construction but there is only stained glass in one half of the basilica, the side with the altar. So as you walk from the back of the room towards the altar the light goes from this austere white light, to this stunning pattern of color. It is an amazing effect. I could go on about this building for ages, it was incredible. Basically Rebecca and I walked in after admiring the facade for a while and our brains turned into puddles of goo due to the awesomeness of this building.
During the rest of my trip we saw quite a bit more of Gaudi's architecture. It is all pretty incredible. We visited Park Guell, although we got lost on the way and arrived after it had gotten dark. This had the unexpected bonus of turning the trip into a sort of spelunking trip. Ok not really, but we felt like we were in really interesting caves, while we explored the archways in the dark. It was fun! We also stumbled across several other buildings designed by Gaudi while we were walking around Barcelona. Including one that looks like a dragon. Basically I think I need to live there!
Lets see other highlights of the trip... Well I discovered what Iberian Ham is, and its pretty gross. Basically wherever you go, including sketchy shops in the middle of the metro, they sell whole pig legs. Not terribly pleasant to pass all the time! We went to a flea market where you could buy everything including the kitchen sink. I learned what a 3D printer is, and its awesome. I learned how to play Settlers of Catan in Spanish. Ok the game was in Spanish, I just learned what each of the little pictures meant. And most importantly I got to catch up with Rebecca. Yay! I am still lobbying to get her up here before she heads back to the states. That way the two of us can go to the Doctor Who Experience together!
Stay tuned for another exciting installment tomorrow. Coming up we have West End musicals, a Flash Mob in St Pancras station, American Thanksgiving abroad and the Devised Unit!
To put it simply Spain was pretty incredible. It was rather a whirlwind trip, and I wish I could have stayed longer, but I had a blast. My best friend (or HLM) Rebecca is currently living in Barcelona. She is there for the fall working on some cool top secret project involving 3D printers. So I figured what better excuse to get some jet-setting in to my schedule. Mainly though it was a chance to get to spend some quality time with her. After living together for 2 years after college I've been going though severe Rebecca withdrawal since she moved to Pittsburgh last fall. Amazing that we should reconnect on the other side of the ocean!!
One of the first things we did when I arrived last Friday was to visit the Sagrada Familia, Gaudi's famous unfinished Basilica. This is perhaps Barcelona's most easily spotted landmark as it towers above all of the surrounding architecture. It is also absolutely incredible. I mean holy cow, this building is amazing. And it isn't even close to being finished. At the moment the target finish date is 2030. There were models inside chronicling the progress of the building. It is impressive both what they have completed and what is still left to do. I think it is going to end up being nearly half again as tall as it is now, if not more. It will be truly massive.
During the rest of my trip we saw quite a bit more of Gaudi's architecture. It is all pretty incredible. We visited Park Guell, although we got lost on the way and arrived after it had gotten dark. This had the unexpected bonus of turning the trip into a sort of spelunking trip. Ok not really, but we felt like we were in really interesting caves, while we explored the archways in the dark. It was fun! We also stumbled across several other buildings designed by Gaudi while we were walking around Barcelona. Including one that looks like a dragon. Basically I think I need to live there!Lets see other highlights of the trip... Well I discovered what Iberian Ham is, and its pretty gross. Basically wherever you go, including sketchy shops in the middle of the metro, they sell whole pig legs. Not terribly pleasant to pass all the time! We went to a flea market where you could buy everything including the kitchen sink. I learned what a 3D printer is, and its awesome. I learned how to play Settlers of Catan in Spanish. Ok the game was in Spanish, I just learned what each of the little pictures meant. And most importantly I got to catch up with Rebecca. Yay! I am still lobbying to get her up here before she heads back to the states. That way the two of us can go to the Doctor Who Experience together!
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Behind the Lines
Friday we had our first performance of the term.
Behind the Lines. Rememberance day, 11/11/11. Our performance was devised around the words of soldiers. Throughout the previous weeks we had all brought in material we had found. Speeches, letters, poems and songs, all by soldiers and others who had been affected by war. We had pieces spanning several different wars, different countries and different languages. Everyone brought something different to the table.
The process was quite interesting. I really loved the range of material everyone found. In the end though, I think the focus ended up being to much on collecting material. We didnt start putting the piece together as a whole until the last week or so. Everyone had done individual work on their pieces, and we had all learned several choral numbers, but we didnt really touch on the structure of the piece until quite late in the process. Everything did pull together. I think in the end we did have quite an interesting production, and a lot of the audience found it quite moving. I think though had we focused more on the overall picture we could have gone even further with it. There were moments where interest flagged, where pauses felt arbitrary and things got a little too meaningful. On the whole though I think we were 'absolutely not bad'.
We were reminded several times throughout the process that it was highly unusual for us to have a performance this early into the course. For that I think we should be proud of ourselves that we stepped up to that challenge. However I think we can do so even more. I am eager to move on to the next project, to push ourselves further.
Behind the Lines. Rememberance day, 11/11/11. Our performance was devised around the words of soldiers. Throughout the previous weeks we had all brought in material we had found. Speeches, letters, poems and songs, all by soldiers and others who had been affected by war. We had pieces spanning several different wars, different countries and different languages. Everyone brought something different to the table.
The process was quite interesting. I really loved the range of material everyone found. In the end though, I think the focus ended up being to much on collecting material. We didnt start putting the piece together as a whole until the last week or so. Everyone had done individual work on their pieces, and we had all learned several choral numbers, but we didnt really touch on the structure of the piece until quite late in the process. Everything did pull together. I think in the end we did have quite an interesting production, and a lot of the audience found it quite moving. I think though had we focused more on the overall picture we could have gone even further with it. There were moments where interest flagged, where pauses felt arbitrary and things got a little too meaningful. On the whole though I think we were 'absolutely not bad'.
We were reminded several times throughout the process that it was highly unusual for us to have a performance this early into the course. For that I think we should be proud of ourselves that we stepped up to that challenge. However I think we can do so even more. I am eager to move on to the next project, to push ourselves further.
Monday, November 7, 2011
Its Too Darn Hot
All right, after a rather rough couple of days I am back at school and back on my feet. I need to remind myself to take a few deep breaths every once in a while, collect myself and refocus. Everyone hits bumps at some point along their way and the important thing is to get back on track. So here I go.
We all sang again in performance workshop this morning. We are starting a new unit next week, our devised piece. The music director has been sitting in on these classes to familiarize himself with us and our voices to help us choose material to put in the piece. We have been encouraged to bring in pieces to show off different parts of our range, and since last week I went for contemporary belting this week I went for something different. I sang My White Night, from the Music Man, a show that I have always loved. This week is all about stepping away from what I have done most of the term. I got some good feedback on the piece, a few things that need work as well as some things that went well. It was mentioned however that I seem to have spent to much time in the UK, and everyones accents are rubbing off on me. Gasp. I have been so hoping that being an American will help me stand out, having an actual American accent in an area where most people have to adopt one. Right, so I need to consciously hang on to that. I think perhaps getting back into some American TV is on the agenda for this weekend. (Part of me wants to get back into watching House just for the irony of Hugh Laurie).
Also had someone comment on how much they enjoy when I perform because of my music choices. I bring in music they don't know, either from shows they don't know very well, of ones that they have never heard of. And actually one of the teachers made the same comment earlier in the term as well. That makes me feel really educated and informed!
This afternoon we had an absolutely superb dance class. A new teacher, which was much needed. He basically ran the class as if it were a dance audition for a show. It was fabulous. We spent the class learning a combination from Kiss Me Kate, and then he broke us into groups of three. He got all of us working too, not just those who have no dance experience. This is what we have needed from day one! I hope we continue to have classes with him. I think everyone is a bit frustrated that we haven't been doing this all term, but we are all glad to be doing it now. Now I should start finding more classes like this in my own time. Once a week is really not often enough to get back into shape.
For the rest of this week we will have rehearsals in the evening. We have our first performance of the term on Friday, it sort of snuck up on us. I am looking forward to seeing how it all comes together this week. However tonight we have an early evening. I'm sticking around to work with my scene partner for class tomorrow, then its home and then early to bed I think.
We all sang again in performance workshop this morning. We are starting a new unit next week, our devised piece. The music director has been sitting in on these classes to familiarize himself with us and our voices to help us choose material to put in the piece. We have been encouraged to bring in pieces to show off different parts of our range, and since last week I went for contemporary belting this week I went for something different. I sang My White Night, from the Music Man, a show that I have always loved. This week is all about stepping away from what I have done most of the term. I got some good feedback on the piece, a few things that need work as well as some things that went well. It was mentioned however that I seem to have spent to much time in the UK, and everyones accents are rubbing off on me. Gasp. I have been so hoping that being an American will help me stand out, having an actual American accent in an area where most people have to adopt one. Right, so I need to consciously hang on to that. I think perhaps getting back into some American TV is on the agenda for this weekend. (Part of me wants to get back into watching House just for the irony of Hugh Laurie).
Also had someone comment on how much they enjoy when I perform because of my music choices. I bring in music they don't know, either from shows they don't know very well, of ones that they have never heard of. And actually one of the teachers made the same comment earlier in the term as well. That makes me feel really educated and informed!
This afternoon we had an absolutely superb dance class. A new teacher, which was much needed. He basically ran the class as if it were a dance audition for a show. It was fabulous. We spent the class learning a combination from Kiss Me Kate, and then he broke us into groups of three. He got all of us working too, not just those who have no dance experience. This is what we have needed from day one! I hope we continue to have classes with him. I think everyone is a bit frustrated that we haven't been doing this all term, but we are all glad to be doing it now. Now I should start finding more classes like this in my own time. Once a week is really not often enough to get back into shape.
For the rest of this week we will have rehearsals in the evening. We have our first performance of the term on Friday, it sort of snuck up on us. I am looking forward to seeing how it all comes together this week. However tonight we have an early evening. I'm sticking around to work with my scene partner for class tomorrow, then its home and then early to bed I think.
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
Non-Constructive Criticism
Well, got a nice little blow to my ego this evening. And about my voice too, which was where I thought I'd been making the most progress too. Sometimes I wish people would just grow up a little bit.
This week has been a tense one. I know I have already mentioned it, but it continued today. We spent over an hour this morning in class just talking about things that students were frustrated with. And I believe its all well and good to get things off your chest, but it devolved into kind of a bitch fest. I think that everyone has just hit the point in the term where they want hard results, and to be working on bigger projects, and we aren't quite there yet. Plus we have just come back from a break, which is always tough.
Moving on from there though we actually had some very productive rehearsal time today. Then after class and band a few of us decided to head to the pub. Wednesdays are long days and everyone generally needs it. I like that it has become a tradition most weeks, as we don't always get time to just sit around and chat with each other.
Inevitably talk turned to our course. And at some point someone started talking about our voice teacher. Now, most of us love Maria. I feel like I have been getting quite a lot out of her lessons. I know I have more stamina than when I started the term, and I am much stronger through most of my range. We have also been working on my mix, and just recently my belt.
I don't want to go into things too much, but in the course of complaining about our voice teacher this guy mentioned that he thought that she wasn't helping anyone and in fact there were certain people on the course he thought were damaging their voices. This guy often talks a big game, so to call his bluff we asked him to elaborate (stupid). He of course then said that really the only person he meant was ME......... Right. And then he went on at some length to tell me exactly what he thinks of my progress.
I am actually quite angry about this. I think it was inappropriate of him on several levels. First of all we are all still learning. And the song he specifically mentioned (Pulled, you know that one I was so proud of yesterday) is one that is new to me, I hadn't worked on with the Maria yet, AND I am still developing my belt. I think it is unfair of him to make that judgement, none of us are finished products and all of us are here to get better. But I also think it was cruel of him to say it to my face.
Ok enough venting.
I just want to have our evaluations soon. I need some solid feedback.
This week has been a tense one. I know I have already mentioned it, but it continued today. We spent over an hour this morning in class just talking about things that students were frustrated with. And I believe its all well and good to get things off your chest, but it devolved into kind of a bitch fest. I think that everyone has just hit the point in the term where they want hard results, and to be working on bigger projects, and we aren't quite there yet. Plus we have just come back from a break, which is always tough.
Moving on from there though we actually had some very productive rehearsal time today. Then after class and band a few of us decided to head to the pub. Wednesdays are long days and everyone generally needs it. I like that it has become a tradition most weeks, as we don't always get time to just sit around and chat with each other.
Inevitably talk turned to our course. And at some point someone started talking about our voice teacher. Now, most of us love Maria. I feel like I have been getting quite a lot out of her lessons. I know I have more stamina than when I started the term, and I am much stronger through most of my range. We have also been working on my mix, and just recently my belt.
I don't want to go into things too much, but in the course of complaining about our voice teacher this guy mentioned that he thought that she wasn't helping anyone and in fact there were certain people on the course he thought were damaging their voices. This guy often talks a big game, so to call his bluff we asked him to elaborate (stupid). He of course then said that really the only person he meant was ME......... Right. And then he went on at some length to tell me exactly what he thinks of my progress.
I am actually quite angry about this. I think it was inappropriate of him on several levels. First of all we are all still learning. And the song he specifically mentioned (Pulled, you know that one I was so proud of yesterday) is one that is new to me, I hadn't worked on with the Maria yet, AND I am still developing my belt. I think it is unfair of him to make that judgement, none of us are finished products and all of us are here to get better. But I also think it was cruel of him to say it to my face.
Ok enough venting.
I just want to have our evaluations soon. I need some solid feedback.
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
Once I sailed away
I did get a chance to see David's school, meet his friends and really experience his life in Copenhagen. I sat in on several classes at the Commedia school. I even got to join in their acrobatics class. We all spent several hours standing on our heads, tumbling and climbing on top of each other. I never quite mastered any of these things, but I think I held my own. My shoulders however did not thank me for the abuse I put through!
Mostly though it was just wonderful to see David. It is hard not having him here in London with me. But I am thankful that he is close enough that I can visit over a long weekend. It is also helpful to know that we are both working towards goals we are very passionate about, which made it extra fun to see what he has been working on. He'll be coming to visit me in December and I cant wait. I have started thinking about all of the things I want to show him in London. Unfortunately it is a rather quick visit before we both head off for the Holidays, but I think we should be able to see some sights. I am going to start looking into theatre tickets now. I think with all of his physical training and his love of puppetry I may need to take him to go see warhorse! I cant wait!
The rest of my reading week was not nearly as eventful but still enjoyable. I spent some time on campus working on new music. Went out with some friends Friday evening. Stayed in and baked cookies on Saturday. And on Sunday went to the cinema to see a screening of the 25th anniversary concert of the Phantom of the Opera. A lot of stuff to cram into a week if I do say so myself. I did get some time to relax even with all of that, although I could always use another morning to sleep in. Now we are back at the grindstone, and I am reminded of how often you really need another vacation directly after your vacation.
Everyone has been a little bit cranky at school this week, and I am beginning to resent it. I am not quite sure what is going on. Some of the complaints are quite valid, and I agree with them. For example there are days when the classes are scheduled with no lunch break, so that there is one group that has to leave class early to prep for their next session. I always seems to be in the group that has to rush, and miss part of their class, which is rather frustrating. I think it is unfair that we should have to miss class time to go to our next class. We are paying quite a bit of money for this course so we should be able to experience the whole thing. And that is only one of the frustrations. I don't fault people for being frustrated, I am myself, but I don't like that the frustration is preventing us from getting work done. Fault lies on both sides of these arguments, students aren't as well prepared as they should be, but then the teachers aren't well organized either. But mostly I want us to get past all this and just get work done. I am not here to complain I am here to bust my butt and learn things. Hopefully the week will sort itself out tomorrow.
On a brighter note I did have an absolutely fabulous voice lesson today! I feel like I have made quite a bit of progress, and was also validated in the direction I am going. We have to choose repertoire for our performance workshop class, and I have been trying to branch out and find new stuff to work on. Recently I stumbled across the Addams Family (the musical), and while the show isn't great I really enjoy all of Wednesday's music. So I brought in one of her songs for class yesterday. I have been working on my mid range quite a bit this term, and this is the biggest belt piece I have worked on. I still have mostly a mix not a true belt, but I am getting closer. Now today in my voice lesson I pulled out some of the music I had been working on and my voice teacher commented on my song choice. She said she had just been thinking about this part as a good role for me! (score #1) She described it as being quite cheeky. We then spent some time working on it, and she said for this piece I really couldn't use a mix, it had to be belt. Oh boy, we'll see how this works. So I gave it a shot, and there were actually a couple of places where it came through. We continued to work on the technique and right before we ended I asked if I could have another try at the piece. And what do you know? I belted that sucker out of the park! (score number 2) The accompanist even commented. So not only am I choosing new material that my teachers approve of, my voice is definitely changing and improving. Woohoo!
And on that note I think I have earned an early night, so even though it is not even 7:30 I am going to curl up in bed with my book (Margaret thank you for all of the suggestions, I have just started A Discovery of Witches, an appropriately halloweeny themed book) and go to bed early!
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