Once I sailed away

I had an absolutely lovely time in Copenhagen! David and I spent most of out time wandering around the city enjoying the beautiful weather. We made plans to do several different things, see some theatre, visit museums, tour the Carlsburg brewery. Yet somehow they all fell through. My roommate Lucile said that it was a sign from the cosmos! We just decided that it meant I had to come back and visit again. I guess I can make that happen. The lack of planned activities meant that we really got to take time and catch up. As much as technology is wonderful, and I love that we get to see each other so often on Skype, it was simply wonderful to get to just spend time together. I have missed him.

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!

It was interesting experiencing a training program so different from the one I am in. I did love getting to see everything David was working on, but a lot of it made me really appreciate the classes I am taking. The styles were very different. For instance Centrals program is much more focused on helping us join the theatre scenes of big cities, such as London or New York. Much of what we are taught has to do with auditioning for existing companies, agents and larger shows. Whereas the Commedia school is much more geared towards students who plan on creating their own work once they finish. Both styles are completely valid, I don't think that one is necessarily better than the other, it is just that their dynamic is so different. In observing the classes at the Commedia school my decision to be at Central was really reinforced. I think I flourish in a much more structured and regimented environment, whereas the students in Copenhagen clearly relished the freedom to experiment. It was a nice reminder of why I am where I am, as well as of the many interesting forms of theatre there are in the world.

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!