The Scene as it Stands

This week was all about narrowing down the choices for showcase We all started out with at least two scenes to present in class this week. We then spent time workshopping the scenes and brainstorming a few other choices. At the end of the week our acting coach and course leader sat down to narrow it down to one scene per person. This meant some reshuffling as well as cutting down the scenes. At the end of the week I unexpectedly found myself in a brand new scene. I am still working with one of my previous scene partners, but this scene was suggested at the very last second. Thursday morning Antonis brings in the script of Arthur Millers A View from the Bridge. He had kept looking at new scenes all week to try and find the perfect one, and this was one his roommate had just suggested. The acting coach suggested he read through the scene with one of the Americans in the class, and as I was handy I jumped in. Now all of the other scenes we memorized and put up on their feet. As neither of us had a chance to work the scene we just sat and read it. Even so, as we started reading, everyone in the room at that moment perked up and leaned in. It was actually rather exciting. Needless to say this was the scene that I ended up with. I am quite pleased with the scene. We cut it down over the weekend and jump in with both feet tomorrow. Now the thing about A View from the Bridge is that is not a terribly funny play. One might even call it a tragedy. So, I need to find a good song to compliment that, to show that I can do funny. Comedy has sort of become my strong suit this year so I want to make sure that comes through with the showcase. Right now we have it narrowed down to about 4 songs. Two of which need major cutting to get them under 90 seconds. I'm a little worried about that, as those two are my top choices. I've got some rep coaching tomorrow, we'll see how that goes. So that's showcase. Everyone is freaking out a bit. Ok let me amend that, I am freaking out a little bit. I am just assuming everyone else is freaking out as well. Our teachers keep emphasizing how important this is, and that we really want to have an agent by the end of the year, and that showcase is the way to do that. No pressure right? Oh, and this is my favorite part, we got to have a question and answer session with some industry professionals on Friday, two of whom were agents. Now in hindsight, these two agents don't really seem to be the kind that would be terribly interested in us graduates. I believe one of them represents both Colin Firth and Helen Mirren, I fit right into that type. However through the course of their Q&A session it came out that 1) they were more interested in going to BA showcases than MA, because we are old and over the hill 2) they aren't really interested in signing Americans because unless we sort out the visa thing we have an expiration date and 3) they aren't really interested in people who don't speak with an RP (think upper class British) accent so we should all find pieces in that accent to do for our showcase. I think that covers me in all three counts. What a wonderful way to start my Friday. The rest of the day was more of what I am used to hearing, but it was still a little disconcerting to get all of that information at once. Now, does this change any of my plans? No. Of course not. I knew this was going to be a tough career from the beginning, and I am not going to let two casting agents (out of hundreds I might add) discourage me. I just need to take a deep breath and get back in the game. So here I am Sunday night, gearing myself back up for the week. I am not totally sure I am ready for the week, but that hasn't stopped me yet. Hopefully by the end of the week we will all have a clearer idea what the showcase is going to contain. I think that will help, knowing exactly what I have to work on. This week in the wild world of Katie's theatre going: Matilda the Musical and The Lion in Winter (not a musical). Full update to follow.