LAST POST OF 2010!

2010 is coming to a close, and the highlights of this year are definitely that I have attended more live theater than any other year.  I have also been forced to explore my design and directorial skills like never before. But now it's time to continue my journey forward, and I love forward to what the 2011 brings . . .


My goals for the New Year:

Continue to hone my performance skills

Successfully complete the rest of  my Graduation Requirements and receive my B.A in Theater Arts during the month of May.

and overall keep pushing toward a professional career in  the Performing Arts!

 SO HERE'S TO 2011 EVERYONE!

MUSICAL THEATER FACT OF THE DAY! ( A BOOK YOU MUST READ!)

So, I was in BARNSANDNOBLE yesterday,and I thanks to my NOOK, and its nifty feature that allows you search the net, and read books for free in store. I discovered a book called THEATER GEEK.  Let me tell you, I did not want to stop reading! (even though I had to, once I left the store, haha). I was just enthralled even by the prologue! and I hardly ever read prologues! What drew me into this book was the fact that it documents what it is like to attend a real life Performing Arts Summer Camp, called STAGE DOOR MANOR. I had never heard of such a place, so I really enjoyed reading about it's history and the experiences of the campers who attended ( and quite a few have gone on to do great things!).  I have not yet finished the book (I need to download the rest), but for someone who loves theater as much as I do THEATER GEEK IS A MUST READ! So I am gonna download it and finish reading as soon as I can!

PICTURE OF THE DAY!

OH THE MEMORIES: These are tickets from practically every live stage show I have ever seen, placed in a frame.  From the first  Musical Theater ticket I ever purchased myself (for a show called BKYLN), to most the recent show I've seen
(IN THE HEIGHTS).  I recommend saving your show tickets people, it's great to have them to be able to look back on  <3.

BROADWAY NEWSFLASH! (MEMPHIS)

Today marks the 500TH performance of the Tony Award winning musical MEMPHIS! Check out the article that was posted on Playbill about this! It even talks about how MEMPHIS will being touring around the country in 8/2011! That's EXCITING!

PICTURE OF THE DAY!



This is a poster from the musical HAIRSPRAY. The show that changed my life! First professional , live musical theater performance I ever saw, and it was on my 18th birthday.  Now, even though I saw the touring cast, this poster shows the Orginal Broadway Cast. It is literally one of MY FAVORITE MUSICALS OF ALL TIME!



MUSICAL THEATER FACT OF THE DAY! (ACTORS EQUITY)

ACTORS EQUITY:

A Labor Union for Professional Performers and Stage mangers. It helps up hold rules and regulations that protect those in the Arts. I intend to join it at some point in the future. You become a member based on a point system.  For more information checkout the official website Actors Equity.  I felt the need to talk about  ACTORS EQUITY after hearing about the stuntman who got injured in the Broadway show, SPIDERMAN: TURN OFF THE DARK.  Being apart of a Union is really beneficial in a situation like that, for compensation and other legalities to be worked out.  Unpaid Performers, who are not affiliated with the Union are not guaranteed the same protections.  But on the bright side, whether paid or unpaid, Equity or non-Equity, the true reward for any performer is the gratitude of the audience. There is NOTHING like audience applause! I know that's why I do it. ; )

PICTURE OF THE DAY!

This is the last page of my WICKED 2010 CALENDER
I can't believe Dec and 2010 are almost over!
I love this calender, best one I have ever had!
The production photo's in it, and the quotes from the show are fabulous :)

MUSICAL THEATER FACT OF THE DAY! (MEMPHIS)

MEMPHIS
A new musical that won the Tony for Best Musical this year, and it is still on Broadway right now.  Set in the 1950's of MEMPHIS Tennessee, the show combines the worlds of Racism, Romance, and a love of music.  I have never seen the entire show, but I saw the cast perform at the Tony Awards, and I knew I had to get the cast recording. The music really is really catchy and moving, and the storyline is really powerful.
Book is by Joe DiPietro
Music is by David Bryan
Lyrics by Joe DiPietro and David Bryan

I also have a personal connection to the show, as I had the opportunity to work with the leading lady MONTEGO GLOVER during a production of GUYS AND DOLLS two summers ago, because I was in the costume department for the show. So if you have the chance to see it, I highly recommend it. I know I intend to see as soon I can  ; )

DAMN YANKEES NEWSFLASH!

As of today, the production of DAMN YANKEES that I had auditioned for has been CANCELED :/.  It sucks, but at least now I can focus on preparing for future auditions.  My goal is to get cast in a major role in in a show, because I am tired of doing chorus roles. Therefore my first official New Years Resolution for 2011, is to KNOCK ANY FUTURE AUDITIONS OUT THE BOX UNTIL I LAND A LEAD ROLE!

MUSICAL THEATER FACT OF THE DAY! (AUTOBIOGRAPHIES)

I really enjoy reading autobiographies, especially ones about people in the entertainment business.
So here are some autobiographies that I recommend reading for some really great insight into the professional world of the performing arts.

1) WITHOUT YOU: By Anthony Rapp

2) A LITTLE BIT WICKED: By Kristen Chenoweth

3) HOME: By Juile Andrews

4) BUT HE DOESN'T KNOW THE TERRITORY: By Meredith Wilson

These are autobiographies that capture the lives of very talented, interesting people, who have been involved in world of professional Musical Theater. I highly recommend them : )

PICTURE OF THE DAY!

This is another one of my Musical LP's.
I had the pleasure of seeing this show for the first time last summer, and  was surprised by how much I enjoyed it.  It was a very good show, with fantastic choreography, and music, that was a lot funnier than I expected.

PICTURE OF THE DAY!

This is my autographed poster from the first professional show that I ever worked backstage for,
in the costume department.
The entire cast signed it! Such a fantastic show!

MUSICAL THEATER FACT OF THE DAY! (GLEE)

FROM BROADWAY TO GLEE:

After re-watching part of the first season of GLEE, it inspired me point out just how many Broadway Stars are connected to GLEE, for those who are unaware, because I find it really interesting.

LEA MICHELE- who plays RACHEL BERRY originated the role of WENDLA in the Broadway Musical SPRING AWAKENING

MATTHEW MORRISON- who plays MR. SCHUESTER orginated the role of LINK LARKIN in the Broadway Musical HAIRSPRAY.

Both Hairspray and Spring Awakening are both two of my FAVE musicals <3

Other Broadway stars who have been involved in GLEE

KRISTEN CHENOWETH
IDINA MENDZEL
JONATHAN GROFF
CHEYENNE JACKSON
JOHN STAMOS

BROADWAY NEWS FLASH!

For those of you IN THE HEIGHTS, fans check out this article published by Playbill.com about the original star ( and creator of the show ) making his comeback to the stage! Just click the link below
Lin Manuel Miranda Returning to Broadway's IN THE HEIGHTS

If you haven't had the oppertunity to see IN THE HEIGHTS, I highly recommend it! I saw it for the first time this year when the tour came through town and it was FANTASTIC!

PICTURE OF THE DAY!



This is another one of the LP's of a Broadway Musical that adorns my wall.

   

MUSICAL THEATER FACT OF THE DAY! (SINGING IN THE RAIN)

SINGING IN THE RAIN
A hit musical, with book by Betty Comden and Adolph Green. Opened on Broadway in 1965, after first premiering in London.  In London and on Broadway, the show featured a live on-stage rain shower, which no other live musical has done since.  The title song in the show was also just recently incorperated into an episode of the hit T.V show GLEE

MERRY CHRISTMAS

IT'S CHRISTMAS!!!! HAPPY HOLIDAYS EVERYONE! : )

And on a side note:  I got all A's and B's in my Theater Classes! If you are someone with a passion for theater I highly recommend studying it in school :)

PICTURE OF THE DAY!



This is my autographed poster from the 2009 tour of RENT, which consisted of two of the Original Broadway Cast Members, Anthony Rapp and Adam Pascal! I had the oppertunity to see the show on Feb 10th 2010 and Anthony Rapp actually signed my poster :) along with a few other cast members. Unfortunately I wasn't able to catch Adam Pascal to get him to sign it.

 

MUSICAL THEATER FACT OF THE DAY (RENT)

RENT
A "rock opera" created by Jonathan Larson, which opened in 1996.
All of the original stars of the Broadway production, (except for two), went on to star in the 2005 film version of the musical. This is very rare. Usually when a Broadway show transitions from stage to film, a completely different cast is involved.

PICTURE OF THE DAY!

 I will now be starting a daily series of Musical Theater related images called PICTURE OF THE DAY. Enjoy! :)


This is one of  the LP's of a Broadway Musical that adorns my wall

    
 

A NOTE TO ASPIRING DIRECTORS:

 PLEASE be organized, considerate, consistent, and clear in your expectations. It makes things SO much easier for EVERYONE involved.

MUSICAL THEATER FACT OF THE DAY (THE MUSIC MAN)

As an aspiring broadway star, who loves increasing,  and sharing her knowledge of Musical Theater I will now be posting  musical theater facts everyday. Enjoy! :)

THE MUSIC MAN:
 A musical written by Meredith Wilson, that opened on Broadway in 1957. It's a classic.  Instrumental versions of a few songs from the show can actually be heard on DISNEYLAND'S MAINSTREET.


The Music Man was also the first musical I ever performed in and it was quite a lovely experience <3

ANTICIPATION

So, as of this afternoon, I still have not heard about what is going on with the production of DAMN YANKEES. I am also still waiting for my grades to post for my fall classes.  As a Theater Major in College, I have taken a very interesting array of theater classes, especially during this past semester.  This past semester I have had to design costumes for one show, design and build a model set for another show, create two original performance pieces, select and direct two ten minute shows, and perform in a musical theater showcase, all for my classes.  Therefore, still not knowing how my grades turned out after all that, is slightly torturous.  In other news it is approaching my ONE YEAR anniversary since I have performed in a full scale production, and that is TOO LONG! It is not because I haven't auditioned, I just haven't got cast, which is why I really hope I get cast in Damn Yankees.  There you have it . . . , that is where I am at in my life with the arts. Laterz ;) <3



CHECK IT OUT: ^ The Cover of the 1958 film version
 of  DAMN YANKEES  done by Warner Brothers^



DAMN YANKEES and COMEDY SPORTZ

So here it is, holiday break and I am glad to be done with classes, but I am dying as I wait in anticipation to find out if I got cast in a production of DAMN YANKEES that I auditioned for during the week of finals. This is a small production that is being produced as a young women's Masters project.  
In other news; after going to see a COMEDY SPORTZ  Show on Sunday, ( a show where two teams play improvisational acting games, for those who don't know ), I was inspired to one day start my own comedy troupe in the future, so now that is a goal of mine. To get closer to it I am planning to try to sign up for improv classes at the same location where I saw the show beginning in January . . . and that is my life in the arts right now.  Laterz ;)



  CHECK IT OUT: The Logo of the Official Comedy Sportz site, which is licensed by the
World Comedy League, Inc