PROGRESS

        Today I had an audition for a local theater company. I feel it went rather well.  I gave it my all. It turns out that a few people with the company even knew one of my professors. The people that I met were also very pleasant. So I was satisfied with the experience overall. I will post if any more comes of that audition.  I also began reading the book in received in the mail today entitled ACTING PROFESSIONALLY: RAW FACTS ABOUT CAREERS IN ACTING by Robert Cohen and James Calleri.  This book was assigned for reading in my AUDITION TECHNIQUE CLASS, which I have talked about before, and I am really enjoying that class very much.  My professor in that class is a wonderful asset, because she talented, (is also my advisor), and she was taught by author of the book mentioned above.  Also, I would recommend the book for anyone who wants to act. It is honest, hard hitting, and full of interesting statistics.

PICTURE OF THE DAY!

KAROL FOREMAN and I ( During a '09 production of THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE that she starred in as MUZZY). She also came to speak at my school . FANASTIC, WONDERFUL WOMEN :D

KICKING IT INTO GEAR!

     After an inspiring discussion in my Audition Technique Class, about the "business" and being a professional, I feel that I accomplished a lot today. I have thought out a new "look" for myself, which I will be implementing tomorrow when I get my hair done.  I became a member of the Theatre Communications Group, and I have a audition lined up for Saturday! I am BEYOND EXCITED about all of these new things!  I look forward to having a new look, and reaping the benefits of being a member of the  THEATRE COMMUNICATIONS GROUP, which means that I will being getting their annual theater publication, among other things. As for the audition, I am ALWAYS excited to audition, because there is always the possibility that it could to lead to something bigger.

PICTURE OF THE DAY!

Me and JESSICA RUSH, who starred in the production of  GUYS AND DOLLS that I worked on last summer.

BROADWAY BABE IS BACK AT IT

      Today was the third day of my Spring Semester.  So far so good. I really LOVE being a THEATER MAJOR.  In my Audition Technique class, we had a very good discussion about surviving in the business of the performing arts.  In the class were also informed that we will be required to audition for industry professionals by the end of the class, and we will be engaging in several "mock" auditions throughout the semester. I am very excited to dive deeper into this class, and I know it will be very useful.  I am also taking a class on Afro-American Theater which should also very interesting.  My next step is to start looking for more monologues to use in future auditions, and well as for more shows to audition for.  I also found out that I am required to audition for a company that is affiliated with EQUITY. So. before this semester is over I am will inched my way that much closer to jumping in with the "pros" :D

PICTURE OF THE DAY!

MARA DAVI ( The star of THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLE) and I in the the SUMMER '09



AND THE JOURNEY OF A THEATER STUDENT CONTINUES . . .

     So, tomorrow begins the last round of classes I need to earn my THEATER B.A.  The two theater classes I will be focusing on are Audition Technique, and African American Theatre. I am really looking forward to both of these classes. Audition Technique will help further my knowledge of Theatre as a business, and show me how to really put myself out there to reach my goals as a performer.  African American Theater will help learn more about my place in Theatre as a young adult  female who is African American. This semester I expect there learn things that will be extremely beneficial in the future.  Even though am taking a few classes that are not technically Theater related I have aleady thought about how I can connect them to Theatre, but more on that later.

PICTURE OF THE DAY!




Me and "THE LADY IN THE LAKE" of SPAMALOT played by LESLI MARGHERITA. Last Summer.('10)

                                                        

SHOWS I WOULD SEE IF I WERE IN NEW YORK RIGHT NOW

MEMPHIS (I would get to see MONTEGO again! :D,So proud of her !)

AMERICAN IDIOT (It's rock, and it's GREEN DAY, need I say more?)

PHANTOM OF THE OPERA (I have wanted to see that soooo bad ever since I saw the movie)

LA CAGE AUX FOLLES (I have in general heard great thing's about it)

SPIDERMAN: TURN OF THE DARK (which apparently, hasn't technically opened, but apparently people can see previews . . .)
THE LION KING (It's DISNEY, need I say more?)

LOVE LOSS AND WHAT I WORE (* well, this one is technically OFF-BROADWAY, I hear it's funny,apparently its  the new VAGINA MONOLOGUES,)

Shows coming on Broadway that I want to see:

CAN'T SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING:  ( DANIEL RADCLIFF!)

PICTURE OF THE DAY!



Me and ELISE SANTORA, who played ABUELA CLAUDIA during the tour of IN THE HEIGHTS, which is the last show of 2010 that I saw.  This women is TALENTED and sooo AWESOME! She came to my school to speak with some of her cast members :D



MOVIE MUSICALS

      Over that past few years MOVIE MUSICALS have been increasing in popularity. Several are already in the talking stages for just this year alone. Some of these movie musicals include IN THE HEIGHTS, and AMERICAN IDIOT.  Also, just yesterday I heard about the possibilty of two more MOVIE MUSICAL REMAKES; a remake of ANNIE starring WILLOW SMITH, as well as a remake of A STAR IS BORN starring BEYONCE. I find the possibly of both of these remakes really EXCITING ! I adore both WILLOW SMITH and BEYONCE.  BEYONCE is my IDOL! She was AMAZING in DREAMGIRLS.  I must say, as far as movie musicals go DREAMGIRLS is probably my favorite, even though there are many that I rather enjoy. RENT is another one of my favorites. But I do want to make one thing clear, as much I love MOVIE MUSICALS, they can not be a replacement for the live stage version of a show. You will never hear me say "Oh, I saw that on FILM, I don't need to see that on stage".  Most of the time, after I see a MOVIE MUSICAL, I wonder what it would be like live.  Another movie musical that I look foward to seeing, along with the new ones mentioned above, is the remake of FOOTLOOSE that should be released in the near future.

PICTURE OF THE DAY!



ME and MONTEGO GLOVER when she was playing SARAH BROWN in GUYS IN DOLLS in '09



Shows I Have Worked Backstage For

   Over a span of two summer's I have to worked as a DRESSER (Someone who helps the Performers put on their costumes during a performanc) on a total of  7 shows. Even though performing is where my heart is, dressing was actually quite enjoyable. It also gave me a chance to work with some very great people.  Many of the performers have I worked with while dressing been on BROADWAY, and quite of few of were ROCKETTS as well. Dressing is something I would not mind doing again in the future.  I have even consdered joining IATSE (which is a Union for Professional Stagehands, like DRESSERS and things of that nature). Hmm I wonder if anyone has ever joined both EQUITY and IATSE? Well, maybe I'll have to find out!Hehe! Well here are the shows I have worked on:

THOROUGHLY MODERN MILLIE:

GUYS AND DOLLS:  (This production was actually starring Tony Award Winner MONTEGO GLOVER the star of  Broadway's MEMPHIS)

SEVEN BRIDES FOR SEVEN BROTHERS:

SPAMALOT:

JOSEPH AND THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT:

DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS:

42ND ST:

Who am I in The World of Theater?

It has occurred to me that my readers might wonder, "who is this girl? and what does she really know about theater?". So I decided to write more specifically about who I am and the place theater truly has in my life.
I am . . .
A Theater Lover
A Theater Student
Performer
Theater Attendee
Usher
Dresser
Aspiring Equity Member
Aspiring Broadway Performer
Aspiring Costume Designer
Aspiring Director
AND FINALLY . . .
Aspiring Playwright

Professional Shows I Have Seen.

Hairspray
Brklyn
Wicked
Jersey Boys
Can-Can
Spring Awakening (2X)
Man of La Mancha
Into the Woods
Altar Boyz
Cats
Legally Blonde
Rent
Funny Girl
Oaklahoma
Forever Plaid
In the Heights
Burn The Floor
This is only professional shows that I have sat in the audience for. This does not include shows I have worked backstage for and had to catch glimpses of from a T.V Monitor, lol.

Shows I plan  to see this year:
9 to 5
Mary Poppins

PICTURE OF THE DAY!

A cake made for closing night of a local production of SPAMALOT that I worked backstage for, last summer. 
Isn't it SO AWESOME? :D

MEASURE FOR MEASURE

    Today I went to an audition for a local production of Shakespeare's MEASURE for MEASURE.  Now, even though I have taken classes on acting for Shakespeare this was my FIRST Shakespeare audition.  It was quite interesting. I cold read three scene's from the play with a few other actor, and each time I was a GUY. Being the musical loving, girly-girl that I am it was actually very good for me to have that opportunity to partake in something that was a bit unusual for me, and help me step out of my box. Therefore I would not mind being cast as a guy.  I rather enjoy Shakespeare, even though Musical Theater will forever have my heart <3 I will not know whether or not I was cast next week (YIKES!). I am crossing my fingers! I really do want the experience of performing in a Shakespeare play.

   In other news, I heard that there is going to be a new reality show to cast a new GLEE character.  I REALLY do not want REALITY SHOWS to over shadow a LEGIT audition process.  I know they are entertaining to watch, but  it's hard to take them seriously all the time. Over the past few years I have heard about reality shows to cast a MARIA for a London production of THE SOUND OF MUSIC. I have also sat down to watch reality shows used to cast the leads in  GREASE and LEGALLY BLONDE that were televised years ago. While I enjoyed watching them at the time, the more I think about it the more I think they risk making a mockery of the overall casting process at times. I know others may obviously disagree, but hey, that's just me.

PICTURE OF THE DAY!

My CABARET LP:  the last musical I was in before I graduated from Highschool :) I miss that show! So fun! I wanna do it again :)

AN INTERESTING BROADWAY FIRST (HOPEFULLY NOT A NEW TREND)

     I have been reading all over theater websites, such as broadway.com and playbill.com, that the Tony Award winning Musical MEMPHIS is going to be filmed live and shown in theaters while STILL being performed on BROADWAY.  This has never been done before.  I am not sure how I feel about this.  It is obvious why it has never been done before, because if people can just go a see Broadway Musical on film it could take away from the overall interest in seeing it truly performed live.  On the one hand, getting the opportunity to see MEMPHIS on film is kind of exciting.  On the other hand, NOTHING compares to the insane rush of seeing a musical live, (which is why even if I saw it on film, I still try and see it live in NY or catch the tour). Also, as a performer I LOVE hearing the roar of an audience. It is absolutely AMAZING. Therefore I would hate it Broadway shows lost audience members because people could just see the film instead. I really wonder how other people feel. How many would still go see a live show in person if it was showing in theaters AT THE SAME TIME?  I guess if it remains a rare occurrence, it's alright. However I don't think it should be come a trend. I mean, that why Shows go on Tour, so people who can't see a show open in NY can see it live when it comes to their Hometown.   If this is being done because movie tickets are cheaper than Show tickets and the goal is present the Musical to people who cannot afford Show tickets, I totally understand;  But then again, Show tickets could also become cheaper, if that's the case.  I am really a bit conflicted about this. . .so feel free to way in.

PHOTO OF THE DAY!



My DREAMGIRLS T-Shirt I ordered online at PLAYBILL.COM.  I love how it says I'M A STAR  with the word DREAMGIRLS in gold down at the bottom right hand corner <3 It is SO me!



THE LATEST IN WHITE-HOT THEATER NEWS

STEVEN SATER (who worked on Books and Lyrics for SPRING AWAKENING) is back at it again!  He joined together with BURT BACHARACH to create a new Musical called THE GIFT OF THE MAGI which is current being workshoped in LA. Iincluded in this workshop are two former member of the touring cast of SPRING AWAKENING (KRISTY ATAMORE who played Wendla, and KYLE RIABKO who played Melchior). Now, being a person who has seen SPRING AWAKENING while on tour twice and listened to the original cast recording numerous times, I can attest to the complete GENIUS that SATER is. SPRING AWAKENING is and edgy, romantic, poetic, captivating show with characters that young people can really relate to. Even the music speaks to you on an intense level that is not common for most musicals. Therefore it will be interesting to see what he brings to THE GIFT OF THE MAGI.  From the sounds of it the show, is going to be full of romance and beautiful piano music. Sounds like a WINNER to me! I bet it will go far : ). To read more about  THE GIFT OF THE MAGI go to Playbill.com.

In other news, a Live Musical version of Disney's ALADDIN is set to open in SEATTLE this summer! I have nothing but great things about live Disney Musicals, even though I have never really seen one live before. However I do look forward to seeing Disney's MARY POPPINS in March!, as I am supposed to Usher for the show when it tours through town. I also hope the future to get to see ALADDIN once it hits the big time ;)

Another exciting bit of news is that DANIEL RADCLIFFE (HARRY POTTER!) will be starring in a production of HOW TO SUCCEED IN BUSINESS WITHOUT REALLY TRYING that will be opening on BROADWAY next month! I had know idea that he musical talent!  So for me, this is a must see! I am thinking summer( or maybe even Spring break?) road trip to NY to see this, as I am SURE it will still be running :). RADCLIFFE is just full of surprises, I mean I know he starred in the play EQUUIS a while back, and had to be nude of stage, that was surprising enough, but I would have NEVER expected him to go from HARRY POTTER to BROADWAY STAR! But hey, more power to him! :D

MUSICAL MOVIE NEWS:

AMERICAN IDIOT and IN THE HEIGHTS are both in talks to be filmed! Pretty fantastic aye!?

PICTURE OF THE DAY!

Another one of my MUSICAL LP's.  I love song BIG SPENDER! I learned a dance to it in highchool, before I even knew it was from a musical, lol.

GREAT ROLES PERFORMERS WITH DIVERSE ETHNIC BACKROUNDS

As a performer from a diverse ethnic background, I constantly have to be thinking about roles that are geared more toward African American Females. So I have to decided to discuss some shows and roles that are particularly good for performers with diverse ethic backgrounds to audition for.  As well as shows that I would personally love to get cast in :D

DREAMGIRLS:   A FANTASTIC show for African American performers to get the opportunity to shine.  One of my goals in life is to play EFFIE WHITE  (the lead).  This is one of the few shows with a really meaty leading role created SPECIFICALLY for an African American Woman
 
THE WIZ:  Another great show that can be used to showcase a plethora of different ethnicity's. The role of DOROTHY is also another fantastic female role that is geared toward African American Women.

HAIRSPRAY:  A show that is very close to my heart,  as it is the first major Musical that I ever saw performed live.   It also sends a very strong message about people of different sizes, shapes, and colors coming together as ONE <3 :D.  I would LOVE to play MOTORMOUTH MAYBELL in the future.  There is also a chorus of three women in the show that are usually African American, that I would love to be a part of.

WICKED:    Another dream of  mine is to eventually perform in WICKED. Why, you ask? For starters it has a powerhouse female character who is always covered in GREEN PAINT! So does it matter what color her skin is underneath? I would say not. Also, the show requires a large amount of chorus people in which there in a lot freedom to cast people of lots of different, shapes, sizes, and colors  : )
 
ALL SHOOK UP:   A show about falling in love and following your dreams, to the timeless tunes of ELVIS.  It is a show that requires a large cast filled with heart, fun, and power house voices. There is a lot of freedom to play around with ethnic variety in the cast. ( Again, another show I would LOVE to be in!)

IN THE HEIGHTS:  It's epic, edgy, fun, up beat, and set in a urban part of NY. Enough said!

RENT:   Fantastic, moving, BOLD! I wanna play JOANNE OR MIMI someday VERY BADLY. The cast of this show is also so bold, colorful, and full of variety :D

LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS:  What more can I saw about this show? Other than that the music is extremely catchy, and it is SO CUTE and TWISTED at the SAME TIME, lol.  Well, I also love the chorus of the three soulful divas in that are in it,often called  THE RONETTS. They get to wear roller skates, as they open the show! :D ( typically African American, though I have seen them played by women of different ethnic backgrounds).

PICTURE OF THE DAY!



My WICKED HAT! One of my faves. Says POPULAR on the back ; ) Saw the show in LA at the Pantages Theater. FANTASTIC



HITS, FLOPS, AND INBETWEEN!

SUREFIRE  HIT!
I have read several Tweets lately about the fact that ABC is working on developing  "WICKED" mini series with SELMA HAYEK producing. My guess is that the series will be big a hit much like book, and the Musical  that it will revolve around.  Especially if it is cast right.  If I were HAYEK I would lock in KRISTEN CHENOWETH for GLINDA (because she totally adorable, she originated the role, and she has both film and stage experience.  Next I would lock in IDINA MENDZEL as ELPHABA, for the same reasons as I put for CHENOWETH ;). Then finally I would try and lock in TAYE DIGGS for FIYERO, not only because of his large amount of film and stage experience, but because of the chemistry that he is bound to have with his wife MENDZE :) If MENDZEL and DIGGS couldn't do it, I would cast MICHELLE FEDERER and her hubby NORBERT LEO BUTZ, not only because of their talent, and chemistry, but their familiarity with material. Can't wait to see what ABC does with this eight part mini series :)

LIKELY TO BE A HIT!
Thanks to The Andy Gram.com, I found out that a new musical will becoming to Broadway in the Fall. That Musical is called ONCE, which is based on a film by the same name which came out in 2007.  It seems to me that ONCE is most likely going to be a hit given the fact that, not only is the films it's based on Award Winning, but the cast will also consist of award winning performers. Not to mention that  fact that the description I read about, make it sound adorably romantic. So, it looks like this is a show that I am going to have to put on my must see list.

SURPRISE HIT!
It sounds like SPIDERMAN: TURN OFF THE DARK, has been bringing in big bucks, despite previous issues with injuries on set. Looks like I originally underestimated the impact of that show . . .

FLOP!
I heard DRACULA: The Musical closed after 9 performances! and that was just in an off-Broadway showing! Sadly, sounds like a flop to me!

PICTURE OF THE DAY

This is picture of a PINK LADIES jacket that I saw in a fabulous costume shop downtown. They
have lots of other Musical memorabilia, such as WIZARD OF OZ items and stuff like that. Very Cool :)

EXCITEMENT ABOUT A NEW MUSICAL!

I am so excited to hear that LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA ( Creator of IN THE HEIGHTS) came together with JEFF WHITTY, TOM KITT AND AMANDA GREEN, to create BRING IT ON:THE MUSICAL.   It is based on the movie by the same title.  The Musical will be opening at The Alliance Theater in Georgia on the 15th.  This is the first Musical to ever tackle to cheer leading not only in the storyline, but in the choreography! This is such a new direction for the world of  Musical Theater, and I think it is going to make quite an impact.  Especially with LIN-MANUEL MIRANDA working on it, because he is a true GENIUS! I just know it won't be long before this show becomes a hit on Broadway.  I can tell just by the video I watched about it's creation, that it is going to be a fantastic show. To see this video for yourself, and learn more about the musical visit this link to Alliance Theater Website.

In other news Broadway said goodbye to a lot of Musicals this week. Such as IN THE HEIGHTS, NEXT TO NORMAL, and A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC, along with a few others.

PICTURE OF THE DAY!

Some of my Theater books :) Highly recommend them:
CATS: The book of the musical
THE COMPLETE PHANTOM OF THE OPERA
RENT
HAIRSPRAY: The Roots
HOW DOES THE SHOW GO ON?

SHOWMANCE

I recently heard (thanks to Playbill.com ) that NORBERT LEO BUTZ, and MICHELLE FEDERER are parents. For those who don't know, they are performers who met while starring in the musical WICKED. They ended up getting married and now have a baby girl. I think it is so precious when people find love because of a show : ).  Another example of an adorable "showmance" is TAYE DIGGS and IDINA MENDZEL, they met while starring in RENT when it originally opened on Broadway. They eventually got married, and over the past couple of years they have had a baby. I just know their baby is adorable : ).  Hearing stories like these reminds me of one of the greatest things about performing in live theater; It allows you to connect with people in unique and special ways, that you may not be able to in other professions.  So congrats to NORBERT LEO BUTZ and MICHELLE FEDERER! Imagine the stories they will get to tell their little girl as she grows up!
BTW, if you haven't heard NORBERT LEO BUTZ sing, he is absolutely AMAZING! He is on the Original Broadway Cast Recording of WICKED, so check it out if you haven't already. WICKED is a PHENOMENAL show!

PICTURE OF THE DAY

I had STREISAND on the brain today, so I posted this pic of my FUNNY GIRL Lp.  I actually saw this show for the first time last  summer.  It was FAB. The cast was fantastic, and the costumes were stunning.  I also heard DON'T RAIN ON MY PARADE,( a song from this show) a lot this past year. I think that was because of GLEE, lol.

EPIC IDEA FOR FUTURE BROADWAY PRODUCTION!

 I FINALLY have a TWITTER! I have subscribed to the tweets of a NYC Journalist named JONATHAN MANDELL( among many other's, lol), who tweeted about about the idea of BARBRA STREISAND directing a Black version of GYPSY starring JENNIFER HUDSON and JENNIFER HOLIDAY!!!!!! That is the most EPIC idea I have ever heard for a show in my LIFE!  These two JENNIFER'S are both such amazing talents! For those who don't know JENNIFER HOLIDAY was the lead in the original production of DREAMGIRLS, and JENNIFER HUDSON brought the same role to the big screen. Who would have thought after competing on American Idol, HUDSON would come so far?  But she deserves every bit of attention she gets, even though she did not win IDOL she has proven herself to be quite PHENOMENAL and I love her :)  If both HUDSON and HOLIDAY were to put this ethnic spin on GYPSY that would open so many more doors for African American Women in Musical Theater. I REALLY REALLY hope word about this idea gets back to STREISAND, HUDSON and HOLIDAY, so that they can make this happen :D

PICTURE OF THE DAY!



This is my IN THE HEIGHTS hat that I got when the tour came through town.  My school then arranged for three performers in the show to come do an Q&A with the students( ELISE SANTORA, RAYANNE GONZALES,  and DeWITT COOPER III) and at the end I got them to sign my hat :) Getting to talk with some of the cast members was a fantastic experience. To be able to hear about their personal experiences as professionals in the buisness, meant a lot to me. I hope to be in a production of IN THE HEIGHTS one day :)



BROADWAY/ WEST END NEWS UPDATE!

The actress Keira Knightley has been cast in a West End (London) revival of the THE CHILDREN'S HOUR by Lilian Hellman, set to open later this month. This is my first time hearing about her performing on stage, so I find that quite interesting. I also hear that cast also includes other film actors. THE CHILDREN'S HOUR is quite an intense an interesting play. Not only have I read it, I have also performed a scene from it for a class, which I really enjoyed doing. If Knighley's performance on stage is as good as her performances in films, this should be quite a good production. To read more about this up and coming production  of THE CHILDREN'S  HOUR visit this link to the article at Playbill.com.

In other news IN THE HEIGHTS closes on Broadway on the 9th! ( I found this out also thanks to Playbill.com ) Wish I would have gotten to see the Broadway cast :( {should have jetted to NY over break! lol} , Particularly because the original Usnavi, Benny  and Sonny are closing the show ( I believe) but aww well, at least there are YOUTUBE clip's ;)

PICTURE OF THE DAY!

This is another one of my Musical LP's.  I have seen this show twice, at  the community level, and at the professional level and it is very cute! With a great storyline and catchy music.

WHAT'S NEW!?

We are now four days into 2011, and here is what's going on in my land of the Performing Arts.  As I have mentioned I am currently in the middle of reading THEATER GEEK and( like I said before)  all people who love theater should read this book, it's really captivating and provides useful info.  In other news, since I will be graduating at the end of Spring, I have to think of life beyond school, and as a huge Disney fan, I have always thought it would be wonderful to work for Disney in the future. Therefore I am working on planning a trip to Florida, on my Spring Break, to audition to be a entertainer in Disney World Parades. I think it would be a great way to get my foot in the door as a professional performer.

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

IT'S 2011! I am looking forward to another year filled with theater classes, shows, auditions, and much, much more!