Once in A Lifetime....

So, yes, Once In a Lifetime by Kaufman and Hart is the show that we're in rehearsals for right now...and I'm also realizing that this experience of being at Juilliard and having the privilege of learning so much, truly only happens "once in a lifetime"...hokey, I know!

Tonight we finished rehearsal early and I decided I needed to catch up on my blog. It's always important to document experiences as they are happening, I believe. It always offers a clearer perspective. This week has been a whirlwind of activity...in true Juilliard fashion. This showing that we're currently in rehearsals for start on the 28th. I also have a scene for my Scene Study Class from "Our Lady of 121st Street" that goes up again on Wednesday. As well as a reading of a play that I'm directing that goes up in 2 weeks! Shocking...Thrilling...and Tiring, as hell! But always inspiring.

This past weekend, the Drama Division gave us tickets to check out a new show by Juilliard Playwright Nathan Jackson. "Broke-Ology" running Off-Broadway at Lincoln Center's Mitzi Newhouse theatre. The show was fantastic and also featured two Juilliard Drama alums- Wendell Pierce and Francois Baptiste. The show was fantastic! Such a clear depiction of what happens in modern American families faced with the challenge of having to decide what to do with a sick and aging parent. Its such a difficult reality to face in these hard economic times, and I felt Nathan's play was so honest and deftly executed with wit and charm. Also, Wendell Pierce and Francois Baptiste made some pretty damn awesome character choices that left me feeling like this was a family with some deep roots. The whole production would make Juilliard pretty proud. I was quite proud myself ...and honored...:)


I've been really excited about our 1st year students that have just started in the Drama Division this year. Not only are they a really talented ensemble, but they're also such distinct individuals as well. I was lucky enough to spend some time with a few of them and one of the girls and I are both from the Caribbean. Last year when I was in Trinidad I had aspirations of starting an outreach group from Juilliard to go to the Trinidad to teach children in under-served areas. During a conversation with this friend of mine, she mentioned that she had ambitions of doing the same thing, but in Jamaica. When I think of it, Jamaica is a country that REALLY needs it. I've spoken to a few friends from Jamaica and they've told me a lot about how men who are in the arts tend to be viewed. From what I understand, Jamaica has had a history of violence towards gay men in particular. But also many other groups known to live "an alternative lifestyle" in many other ways as ell. It would be huge to walk into an environment like that, with the male talent here at the school to give back. What could it mean for some quiet young boy to hear an aria sung by a man for the first time? Or for a young girl to watch her first ballet performance? For these children to change the face of their nation through the arts is a possibility...and I'd like to find a way to make that happen. I think over the next couple months I'm gonna start the process to see if I can make that dream a reality.

I'm learning while here, especially at this time of my life, that life is what you make it. We are all given opportunities in our lives and we are left with the choice to either seize them or to walk away. I'm choosing to seize them! To grab them and hold them close to my heart. I'm so happy to be in this city, in this nation, at this time in history. I feel like I couldn't be more blessed! And more than anything...I feel inspired to give back what I'm learning here in every way, everyday of my life!