Sooo...
It's been a month since I've returned from Botswana! I can't believe so much time has passed! It seems like just yesterday, we were heading into the van from the Maru-A-Pula school for the six hour ride to the airport in Johannesburg bound for the States.
Since I've been back, I've returned to my job in the Admissions office as a tour guide and workstudy student for the summer. I love the staff here and I love learning more about the Admissions process for Juilliard so, it's been great. While I've been back I've had the opportunity to catch up with some of my old friends from outside of school that I rarely have the chance to see. One of them is a girl I auditioned for the program with. She was just accepted to the UCSD Grad Acting Program, and will be heading out there in the Fall. We met up last night and talked for hours! I needed to see her because she is a constant source of inspiration and joy! Funny, talented, the quintessential go-getter she always reminds me of what it means to have true friends as an artist. People who inspire you through their love for art as well. I really treasure and I'll miss her when she is out there in California, but I'm so happy that she has this opportunity.
This year should be an interesting journey as we begin to perform on the mainstage in the Spring with our Shakespeare plays running in Rep. I have mixed feelings about public performances as most of them in our 1st and 2nd year were for the Division and for our family and friends...but ultimately I'm excited to see what sort of plays have been selected. People often ask me if I'm excited about graduation, and I remind them that it's only my 3rd year, and that I'm not in a rush to encounter reality just yet! I really want to relish my time as a student and enjoy being in an environment where my only responsibility is to learning. But ten there are times, like during ,y conversation with my friend that I think to myself: "I love this! Just spending time with friends, talking about the business, thinking ways to collaborate as an artist..." It just excited me the thought of graduating and being a professional in the industry and taking opportunities in rehearsal to have fun and play! Who knows...maybe even booking that prime-time cop show or medical drama that I'll be a series regular in...just having my life be MY life and not being a student! That's something I obviously look forward to as well.Because honestly...as wonderful as Juilliard is,there have been many days I've found myself in a Voice class, with my mind not so much occupied on how to make the perfect "schwa", but considering what it would be like to have my own garden! To work with a cultural dance troupe directing my own theatre/dance piece, to develop my own charter school for the arts in Washington, DC , or even to go back to Trinidad and find a way to build an arts conservatory serving students throughout the Caribbean.
In Layman's terms: I'm ready to continue making a difference! I'm grateful to have a place to learn how to make that possible here...but the time (thankfully) is approaching when I'll no longer fall into the "arts school trap" of comparing myself to others, but instead find freedom in expressing my own voice, steering my ship on it's own course called "Destiny"...
Until then...I need to work on my "Schwa"!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Back to NYC from BOTSWANA...
So, today is my first day back to Juilliard's Admissions Office from my 3 weeks in Botswana.
Everyone I run into has been asking me what my experience was like in Africa. All I can tell them is: "Life-Changing!".
As most of you may remember, I was selected as part of a team of students representing the Black Student Union here at Juilliard to teach a series of masterclasses in Gaborone, Botswana. Not only did we teach, we built a community garden for a primary school in a remote village, and we built a student production for the Maru-a-Pula School in the heart of Gaborone! It was like nothing I'd ever experienced before.
Now that I'm back, I'm overwhelmd with the thought of: "What's next?" After embarking in a trip like that, you feel the need to continue making changes in whatever community you're a part of. While directing the show that we produced for the students: "Tapestry" , I had the opportunity to work with a dance troupe that performs traditional Setswanan dance. The Mogwana Dancers was a group that I'd researched online before I came on the trip when I wanted to get a good idea of what type of cultural dance is prevalent in the country. I remember while watching their video on YouTube thinking: "Boy, I would love the opportunity to see these dancers perform LIVE! That would be the ultimate Botswanan experience!"
Ironically, the first couple days we were there, the head of the drama program at the school gave us a tour of the campus and brought us to a special rehearsal room. In a whisper, she mentioned that a very important dance troupe was using this space for the next week to prepare for an upcoming performance. Then she asked me, doubtfully, if I'd ever heard of The Mogwana Dancers...I beamed and said "yes!" I know all about them! I've been dying to see them during my visit here!"
Not only did I get the opportunity to meet them, but they also agreed to be a part of the show. In our first rehearsals, we were trying to think if the best way to utilize them in the production, and then in the portion I was directing, I chose to have them dance as part of the "Ancestor Forest" that the students created. It was magical! These dancers came our onstage and brought a fire, an energy that was utterly captivating! At then end of the run, I thanked them immensely and they offered to teach my co-teacher and I a few moves. It was like they gave us our own masterclass the very next day! I was so grateful by the end of our class that I fell into tears! The whole trip, the dancers, the culture the food, made me realize that I was on the path to my true calling: To continue finding ways to merge cultural dance with theatre performance. It's the ideal tool for storytelling! And I'm so honored to have had my dream come true by having met The Mogwana Dancers...they really helped change my life!
I can only thank God for such and amazing experience and also my ProjectMap Team for all their hard work and dedication. We had fun times and rough times together...everything needed to change one's life!...Mine...:)
Everyone I run into has been asking me what my experience was like in Africa. All I can tell them is: "Life-Changing!".
As most of you may remember, I was selected as part of a team of students representing the Black Student Union here at Juilliard to teach a series of masterclasses in Gaborone, Botswana. Not only did we teach, we built a community garden for a primary school in a remote village, and we built a student production for the Maru-a-Pula School in the heart of Gaborone! It was like nothing I'd ever experienced before.
Now that I'm back, I'm overwhelmd with the thought of: "What's next?" After embarking in a trip like that, you feel the need to continue making changes in whatever community you're a part of. While directing the show that we produced for the students: "Tapestry" , I had the opportunity to work with a dance troupe that performs traditional Setswanan dance. The Mogwana Dancers was a group that I'd researched online before I came on the trip when I wanted to get a good idea of what type of cultural dance is prevalent in the country. I remember while watching their video on YouTube thinking: "Boy, I would love the opportunity to see these dancers perform LIVE! That would be the ultimate Botswanan experience!"
Ironically, the first couple days we were there, the head of the drama program at the school gave us a tour of the campus and brought us to a special rehearsal room. In a whisper, she mentioned that a very important dance troupe was using this space for the next week to prepare for an upcoming performance. Then she asked me, doubtfully, if I'd ever heard of The Mogwana Dancers...I beamed and said "yes!" I know all about them! I've been dying to see them during my visit here!"
Not only did I get the opportunity to meet them, but they also agreed to be a part of the show. In our first rehearsals, we were trying to think if the best way to utilize them in the production, and then in the portion I was directing, I chose to have them dance as part of the "Ancestor Forest" that the students created. It was magical! These dancers came our onstage and brought a fire, an energy that was utterly captivating! At then end of the run, I thanked them immensely and they offered to teach my co-teacher and I a few moves. It was like they gave us our own masterclass the very next day! I was so grateful by the end of our class that I fell into tears! The whole trip, the dancers, the culture the food, made me realize that I was on the path to my true calling: To continue finding ways to merge cultural dance with theatre performance. It's the ideal tool for storytelling! And I'm so honored to have had my dream come true by having met The Mogwana Dancers...they really helped change my life!
I can only thank God for such and amazing experience and also my ProjectMap Team for all their hard work and dedication. We had fun times and rough times together...everything needed to change one's life!...Mine...:)
Friday, February 26, 2010
Take Ownership Of Your Craft
Okay,
So seeing as there are over a million students in the New York City region who are home today due to inclement weather, I figured this would be a great opportunity to catch up on 'ye ol Blog...
A few nights ago, at school we had quite a successful reading of Lydia Diamond's "The Bluest Eye" sponsored by The 'Yard and Juilliard's Black Student Union. Juilliard actors, alums, and professional actors came out to support and be a part of the reading. We also had a Bake Sale for BSU with proceeds going to the club's 3 week teaching residency in Botswana this summer. We've been working really hard to save up money for the Botswana trip. I'm really excited about it, because it'll be a wonderful opportunity for my work on the Ancestral Story to take shape. I also know that I'll be in a place to learn so much...I'm sure it'll be life-changing and I'm very open to all its possibilities.
We just finished our showings earlier this week on Monday. I was extremely happy during the process of rehearsal for "The Hard Sell". I felt like it was a great opportunity to begin using all the tools we've been learning in Voice and Speech and Alexander Technique...really a chance to put it all together for ourselves and see how it can influence the quality of our work. I feel like this is the first time I told myself in the beginning of a rehearsal process: "Carolyn, you need to use everything you know to see how it can affect your work. That's why you're here, to learn and to practically apply what you're learning." And I feel confident knowing that I put all my eforts towards doing that. In our Voice class, we got some tough love from our teacher telling us that we need to start taking ownership of our craft. To stop looking at ourselves as just students, and to realize that we are becoming artists with an assortment of vital tools that we need to consistently utilize. Just as a painter knows the exact type of brush he needs to use to create a forest landscape, we have specifc tools we can use to make a story clearer, more engaging.
When she said that, it clearly rang as a call to action. I came back to school because I told myself I wanted to have a set of tools that would allow me to feel fully equipped as a performer. Now I'm realizing it's about more than just feeling fully equipped, its about using those tools so consistently that at some point by an observer, it may seem "effortless". When truly, having the tools allows you a way into any type of text or work. It creates more possibilities...always.
And then there's what's beyond technique...there's instinct. It's easy to forget about that when you're in an academic environment, and you begin to forget what it means to trust your gut. But I know one thing that I am always growing in as well is trusting my choices as an actor and really going aftter them boldly. That there is no "range of correct choices", that it really is essential to take risks in order to discover something totally new. And when you take that risk, its not just liberating for you as the actor, its a chance to free your character as well. I think this next quarter, I'm going to make it my goal to take some greater risks in the rehearsal room and to come into rehearsal with some secific ideas. Theatre is all about collaboration, right...well, now I've just figured out that I have to have ideas in order for the collaborative process to really function at its best!
Lastly, today marks the beginning of Spring Break...Hallelujah! I'm so ready for the time off. More than likely, I'll still keep myself very occupied. I'm planning on getting my coaching business up and running again for this semester. If you're reading this blog and you or a friend need monologue coaching, let me know. Also, if you need to chat with any of my past clients, I can always connect you with them so you can find out a little bit about the way I like to work.
Feel free to contact me at cms4@juilliard.edu if you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment.
Love and Blessings to you all!
-Carolyn
So seeing as there are over a million students in the New York City region who are home today due to inclement weather, I figured this would be a great opportunity to catch up on 'ye ol Blog...
A few nights ago, at school we had quite a successful reading of Lydia Diamond's "The Bluest Eye" sponsored by The 'Yard and Juilliard's Black Student Union. Juilliard actors, alums, and professional actors came out to support and be a part of the reading. We also had a Bake Sale for BSU with proceeds going to the club's 3 week teaching residency in Botswana this summer. We've been working really hard to save up money for the Botswana trip. I'm really excited about it, because it'll be a wonderful opportunity for my work on the Ancestral Story to take shape. I also know that I'll be in a place to learn so much...I'm sure it'll be life-changing and I'm very open to all its possibilities.
We just finished our showings earlier this week on Monday. I was extremely happy during the process of rehearsal for "The Hard Sell". I felt like it was a great opportunity to begin using all the tools we've been learning in Voice and Speech and Alexander Technique...really a chance to put it all together for ourselves and see how it can influence the quality of our work. I feel like this is the first time I told myself in the beginning of a rehearsal process: "Carolyn, you need to use everything you know to see how it can affect your work. That's why you're here, to learn and to practically apply what you're learning." And I feel confident knowing that I put all my eforts towards doing that. In our Voice class, we got some tough love from our teacher telling us that we need to start taking ownership of our craft. To stop looking at ourselves as just students, and to realize that we are becoming artists with an assortment of vital tools that we need to consistently utilize. Just as a painter knows the exact type of brush he needs to use to create a forest landscape, we have specifc tools we can use to make a story clearer, more engaging.
When she said that, it clearly rang as a call to action. I came back to school because I told myself I wanted to have a set of tools that would allow me to feel fully equipped as a performer. Now I'm realizing it's about more than just feeling fully equipped, its about using those tools so consistently that at some point by an observer, it may seem "effortless". When truly, having the tools allows you a way into any type of text or work. It creates more possibilities...always.
And then there's what's beyond technique...there's instinct. It's easy to forget about that when you're in an academic environment, and you begin to forget what it means to trust your gut. But I know one thing that I am always growing in as well is trusting my choices as an actor and really going aftter them boldly. That there is no "range of correct choices", that it really is essential to take risks in order to discover something totally new. And when you take that risk, its not just liberating for you as the actor, its a chance to free your character as well. I think this next quarter, I'm going to make it my goal to take some greater risks in the rehearsal room and to come into rehearsal with some secific ideas. Theatre is all about collaboration, right...well, now I've just figured out that I have to have ideas in order for the collaborative process to really function at its best!
Lastly, today marks the beginning of Spring Break...Hallelujah! I'm so ready for the time off. More than likely, I'll still keep myself very occupied. I'm planning on getting my coaching business up and running again for this semester. If you're reading this blog and you or a friend need monologue coaching, let me know. Also, if you need to chat with any of my past clients, I can always connect you with them so you can find out a little bit about the way I like to work.
Feel free to contact me at cms4@juilliard.edu if you have any questions, or would like to schedule an appointment.
Love and Blessings to you all!
-Carolyn
Saturday, February 6, 2010
Umm...Yeah, It's February....
So, its a quiet Saturday night and I decided to take it easy and finally get a chance to stop and catch up with life.
It's a been a great month and a half. This semester started off beautifully. I gotta say, this 2nd year has really been a gift in so many ways. I feel like I'm just beginning to see the training take shape. Ever since my experience in The Tempest, I've been able to see how I've grown in the past year and a half. Its great to be able to chart your own development as an artist. I feel really blessed.
Right now we're working on The Playwright's Festival plays. They're all plays written by the students in the Playwriting Fellowship Program here at Juilliard. I'm in a play called "The Hard Sell" by Andrea Ciannavei. I'm really loving the play, loving the process and especially loving the direction. Daniel Aukin is directing and I admire his delicate "hands-off" approach. I think its great because it allows me to simply trust my instincts, which is something over the past year and half I've run away from. It's been difficult to follow my instincts in other shows we've done here because oftentimes I confused instincts for old habits. I'd make a choice that was simply familiar as opposed to what would work for the moment. But now I've gained the tools to be able to know what to do to make a moment make sense. That's so liberating! Working with Daniel has allowed me the freedom to playaround with ideas and not feel like I'm "doing something wrong". It's creatively empowering!
In other Juilliard news, over this semester I've been part of the movement to help revamp The 'Yard Reading Series. Originally it was just meant to be a platform for premiering new works in a casual play-reading format. Now we've expanded the concept to include and Open Mic Series as well as guest artist talks, and collaborations with other student clubs. I'm really excited about what it could become. Its just particularly challenging with our busy schedule. I also tend to be the type of person that hates doing things halfway. So its difficult when you get a grand idea that you'd like to execute, but there's just not enough time to organize it. Difficult, but definitely a reality. However, we're in the process of organizng an Open Mic for next week on Valentines Day. We'll see what it will become, we think it could potentially be very exciting....we've got a week.
Also...I was selected to be a part of a team of Juilliard students to go to Botswana this summer and teach theatre to young adults in the Setswana region. I'm pretty thrilled, but it's a 5 week program. Pretty long but potentially a life-changing experience. Spain last summer was such a necessary experience, and I'd love to do something very similar to that again, but I'm finding that variety is the spice of life and this summer I decided to apply to a bunch of summer trainging programs as well as this Botswana teaching team. I deeply believe last summer was about reconnecting with my artist inside. BUt I think this summer is about using the tools that I've learned so far as well as finding an opportunity to learn more. Also I think its a great ime to begin the pre-packaging process for my life after Juilliard. Getting a website together, a voiceover reel, and a coaching business started, all the tools to get my life rolling upon graduation.
I recently had a revelatory conversation with a friend a few days ago, we were on the phone chatting and at the dame time the radio was on. Ironically a asong came on the radios that was quite a few years old. It was the song that I remember saying: "I hope to be chillin' in my dorm room someday when this song comes on." I don't know why it was an image that was so ingrained in my mind from the moment I first heard the song. I've always been a believer in pre-memories, that you can essentially have a memory of something before it happens, thus confirming it as a part of your future. This song came out over ten years ago, and it wasn't unitl thia fated afternoon that I finally heard it on the radio, while chillin' in my bedroom. Crazy....and amazing! This incident has led me to the revelation that I have to begin creating more pre-memories. ThatI need to begin envisioning myself in places I've always wanted to be: on the red carpet, in my new huge house in the hills, directing my own projects on stage and screen...doing it all. And I need to be specific, because all de ja vu is , is a pre-memory. A scent, a color, a place...it all comes together as if you've been there before. Because you fated yourself to be there. I want to have the power to align my fate to put me in the places I want to be. I do believe we're that powerful. This year and especially this summer is about putting that belief into practice.
It's a been a great month and a half. This semester started off beautifully. I gotta say, this 2nd year has really been a gift in so many ways. I feel like I'm just beginning to see the training take shape. Ever since my experience in The Tempest, I've been able to see how I've grown in the past year and a half. Its great to be able to chart your own development as an artist. I feel really blessed.
Right now we're working on The Playwright's Festival plays. They're all plays written by the students in the Playwriting Fellowship Program here at Juilliard. I'm in a play called "The Hard Sell" by Andrea Ciannavei. I'm really loving the play, loving the process and especially loving the direction. Daniel Aukin is directing and I admire his delicate "hands-off" approach. I think its great because it allows me to simply trust my instincts, which is something over the past year and half I've run away from. It's been difficult to follow my instincts in other shows we've done here because oftentimes I confused instincts for old habits. I'd make a choice that was simply familiar as opposed to what would work for the moment. But now I've gained the tools to be able to know what to do to make a moment make sense. That's so liberating! Working with Daniel has allowed me the freedom to playaround with ideas and not feel like I'm "doing something wrong". It's creatively empowering!
In other Juilliard news, over this semester I've been part of the movement to help revamp The 'Yard Reading Series. Originally it was just meant to be a platform for premiering new works in a casual play-reading format. Now we've expanded the concept to include and Open Mic Series as well as guest artist talks, and collaborations with other student clubs. I'm really excited about what it could become. Its just particularly challenging with our busy schedule. I also tend to be the type of person that hates doing things halfway. So its difficult when you get a grand idea that you'd like to execute, but there's just not enough time to organize it. Difficult, but definitely a reality. However, we're in the process of organizng an Open Mic for next week on Valentines Day. We'll see what it will become, we think it could potentially be very exciting....we've got a week.
Also...I was selected to be a part of a team of Juilliard students to go to Botswana this summer and teach theatre to young adults in the Setswana region. I'm pretty thrilled, but it's a 5 week program. Pretty long but potentially a life-changing experience. Spain last summer was such a necessary experience, and I'd love to do something very similar to that again, but I'm finding that variety is the spice of life and this summer I decided to apply to a bunch of summer trainging programs as well as this Botswana teaching team. I deeply believe last summer was about reconnecting with my artist inside. BUt I think this summer is about using the tools that I've learned so far as well as finding an opportunity to learn more. Also I think its a great ime to begin the pre-packaging process for my life after Juilliard. Getting a website together, a voiceover reel, and a coaching business started, all the tools to get my life rolling upon graduation.
I recently had a revelatory conversation with a friend a few days ago, we were on the phone chatting and at the dame time the radio was on. Ironically a asong came on the radios that was quite a few years old. It was the song that I remember saying: "I hope to be chillin' in my dorm room someday when this song comes on." I don't know why it was an image that was so ingrained in my mind from the moment I first heard the song. I've always been a believer in pre-memories, that you can essentially have a memory of something before it happens, thus confirming it as a part of your future. This song came out over ten years ago, and it wasn't unitl thia fated afternoon that I finally heard it on the radio, while chillin' in my bedroom. Crazy....and amazing! This incident has led me to the revelation that I have to begin creating more pre-memories. ThatI need to begin envisioning myself in places I've always wanted to be: on the red carpet, in my new huge house in the hills, directing my own projects on stage and screen...doing it all. And I need to be specific, because all de ja vu is , is a pre-memory. A scent, a color, a place...it all comes together as if you've been there before. Because you fated yourself to be there. I want to have the power to align my fate to put me in the places I want to be. I do believe we're that powerful. This year and especially this summer is about putting that belief into practice.
Friday, October 9, 2009
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!
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!
Sunday, September 27, 2009
Hmmmm,
So, tomorrow's Monday and another week is about to begin. Its been a fantastic week here in terms of revelations I've been making through the work we've been doing.
We have this interesting Scene Study class where basically over the summer we were assigned to read 4 different plays so that we could perform scenes from them in class. Right now we're working on "All My Sons". Originally, I was not a bit fan of the play, but through a lot of close re-reading of the play, I've discovered what a remarkable work it is. The scene that I'm working on is close to the end of the play and is a highly emotional moment. Its great to know that now I'm in a place as an artist where I'm learning about what aids me in helping to fill a story. The rehearsal I had today with my scene partners was fantastic. I was finally able to make a breakthrough in the emotional experience of this character...and it was such a gift. What helped so much was finding what I needed to do technically/physically in order to access that deeper place emotionally. And when I was finally able to get there, that's when I was able to give my partners what they needed in order to fill out the story. I'm learning how much the craft pf acting is about generosity. A willingness to be open enough, so that one can give while on stage in service of the story. It 's a really serious and necessary part of what we do.
I went to a wedding of a very close friend of mine last week, and ran into someone I hadn't seen in over 2 years. He knew that I'd started Juilliard a year ago, but we just hadn't seen each other in all that time. As soon as he saw me, he instantly said: "Wow, looked at how aligned your spine is!" He was trained at a conservatory as well, so it's like we speak the same language. Its funny, but since we focus so much on Alexander Technique here at the school, one can really see a difference in your posture if they really know how the technique works and know your body as well. I've found that while here, Alexander has aided me so much not just in how I create characters, but also in simple tasks like staying alert in class and accessing a deeper emotional life while on stage. It's an integral part of the training here that I deeply appreciate.
Anyway, that's about it for now! I have tons of reading that I should've gotten done hours ago! :)
So, tomorrow's Monday and another week is about to begin. Its been a fantastic week here in terms of revelations I've been making through the work we've been doing.
We have this interesting Scene Study class where basically over the summer we were assigned to read 4 different plays so that we could perform scenes from them in class. Right now we're working on "All My Sons". Originally, I was not a bit fan of the play, but through a lot of close re-reading of the play, I've discovered what a remarkable work it is. The scene that I'm working on is close to the end of the play and is a highly emotional moment. Its great to know that now I'm in a place as an artist where I'm learning about what aids me in helping to fill a story. The rehearsal I had today with my scene partners was fantastic. I was finally able to make a breakthrough in the emotional experience of this character...and it was such a gift. What helped so much was finding what I needed to do technically/physically in order to access that deeper place emotionally. And when I was finally able to get there, that's when I was able to give my partners what they needed in order to fill out the story. I'm learning how much the craft pf acting is about generosity. A willingness to be open enough, so that one can give while on stage in service of the story. It 's a really serious and necessary part of what we do.
I went to a wedding of a very close friend of mine last week, and ran into someone I hadn't seen in over 2 years. He knew that I'd started Juilliard a year ago, but we just hadn't seen each other in all that time. As soon as he saw me, he instantly said: "Wow, looked at how aligned your spine is!" He was trained at a conservatory as well, so it's like we speak the same language. Its funny, but since we focus so much on Alexander Technique here at the school, one can really see a difference in your posture if they really know how the technique works and know your body as well. I've found that while here, Alexander has aided me so much not just in how I create characters, but also in simple tasks like staying alert in class and accessing a deeper emotional life while on stage. It's an integral part of the training here that I deeply appreciate.
Anyway, that's about it for now! I have tons of reading that I should've gotten done hours ago! :)
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
...And it begins!
Okay...
After three blissful weeks in Spain, I returned to NYC realizing that the game was officially over! All my partying in Barcelona, every night till 7 in the morning, well, that wasn't gonna happen here, especially with school starting and all!
Everyone at school (today was our official first day-registration, meetings, all business stuff) kept asking me what my trip was like. I've begun to realize that there are truly no words to describe my experience there. Quite often I've found myself using the phrase: "Divinely Orchestrated" and I definitely believe that to be true. I felt as if every detail of my trip from the flight purchase to my super-safe landing back in NYC, GOD designed ...perfectly! I met some of the most amazing people while I was there. Especially in Madrid. And found that I was able to see a whole different side of humanity. I found a much more genoerous and open side to the human experience. People who were willing to give and share and really get to know you. I found Spain to be a country of people who really "listen". Coming from NYC, with its hustle nd bustle, I find that nobody here takes the time to really listen. Out of a desperate need for "efficiency", New Yorkers anticipate every word that falls from your lips never allowing you to take the time to fully articulate yourself. Its really frustrating and makes for tense and unfulfilling conversation. But in Madrid, I was floored by people's capacity to listen...to just be there and hear you. ALL of you! It was a beautiful thing!
In addition to the beauty of people's hearts, I found that the country itself was a sight to behold! On my way to Barcelona from Madrid, I took the train and was able to glide through the Spanish countryside. My goodness! So many rolling hills, pastures, fields, and wide open spaces. Of course in the states we have beautiful spaces, but when you're in Europe its a whole diffrent story! These are the kinda hills that when you were a kid and you watched the Sound Of Music, you thought to yourself, "I wanna be on that hill with Julie Andrews!...Just spinnin' around singin' for no reason!" When I finally arrived in Barcelona, I stayed at a hostel right on Anton Tapies, right in the middle of it all. I remember going to Las Ramblas and checkiong out La Pedrera. I also checked out La Sagrada Familia, and Parc Guell. All beautiful! I tell you Antoni Gaudi was truly an architectural genius! He has this uncany ability to make the most Gothic of looks seem completely contemorary...as if they are actually from the future! Stunning, really! The best part of Barcelona was its nightlife. Living in NYC, I've done my fair share of clubbing and figured that I, by now, have developed enough stamina that I could party with the best of them. I was completely unaware that it was possible to come home, take a siesta, have a late dinner , then go out for dancing at midnight and stay out till 7 am! I soon realized that this was the norm ion Barcelona, I caught on so quickly that I began to follow suit. For 5 days staright I partied like it was 1999...er, scratch that...2009! (Partying so good-it had obviously been aged 10 years!).
Some of the men in Barcelona were definitely a sight to behold! Whoooo- tan and buff! I've never been so happy to be a single woman in my life! So many guys...so little time! But I was good, I only seriously flirted with like, a dozen or so...just for posterity's sake, of course!
Back in Madrid, on the Flamenco front, I was luckily able to take a week's worth of classes at Amor De Dios. It worked out well and I had a fabulous teacher. All the classes were taught only in Spanish. But it made total sense and funny enough, taking a dance class all in spanish will do absolute wonders for one's vocabulary skills! I was able to observe classes in footwork, el truco,(the fan), and la mantanilla (the shawl). One of the simplest , most vital elements of the dance form is the ability to identify very contrasting rhythms and to keep up with the rhythm with clapping (las palmas). Surprisingly difficult...but so much fun to learn. I really think this is a danceform that I want to continue studying and I know I'll find more ways to incorporate it in my art.
Now that I'm back, it's all about classes! I registered fo classes today and everything really starts next week...YIKES! But I feel like, with all the fantastic memories of this trip, I should be able to sustain myself at least until Christmas!
SPAIN...I'll be back soon...real soon!
Now that I'm back, it's all about classes! I registered fo classes today and everything really starts next week...YIKES! But I feel like, with all the fantastic memories of this trip, I should be able to sustain myself at least until Christmas!
SPAIN...I'll be back soon...real soon!
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