Yowl's "The Mikado"

What an exhausting week! Twelve hour rehearsals for a week can wear out anyone! The show was a success. We had about 70+ people ot each performance...filling about 3/4 of the church. I was concerned that the humour was not being brought out, but I was very wrong. The audience lapped up the jokes and gave very positive reviews.

As my first major role in a musical, I was very nervous. The first performance was very shaky. I forgot my words and bluffed my way out of a dreadful position. After the first show I was fine. My nerves left and I performed really well. I really enjoyed the experience. I got a lot out of it. My intension was to do this show so I could learn how to be a principle performer. I have always felt my character development was not as good as it could have been. As such, I got so much out of this show. The director helped forster my ideas. The costume designer and makeup artist (Jaime's new found role) help create what I wanted to portray the light and darks of my character.

This is definitely not a look I want when going out clubbing...

The new year is starting off well...

As new year's go...I had a pretty freakin' awesome one. I think everyone should start the year with a James Bond 007 new year/21st birthday party. I was Jaime's date. I was a little nervous spending new years at a stranger's house. My fears were put aside after meeting the host. Chris was a really nice guy and his girlfriend was hilarious. So yeah it was a very good night. The atmosphere was excellent. The casino theme with lots of helium balloons; projected images of casinos and a running James Bond film. Also, did I mention, that the house was located on the river. So cool...

The year has also been going really well in terms of my preparations for university. I have got in contact with the uni and I have been accepted in the Bachelor of Arts (Policy Studies). Hurrah! I am so excited about starting. I have made a list of things to do and I am slowly ticking them off. The flights are booked...Tick! Tomorrow I have an appointment with the optometrist to make sure I can see. Tick! The others things that need to be done are not that important. But I am determined to make sure that everything is not rushed in the last week before leaving. I want to be relaxed and ready to grab Canberra by the balls. (Maybe not the best choice of words).

In other news, Troy and Felicity have been down. Troy has been here for the long haul over the summer break from University of Queensland. I have to say that it has been great to have him home. I can escape from the house when I need to...and actually enjoy an active social life. Damn Deferment! Ha Ha...only kiddng...doing nothing is great.

I am going to put on a bunch of random photos detailing what has been going on over the past couple of months. Could be hilarious....?

THE SHOW IS CLOSING!!! (A line from 42nd Street)

42nd Street closed last night. The final performance was absolutely spectacular. (Understandably) I am absolutely exhausted today. And sad. I didn’t realise until today that I won’t be doing any more shows with Ballina Players for a long time. The Players have been a very important part of my life. More than I had expected. I often told myself that it was just something to do to pass the time. Instead, I have made dear friends that I now have to say goodbye to.

So now I hang up my tap shoes and start to get ready for “The Mikado” with the Youth Opera Workshop – Lismore (YOWL).

THE SHOW IS CLOSING!!!!(A line from the show!)

42nd Street closed last night. The final performance was absolutely spectacular. (Understandably) I am absolutely exhausted today. And sad. I didn’t realise until today that I won’t be doing any more shows with Ballina Players for a long time. The Players have been a very important part of my life. More than I had expected. I often told myself that it was just something to do to pass the time. Instead, I have made dear friends that I now have to say goodbye to.

So now I hang up my tap shoes and start to get ready for “The Mikado” with the Youth Opera Workshop – Lismore (YOWL).

A catch up...

I don’t believe it. I am sitting down and using the Internet for pleasure. The past couple of weeks have been crazy. The Ballina Players had their opening of “42nd Street” on the 17th of November. The show has been going incredibly well. Unlike “Les Mis”, this show doesn’t require a week for the show to warm up; that is, for the characters to develop. What you see is what you get. I have never done any formal dancing before – so I find it difficult to judge the show and the performances. It is fun for the most part. The dancing feels tight. The singing…well…I have to work very hard at that. It is very difficult to sing and dance at the same time. The major reason is the breathing. When dancing you take shorter, quicker breathes. Singing requires the complete opposite. There is also the simple factor that the mind has to think of two things at once. Apart from the technical side, the show is going well and the feedback has been very positive. Yesterday was a matinee and we had a scorcher of a day in the Northern Rivers. There was not enough money to convince me to perform. The costume changes were dreadful because they would stick to you. This poses a problem when you have only 30sec to change in some parts…

I have finished up my singing/musicianship lessons with Jan a couple of weeks ago. I was really sad to say goodbye. Jan has given me so much knowledge over the past four months. I have always looked forward to the Monday afternoon sessions. However, the ending has been timely. I couldn’t continue while a show is running and I now feel I am prepared to take on the role of “The Mikado” for the YOWL production.

I have also been doing a bit of paid work at the moment. As always it has been yard work from family and friends of family. The money is always handy with Christmas coming up. I have pretty well resigned from the fact that I won’t be able to get work till I head back to Canberra. But I will keep on trying…

I want to leave it there. I want to go and have a nap. I want to send a ‘shout out’ to my friends who are currently leaving the familiar surroundings of college and embarking upon a new life of independence and bills. I can’t wait for the house warming parties and get-to-gethers.  

Note: This is my second attempt at posting…To say the least, I am at the end of my tether with dial-up Internet. (Only three months till I return to Canberra).

High-five for the afternoon nap....

As a person who appreciates a nap in the afternoon, morning, night and anytime in between; Here is a link explaining why it is good for you!

I ask you, "Is there anything better than getting up in the morning, having breakfast, and then return to bed for another two to three hours?"

What am I doing?

Currently Watching: Fourth series of Futurama - I feel with the impending release of new Futurama episodes/mini-movies, I needed to 'bone-up' on my Futurama knowledge. Part of the brilliance of Futurama is that you can watch the episodes over and over and over again and pick up on something new. Or in my case, forget what you picked up on before and discover it again for the first time. I also about to watch The Game with Michael Douglas and Sean Penn.


Currently Reading: "Shall we tell the President?" by Jeffery Archer - I am all about the bubblegum for the brain at the moment. I just finished Sidney Sheldon's "Are you afraid of the dark?" It was a trashy read with poor writing on Sheldon's part. However, I enjoyed in the suspense and relatively unpredictable plot. So I am now keen to read books that are sheer escapism. I think the Archer will achieve this!


Currently Listening: Wolf Mother "Wolf Mother". Such a good album. These guys can really play. I am also impressed with the vocals. My guilty pleasure at the moment is the Scissor Sisters. I love "I don't feel like dancing." The video clip is hilarious. The music is catchy and its repetitiveness amuses me.

The fourth season of the O.C....

I am have been rather (pathetically) excited about the new season of the O.C. My general consensus was that the third was rather crap, with exception to the final episode which rocked my world! Now Marrissa is dead, what should the fourth season hold? Well for starters...it is ridiculously heavy. The first episode was just depressing. There were many efforts of comic relief which were delivered without a response of laughter on my part. I just hope that the writers think of a way to bring the O.C. back out of the darkness soon.

In conjuction with having nothing to say...

...Here is a link to hilarious reasons why bloggers have not been posting lately. (Found via Kottke)

Here's something scarey....

1. I am actually posting. It has been a ridiculously long time between posts. I have opened up a 'new post' tab many times about to write what has been going on the past couple of days...but I kept drawing blanks. The past couple of weeks have been so quiet. I have actually had to try and think of things to do. I have also been really tired at the moment (for no apparent reason) so my motivation to do the things I want to do has been embarrassingly low. The only thing that has been worth noting is that I have been trying to find work. No surprises there...nobody wants staff who are leaving in three months. But the desire for money keeps driving me to look. I am hoping that I may have an opportunity to gain employment over the Christmas period when business picks up and extra staff are required.
2. I thought I would list another scary thing..."Wolf Creek". I just finished watching the film. Absolutey...without a doubt...the most disturbing film I have ever seen. Saying this, it was brilliant. The acting was superb. The cinematography was stunning. I just loved this film. However, I wouldn't watch it again. I only need to see that kind of film once a decade!
   

I got a role...

I must say that I had a most sucessful audition on Saturday for a role in the YOWL (Youth Opera Workshop - Lismore) production of "The Mikado". I got a phone call on Sunday morning from the musical director congratulating me on getting the role of "The Mikado". I really wanted this role. Mostly due to lack of work required. The workshop runs in January and I want to be refreshed for Uni in February. The Mikado (The emperor of Japan) is only on stage for the second act. He sings a song and a couple of duets and then leaves. I am so excited! I can't wait to start!