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Digital Story

April 30th, 2008 by kmccu0sh

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Once upon a time, there was this little thing called STRESS.

April 9th, 2008 by kmccu0sh

Wow, so I haven’t blogged in a while and I have a million things to do and I’m confused about the digital story and am I even going to pass all my classes so I can graduate??? Just a few things that are on my mind. Mostly, I am worried about the digital story. It is coming along very, very slowly. I just have no idea what we are supposed to be doing for it. Are we talking primarily about our research in New York and what we got out of it? Is it like our Where Am I short digital story, or are there no guidelines at all? I have pictures and information, but I don’t want it to just be a video style report. Unless that is what it is supposed to be…I really just don’t know.

On a good note, we are beginning to see even more plays! YAY! We just saw Stunning at Woolly Mammoth, and I really liked it. The first have was incredibly entertaining and funny and I really enjoyed it. Of course, things changed drastically during the second half, which was a little unsuspected. It seemed to build and build really fast and suddenly “Anna Maria” was a convicted criminal and then she’s dead on the stage and it ended before I could really wrap my head around it. But it definitely made for an unpredictable experience, which was really nice. The set followed suit on that note. When we first sat down, it made me think of Current Nobody–just a wall and some set pieces in front. As the play progressed, more and more parts of the set were revealed, and made it really dynamic and interesting.  I liked how the wall pulled away in different sections, revealing the two stories, or just parts of them, and the use of silhouettes in the upper story that one time; there was a lot going on, but I didn’t find it at all distracting, it really enhanced the play as a whole.  The whole play was great and the lead actress was marvelous.  Her speech was half of the humor and the way she transformed at the end was really poignant and affective.

In addition to the play, I ran into Ann, a woman I know from the circus who is the Master Electrician at Woolly Mammoth.  She’s such a sweet person, and I was glad to visit with her if only briefly.  It was a good reminder that I know people in the area that are working in the field I am trying to get into.  Speaking of which, I went to the workshop yesterday about headshots and resumes, so that was just another reminder that I need to get my butt in gear and start figuring out my life after graduation.  I need to talk to Gregg about training classes and programs outside of New York since I have decided that I do not want to go there for any extended period of time, not any time soon anyway.  That might help me move along with my digital story too.  Anyway, I’m excited to see Death of a Salesman tonight.  I have only ever seen the movie, never a live performance, so that will be fun.

YAY THEATRE!

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The Importance of Art

March 23rd, 2008 by kmccu0sh

Last week we had a very extensive discussion about art and why it is important and why can’t people take the time to appreciate it.  I think we were talking about a lot of valid and significant points, but I have to stand by what I said about it all being subjective.  I completely agree that art is important and, yes, I would be upset if the arts were removed from schools and I do need to figure out how to express why, but I can’t help taking a more broad view of the subject at the same time.  The importance of art is clear to those of us who are directly involved in and devoted to it, but it is not that clear to everyone, and does it really have to be?  On Wednesday, we were talking as if it did, as if it were absolutely crucial for everyone to understand the value of art and to take the time to appreciate it.  As shocking and sad as it might be, though, there are people who don’t need art in their lives, who live for their work, or are consumed by something else in their life that art doesn’t come into play, and that works for them; they may not even notice that anything is missing.  I am not saying that I am OK with this or that these people aren’t missing out on something that could change their lives, but I am saying that they have every right to live that way.

I can’t help but want to compare it to religion, which might be a bad idea, but I am going to give it a try.  I may think that faith and belief in God should be a part of everyone’s lives, that it has shaped and affected me in ways that nothing else can, but I would never presume to make someone believe those things against their will.  Why do we find the need to do such a thing with art?  Perhaps these two examples do not belong together, and I welcome arguments to that effect, but I wanted to put my ideas into more comprehensive, articulated thoughts after giving them some more attention.

All of that said, I will reiterate the fact that art is infinitely important in my life in all forms and I would never dream of diminishing its power.  I just think that it is important to think of the bigger picture, beyond our own beliefs and realize the subjectivity of art and its meaning to every person with different circumstances.

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Long Time

March 11th, 2008 by kmccu0sh

We were in New York City for a long time. It took us a long time to get back to Fredericksburg. It’s been a long time since I got a full night’s sleep. I haven’t blogged in a long time. I really thought I had blogged more than I did during the week. Now I realize I need to catch up on everything. But briefly, I don’t want to write a novel. I guess I’ll start with a bulleted list of all the things I did that we were assigned, or that I chose from Gregg’s Wiki page.

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That is a great portion of what I managed to do while I was in the big city. I’ll try to post a more thoughtful blog later, preferably when I’ve had a little more sleep and I can talk more meaningfully about my experience.

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Commitment, Dedication, Passion

March 5th, 2008 by kmccu0sh

I had three interviews yesterday and I learned a lot about acting in New York, but the one common factor that kept being mentioned was the importance of having these characteristics. I know that whatever I do in life, I want to be passionate about it and this is especially important in the theatre industry. It is a hard world to get into and it takes a lot of dedication and persistence and if I am not completely committed and passionate about it, I will never make it. I need to be prepared for rejection and disappointment but know that the thrill of success is like no other and the feeling of accomplishment will be that much more exciting if I put my heart and soul into it.

The most interesting part of my day was auditing a class at the TVI Actor’s studio with Talya. It was a beginning acting course and they were working on very basic techniques that I have done before. We even got to participate. We did an exercise where we had to mime a daily routine, which is something I have done on many occasions. It was fun to be part of it and see what the other people came up with. It seemed like a very comfortable environment that isn’t too stressful. They provide various acting classes as well as a summer workshop for college students or recent graduates in which you work with agents and casting directors. It seems like a really good program because it is not just about getting training, but includes information about how to get started and work in the industry as well as experience working with people you will have to deal with such as agents and casting directors. I don’t know if I like it more than the T. Schreiber Studio because that one really appealed to me, but it was good to see what else is available.

macbethOf course, we also saw Macbeth last night, and I thoroughly enjoyed it. It was the show I was most looking forward to and it did not disappoint. Of course, Patrick Stewart was amazing but the actress who played Lady Macbeth was unbelievably powerful. I never expected such power to come from her after seeing pictures of the actress but she blew me away. I read an interview with Patrick Stewart who said that she frightened him on stage because of how intense she is, which is saying a lot coming from such an experienced actor. The use of sound was outstanding. When the show started with a blackout and an enormous booming sound, I knew we were in for an experience and I loved what they did with it. The extreme proximity of the sound and the sense that the war was going on all around us was extremely effective. My favorite moment of the show was when the ghost appears on the table, the way the sound was used and the lighting made an amazing impact on me. My favorite scene was the scene with the three witches and the three body bags. I felt like I was in a horror movie and I have never experienced that sort of effect in a theater before. The way the witches sang their lines and the sound of the EKG underneath it all, was so intense and scary and moving, I was absolutely riveted. There were so many other moments that I was enraptured by that I will not go into in detail, but needless to say it was a fantastic production that will stay with me for a long time.

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March 3rd, 2008 by kmccu0sh

I have been too busy during the day and too tired at night to really post anything profound or interesting, so here are a few pictures to give an idea of what I have been up to the past few days.


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Went to the Museum of Modern art and saw famous works by famous artists (monet!)dscf2853.JPG

We had an adventure looking for HB Studios this morning but we finally found it and will be going back later in the week to audit a class. dscf2870.JPG

We took the Staten Island Ferry and saw Lady Liberty.
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Strange, I know, but my family has a tradition of taking pictures of our food when we go on vacation. That is just a hint of what is considered an important part of our lives. So here is a gargantuan burger I got at Jackson Hole on 33rd street and 7th ave, which is a place that is on Gregg’s Wiki. It was delicious. As was the slice of apple pie I had for dessert.

I’ve done a lot of exploring so far, but I still have a lot that I want to fit in. The theatre has been amazing and I’m glad I still have six days to pack in as much as I possibly can. The most excitig part of today was visiting T. Schreiber Studio. The people there were so laid-back and down to earth and the program seems really interesting and not very intimidating, which is the general feel I get from New York usually. It even has classes on being on camera, which is perfect considering my interest in film. I never really considered going to New York, I just thought it was too big and crazy for me, but this place might sway me the other way. I am making a lot of discoveries here and can’t wait to experience even more.

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Getting hit by Cabs, that’s what NYC is all about…

March 1st, 2008 by kmccu0sh

It is the end of Saturday and our second day in the Big Apple. So far I have seen three shows, gone to Central Park, re-enacted a scene from Spider-man 3 and almost been hit by a taxi at least twice. Most of which happened today. It is late and I’m not sure I can form sentences in a cohesive and competent manner, but I will do my best. I have also managed to check off a couple of things on my “To do while in NY” list. I went to Central Park and saw the Bethesda Fountain, which was beautiful and peaceful. I also bought a hot dog from a vendor. It was very delicious, and cheap! Navigating the subway proved to be a little difficult, but thankfully I was with friends for the adventure. Bethesda Fountain

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For shows, so far we have seen Spring Awakening, The Seagull, and Next to Normal. They have all had their highs and lows just like any show, but for the most part I have really enjoyed them. My state of mind will not allow me to go into each of them in depth but, in short: I thoroughly enjoyed Spring Awakening–the music, the story, the acting, the singing, the lighting were all very well done. The Seagull was good and I was excited to see Alan Cumming and Diane Wiest, though the other actors proved to be pretty impressive, but I have to admit I did not understand the show entirely. Finally, I only really enjoyed about the last 15 to 20 minutes of Next to Normal. There were parts that were humorous and entertaining but for the most part I was over-stimulated and was accosted by such a sensory overload that I had a hard time connecting to the story and characters. The last part of the show, starting where Diana leaves was calm and simple and meaningful without the overwhelming lights and music and I found it to be the most affective part of the show.

I am extremely excited for the rest of the shows and the rest of the week to explore the city and everything it has to offer.

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Dare to Theatre, but what about film?

February 25th, 2008 by kmccu0sh

I love theatre, that is certain.  But there is something else that I am passionate about, which is film.  I think about why I love theatre and then I think about why I love movies and then I try to choose which one I am more attached to and it is impossible.  The article about Patrick Stewart a couple weeks ago talked about how one person will say that actors do television because they aren’t good enough for theatre and another person will say that people do theatre because they can’t get television work.  I’m not sure either of those statements are true, and I think it just proves that they are completely different media, neither better than the other.  There is no other feeling like that of being on stage in front of an audience, all eyes on you, intent on hearing what you have to say; the immediate reaction you recieve and the accomplishment you feel when you have entertained or moved or educated a group of people.  I don’t know what it is like on a film set, but I’m sure it is a completely different feeling but for the film actor, one that is equally powerful.  Or maybe it is the feeling of their film being released and learning how people have accepted it. I don’t know what it is about the film industry that captures my interest so strongly but there is a feeling I get when I see a good movie or I watch the behind the scenes features about what it is like making a movie that moves me so intensely and I want so badly to be a part of it.  The Oscars were last night.  And yes, I watched them from beginning to end.  I realize they are sort of superfluous and meaningless in a lot of ways, but I can’t help but picture them as my future.  Maybe some day I will be a part of it and I will despise it and realize theatre really is where I belong, but I won’t know until I have the experience.  I know that it is possible to do both film and theatre, and I am hoping to be able to achieve that.  I wish that I could articulate everything that I have in my  head about these two passions that I have and the different affects they have on me, but I can barely wrap my head around it to understand it myself.  Basically, I want to do it all and maybe some day I will do it all and will be able to verbalize exactly what it is about these two art forms that is so meaningful to me.  But for now, I will just strive to do what is important to me, and learn along the way.

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Where in the World is my Motivation?

February 19th, 2008 by kmccu0sh

Remember that game Where in the World is Carmen San Diego?  I loooved it.  We had a goldfish and named it Carmen Sandy Fish.  Because we’re cool like that.  It actually lived for a really long time.  Well, I’m just lost for words.  Quite literally.  I started off the semester feeling very inspired and motivated regarding this blogging business and I thought I would keep it up, but it seems I have lost something.  I’ve already blogged about being uninspired so I won’t do it again, but I do wish something would come along and spark my interest enough to get me thinking critically about it so that I can have something worth while to write about on here.  I’m in Far Away and it’s been really great.  My one and only appearance on the main-stage before I graduate, and I have had a lot of fun.  Granted, it hasn’t been an ordinary acting experience, but I’m glad I was able to be a part of it.  Acting really is what I want to do and it is a shame I wasn’t able to realize that earlier, or more importantly that I wasn’t able to get the nerve up to audition sooner in my college career.  All is not lost, though–at least I hope not.  That is what I am hoping to find out with this class and my research project–how I can get started without a lot of experience coming out of college.   Not all actors started in college, so how can I get the training and experience I need in order to move forward and get on the stage, where I want to be?  It is my intention to answer that question and more in the course of this research project and to have a clearer view of where I am going in life and how I am getting there.  And praying for the best all the while.

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16 days 15 hours 21 minutes

February 12th, 2008 by kmccu0sh

Merlin’s beard!  I was just looking at David’s blog and checked out his countdown to when we go to New York City and as the title of this blog indicates, it is just over two weeks.  And frankly, I had a bit of a heard attack.  I am nowhere near having contacts or interview options and I am just a little concerned.  I am also wondering what happened to the actual trip plans.  Do we have a place to stay?  Do we know what shows we are seeing?  How are we getting there?  Have these things been decided and I am just oblivious, or what is happening?  I need to start doing yoga or some sort of zen exercises or something because otherwise this semester is going to drive me to the asylum.

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