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Wednesday, 2 November 2005
So much to learn
We've had our first two rehearsals for King Lear. I have to say that I've learned more in the last few days that I ever have about acting.
I knew that this project would teach me a lot and I was right. It's all the stuff that I've been trying to work on over the last few years, but now I actually have someone going over it with me. Which is really good because I can then make sure that what I'm doing is right.
It all goes beyond the modern tried and true method of character. Learning to truly delve into the text and find the meaning that Shakespeare was trying to come up with. Trying to find hidden clues in the verse and prose to guide me in the right direction. It's all really facinating.
We were all given a booklet to read on Shakespeare's writing style and I plan to go over this after this weekend.
I have my vocal competition this weekend and that's pretty much going to keep me busy until next week. So, until then, take care.
B.
Monday, 31 October 2005
Country Vocal Spotlight
Just a quick note to say that I finally have the date for the Country Vocal Spotlight semi-finals. Come and cheer me on as I compete on Saturday, November 5 at 7:00 pm in the Northlands Agricom in Edmonton, Alberta. Admission is free.Read More...
For information on how to find Northlands, visit their website:
Northlands Park - Edmonton
Hope to see you there.
B.
Wednesday, 26 October 2005
Things are really going well!
It's been such a busy few weeks. I have been rehearsing for a vocal competition in the beginning of November and I've been rehearsing for an audition for a play in Edmonton.
There's been so much going on. The independent film I was in this summer is almost ready for release. And I also just found out that I made the audition that I had this weekend.
I will be playing Goneril in King Lear in February. I'm incredibly excited and I'm really looking forward to the learning experience and to doing Shakespeare.
I guess all of my hardwork is really starting to pay off! Well, have to keep this short. Have to get back to my rehearsing. I hope to write more later. Check my website for information about the show dates!
Take care,
B.
Tuesday, 11 October 2005
Tempus Fugit
Seems like so much time passes between my entries nowadays. I hardly have time to keep up.
Fall has come and the leaves are almost off all of the trees. Which is kind of sad because that means that winter is coming. Only 6 or 7 months until Spring (at least here, anyway).
I really shouldn't complain because before I know it Spring will be here. I just don't like -40 degree weather with a windchill factor of -50 or -60. And driving in all of the snow can be a pain. Especially when I travel so early in the morning.
Theatre season is back in full swing and I'm going to audition for a play in Edmonton. I'm really nervous. I've been rehearsing my monologue and re-reading the play. I guess I'm nervous because I just want the part so bad. But, nervous is good. Means I care.
Other than that, I'm getting ready for the vocal competition in November. I have to decide by the end of the week which two songs I'm going to sing. And then I have to prepare for the question and answer portion of the competition. Not to mention picking my wardrobe and choreographing my stage presence. Just waiting to see what my vocal coach thinks of the songs I've selected.
And work is really busy. I've been working alot of extra hours lately and re-certifying in some of my courses.
Well, work calls. To many things going on these days. And most of them aren't that fun. Oh, well.
Take care,
B.
Friday, 23 September 2005
Just a quick hello!
I'm still around! I've been busy, but I'm still around.
Lots of new projects coming up. I'm also taking a few classes (piano, vocal, horseback riding, and rapier).
I'm hoping to have a little time for myself in the coming weeks just to relax a little. Now that I won't be Production Director, it's a load off my mind. No budgeting, no arranging transportation, no dealing with actors or directors, no contacting crew, etc. Just worrying about my needs for a change.
Anyway, a friend of mine sent me this joke. Damn funny!
BASEBALL AND THE SCOTSMAN
A Scotsman moves to Canada and attends his first baseball game.
The first batter approaches the batters' box, takes a few swings and then hits a double. Everyone is on their feet screaming "Run!"
The next batter hits a single. The Scotsman listens as the crowd again cheers "RUN, RUN!!"
The Scotsman is enjoying the game and begins screaming with the fans.
The fifth batter comes up and four balls go by. The Umpire calls "Walk." The batter starts his slow trot to first base.
The Scot stands up and screams, "Run ye lazy bastard, run!" The people around him begin laughing.
Embarrassed, the Scot sits back down.
A friendly fan notes the man's embarrassment, leans over and explains, "He can't run -- he's got four balls."
The Scot stands up and screams, "Walk with pride, Laddie!"
Have a great weekend!
B.
Wednesday, 31 August 2005
It's the show that never was.
As you may know, I'm the Production Director for our local Theatre group. And we've been experiencing alot of problems over the last year. The theatre in town has been undergoing massive renovations for the past year. It was supposed to have been completed by Spring. Of course, as with all construction, that didn't happen. This meant finding new venues for all of our shows last season except for one. Our final show of the season...our musical. Our musicals are rather large with a cast of around 40. With sets and the type of choreography we do, there's no way we could hold the musical in any location in town. So, being the executive, we decided to hold off until the fall. We rescheduled the show for the last two weeks of October. The theatre was scheduled to have its grand opening in September so this was a reasonable choice. Or so we thought. On Monday, we held our final executive meeting for the year before we have our Annual General Meeting for all the members. It was discovered that the theatre isn't finished. The seats are currently in customs in China. Which means that by the time they get here and get installed, we're looking into 2006. A decision was then made to hold off the show until May 2006. Due to other commitments, I had already decided not to run for the executive committee this year. I have too many other things that are occupying my time. Now I have to gracefully bow out of the show as well. It was a tough decision, but one that I think is in my best interest. I've decided to try theatre in the city. I'll be getting more experience and exposure. Which is important if you want to get your name out there. I wished them the best of luck with the production and thanked them for everything they've done for me. It was great to be part of the local community theatre. B.
Thursday, 11 August 2005
I love learning new stuff!
So, last night I went to my first rapier lesson. Wow! What a blast!
I wasn't able to make it last week. Which was okay because it was tavern night (a night just to sit and drink). So I made it last night.
I didn't realize how much work it is to hold up a 3 lbs. sword. Especially for more than 5 minutes.
And I have no idea what I'm doing. But, I caught on fairly well. I managed to hold my own against the more advanced students.
But now I have a lot of work to do. I have to work on my footwork and practice some of the moves. We were learning the Capo Ferro style of fighting last night (prima, seconda, tersa, quattro) and footwork.
Well, gotta get back to work. Once I learn more, I'll include it. In the meantime, I have alot of reading and studying to do.
B.
Saturday, 30 July 2005
Country Vocal Spotlight and Everything Else
This has been a really good week for me. Not only did I get to be a featured performer in the made for tv movie I was in (The Christmas Blessing), but I made it through to the semi-finals of the Country Vocal Spotlight! It's been a good week. Really busy, but good. We've had the World Masters Games in town since last week. Everyone's had a great time. Especially the Australians. I was talking to one couple who were staying in the same hotel as alot of other Aussies. Apparently they drank the hotel dry! Well, another busy week ahead. I can't make the audition in Calgary I was supposed to go for. It was for a lead role in an independent film, but it was on a deferred pay basis. The distance and pay thing was okay, but I'm trying to get the house fixed so we can sell it. On top of that, my schedule has been pretty booked. I'm also still wrapping up lose ends for the Drama Society. I let the Executive Selection Committee know that I won't be running again and will give up my position as Production Director. I just don't have the time anymore. Anyway, got to go. I really feel as if I'm making some sort of headway with everything lately. Take a look at the website if you haven't recently. I'm adding more information and should have new photos up soon. I still have to get some recordings done and add them in as well. See ya! B.
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Wednesday, 27 July 2005
Shouldn't an instructor...what's the word...instruct?
You know, I have instructed classes before. And it really is work. Not everyone can do it. You have to make the material interesting and easy to learn. It also has to be fun. And the person attending the course has to come out of it with a sense of accomplishment. They don't have to be a master at whatever it is, just feel comfortable in their new-found knowledge.
As you've guessed, I'm not overly happy with some of my so-called "new-found knowledge".
I have started riding lessons. All I've ever done in the past are western, but I decided that I should really learn how to ride. So, I signed up for a lesson.
The place that I decided to go was a place that my brother has taken lessons at before. So I wasn't expecting anything too terrible. My brother went there for years so it must be alright. Not so.
First of all, I like someone to start off with the basics. I'm a blank slate regardless of any knowledge I may or may not possess. And I like someone to point out my EXACT faults. Like, "What the hell was that?! Do it this way and not that way, because...(fill in the blank)." I like to know exactly what I'm doing wrong, why, how, where, and when. And then I need to know exactly what to do to fix it.
When I learn something, I don't learn it half way. It's all in. Don't give me some smart ass answer that doesn't answer my question. And don't patronize me with platitudes about my abilities.
Example. The horse keeps pulling his head down. What do I do to correct this and what am I doing wrong? Answer. Learn to ride better.
Question. How do I know if the saddle is on right? Answer. When you don't slip off.
That's it?! That's the best answer you can come up with?! Well that was worth my time, wasn't it?!
Hence I will be finding a new riding stable to take lessons at.
B.
Saturday, 23 July 2005
Things are really getting busy
Before I say anything else, I just want to pass on the message that I've been updating my website. There's more pictures and some new information. Thanks to everyone who's come by recently. The counter really hasn't been working, but when I sign in it shows that I've been getting about 2500 hits per month! Seems that the more spare time I have, the more I find things to fill in to that time. I had a small part in an independent film and was an extra in a made for TV movie. This weekend I'm going to a casting call for The Assassination of Jesse James (the Brad Pitt film). So that's exciting. I'm taking piano lessons and vocal coaching again. And I've just hired a personal trainer, so I'll be doing that 3 times a week. On top of that, I'll be taking rapier (sword fighting) lessons once a week. I do, however, have my weekends to myself. For now at least. But I'm singing in a competition next Saturday. I plan on taking a few horseback riding lessons again, but I don't know when I'll be able to fit that in. I've been working on getting all of our shows booked for the upcoming dinner theatre production. Which should be really good, but I'm finding it difficult to get everything done that I need. I decided that with all of my personal commitments that I just can't be the Production Director any more. Which makes alot of sense. In September, we begin rehearsals once again for Oklahoma. Our show is now in October. Once that's done I can audition for the shows in Edmonton. It'll mean more exposure and press. I'm still trying to get ahold of a friend of mine. He said that his friend is that stage manager at the Jubilee Auditorium in Edmonton. So things are beginning to progress. One of my agents introduced me to a music producer while I was on the set the other day, so I'm going to try to get some demos together. I just need to find someone good to do it for me. So many things. B.
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