Tim McGeever (left) and Greg Keller (right)
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Tuesday, June 29, 2010
The Real Deal
Today’s schedule provided a special Master Class with visiting actor, Tim McGeever. Tim is currently one of two actors in BTF’s production of K2 (a play about two men struggling to survive on the side of a mountain.) As a pretty successful working actor living out of NYC, he was able to share some invaluable information for those of us pursuing a life in theatre. We talked agents, auditions, Equity vs. Non-Equity, and lots of other various topics exciting to us aspiring professionals. We quizzed him about his Broadway work, how he got there, and what he does to make money when he’s not doing theatre. I found it very affirming to hear him say a lot of what I’ve already been told, either by professors or other industry professionals. Every time I hear about “the business” in NYC, it helps me feel a little less intimidated by it. It was fascinating to hear his personal story, and to glean tidbits of wisdom from someone who’s actually out there “doing it.”
Probably the most helpful information I got personally from his time with us was concerning his experience as an Audition Reader. An Audition Reader is the person in the audition room who sits with his/her back to the casting directors, and reads the script with the actor who is auditioning. I never even knew that job existed, but his advice was to land it if at all possible simply for the exposure. Being a Reader gets you IN the audition room, meeting all sorts of big-wigs, and then they get to hear YOU read over and over again for hours. Sounds like a pretty sweet gig to me!
Tim also encouraged us to give 100% to our Suzuki training. He’s also done some Suzuki work, and could relate to the rigorous demands of the discipline. His advice was to go toward the daily difficulty even when we didn’t feel like it because it will help us to go toward life’s difficulties later. If we train ourselves now to go when the going gets tough, we’re that much more likely to overcome future obstacles.
The more I’m around it, the more I realize that this business is all about relationships. In fact, Tim even said that today. The casting agents, directors, producers, working actors, and wish-we-were-working actors are real people like you and me. They have families, bills, health problems, etc. just like anybody else. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that when you have to work so hard to get their attention. In a world where “it’s all about me,” a selfless act can be difficult to surrender. So when a busy, Broadway, Juliard-trained actor comes to share two hours of his life with a bunch of eager acting apprentices, it means a lot.
Probably the most helpful information I got personally from his time with us was concerning his experience as an Audition Reader. An Audition Reader is the person in the audition room who sits with his/her back to the casting directors, and reads the script with the actor who is auditioning. I never even knew that job existed, but his advice was to land it if at all possible simply for the exposure. Being a Reader gets you IN the audition room, meeting all sorts of big-wigs, and then they get to hear YOU read over and over again for hours. Sounds like a pretty sweet gig to me!
Tim also encouraged us to give 100% to our Suzuki training. He’s also done some Suzuki work, and could relate to the rigorous demands of the discipline. His advice was to go toward the daily difficulty even when we didn’t feel like it because it will help us to go toward life’s difficulties later. If we train ourselves now to go when the going gets tough, we’re that much more likely to overcome future obstacles.
The more I’m around it, the more I realize that this business is all about relationships. In fact, Tim even said that today. The casting agents, directors, producers, working actors, and wish-we-were-working actors are real people like you and me. They have families, bills, health problems, etc. just like anybody else. Sometimes it’s hard to remember that when you have to work so hard to get their attention. In a world where “it’s all about me,” a selfless act can be difficult to surrender. So when a busy, Broadway, Juliard-trained actor comes to share two hours of his life with a bunch of eager acting apprentices, it means a lot.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Info Session at Panera
In case you know anyone in the Stockbridge area, I'm holding an Info Session tomorrow for anyone interested in attending Regent. I'll be at the Panera Bread in Pittsfield, MA from 4-5:30pm on Sunday, June 27 and also on Sunday, July 18. Free Panera for anyone who shows up!
Friday, June 25, 2010
Goalie
Obstacles: Mosquito bites. Aching feet and legs. Allergies, and hot sticky (and unpredictable) weather. Poor plumbing and limited food options don’t help anything either. These are daily obstacles that I am continually endeavoring to maneuver. There are also obstacles of a different nature like making friends, analyzing scenes, and writing blog entries, all of which take a significant amount of brain power and vulnerability. But it’s the extremely delicate obstacles that are the most difficult to navigate. By delicate I mean the ones that we don’t even like to acknowledge. You know like networking, or “schmoozing” if you will. The ultimate performance really happens off-stage when you’re in the “low” light. That is, if there’s someone there to notice. You have to learn to stand out in a crowd, and that’s tricky business. If you try too hard people can smell it a mile away, but if you don’t try at all, you’ll never get anywhere. It’s a tough line to walk, and definitely not one for the faint of heart.
I’ve always been a goal-driven person, even if I haven’t always acknowledged it. It occurred to me this evening that I tend to set subconscious goals for myself. Things that I would like to achieve or do, but never actually declare as an official objective. I don’t call it a goal because I’m afraid of not meeting it, but somewhere in the back of my mind it’s like an Energizer bunny, continually driving my choices. Then there are those things which I didn’t even realize were goals until I meet them, and I realize that’s what I wanted all along. I mean to some extent that’s normal, right? If we want something, we eventually figure out a way to get it. Actors do that all the time. On stage, I mean. Characters in a scene always have an objective, and it’s the actor’s job to figure out what that is and how to get it. The “drama” comes when the obstacles play Goalie.
I battle constantly between choices motivated by compassion or by selfishness. Am I talking to this person because I legitimately care about them, or because they can help me reach my goal? In this business it’s all about who you know, so the lines become blurred very quickly. I guess it’s not a bad thing to purposefully build relationships, and all relationships to some extent are give and take. But surely the world would be a much better place if we could all give of ourselves honestly to each other from a place of genuine love. For without Love, we are nothing.
So how do you “climb the ladder” without using people for their connections? How do you achieve your goals with integrity? Great question. And I’m not yet sure that I have the answer, but I do know that PERSPECTIVE is key. One thing that helps keep my priorities straight is remembering that God is the best agent a girl could ask for. Several years ago I distinctly remember discovering that I didn’t have to worry about meeting the right people or experiencing the right things, because He would direct my paths. If I just live the way that He’s called me to live, love the way He’s called me to love, and TRUST Him with the rest, I don’t need to worry about the obstacles. In fact, sometimes He puts them there for a reason. It’s my job to train, practice, be in shape, and ready to kick the ball, but if ultimately I’m not supposed to make the goal, it ain’t gonna happen. I’ve never really been much of a soccer player, but if God’s the Goalie, sign me up for the team.
I’ve always been a goal-driven person, even if I haven’t always acknowledged it. It occurred to me this evening that I tend to set subconscious goals for myself. Things that I would like to achieve or do, but never actually declare as an official objective. I don’t call it a goal because I’m afraid of not meeting it, but somewhere in the back of my mind it’s like an Energizer bunny, continually driving my choices. Then there are those things which I didn’t even realize were goals until I meet them, and I realize that’s what I wanted all along. I mean to some extent that’s normal, right? If we want something, we eventually figure out a way to get it. Actors do that all the time. On stage, I mean. Characters in a scene always have an objective, and it’s the actor’s job to figure out what that is and how to get it. The “drama” comes when the obstacles play Goalie.
I battle constantly between choices motivated by compassion or by selfishness. Am I talking to this person because I legitimately care about them, or because they can help me reach my goal? In this business it’s all about who you know, so the lines become blurred very quickly. I guess it’s not a bad thing to purposefully build relationships, and all relationships to some extent are give and take. But surely the world would be a much better place if we could all give of ourselves honestly to each other from a place of genuine love. For without Love, we are nothing.
So how do you “climb the ladder” without using people for their connections? How do you achieve your goals with integrity? Great question. And I’m not yet sure that I have the answer, but I do know that PERSPECTIVE is key. One thing that helps keep my priorities straight is remembering that God is the best agent a girl could ask for. Several years ago I distinctly remember discovering that I didn’t have to worry about meeting the right people or experiencing the right things, because He would direct my paths. If I just live the way that He’s called me to live, love the way He’s called me to love, and TRUST Him with the rest, I don’t need to worry about the obstacles. In fact, sometimes He puts them there for a reason. It’s my job to train, practice, be in shape, and ready to kick the ball, but if ultimately I’m not supposed to make the goal, it ain’t gonna happen. I’ve never really been much of a soccer player, but if God’s the Goalie, sign me up for the team.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Bottom of the Totem Pole
Lessons learned from today’s yard work:
1) Don’t sweep without gloves. You get blisters.
2) Team work makes any job seem less intimidating.
3) Compliments are good for morale.
4) Complaining doesn’t help you finish faster.
5) It’s nice when someone else bags up your pile of garbage.
Paying your dues. We all have to do it. Well, at least those of us who aren’t handed a career on a silver platter. It’s a good thing, really, when you think about it. You get to meet people in the business; bond with others who are in the same measly position as yourself. Usually, it’s those people who you’ll end up working with down the road. Get noticed, that’s what matters. At least that’s what actors are constantly hoping for. But sometimes you just gotta get your hands dirty.
Who knew that part of our tuition dollars would go toward clean-up duty at the theatre? While The Last 5 Years rehearsed for their upcoming Opening Night inside the nice air-conditioned auditorium, we apprentices raked, bagged, swept, mopped, weeded, and scrubbed the grounds and porch of Berkshire Theatre’s Main Stage. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. It was a beautiful day, and the exercise was great. Hard labor produces character like nothing else. Besides, I got my first sunburn of the summer. (Don’t worry, it’s not that bad.)
When I came back from washing up, I passed by the open door to the main auditorium. It was too tempting not to peek, so I quietly stood in the back for a few minutes watching Jason Robert Brown’s musical masterpiece come to life. It was a tech rehearsal, so they were in full costume with the lights and sound. During one song, one of the actors was supposed to move the bed center stage, but it got stuck and he kind of fumbled a bit. A little laugh escaped under his song lyrics as he looked out to the director as if to say, “Sorry!” Somehow I was relieved to know that even professionals don’t get everything right the first time.
Being at the bottom of the totem pole may mean a few blisters on your hands, shoddy internet connection, and no AC. But when people like Katherine Hepburn, Christopher Plummer, Lionel Barrymore, Christopher Walken, and Dustin Hoffman have the Berkshire Theatre Festival on their resumes, it kind of makes it all worth it.
1) Don’t sweep without gloves. You get blisters.
2) Team work makes any job seem less intimidating.
3) Compliments are good for morale.
4) Complaining doesn’t help you finish faster.
5) It’s nice when someone else bags up your pile of garbage.
Paying your dues. We all have to do it. Well, at least those of us who aren’t handed a career on a silver platter. It’s a good thing, really, when you think about it. You get to meet people in the business; bond with others who are in the same measly position as yourself. Usually, it’s those people who you’ll end up working with down the road. Get noticed, that’s what matters. At least that’s what actors are constantly hoping for. But sometimes you just gotta get your hands dirty.
Who knew that part of our tuition dollars would go toward clean-up duty at the theatre? While The Last 5 Years rehearsed for their upcoming Opening Night inside the nice air-conditioned auditorium, we apprentices raked, bagged, swept, mopped, weeded, and scrubbed the grounds and porch of Berkshire Theatre’s Main Stage. Don’t get me wrong, I’m not complaining. It was a beautiful day, and the exercise was great. Hard labor produces character like nothing else. Besides, I got my first sunburn of the summer. (Don’t worry, it’s not that bad.)
When I came back from washing up, I passed by the open door to the main auditorium. It was too tempting not to peek, so I quietly stood in the back for a few minutes watching Jason Robert Brown’s musical masterpiece come to life. It was a tech rehearsal, so they were in full costume with the lights and sound. During one song, one of the actors was supposed to move the bed center stage, but it got stuck and he kind of fumbled a bit. A little laugh escaped under his song lyrics as he looked out to the director as if to say, “Sorry!” Somehow I was relieved to know that even professionals don’t get everything right the first time.
Being at the bottom of the totem pole may mean a few blisters on your hands, shoddy internet connection, and no AC. But when people like Katherine Hepburn, Christopher Plummer, Lionel Barrymore, Christopher Walken, and Dustin Hoffman have the Berkshire Theatre Festival on their resumes, it kind of makes it all worth it.
Friday, June 18, 2010
Method to my Madness
In case you were curious, I’ve posted the daily schedule from a typical day in the life of a BTF Apprentice. This was our itinerary this past Tuesday. Daily activities vary from day to day, but it’s a good example of what we do.
8:00-9:00am – Suzuki Training
9:00-10:30am –Yoga
11:00-12:00pm –Great Beyond Rehearsal or Independent Scene Work (The Great Beyond is one of the shows apprentices could be cast in. At this time I would be working on my scene because I’m not in The Great Beyond.)
12:00-1:00pm –Lunch
1:00-4:00pm – Great Beyond Rehearsal or Scene Work with Zohar
5:15pm –Front of House and Parking Orientation
6:30-7:30pm –Dinner
7:35-8:35pm – Lecture: Fundamentals of Fundraising and Development
Because my rehearsals for Babes in Arms haven’t started yet, the majority of my afternoons lately have been available for scene work. It’s been a good challenge for me to approach my scenes apart from a specific acting method because it forces me to apply what I’ve been spending all my money on at grad school. Naturally, most of my scene work at Regent serves as way to apply specific principles in effort to learn a certain acting technique. This is the first time since I’ve started grad school that it has been completely up to me to determine my own approach. It serves as good training for my upcoming thesis role, as I will be required to explore and document my own personal process. You know, the “mastered” part of a Master in Fine Arts. No pressure, right?
Surprisingly, so far I have largely been using tenants from Sanford Meisner’s technique. I say surprising only because I had no intention of using a particular “method” for my work. I simply found myself thinking about “key facts and phrases,” exploring impulses, and really being conscious of listening to my scene partner (all principles taught by Meisner). I’ve also done a little bit of “free associative writing,” which should make Dr. Kirkland (one of my Meisner instructors) very happy. I will also say (I’m sure much to the relief of another one of my professors, Eric Harrell) that I also have been very conscious of principles from Practical Handbook for the Actor. In my Scene Study class this past year, I never fully understood the concept of “playing an action” or “going after an objective.” I don’t know why, but typically I find that it’s the semester AFTER my class ends that things really begin to sink in.
My scene partner here at BTF, Nick, has also had some Meisner training, which is helping our rehearsal process a lot. He is familiar with the same terminology we use at Regent such as “pinch and ouch” or “working off the Other.” He suggested using an activity for our scene, which is a classic Meisner exercise in exploring a scenario. We decided to fold laundry together during the scene, which adds a great new element for our characters (husband and wife) to deal with while discussing a difficult subject matter.
I like “mixing the soup” of techniques. A little of this. A little of that. It’s true what they say: whatever works. One thing I’ve definitely decided: I hate rehearsing a scene before I’ve memorized the text. It has become so clear to me that I am simply no good with a script in my hand. I knew that prior to this week, but for some reason it really hit home this time. It makes me want to be off-book for every rehearsal from now on. Not sure if that will actually happen, but it’s a great goal, huh?
If I’ve completely lost you in all the acting lingo, I apologize. I assure you that is not at all my intention. But for those of you who want a taste of my recent “de jour,” this is a good helping. If it’s not your favorite flavor, I understand. Sometimes I need a pallet cleanser myself.
8:00-9:00am – Suzuki Training
9:00-10:30am –Yoga
11:00-12:00pm –Great Beyond Rehearsal or Independent Scene Work (The Great Beyond is one of the shows apprentices could be cast in. At this time I would be working on my scene because I’m not in The Great Beyond.)
12:00-1:00pm –Lunch
1:00-4:00pm – Great Beyond Rehearsal or Scene Work with Zohar
5:15pm –Front of House and Parking Orientation
6:30-7:30pm –Dinner
7:35-8:35pm – Lecture: Fundamentals of Fundraising and Development
Because my rehearsals for Babes in Arms haven’t started yet, the majority of my afternoons lately have been available for scene work. It’s been a good challenge for me to approach my scenes apart from a specific acting method because it forces me to apply what I’ve been spending all my money on at grad school. Naturally, most of my scene work at Regent serves as way to apply specific principles in effort to learn a certain acting technique. This is the first time since I’ve started grad school that it has been completely up to me to determine my own approach. It serves as good training for my upcoming thesis role, as I will be required to explore and document my own personal process. You know, the “mastered” part of a Master in Fine Arts. No pressure, right?
Surprisingly, so far I have largely been using tenants from Sanford Meisner’s technique. I say surprising only because I had no intention of using a particular “method” for my work. I simply found myself thinking about “key facts and phrases,” exploring impulses, and really being conscious of listening to my scene partner (all principles taught by Meisner). I’ve also done a little bit of “free associative writing,” which should make Dr. Kirkland (one of my Meisner instructors) very happy. I will also say (I’m sure much to the relief of another one of my professors, Eric Harrell) that I also have been very conscious of principles from Practical Handbook for the Actor. In my Scene Study class this past year, I never fully understood the concept of “playing an action” or “going after an objective.” I don’t know why, but typically I find that it’s the semester AFTER my class ends that things really begin to sink in.
My scene partner here at BTF, Nick, has also had some Meisner training, which is helping our rehearsal process a lot. He is familiar with the same terminology we use at Regent such as “pinch and ouch” or “working off the Other.” He suggested using an activity for our scene, which is a classic Meisner exercise in exploring a scenario. We decided to fold laundry together during the scene, which adds a great new element for our characters (husband and wife) to deal with while discussing a difficult subject matter.
I like “mixing the soup” of techniques. A little of this. A little of that. It’s true what they say: whatever works. One thing I’ve definitely decided: I hate rehearsing a scene before I’ve memorized the text. It has become so clear to me that I am simply no good with a script in my hand. I knew that prior to this week, but for some reason it really hit home this time. It makes me want to be off-book for every rehearsal from now on. Not sure if that will actually happen, but it’s a great goal, huh?
If I’ve completely lost you in all the acting lingo, I apologize. I assure you that is not at all my intention. But for those of you who want a taste of my recent “de jour,” this is a good helping. If it’s not your favorite flavor, I understand. Sometimes I need a pallet cleanser myself.
Thursday, June 17, 2010
Lucky
Tired. Sore. A little warm. The faint taste of ‘birthday cake’ ice cream lingering on my tastebuds. Content, yet lonely for the familiar. At least that’s what I feel right now. I just got back from a trip to Lucky’s, a local ice cream parlor with amazing soft serve, hard serve (aka hand dipped for those of us from the south), and frozen yogurt. Though I just had ice cream yesterday, I decided to take advantage of an outing with other apprenti (that’s the plural form of apprentice) in hopes of bonding and potential conversation. The excursion proved fun and rewarding as I was able to talk with a few people whom I had not yet had the opportunity, as well as eat a mountain of ‘coffee’ and ‘birthday cake’ frozen goodness. After almost two weeks of Suzuki, and a session of Zoomba today with the girls, I figured I was allowed a few extra calories. (Don’t worry, Mom. I won’t eat ice cream every day.)
We’re only into Week 2 of 12 for the BTF Summer Performance Training, but I’m not the only one who feels like it’s already been a month. I think it’s been a big adjustment for everyone here, only some hide it better than others. There’s always more to people than meets the eye. Cliché I know, but it’s easy to forget that when everyone around you seems happy and adjusted. But the more I talk with people, the more I find out their real stories. Underneath the tough outer shell lies deep longing for acceptance and love. Amid the laughter and smiles there are scars from broken homes, deceased parents, cancer victories, and past relationships.
It’s not all murky swamp underneath the surface, though. Some people have an incredible sense of humor, or a unique musical ability. Everyone has life experiences that are interesting and completely different from my own. I find that people enjoy being listened to. So far I’ve done a lot of listening. Sometimes I’ll ask a question. Sometimes I don’t have to. But listening is one way I’m finding to connect with people, and hopefully show them love.
People are built for relationships. It’s what we were designed for. Without relationships, or perhaps I should say without healthy relationships, we scramble for identity. I sensed this very distinctly the night Christopher left Stockbridge to go back to Virginia Beach. As I watched him walk through the sliding doors of the airport, fear immediately gripped me. It occurred to me that the disorienting loneliness I felt at that moment is part of why there are so many broken relationships in the world. When people are desperate to be loved, they will throw themselves at whoever (or whatever) will have them.
I think I needed to be at that place. I needed to grapple for identity. I needed to feel the darkness of seclusion to drive me to the Light. In Suzuki this morning my instructor encouraged us to “go toward the difficulty” because “pain teaches us something about ourselves.” Fallen existence necessarily brings hardship. At the risk of sounding masochistic, I am somehow thankful for the breach in comfort. Without pain, I would never need. I would never have to rely on Someone greater than myself. I would never know the joy of salvation, even in the mundane. My Suzuki instructor says that sometimes we have to go the extreme of a situation in order to make a discovery. And I am discovering a lot about myself.
I’m discovering increased discomfort in my heels, but I’m learning to breathe into the pain. The more I stomp, the less it hurts. I’m learning to release tension instead of hold it, and not to beat myself up when I fail. I’m discovering a lack of patience, and less discipline than I thought I had. I’m learning to write down my thoughts before I forget them, and how to schedule my time more effectively. I’m learning more about my acting process and how to approach scene work. I’m learning how to interact with people who are very different from myself, and how to find common ground with them. I’m learning when (and where) to shower, and how much to eat at meals so that I’m not hungry later. But most of all I am learning just how blessed I am, to be here and to possess all the life experiences that I’ve had thus far.
As painful as it is to be away from everyone I know and love, this time spent elsewhere only makes me love them more. Being on my own makes me rely so much more on God’s grace to get me through, a dependency which is always there, but not always on the conscious level. I am confident that this summer is already impacting the rest of my life for the better. I truly am, Lucky.
We’re only into Week 2 of 12 for the BTF Summer Performance Training, but I’m not the only one who feels like it’s already been a month. I think it’s been a big adjustment for everyone here, only some hide it better than others. There’s always more to people than meets the eye. Cliché I know, but it’s easy to forget that when everyone around you seems happy and adjusted. But the more I talk with people, the more I find out their real stories. Underneath the tough outer shell lies deep longing for acceptance and love. Amid the laughter and smiles there are scars from broken homes, deceased parents, cancer victories, and past relationships.
It’s not all murky swamp underneath the surface, though. Some people have an incredible sense of humor, or a unique musical ability. Everyone has life experiences that are interesting and completely different from my own. I find that people enjoy being listened to. So far I’ve done a lot of listening. Sometimes I’ll ask a question. Sometimes I don’t have to. But listening is one way I’m finding to connect with people, and hopefully show them love.
People are built for relationships. It’s what we were designed for. Without relationships, or perhaps I should say without healthy relationships, we scramble for identity. I sensed this very distinctly the night Christopher left Stockbridge to go back to Virginia Beach. As I watched him walk through the sliding doors of the airport, fear immediately gripped me. It occurred to me that the disorienting loneliness I felt at that moment is part of why there are so many broken relationships in the world. When people are desperate to be loved, they will throw themselves at whoever (or whatever) will have them.
I think I needed to be at that place. I needed to grapple for identity. I needed to feel the darkness of seclusion to drive me to the Light. In Suzuki this morning my instructor encouraged us to “go toward the difficulty” because “pain teaches us something about ourselves.” Fallen existence necessarily brings hardship. At the risk of sounding masochistic, I am somehow thankful for the breach in comfort. Without pain, I would never need. I would never have to rely on Someone greater than myself. I would never know the joy of salvation, even in the mundane. My Suzuki instructor says that sometimes we have to go the extreme of a situation in order to make a discovery. And I am discovering a lot about myself.
I’m discovering increased discomfort in my heels, but I’m learning to breathe into the pain. The more I stomp, the less it hurts. I’m learning to release tension instead of hold it, and not to beat myself up when I fail. I’m discovering a lack of patience, and less discipline than I thought I had. I’m learning to write down my thoughts before I forget them, and how to schedule my time more effectively. I’m learning more about my acting process and how to approach scene work. I’m learning how to interact with people who are very different from myself, and how to find common ground with them. I’m learning when (and where) to shower, and how much to eat at meals so that I’m not hungry later. But most of all I am learning just how blessed I am, to be here and to possess all the life experiences that I’ve had thus far.
As painful as it is to be away from everyone I know and love, this time spent elsewhere only makes me love them more. Being on my own makes me rely so much more on God’s grace to get me through, a dependency which is always there, but not always on the conscious level. I am confident that this summer is already impacting the rest of my life for the better. I truly am, Lucky.
Monday, June 14, 2010
Friends from Regent!
Derek and Jennifer Martin came to visit on Sunday! We drove down into the little town of Great Barrington, and had great pizza and great ice cream! We also went to the Norman Rockwell museum right here in Stockbridge. Walking around the museum gave me all kinds of profound thoughts bound to show up in a blog entry sometime soon. :) Bottom line: Art is good for the soul, but friends are even better. 
After Day Six of Suzuki
I've decided that this will be my last foot log entry. Much to my disappointment there has been no colorful evidence of my foot trauma, and thus I will cease tantalizing you with useless monotony. Believe me, if there is any change you will be the first to know. Saturday, June 12, 2010
Just FYI...
My apologies for the delay in posting the daily feet log. The internet here is really moody, so I have to take advantage of it when it works. One of the lovely perks to apprentice-living. :)
After Day Five of Suzuki
I'm beginning to wonder if I'm going to bruise at all. At this point, stomping still hurts but the pain is going away quicker and quicker after each session.
My roommate Zoe!
Zoe and I get along great. We are the two oldest apprentices, and we both like our sleep. :) I'm looking forward to getting to know her this summer. Check out Facebook for a picture tour of where we live and stomp!
Wednesday, June 9, 2010
A Refuge in Time of Trouble
Proof that God loves me: A Dunkin Donuts open til 10pm with free WiFi access courtesy of the motel next door. And the best part? No one knows about it but me! Well, no one from BTF that is. This little refuge is Lee, Massachusetts’s best kept secret. It’s a little out of the way from the Lavan Center (where we live), but definitely worth the short drive. This may not sound like a big deal to you, but Heaven only knows what a salve it is to my soul. When every coffee shop in the little town of Stockbridge closes at 5pm, I needed somewhere to escape after dinner. Who knew that solitude would be so hard to come by? Maybe I’m more of an introvert than I realized, but living, eating, sleeping, stomping, and “chilling” with 25 BTF apprentices 24/7 (most of which are still in college) is a bit more overwhelming than I expected. I’m remembering now why I moved off campus my last two years of undergrad.
It’s amazing how vulnerable and alone you can feel in a room full of people. I’ve experienced this feeling before, many times actually. Various and frequent moves throughout my childhood taught me how to make friends in new places quickly. But a season of loneliness (usually painful) always precedes new friendship. Time has a way of taking care of things, though. It’s kind of like magic. I don’t know how it works, but it amazes me every time.
One thing’s for sure. Never have I been more thankful for my Regent family. I knew from the moment I stepped on campus that I belonged there. From day one, I felt a connection with people that seemed to transcend time. I couldn’t explain it at the time, but after just a few weeks I felt like I had known my friends forever. Even now on days I want to kill them (figuratively, of course) I still love them like family.
Having stepped away from them for a summer, I realize now that connection was a common worldview. Regent is a place where faith-minded artists come together for the common purpose of creating redemptive art. I didn’t realize how unique that was until I came here. Having gone to both a Christian undergrad and now Christian grad school, I have been surrounded with people who all have a deep awareness of the One True God. We may not always agree on everything, but at least we have Christ in common. It’s amazing how even a simple thing like awareness makes all the difference in being able to communicate. That’s one thing my Suzuki training is teaching me. Suzuki demands absolute awareness and control of the body, mind, and breath. It requires razor sharp focus and an incredible amount of stamina. Kinda sounds like the Narrow Road, huh?
I don’t want to give you the wrong impression. I am so glad that I am here. The first day of class I felt overwhelmed with peace and deep joy as I took in all the richness that the summer holds. I know this is where I am supposed to be. There are very specific reasons I wanted to come here, and I’m confident there are even more specific reasons that God wants me here. The training is already proving itself worth all the time, energy, money, and sheer will power to get here. I’m just experiencing some normal, albeit inconvenient, culture shock. Fortunately, I have my chocolate iced donut, Bible, and America’s Favorite Coffee to keep me company in the mean time. :)
It’s amazing how vulnerable and alone you can feel in a room full of people. I’ve experienced this feeling before, many times actually. Various and frequent moves throughout my childhood taught me how to make friends in new places quickly. But a season of loneliness (usually painful) always precedes new friendship. Time has a way of taking care of things, though. It’s kind of like magic. I don’t know how it works, but it amazes me every time.
One thing’s for sure. Never have I been more thankful for my Regent family. I knew from the moment I stepped on campus that I belonged there. From day one, I felt a connection with people that seemed to transcend time. I couldn’t explain it at the time, but after just a few weeks I felt like I had known my friends forever. Even now on days I want to kill them (figuratively, of course) I still love them like family.
Having stepped away from them for a summer, I realize now that connection was a common worldview. Regent is a place where faith-minded artists come together for the common purpose of creating redemptive art. I didn’t realize how unique that was until I came here. Having gone to both a Christian undergrad and now Christian grad school, I have been surrounded with people who all have a deep awareness of the One True God. We may not always agree on everything, but at least we have Christ in common. It’s amazing how even a simple thing like awareness makes all the difference in being able to communicate. That’s one thing my Suzuki training is teaching me. Suzuki demands absolute awareness and control of the body, mind, and breath. It requires razor sharp focus and an incredible amount of stamina. Kinda sounds like the Narrow Road, huh?
I don’t want to give you the wrong impression. I am so glad that I am here. The first day of class I felt overwhelmed with peace and deep joy as I took in all the richness that the summer holds. I know this is where I am supposed to be. There are very specific reasons I wanted to come here, and I’m confident there are even more specific reasons that God wants me here. The training is already proving itself worth all the time, energy, money, and sheer will power to get here. I’m just experiencing some normal, albeit inconvenient, culture shock. Fortunately, I have my chocolate iced donut, Bible, and America’s Favorite Coffee to keep me company in the mean time. :)
Monday, June 7, 2010
First photos from the summer
Check out my recently uploaded photos on Facebook! You can find them in the "Welcome to Massachusetts" album on my Facebook page entitled "Hannah's Journey Through the Berkshires." (The pic above is the album cover.) I'll be adding more photos to the album throughout the summer, so stay tuned! I'll also be uploading videos as soon as I can work out the technical difficulties.
Quick Start
6/l7/10
I only have a few minutes before my next class starts, but I wanted to at least establish the fact that I am indeed safe, sound, and settled (sort of) into the 2010 Summer Performance Training Apprentice Program at the Berkshire Theatre Festival. It’s been a whirlwind so far (hence no blogging yet) but fear not, I will share more details soon. Just a few quick highlights: I’ve already lost, found, and dried out my cell phone which got rained on when I lost it out in the parking area. My roommate is great (praise God!), very easy going, and laid back. I did bring enough storage space and clothes (it’s cold here). The housing facilities are not ideal, but definitely liveable for three months. (Anna, you weren’t kidding when you said I’d be roughing it!) I’m the oldest one in the apprentice program (to my knowledge), and the only graduate student. I got cast in the summer musical Babes in Arms (hallelujah!) I love my classes so far, and can’t wait to dive in!
Speaking of which, I need to go stretch for Suzuki. By the way, I’ve decided to keep a photo log of my feet for the first couple of weeks of Suzuki training. I’ve been warned that the bottoms of my feet will bruise at first, so I thought I’d do a little documentation of the process. (Hope you aren’t too grossed out by feet!)
Until next time….. :)
I only have a few minutes before my next class starts, but I wanted to at least establish the fact that I am indeed safe, sound, and settled (sort of) into the 2010 Summer Performance Training Apprentice Program at the Berkshire Theatre Festival. It’s been a whirlwind so far (hence no blogging yet) but fear not, I will share more details soon. Just a few quick highlights: I’ve already lost, found, and dried out my cell phone which got rained on when I lost it out in the parking area. My roommate is great (praise God!), very easy going, and laid back. I did bring enough storage space and clothes (it’s cold here). The housing facilities are not ideal, but definitely liveable for three months. (Anna, you weren’t kidding when you said I’d be roughing it!) I’m the oldest one in the apprentice program (to my knowledge), and the only graduate student. I got cast in the summer musical Babes in Arms (hallelujah!) I love my classes so far, and can’t wait to dive in!
Speaking of which, I need to go stretch for Suzuki. By the way, I’ve decided to keep a photo log of my feet for the first couple of weeks of Suzuki training. I’ve been warned that the bottoms of my feet will bruise at first, so I thought I’d do a little documentation of the process. (Hope you aren’t too grossed out by feet!)
Until next time….. :)
Wednesday, June 2, 2010
Decisions... decisions...
Decision-making is not my forte. Unfortunately, I find that most days in life require choices. Like what outfit to wear, or whether or not to stop at Starbucks on my lunch break. Sometimes they’re more important, like whether to watch LOST or American Idol. Believe it or not, as simple as these decisions sound, any one of them will cause a slight increase of my heart rate. It is not unusual for me to spend a good two minutes just trying to decide what I want from Chic-fil-a, and I practically have their menu memorized. So when it comes down to making major life-decisions, just put up your feet and stay awhile cause we ain’t goin’ no where fast.So…. Should I go to Walmart to get the remaining items on my “To Purchase” list, or spend time with my friends one last time before leaving. Should I rehearse my monologues or pack my room? All of them important, but which takes precedence? Now the perfectionistic, quasi-OCD person that I am is already starting to stress out over not knowing what to do first. But thankfully the voice of reason (a far too distant friend) is gently reminding me that somehow everything that needs to get done, will. My life (particularly that in higher education) has taught me that while there may not be enough time in a day to get everything done, there is time enough. So the bigger question comes down to which is most important ultimately? My dad has always encouraged me to look at what he calls the “bigger picture.” He suggests that when making a decision, the longer down the road you can look, the better decision you will make. Ultimately, what will matter most in eternity?
Now unfortunately that philosophy doesn’t help much when deciding whether to put my underwear in my suitcase or in my storage drawers. Organization has never been my specialty, probably for the same reason that it’s hard for me to make quick decisions. But I do think that if God wants to be a part of every single aspect of our lives, or perhaps I should say if He wants us to acknowledge that He is a part of every single aspect of our lives, everything we do can have eternal significance. You may be tempted to think that a simple decision to go to Walmart or to go bowling with your friends has little eternal significance, and maybe you’d be right. But I guess the point is whether or not we involve God in the decision-making process. Does God care about which drawer I put my hair dryer in? I don’t know. But I do know that He knows the number of hairs on my head. So you tell me.
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