Week 1!

Report from Cardiff, Wales

Hello everyone. Thanks for checking in! This week has been one of the most tiresome I've experienced of late. This course is everything I imagined, diverse and challenging, but well worth it. Have a look at my schedule.

A Slave to Art

I became sick last weekend with the dreaded cold. It began with a tight throat, then progressed to a dry cough, then to steadfast congestion. After five days of above schedule with my lunch breaks spent at home napping, I think I've come to the final stretch of my cold. After suggestions from multiple tutors, I have tried to listen to some radio plays and news reports; it's impossible to fit everything into each day! I was also instructed to read aloud daily, but my cough has hindered me from doing much.

My Faithful Friends this Week

My Unfaithful Friend this Week, Eating from the Generosity of Another Resident

I have spent almost 12 hours this week doing improvisation classes. I cannot believe how enjoyable they are! Rather than approaching improv with the desire to be witty, I have approached it with a natural quality. It's … so much easier this way. No need to try and impress, but to go with your instinct. It is never a wrong choice to act on instinct, and one's instinct should always be triggered by the contact between actors. As my tutor Anita says, "Silence can be a voice too." No need to fill the void; it will come.

Two of us have cried this week, just because of how raw and true the experiences are. Everyone else has been near tears at least once. We are becoming such a tight-knit group already, even though I've done a poor job of socialising with my peers. Again, it will come.

Our major "homework" for next week is to bring something pre-1960s in to work with our repertoire coach and voice teacher. Essentially, the repertoire coach will help us choose songs that are suitable to our voices/age, and the voice teacher will help us to execute them. Unlike Dallas, this voice teacher encourages the investigation of different larynx positions. It will be a very interesting year, learning and unlearning and doing my best to compound my knowledge.

Friday Afternoon in the Library, "Reading"

I have the weekend to solidify and print what I need for Monday's coaching sessions (which are additional to my standard schedule). This course, with it's high demand and surreal quality, is as close to a near-death experience as I have ever come, hehehe.

Today, we met with actor Wayne Fitzsimmons, who has been touring with "Priscilla, Queen of the Desert" for the past year. Obviously, being on tour for this long is a heartening ordeal, as he has been in a job for such a long period of time, but there are many drawbacks to his position as well (for instance, he drives home after the Saturday evening show to spend time with his partner before driving off to the next city). It's incredible to hear about the endurance and enthusiasm of actors in the business, particularly the musical theatre business, and as daunting as it sounds, it seems more tangible for me every day. He had many insights, working in the industry for 10 years, and I snapped a photo after our session.

Wearing my Snow Coat, a Last-Minute, Highly Useful Addition to my Luggage

And finally, it's my Mom's Birthday today. She celebrates her 60th tonight with tennis, squash and food. How appropriate for a woman of her energy and love! Wishing I could be there with her and all our family/friends, but some things are implausible. We were still able to send our well-wishes to Mother Dearest!

Just a Side Note- This Blog is #17 posted on the 17th! Woohoo

Happy Birthday, Mom! I know you had a great influence over my life, and I am so grateful for your support. Now party with the vigour of someone half your age and remember that you are well-loved!