The Glamorous Life

A few things have happened to me since my last post. To begin with, I had my dance recital a few weeks ago. My teacher decided to choreograph a part of the dance in a circle formation. Not only was it difficult to keep the formation perfect, on top of it all, she wanted us to travel using waltz turns, pique turns, and chaine turns (for everyone who doesn't know ballet terminology, it was basically a series of different turns). This was the most nerve-racking part of the dance because I suck at spotting, and I have horrible coordination. After weeks of the dreaded "clean-up" rehearsals, the dance finally looked decent enough to put in front of an audience.

In my Happy Feet dance for tap, I was starting to become slightly bored. In that particular dance, the challenge was the characterization rather than technique, but for a few weeks, we held back a little until we perfected our steps.When we had an audience, everyone got into character, and it was just so gratifying to be able to let yourself go and act like a silly penguin. They went wild watching a bunch of little kids (ages ranged from 5-14) act like penguins. Currently, I'm excited to (hopefully) advance to a higher level tap class with a different instructor this summer, but I have to audition for it first.

In addition, the community theatre near me is putting on a production of The Secret Garden. I heard it from a friend who is in a production of Gondoliers there. I'm considering "The Glamorous Life" from A Little Night Music as my audition song, but I'm not really sure what role I should audition for. I'm stuck in between the typical age ranges for Martha and Mary. I guess I'll have to wait until the official audition notice and character descriptions are posted.

I'm also thrilled to begin the new school year! The high school I'm going to next year does about four productions a year. My friend said that they let alot of people participate because they perform shows with large casts. If things don't go well with community theatre, I can always satisfy my need to perform at their drama club. They're known for doing alot of Shakespeare, which I'm completely new to, so I'm eager to learn so many new things!

I also wanted to mention that I went to NYC recently and saw Anything Goes. Needless to say, the show was phenomenal. Although considered by many as "mindless fluff", I believed that it wasn't all that bad. Sometimes an audience doesn't want another reminder of the horrors going on in the world. They want forget about their troubles, laugh until their sides ache, and be whisked away to a place where things were much more lighthearted and simple. Of course, the book still needs some work, but the catchy songs, amazing choreography, and extremely talented cast definitely made up for it.

By the way, does anyone else have trouble accessing MTA?

-Anica

Updates

Well, do any of you guys remember how I was going to audition for Joseph? Well the same day of the audition, I found out that the show had been changed to Gilbert and Sullivan's The Gondoliers due to difficulties in acquiring rights to the former show. There was also a more smaller amount of roles for children compared to th children's chorus, meaning that there would be more kids auditioning than available roles. I went in and sang "Consider Yourself" from Oliver, getting asked to stay a bit longer to dance. Unfortunately, I was not cast in this production, but it was great seeing some of my former cast members again. Now, I just can't wait to find out what the next shows are for the next season!

A kid from my schools choir decided to write a jukebox musical (which really isn't that great) and kinda made me promise to play one of the leads. It was supposed to be this really dark, dramatic mystery, but we turned it into a complete farce. The audience loved the staged "mess ups" occurred on stage. There was this one time where my line was supposed to be "Joey says to pack it up! You know, your boss, my husband, and the owner of this place?" I was so in character, that I didn't even notice that I messed up my line until the audience began laughing. I accidentally said "Joey says to pack it up! You know, your boss, my wife, and the owner of this place?" The entire cast and audience was in stitches! Fortunately, I managed to stay in character the entire time. Not even the kid who wrote the play knew whether or not I changed the line on purpose (We were lucky that he gave us plenty of creative freedom and improv was usually a big part of rehearsals). I cannot even count how many other screw-ups we had that were fixed with improv! I learned that if one stops being such a perfectionist all the time, then things become more enjoyable. Even though I thoroughly enjoyed the stress-free environment of being in a middle school show, I hope that when I enter high school in the fall, the shows will be a bit more professional.

-Anica :)

Musical Theatre Questionnaire

I borrowed this questionnaire from Maya

• Which show is your favorite because of music? Anything written by Sondheim
• Which show is your favorite because of plot? Into the Woods
• Which Broadway show is your favorite because of everything? At the moment, Gypsy
• Which Broadway show is your favorite because of its stars? Ragtime OBC
• Which Broadway show do you detest the most? Does High School Musical count? If not, then Cats. 'nough said.
• Which other ones do you like a lot? Ragtime, Oliver, My Fair Lady, Mary Poppins, Billy Elliot, Wicked, Rent, West Side Story, Chicago, Sound of Music, A Little Night Music, Sunday in the Park with George

Songs

• Which song is your favorite because of music? One Day More from Les Miserables
• Which song is your favorite because of lyrics? As Long as He Needs Me from Oliver
• Favorite song in general? Rose's Turn from Gypsy
• Can you sing? Yes
• Do you like to sing? Yes
• Do you like to sing in front of people? Yes
• Do you like to do theatre? Yes
• Musical, dramatic, or comedic theatre? Can I choose all of them?

Your Opinion

• An overrated musical: Cats
• An overrated song: On My Own from Les Miserables
• An overrated composer/playwright: Andrew Lloyd Webber
• Techies: They make sure that your mic doesn't randomly stop working.
• Prima Donnas: Irritating
• Stage moms: It depends. I've met some really sweet, helpful stage moms, but on the other hand, I've also met stage moms who are carbon copies of Mamma Rose.
• Off-Broadway: Perfect when searching for audition material.
• A musical that should have a sequel: I'm not a big fan of sequels
• A musical that should NOT have a sequel: High School Musical
• A musical that exists for no purpose: Cats and High School Musical
• A musical that should not have been made into a musical: Spiderman
• Simplicity or extravagance? Simplicity
• Which is most important in the technical aspect: sound, lights, set/props? Sound, although the actors should know how to project and not rely completely on mics.
• Would you perform on Broadway? Maybe in a few years. I don't think I could handle it just yet. If I was offered a role right now, I might blow up into pieces :P
• What role would you play (in what)? I'm at the point where I would take any role
• Would you reveal to the audience that you were not what you seemed to be? Do you mean break character? No

Random Questions

• Favorite quote? "Back then it felt so far away And all of us here still feel the same way… Focus on what you love. It’s the greatest roadmap for an extraordinary life." -Katie Finneran
• What’s a Broadway song that makes you cringe? Mr. Mistofolees
• How many shows have you seen? I'm not exactly sure because I saw alot of amateur shows when I was really young

Which is Worse?

• Casting kids who can’t really act but can sing, or vice versa? It depends on the role/show. I find it mostly annoying when the kid can't act.
• Being off pitch, or discovering your underthings are showing? As long as none of it happens in front of an audience.
• Getting boo’d at curtain call, or having people leave at intermission? Get boo’d
• Being the only on-pitch kid in a group of off pitch people, or vice versa? On pitch in a group of off pitch is worse because everyone else will most likely hear the dissonance, and not the one person who's on pitch.
• Being an unappreciated main part, or unappreciated small role? Unnappreciated small role. At least a main part looks good on a resume.

Do You Believe…

• About the M-word? (Scottish play) Yes
• You never say Good Luck on opening night? Nah. We say it all the time.
• Bad luck to speak the last line of the play anytime before opening night? This is new...
• Shouldn’t whistle while you’re in the theatre? Nope. When I did My Fair Lady, there was a scene where the characters had to whistle "Wouldn't it be Loverly"
• That there is a ghost haunting most theatres? I like to pretend that ghosts don't exist

This or That

• Cats or Les Miserables? Les Miserables!
• Lights or Sound? Sound.
• Publicity or Props? Props!!
• Costumes or Make-Up? Make-Up.
• Lots of lines or One Big Solo? It depends
• Bye Bye Birdie or Grease? Grease
• Zombie Prom or Little Shop of Horrors? Little Shop of Horrors!
• Neil Simon or Oscar Wilde? Neil Simon.
• Wicked or The Wiz? Wicked
• Once Upon a Mattress or Into the Woods? Into the Woods
• Oliver! or Annie? Oliver
• AIDA or Camelot? Camelot
• Beauty and the Beast or Lion King? Beauty and the Beast.
• Sutton Foster or Susan Egan? Sutton Foster
• The Music Man or My Fair Lady? My Fair Lady.
• Cinderella or South Pacific? I guess South Pacific.
• Hairspray or Mamma Mia? Hairspray
• RENT or The Producers? RENT
• Fiddler on the Roof or Gypsy? Gypsy
• The Sound of Music or The King and I? The Sound of Music
• The Boy from Oz or Taboo? Taboo
• Stomp or Blast? I've never even heard of Blast
• Annie Get Your Gun or Oklahoma!? Annie Get Your Gun
• Jekyll and Hyde or Phantom of the Opera? Jekyll and Hyde
• Avenue Q or The Last Five Years? Avenue Q
• Pirates of Penzance or Funny Girl? Pirates of Penzance
• Chicago or Cabaret? Cabaret

Hello... Is anybody still there?

I have really let this blog go and none of you are probably reading this, but just in case anybody was wondering, "What happened to Anica?", I promise you that I was not abducted by aliens. I just had too many things on my plate.

First, I'd like mention the fact that I was in a production of My Fair Lady with a fairly well-known community theatre in my area, and that has been keeping me extremely busy. I just finished the grueling 16-show run a few weeks ago an I feel as if I've been hit by a wave of PSD. I had an amazing experience being part of such a kind, talented cast. I also quickly learned the difference between school theatre and community theatre because everyone I worked with was extremely professional. I truly enjoyed such a wonderful experience, and I hope for many more of those to come.

In a few weeks I'll be auditioning for the same theatre's production of Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat. I will try my hardest to keep this blog up to keep you updated on my performance life. Also, if anyone is still reading this and has some song suggestions, I would greatly appreciate if you post them in a comment below.

-Anica :)

A New Beginning

Instead of posting about how my year went, I've decided to start a musical theatre meme, make a few resolutions, and share some really great news!

1. The first musical I ever saw on Broadway was : Beauty and the Beast
It all began when my mother's co-worker suggested taking me to see a Broadway show. Not knowing much about the Great White Way, (I was only eight) I chose to see the Broadway version of one of my favorite classic Disney movies. I instantly got hooked. The atmosphere of a Broadway theatre is similar to Disney World. There's just that magic in the air that you can't really describe.

Plans for the New Year

1. Expand my song/monologue repertoire
2. Increase my musical theatre knowledge
3. Get into a certain Fine Arts school
4. Improve my flexibility
5. Watch more shows than last year
   

Initially, get into "non-school-related show" was one of my resolutions, but I crossed that off my list when I found out that I was recently cast in a production of My Fair Lady! I'm very excited! I was cast in the "childrens' ensemble". It feels a bit strange because I think that I'm the oldest person in that group (I turned 14 last Sunday). There's only one other girl who seems to be my age. Moreover, I haven't done a show outside of school before, so I really don't know what to expect or what to do. I have to write an autobiography for the program, but I'm at a loss for words because I don't usually write in third person.

In addition, I received tickets to see Les Miserables! I've wanted to see that show for so long, so I had to jump at the opportunity to see the national tour when it comes to my area. I own the Les Miserables 25th Anniversary Cast Recording and I must have listened to it about a thousand times!

-Anica :)

P.S. Sorry it took so long for me to update

"You're Gonna Be Pop-u-lar"

I recently had a holiday concert for choir and I was a techie during the whole thing except for when I had to perform a song with my friend. I found someone to substitute while I sang. I sang "The Prayer" and the experience was thrilling. I did feel uncomfortable being stuffed into a dress, having high-heels forced onto my feet, and gunk (a.k.a. "makeup") slathered on my face. Okay, maybe I exaggerated a little, but I was outside of my comfort zone wearing something other than a t-shirt and jeans. My friends insisted that it would make me look "prettier" and wouldn't leave me in peace. It's tough to fight back when you're only 4'10''. Now I know what Elphaba must have gone through when Galinda tried to give her a makeover

In tap class, my teacher had us listen to a "Happy Feet" medley for our yearly recital. The music is very upbeat, fun, and challenging! Choreographing doesn't happen until everyone gets back from Winter Break, so the class learned a few new steps to practice during this time. Ballet is getting so much easier. Hopefully, at this rate, I wont make a fool out of myself at the recital in June.

Recently, I went Christmas caroling with my school's choir. For some reason, people enjoyed listening to a middle school choir sing throughout their neighborhood. Surprisingly, no one even complained. Because there was only one Alto there, I also had to sing the Alto part. I must have learned the Alto part subconsciously during rehearsals (I usually sing Soprano). It was great spending time with the choir family before the holidays.

For my theatre audition, I'm working on a monologue, which I posted below.



PLAY: The Last Dance
GENRE: Dramatic

Description: Chelsey and Kari are staying up all night to study for their Algebra final. Kari is freaking out, Chelsey not so much. Kari knows she will fail the class if she doesn't pass the exam and wants to know why Chelsey isn't upset. Kari finds out that Chelsey has been lying about her low grade in the class to appease Kari. Kari is not happy and she lashes out at Chelsey. This is Chelsey's response.

You talk alot, Kari. You do. I know sometimes you talk without thinking. And it is late. And you're tired. So I'm sure you didn't mean most of what you just said, but I get the feeling you did mean some of it. Because this isn't the first time. I'm not going to listen to you anymore, Kari. I didn't do anything wrong. I have to go.

(She moves to go and the turns back)

I've been your friend through alot. I was there through everything with Danny and that huge blow-up with your parents last year. I have listened to you talk about your weight and your face and your everything. I have danced to every tune you've played, and mostly I've been okay with that. It didn't bother me that you never ask about me and what's going on with me because I thought you were my friend. But you don't want a friend, do you? You want a sounding board. Doesn't matter who it is. You just live in your own little world and I guess... I've had enough of it. I've had enough. I'm done.

Tell me what you think in the comments below.
-Anica

Excitement

Recently, I attended an audition workshop for the performing arts school that I want to go to and they gave so much information. The assistant director said he preferred that parents did not spend thousands of dollars on coaching for the specific audition because they do not want a bunch of "Baby Junes" auditioning. Apparently, the school wants real kids with raw talent. Although I would greatly prefer being accepted into the musical theatre program, I'll have a bigger chance of getting accepted into the school if I audition for both. After learning all this great information about the school, I have no qualms about not going to the same high school as everyone else from choir. It is among the best arts' schools This way, I wont get involved with all the stupid drama/favoritism that occurs between the same group of kids. I'll also have an opportunity to be seen as something other than the "weird girl with the theatre obsession". I don't want to get too attached to the school either though because then, I'll be greatly disappointed if I'm not accepted into the school. Now, I have to choose a monologue and two audition songs. One song and monologue will for the school's musical theatre program audition, and the other song will be for the school's vocal program audition. I'm considering "Much More" from The Fantasticks as my musical theatre audition song. Does anyone have any suggestions for my monologue? -Anica