Robin Hood notes: after the first rehearsal

Just some thoughts about my latest show, Robin Hood: Legend of the Sherwood Bandit, after the casting announcement and the first rehearsal:

• My mother's high school mascot was the "Saxon" warriors. She took great offense when I told her the Saxons are looked down upon in the world of Robin Hood. Somehow, she missed the part where Aaron and I are both Saxon characters. The legacy lives on!

• I didn't think it was possible, but I have become even less relevant to my nephew.

  

  Aaron at the first read-through.

  When he saw me last Sunday, he didn't even say "Hi" before demanding: "Where is the sword-fighter?" When Aaron finally arrived, he and the G-child grabbed some lightsabers for a lesson in fencing. *Sigh* Just another time I wish I were a man in theater... or at least got to have one fight scene! I cry a bit in the show; it's not the same. It is pretty cool how excited the G-child is about this show. I took him to see another version of Robin Hood a few months ago, and he has all kinds of questions about how this one is different. I can't wait for him to see it!

• After the read-through at the first rehearsal, the director and the "leads" did my very favorite thing: we talked about our characters! We didn't have much time, so our director asked each of us questions specific to our characters. We're to mull them over and we'll likely be talking with her about them later as certain scenes come up. I find that Grimm, Merlin, Firefly, and Game of Thrones are already helping me figure out my character. She is so different from the type I normally play. I hope I can pull it off (I keep saying that, but I am worried about it).

• Having the playwright play my scene partner is more than a little intimidating. In talking to him, he had some very specific ideas about my character. He would, since he's been thinking about her for months longer than I have. From his own and his character's point of view (Sir Guy), I can see where he is coming from, and he wasn't terribly accepting of MY ideas (which seemed to be a little more in line with the director's thoughts). One of my ideas kind of shocked him, but he went there first ;) Guess I can't be too hard on him; of course he wouldn't be thinking from an ambitious, medieval, woman's point of view. I actually think it will be better in the future if I share as little about my character's motivations with him as possible. Sir Guy wouldn't know, so why should he? It would just add to the dysfunctional nature of their relationship -- heehee! (I should state that the playwright/actor is a cool guy and I'm excited to work with him.)

• Every time I watch a movie or t.v. show that has an actor or character named "Will" in it, and someone says "Fire at will," I mentally scream: "No! DON'T fire at Will!" (My favorite example is Independence Day). I think it's hilarious. For that reason alone, I really hope that at some time in Robin Hood, someone says "Fire at will." ;-) Sadly, there doesn't seem to be a place for it this time.

My second rehearsal is tomorrow, and I shall begin learning songs I'll sing with Alan A-Dale's troup. Woot! Time to get my soprano voice back in shape. It's been a little neglected for the last several months...

The Best of Both Worlds!

No, I am not talking about the Hannah Montana theme song :P (But now it's stuck in your head, isn't it?)

To generate buzz for the release of Star Trek: The Next Generation season 3 on Blue-ray, there was a special showing last night of arguably the best two Next Generation episodes: "The Best of Both Worlds parts 1 and 2". They aired the episode, a making-of feature, some bloopers from the season, and a teaser for season 4.

One of my friends asked later why Emily and I weren't wearing uniforms. I admit I'm not quite brave/fanatic enough to do that. I do own the communicator pin in the top right of the photo, but I couldn't bring myself to wear it (plus, one of the backs was missing -- blergh!) You will notice, however, that Emily is wearing blue and I am wearing red, which kind of hints as costuming ;-)

I AM nerdy enough that I wanted to facepalm upon hearing this particular conversation:

Teenager #1: So, what happens if Spock gets a lightsaber?
Teenager #2: He becomes a Jedi!

Picture my head exploding.

Okay, I am a big fan of both Star Wars and Star Trek, but, wow. I wanted to punch those punks in the neck.

1. As awesome as Spock is, logic is NOT the same as the Force.
2. One franchise takes place "a long time ago, in a galaxy far, far away, and the other is set in the future. Even if Star Trek has been known to visit other galaxies and even move through time a bit, there is no good reason for the two to overlap. You don't see me suggesting that someone write a fanfiction that combines The Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, do you? They are not the same!!!! Seriously, no. Don't go there. 
3. Picking up a lightsaber does not automatically make someone a Jedi. If it did, Han Solo would have busted out with the powers back on Hoth during The Empire Strikes Back. Were those kids paying any attention at all?
4. It's an illustration of why Star Wars and Star Trek fans are looked on as "dorky" nerds and will therefore never fully be accepted by the "cool" kids. (Yes, I have Harry Potter conversations all the time. I realize this is a little hypocritical. I also know I shouldn't care about what other people think, and yet sometimes I do. I never said I was perfect.) 

Am I done geeking out now? Probably not. That conversation really riled me up!!!!

Anyway, in spite of that ignorance, and the lady with the seriously-cute-and-noisy baby next to me (that I asked to move into the hallway about 15 minutes in), I had a great time. It was such a fun event! I definitely want to go when they do it again for the next season. I'm glad that Emily was free to come with me -- it was awesome being there with someone who enjoys the show as much as I do!

Who wants to come with me next time?!!

Real v animated

This just made me smile today (even though the live actors kind of look like ghosts in black-and-white). Would anyone be surprised if I said the Sleeping Beauty one is my favorite? Her face is so caught up in the moment!

Now I want to skip the rest of the work day and watch Disney movies.


Images found here.

Which one do you like best?

Doctrine & Covenants 87:8

A waterlogged washcloth in zero gravity

Space and space travel have always been fascinating to me. Back in my 4th grade class, I was the go-to girl for space trivia (sadly, a lot of it is gone now). I'm still a big fan of the free exhibits at the Clark Planetarium. I'm pretty sure that's where my love of science fiction comes from (well, that, and my love for well-told stories). 

So when I saw this, I completely geeked out. It's pretty much the coolest thing I've seen all week:

Happy Friday!

Oo-da-lolly!

Break is over! I'm in another show! Better yet, it's one I've wanted to do for nearly my entire life:

ROBIN HOOD!

I will be playing Rowena, Saxon Lady-in-Waiting to Maid Marian who is in love with Sir Guy... and ends up spying on his behalf >:D I'm a villian!

Bwahahahahahahaaaaa!

Clearfield Arts Council is using a new script, and I had to giggle over some of Alan A-Dale's song lyrics. The script is written by one of the writers/actors from the Desert Star Theater (minus all the groan-inducing, cheesy jokes typical of that theater). It's clever and a lot of fun.

The best part?

I'M DOING IT WITH MY BROTHER AARON!

He and I auditioned together, and he totally rocked that callback. I'll let Aaron share his own news as to which recognizable role he is playing ;) I'm pretty proud of him. And I'm excited about the number of scenes when we'll be on stage together. We almost never saw each other when we did Oklahoma together a few years back!

Lookin' good, Slim and Ado Annie!

So... put July 3-6 and 8 on the schedule, and plan to bring your family and friends to see the "absolutely true and completely not made up*" Robin Hood: Legend of the Sherwood Bandit!

Aaaaand, just because I love this little ditty and know the lyrics by heart:


*Some of those funny lyrics I mentioned ;)

Home improvement: The washer and dryer edition

Long-time readers of my blog may recall that when I bought my condo several years ago, I bought the place without washer and dryer hook-ups. The owner had volunteered to have it done for me and add it to the price of the home, but she wanted more money than I was willing to give. I figured it couldn't cost as much as the quoted, and it wouldn't be too difficult to have it done myself*.

I had hoped to have it taken care of two years ago. Little did I know all the obstacles I'd run into, including a less-than helpful HOA presidency, a too-small closet, condescending plumbers, yo-yoing washer and dryer prices, unexpected drywall repairs and repainting, and feelings of frustration and defeat**. Just this morning, the store called and told me that the dryer was damaged (purely cosmetic) and asked if I still wanted it delivered. Um, yes, I did, but it made me mad enough I wanted to cry. Fortunately, the "damage" appears really minor, and they even offered a discount which you better believe I accepted. I probably wouldn't even have noticed the damage if they hadn't pointed it out, so props to Lowe's appliance-delivery men for their honesty and dedication to quality products and service. But the phone call felt like the final nail in the coffin. Not one single step of this process proved to be easy. Something went wrong EVERY SINGLE TIME I TRIED TO GET ANYTHING DONE!

Nevertheless, the HOA president gave me the green light and the hook-ups were installed last month, my dad fixed the drywall and he and Mom painted it to be all pretty again, and...

...The delivery men delivered and installed my new washer and dryer early this afternoon!

Ooh! Shiny!

Do you know what that means?! The long, long saga has finally reached his conclusion! I can do laundry at my house now! I am so relieved and happy. I no longer have to either pay for it or lug it to my parents' house!!!!! My days of schlepping laundry are over!

The saga in photos (clockwise from top left): lengthen the closet
and locate the plumbing, 220 electrical plug for the dryer,
washer hookups, beat-up drywall, painted and ready for delivery

I cannot thank my parents enough for their help. They have been so encouraging and supportive, and helped me stay focused this whole time. My dad rebuilt the front closet so that a unit could fit into it, helped me locate the pipes when the HOA couldn't share the building blueprints with me, then fixed the drywall after the plumber and electrician cut it up for the hook-ups. My mom helped me find good contractors, did research on units that would fit the space, and went with me to pick out and purchase them. Neither complained when I lugged my laundry to their house after church on Sundays and kept their washer and dryer running until after they'd both gone to bed. Lastly, they bought the washer and dryer units for me as a Christmas present. I am amazed and grateful for all of their generosity!

One very important thing I learned from all of this is that wherever I live next, having a washer and dryer already included in the house is not negotiable.

And would you believe that's not the only home improvement I completed recently? I also replaced my crazily-old toilet. Seriously, I should not be this happy about a new toilet. The previous one was so old that I couldn't find sorely-needed replacement parts. The new one is even a water-saver model. Thanks one more time to my mom for snagging it for me (I paid her back), and to my dad for installing it. They are the BEST!! Hooray for handy parents, and hooray for an improved home and finally crossing projects off my list!

Next up (in the fall? Next year?):

• Fix the tiles in my bathroom (the new toilet is a different shape than the old and doesn't entirely cover the holes cut in the tile. Boo.)
• Fix the curtain rod in the great room so that it is properly supported, hopefully without ripping out the drywall behind it.
• Figure out how to flip on the light that suddenly appeared in the washer/dryer closet (might require the electrician again).
• New electrical fixtures in the great room

How are your goals coming along? Is home improvement in your future? Or are you focusing on talents and physical fitness right now?

*I was incorrect on both counts, but I still think it was the right choice at the time.
**If you're at all interested in reading some of my past washer/dryer hopes/woes/progress, refer to the links below:

October 13, 2009: Railroaded by the HOA

February 27, 2011: Cutting a hole in the drywall to find the pipes

August 30, 2011: Calling a plumber

P.S. I was afraid to post this until I successfully completed a load (just in case of one last disaster), but it's drying now and seems to be fine! Woooooooooooooot!!!!!

An audition attitude wake-up call

When I told Mattie June that I wasn't called back for Ragtime, she laughed and said, "I'm so glad to hear that even you don't get cast in everything!" I was a little surprised at her reaction, but I'm glad to hear that my failures help the self-esteem of my friends! Fortunately, I didn't need any sympathy that day ;-)

As I and my theater friends start preparing for the crazy rush that is the summer community theatre season, I've been hearing and thinking a lot lately about the following logical-fallacy:

A history of playing leads, having worked with a director previously, or being talented means that you are a shoo-in for the next role. 

This is a dangerous belief. Not only is it untrue, it creates a sense of entitlement and causes a lot of grief and heartache when an audition doesn't work in your favor. I don't know anyone who is cast in EVERY show they audition for (though the natural tendency to downplay failures and play up successes definitely cause this perception).

Similarly, it is not a forgone conclusion that when you finally "break out" of being in the ensemble and are cast in a larger role, that you have been discovered and it's totally easy to get those great roles from then on. If you don't figure that out quickly, you're in for a frustrating experience. This is one of my favorite quotes about this disappointing, humbling phenomenon, from Olivia Williams, an actress I wouldn't mind seeing more of:

When the Hollywood thing happened, I thought at some point I'd get to the front of the queue: "Yes, hello, I'd like to play that role." But you don't. You just join a different queue. 

I roll my eyes when my friends lucky enough to get leads in a lot of places swear off certain theaters because they auditioned there once and weren't even called back. Sorry, I don't feel sorry for you. You're not going to be what the director wants every time, and you don't automatically deserve a role or even a callback just because you are talented and you showed up. A lot of other people who are also talented didn't get called back, either. And the person who actually got the role probably deserved it just as much as you did. Nobody owes you anything. If you can't learn to live with rejection, you are in the wrong business.

Okay, that was a little harsh. Here is a list of things that directors would LOVE you to do for auditions.

Am I jealous of people who are more talented/better prepared than I? You bet! Is it even worse when the person who beats me out for a role is someone I think is equally or possibly less talented than I? Oh, yeah. Those are the ones that sting the most. As William H. Macy once said:

There were some roles I really thought I could play that they gave to Kevin Spacey, but you know, what the hell.

(This quote has become my new motto whenever I don't get a role. "Oh, well! Next!")

There are a million reasons you might not be cast in a show. I love this list of 25 reasons why you didn't get the part. Clears a few things up, doesn't it? All you can do is your best, and then what happens happens. It doesn't do any good to complain when the casting process so subjective... though it might make us feel better for a little while ;-) In most cases, not getting the part doesn't mean you aren't talented. It just means you aren't what the production team is looking for this time. It's okay to be disappointed, but don't let that keep you from trying again another time.

Also, if you and a friend are up for the same part and you don't get it, do NOT make your friend feel badly or downplay their success, regardless of how disappointed you might be. The friend is allowed to be happy about their good luck; heaven knows you would have been if you had gotten the part. It's a sad truth that we are in competition with each other during rehearsals, but must learn to be friends or at least work together during rehearsals and performances...and then you run into those friends at future auditions and it starts all over again. Don't let that keep you from making friends, and be nice no matter how jealous you are. Or, better yet, just be proud of them! I sure am proud/jealous of a lot of my awesome and talented friends!

Another article to read and ponder the next time you (or I, I'm not perfect either) want to complain about the unfairness of the biz: 15 Truths About Being a Professional Dancer. Read it. Love it. Make it your own.

I always specify if I'll only accept a certain role. I don't think that makes me a diva; it makes me honest. I do most of my shows for free, and if I'm going to spend two to four months working on a show after a full day of work, it has to be a show and role that I care about. (Actually, my friend Kristen covered this topic quite well a few years ago.) If I say I'll only take one or two roles, and I'm not cast, I can live with it. (It's a lot harder on the ol' self-esteem when I say I'll take any role and am still not cast.) I hope that directors don't hold my honesty against me. After all, it seems to me to be a lot worse to say I'll take anything (trying to avoid the "diva" moniker), and then refuse a lesser role after the director cast the entire show with this in mind.

To be clear, there ARE certain shows and theaters I would be in the ensemble for. Plus, I have a good sense of my abilities, so I try to be realistic about my choices and my chances.

It also doesn't hurt to audition once in awhile for a show I know I have little to no chance at, just to practice auditioning and see what happens. It takes the stress off myself and allows me to do some crazy things I might not do if I'm more concerned about the outcome. However, be prepared to actually do the show if your practice audition goes well (hello, Arsenic and Old Lace)!

There are several auditions coming up that I hope turn out well for me. I think it's time I read Audition again. And as always, I'll continue to practice, practice, practice!

Theater friends, break a leg at your auditions and in your summer shows! Let me know what your next project is as soon as you know, and I'll be sure to do the same!

Cheap and hungry

I have learned that it is difficult to save money and eat healthily at the same time.

Or maybe I'm just lazy.

But purchasing healthy foods -- either at a restaurant or from the grocery store to prepare for myself -- is expensive! My wallet is not happy with me.

It's frustrating, but I'm making do the best I can.

Any suggestions? Healthy recipes you're fond of? Good deals you know about? Can you relate at all?

Wordy Wednesday: I am a Copywriter

How did he survive?!!

If I had my life to live over again, I would have made a rule to read some poetry and listen to some music at least once every week.

- Charles Darwin

My question is: How in the world did Darwin ever survive without listening to music every day, let alone every week?! I guess it was harder to come by then, and he had other priorities. I couldn't do it. If I don't sing every day, my cheerfulness wanes. I may not notice it, but it does. Music is a necessity in my life.

Happy Friday, my friends! Here's something totally random to brighten this rainy day!

That John Williams sure is prolific, isn't he?

By the way, is any one seeing Jurassic Park this weekend? May I come?

Favorite recipes: Homemade Peanut Butter Cups

This has been my go-to treat for most of my life. I took these to elementary school for my birthday (you know, before they told kids they couldn't take homemade food to school), and I still make 'em for pot lucks. They are, quite simply, delicious. They are also easy and quick to make. I have a hard time not eating half the pan myself. I think I like them better than Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, because I can control how much chocolate is involved. Let's face it, the peanut-butter dough is the best part!

So, here is the recipe for

Homemade Peanut Butter Cups
1 1/2 cubes margarine
Melt and remove from heat. Beat and add:
1 3/4 cups graham cracker crumbs (12 big)
2 1/3 cups powdered sugar
1 cup peanut butter
Mix, then pat into 9x13 pan
Melt 2 cups (12 oz) milk chocolate chips and spread on top (use semi-sweet to cut the sweetness if you like)

Allow chocolate to cool. Cut and serve!

You're welcome!

Book review: World War Z

World War Z: An Oral History of the Zombie War by Max Brooks
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

On several occasions, I told guys that I read Pride and Prejudice and Zombies, and they recommended World War Z to me. I assume they didn't realize I read PPandZ because of my fascination with Jane Austen...

Nevertheless, I had enough recommendations to make this one a priority and I am so glad I did. It was brilliant! I'm not always a fan of horror, but I always appreciate a well-told story. I enjoyed the conceit and narrative style. I was amazed at all of the different points of view, experiences, and countries, and the way it all came together to tell the story. I was delighted that the last section revisited some of the interviewees and revealed what happened to them (or what they had learned). It was also cool that the book wasn't specific about the time period. It could be 10 years from now or 100 years from now.

I will say that I don't know how well this will translate in to film, and I don't particularly need to see some of the more graphic descriptions projected on the big screen. There was also quite a bit of swearing, but that's par for the course in any book that relies fairly heavily on military action.

This is one I'll probably read again. A fun and clever read... though I don't recommend you read it before going to bed, unless you want to stay up late listening for the tell-tale moan warning you that a zombie is coming for you!


View all my reviews

March happenings

Just a few things that went down in March:

A City Rep girls reunion
We hadn't seen each other since last summer.

Boy, had I missed these ladies! There is something comforting in friendships that don't change after 20 years, even though our lives are so very different from what they were back then, and from each other's lives now.

Skyping with the D.C. Smyths

I am so proud of P and J, the choices they've made, and how they've grown together while living away from us. I cannot wait for them to move home!

My nephew with Robin Hood and
Maid Marian. I'm thrilled he liked
the show as much as I did!

Plays I saw this month (I saw the first 5 within 8 days):

• Steel Magnolias (Midvale Arts Council)
• Shrek the Musical (Broadway Across America at the Capitol Theatre)
• Chitty Chitty Bang Bang (Hale Centre Theatre -- West Valley City)
• Robin Hood ... twice!! (Utah Childrens' Theater)
• Death of a Salesman (The Grand Theatre)
• Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat (CenterPoint Legacy Theatre)
• Nunsense (Taylorsville Arts Council)

Thank goodness I was able to score a few free tickets, or I would be even more broke now than I am. Meanwhile, I am now burned out on play-watching, so with the exception of The Secret Garden at CenterPoint, I will be taking a break from theater-going in April.

Wedding dress shopping with my friend Mattie June (who is basically a real-life Jane Bennett from Pride and Prejudice). I realized it was the first time I've ever been wedding dress shopping with someone! It was so fun, and she looked so beautiful. Her dress really is perfect. I can't wait to see it with all the alterations and accessories!

My mom asked whether I tried on any dresses, too. Um, no. I've tried some on before, and it turns out it isn't really fun for me if I'm not planning my wedding; I feel like I'm putting on a costume. She made the argument that I could buy the dress now and have it taken care of for when I do get married, but why count my chickens? I guess I'm a little superstitious :-P No feeling sorry for me, it was fun enough celebrating with Mattie June!

Family Home Evening - dyeing Easter eggs. Even if I was solo, I felt it needed to be done, and the colors were beautiful!!

Easter photos I felt needed to be separate from my He is Risen post:

What I wore on Easter Sunday:
I bought the dress at Deseret Industries for $8. It is perfect :D
I've had these shoes for awhile, and pulled the butterflies
off another pair to spice them up. I love the result,
especially with the matching nail polish!

Who says the Easter bunny doesn't visit single people?
Bonus: The second season of Kim Possible was waiting for me at my parents' house later that day!

Looking forward to April! Funny that March went out like a lamb... and then it rained all day on April 1st. April Fools, Spring- weather hopefuls!

What did you enjoy most in March?