November 22, 2009
10:08pm
I've been complete rubbish at keeping up my blog, and I want to apologize. I am so sorry, dear friends and readers, that I am only now updating you since my year at GSA has begun. It's inexcusable really, except to say that aside from classes, homework, eating, bathing and sleeping, I haven't had time for much else. *sigh* It is, however, a wonderful way to be busy!
The things I am learning! But I'm getting ahead of myself. First, I must talk about my wonderful new friends and classmates- Ros, Kelly, Pamela, Charlotte, Lara, Alex and Toby. These 7 people are constant companions and support systems and creative inspiration in my life. We see each other Monday thru Friday, every day from 9am til 6pm- all day long- and then most weekends... at least one of the two days. And... rather than growing sick of each other we are actually growing more fond. Each of them are unique and sensational and kind and generous and thoughtful and funny and smart and ambitious and hard working (I could go on), and most importantly, secure in themselves. There is no competition here. There is no pettiness. It's a safe, fun, dedicated and supportive group of people- who also happen to be "v. v. talented" (name THAT quote, dear readers! *horrified*).
Our classes and faculty are equally wonderful and it's really difficult for me to keep from gushing in this entire blog. Highlights in my week are our "Acting for the Camera" class (3hrs. on Monday afternoons) with a goddess named Julia Carrey (and in which we will be doing a short film on HD at the end of the year... leaning towards a period piece), "Radio"- in which we do radio plays and monologue and scene work with a true pro, "Voice and Text" with the wonderful Sarah, who teaches in such an encouraging and enlightening way and our "Applied Skills" class- where throughout the year we rehearse play projects and work with accomplished directors. Currently, we are in the middle of Uncle Vanya, and I am sharing the role of Yelena... a character I absolutely love! We only have a few more rehearsals and have our show on Tuesday, Dec. 8- EEK! What's really cool about this class is that all the things we've been working hard on in our other classes, we are able to incorporate into our character work- elements (fire, water, air, earth) from Physical acting, speech, accent (RP- I've been told by 3 of my 3 voice teachers that my RP is nearly perfect, and that if they didn't know I was American, they would be fooled by it- YES!), primative voice... and several others. Even our historical dance class (where we began in Medieaval Times and are now approaching the 19th Century) has been helpful in our Vanya work. As for my work on Yelena, I'm having a ball and finding new ways of working and approaching character and text through a series of exercises and character profiling. I love and connect to Yelena's character, which is so important because we are unable to play a character that we judge in any way. I am also learning the importance of historical and regional research when taking on a play. We were given a research project when we began rehearsals, and I myself was assigned Russia's Social life, transportation, food and Family life. Photos have also proven to be very helpful in preparation for character work.
We place a lot of importance on preparation in our work in our acting class each week as well. I'm learning that without a strong preparation- whether it is a physical preparation where one alters one's physical state of being to be out of the "normal", or emotional prep, where one might look at meaningful photos or remember an specific moment, or mental prep, where one relies heavily on imagination, it is impossible to begin and to even hope to live truthfully without investing this time and energy. I'm learning that my imagination is stronger than I give it credit for being. I'm learning how to approach process, without leaping to "arrival". I'm learning so much!
Outside of school, I've had a flourishing social life! My GSA friends and I see each other often- frequently having movie nights or cooking dinner with "bottles" (lateral plosion, in RP, please) of red wine... training into London to see theatre or meet each other's friends and boyfriends/ girlfriends... the occasional shopping spree at Primark (like Target but even cheaper and cuter!!! I know, ridiculous!)... I also have managed to continue spending time with Lieke and Josefina, although not as much as I used to or would like to spend with them. I miss them! We baked a cake a couple weeks ago and decorated it with Barbie pink frosting and little pearly beads and things. We are also still planning our trip to the Netherlands over Easter, and I couldnt be more excited to see Amstradam (with, hopefully, a side trip to Belgium so I can see my fav. little girls- Emma and Britt- who I nannied in NY earlier this year). Also, I have begun giving Lieke voice lessons, and we are aiming to get her ready for her musical theatre audition in the Netherlands this Spring. Ros is also about to start studying with me, and I'm happy to have another student!
Tegan and I have been going to church at Eternity Church, which is help every Sunday at 10:15am at the Electric Theatre- happily about a 10min walk from mine. ("from mine" "at mine" "Come to mine" See you at yours".... this is the English way, rather than, "from my place"- point of interest.). Everyone is very friendly, the elders of the church make a point to get to know everyone in the congregation, they have a kick a*s band and great messages, there is always decent coffee and sweets... and once a month they have "refuel" groups who meet and have dinner at someone's home. Last night Tegan and I went to the music ministry leader, Charlie's, place (correct grammer? incorrect? correct spelling even? oh goodness- Mrs. Stonehill if you read this, I do apologize!). We had a ball hanging out, getting to know people better, playing piano a bit, playing charades... because what is a church party without charades? HA. I am so happy to have found a great church here in Guildford, and I should like to get more involved.
I saw my flatmate, Tom, in the 3rd yr. play, "This Happy Breed" (Noel Coward) yesterday matinee. It was better than my measly choice of words could credit it for. I was floored! and we were all inspired! I'm hopeful that, although they've had 2 years to this point, when our MA class leaves, we will be at that level. It could have been on Broadway. Each actor was believable. And it's a v. v. moving play.
Big News in my life! *drum roll please* I'm going to Paris this weekend!!! My friend Patty is there for a couple weeks with her friend Janelle, and they have invited me to come and stay in their big beautiful Parisian Hotel- I only wish I could go for longer that a weekend! Besides the obvious wonderfulness of this traveling to one of the world's more romantic and beautiful cities for the v. first time in my life, it's extra special that I'll be seeing it with my friend Patty- because we've been saying we would travel Europe together since we first became friends... about 7yrs. ago (holy moly, 7yrs!). :) :) :) I am certain I will return to Paris again for a lengthy stay next year, so I'm not so concerned with all of the tourist sites this visit. I just want to sit in little cafes with chocolate croissants and sip strong coffee while people watching my afternoons away! *grin* I will share stories when I return!
I have to now sign off and read Howard Barker's Uncle Vanya. I don't have to read it, but I'm delighted to be making the time to read it- as it's quite shocking and appalling and so different from Chekhov's version.
So long for now, and thank you for not giving up on me in the long hiatus!
With Love,
Juliana
Sunday 22 November 2009
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