Well, this was what my blog was for and now it's finally here. I've officially graduated from Marymount Manhattan College with a BA in Communications! Yesterday I attended the Baccalaureate and Graduation Ceremony and received my "diploma." It's not really a diploma but actually just the cover with a note that says in 90 days I will receive my actually documentation proving my graduation. It was even more exciting to have my family and friends there with me to witness such a big event.
As much as this is a monumental moment, I've been very relaxed. Graduating doesn't come as a surprise but actually a natural progression. The timing is right. I was able to transfer and still graduate on time and I'm really happy about that; that was something that was really important to me.
I just realized that I must comment on the speakers who addressed our graduating class. Aside from teachers we also had honorees such as Carla Harris and one of the heads of Channel 13, can't remember his name. They, in addition to our valevictorian and guest speaker were so motivational. All of them stressed the importance of making a difference in the world and how we had the power to do so. After hearing that so much I began to believe that that is possible and attainable given the success of the speakers. I feel like I hear all the time that we have the power to change but I don't usually listen to it enough to actually believe it. I left the graduation feeling really motivated to go after my dreams and enjoy my life. I guess because this is truly the moment in life where change occurs that I feel I have the ability to "make it happen." I'm ready. I don't want to look back and say that I didn't get to do a laundry list of things; now is the time.
This last week has also marked an end to seeing many of my closest friends because of both graduations and the end of the Ailey school year. Some of my friends are flying home to their prospective countries with no current intent on returning to America besides a vacation in the future. It's sad because aside from being friends with them, many were subjects in my senior thesis that focused on International Dancers and their journey to America for dance education and training. I became so much closer with them as I learned about their various backgrounds and individual journey's to America for the same goal; to dance. They've each inspired me to look into traveling and seeing the world from a different perspective.
So in addition to graduation fesitivities and getting ready for a family/friends BBQ at my home on LI, this morning I attended the In the Heights workshop at BDC with assistant latin choreographer Luis Salgado. I went last month right after I had seen the show and didn't want to pass the opportunity to attend again. This time my friend Rie came with me. It was even MORE fun than the last time. We learned the opening number from In The Heights.
I appreciate the opportunity to get an insight into a Broadway show and that's what Luis gave us. He didn't just teach us the choreography but actually worked more on giving us an understanding of the characters within the show and what they are fighting for. It was the message behind the movement. I really enjoyed myself so much. Once again its that atmosphere that helps me enjoy myself. Initially it is intimidating to be in the presence of someone who is a sucessful performer but Luis's casual, "Lets Have Fun" approach really helps you relax and just pay attention to enjoying what you are doing in that moment. I'm glad I went.
Now, I'm back on Long Island getting ready for my graduation BBQ tomorrow as my parents frantically try to find a party tent in the event that it rains.
Picture post soon!
Saturday, May 23, 2009
All The Way
I'm going to have to make 2 entries because I have so many things to talk about but don't want to put it all in one post.
Rewind a few weeks:
Following the Radio City call, the following Monday I went to the Norwegian Cruise Line audition. I wasn't too nervous beforehand. Lately, when I got to auditions I'm usually calm before hand; it's dependent on the atmosphere at the audition of whether or not I will be nervous. From the moment I stepped into the studio I knew I was going to have fun. The choreographer was incredibly high spirited and it felt as if he was most interested in us enjoying ourselves and getting into the movement. I loved that. I felt like I was on a team again and our coach was getting us ready for competition.
The combination brought flashbacks to dance teams in the past because of the speed and precision of the movement. My body had to basically wake itself up and remind itself how to move in that manner. Once I started to understand the movement, I really got into it. It was a lot of fun and not THAT many people. That was most shocking to me but maybe that was due in part to the fact that there were 2 days of auditions and you were only needed at one. I want to say there were about 50people there. Of course we were packed in the room but I didn't mind for the most part.
We did the combination a lot and only a few with music since we kept messing it up with our thumping feet when we lept!...leaped?..whatever. But the choreographer was so into it that he just made his own beats and that was awesome.
After splitting into groups a few times, we auditioned, I forget, maybe 4 at a time. I felt pretty good about the combination for the most part but I used facials (that is a shocker for me; I've been working on that!) to help add to the movement. Thankfully, I made it past the first cut. I think there were about 15-20 of us after the cut and we immediately moved on.
Another "thanks" is needed because THANKFULLY, I've been taking tap at Ailey and low and behold the next part was just a quick tap combo, in jazz shoes, to see if we could imitate it. I did pretty well. I loved it! I was so happy because a few of the auditions I've been to have had tap elements in them and I've been able to hold my own. Yay! After the tap we did the combination again and then split into trios and danced on camera. We also went through the whole "say your name, where you are from, etc" schpeel(sp?)
Once we finished they gave us the rundown of life on the ship and the next process before getting on the ship. Everyone was so nice and it was such a comfortable atmosphere; it felt like we were our own little cast already. I had a great time!
Moving up to last week, I got to see West Side Story! Thank you Danielle! I was soo soo happy because I wanted to see it so bad. I absolutely loved every minute of it. It was very sad though but I appreciate the artistic ending even past the curtain call with the somberness that occured onstage.
I loved the choreography and exactness each dancer has with their movement. They were all incredibly sync; and from what I've heard about the choreographer, its no surprise. They looked great. And, can we please talk about the amazingness that is Karen Olivo. I really hope she gets the Tony Award! I've seen her progress so much from BKLYN to In the Heights to West Side Story. She is truly making a name for herself on Broadway.
And now on to the next post....
Rewind a few weeks:
Following the Radio City call, the following Monday I went to the Norwegian Cruise Line audition. I wasn't too nervous beforehand. Lately, when I got to auditions I'm usually calm before hand; it's dependent on the atmosphere at the audition of whether or not I will be nervous. From the moment I stepped into the studio I knew I was going to have fun. The choreographer was incredibly high spirited and it felt as if he was most interested in us enjoying ourselves and getting into the movement. I loved that. I felt like I was on a team again and our coach was getting us ready for competition.
The combination brought flashbacks to dance teams in the past because of the speed and precision of the movement. My body had to basically wake itself up and remind itself how to move in that manner. Once I started to understand the movement, I really got into it. It was a lot of fun and not THAT many people. That was most shocking to me but maybe that was due in part to the fact that there were 2 days of auditions and you were only needed at one. I want to say there were about 50people there. Of course we were packed in the room but I didn't mind for the most part.
We did the combination a lot and only a few with music since we kept messing it up with our thumping feet when we lept!...leaped?..whatever. But the choreographer was so into it that he just made his own beats and that was awesome.
After splitting into groups a few times, we auditioned, I forget, maybe 4 at a time. I felt pretty good about the combination for the most part but I used facials (that is a shocker for me; I've been working on that!) to help add to the movement. Thankfully, I made it past the first cut. I think there were about 15-20 of us after the cut and we immediately moved on.
Another "thanks" is needed because THANKFULLY, I've been taking tap at Ailey and low and behold the next part was just a quick tap combo, in jazz shoes, to see if we could imitate it. I did pretty well. I loved it! I was so happy because a few of the auditions I've been to have had tap elements in them and I've been able to hold my own. Yay! After the tap we did the combination again and then split into trios and danced on camera. We also went through the whole "say your name, where you are from, etc" schpeel(sp?)
Once we finished they gave us the rundown of life on the ship and the next process before getting on the ship. Everyone was so nice and it was such a comfortable atmosphere; it felt like we were our own little cast already. I had a great time!
Moving up to last week, I got to see West Side Story! Thank you Danielle! I was soo soo happy because I wanted to see it so bad. I absolutely loved every minute of it. It was very sad though but I appreciate the artistic ending even past the curtain call with the somberness that occured onstage.
I loved the choreography and exactness each dancer has with their movement. They were all incredibly sync; and from what I've heard about the choreographer, its no surprise. They looked great. And, can we please talk about the amazingness that is Karen Olivo. I really hope she gets the Tony Award! I've seen her progress so much from BKLYN to In the Heights to West Side Story. She is truly making a name for herself on Broadway.
And now on to the next post....
Monday, May 4, 2009
Filling my heart with Christmas.
Yesterday I saw Shrek and before I get into todays events, I must write briefly about it. After much thought, I would give the show a 2 1/2 borderline 3 stars. There were some really high points, such as the overly fantastic sets/scene designs and technological aspects. The really lows were the content. I kept having to change my thoughts between viewing the show as a kids show and then switching to viewing it as an adult show. Both are incredibly different and that it the source for one of the main problems with this musical. It cannot differentiate its target audience.
In terms of the actors. I just loved Christopher Seiber(sp?) and Daniel Breaker who play Lord Farquarrd(sp?) and Donkey, respectively. They really helped keep the show alive for me. While Sutton Foster was good at some point she wasn't consistent, neither was Shrek (pardon my ignorance for not knowing his real name). For Shrek, I wanted a more Shuler Hensley-type person to play the part. Someone with a more deeper louder voice. This guy had a great singing voice but he sounded very American Idol and it's hard to invision that when he is supposed to be an ogre.
What I did love was the tap scene; of course. That was probably one of the best moments of the show in addition the the Three Blind Mice. That part was hilarious/offensive. I was dying with laughter. I also really liked seeing all the fairy tale characters but for some reason aside from enjoying their costumes, they weren't memorable.
I still haven't decided yet whether or not I truly enjoyed the show. I'm on the fence. I will admit, however, that it was very cute. But, content-wise, not so much.
Today was the audition for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. My friend and I got up bright and early to attend the audition and ended up running into several familiar faces while we were there.
We were in the second group and were lucky enough to get out of the rain after maybe only a 30 minute wait. But, when we were in the waiting rooms we were there for at least an hour and a half. When we finally went, the first thing I thought about was that this was going to be a different experience then any audition I had been to in the past. I knew that precision was key so I tried to focus on the details when they were teaching. We learned a short combo from which, judging by the music and my memory of the show, seemed like it was the finale piece but I could be wrong. It had a very "wish on a star-dream big" kind of feel. After we learned the combo we were split into three groups. Everything went very fast and before I knew it I was told to go to the holding room until further notice. Both me and my friend and a few other people I know made it past first cut.
We waited around for I'm guessing another hour and a half or 2 hours for all the other groups to finish before heading back in for the 2nd cut. This time we learned a combo that preceeded the first combo. This time we were with everyone including agva members which I am assuming some or many were from past seasons. I watched them as they moved taking note of what movements they accented and what they suspended. I eventually went and thought I did decently but when the names were called, mine wasn't one of them. But, my friends was! I was so happy for her because I knew that ballet/pointe was next and she would surely rock it! She has a call back tomorrow and I can't wait to hear how it goes. Of course I'm bummed I didn't make it to the tuesday call back but this was an experience that I had been waiting for since who knows when so to finally be able to audition was enough to last me for quite a while ;-) I'm proud once again that I am clearly progessing seeing as I am able to get past first cuts. My goal now is to get even further....oh and to learn to dance in character heels! I'm so happy they were open to non-character shoes because I really didn't want my first time in character heels to be for an audition...
until the next one.
In terms of the actors. I just loved Christopher Seiber(sp?) and Daniel Breaker who play Lord Farquarrd(sp?) and Donkey, respectively. They really helped keep the show alive for me. While Sutton Foster was good at some point she wasn't consistent, neither was Shrek (pardon my ignorance for not knowing his real name). For Shrek, I wanted a more Shuler Hensley-type person to play the part. Someone with a more deeper louder voice. This guy had a great singing voice but he sounded very American Idol and it's hard to invision that when he is supposed to be an ogre.
What I did love was the tap scene; of course. That was probably one of the best moments of the show in addition the the Three Blind Mice. That part was hilarious/offensive. I was dying with laughter. I also really liked seeing all the fairy tale characters but for some reason aside from enjoying their costumes, they weren't memorable.
I still haven't decided yet whether or not I truly enjoyed the show. I'm on the fence. I will admit, however, that it was very cute. But, content-wise, not so much.
Today was the audition for the Radio City Christmas Spectacular. My friend and I got up bright and early to attend the audition and ended up running into several familiar faces while we were there.
We were in the second group and were lucky enough to get out of the rain after maybe only a 30 minute wait. But, when we were in the waiting rooms we were there for at least an hour and a half. When we finally went, the first thing I thought about was that this was going to be a different experience then any audition I had been to in the past. I knew that precision was key so I tried to focus on the details when they were teaching. We learned a short combo from which, judging by the music and my memory of the show, seemed like it was the finale piece but I could be wrong. It had a very "wish on a star-dream big" kind of feel. After we learned the combo we were split into three groups. Everything went very fast and before I knew it I was told to go to the holding room until further notice. Both me and my friend and a few other people I know made it past first cut.
We waited around for I'm guessing another hour and a half or 2 hours for all the other groups to finish before heading back in for the 2nd cut. This time we learned a combo that preceeded the first combo. This time we were with everyone including agva members which I am assuming some or many were from past seasons. I watched them as they moved taking note of what movements they accented and what they suspended. I eventually went and thought I did decently but when the names were called, mine wasn't one of them. But, my friends was! I was so happy for her because I knew that ballet/pointe was next and she would surely rock it! She has a call back tomorrow and I can't wait to hear how it goes. Of course I'm bummed I didn't make it to the tuesday call back but this was an experience that I had been waiting for since who knows when so to finally be able to audition was enough to last me for quite a while ;-) I'm proud once again that I am clearly progessing seeing as I am able to get past first cuts. My goal now is to get even further....oh and to learn to dance in character heels! I'm so happy they were open to non-character shoes because I really didn't want my first time in character heels to be for an audition...
until the next one.
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