So, almost done with my first semester here. There have been ups, there have been downs, there have been triumphs and there have been failures. But it has all led to this... I will be a second semester student in a matter of days, which may seem like an obvious progression, but in this accelerated 4-semester program, finishing a semester is like finishing a whole year of normal college. Supposedly.
So, what do I have to say about AMDA now that I've been through the first bit of it? I still hesitate to sing its praises too loudly since the work will keep getting harder, but I seriously am having trouble finding fault with the program. Sure, it's not for everyone, and it's very unforgiving. There's not really a middle ground here; you're either getting good grades with perfect attendance or you're flirting with dropping out. We are expected to give 110% all the time, no matter what, because that is what our employers will expect of us in our ideal work situation, namely, 8 shows a week for years on end. But I think that's a good thing. Better to learn it now than out in the real world.
Here's what I've learned as far as keeping up with the challenges presented: you have got to find something that refreshes and rejuvenates you, something that can calm you down or help you blow off steam. Keep yourself rested, hydrated, and well-fed. I've said all of these things before. They're still true. And I probably would have gone insane without them.
Honestly what wears on me the most is the constant scrutiny. We enter the school each day to be placed under a microscope in all of our classes. That which is most personal and most dear to us - the way we sing, the way we speak, even the way we move! - is constantly open to harsh criticism. It's certainly not easy to live like that day in and day out. But I think it's so worth it.
If we are open to receiving those criticisms, whether we agree with them or not, we are open to improvement on a vast scale, a scale on which most people fail to make even a blip. And that's exciting! Watching myself and my classmates grow over the course of this semester, getting to know our strengths and weaknesses as a group and as individuals, and watching us improve in every respect is truly one of the more rewarding experiences I have been privileged to experience. I greatly look forward to continuing our studies next semester, intensive as they may be. Difficulties and all, I love this school and its curriculum so far; it is exactly what I wanted from a school when I started looking to transfer not even a year ago. The teachers are all extremely knowledgeable and professional, and they truly want us to be, and push us to be, the best we can possibly be. I truly believe that if I throw myself into my work here, I will be setting myself up for blazing success upon graduation. And you just cannot beat that feeling. That I-am-going-to-conquer-the-world-and-AMDA-is-going-to-help-me feeling. ;)
Tuesday, October 4, 2011
Sunday, September 11, 2011
Lists n Things
I cannot believe how time has gotten away from me! I haven't blogged in almost a month! I suppose this is ample testament to how busy my life has been here at AMDA. My first semester is wrapping up in a couple of weeks, and then I'll have my first set of final demos! Exciting.
There's not really anything specific that I sat down to write about this evening, just checking in with y'all so you know I'm still alive and well. But while I'm at it, I think I'll make a list of things that have been making me happy lately:
- chocolate-covered donuts
- sleeping in
- stopping in Petco to look at all the birds and fish
- looking cute in boots on rainy days
- the way my shaggy little haircut is growing out
- styles from the 70s
- reconnecting with a couple of long-lost friends
- icee pops
- curling up in my comforter when the AC is up really high
In other news, since I last blogged I have
- made it through my mid-term demos with flying colors
- survived Hurricane Irene by evacuating to Pittsburgh for a weekend (albeit unnecessarily in retrospect)
- taken the Labor Day weekend to travel to Canada with my sisters
- been sick for a week now without missing any classes. yay meee.
And now I am most looking forward to
- being able to breath normally through my nose and laugh without coughing up a lung
- attending Steve Moakler's performance in NYC with some of my classmates this weekend
- finishing my first semester strong
- visiting Pittsburgh again
- NYC Comicon!! I'll be dressing up again and maybe remembering my camera batteries this time.
Have I mentioned lately how much I love making lists? lol
But it seems that twitter is really a better way to keep track of me nowadays, since I can do that from my phone and it doesn't require any planning or organizing. Although this blog didn't really require much of either, to be honest.
And that is the end of this sonnet. I have never crocheted a bonnet.
lol STILL gets me every time...
There's not really anything specific that I sat down to write about this evening, just checking in with y'all so you know I'm still alive and well. But while I'm at it, I think I'll make a list of things that have been making me happy lately:
- chocolate-covered donuts
- sleeping in
- stopping in Petco to look at all the birds and fish
- looking cute in boots on rainy days
- the way my shaggy little haircut is growing out
- styles from the 70s
- reconnecting with a couple of long-lost friends
- icee pops
- curling up in my comforter when the AC is up really high
In other news, since I last blogged I have
- made it through my mid-term demos with flying colors
- survived Hurricane Irene by evacuating to Pittsburgh for a weekend (albeit unnecessarily in retrospect)
- taken the Labor Day weekend to travel to Canada with my sisters
- been sick for a week now without missing any classes. yay meee.
And now I am most looking forward to
- being able to breath normally through my nose and laugh without coughing up a lung
- attending Steve Moakler's performance in NYC with some of my classmates this weekend
- finishing my first semester strong
- visiting Pittsburgh again
- NYC Comicon!! I'll be dressing up again and maybe remembering my camera batteries this time.
Have I mentioned lately how much I love making lists? lol
But it seems that twitter is really a better way to keep track of me nowadays, since I can do that from my phone and it doesn't require any planning or organizing. Although this blog didn't really require much of either, to be honest.
And that is the end of this sonnet. I have never crocheted a bonnet.
lol STILL gets me every time...
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Lessons Learned
Hello to all my beloved readers out there! I can't believe my first semester here is half-way done! Well, actually, I can sort of believe it; I've been working my butt off since I got here. I sincerely apologize for not keeping up with this blog as I have been swept up in a flurry of musical theater schooling the likes of which I had scarcely dreamed! I have been too exhausted lately even to make myself food other than toast, let alone assemble my thoughts for a publication detailing my adventures. I have, however, been keeping a running mental list of some of the choicest lessons I am learning here to share with my devoted, if minuscule, following. Here they are, in no particular order.
Lesson 1:
Praise and criticism must both be taken in a stride, allowing neither to distract you from focusing on the task at hand and both to propel you to increased achievement in their own way.
Lesson 2:
Give your body what it needs!
It is insanely important to get enough sleep and to eat well, or at the very least take a multivitamin. And don't forget to hydrate! The regimen of classes here is extremely physically taxing; I am sore and tired all the time from the sheer exhertion of it all! Listening to my body when it needs rest and nourishment are key to maintaining my health so I am always at the top of my game. Honestly, the last time I've had to pay this close attention to my body was when I was in Ghana, performing manual labor under the hot sun of the Equator. Which brings us to our next lesson...
Lesson 3:
Food is fuel! I have never noticed such a direct correlation between when and what I eat and how I feel. Because of this, I will probably never eat fast food again. Sure, it's cheap, but it actually slows me down and makes me feel crappy until it's out of my system. I feel the best when I eat lots of protein and some carbs without too much sugar or salt. Fresh fruit is always nice, but not usually possible, financially. I only drink water throughout the day, because other drinks aren't worth the money or added sugar.
Lesson 4:
You can never have too many connections as an actor... or as a person.
Personal connections to people you know and love and who know and love you are crucial. I've never relied so heavily on my family and close friends, or my faith, for that matter. All of them have helped to keep me grounded and sane through the roller coaster of this extremely challenging experience. I talk to someone from my family or circle of best friends every day.
As far as acting goes, this philosophy applies to the fact that acting is, among other things, about making connections with your character, the other characters, the scenery, your character's backstory... the list goes on, and it's impossible to be too specific, so dive right in! Specificity = an honest and believable performance. Also, connections will keep you grounded and focused as an actor.
Lesson 5:
Early is on time, on time is late, late is RECAST!
True, I became familiar with some version of this philosophy during my time in the BPHS Marching Band, but the hilariously threatening tone of this phrase never fails to bring home the reality of my situation; in just over a year, I will be finished at AMDA and tossed into the cut-throat world of professional performance, and the harder things are for me here, the easier I will make that adjustment.
Lesson 6:
If you think you can't, you probably can. Never say "I can't."
Lesson 7:
Never make excuses. Just make it right.
Lesson 8:
Know your limitations and accept your humanity. You're going to make mistakes and sometimes you're going to fail miserably. Don't let that derail you; let it ignite a fierce determination to succeed.
Lesson 9:
Always keep your lights on.
No, this does not mean to waste electricity, but rather refers to the fact that even if you are concentrating hard on learning a new dance step or sight-singing a piece of new music and especially if you are performing a piece of choreography or a song or a scene, your face must always say "I know exactly what I'm doing and I enjoy doing it."
Lesson 10:
Hard work really pays off, and as my grandma always used to say, "Anything worth having is worth working for."
Lesson 11:
I was born to be a professional performer, and every aspect of my life, every tick in my personality, every experience and triumph and failure leading up to this has prepared me in some way to succeed here. I have never been so sure of anything in my life as I am sure that I belong exactly where I am, doing exactly what I am doing.
And that's really all I have to say on the matter. :)
Lesson 1:
Praise and criticism must both be taken in a stride, allowing neither to distract you from focusing on the task at hand and both to propel you to increased achievement in their own way.
Lesson 2:
Give your body what it needs!
It is insanely important to get enough sleep and to eat well, or at the very least take a multivitamin. And don't forget to hydrate! The regimen of classes here is extremely physically taxing; I am sore and tired all the time from the sheer exhertion of it all! Listening to my body when it needs rest and nourishment are key to maintaining my health so I am always at the top of my game. Honestly, the last time I've had to pay this close attention to my body was when I was in Ghana, performing manual labor under the hot sun of the Equator. Which brings us to our next lesson...
Lesson 3:
Food is fuel! I have never noticed such a direct correlation between when and what I eat and how I feel. Because of this, I will probably never eat fast food again. Sure, it's cheap, but it actually slows me down and makes me feel crappy until it's out of my system. I feel the best when I eat lots of protein and some carbs without too much sugar or salt. Fresh fruit is always nice, but not usually possible, financially. I only drink water throughout the day, because other drinks aren't worth the money or added sugar.
Lesson 4:
You can never have too many connections as an actor... or as a person.
Personal connections to people you know and love and who know and love you are crucial. I've never relied so heavily on my family and close friends, or my faith, for that matter. All of them have helped to keep me grounded and sane through the roller coaster of this extremely challenging experience. I talk to someone from my family or circle of best friends every day.
As far as acting goes, this philosophy applies to the fact that acting is, among other things, about making connections with your character, the other characters, the scenery, your character's backstory... the list goes on, and it's impossible to be too specific, so dive right in! Specificity = an honest and believable performance. Also, connections will keep you grounded and focused as an actor.
Lesson 5:
Early is on time, on time is late, late is RECAST!
True, I became familiar with some version of this philosophy during my time in the BPHS Marching Band, but the hilariously threatening tone of this phrase never fails to bring home the reality of my situation; in just over a year, I will be finished at AMDA and tossed into the cut-throat world of professional performance, and the harder things are for me here, the easier I will make that adjustment.
Lesson 6:
If you think you can't, you probably can. Never say "I can't."
Lesson 7:
Never make excuses. Just make it right.
Lesson 8:
Know your limitations and accept your humanity. You're going to make mistakes and sometimes you're going to fail miserably. Don't let that derail you; let it ignite a fierce determination to succeed.
Lesson 9:
Always keep your lights on.
No, this does not mean to waste electricity, but rather refers to the fact that even if you are concentrating hard on learning a new dance step or sight-singing a piece of new music and especially if you are performing a piece of choreography or a song or a scene, your face must always say "I know exactly what I'm doing and I enjoy doing it."
Lesson 10:
Hard work really pays off, and as my grandma always used to say, "Anything worth having is worth working for."
Lesson 11:
I was born to be a professional performer, and every aspect of my life, every tick in my personality, every experience and triumph and failure leading up to this has prepared me in some way to succeed here. I have never been so sure of anything in my life as I am sure that I belong exactly where I am, doing exactly what I am doing.
And that's really all I have to say on the matter. :)
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