Something Good

I know, I know... getting lazy. But I haven't forgotten you, oh tender world of blogspot! Just busy, is all...

A few notable things for this week-

1. I shaved my head again last night. SO nice to get rid of that extra weight- and way more manageable =) I know I just got the headshots done (trust me, it made my hands tremble with that little buzzer), but I couldn't help but want to do it. Something in me was really drawn to the idea, and part of me wonders if it wasn't an emotional reaction to life in general; you know the deal- emotional turmoil = need for change = the hair turns blue sort-of-thing. I'm not in any real kind of distress, but being single, not being cast this semester, and that damned acting class are really taking a toll on the ol' self-esteem. I guess there's a little Britney in all of us...

2. I had a really great day in my Performance Practicum today. My professor, Michael Rider, is a VERY smart, VERY funny, and VERY talented man, and the biggest Queen since Liberace. I love him to death; he kills me, I swear.

The point is, though, that he's the only teacher, with the exception of my voice teacher Peter Stewart, that makes me feel like I'm not a complete idiot. Don't get me wrong, he doesn't always pull his punches when he tells me which notes were flat (or which acting moments, for that matter), but he does it in such a way that it's also mentoring and nurturing. He explains himself, and assures me that I've got it, I'm just not getting it. And let me tell you- in a world where there are a thousand people ready to tear you to shreds over the outfit you wore, alone, not to mention what (and how) you're singing, it's nice to have someone at my back.

I sang "I Got Life" from HAIR, and Michael told me it was a good choice for me ("At least it's not a girl's song..." Bitch =P), especially since he doesn't see me let loose and just go crazy most of the time. He's told me many times that he's tired of seeing me come in wearing my tie and vest and singing the well-put-together songs. So today I gave him something messier, and it definitely paid off. Everyone had nice things to say, with only constructive criticism, and I ran it a second time with improvements- overall a very positive experience.

After class, though, my friends and I moseyed on over to Michael for the usual post-class hour-long discussion of brassy divas and gossip. Today we talked about some of the great cabaret performers, and how we as students should be not only studying them, but putting together our own cabarets. I've been wanting to do one for a long time, so I think I'm going to put one together with my roommates and see how it flies. I've been gunning to put together a cabaret called, "An Evening With Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin" where I play both Patti LuPone and Mandy Patinkin (trust me, my impressions are on my resume). I know what you're going to say, that you won't believe me, you'll think it strange... yeah, I'm done with that one.

Anyway, I'm feeling good today. I know I've got something to offer this disgustingly mean world of showbusiness, even if it's not much. I know it sounds cheesy, but it's mine, and I'm unique in so many ways. Embracing my individuality is sometimes hard for me, but when I do, it's always the thing that pays off. So here she is boys- ready or not, here comes mama.

Some lyrics of choice today:

(Picture Elaine Stritch singing these, you'll cry, I promise)

Perhaps I had a wicked childhood,
Perhaps I had a miserable youth.
But somewhere in my wicked,
Miserable past,
There must have been a moment of truth.

For here you are,
There you are
Loving me;
Whether or not you should.
So somewhere in my youth
Or Childhood,
I must have done something good.

Nothing comes from nothing-
Nothing ever could.
So somewhere in my youth or childhood,
I must have done something good.

<3
Peace