ONE MORE MOVE
My sweet man took time out to get my blog incorporated into my website.
is now open for business…so to speak. This is where all my new blog postings will be! BOOKMARK IT!
You can even add me to your RSS. Technology is cool.
NEW POSTS UP AT
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first rehearsal part the first
WOW.
That about sums up the first night of rehearsal. I could use a slew of other words and phrases: fascinating, in depth, profound, unique, productive, creative, collaborative; but when I try to describe the experience to the people in my life familiar with the theatre process, I stop at “Wow.”
This was unlike any first rehearsal I have ever experienced.
Jeff Sensat, is certainly a different breed of director. Typically, the first night of rehearsal is spent in introductions (Hi, I’m Cortney and I am playing Mimi….) and table work, which consists of a read through of the script and maybe some general discussions about logistics; calendars, costumes, haircuts, etc.
We did start with introductions. Although the fierce Texas thunderstorm beating down on the metal roof of the theatre 
made it a bit difficult to hear, we managed to get around the room with some efficiency. Look for an upcoming post introducing our cast. There was even some brief discussion on the history and time frame of the show, some background information for the young-uns that were a bit too young to recall the beginning of the AIDS epidemic.
But that is where “typical” ended and “amazing” began.
Much to my surprise and delight, Jeff wanted to spend the evening focusing on the concept of the artistic process and our responsibility as artists.
Granted, this is the kind of extensive subject that could conceivably fill an entire college course to overflowing, but Jeff managed to distill his philosophy down to a few manageable bites; each of which gave the cast something upon which to chew for the rest of their lives as artists.
SO…I will be posting a SERIES to talk about what happened last night. No way I can cover it all in one post! We discussed art, and the artist’s responsibility to the audience, perception, collective consciousness, the powerful importance of the show’s message, the background and history of the show and the author, Jonathan Larson, the etymology of each character’s name, and topped the night off with a bed-sheet screening of Robert Dornhelm’s film of the Puccini opera La Boheme, starring Anna Netrebko and Rolando Villazon, which filled me with no uncertain amount of GLEE.
Oh Mimi…you tart.
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officially “in the biz?”
I was already planning on doing some major trimming down if I got the part of Mimi, both for the sake of the crack whore look AND for the fact that I will be dancing around on stage in my skivvies. YOWSUH! Then, my director called to chat about the “emotional climate” in my house upon hearing the news that I had been cast. Sadly, I was all alone that day as J was offshore and Mini Me was with her Grandmother, but I let him know that I was plenty ecstatic for the absentees. He then proceeded to ask me, in the most delicate manner possible, if I would be willing to drop some weight to affect the “skeletor” look that the character required. There was much qualifying and assurances that I did not NEED to lose weight, and that I am obviously already a lovely girl…etc, etc, and so forth.
I must confess, I knew INSTANTLY when he said “I’d like to ask you something, but this is certainly NOT a requirement…” what he was going to ask. And yet I let him nervously stumble around with the request while I sat silently. I tried a few times to cut in but he was adamant to get out all the groundwork before delivering the CRUSHING BLOW. I kid. I was far from crushed. Like I said, I had already planned on it, had discussed it with J, and started making a game plan. I even alerted my girlfriend, with whom I will be floating the river this weekend, that I would not be drinking beer while doing said non-activity, as I am on a strict “look like a crack whore in 5 weeks” diet. That will be the real challenge; drop enough weight to get that “dying” look without ACTUALLY dying.
We have all seen the actors that make drastic changes in their weight for roles. Point in case: Oh Tom, wherefore art thou so slender? That high protein-low carb diet of crab and coconuts has done you no favors, mi amor!
Or Hilary. Dear, terrifying, Hilary…
I mean, I am certainly not comparing my role to these in any way, but I have been meaning to put the pedal to the proverbial metal in my fitness routine.
Why not utilize this golden opportunity of MEGA motivation and bust my ass at the gym and watch those calories for a few weeks this summer?
Besides, there are a few other theatres in town planning to do this show this season and it would be pretty cool to already look the part.
What do you guys think?
.
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OK I am no Rosario Dawson, but I got the part of Mimi! Now to lose that pesky weight that belies my crack-addict state…one must sacrifice for one’s art…for me, it just means more time in the gym and less time telling myself that since they are VEGAN chocolate chips, they are OK to eat—by the fistfull—hourly. HA! Anyone know where I can get some tapeworms?*
*soooo kidding. tapeworms are bad kids…mmmKAY?
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Tags: absurd ways I tie random info together in a post with references to a famous song, bragging, life singing career musical theater, musical theater, REASONS TO WEAR FISHNETS, RENT, singing career, Slightly Offcenter Players
The director must have sensed my concern as he let me know in a Facebook message that there were “several strong male auditions” after I left.
Tonight was heartening to be sure. Many more my age and older. Plus for some strange reason I was ON during the dance “audition.” Put in quotes because this is NOT a dance heavy show and we didn’t actually have to audition with the combo we were taught, but the choreographer wanted to see us move a little, especially those of us interested in Mimi.
And after tonight I am officially intrigued by Mimi with more than just marginal interest. I had some specific thoughts on which character I wanted to play. Mimi, the love interest, the closest thing this show has to an ingenue (I think I will call her an anti-ingenue, since she is far from the typical in that respect) is who I ALWAYS play. Despite my rather extensive experience in life’s nitty gritty, I still project sweetness under the par cans. BLCH.
Now, Mimi, being a stripping, rock star crack head was certainly someone I could identify with on some levels…at one point in my life. (Don’t judge, we all have our skeletons!) But I can also identify with Maureen. OH MO! Those of you who know me well, know that in real life, I AM MO. So this would have been type casting…in a way.
Well fast forward to me singing Maureen’s music at tonight’s audition. HOO BOY! She LIVES in my passagio. NOT a great place to try to belt.
Then came the line up of all parties interested in Mimi. Everyone had to sing the opening bars of “Out Tonight” up to the head voice flip in the chorus…Take me….OOOOwoooooooo tonight.” Something like 15+ girls covering the spectrum of the good , the bad, and the ugly. A few girls really looked the part. I must be honest I was not expecting the competition to be QUITE so fierce, but it was! I was also not expecting to deliver quite as fiercely as I did. I mean, frankly this is NOT my bag! This is outside my box in a BIG way, but somehow, it was my turn, and BOOM. DONE. NAILED IT. Ok, well I could certainly have done better…I can always pick apart my own performances; you were a little flat here, you pushed there, and why are you so wooden tonight? But overall, I did better than I thought I would. Way better than I thought I would.
By the end of the night I had poured out everything I had and was exhausted. But elated!
Yes. Tired. Proud. and…CALLED BACK BEEEYOTCHES!
wOOt!
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Tags: auditions, bragging, lessons, life singing career musical theater, musical theater, RENT, self-doubt, singing career, singing outside the box, Slightly Offcenter Players
high school musical?
Major CONCERN.
If one is number 17 to audition at a theatre, and 14 of the previous 16 auditioners are AT LEAST 10 years younger than one, whatever is one to think about said theatre?
Well I thought that perhaps I had inadvertently stumbled upon a student operation…which is FINE. These kind of youth productions are necessary to mold the future little stars.And there were some really impressive auditions given by those whippersnappers. I just wished someone had TOLD me that there was an age cap!
One guy behind me assured me that he was 36 and that perhaps it was just because it was Summer and school was out that so many pubescent darlings had shown up.
*sigh*
The trouble is, that even if I gave the absolute BEST audition, based on what I saw tonight I could not be cast in the show opposite any of these guys…I would look like a pedophile.
Great. Maybe the 36 year old I met was joined later by some of his friends…preferably WITH pubic hair.
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Tags: auditions, getting old, life singing career musical theater, musical theater, RENT, singing career, Slightly Offcenter Players
SNAFU
I put the wrong email on my resume…the one I handed out to 25 theatres?!?!
So I contacted the email that is listed…and met the owner of said email. She promised to forward any emails that come to her to my ACTUAL address. UGH! I have NEVER done something THIS STUPID!!!
Oh well, what is done is done.
Off to Barbados on Monday. I will deal with all of this when I get home.
GRRRRRR…..
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Tags: lessons, life singing career musical theater, musical theater, singing career, stupid mistakes
nerves
I am rare.
I don’t really get nervous.
Usually I will have them AFTER a performance.
Auditions are a little different.
Tomorrow are the Houston Cooperative Auditions. All (or at least most) of the regional theatres in town get together and host two long days of mass auditions. You are given three minutes in which to do whatever it is that you do. Deliver a monologue, sing, juggle, fart on cue…apparently anything goes.
I truly have no clue if these are really a good way to get seen by the casting directors. Seems to me that they would all just kind of run together eventually. This will be my second year participating in the Co-ops. They did generate a few audition invitations last year, none of which resulted in a role, but auditions are important regardless.
This year I will be saying it all with Sondheim. I will simply sing “Loving You” and emote the hell out of it. No monologue. No farting (hopefully).
We shall see what comes of it.
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Tags: auditions, life singing career musical theater, musical theater, singing career
YES PEOPLE. IT IS TIME. IT IS HERE.
Incidentally it is also queer but that is soooo not the point. It just rhymes.
The first of MANY upcoming Houston productions of this beloved favorite will come from a little known Pasadena company called Slightly Offcenter Players. The auditions are a few days after I return from vacation. And yes, I will be throwing caution to the wind and going after a principle role.
“But Cortney,” you say, “you are NOT this kind of voice! You are a LEGIT musical theatre voice! Wait for Sweeney, Oliver, or Carousel for the love of Fosse!”
NAY I SAY TO YOU…um…uer..NAYSAYERS!
Like all of us, there is a rockstar deep within me, gasping for air. I intend to let her off her leash for a bit.
Because, really, there’s only us, there’s only this, forget regret, or life is yours to miss…
DAMNIT! Now all the songs from the show will be stuck in my head the whole time I am in Barbados!
Wish me broken limbs!
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Tags: auditions, life singing career musical theater, musical theater, RENT, singing career, singing outside the box, Slightly Offcenter Players
tis the season…
December and January: SPRING AUDITION SEASON (dun dun duuuuuun…..)
Time for new head shots:
This was a self portrait taken in my bathroom. Hey! I am NOTHING if not resourceful.
Ike really left a deeper scar on my war path than I had first anticipated. A cleared calendar for a time-consuming show proved to be disastrous when said show failed to manifest due to a NATURAL DISASTER. An upheaval and subsequent move in my personal life coupled with the onset of the hustle and bustle of the Holiday Season had my head spinning. A slew of last minute gigs stole my sanity but paid some bills, so I forgive them. Plus the adventure aspect of the past four weeks has made life so very interesting! Of course, craziness is de rigeur in my life…
Let’s see…
I managed to get sicker than I have EVER been with my FIRST EVER STOMACH FLU while DRIVING to an important and major gig. Nothing like puking on the side of Hwy-290…and I-45…and Hwy 105…then passing out…while driving; FUN TIMES! I have learned that Houston drivers are not even sympathetic to the puking lady on the side of the road. They will STILL flip you off for going even one notch below the speed limit as you pull over with hazards blazing. I also learned that full Vegas Showgirl Drag will illicit wolf whistles from fat men at Conroe gas stations REGARDLESS of what you are doing at said gas station (in my case, it was puking into the trash can–we are going to hope for this man’s sake that he missed that part and just got dazzled by the foot-long lashes and smoky black eye shadow…)
I saw what a mess downtown really is in terms of traffic control and flow as 5000 guests arrived for various holiday parties at the hilton Americas while 18,000 Rockets fans simultaneously arrived to support their beloved team. Thank you to the Hilton Americas for booking parties that invited more guests than their parking garage could accommodate and therefore forcing many of us mere mortals to sit at the light at Crawford and Dallas for 45 full minutes. Luckily, I am a conniving devious snake of a human and LIED THROUGH MY TEETH to have the privilege of VALET PARKING. I can only IMAGINE the chagrin of the top execs in their $100k cars with their jeweled and furred wives watching my Camry pull into the coveted (and guarded by 4 policemen) valet lane. (the policemen actually had to ESCORT my car in to avoid unwanted cars from getting in!) To add insult to injury, my white Toyota was covered in black blobs of bird dookey. (insert sigh of contentment here)
The best gig of the season thus far: The Elder’s Holiday Party-an Haute Soiree event. A breathtaking mansion right on the lake on Benthaven Isle in Bentwater, appreciative but unobtrusive guests, (no one requested Freebird OR Kenny ROgers) amazing talent on the bandstand, much silliness ensued and I have pictures (courtesy Jeremy Keas) to prove just how smokin’ I looked and I will post them as soon as I have them.
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