"Only those who will risk going too far can possibly find out how far one can go." ~T.S. Eliot

"You were once wild here, don't let them tame you!" ~Isadora Duncan

"Be faithful to that which exists within yourself." ~Andre Gide

"Follow your bliss!" ~J. Campbell ... and my folks!

"The idea of waiting for something makes it more exciting." ~Andy Warhol

"There is no passion to be found playing small - in settling for a life that is less than the one you are capable of living." ~Nelson Mandela

"...open and expanding like an unfinished book..." ~Quote from a friend, Travis Judd

"Start by doing what's necessary; then do what's possible; and suddenly you are doing the impossible." ~St. Francis of Assisi

"And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same." ~Nelson Mandela

"The capacity to be puzzled is ... the premise of all creation, be it in art or in science." ~Erich Fromm

"Between two evils, I always pick the one I never tried before." ~Mae West

"Theatre is a form of knowledge; it should and can also be a means of transforming society. Theatre can help us build our future, rather than just waiting for it." ~Augusto Boal

Thursday, June 30, 2011

Comedy, Comedy!

I've gotten three more short scripts for the "Comedy, Comedy" class / week with Stone Soup Theatre. This is very exciting to me because two of the scripts are actually Cannovacio - or Commedia dell'Arte Scenarios - that I get to direct, ok using children but still, woo hoo Commedia dell'Arte!!! Let the research / preparations begin!

And on an entirely different note, there's a fabulous little lightning bug on my window screen right now, his little butt light bulb blinking on and off, on and off, on and off...oh to be 12 years old again, with no real cares or woes, and hold a glass mayo jar in hand with a tin lid (with holes poked in the top) trying to catch a fire fly!!!

"We saw lots of fire flies,
Lighting up their little tail lights,
They light'em up so bright and yellow,
So you can tell-O,
Where they are the little fellows!"

And ... au revoir June, it's been a strange month ... hahaha! I can't believe July starts tomorrow.

Good night Gracie!

Wednesday, June 29, 2011

Research and Ideas

So I've got four "full length" kids shows to direct as well as a series of short comedy scripts, during my time out in Washington. This is exciting! And challenging. And hike that challenge up when you take into consideration that I will be doing one script with two different age groups, at the same time ... must make them different in some ways!

I've been going through all of my books to find anything I can use for my Shakespeare show. I'm determined to get these kids to understand iambic pentameter, at least a basic understanding of it. And I'm going to teach them how Shakespeare shows in the time they were written, why he used so much description ... because they didn't have elaborate (or any really) sets, and no lighting etc...and...I'm still working on stuff.

Comedy ... there are so many different ways to make people laugh ... and the different scripts I'll be using illustrate this ... comedic timing ... physical comedy ... still working on stuff.

Magic ... theatre is magic ... the script "Harriett's Secret" is a parody (I hope I'm using the correct term here) of Harry Potter. The magic in this text is largely physical, literally, the kids will show the audience that magic is happening by using their bodies ... oooooh the thoughts - rhythm's and sounds ... still working on stuff.

And my two scripts for Bremerton (as the three above are for Stone Soup) haven't yet arrived ... so ... still working!

And that is all for today, Happy Birthday to my sister! Goodnight!

Tuesday, June 28, 2011

Oh Shakespeare ...

I don't know what it is about Shakespeare, even a watered down script meant for kids ages 8-13, but if I don't read the text out loud I don't get it. And sometimes I need to read and re-read a section of text before I "get it". Shakespeare totally intimidates me as a director. And I wonder why this is. Is this abnormal? Is this because I was raised in the United States and didn't really study any classical texts until I was in College/Grad School?

I think I stress myself silly where the old Bard is concerned. Like I worry that even though I know what Iambic Pentameter is, that I "don't get it" ... can't explain it ... how would I teach it ... etc ... I am a donkey!

Not a good complex to have when researching and working on the show I'll be doing my first week with Stone Soup Theatre.

I know I can do it, and I know I understand it ... it's Midsummer ... and I even understand the full length version, not just the watered down script meant for kids ages 8-13. But still, I stress. I want to be able to get these kids to understand what they are saying ... I guess, what it really amounts too, is that I want more confidence in this area of theatre ... Shakespeare.

You know what they say, you learn by doing ... so here I am, continuing to learn ... while doing! :o)

Monday, June 27, 2011

Script Reading

Today was a script reading day.
I've got two out of the three scripts for Stone Soup.
Midsummer and Harriet's Secret (which is a spoof of Harry Potter).

And that's all for the work front.

Sunday, June 26, 2011

Lazy Days Are Here Again!

What else is new? Ha!

Today, which was overcast though not raining, I spent reading and watching some stupid telly and drinking some Chianti! All in all, not a bad day! :o) Tomorrow I must be more productive! I've got Seattle gigs to work on. I've got other jobs to search for. I've got ... stuff to do, yeah? Yeah!

Have I mentioned yet that this truly has to be one of the most boring blogs ever created? Did I really think I'd be the next "Julie/Julia"?! NO! (Well maybe there was that lingering hope, like when you buy a scratch off lotto ticket and you're thinking how you'd spend the money even before you're started scratching the ticket ... but for reals yo, I knew nothing would come of this blog ... right?! RIght!)

TTFN ... Sleepy Time (ok, book then sleep)!

Saturday, June 25, 2011

The Last of 19

This blog entry has NOTHING to do with anything other than the fact that the last of 19 Cousins (on my mother's side of the family) graduated from High School yesterday - his party was today! 2011 is the year of the "final" High School Graduation ... my brother had been the first in 1995 ... and now, 16 years later (an entire person old enough to drive) the last one in this cousinal-generation has graduated! Well done!

And that is all.

Friday, June 24, 2011

The Human Condition

I'm working on a project whose central theme is "The Human Condition". It's a devised piece, and right now I'm in the process of sourcing source material. I'm not going to give too much about the project away (don't want any internet thieves thieving my idears, haha) ... but I will say this, if you have a thought on "The Human Condition" and want to leave me a comment, please do. Any comments that are left will be thrown into the pot of source material, and be used during the rehearsal process - and potentially the final piece as well.

*So please note, if you do leave a comment, you are effectively giving me permission to use your words in my rehearsal process, and possibly as direct dialogue in the final theatre piece as well.

At any rate, if you would like to voice your thoughts, feelings, ideas, etc...on "The Human Condition" please do so!

~Thanks. M

The Admiral Theatre and Stone Soup Theatre

The Admiral Theatre is the name of the theatre in Bremerton, WA that I will be working at in July. And the shows I will be doing are:

1. "Into The Woods" with the two older age groups.
and
2. "The Aristocat's" with the younger group.

Info is on it's way to me ... for now that's all I know. :o)

Stone Soup Theatre is the name of the theatre in Seattle, WA where my friend Arlene works, and where I will be working in August. And the shows I will be doing there are:

1. Week One is "A Midsummer Night's Dream"
2. Week Two is a comedy week, and I will have several short scripts for the kids to do.
3. Week Three is a Harry Potter Spoof, which I have not yet read, but I am VERY excited about! (Like a kid in a candy shop, haha!!!)

And that is all I have on that for now too...onto some directorial research and planning!

Thursday, June 23, 2011

Unexpected Anxiety

Right, so for the past two years I have been trying to get jobs in theatre, specifically directing, but willing and able to take on other roles. In the past two years - theatrically speaking - I've managed to direct two middle school shows, work a year as a Drama Kids International Teacher (and asked back for next year), run two of my 24 Hour Theatre projects with the local High School and work on two projects with WAM Theatre Company as their Production Stage Manager.

And over the past few months I've been working on getting my butt out to Seattle to work for a friend and the children's theatre company she works for ('cause let's face it, I NEED to get my tiny hiney out of my folks house before they throw me out, haha, and working in professional theatre companies has a higher possibility of more future work etc., etc., etc.,). And recently I've gotten an offer of two more weeks in the Seattle area. And I've interviewed for the Resident Stage Manager's position with Cap Rep for their next season. (If you've been reading my blog you're well aware of these things.)

And now I find myself full of anxiety over the Seattle area gigs, should I really take them seeing as I have the possibility of this Resident SM Position. The anxiety is for multiple reasons but hinges STRONGLY on the financial.

The SM job will pay, and if I got the season long position, would pay well (a LORTD Equity House...) not to mention being Equity means I'd be accruing health benefit "hours". This is pretty MAJOR. Even more major if I could work out the SM job with the Drama Kids teaching, two jobs equals two paychecks!!! (And with the money from both I'm sure I could get an apartment in Albany.)

However, the two jobs out in the Seattle are in my direct field, as in theatre but also the area I want - Directing (and teaching). They will pay well too. Or at least well enough for the time commitment and what they are, summer camps, but they are only temporary (obviously), and it costs to get out there and to live while I am out there. And for some reason right now I'm totally stressing any sort of move ... though this wouldn't be a move, at least not at first ... because I've only got 5 weeks of work lined up. However, with my time out there and my friends knowledge/connections, who knows what I might be able to get while I am there.

So what am I stressing really? The BIG ANXIETY CONTENDER ... well if I get the SM gig with Cap Rep, the first show starts rehearsals mid-August. I'm supposed to be happily working in Seattle in August! (Oh, and if I do go out there, I need to sort out travel and all that jazz because the Bremerton gig starts on July 18th which means at the very latest I need to be out there on the 17th. WHAT???!!!)

SO ... what do I do right now?

I haven't heard back from Cap Rep yet, even though I emailed the guy the other day. And I did learn yesterday that housing for my time out in the Seattle area is all taken care of (of course I have no idea if/what I'll be paying for my housing in Bremerton as it was sorted yesterday and I haven't yet spoken to the guy) ... but ... well, at the moment what I feel is completely stressed out over having some work this summer. (Ironic?!)

You can't sit around and just wait on a job, this much I know. I've got work out in Seattle so I should just go, right? But what if I get offered this Stage Manager's role? And I can't get the money side of things out of my mind.

Money. EVIL. I've got a bit in my bank account, but not a lot ... but my student loans are about to suck up a fair size portion of that ... and then there's the flight (which my folks are helping with but still) and living expenses while I am out there ... and this makes me feel like the only real benefit of going to Seattle is that I "MIGHT" get more work from just being out there. As in, all the funds I'll make while I'm there will basically pay for my being there. Not horrible. But what if I get offered a job that will be a constant, year long, good pay check???

If I were being totally honest with myself, right now, I feel like getting the Cap Rep job would be a huge relief and THE THING TO DO (even though it's stage managing not directing, and I WANT TO BE A DIRECTOR). SO much of the Cap Rep job just makes better financial sense.

ARRRRRRRRRGH...I'm gonna stop writing for the moment 'cause I've totally worked myself into an anxiety knot. I don't even know if this entry makes sense ... blargh!

Sometimes I really hate the field I work in.

Wednesday, June 22, 2011

Dotay (10 points if you know what movie that and ny minteen is from.)

So the guy out in Bremerton has found me a place to stay for those two weeks in mid-July! Cool!!!

I sub'ed half day today, elementary music, and on the second to last day of school (as that is what today was, and a half day at that), I had my friends daughter in class. Too cute.

And for today, that is all. This afternoon was spent hanging out with a friend and her girls (yes, the same one as mentioned above, tee hee)...and then dinner with my Grandmother and Aunt and Uncle.

Goodnight.

Tuesday, June 21, 2011

One of those moments.

So I'm having one of those moments where I wonder if I'm good at anything. It's rather irrational I realize but none the less, here I sit amidst my fear of being nothing.

I know exactly what triggered this terrible train of thought, a former classmate (from grad school) of mine has gotten a job and announced it one the space of face. A teaching job. (Oh yeah, and he's one of the lucky one's who managed to get back over to the UK, get married, have a theatre career, and now has gotten a teaching job in another foreign country ... while I sit here and do what?) Now, while I'm happy for my classmate (I really am, no matter how jealous I may be, I am happy for him), I'm also totally bummed for myself. I wonder what my life has become ... unable to get a "real" (ok, full time not real) job ... and at the same time, on a parallel track I suppose, runs the train of thought that says I'm not "good enough" to get a teaching job. That I don't have the qualifications to be a professor ... how could I submit myself for "that" job ... how do I write a ('cause no I still haven't finished it) Teaching Philosophy, or create a good syllabus ... etc ...

Again, I know these are stupid rather irrational thoughts, because while I do have them I am also well aware that I could teach. I can write a teaching philosophy (though it's proving to be difficult), I can create a syllabus, and I could hold my own in a classroom - especially if it was drama. So why this self doubt at all then? And how do I get myself away from this horrible train of thought when it arises? How do I turn myself into one of those people who can just make it happen? Against all the odds, make it happen?! And, for that matter, what exactly is it that I want to make happen? (Long term happen? Short term happen? WHAT?! Oh yeah, and HELP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Does any of this make sense? Am I a total nutter?

I hate moments like these.

And by the by, where is that sugar daddy I ordered?

Sunny weather ... no car ... books and the internet!

Gorgeous day outside and I ain't got nobody, I mean I ain't got a car today ... so I'm getting back out in the sunshine! But not before I put a brief update on here that is.

So far, I've sat out with my "second day of Photography Class" books, and already have a better handle on my camera. Certainly not perfect but who knows, one day I may rival Ansel Adams (yeah right / anything's possible)!

JOB HUNTING:
1. I just sent out a "checking in / do you need anything further from me?" email to the Production Manager at Cap Rep, to see about the status of that PSM job (and if they needed anything else from me).

For now ... that's all ... but it's only 11:20am ... more to come!?!

Almsot 12 hours later ... I've read a lot more ... and that's about it. I really need anit-procratstinator spray, or something. Gotta get my ass in gear. Though I will admit that not knowing about this PSM job, and still unsure exactly what's going on this summer in and around Seattle (like, do I have that Bremerton job with the housing sorted for mid-July? And when do I leave for Seattle? And I need to book a ticket. And other such thoughts...) makes it easier to procrastinate. It's like I think "once I figure these things out I can get back to looking for what's next.

Tomorrow I need to be a bit more proactive about this mid-July Bremerton gig, figure out if I can get housing and if I'm going or not! Though it'll have to be after I sub in the morning.

Monday, June 20, 2011

Photography "Class"

Today I spent a large portion of my time reading some photography, specifically digital photography, books that I got for Christmas. My own personal photography class!

I'd read most of the first in a two book series by Scott Kelby before today, but re-read it all again anyway. And then I began the second one which I will finish tomorrow.

I've always loved taking photos, in fact, I often refer to myself as a photo whore (shhhh, I didn't say that). And at times I've pondered what it would have been like if I'd studied photography instead of theatre, where would I be now if...? But the if game is dangerous and not productive in any fashion, so instead I gave myself my own digital photography class.

I'm determined to get better at my photography and perhaps even become truly hirable as a photographer for portrait shoots: family's, headshot's, engagement photos and the like. And who knows what else ... so I'm going through the books I've got, learning things I didn't know (and reading some things I did), learning about where to buy good equipment bits, learning about websites and other books to check out, learning some great "tricks" and testing things out on the equipment I already do own.

There is so much stuff that I need / want in order to take better pictures...the list is long and the dollar sign is large (though some of the items are surprisingly "not that" expensive). Anyone wanna be my sugar daddy??? Or a sweet and mysterious donate'er of stuff for my upcoming Photography career? Anyone? Anyone? NO? I didn't think so. But I digress...I shall make a list and slowly but surely check the items off as I obtain them (anyone wanna take a stab at how many years it will take?)!

Upcoming Photo Shoots: I'm going to ask a friend if I can do a shoot of her and her kids as my first "test job", so I can try some things out before I go and do a shoot for my cousin and her family, since she's specifically asked me to do a family portrait shoot. And hopefully I can also use my friend to test out headshot style photos, since another cousin of mine asked me to take his.

Anyway, that's what I did today. Both job and personal front. That's all.

Nope ... not all, I did in fact do a bit more work on my photo theatre project ... and that is all!

Sunday, June 19, 2011

Things and Stuff and What Not.

For starters:

HAPPY FATHER'S DAY!!!

Next:
I've got some more photographers for the devised piece of theatre I'm working on. And all around the world they are too! Woo hoo!!! I'm very excited. The photos I've already got are awesome, and diverse, and I can't wait to get some more. And then, I can't wait to get to the next phase of the project ... of course this will require funds too ... so, anyone reading this, if you've got some extra cash laying around and you're wondering what to do with it, why donate it to moi. Ok, not to me, but to my company HallWay Productions, and help me fund this project! Word!

And then:
I've googled several cool photography contests to enter over the coming months. We'll see ... you never know what'll happen. (Drat though, I totally missed out on the "Project Imagin8ion" contest, where 8 photos will be the inspiration for a Ron Howard short film. Perhaps they'll do it again in the future. And or, Ron Howard, I ROCK! Hire me ... I can do loads of great stuff and what I don't know I'll learn!)

That is all, for now.

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Lobster Day!!!

Mmmm mmmmm gooooooooood!

I think there should be a Lobster Day, or a play about Lobsters and how awesome they are and how good they taste. Is that terribly mean???

Tomorrow is Father's Day and so, without a present yet, I decided to go shopping with my mother and my aunt (who also needed to purchase a new suitcase because she's going to Italy in one week, how jealous am I you ask, very...haha). On the way home we stopped at a grocery store and decided to get some fresh (and on sale, woot woot, 'cause these bad boys are expensive) Lobsters!

Lobster. Butter. Baked Potato. Coleslaw. Chianti. GOOOOOOOOOOOOOOD!!!

So for me, today is Lobster Day!

What does this have to do with the price of tea in China you ask, or this blog for that matter? Well, 365 Days of ME ya'll! Booya! (I'm such a dork!!! Hahahahaha!)

Thank you little lobster for being my delicious dinner!

Friday, June 17, 2011

Doing Some Work Today ... I am a Freelance Rockstar (HIRE ME!!!!)

Rockin' Thunderstorm going on outside right now ... gonna go sit on the front porch for a minute and then I'll update today's events re:work. That last thunder rumble vibrated me on the porch swing ... saaaaa-weet! If it wasn't thunder and lightening out right now I would so totally go play in the rain.

Ok, on to today's theatre/work events:

1. There is a website called stagejobspro.com where you can create a profile and be a person in search of a job or an employer. Employers can search and potentially find you! So I'm working on creating my profile and uploading my job history and all that jazz! Woot woot!

2. There is a project I've been trying to get underway for over a year now, that I call (working title) "The Human Condition", and so I've been doing some emailing on its behalf. Trying to get some more source material and trying to work out a meeting date with a friend, and theatre professional, who might be the producer! (Ok, not financially but in finding the funds etc...)

3. I've emailed, actually this I did yesterday and I'm waiting to hear back from him, the Admiral Theatre Co., re:my mid-July job. I've emailed to ask what the next step is.

AND:
I will be working on the shows, research and other director/teacher prep things, for my time with Stone Soup Theatre in August.

AND:
I will be looking for other jobs to apply too ... will update later if I find/apply to anything!

Thursday, June 16, 2011

Lazy Bones

Some days, no matter how much 'I know' I should be "working", I just don't.

Part procrastination, as in I start the day saying to myself that I'll get to it in an hour, or at a certain time later in the day, and then I do it again, a different time later in the day...etc. And then I go for a walk (ok, this is a healthy good thing to do on a nice sunny day, but still - procrastinating). And then I do some gardening, pruned and weeded some of my mother's roses today. And then it's time to eat something. And then I do some online photo uploading. And then it's the evening and so I tell myself I'll do it tomorrow. But for real, I HAVE TO DO SOME "WORK" TOMORROW. Job hunting, just because I've got a few weeks of work lined up in July/August and I've got Drama Kids again in the fall, this does not mean I should stop searching.

I hate the fact that I'm a pro-procrastinator! It's a horrible trait, one that I wish I could 86 like right now!

It's not that I did nothing all day long, but I didn't do anything to help further my life goals. I'm a giant procrastinating pile of lazy bones!

Why can't there be a magic wand to ...
~help me lose the weight I want to and tone my body?
~get me the job I desire (whatever that is)?
~introduce me to mr. right (or anyone for that matter)?
~to give me the winning lotto numbers?
~to afford me a flight to New Zealand to visit my friend?
~to afford me time, transport et.al., and or to find me a job near my nieces and my bro and sister in law?
~make life easier...
YES, I realize I'm a dork and asking for things that could never happen ... but still, sometimes it would be f'ing nice to have "too" much money to know what to do with it. The grass is always greener I know, so if I had all the money in the world I realize I'd still have problems, however sometimes I think those problems might be "easier" to handle. But of course, I have no idea.

Anyone out there want to be my hot sugar daddy??? Anyone? Bueller? Bueller???

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

Domestic Me

What a title, no?!
So today was filled with a little reading in the sun, a series of Neil Gaiman short stories followed by mowing the lawn (ride on mower = time goes faster, though the ride on can be a little scary especially on tight turns or on hills - it can feel like it's about to tip over). After mowing the lawn I did some on line stuff, though none of it was actually applying to any new positions, and then I cleaned out the refrigerator (oh the joy ... science experiments galore). This was followed by my cooking dinner. I managed to burn my right arm on the frying pans splatter guard (which is metal and when placed on a hot cast iron frying pan will get hot). And now, beddy by time ... or reading myself to sleep time. Haha.
Tomorrow I must be more productive!

My friend sent me a link to a job posting, but it looks like they want someone to teach technical theatre (and if they mean "how to draft" and things like that, well then I would not be qualified), I've got to check into that tomorrow.

I really do write the MOST BORING BLOG EVER!

Goodnighty Aphrodite!

June 10-12 ... Life

I spent the weekend in Newburgh, NY at my cousins wedding. This means that I got to spend the weekend playing with my fabulous nieces and visiting with my bro and sister in law and other family. And rather obviously, it also means that I didn't do any job hunting ...

I did communicate with the people revolving (that makes it sound like they're in a merry-go-round and the job and I are in the center) around my stay and time in Bremerton/Seattle at the end of July, which looks like it's a go!

My bro really wants me to have the time out there and so he's given me some money to help with the ferry ride between Seattle and Bremerton - which was one of my concerns in taking the job ... how was I going to justify the time/afford it if I was only making $500/week and needing to spend at least that for the two week stay and ferry rides. It's very nice, and humbling, to know how badly he wants my dreams to come true and how much he'd (and already is) doing to help me get there!

My folks have also said that they're going to help me out with my flight, with some free miles, sweeeeeet! And also thanks!!!

And so with these two familial helps I can better afford the Bremerton gig! Oh yeah!!! AND THANK YOU!!! I know you guys read this blog sometimes ... and I know I say thank you to you directly ... but THANK YOU! I hope you know how much it means to me that you guys want to help me with my dreams - and that you'll do so because you believe in me and my talents! I love you!

And then there's June 13th and 14th...
June 13th ... nada.
And on June 14th I worked as a Sub in the Elementary school. I'm not a big fan of sub'ing in the Elementary school ... haha ... I think I like Middle Schoolers the best - go figure! :o)

And now today I'm back to looking for more work ... and wondering if and when I'll hear about that potential Resident Stage Manager position at Cap. Rep.

Off to 'work' I go!

Thursday, June 9, 2011

Applications for the day...

Today's Applications

1. I sent a request for more info on, and where I can send my CV (because the ad had a pre-made form to fill out as first contact), for an Equity SM job in Seattle this summer. It's with Seattle Shakespeare Company. Perhaps I could have another week or two or so of work while I'm out there this summer.

2. Sent a "can we meet and perhaps interview me for..." email to Seattle Public Theatre. It's actually a woman I've emailed with in the past through my Seattle friend, who also told me that they're very likely to need to hire a new person in the education side of the theatre this coming fall. So ... hopefully I'll be able to interview for it while I'm out there this summer. We'll see.

*Response::
The Seattle Public Theatre, while they're not sure what the position will look like due to some restructuring going on, would like to meet up to talk while I'm out there in August! Who knows, perhaps a relocation is in the future?

Wednesday, June 8, 2011

Inspiration turns idea becomes reality ... how?

Inspiration turns idea becomes reality ... how? *This isn't just a blog post title, it's an actual question, and it's twofold.

Fold numero uno: when inspiration strikes and an idea forms (and here I am talking most specifically about writing, be it a play a short story or a novel), how does one take their initial idea and turn it into a reality? I feel like I have so many "starter" ideas, things that come to me and I start putting it down on paper (ok ok in a word document), only to be stumped on "what comes next" in the story. How do I take that initial idea, that initial seed of inspiration and make it more than a mere idea? HELP!

Fold numba'two: when inspiration strikes and an idea takes hold of my creative mind, and I "know" (don't ask me how I know I just do) that it's a really good idea, how do I turn it into a show. For real? How does it go from an idea to a dream to a full on production? I've got these two really cool ideas, both of which I think would make for some great theatre (and who knows what else), but I can't seem to get them going. Not for really real any way. I've "begun" both of them, one is slightly further along than the other ... but where do I find the money to get rehearsal space so that I can start talking to and securing actors to help me workshop the idea into a script? And shouldn't my actors make some money from it?

I wish I knew a millionaire who was willing to fund my project(s). Or that I had enough guts to really write to Bill Gates or Steven Spielberg or Oprah (even though I'm not an Oprah fan) and ask for support on a project. This however is partly frightening in the "I don't want someone to steal my idea" arena. I mean, I hope that if I were asking someone for help on a project, that even if I outlined the whole thing for them, that they would not simply run away with and leave me in the dust.

Well if anyone knows ... let me know!

Tuesday, June 7, 2011

A Life Stalled Out

Despite the fact that I had an interview today, and I was offered (if the housing issue can be worked out) a two week job in Bremerton, WA - which would be right before my three weeks in Seattle with Stone Soup this August - and the other jobs I have had this past year ... it feels like my life stalled out two and a half years ago. I want to scream at the top of my lungs, on some days, when will my life begin again???!!!

I had to leave London a year before I thought I was going to have too, due to the one year working visa - post a UK Uni graduation - application processes change. Shortly before my Student Visa was due to expire I found out that the work visa I had planned on applying for (and assumed I would get as it was "guaranteed" to anyone who'd graduated from a UK Uni) had new rules. Now anyone applying not only had to have graduated from a UK Uni, BUT they also had to have a certain amount of money in their bank account that didn't dip below that point for at least three months prior to application time.

Well ... I was at the end of my two year Masters program, my funds were "almost gone" AND I hadn't yet funded my final module which was in Bali - which had to be put off due to my program's transfer from one school to another (oh, and my funds were depleted more than they should have been due to this program transfer as well, rather than taking the tube to class I had to take that and the national rail, which made it so that I spent quite a lot more than I had anticipate).

Bali ... my flight was costing me so much that I actually had to borrow money from my folks in order to afford it so that I could use my remaining funds on my living expenses while in Bali and the remaining time in London when I got back from Bali.

Then I found out about the work visa application change ... I could have asked someone (family) if I could borrow the amount required to apply for the visa, and give it back once I'd obtained the visa ... but I was about to be 30 years old, I had just spent the better part of two and a half years living and playing and learning in London (and a few other fabulous locations around the globe) and I felt that I couldn't ask to borrow money for something that felt so "trivial". I was going to have to go home at some point, I guess now was the time. I think I could have asked someone to borrow the money if it was a matter of finishing the degree ... but ... well ... so I had to go home.

I cried like a baby, several times, when I realized I was really going to have to leave London. It felt like I was breaking up with a city (you know, rather than a boyfriend). Don't get me wrong, I was happy that I would be closer to my family again, but London is where I've felt the most 'at home' since I graduated from New Paltz in 2001. And, since I was leaving so "quickly" I hadn't spent any time sending my resume out ... anywhere ... YIPES. Talk about sad and upsetting.

Right, anyway, it's felt like I've been living a life stalled out "ever since" I returned!

When I got back to the states my funds were low so I moved back in with my folks in a small upstate NY town (thank god for them, and I honestly one hundred percent super gratefully mean that, they haven't kicked me out yet, they don't treat me like a kid, and they allow me to keep trying to get real work in my field - I mean I did go crazy into debt for that Masters...).

BUT, the economy is (and was even more so at the time I first came back) shitty, the employment opportunities are not great - especially when living in a small town. Basically any jobs mean a 45 minute commute or so...and even those are freaking HARD to come by! (Hence the idea behind this blog to begin with ... all the places I've/am applied too ... and how many jobs do I have / have I had in the past two and a half years???)

This doesn't mean I've had NO work ... I'm a substitute teacher in the local school district. I've directed two Middle School shows (in the same local school district). I've been able to do my 24 Hour Project with the Local High School. I've recently had the two WAM Theatre Co. jobs. And this past year I also was hired as a Drama Kids Teacher (part time). SO I haven't technically stalled out entirely ... but still ... my social life is pretty much non-existant and dating ... well don't get me started on that DRY SPELL!

Anyhoo ... today I want to scream out ... when will my life begin again?!?!? Anyone ... Beuller (did I spell that correctly)??? Sigh...I guess that's all for the moment.

Monday, June 6, 2011

Alumni Connections and an Interview

Well how cool is this, I've been offered a job for two weeks near Seattle in Washington, that would take place mid July for two weeks. The head of the theatre is a guy who also graduated from New Paltz. He called me today to talk about the position and where I'll be in August to make sure the dates are ok. And he's offered it to me, in large part because of our both graduating from NP, and because he said Papa Joe gave me a great rec, woo hoo and thank you Papa Joe (a former professor of ours), and also because my resume is good. Oh yeah, rocking the combo platter! And keeping it in the family, if you will, is always a cool thing! Alumni Connections, sweet!

The thing that needs to be worked out now is housing ... it's not in the theatre's budget to afford a hotel so they're looking into what they might be able to do (find a room in someone's house type thing), and I'm going to look and see if I know anyone else out there ... we'll see what happens.

ALSO:
My "re-scheduled" Cap Rep interview is tomorrow morning at 10am, wish me luck!

Saturday, June 4, 2011

No, nothing done today except...

Nope. I got nothing but Drama Kids, Day 2 of Final Performances, done today. Out of the house at 9am and back at 10:45pm. Long day, so ... Goodnight!

Friday, June 3, 2011

DKI End of the Year Performances

Today was the first night (well day, well ok today's was actually at night, but the rest are during the day over the next two days) of Drama Kids' End of the Year Performances, and they went great! The kids were excited and did a great job, and the parents and other family/friends in the audience were excited as well.

At the end of the performances my boss gives out trophies according to how many years the kids have been a part of Drama Kids ... 1 year up to 7 (I believe ... tonight we had kids getting 1st year, 2nd year, 3rd year, 4th year and 5th year. Although I didn't have anything like Drama Kids as a kid, the trophies brought me back to my sports days. I still have all of my trophies, medals, plaques and ribbons (in a box like the rest of my things, in my folks basement). :o)

Anyhoo...aside from that, today consisted of reading in the lovely outdoors as the weather was gorgeous and the rest of my weekend will be spent inside with shows.

Hopefully tomorrow night I'll have some time to send out a few applications to some of the things I've got to submit myself too.

And now, a little book and then some sleep ... and then, tomorrow, more Rockin' Drama!

Thursday, June 2, 2011

Summer?

Today ... aside from the weather suddenly deciding it wasn't "really" summer, it went from 90-plus degrees yesterday to 60 something today ... today was the last official Drama Kids Class for the year, and tomorrow begins day one of three days of Drama Kids Final Performances.

Today I also received a good response from a summer camp in Bremerton, Washington. It's the one my Seattle based friend told me about (for July) and it turns out the guy I sent my stuff too is also a New Paltz Alum. Small World!!!

And I found out that a different job that my Seattle based friend was trying to "swing" my way isn't going to pan out.

What this means ... so far, all I have for the summer now is 3 weeks of work in August. They are three weeks out in Seattle ... so that's cool!

That's all for today (I was a tad lazy ... what else is new ...)

Wednesday, June 1, 2011

June is Busting Out All Over

Welcome June!

I've heard back from the guy regarding my non-interview yesterday morning ... and we've rescheduled the interview for June 7th at 10am (he said "this time I'll be there")! :o) Woo hoo ... and wish me luck ... and all that jazz!!!

June ... I'm now into my 6th month with this blog ... I really don't think it's very interesting and I'm still not sure it's doing what I'd originally intended ... and now that makes me wonder what it's for. Who's reading it, anyone other than my friend the Scuba Nurse and my bro? Not really ... does that matter (I guess not)??? Sigh ... I'll keep it going for the full year though, not that it's going to get any more exciting than it already is, or that anyone will really read it but me ...