Cheating

Today I had my first private voice lesson with a new teacher in NYC. And, although this new teacher was quite wonderful and had me belting my face off within the first 15 minutes, I couldn't help feeling like I was cheating on my "former" voice teacher and it made me a little sad! (I use the word former loosely, as I will never, ever completely give her up. She's too amazing.)

So, it's a good thing the lovely and talented Ms. Hart is coming to visit for the holiday weekend. I'll have to come clean about my transgressions ;) Of course she'll just laugh and say something like, "Well, of course you've moved on to another teacher! It's about damn time!"

Melissa is the main reason I took this humungous leap of faith and followed this dream out East. And, if this little blog ever miraculously turns into a book of some sort (ha!), she gets a whole chapter...

-B

Recent realizations...

1) "Wash & Fold" laundry service is the best thing to happen to me. God bless that little Asian woman who folds and sorts all of my clothes.

2) My scene study instructor is the second coming of Walter Matthau. Same voice. Same dry wit. Same overall awesome-ness.

3) Peanut Butter (along with practically EVERYTHING but mani/pedis) is FAR too expensive here. $5 a jar? Please. I'll make my own. Somehow.

4) Wallace Shawn, (aka: Vizzini in "The Princess Bride," voice of Rex in "Toy Story" and the principal in "Clueless," among other things) lives/does business in the building next to mine. Today whilst lugging my laundry bag back to my apartment, he exited a cab and walked right in front of me. Like the Minnesotan I am, I smiled at the stranger who happened upon my sad and sweaty state, and stopped dead, trying to figure out why I recognized this short, old man.  He stopped, looked at me like, "Yeah, it's me," smiled, and walked into his building.

He probably thinks I'm some crazy bag lady. Wonderful.

5) Apparently I have one hell of a Minnesotan accent. When I talk in class everyone smiles/giggles and then says it sounds so "cute." ugh..............

6) "The Addams Family" musical is actually quite good, and very funny. Who knew?! And, I've now added a character to my "Please God, Let Me Play This Part Before I Die" list. It's the part of Alice Beineke - the mother of the boy Wednesday Addams gets engaged to. She's neurotic, high-strung and at the end, drunkenly unravels and has a great comedic song (and a great costume!).

8) I've sweat more in the past three days than I have in my entire life. (Dancing in a studio on the 4th floor with no air-conditioning on a 90 degree day = grossness)

9) My "Black Haines Underwear" neighbor had an ORANGE SHIRT on tonight (wonders never cease) and, from my astigmatism-ridden/semi-unreliable vantage point, he looks pretty damn cute!! So, right now I'm channeling Judy Garland in "Meet Me in St. Louis." And wouldn't you know, "The Boy Next Door" is in my song book. Suggestions on how to "randomly" run into this guy in person are appreciated ;)

10) Being surrounded by 13 other people who share my intense passion for musical theater is the best thing ever.  However, the support of some pretty wonderful people back home is equally as great (of course this realization isn't "recent".)

xoxo,
-B

A Case of the Mondays: NYC Style

[This blog post brought to you by a glass-and-a-half of Sauvignon Blanc and a chocolate-cheescake brownie.]

As of this moment, I am a big, tired, heat-rashy, hot mess. 

My first day of Circle in the Square Musical Theater School straight-up kicked my ass. Thus, the wine and "comfort food" dinner. (I also had to lug my laundry down to the corner "Wash & Fold" which very honestly, almost did me in all together.)

Anyways, dance class was semi-difficult today (especially after a weekend full of frivolity and cocktails - more on Maggie's visit later), but even more difficult? My "acting technique" class, taught by our no-nonsense and uber-intimidating 90-YEAR-OLD instructor. (Yes, 90 years old. And her older sister is still hanging in strong at 100). I completely respect and admire this woman -- when I Googled her, many, many results popped up. She's legit, and a total veteran of the showbiz scene. 

So what was so terrifying? She had people stand up, one by one, do a vocal exercise, and then like some psychic, she revealed ALL of our shortcomings, bad habits and personal issues. From this ONE exercise!! Seriously. For example,  jaw tension is a dead giveaway that you're the oldest child, or if you use your hands a lot when explaining certain performance choices, it shows you're unsure about said choices and that perhaps you don't have that great of relationship with your siblings/parents. And, if you're a male you get to take your shirt off so everyone can SEE how tense you get when you sing.....  Really, really strange, and hard-to-swallow critiques followed. So, essentially she finds every single thing you're self-conscious about, points it out and dissects it. Full disclosure: I didn't volunteer to go today. I KNOW I have jaw tension.... and I'm dreading what she'll  have to say.... but, self-awareness is key, and I'll get my "roast" in two weeks. Say a little prayer. 

Our Shakespeare instructor is quite the lady as well. She's brilliant when it comes to the Bard and loves to drop a good, dramatic, British-accented F-Bomb. I find her equal parts awe-inspiring and terrifying.

Don't get me wrong. I'm beyond thrilled to be a part of this program and know I'll learn a ton (and I'm thrilled I get to work on an actual Broadway Stage!) But first days are always a little anxiety-filled. 

So, to end this sub-par post, I will quote the wonderful Shirley MacClaine, who sums up my feelings on my first 3 weeks in NYC so perfectly:  

"My first few weeks in New York were an initiation into the kingdom of guts."

True story, Shirley.

~B

What a week!

Wow - this week has flown by. Lots of things to share...

First, some sad news for our little block of 45th street. Last night around 8-ish I heard a police siren wail, and eventually stop, right in front of my building. (I can't see the street from my window, but I can hear everything that goes on because of the echo effect off the building next door.) So, seeing sirens go off every five minutes in Manhattan I didn't think twice about it and went about my business. Then another came roaring in from 8th Ave. Next, a fire truck and finally an ambulance. Something just didn't feel right. Normally, I'd be the first person out on the curb trying to figure out what was going on but, I decided it would be best if I just stayed put. If my building was on fire SOMEONE would come find me, right? Well, good news, no fires. However, I woke up this morning and learned that one of the stagehands over at "How To Succeed In Business Without Really Trying" died just before the curtain went up on the 8:00 show. The NY Times is reporting the 29-year-old did some type of drug in the theater bathroom and died of an overdose. Last night was to be the show's 100th performance, and many free tickets had been given out, etc. John Laroquette and Daniel Radcliffe came out and told the audience that the performance was to be canceled because the cast just didn't feel they could give 100%. I just find this so sad -- for many reasons. Again, life is crazy and unpredictable at times. So, that's been the talk of the theater community today....

In other news, I had my first "real" audition on Monday.
It was for Disney Cruise Lines, and they were casting singers to portray the Disney princesses. Perfect, right?

So, after class I put on my little blue dress and some not-too-obnoxiously-red lipstick and headed to Pearl Studios. I walked into the holding room and signed in. I was #122. Grrrreat. So I sat in the room with all of my fellow princess wannabees and waited for my number to be called. Imagine the scene: lots of make-up, curling irons, hairspray, girls in their corresponding princess-colored dresses and SILENCE. Not going to lie, it was a little weird, but I guess it's how some people get into their "princess-zone." Anyways, my number finally came up, and I went in, belted out my 30 seconds (yes, that's all we get) of "Something There" from "Beauty and the Beast," and left. Not one of the girls I was in the holding room with got a callback (even the dead-ringer Jasmine girl). Come to find out later that the jobs they were casting were Union/Equity contract jobs. I am not an equity member and neither were ANY of the girls in the room with me. So, none of us even had a chance, but the rules of an "open call" state that EVERYONE must be seen.  In a different room, the equity performers were being seen, and those were the ones who received callbacks. This business is a tricky one, for sure, but I'm glad to have my first NYC audition under my belt!!

So besides all this, I'm busy finishing up my last week at AADA. I'll miss this school, and all of the people in my intensive. Today, our sweet/grandpa-like camera instructor (who had a re-occurring role on two soap operas until they were recently canceled) gave us each an "Ed Asner"/good luck/you'll do amazing things-hug as we left. Our movement instructor? Well, she just handed us our asses in yoga.
Here's my lovely class:

Tonight we're all going to the Jykell & Hyde Club for dinner. From my understanding, it's like a hybrid haunted house/restaurant, and should be totally interesting. I'll give you all the lowdown later ;)


In other news:
- Maggie Marie Flaten, my BFF since middle school arrives tomorrow! Look out NYC.
-The guy across from me still is cooking dinner every night in only black Haines. Proof (he's behind the bananas -- and yes, I did feel like a voyeur taking this picture):

- I finally got around to uploading pics from my camera, so here at two from when my mom and Jackie were still here:

After our traditional stop at the River Cafe 

 On the town :)

Have a lovely weekend everyone - and those back home in MN, I'll try to send some of this heat and sun your way!

-B

Fro-Yo & Ice Cream are the new Pizza of NYC

NYC is known for many things. Among them : theater, commerce, great museums, finance, the Statue of Liberty, random people showcasing their "talents" in Times Square (remember the Naked Cowboy? Well, now there's a Naked Cowgirl... only she's pushing 80):

I say, hey, if you can make a living doing what you love, great. I salute you Naked Cowgirl.

New York is also known, of course, for it's food. Since I am such a "healthy eater," as one of my co-workers once pointed out, this has proven dangerous for me and my bank account. I recently stopped into a Pinkberry for the first time. Now, I'm a fan of all things sweet and frozen. Give me a container of Ben & Jerry's and I'm happy for an hour. So, I figured I'd better try this popular New York frozen yogurt joint - thinking it'd probably be good, but perhaps nothing to write home about. I've never been more wrong......

For approximately $5 a cup, I got this:

Traditional fro-yo w/ blackberries, raspberries, waffle cone bits and honey.

Honestly, the best fro-yo EVER. But, at $5 a pop, not something I can look forward to everyday. Although, they do run a punch-card program, specifically designed for addicts like me. So, it's only economically responsible to buy 4 more, so I can claim my free cup :)

Besides that, I also discovered the "Great White Way" Concrete Mixer from the Shake Shack. Amazing-ness represented in the form of vanilla custard, marshmallow sauce and Rice Krispies. Again, I almost died. A Rice Krispie Bar Blizzard!? Genius.

Good thing that sucker runs just over $6, otherwise I'd be standing in line, in the rain, with 30 tourists every other day. 

Another God-send? Trader Joe's. Their prices are comparable to the prices back home. Winning.

In other news:

-Lola is still alive and happily swimming around the bowl she has all to herself.. further convincing me she was the bully of the bunch, and forced the other two "out."

- The throngs of teenagers across the street now chant DAN-IEL, DAN-IEL, DAN-IEL whenever Daniel Radcliffe exits the Stage Door (making ear plugs my new favorite sleep accessory)

- The Subway systems here is still lots of fun for me.... but not so fun on 85 degree days when you can grill a steak on the floor of the concourses.

- Jimmy, my very troll-like "super," has been missing for a week and a half, but no one seems all too concerned.

- One week of on-camera class left. Then onto musical theater bootcamp. :)

-B

That's What Friends Are For

When I hatched this whole "Ooo! I'm going to move to NYC!" idea, my mother was, understandably, less than thrilled at first. Among her concerns, she was worried I'd spend much of my out-of-school time alone in my apartment or listlessly wandering the streets of the city. So, she bought me three goldfish. Radcliffe, Lola and Cosette (more effort was put into naming these fish than I like to admit). As of today, Lola is the only one still alive (go figure, the showgirl survives). We should have known that three fish for $1 was too good to be true. Good thing I don't depend solely on goldfish for an exciting social life....

So, besides having a handful of fellow CFHS graduates in and around the city whom I'm looking forward to getting together with sometime soon, and quite a few visitors in my first few weeks here (thanks Jackie and Susan!), I've managed to make some new friends in my on-camera classes. The professors of our section continue to comment on how "diverse" we are. And it's true. It's like the U.N. There are 13 people in my section and here's where each of us call "home": Brazil, Argentina, Australia, Italy (although he's the most New York-sounding Italian I've ever met....), Ireland, Iowa, Minnesota (woo!), Alabama, Georgia, Maryland, Miami and Brooklyn. Imagine the accents I hear everyday. Very entertaining.

Also, I'm SO lucky to have Joan and Katie, two of my dear "Drowsy Chaperone" cast mates, interning right across the street from my apartment.

 From the Minnetonka stage....

To TONY Award night in Times Square :)

There are lots of Shake Shack dates in our future :)

Lastly, my classmates and I have made friends with the many "ghosts" that inhabit the American Academy of Dramatic Arts Building. Seriously. The building was constructed in 1904 and was home to the Colony Club, the first social club for women in New York City. 

AADA Building - 120 Madison Ave.

With that kind of history, it's no surprise the building lends itself to great ghost stories.  Lights flicker, doors swing open and shut by themselves and unexplained shadows dart across the ceilings and stairway corridors. Our instructor actually called out a shadow going across the ceiling and told it to get out of class because it wasn't on the roster. Besides being a complete musical theater geek, I also LOVE a good haunting ;)

So, I already have a ton of people to call up in the city... including a few friendly ghosts and my good friend and neighbor, Harry Potter ;)

-B

SATC

****Thanks to all those who have shown such enthusiasm for this blog! It means a lot to me. I will not disappoint :) ****

So, I just decided that watching "Sex and the City" IN New York City is a bit trippy. I've been watching the back-to-back episodes on E! for the majority of the night (it's raining outside - otherwise I'd be out and about).  I now have visions of myself eating fancy dinners w/ my three BFFs, walking the sidewalks in expensive heels and randomly running into my own "Mr. Big." Yeah right. If only.

Anyways, today while taking the stairs to my 5th floor class in the AADA building, I stumbled upon this senior picture....  Yes, one of the SATC girls graduated from this school in 1974... Can you guess which one it is? (Hint: add blonde highlights, a little plastic surgery and some trashy one-liners.)

(Sorry about the glare -- and the outline of my head...)

~B

Welcome to NYC

I became an official resident of Manhattan on Friday, June 3rd. Thanks to my aunt Maura's theater-community connections, for the next 3 months I'm subletting a GREAT little place. I am able to live (by myself) in a small apartment (not as small as I thought) on 45th Street (hey, Hell's Kitchen!). Believe me, It's unbelievable how lucky I got. I can walk to my classes, and am two blocks from the hustle-and-bustle of Times Square. After some "re-decorating" and a trip via water taxi to the Brooklyn Ikea with my mother and her bestie Susan, we had the apartment looking a little more like "home."

 Susan and I waiting for the water taxi with our purchases - including wine glasses, which were a top priority.

My desk - complete with a little "inspiration."

Another interesting tidbit? This kid is my neighbor:

Well, not Harry, but Daniel Radcliffe stars in the "How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying" revival at the Hirschfield Theater right across the street:

 Like clockwork, the hoards of teenage girls fill the street outside my door and SCREAM for him. I can tell the time based on when the screaming starts. 11:15pm - Daniel leaves through the stage door, and the mayhem begins. I've been here over a week, and it still fascinates me.

Another interesting neighbor? The guy in the apartment complex across the alley who, day after day, comes home and cooks dinner in his black Haines underwear.... with the blinds wide open. Oh, the joys of NYC living. 

Seriously. I love it.

~B

Start spreading the news...

So, it would seem that a decision to move to the Big Apple would be a difficult one to make.
Well, you're right. It was. (10 months of difficult decision making, to be precise.)
After all, I had a great life back in the Twin Cities: an awesome job (with even "awesome-er" co-workers), a lovely little apartment in Roseville and most of my friends & family in close vicinity. However, turning the big 2-5 brought with it the realization that I was half-way to 50 (holy sh*t), and that life is two unsettling things: 1) short and 2) unpredictable.

I'll save you the back-story, but if you know me at all, you know I live to sing, dance and put on a show -- and have ever since I got my first stage role as Ghoul #5 in Prairie Fire Theater's "Tom Sawyer" circa 1992.

Various other shows throughout my life, performed alongside new friends and old, people who truly do believe in me and this annoying,  nagging and unrelenting dream led me to one realization: It's time to try. So, I'm here in the Big City. I left my job, friends, family and everything familiar and comfortable to set out on an adventure thats ending will be a surprise to even me.

I'm enrolled in two summer programs, one through the American Academy of Dramatic Arts, the other through Circle in the Square Theater School. My summer will be filled with show tunes, tap dancing, on-camera work, tears and (hopefully) triumph, and I couldn't be more excited. This blog will serve not only as an updater, but also as a way for me to share with all of you the crazy things I encounter in the city that never sleeps. Enjoy!

~B