Today was headshot day!! Woo Hoo! I finally got to meet Gretchen Kelley and have new headshots taken. Gretchen is a graduate of UM-Bozeman who moved here about a year ago from St. Paul and works with natural light. The price was totally right for me and I had so much fun!
I came in wearing my tan sweater, jeans and brown knee-high boots. We talked and laughed over the fact that I brought about 6 changes of clothing and a suitcase full of shoes, make-up and a portable curling iron. We went through the options and then she told me that she really liked what I had on and that would be a good place to start. She asked if I minded sitting in front of her big windows on a window box and I didn't. Now, her apartment was a mess, but they just moved over the weekend, so I was not going to complain. Anyway...we took a bunch of shots on the window box and then she pulled up a chair and I sat on it a couple of different ways while she took photos. We talked about how I wanted to have 2 good headshots showing 2 different moods and one silly picture that I could use as a postcard.
Then we go to the next outfit and I put on my eggplant cowl neck sweater and went outside. Took a bunch of photos on her stoop, then walked a bit to an alley where we took some in a doorway and on a safety rail until we got annoyed by the EL. Back to her place where the real fun began!
Back at her place I put on my New Orleans Green Dress. I LOVE this dress and need a little underskirt to poof it out a bit. I pulled the sides of my hair back and away we went. We took some pictures on her stairwell, which had a skylight right over the top and while I was taking "headshot-esque" photos I was pulling Betty Boop poses and other silly faces. Gretchen made a comment that I loved. She told me that with my dress, my haircolor and my attitude I reminded her of Lucille Ball. I'll take it! After the stairwell we went outside and just started wandering. We found a pretty entranceway and she took some shots there. Walked a bit further and she had just said that if I saw something I liked I was free to play. Well, there was an iron gate swinging and I jumped on it! So that was the start of the silly, fun pictures (with some head/shoulder headshot photos thrown in). Further down the block we found a cool graffitti wall and both decided the contrast would be great. Found a really cool sign, but couldn't figure out what to do with the background, so we bypassed that idea. Found a pretty curbside garden with a ton of flowers and daisies and of course, I went into it for pictures. I started playing the "He Loves Me" without pulling any petals off, which she got and loved, then I decided to pick one off and do it for real. I started slow, then flew threw because I had an idea for the last 2 petals. I did the He Loves Me and then the He Loves Me Not and had her cracking up. AWESOME! Finally, we were heading back and I found a soccer net and I totally went into it and started playing. =)
I think we are going to have a LOT to choose from. She is only going to give me the 25 best on a disc ( =( ), and then will clean up 2 of them and prep them for printing. I am really excited about them and how they turned out!
22 July 2009
17 July 2009
Audition #6 aka Good God in Heaven, How Many Local Groups are Putting on Rent this Year???
So, last night was another audition in another town. Yes, I was cuing some EVITA in my head when I typed that, where did that come from???
Anyway, The Drama Group in Chicago Heights had auditions Thursday night and I figured "what the hey!" Let me first say that I had NO CLUE where Chicago Heights was and the good folks at Google Maps, which is usually a trusted friend, completely failed me this time. FYI, Chicago Heights is a southern suburb, it might be south-west, but I am not that geographically gifted. Anyway, I was told to get on IL-394, which I never saw....instead I stayed on 57 and hoped I would see a sign for one of the roads I was told to get off on. After seeing cornfields, I decided I needed to get my happy, citified bottom off of the highway and into a service station for directions. Thankfully, the guy behind the counter had a clue where I was going and got me there very easily! So, I ended up at The Drama Group for my audition.
What a crowd! There were 3x as many people for this audition as there were for the last one. In all, they auditioned 79 people for 20 parts between two nights of auditions. It was a good crowd, everyone was really friendly and I met some really cool people whilst waiting for my turn to audition. I kind of started to feel bad for the director and others in the audition room, because you HAD to sing a song from the show. Well, Maureen and Joanne really only have one number for the girls to choose from, so "Take Me or Leave Me" was heard multiple times, and yes, that is what I sang (Joanne's part). Next time I audition for this show I am going to HUNT for a copy of the score so I can do "We're OK", just to be different!
I am not going to lie, somehow I allowed myself to get a little bit psyched out. I was hoping and praying I could remember my first note and got a little nervous. Went in, spoke to Mark, the accompanist, said hello to the panel at the table and started. I just let myself belt that sucker out. According to Stephanie (later on her), I sounded good and she could hear me through the door! When I finished, they asked me what a "Reindeer Swing" was (from Disney) and how tall I was. I was the tallest freaking person there last night! They asked all of us to say so they could see us all in a line-up and form stage pictures.
When they finished with the stage pictures they asked 3 girls and a couple of guys to stick around. They paired Steph with each of the girls to do the duet portion of "Take Me or Leave Me." Steph played Joanne in her High Schools production of RENT and knocked it out, the 2 girls were a little weak, but had potential. The guys were kept to do "I'll Cover You".
Steph came in for Kenosha, WISCONSIN (she crazy) for the audition. She is starting Columbia in the fall and I offered to give her a ride to the train station, and then said, how about if I just take you to Union Station so you don't have to stand on the train platform by yourself at 11pm. OMG, we hit it off! I had her laughing so hard, it was great. She kept telling me that I am so getting cast because I had a rich, soulful voice that she would kill to have. Uhm..... ok?? I am not counting my chickens or anything like that, but it was nice to have someone boost me, cuz I don't know how I really sound when I sing. I know I let the director know that I would be honored to have any part in the show.
Anyway, it was fun, I learned that I need to keep my confidence level up at auditions and not let myself get psyched out by others and that I cannot get in my head when my brain wants to forget the lyrics so that I reach the point where I look ABOVE the directors head and don't quite act out the lyrics.
Anyway, The Drama Group in Chicago Heights had auditions Thursday night and I figured "what the hey!" Let me first say that I had NO CLUE where Chicago Heights was and the good folks at Google Maps, which is usually a trusted friend, completely failed me this time. FYI, Chicago Heights is a southern suburb, it might be south-west, but I am not that geographically gifted. Anyway, I was told to get on IL-394, which I never saw....instead I stayed on 57 and hoped I would see a sign for one of the roads I was told to get off on. After seeing cornfields, I decided I needed to get my happy, citified bottom off of the highway and into a service station for directions. Thankfully, the guy behind the counter had a clue where I was going and got me there very easily! So, I ended up at The Drama Group for my audition.
What a crowd! There were 3x as many people for this audition as there were for the last one. In all, they auditioned 79 people for 20 parts between two nights of auditions. It was a good crowd, everyone was really friendly and I met some really cool people whilst waiting for my turn to audition. I kind of started to feel bad for the director and others in the audition room, because you HAD to sing a song from the show. Well, Maureen and Joanne really only have one number for the girls to choose from, so "Take Me or Leave Me" was heard multiple times, and yes, that is what I sang (Joanne's part). Next time I audition for this show I am going to HUNT for a copy of the score so I can do "We're OK", just to be different!
I am not going to lie, somehow I allowed myself to get a little bit psyched out. I was hoping and praying I could remember my first note and got a little nervous. Went in, spoke to Mark, the accompanist, said hello to the panel at the table and started. I just let myself belt that sucker out. According to Stephanie (later on her), I sounded good and she could hear me through the door! When I finished, they asked me what a "Reindeer Swing" was (from Disney) and how tall I was. I was the tallest freaking person there last night! They asked all of us to say so they could see us all in a line-up and form stage pictures.
When they finished with the stage pictures they asked 3 girls and a couple of guys to stick around. They paired Steph with each of the girls to do the duet portion of "Take Me or Leave Me." Steph played Joanne in her High Schools production of RENT and knocked it out, the 2 girls were a little weak, but had potential. The guys were kept to do "I'll Cover You".
Steph came in for Kenosha, WISCONSIN (she crazy) for the audition. She is starting Columbia in the fall and I offered to give her a ride to the train station, and then said, how about if I just take you to Union Station so you don't have to stand on the train platform by yourself at 11pm. OMG, we hit it off! I had her laughing so hard, it was great. She kept telling me that I am so getting cast because I had a rich, soulful voice that she would kill to have. Uhm..... ok?? I am not counting my chickens or anything like that, but it was nice to have someone boost me, cuz I don't know how I really sound when I sing. I know I let the director know that I would be honored to have any part in the show.
Anyway, it was fun, I learned that I need to keep my confidence level up at auditions and not let myself get psyched out by others and that I cannot get in my head when my brain wants to forget the lyrics so that I reach the point where I look ABOVE the directors head and don't quite act out the lyrics.
10 July 2009
Audition #5 aka Rent Redux
I am a couple days late posting the recap, but in the excitement of prepping for my weekend in New Orleans I haven't had time or the desire to update on my last audition.
Tuesday saw me heading to Winnetka (northern suburb) for my audition. It was the first time I had seen Joanne listed as an Alto (the last call and the next were Mezzo), but as always, I just wanted the experience. Especially since the sheet music for my "rock" song did not come in until about 3 that afternoon! Oh, the song was "Wonder" by Natalie Merchant which is one of my favorite to sing. But what I did not like was getting it so late so I couldn't go to Old Town and at least plunk out the melody on the piano. So, the first time I heard it on piano was when the accompanist played it.
Anyway, I Google mapped my way and set out for the foreign environs of ... Winnetka. Ok, the audition was in this BEAUTIFUL old building! I get in and do the one thing I probably shouldn't have but a group of us just started talking and normally that might have psyched me out, but it actually relaxed me. Not going to make a habit of it, but it was fun.
Well, I get called into the room, which was HUGE!! Walk to the accompanist and give him my 2 pieces of music. I give him the ballad first which would be my 2nd song (Not That Girl from WICKED) and he does the tempo check like his house was on fire! I told him to slow it down to music box speed and start singing a bit with him. Then I hand him Wonder, which he plays slow. OY! Through singing through a bit of it, leading him through the repeats and coda's and helping him figure out the roadmap of the piece, I walk to the mark.
I came in with heels on, but I said "If you don't mind, I am going to go from a really impressive height to a not-quite-as-impressive-but-still-pretty-impressive height" before kicking them off. At this point I sing Wonder and it was ok. I am going to chalk the not good parts of it to the fact that I have only sung it to the CD. I get done and I am asked to pick a phrase and sing it full out. So I took a deep breath and just let it go. That felt so good. Then they thanked me and I went to change for the dance portion.
For the dance I am starting off by thanking Disney for teaching me how to pick up basic choreography really quick and then perform it. They took 8 of us in and we learned 8 8-counts. And then had what seemed like an hour to go over the routine, which gave lots of time to ask questions and get stuff down. When the director finally came in, they split the room in half to perform it and I was in the second group. I made a couple of minor mistakes that I KNEW I would correct when they had us run it again (first group ran it twice), but they said "Thank You" after one go round. *sigh* Well, the choreographer HAD watched us run it for an hour, so she knows what we can do. And, they put my info second from the top, right under the best male dancer in the room, so that is a positive, right??
One thing I really got out of this is that I chatter when I nervous. Not always a bad thing, but in the future I am going to work on doing a little less of it. Also, keep working on the music with a piano. But, all in all, it was another positive audition and I got something else out of it.
Tuesday saw me heading to Winnetka (northern suburb) for my audition. It was the first time I had seen Joanne listed as an Alto (the last call and the next were Mezzo), but as always, I just wanted the experience. Especially since the sheet music for my "rock" song did not come in until about 3 that afternoon! Oh, the song was "Wonder" by Natalie Merchant which is one of my favorite to sing. But what I did not like was getting it so late so I couldn't go to Old Town and at least plunk out the melody on the piano. So, the first time I heard it on piano was when the accompanist played it.
Anyway, I Google mapped my way and set out for the foreign environs of ... Winnetka. Ok, the audition was in this BEAUTIFUL old building! I get in and do the one thing I probably shouldn't have but a group of us just started talking and normally that might have psyched me out, but it actually relaxed me. Not going to make a habit of it, but it was fun.
Well, I get called into the room, which was HUGE!! Walk to the accompanist and give him my 2 pieces of music. I give him the ballad first which would be my 2nd song (Not That Girl from WICKED) and he does the tempo check like his house was on fire! I told him to slow it down to music box speed and start singing a bit with him. Then I hand him Wonder, which he plays slow. OY! Through singing through a bit of it, leading him through the repeats and coda's and helping him figure out the roadmap of the piece, I walk to the mark.
I came in with heels on, but I said "If you don't mind, I am going to go from a really impressive height to a not-quite-as-impressive-but-still-pretty-impressive height" before kicking them off. At this point I sing Wonder and it was ok. I am going to chalk the not good parts of it to the fact that I have only sung it to the CD. I get done and I am asked to pick a phrase and sing it full out. So I took a deep breath and just let it go. That felt so good. Then they thanked me and I went to change for the dance portion.
For the dance I am starting off by thanking Disney for teaching me how to pick up basic choreography really quick and then perform it. They took 8 of us in and we learned 8 8-counts. And then had what seemed like an hour to go over the routine, which gave lots of time to ask questions and get stuff down. When the director finally came in, they split the room in half to perform it and I was in the second group. I made a couple of minor mistakes that I KNEW I would correct when they had us run it again (first group ran it twice), but they said "Thank You" after one go round. *sigh* Well, the choreographer HAD watched us run it for an hour, so she knows what we can do. And, they put my info second from the top, right under the best male dancer in the room, so that is a positive, right??
One thing I really got out of this is that I chatter when I nervous. Not always a bad thing, but in the future I am going to work on doing a little less of it. Also, keep working on the music with a piano. But, all in all, it was another positive audition and I got something else out of it.
06 July 2009
I've been feeling a little Blue.
Everything is finally catching up to me and I am going to admit here that I am feeling more than a little blue. When I talk to people online they ask me, "What's this I hear about you being depressed?" And I brush it off like it is something I am over because I don't want to trouble them with it. But the truth of the matter is, I am depressed. I HATE the fact that I have no one to go out with here in Chicago or that I hold people at arm's length. I have been this way for so long it is part of my personality and I just don't know how to undo it.
I am scared over going to New Orleans. My last experience there was not the most shining example of me at my best due to some personal drama that was going on at the time. I am scared I burnt some bridges to some people who I really enjoy spending time with. I get that the people I am staying with are super busy, I get it, but I hope I have not totally pissed them off from something in the past that I haven't already apologized for.
Then there is the whole job thing. When I left my job, the HR Director said that now I could go do what I loved doing. Great. What is that exactly? If it is performing, my non-Disney resume is so freaking thin I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. I am going to auditions and looking for monolgue material that I like, but it is a battle. In the meantime, what is going to pay my bills? And, even more important, what am I meant to do that will make me happy and not make going into the office a drag???
Did I mention loneliness? Yea, that one is in there too.
I'm sorry to dump on you. I actually don't know if anyone really reads this. But, I needed to talk to someone, so thanks for reading.
In the meantime, I am listening to one of my favorite "pick-me-up" shows -- "The Drowsy Chaperone." Look it up if you haven't heard it, it's great.
I am scared over going to New Orleans. My last experience there was not the most shining example of me at my best due to some personal drama that was going on at the time. I am scared I burnt some bridges to some people who I really enjoy spending time with. I get that the people I am staying with are super busy, I get it, but I hope I have not totally pissed them off from something in the past that I haven't already apologized for.
Then there is the whole job thing. When I left my job, the HR Director said that now I could go do what I loved doing. Great. What is that exactly? If it is performing, my non-Disney resume is so freaking thin I don't know if that is a good thing or a bad thing. I am going to auditions and looking for monolgue material that I like, but it is a battle. In the meantime, what is going to pay my bills? And, even more important, what am I meant to do that will make me happy and not make going into the office a drag???
Did I mention loneliness? Yea, that one is in there too.
I'm sorry to dump on you. I actually don't know if anyone really reads this. But, I needed to talk to someone, so thanks for reading.
In the meantime, I am listening to one of my favorite "pick-me-up" shows -- "The Drowsy Chaperone." Look it up if you haven't heard it, it's great.
05 June 2009
Audition #4 and Life
Green is my favorite color and today was SUCH a green day! (no, not the band silly. A day in which I was totally happy). Yesterday was such a rough day that I was DETERMINED today would be so much better ("I feel so much better...than before". Sorry, random LB:TM quote). And it was!
First, the audition. Royal Caribbean had auditions at Lou Conte Dance in Chicago today. For those of you who were clueless, like me, that is the Hubbard Street Dance Building on Racine. Gorgeous facility! ANYWAY...today was the dancer audition (pass) and the Improv Actor audition. yesterday was the singer, but I don't even come CLOSE to fitting that one, so I ignored it and just went this afternoon. Well, I get there, get my number (76) and wait with some of the others. Everyone there has been performing around town, many of them knew one another, but I was in there throwing insults and cracking up with them like I belonged. What a great way to start the audition process and get my brain warmed up. Got to say, I miss keeping my chops sharp with the Dramatic Duo...they forced me to be quick on my feet. I am in the first group to go in and they line us up on the red line of death and tell us we are going to do a rant. But not one, continuous rant. Nope, each one of us will have our own that we will continue at any point we want when we are pointed to. My rant? Stupid theme park guests who stand in line for characters without knowing who they are and are not ready to meet them when they get to the front of the line. I know, right?? =) Then we do "Lights Up, Lights Down." Do not even really remember what we had to do, put I know I did the Bend and Snap and almost fell on my ass. Oh well. Then they thanked us and told us to wait.
The second group goes in, we are shooting the shit and whatnot and the facilitator comes back and tells us who they are keeping for the next round. OMG! Did he just say #76? He did! He did just say #76! I made the first cut! Talk about a step in the right direction! But...more improv games. *gulp* And of course, yours truly slightly misunderstands the directions for the first one, and jumps in with an idea and....it was just suppossed to be 2 people. *sigh* He made it sound like they were going to start with 2 and build. That threw me a little. So, the first game we did in this round was _____, where one person was given an activity, had to start a motion and you were to continue it, but come up with new definitions for what it was. I did ok, but I think I was the one to run out of ideas first both times. *sigh* Second game of this round was 4 Corners. 4 of us went up and they rotated us around this square. Each pairing was a different scene. One of mine was the bearded lady and the manager of the boardwalk and the other was a tv producer and the anchor. I thought I did pretty good, I gave them 2 different things and I got a chuckle. Then, back in the room to wait while they deliberated.
And I was not called to read a side. Oh well. Out of the 3 girls, they only kept one and she had a LOT of experience, so.... I am just more than thrilled that I did as good as I did. They did do that whole "just because we are not keeping you does not mean we are not going to use you" spiel, but, I never really believe that one. I am proud of myself for surviving the first cut, having fun and laughing like a loon today. It was AWESOME!
The reason I needed the emotional reset button pushed today is because I have been sliding into a funk these last couple of weeks. If anyone asked, I was fine, because I did not want to burden them and I wanted to keep things light and fun. But, the limited personal contact I have had, combined with the fact that I lost my job, was starting to pull me down. And I was starting to feel it. I posted the lyrics to "For Good" yesterday on my Facebook page, as I wanted people to know how much they meant to me as I was feeling more and more isolated. I thought my voice class would help, but not really. I appreciate my voice teacher pushing me, but when she has the sheet music RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER, you would think she would play something more than just strumming quarter note chords!! I am actively going on auditions, some help and constructive advice would be more than welcome at this point in time. That is, after all, what I am paying you for.
Anyway, it was all starting to bury me and make me feel worse and worse and I could not let it continue any longer. It is not who I am choosing to be anymore. I am stronger and better than that. So, I woke up this morning and went for a jog. Yes, I ran outdoors. I do not know what is more shocking...that I ran not on an elliptical, or that it was outdoors. But, I had to cancel my gym membership and endorphins make you happy, so I was going to get my exercise dagnabit! And I did feel good after! It totally set my day, which included that awesome Audition, finding out for the Apple store that the problem is NOT with my computer *whew*, and seeing UP, which surprise, surprise, I loved!
And now, bed for a Six Flags Karaoke day tomorrow. Where are my earplugs again? =)
First, the audition. Royal Caribbean had auditions at Lou Conte Dance in Chicago today. For those of you who were clueless, like me, that is the Hubbard Street Dance Building on Racine. Gorgeous facility! ANYWAY...today was the dancer audition (pass) and the Improv Actor audition. yesterday was the singer, but I don't even come CLOSE to fitting that one, so I ignored it and just went this afternoon. Well, I get there, get my number (76) and wait with some of the others. Everyone there has been performing around town, many of them knew one another, but I was in there throwing insults and cracking up with them like I belonged. What a great way to start the audition process and get my brain warmed up. Got to say, I miss keeping my chops sharp with the Dramatic Duo...they forced me to be quick on my feet. I am in the first group to go in and they line us up on the red line of death and tell us we are going to do a rant. But not one, continuous rant. Nope, each one of us will have our own that we will continue at any point we want when we are pointed to. My rant? Stupid theme park guests who stand in line for characters without knowing who they are and are not ready to meet them when they get to the front of the line. I know, right?? =) Then we do "Lights Up, Lights Down." Do not even really remember what we had to do, put I know I did the Bend and Snap and almost fell on my ass. Oh well. Then they thanked us and told us to wait.
The second group goes in, we are shooting the shit and whatnot and the facilitator comes back and tells us who they are keeping for the next round. OMG! Did he just say #76? He did! He did just say #76! I made the first cut! Talk about a step in the right direction! But...more improv games. *gulp* And of course, yours truly slightly misunderstands the directions for the first one, and jumps in with an idea and....it was just suppossed to be 2 people. *sigh* He made it sound like they were going to start with 2 and build. That threw me a little. So, the first game we did in this round was _____, where one person was given an activity, had to start a motion and you were to continue it, but come up with new definitions for what it was. I did ok, but I think I was the one to run out of ideas first both times. *sigh* Second game of this round was 4 Corners. 4 of us went up and they rotated us around this square. Each pairing was a different scene. One of mine was the bearded lady and the manager of the boardwalk and the other was a tv producer and the anchor. I thought I did pretty good, I gave them 2 different things and I got a chuckle. Then, back in the room to wait while they deliberated.
And I was not called to read a side. Oh well. Out of the 3 girls, they only kept one and she had a LOT of experience, so.... I am just more than thrilled that I did as good as I did. They did do that whole "just because we are not keeping you does not mean we are not going to use you" spiel, but, I never really believe that one. I am proud of myself for surviving the first cut, having fun and laughing like a loon today. It was AWESOME!
The reason I needed the emotional reset button pushed today is because I have been sliding into a funk these last couple of weeks. If anyone asked, I was fine, because I did not want to burden them and I wanted to keep things light and fun. But, the limited personal contact I have had, combined with the fact that I lost my job, was starting to pull me down. And I was starting to feel it. I posted the lyrics to "For Good" yesterday on my Facebook page, as I wanted people to know how much they meant to me as I was feeling more and more isolated. I thought my voice class would help, but not really. I appreciate my voice teacher pushing me, but when she has the sheet music RIGHT IN FRONT OF HER, you would think she would play something more than just strumming quarter note chords!! I am actively going on auditions, some help and constructive advice would be more than welcome at this point in time. That is, after all, what I am paying you for.
Anyway, it was all starting to bury me and make me feel worse and worse and I could not let it continue any longer. It is not who I am choosing to be anymore. I am stronger and better than that. So, I woke up this morning and went for a jog. Yes, I ran outdoors. I do not know what is more shocking...that I ran not on an elliptical, or that it was outdoors. But, I had to cancel my gym membership and endorphins make you happy, so I was going to get my exercise dagnabit! And I did feel good after! It totally set my day, which included that awesome Audition, finding out for the Apple store that the problem is NOT with my computer *whew*, and seeing UP, which surprise, surprise, I loved!
And now, bed for a Six Flags Karaoke day tomorrow. Where are my earplugs again? =)
04 June 2009
Legally Blonde (and late!)
I normally try to post my theatre reviews within a day or two of seeing the show, so that everything is fresh in my head. I have failed this week and I really do not know why, other than unemployed craziness has been getting to me. Which is weird when you think about it, I am unemployed, I should have lots of time to take care of my blog, and yet, I do not. I think I get a failing grade here....
Anyway, last Wednesday (the 27th), I attended the matinee performance of Legally Blonde: The Musical at the Ford Center here in Chicago. I am the first to admit that I scoffed (yes scoffed) when I heard that they were making the movie Legally Blonde into a musical. I mean, like, OMG, give me a break you guys! =)
Then, last spring, I watched the MTV Show "Legally Blonde: The Search for the New Elle Woods." The whole reason I watched is because 2 of my mermaids from Disney were in the first episode. (Last two cut, *tear*). But the audition song they sang "So Much Better" spoke to me and made me curious. Yes, I laughed at some of the songs ("Ohmygod You Guys" being the main one), but as I watched I fell in love with some, loathed others and wanted to know who would win. My favorite did not win, btw. And as I watched, I was wishing I had watched the show when MTV taped it and aired it, deciding that WHEN it came through Chicago, I was going to go see it!
So, being unemployed, I headed my happy ass down to the Ford Center on Wednesday afternoon to see if I could get a cheap ticket. $25 later I was sitting 10th row orchestra, stage right. And seeing Rhiannon (the 4th place finisher) as Margot and Lauren (3rd place) as Elle! I loved Lauren, and not just because she was from Michigan! Rhiannon was offered the role of Margot after she got cut and Lauren was offered the Elle u/s role when she got cut (I believe) and I think they got the better deal, seeing as how the show closed 2 months after the winner went in and they are still out on the road, getting a paycheck, and performing the role they were trying for..or at least in the show!
Anyway, I really enjoyed Legally Blonde: The Musical. It was fun, peppy, good message and just a good distraction from everything that is going on in my life. And isn't that part of the reason we go to the theatre? To step away from the things that are plaguing our life? Everyone did a great job. I wish the sound mix had been a bit better, as it sometimes sounded like the orchestra was playing on top of the actors, which annoyed the hell out of me! I came to hear the songs dammit! But yeah, loved the cast, loved the show, it was exactly what I needed on that day in that moment in time.
Now, if you will forgive me, I need to listen to "Bend and Snap" again. Kyle makes me drool. =)
Anyway, last Wednesday (the 27th), I attended the matinee performance of Legally Blonde: The Musical at the Ford Center here in Chicago. I am the first to admit that I scoffed (yes scoffed) when I heard that they were making the movie Legally Blonde into a musical. I mean, like, OMG, give me a break you guys! =)
Then, last spring, I watched the MTV Show "Legally Blonde: The Search for the New Elle Woods." The whole reason I watched is because 2 of my mermaids from Disney were in the first episode. (Last two cut, *tear*). But the audition song they sang "So Much Better" spoke to me and made me curious. Yes, I laughed at some of the songs ("Ohmygod You Guys" being the main one), but as I watched I fell in love with some, loathed others and wanted to know who would win. My favorite did not win, btw. And as I watched, I was wishing I had watched the show when MTV taped it and aired it, deciding that WHEN it came through Chicago, I was going to go see it!
So, being unemployed, I headed my happy ass down to the Ford Center on Wednesday afternoon to see if I could get a cheap ticket. $25 later I was sitting 10th row orchestra, stage right. And seeing Rhiannon (the 4th place finisher) as Margot and Lauren (3rd place) as Elle! I loved Lauren, and not just because she was from Michigan! Rhiannon was offered the role of Margot after she got cut and Lauren was offered the Elle u/s role when she got cut (I believe) and I think they got the better deal, seeing as how the show closed 2 months after the winner went in and they are still out on the road, getting a paycheck, and performing the role they were trying for..or at least in the show!
Anyway, I really enjoyed Legally Blonde: The Musical. It was fun, peppy, good message and just a good distraction from everything that is going on in my life. And isn't that part of the reason we go to the theatre? To step away from the things that are plaguing our life? Everyone did a great job. I wish the sound mix had been a bit better, as it sometimes sounded like the orchestra was playing on top of the actors, which annoyed the hell out of me! I came to hear the songs dammit! But yeah, loved the cast, loved the show, it was exactly what I needed on that day in that moment in time.
Now, if you will forgive me, I need to listen to "Bend and Snap" again. Kyle makes me drool. =)
26 May 2009
Sometimes, It is an Ego Boost
As I reported last time, I was let go from my job. While there was a level of frustration at the job, there were many things I enjoyed about it. The freedom to learn and work with other departments. (oh wait, that was one of the reasons given for letting me go, that I was interested in moving to another department because I wanted to learn new skills). Working with CPS and the Game of the Week program. It got my sports fix in and was AWESOME! But mainly, the #1 thing I enjoyed was the people I worked with. I honestly have nothing bad to say about any of them. From the sales staff that I worked with on a day-to-day basis to everyone that I talked with, did things with, and whatnot, I loved working there. It was the first job I had where I did not put up a front and was just me. Granted, there were some aspects of my personality that I kept calm and slightly under wraps (this was an office after all), but I really let the person who I was come out and I did not hide her.
When I left, I contacted some of my former co-workers via LinkedIn and asked if they would mind writing a recommendation for me. I do not know if future employers look at your LinkedIn profile, but I figure it did not help to have the endorsement of the people I supported and worked with. The ones I have received so far have made me feel like the Grinch when his heart swelled. I felt like mine was going to burst out of my chest, I was so touched. While I do not want to share the full text here, these are some of the key words used.
"hard working business professional, strong work ethic, passion for doing the job correctly the first time, creative, one of the BEST assistants I have worked with, an asset, loyal, thorough, compassion, willing to do more, talented, hard worker, positive manner, helpful, created things I was proud to present, hard working (again), detail oriented, goes above and beyond, takes initiative, wonderful work ethic."
See why my heart grew? These were not even people on the team I was paid to support, they were from people who I volunteered to help or who asked me to assist them. I am going to miss each and every one of them.
When I left, I contacted some of my former co-workers via LinkedIn and asked if they would mind writing a recommendation for me. I do not know if future employers look at your LinkedIn profile, but I figure it did not help to have the endorsement of the people I supported and worked with. The ones I have received so far have made me feel like the Grinch when his heart swelled. I felt like mine was going to burst out of my chest, I was so touched. While I do not want to share the full text here, these are some of the key words used.
"hard working business professional, strong work ethic, passion for doing the job correctly the first time, creative, one of the BEST assistants I have worked with, an asset, loyal, thorough, compassion, willing to do more, talented, hard worker, positive manner, helpful, created things I was proud to present, hard working (again), detail oriented, goes above and beyond, takes initiative, wonderful work ethic."
See why my heart grew? These were not even people on the team I was paid to support, they were from people who I volunteered to help or who asked me to assist them. I am going to miss each and every one of them.
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