Friday, December 31, 2010

Happy 2011...Almost

Remember how I said that sometimes it would be awhile between posts?

I wasn't kidding.


I really don't have many updates, except that 2010 is coming to a close, and I'm looking for BIG things to be happening in 2011.  Carolina Talent has many exciting workshops planned for the ITS people throughout the next few months...Aaron Marcus (a working actor with many roles to his credit), Maxann (a casting director and producer with some BIG movies under her name) as well as some yet to be announced.

I also just had some family pictures taken, and some of them came out pretty good - I'll be adding some to my Photos tab.


Have a great 2011 everyone - and I look forward to finding out what this new year holds!

Sunday, December 19, 2010

Getting In On The Act

Auditioned yesterday for a movie, and brought along.....my son.  There were no parts for my daughter, but there were two parts for four year old little boys - one of them being the son of the character I was auditioning for.  I wasn't sure what to expect out of him, because it was his first experience.  Also, if the casting directors were stand-offish, he might have been closed off as well.  Turns out the casting directors were great with him.  They made him feel welcome, and he in turn opened up a bit more than if they hadn't been so receiving.  Overall, I think it was a great first experience for him.  On top of that, the agency director invited me to send in his photos for representation.  So, I guess we're all now "in on the act".

As for my audition - I think it went fairly well.  I wasn't as expressive as I would have liked to be, because I was fighting through the flu and I didn't have full control of my vocal range.  I decided to play it safe and go with a little less vocal power and range in favor of not squeaking or cracking from the junk in my throat.

Casting happens in January - so we'll have to wait and see what happens. : )


Wednesday, December 15, 2010

OSC

Today, I wanted to take the time to talk about a wonderful group that I've had the pleasure of being a part of for almost a year: Oratorio Singers of Charlotte (and Chamber Choir).  OSC is the official Choir of the Charlotte Symphony.  So far, we've done everything from Beethoven's 9th to Rachmaninoff's All Night Vespers to Haydn's The Creation.  Our current repertoire is Handel's The Messiah.

Being involved in this group has allowed me to grow in my musicianship.  I've always struggled at sightreading (it's one of the main reasons I never finished my music degree), and I feel like the constant sightreading required of the ensemble has really improved this skill 1000%.  I can pick up a new piece of music and feel confident that, while I still may not get every note right the first time, I will follow right along and confidently carry my part.  I've been slated in this choir as an Alto I, but have also stepped up and sang Soprano I when called on to do so for Holst's The Planets.  We also occasionally get asked to give the tenors a helping hand.  It's really served me well having a large vocal range (the D on the middle of the bass clef to the F above the treble staff).

One of the most amazing parts of this ensemble is its leader: Scott Allen Jarrett.  His ear for the slightest nuances is just spectacular and he always expects (and mostly receives) the highest level of musicianship the group he is directing is capable of performing.  He also has a way of explaining the history and style of a piece of music that really make you understand what the composer was attempting to do.  Another thing that really counts is that he takes time to personally get to know his singers.  In our 130+ member choir, he not only knows everyone's name, but their vocal quality and height (yes, that's important for placing everyone where everyone has a sightline).  I believe that he really makes the ensemble what it is.

So, if you've got nothing better to do (or even if you do - cancel your plans - you're not going to want to miss this), we are singing Handel's The Messiah this Thursday and next Tuesday at the Knight Theatre in uptown Charlotte.  It's definitely a great way to brighten your holiday season!

Friday, December 3, 2010

Traveling Companions - Los 3 Amigos

The guys: My dad, my husband, and my son.  Here we have opposite ends of the spectrum represented, with my dad and husband on one side, and my son on the other, and yet, I need both sides in my life.

The thing I appreciate most about my husband and my dad is that when you ask them a question, you're going to get the honest-to-God truth (as they see it), with absolutely ZERO sugarcoating. If you ask them if your butt looks big, they're likely to remind you that the state is reassigning zipcodes so that your butt all fits in the same one.  Now, don't get me wrong, they're not cruel about it.  There's just no such thing as a little white lie to spare someone's feelings when they are involved.  They also both believe that this whole acting idea is somewhat crazy - not because I don't have the talent, but because of the relative one-in-a-million, right-place-right-time nature of the business.  I think that they believe that the money spent on workshops and headshots and comp cards would be better spent playing the lottery. And yet, they're still there with me...supporting me in their own way, and bringing me back to Earth when my head gets too far in the clouds.

But sometimes, you just need that person who even if you look like a truck just ran you over, and your C Major is sounding more like X Double Flat Minor, tells you "Mommy, you're beautiful,  I love you". That's why God gave us sons. My little guy is about the most happy-go-lucky kid that I've seen, and he likes to pass his happiness to others.  Yeah, I know that his musical ear hasn't developed past Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, but in that moment when he says "Mommy, you sing pretty", it may as well be Mozart himself saying it.

Like I said, opposite ends of the spectrum, but you need both kind of people when you walk on water.

Wednesday, December 1, 2010

Second Traveling Companion

This companion is actually making the physical journey with us to Florida, but she's also our biggest cheerleader: My mom.  I was told that it was possible for both Mariana and I to attend ITS together, without additional help, however after them describing 12 hour days of workshops, performances, activities, dances and more, who would want to?  It seems overwhelming just worrying about yourself, let alone adding another person's schedule and care in there! So, my mom is coming along for the ride.  She's also been there to help take care of kids, fix hair, and run errands when I haven't been able.  Most of all though, besides all of the tangible things that she does, she believes in us and our dream.