No, not the singer.
Sorry I have been absent from this blog for so long! I have been sick-o. I'm just now starting to get over something I came down with about 2 weeks ago. It started small and thenknocked. me. out.
I just wanted to let you all know I'm still alive and that I'll be back next week with a fabulous update!
In the meantime, enjoy your Halloween weekend! I am going as Mother Nature. What about you?
--Kristi
Saturday, October 30, 2010
Thursday, October 14, 2010
You want me to read for who?
I learned something at my audition last night.
I need to stop typecasting myself.
type·cast
[tahyp-kast, -kahst]
–verb (used with object), -cast, -cast·ing. Theater .
1. to cast (a performer) in a role that requires characteristics of physique, manner, personality, etc., similar to those possessed by the performer.
2. to cast (a performer) repeatedly in a kind of role closely patterned after that of the actor's previous successes.
3. to stereotype: He realizes now he's been typecast as an executive errand boy.
At my callback, they asked me to read for the “dumb blonde” character. I have never in my life been called back for the dumb blonde, Valley girl, head cheerleader character. Ever. They didn’t tell me who I was being called back for in advance and when I found out, I was so shocked I basically blew the audition.
But why was I shocked?
Just because I’ve never been cast or asked to audition for that type of role before doesn’t mean I can’t do it. Shouldn’t an actor be able to play all types of roles? Why am I pigeonholing myself?
I’m noticing that I’m choosing the same types of monologues too. They all tend to be kind of quirky or funny; characters that I usually get cast as and identify with.
At my first audition, those directors saw something in me that told them I could be right for this character. I should take that as a compliment. They saw abilities in me that I don’t see in myself and had confidence that I could perform in that role. (Too bad I blew it…) Funnily enough, I've actually been told by more than one person recently that I have a look and a personality that could go either way; ingenue or character.
I think the problem is that when you are in high school and college, you tend to get typecast as one role. Mostly because directors need someone who can fill that part and they have a limited pool to choose from. So you don't always get to flex your acting muscles and work outside the box. The trouble starts when you break out into the real acting world and all of a sudden discover (like me) that if you only audition for a certain role or with material that leans toward a certain type, you have seriously limited the amount of opportunities that you are going to have.
So what do I do about this?
Well first, I need a little self confidence boost. I am a strong, smart, well rounded, capable actor. As long as I can tell the story, I can play the role. (Maybe I'll start saying this to myself in the mirror every day. Jessica, anyone?)
Second I’m resolving to pick more monologues that are out of my comfort zone. Let’s say the next 3 monologues I chose must be against "type" for me.'
But……
……hold me to that, would ya?
*thanks www.dictionary.com for the definition of "typecast"!
PS: While the video blog was fun times, don't get spoiled! Do you think free time grows on trees?
PS: While the video blog was fun times, don't get spoiled! Do you think free time grows on trees?
Ode to KK
Hello readers!
Boy, Kristi is the champ of bloggity blogs, is she not? Video blogging. Who knew?
Kristi pretty much summed it up: KK (Karen Kohlhaas) is blowing our little minds. I am seriously sticking post-its all over the book. Unlike Kristi, I got it from the library, and folks there don't take to kindly to highlighting and underlining in their books. I've decided I will be buying this after all.
I keep reading and realizing that I've been leaving out key parts of the audition process, namely the part that I love the most when I direct or act in a production: blocking. I'm taking notes on a few other things, but this is the kicker. She suggests you work within a 6' box-not the entire stage. In the past I've had no problem staying in the box, well, because I don't move. At all. Note taken, KK. I will reform!
Onward-my dear friend Taylor works for a local publication here. She described an essay she published about the trials, discomfort, and embarrassment of couple's yoga (I had never heard of such a thing...). Apparently, the article is hilarious, and I can't wait to splice it into something I can use. Talk about a lovely monologue to break out that better blocking!
I'm trying hard to listen to everything, read everything as though it could work on stage. I'm hoping that even though my next audition probably won't be until January, I'll be continuing to push myself not to slack through active listening/reading. Can't hurt right?
Have a great week!
-Whit
Boy, Kristi is the champ of bloggity blogs, is she not? Video blogging. Who knew?
Kristi pretty much summed it up: KK (Karen Kohlhaas) is blowing our little minds. I am seriously sticking post-its all over the book. Unlike Kristi, I got it from the library, and folks there don't take to kindly to highlighting and underlining in their books. I've decided I will be buying this after all.
I keep reading and realizing that I've been leaving out key parts of the audition process, namely the part that I love the most when I direct or act in a production: blocking. I'm taking notes on a few other things, but this is the kicker. She suggests you work within a 6' box-not the entire stage. In the past I've had no problem staying in the box, well, because I don't move. At all. Note taken, KK. I will reform!
Onward-my dear friend Taylor works for a local publication here. She described an essay she published about the trials, discomfort, and embarrassment of couple's yoga (I had never heard of such a thing...). Apparently, the article is hilarious, and I can't wait to splice it into something I can use. Talk about a lovely monologue to break out that better blocking!
I'm trying hard to listen to everything, read everything as though it could work on stage. I'm hoping that even though my next audition probably won't be until January, I'll be continuing to push myself not to slack through active listening/reading. Can't hurt right?
Have a great week!
-Whit
Monday, October 11, 2010
Face Time
This was supposed to be posted last week, but I had technical difficulties. Better late than never!
Wednesday, September 29, 2010
"You ARE still blogging, right?"
Someone asked me this yesterday and I felt compelled to respond.
Yes, we ARE still blogging!
I think blogging about the process of finding and learning 50 monologues in a year's time is a tough one. There's a lot of repetition in this process, none of which makes for interesting reading after the first time you write about it.
Also, I don't have internet at home, so to update the blog I have to type out the post at home, save it on a flash drive, then bring it into work and post it. Or I have to go to the library with the slow-as-molasses internet and post. Ahh the life of a poor actor...
To be honest, I haven't been doing that much with this project for the past few weeks. I...well....let's just call a spade, a spade. I've been lazy. That's right. You heard me. The project all about not being a lazy actor has been inhibited by, let's say it together, "A lazy actor!"
Instead of making excuses (the fall TV season is back, creativity is not inspired by a long and boring work day, I think I have adult ADD....) I'm just going to promise to get better.
I started reading KK's book over the weekend and I love it. I will definitely be writing about my initial reactions and this fantastic quote that has made me happy we are doing this project.
I am going to commit myself to posting at least once a week. I won't commit myself to a day just yet, (because of the no internet at home thing), but you will get an update from me faithfully once a week! I promise!
Consider this post a fire being lit under my ass.
Onward!
-Kristi
Yes, we ARE still blogging!
I think blogging about the process of finding and learning 50 monologues in a year's time is a tough one. There's a lot of repetition in this process, none of which makes for interesting reading after the first time you write about it.
Also, I don't have internet at home, so to update the blog I have to type out the post at home, save it on a flash drive, then bring it into work and post it. Or I have to go to the library with the slow-as-molasses internet and post. Ahh the life of a poor actor...
To be honest, I haven't been doing that much with this project for the past few weeks. I...well....let's just call a spade, a spade. I've been lazy. That's right. You heard me. The project all about not being a lazy actor has been inhibited by, let's say it together, "A lazy actor!"
Instead of making excuses (the fall TV season is back, creativity is not inspired by a long and boring work day, I think I have adult ADD....) I'm just going to promise to get better.
I started reading KK's book over the weekend and I love it. I will definitely be writing about my initial reactions and this fantastic quote that has made me happy we are doing this project.
I am going to commit myself to posting at least once a week. I won't commit myself to a day just yet, (because of the no internet at home thing), but you will get an update from me faithfully once a week! I promise!
Consider this post a fire being lit under my ass.
Onward!
-Kristi
Wednesday, September 22, 2010
New Material
Whitney is back, fall is here (officially at 11:09pm EST today) and I'm about to dive into to some new material!
Over the weekend, I decided that I want to move away from non-traditional monologues for a while. The impetus for this came from a list I found while cleaning out my file box.
In most college theatre programs, you are required to take some sort of theatre history. Both Whitney and I were fortunate to have the marvelous John Tammi as a professor for both Western and American theatre history. He gave us all sorts of resources for both of these classes, but the list I found was one we recieved in American theatre history. It is a list of great American plays (many of which won awards, many of which did not) from the early 1900s to the present. A good many of these plays were marked, "If you haven't read this, do it now!".
Well I did not read them them (I was a senior and college was busy!) but fret not, gentle blog readers. JT's advice did not go amiss. I'm doing it now! I've got a date with the Chicago Public Library tonight and I'll be traveling back to my homestate of Michigan tomorrow. Classic plays make for great commuter train/2 hour car trip reading.
Stay tuned because I also recieved KK's book (remember her?) yesterday and I'm already convinced that it's going to be an excellent resource. I'll be back with more about the book soon!
--Kristi
Over the weekend, I decided that I want to move away from non-traditional monologues for a while. The impetus for this came from a list I found while cleaning out my file box.
In most college theatre programs, you are required to take some sort of theatre history. Both Whitney and I were fortunate to have the marvelous John Tammi as a professor for both Western and American theatre history. He gave us all sorts of resources for both of these classes, but the list I found was one we recieved in American theatre history. It is a list of great American plays (many of which won awards, many of which did not) from the early 1900s to the present. A good many of these plays were marked, "If you haven't read this, do it now!".
Well I did not read them them (I was a senior and college was busy!) but fret not, gentle blog readers. JT's advice did not go amiss. I'm doing it now! I've got a date with the Chicago Public Library tonight and I'll be traveling back to my homestate of Michigan tomorrow. Classic plays make for great commuter train/2 hour car trip reading.
Stay tuned because I also recieved KK's book (remember her?) yesterday and I'm already convinced that it's going to be an excellent resource. I'll be back with more about the book soon!
--Kristi
Monday, September 20, 2010
Really?
I'm back-I made it through my husband's driving through the Appalachian Mountains and the Blue Ridge Mountains, I survived hiking to 3 different waterfalls, and I almost made it up Chimney Rock-but dang that "rock" is a freakin' CLIFF. A FREAKING HIGH CLIFF. After hiking all day, I don't do a 26-story cliff. Sorry nature, you're beautiful, but you also make me hyperventilate sometimes.
And through all the mountain driving, my hope to read the whole way was dashed by...well...the inability to read comfortably. We'll leave it at that.
But, BUT, dear readers, I watched some movies. And those movies had, what I'm hoping, are some excellent chunks of text. And I can't help but think: "Really?"
Ok, now I'm totally guilty of watching auditions or hearing about other's experiences and cringing uncomfortably about people performing monologues from a movie. I've seen good presentations, don't get me wrong, but I feel like movies are easy to imitate. Text, and text alone, really makes you *work* for your interpretation. Watch a movie too much, love a performance so much and you could be re-enacting...not performing. Well...at least that's what I'm afraid of.
Seriously-I'm an imitator. I have been since I was a child. My mother bought me a pair of tap shoes at a garage sale when I was 4 or 5, and she asked me if I wanted to take classes. My response: "No. I know how to do it," as I continued to make crazy clicks and watch my reflection in the dishwasher. Why? Because I watched the Lawrence Welk Show (come on, young people, thinking PBS, think variety show, too many sequins, and BIG hair), and I thought I knew how to tap. I don't think this imitation skill is always a bad thing (that's how I pick up on dialects easily), but...
In any case, the movie. My favorite: A Coen Brother's flick-"The Hudsucker Proxy" (1994) There's a GREAT female character (Amy Archer) played by Jennifer Jason Lee. She has a great speech, and luckily, she plays the role in a very stereotypical-1950s-I'm-Katherine-Hepburn kind of way that would be easy *not* to imitate-to make a bit more believable, more grounded. I'll be investigating. :)
On to a busy week-have a great one!
Whitney
And through all the mountain driving, my hope to read the whole way was dashed by...well...the inability to read comfortably. We'll leave it at that.
But, BUT, dear readers, I watched some movies. And those movies had, what I'm hoping, are some excellent chunks of text. And I can't help but think: "Really?"
Ok, now I'm totally guilty of watching auditions or hearing about other's experiences and cringing uncomfortably about people performing monologues from a movie. I've seen good presentations, don't get me wrong, but I feel like movies are easy to imitate. Text, and text alone, really makes you *work* for your interpretation. Watch a movie too much, love a performance so much and you could be re-enacting...not performing. Well...at least that's what I'm afraid of.
Seriously-I'm an imitator. I have been since I was a child. My mother bought me a pair of tap shoes at a garage sale when I was 4 or 5, and she asked me if I wanted to take classes. My response: "No. I know how to do it," as I continued to make crazy clicks and watch my reflection in the dishwasher. Why? Because I watched the Lawrence Welk Show (come on, young people, thinking PBS, think variety show, too many sequins, and BIG hair), and I thought I knew how to tap. I don't think this imitation skill is always a bad thing (that's how I pick up on dialects easily), but...
In any case, the movie. My favorite: A Coen Brother's flick-"The Hudsucker Proxy" (1994) There's a GREAT female character (Amy Archer) played by Jennifer Jason Lee. She has a great speech, and luckily, she plays the role in a very stereotypical-1950s-I'm-Katherine-Hepburn kind of way that would be easy *not* to imitate-to make a bit more believable, more grounded. I'll be investigating. :)
On to a busy week-have a great one!
Whitney
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