Just wanted to write a quick update on the reading I did last weekend in Hudson with HRC Showcase. I think I mentioned this a couple posts ago, but just to refresh your memories ... it was a play called Johnny Has Gone for a Solider written by William di Canzio, who, interestingly, is a Yale Drama School grad (for playwriting) and was Dean or Master (can't remember which one) of Trumbull from 1990-98. I thought the play was quite good, and the other cast members (four other actors) were fun to work with. The whole process was very fast and furious. We started at 10am (had to start driving from the city around 7am), and rehearsed until around 6pm with only a 30 minute break for lunch. We performed the whole deal for an audience at 8pm. I had gotten literally no sleep the night before because I had to finish a song for BMI, so I was in a bit of a haze all day, but I think I was able to pull it together and do a good job (at least the feedback was positive). It seems to be a place that likes to use the same actors for several projects, so hopefully this will not be the last thing I do up there ... very unique and enjoyable theatrical experience.
New piano update should come within the next couple weeks. This current piece is not easy ... they keep getting harder.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Thursday, April 15, 2010
PROJECT 1: Piano
Finally, here's the next part in the Piano project. This is the Aria from Bach's Goldberg Variations. It's harder than it sounds; there are a lot of little details that don't necessarily come across because the recording quality isn't that great. It's a very beautiful piece, so it's kind of a shame to play it on an electric piano. Doesn't really do it justice. But I'm glad to have it done. Moving on to Variation 30 of Goldberg next, which is also going to be difficult.
Aria from Goldberg Variations by Bach from Bix Bettwy on Vimeo.
Yoga and Theatre
I did my first Yoga class last week. I came to the painful realization that I need to get in better shape and am not very flexible. But it was very good for focus and physical awareness.
I'm going up to Hudson, NY, on Saturday to do a reading. The play is called "Johnny is Gone for a Soldier," and I'm playing a community college student who's called up to Iraq. I'll write a post about how it goes when I get back on Sunday.
I'm going up to Hudson, NY, on Saturday to do a reading. The play is called "Johnny is Gone for a Soldier," and I'm playing a community college student who's called up to Iraq. I'll write a post about how it goes when I get back on Sunday.
Thursday, April 1, 2010
I've been pretty lazy about updating lately, so I'm going to take a moment today (in this post) to sort of regroup: reiterate what projects are still in play, eliminate/alter existing projects, and add a project.
PROJECT 1: Piano
Going as planned, so far. Right now I'm working primarily on the Aria from Bach's Goldberg Variations. I'm also peeking ahead to Beethoven's Pathetique and doing some work on that. I've still got several Mozart pieces to learn, but Pathetique is going to be a challenge and is going to take some time. It's also a really awesome piece that's worth spending time on and perfecting.
PROJECT 2: Screenplay
Not going as planned. I have dropped the ball on this one. However, it is a project I want to finish, so I'm going to pull it together and start over on Monday (going to New Haven this weekend).
PROJECT 3: Monologues/Plays
Again, not going as planned. I've kept up with the "play" part, but I haven't learned a new monologue yet. I'm going to keep pushing ahead with this one.
PROJECT 4: The Musical
I'm going to scrap it, for now. I have to work on it independently of this blog, so I'll continue to post recordings and such, but it's not going to be a "project." I may start a project having to do with the musical later, when effort independent of a workshop is required.
NEW PROJECT
PROJECT 5: Physical Training for Acting
It has become apparent, through acting class, singing lessons, and Alexander technique, that I have a lot of physical tension that is getting in the way of my acting. So, to combat this, I am going to focus more on physical training. Yes, I'm going to try to go to the gym more, but that's more of a general health issue. I want to focus specifically on becoming more relaxed, more flexible, and more generally aware of my body. My acting teacher recommended boxing, and I have been thinking about yoga for a while. So, I'm going to start going to yoga and boxing classes at my gym. My goal is to so a class each week for both. I will do my first yoga class tomorrow. I'm not sure what to do about boxing. I don't think I'll be able to do it through my gym, so I may have to go elsewhere. More on that later. But, for now, I'm going to start with the yoga.
PROJECT 1: Piano
Going as planned, so far. Right now I'm working primarily on the Aria from Bach's Goldberg Variations. I'm also peeking ahead to Beethoven's Pathetique and doing some work on that. I've still got several Mozart pieces to learn, but Pathetique is going to be a challenge and is going to take some time. It's also a really awesome piece that's worth spending time on and perfecting.
PROJECT 2: Screenplay
Not going as planned. I have dropped the ball on this one. However, it is a project I want to finish, so I'm going to pull it together and start over on Monday (going to New Haven this weekend).
PROJECT 3: Monologues/Plays
Again, not going as planned. I've kept up with the "play" part, but I haven't learned a new monologue yet. I'm going to keep pushing ahead with this one.
PROJECT 4: The Musical
I'm going to scrap it, for now. I have to work on it independently of this blog, so I'll continue to post recordings and such, but it's not going to be a "project." I may start a project having to do with the musical later, when effort independent of a workshop is required.
NEW PROJECT
PROJECT 5: Physical Training for Acting
It has become apparent, through acting class, singing lessons, and Alexander technique, that I have a lot of physical tension that is getting in the way of my acting. So, to combat this, I am going to focus more on physical training. Yes, I'm going to try to go to the gym more, but that's more of a general health issue. I want to focus specifically on becoming more relaxed, more flexible, and more generally aware of my body. My acting teacher recommended boxing, and I have been thinking about yoga for a while. So, I'm going to start going to yoga and boxing classes at my gym. My goal is to so a class each week for both. I will do my first yoga class tomorrow. I'm not sure what to do about boxing. I don't think I'll be able to do it through my gym, so I may have to go elsewhere. More on that later. But, for now, I'm going to start with the yoga.
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