Stating My Purpose. Part 1

November 29, 2009
Well, its been months now right since I began this blog – which I began as an effort to keep me diligently checking in with myself in my MFA process… or “trek” if you will…

So this week I’ve been hunkering down to finish up my Statement of Purpose – something I’ve been pondering and wrestling with for some time now but not actually putting words to paper. I had a flash back to freshmen year of college, staring at the computer screen for my first term paper. Oh, how I’d forgotten the joys of writers block… although this writer’s block has lasted about two months: I have to write my statement of purpose. This week. Ok… so I’ve read some blogs about this little statement… that helped, although it was a mild form of procrastination.
- Sites to check out:
o http://www.uni.edu/~gotera/gradapp/stmtpurpose.htm
o http://speakcoffeetome.blogspot.com/2008/08/mfa-statement-of-purpose.html
o http://creative-writing-mfa-handbook.blogspot.com/2007/08/tips-on-statement-of-purpose.html
My statement of purpose? My purpose in life? Who knew people got so hung up on life purpose right? I thought I was fine coastin along but wow, nothing like writing a three page diddy to figure out what kind of person I want to be in this world!

So I sit…. A few minutes, a few lines, a few thoughts before bed a couple nights a week… clearly, not enough to have any continuity or depth. Uh-oh. God and the distractions these days are relentless! I spent two hours on facebook suddenly today posting updates on my statement of purpose status…. Without writing statements of purpose. I AM a freshman again, except I ask myself, do I have the fortitude to pull an all-nighter to finish!? Maybe I should invest in a case of ramen, red bull and cheetos and revisit my collegiate youth, I mean I am getting in the headspace for college right?

Ok… purpose…purpose…what a fine balance between being realistic and idealistic… modest and confidant, honest and impressive… down to earth and wildly hilarious. Ok remember my sarcasm doesn’t always read as, well, humor.

Call dad. It is his birthday. He gives solid advice, as usual. I will aim to save the world. No, wait, help people… be a better person? Later can’t read my chicken scratch notes and decide a six-hour break is needed. I’ve lost the afternoon, missed a dinner party and sit myself down for a little pep talk… candles, soup, tea, blanket, music… ban on facebook…

Nice after an hour I’ve got several chunky paragraphs!

My new rule is I have to spend 20min a day working on it… and hour at “rehearsal” in my room working on my monologues. And 20 min doing other misc. “school” or acting related work…

Ok, more purpose later…whew what a doosey.

Lisa Porter: my SF coach teacher

Lisa Porter:
I found her – my coach and linklater teacher! What a blessing – a practical, no fluff, funny and wonderful teacher. You know I think the biggest thing in my way right now is my own head and jitters. I love that she helps me bring a light- hearted approach to getting on my feet. Even though it’s only been a few weeks working with her, she reminds me to keep it fun – to love the audition.

Shakespeare Hunt

Oct 8

Getting a Shakespeare monologue.... its not easy... it really can feel like a hunt. Here are a few which look interesting (of course they're interesting, they're phenomenal- its Shakespeare!):

All’s Well That Ends Well, Helena, I, 1, 79-98*

Antony & Cleopatra, Cleopatra, I, 5, 18-34

Anthony & Cleopatra, Cleopatra, V, 2 , 280-298*

Antony & Cleopatra, Cleopatra, V, 2, 338-356

As You Like It, Phebe, III, 5, 8-27*

As You Like It, Rosalind, Epilogue

The Comedy of Errors, Adriana, II, 1, 87-101*

Coriolanus, Volumina, III, 2, 52-69*

Cymbeline, Imogen, I, 6, 141-155*

Hamlet, Gertrude, IV, 7, 166- 183*

Henry V, Hostess, II , 3, 9-26*

Henry VI, part 1, Joan de Pucelle, I, 2, 72-90*

Henry VI, part 2, Queen Margaret, III, 2, 74-93*

Henry VI, part 3, Queen Margaret, 231- 250

Julius Caesar, Portia, II, 1, 237-256*

Julius Caesar, Portia, II, 1, 261-278

Julius Caesar, Portia, II, 1, 291-302

Julius Caesar, Calpurnia, II, 2, 13-26

King John, Constance, III, 4, 44-60*

Love’s Labor’s Lost, Princess of France, IV, 1, 21-35

Love’s Labor’s Lost, Dumain, IV, 3, 99-118

Love’s Labor’s Lost, Rosalind, V, 2, 841-854*

Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, I, 5, 15-30

Macbeth, Lady Macbeth, I, 5, 38-58*

Macbeth, Hecate, II , 5 , 2-21

Measure For Measure, Isabella, II, 4, 171-187*

Measure for Measure, III, 1, 171-187

The Merchant Of Venice, Portia, IV, 1, 184-202*

The Merry Wives of Windsor, Mistress, II , 1 , 4-20

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Helena, I , 1 , 181-193

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Helena, I, 1, 226-245

A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Helena, III, 2, 145- 161*

Much Ado About Nothing, Beatrice, II, 1, 34-49

Much Ado About Nothing, Beatrice, IV, 1, 303-323

Othello, Emilia, IV, 3, 86- 103*

Richard III, Lady Anne, I, 2, 50-67*

Richard III, Lady Anne, IV, 1, 65-84

Romeo & Juliet, Nurse, I , 3 , 29-48

Romeo & Juliet, Juliet, II, 2, 33-49 (ex. 37)

Romeo & Juliet, Juliet, II , 2, 85-101

Romeo & Juliet, Juliet, II, 3, 97-114

Romeo & Juliet, Juliet, II, 5, 1-19*

Romeo Juliet, Nurse, III, 5, 214- 227

The Taming of the Shrew, Bianca, II, 1, 1-7

The Taming of the Shrew, Katherina, V, 2, 161- 179*

Titus Andronicus, Tamora, I, 1, 104- 120*

Troilus & Cressida, Cressida, III, 2, 117-133*

Twelfth Night, Viola, II, 2, 17-32*

Two Gentlemen of Verona, Julia, I, 2, 102- 119*

Two Gentlemen Of Verona, Silvia, IV, 2, 93-104

The Winter’s Tale, Hermione, III, 2, 91-108*

Um… I needed it yesterday- get a crack on it!

Still on the hunt for a coach…today I must call Berkeley Rep and Actor Center SF (Method acting ??) to set up some appointments. This weekend should be extremely fruitful working with Dennis Krausinik as Shakespeare & Company will be in town for their SF Weekend Intensive. I only wish I could have them be my training and teacher full time here.

Couple of Website resources:

Here are a couple of great websites that I've found helpful this month:

Basics in MFA audition prep:

www.mfaactor.com

Monologue Prep:

http://www.monologueaudition.com/

- Karen Kollhaas is a phenomenal teacher in NYC. Although I never worked with her personally, I found some really wonderful advice on her site... such as:

- Get Creative with your monologue choices and material. Read daily and don't be afraid to seek unusal resources in order to find interesting materials, including newpapers, interviews, leters, books, tv, speeches, documentaries, talk radio, poems, films, editorials, off-beat humor writing, etc. This way you'll be constantly building a unique repetoire of work that reflects your individuality.

- She also has a theory that actors should compile 20 monologues and in the process, they'll find a handful of incredible gems as well as loose the fear of auditioning. Also, by rehearsing a dozen or two dozen monologues, physical habits become more apearant.

- HAVE FUN... right, which is what everyone and their brother will tell you about auditioning right? But the more excited I can be about my little world I'm creating, the more confident and appealing my work becomes. It is a worthy goal to be more light-hearted!

- What can I actually control -- put my energy towards that:

- Being prepared (well-rehearsed, strong choices, within time limits)

- Enjoying my pieces

- Punctuality

- Being physically present, well-rested, awake and energetic

- Being informed: knowing the auditors, company, school, season...etc

- Having confidence

- Warm up and feel in shape

- Be dressed comfortably and appropriately

- Know my type and what roles I WANT to play

- What I can't control:

- Type they're looking for

- Their mood, judgments, schedule, opinion

- The weather

- Other Actors

Relax the audition isn't everything. Soo enjoy the process!

Gearing up

September 15^th, 2009

So this time, I’m serious: I’m going to audition for gradschool this winter. Last year around this time I started pondering the notion, but postponed until this year… confidence…. Perfection. SOoo writing this blog is in effort to keeping me honest in this process, keeping me consistant and if somehow these musings and confessions and hopefully sparkling successes will help another actor in this swampland called the gradschool auditions , or the biz, the craft…or life, so be it.

Ok so I’ll set the scene for my beginning etchings of page one of my MFA blog… sitting in my Berkeley apartment, half a bottle of wine into what is an unusually quiet and solo evening to myself this mid-september, scribbling out my timeline for 1) auditioning for gradschools and 2) well, my new life in CA as an actor, specifically a Bay Area actor.

Just about three months ago. I moved from the city of lights and glamour (ie. New York) to a spunky college town on the left coast, and needless to say I’m still in a bit of culture shock. I eventually wanted to work in California and since I have family in this area, I figured now is as good a time as any to get my butt out here and establish residency for grad school next year. LA will come soon enough, but wont materialize before the big swing of auditions in January….

September Goals:

- Make selections of the most perfect, fitting, accessible and personal monologues that will be outstanding in their level of obscurity and exact molding to my range and personality.

- Meet and begin working with a soon-to-be beloved coach and mentor who will understand the kind of pre-audition, gradschool package a lady like myself needs to shine beyond compare.

- Create a working timeline that will keep my in line and get me prepared.

- Compile a notebook to organize my school information… plus create a spreadsheet of the essential info for each school (audition dates, requirements, applications fees, cost per year, scholarships available, etc.)

- Start this blog so I can stay focused and hopefully not loose my sense of humor in the process.