Yeahh I've tried Yoga.

              I'm not exactly physically fit. I mean granted my mother, a holistic health counselor and exercise trainer, has forced me to appreciate a scrumptious (if not bitter) green drink or organic salad. But that is the extent of my fitness. I am no athletic ability whatsoever so exercise is out of the question. So when my friends suggested I try yoga this weekend, I almost fell down laughing. Yoga is for my parents, not me! I may be somewhat flexible but that doesn't mean I enjoy stretching. In an attempt to seem somewhat cool, I held my tongue, agreeing to subject myself to this torture.
              The class itself was difficult but enjoyable and extremely calming. As the class continued I realized that yoga is an art, which the teacher was perfecting with ease. The skill it takes to move your body in such a way, as well as be fluid. I gained a lot more respect for my parents (who are avid Yogis). Afterward, I felt loose, calm, and relaxed. Later that day I went to a practice room to sing (as I do twice a week) and I felt I sang the best I ever had without being at an actually voice lesson or performance. My breath support was incredibly strong, coming straight from diaphragm without hesitation. And for the sake of justifying my workout I am assuming that yoga improved my singing.
              I never realized how important exercise is. People always told me, but I never really took it to heart. Now that it has improved my singing I feel obligated as a vocalist to continue my yoga studies. Though I am sore beyond belief, I'll bite my tongue and suffer. The benefits actually do outweigh the achey limbs. ;)

Sacrifice to the Theater Gods

I must deviate from the typical topic, as I have unfortunate news.

            Two days ago, I bought cherry chapstick. I figured my parched lips could use a relief from my busy new college life. And though some of my friends claimed it smelt like liquid Advil (to which my chapstick took much offense), I loved that chapstick. It was short, but our relationship blossomed.
             So, today as I was rushing to get from rehearsal to rehearsal, naturally I reapplied it. This time, however, it was not meant to be, as it fell straight to the ground, ruined forever. My beautiful chapstick is now dead, in a trash can near my college's music hall. I didn't even get to name it. Shocked, I rushed to my next rehearsal only to find I wasn't needed.
RIP Chapstick. You were a great comfort in my hectic schedule of choir, classes, and musical theater.
You are my most recent sacrifice to the Gods of Theater, the Lords of Music, and the Ghosts of Hunger.
             Can you tell I am going insane? Or is normal to feel so much sorrow about one mundane item? My schedule is definitely getting to me. Half of it is devoted to the arts, which is exactly what I wanted, but there is still so much I want to do. I guess constantly reapplying my chapstick represented one selfish moment where I could indulge myself, rather than worry about everyone getting the right harmonies. I guess I'll have to wait till I get Chapstick 2.0.
LOL. Melodramatic much? I wonder why I am like that...
Guess it comes with being a theater person.

Anyways, I am going to listen to the Prologue of Into the Woods while you contemplate what is wrong with me.

Wait...I'm not playing a blonde?

           Blog, I think it is high time I explain something. For some time now I've been playing blonde-haired characters. Apparently, in some other lifetime I would've made the perfect blonde. However, I have received fantastical, exciting, exhilarating news. You see, a few days ago I auditioned for the not so common musical Zombie Prom at my college. To be honest, my first reaction was well... confusion... I mean, Zombie Prom? What kind of a musical is that? After much research, I discovered that it is a hysterically silly show, and felt confident about my audition. Confident, but not sure. Though I love to perform, I have always had apprehension about being larger parts. I sing more than I act. I love medium sized parts as I am slightly timid.
            Anyways, I got to the audition, not knowing what to expect. I was slightly hyperventilating, however filling out the audition sheet was a distraction enough. I'm glad I didn't forget my name because that could've been potentially problematic lol. Finally, it was my turn. After singing scales and reaching a high C (which is ridiculously high, no joke), I auditioned with "I Know it's Today" from Shrek the musical. Everyone was ridiculously friendly. And apparently, I kicked ass.
Someone mentioned to me that my audition was "talked" about in a good way. I didn't want to get my hopes up as I didn't get a callback for acapella groups which made me feel crappy last week. But later that day, I received an e-mail for a callback! I wasn't expecting a big part but at the callback they had me read for the lead. I was so surprised and confused which impaired my acting and singing skills. But not to worry because I got the part of GINGER (a friend of the lead) and drumroll please...
the understudy for the lead!!
             Not only do I have a name that completely refutes the idea of being blonde (though I won't have to have red hair either), but I get to see what is like to be a lead without the pressure!! I am so excited, it's like a practice test for a lead! Some people told me I should be upset but are you kidding? Being an understudy and having a good part is perfect for someone as hesitant as me! Plus, Sutton Foster, an incredibly talented broadway star, was originally cast as an understudy, which proves understudies are just as talented as leads! I didn't even consider being anything near a lead, as I don't believe I fit the part but I guess I am a good back up! Yay!!! No blonde wig this time!
I guess that goes to show you sometimes the unexpected can be a good thing! :D

Straight Into the Woods.

Alright, so my dumbest audition moment was for Into the Woods last year at my high school. I had done a  good job as the Baker's Wife and I was to read for Cinderella. At the end of the Cinderella scene I had to run away as I saw a giant beanstalk grow. Naturally, I ran but straight into the wall. The director only saw the tail end of my stupidity but he still gave me an odd look. However, surprisingly I landed the role of Rapunzel ! (Best role ever. And blonde. I always play the blonde which is strange because I am the most brunette person you will ever meet.)

Needless to say, the point is: yes you can screw up pretty bad but that doesn't ruin all chances of getting the part. I guess the key thing is to let the little mistakes go. And think before you decide walk into walls.

Hello!

If there is one thing I have learned in my 18 years of life, it's this:
Auditions are torture. In the back of your mind, the constant fear of failure remains. But at the same time, an image of success is momentarily tangible. Adrenaline pumps through veins, and most attempts to stay calm are futile. 
On a weekly basis, I ask myself "Why do I put myself through this?" 
It's because I know the risk is worth it. 
I know that auditioning gets me that much closer to performing. And performing makes me feel incredible. I can't describe it without getting cheesy, but it is as if I am I feel a surge of happiness and joy. 
I don't do roller coasters. I don't do heights. I don't do race cars. I perform. I audition. 
So, when the head director of a singing group shakes his head "no" while I sing basic scales, I think I have a right to be livid. 
Or when my high school director says I sang the part of Mary Lennox for the musical The Secret Garden perfectly at the callbacks but am "too short" for the role, I'm allowed to be angry. I can't control my height but I can control my talent. My non-theater friends think it is so easy to audition/sing/perform but they don't know how much self-confidence I have to develop. Performing is my passion but I don't know if I could ever pursue it. Maybe speaking to you, my non-existent audience will help me decide.