Thursday, September 14, 2006
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Sunday, September 10, 2006
Cell Phone Retardation
This summer when I was at the Black Hills Playhouse, I was isolated and didn't have the use of Internet or my cell phone. This caused me to completely forget what it was like to have a phone. Since being back, I have been leaving my phone on in inappropriate times, but I am getting back into the habit of turning it off.
Since classes have started, I notice things about cell phones. During most of my classes on Wednesday, I heard at least one cell phone vibrate. I don't understand why they have phones with vibrate settings. You can still hear them when sitting in a quiet classroom. They distract just as much when they are set to ring. I hate this. Not only once did a certain person's cell phone vibrate, but three times during one of my classes! Each time, all she did was reach into her bag and turn it off. Why have the damn thing on in the first place? If you aren't going to leave the classroom to answer it, why have it on at all? It distracts me from the lecture and it pisses me off. I can understand if you were waiting to see if your grandma was taking a turn for the worse, or to find out if you have AIDS, but seriously turn your fucking phones off. You aren't that important.
Since classes have started, I notice things about cell phones. During most of my classes on Wednesday, I heard at least one cell phone vibrate. I don't understand why they have phones with vibrate settings. You can still hear them when sitting in a quiet classroom. They distract just as much when they are set to ring. I hate this. Not only once did a certain person's cell phone vibrate, but three times during one of my classes! Each time, all she did was reach into her bag and turn it off. Why have the damn thing on in the first place? If you aren't going to leave the classroom to answer it, why have it on at all? It distracts me from the lecture and it pisses me off. I can understand if you were waiting to see if your grandma was taking a turn for the worse, or to find out if you have AIDS, but seriously turn your fucking phones off. You aren't that important.
Monday, September 04, 2006
Anticipation
So, this begins the saga of my sophomore year here at Augustana. The anticipation I have had for this year was great, and was only intensified by the theatre retreat. We have a good group of freshmen who came into the program this year. Last year's outgoing to incoming ratio was 1:15. Not bad for a small company. The program at Augie is growing in exciting and fun ways. It should be a good season.
I look at this year as the first official year that I am 100% part of the company and part of Augustana. How's that? I'll explain. Everytime I would hang out with people in the theatre, it would be fun until we all started to leave. As the freshman dorms are on the south side of campus, I would have to take a left once we left the theatre. However, the other people would take a right towards the north end of campus back to their dorms. I would have to take the walk, usually alone, to my side of campus. This year, I get to take a right. I know it seems odd that one can feel so much more of a part of something just by taking a right turn rather than a left.
RJ and Ivan were talking about Comedy of Errors and how cool the set design is. Kyle Mutchelknaus is designing and it has been predicted to be the best set we have had on our stage. I am super excited for it. I am the Master Carpenter this year, so I get to start building a portfolio. I am super excited about working in the shop this year. Molly, Lauren, Ben, and I are going to rock it up in the shop. Not only is it going to be super fun, but also it will be efficient. I don't want to fuck this up this year. I want to do the best possible job.
When we were playing a get-to-know-you game at the theatre retreat, I discovered that my mentee is a huge fan of Project Runway. I am going to have him over to watch it with us on Wednesday night.
Since I haven't really posted much about my experiences at the Black Hills Playhouse, I will take it upon myself to do so now. When I pulled upto the camp, I thought to myself, "What the Hell did you get yourself into, Sean?" You see, the buildings are old and dilapidated. Many of these buildings were recently condemned. However, once I saw the dormitory I would be staying in, I was instantly assuaged because the housing is so much nicer than the workspaces. I met tons of really cool people and got to perform with people from New York City to Washington. It was a great experience, and even though I didn't get paid much, it was definitely worth it.
So, Project Runway tonight was amazing. I am so glad that Vincent finally got kicked off. He was horrible and should have been gone long before this time. I predict that the top 3 will be Cain, Uli, and Michael (in no particular order). So, I watched the show with Chase, Jennilee, Bob (my theatre mentee), Paula, Chris, and Andrew Erickson. It was a fun time that was made even more fun due to the fact that we all ran from the Madsen Center to Granskou in order to make it in time to see it. Definitely worth it.
So, I might be stage managing Comedy of Errors. Yeah, I know. Where did this come from? Well, my good friend Beckie is going to be assistant directing and she doesn't want to stage manage as well. She will ASM, but not SM. That's sweet! I wanted to stage manage this show from the beginning. So, we talked to Ivan and I asked if I could. He still said "no," but that if I wasn't cast in the show, he would let me. He said he would use me if he needed me, but if he didn't need me, I wouldn't be cast. However, I think that was Ivan's way of getting me off his back. I will probably get cast and have to act in it, but it will still be fun. It just won't be what I am going into. I have noticed that the faculty sometimes try to force you to do what they want you to do rather than what you want to do. Let's hope this problem solves itself, or I may be forced to have a meeting with the higher power.
Anyway, onto the topic of classes. Today was the first day, as many of you know, and I have high expectations for my Monday, Wednesday, Friday classes. I have classes solid from 10:40AM-3PM and then I go into the shop from 3-5. Long day. However, on Tuesdays and Thursdays I only have Script Analysis from 1-2:20PM. Then, 3-5 in the shop, of course. I have to start exercising 3 days a week for my Voice/Movement class. Any suggestions for fat-people-friendly exercises? I may be swimming at the Elmen. I have to keep a log, so I will probably be creating a new blog for that. It would be so much easier.
My school year resolution: Blog More.
[Note: This post was written over more than one day, so events are talked about in the future and present tense.]
I look at this year as the first official year that I am 100% part of the company and part of Augustana. How's that? I'll explain. Everytime I would hang out with people in the theatre, it would be fun until we all started to leave. As the freshman dorms are on the south side of campus, I would have to take a left once we left the theatre. However, the other people would take a right towards the north end of campus back to their dorms. I would have to take the walk, usually alone, to my side of campus. This year, I get to take a right. I know it seems odd that one can feel so much more of a part of something just by taking a right turn rather than a left.
RJ and Ivan were talking about Comedy of Errors and how cool the set design is. Kyle Mutchelknaus is designing and it has been predicted to be the best set we have had on our stage. I am super excited for it. I am the Master Carpenter this year, so I get to start building a portfolio. I am super excited about working in the shop this year. Molly, Lauren, Ben, and I are going to rock it up in the shop. Not only is it going to be super fun, but also it will be efficient. I don't want to fuck this up this year. I want to do the best possible job.
When we were playing a get-to-know-you game at the theatre retreat, I discovered that my mentee is a huge fan of Project Runway. I am going to have him over to watch it with us on Wednesday night.
Since I haven't really posted much about my experiences at the Black Hills Playhouse, I will take it upon myself to do so now. When I pulled upto the camp, I thought to myself, "What the Hell did you get yourself into, Sean?" You see, the buildings are old and dilapidated. Many of these buildings were recently condemned. However, once I saw the dormitory I would be staying in, I was instantly assuaged because the housing is so much nicer than the workspaces. I met tons of really cool people and got to perform with people from New York City to Washington. It was a great experience, and even though I didn't get paid much, it was definitely worth it.
So, Project Runway tonight was amazing. I am so glad that Vincent finally got kicked off. He was horrible and should have been gone long before this time. I predict that the top 3 will be Cain, Uli, and Michael (in no particular order). So, I watched the show with Chase, Jennilee, Bob (my theatre mentee), Paula, Chris, and Andrew Erickson. It was a fun time that was made even more fun due to the fact that we all ran from the Madsen Center to Granskou in order to make it in time to see it. Definitely worth it.
So, I might be stage managing Comedy of Errors. Yeah, I know. Where did this come from? Well, my good friend Beckie is going to be assistant directing and she doesn't want to stage manage as well. She will ASM, but not SM. That's sweet! I wanted to stage manage this show from the beginning. So, we talked to Ivan and I asked if I could. He still said "no," but that if I wasn't cast in the show, he would let me. He said he would use me if he needed me, but if he didn't need me, I wouldn't be cast. However, I think that was Ivan's way of getting me off his back. I will probably get cast and have to act in it, but it will still be fun. It just won't be what I am going into. I have noticed that the faculty sometimes try to force you to do what they want you to do rather than what you want to do. Let's hope this problem solves itself, or I may be forced to have a meeting with the higher power.
Anyway, onto the topic of classes. Today was the first day, as many of you know, and I have high expectations for my Monday, Wednesday, Friday classes. I have classes solid from 10:40AM-3PM and then I go into the shop from 3-5. Long day. However, on Tuesdays and Thursdays I only have Script Analysis from 1-2:20PM. Then, 3-5 in the shop, of course. I have to start exercising 3 days a week for my Voice/Movement class. Any suggestions for fat-people-friendly exercises? I may be swimming at the Elmen. I have to keep a log, so I will probably be creating a new blog for that. It would be so much easier.
My school year resolution: Blog More.
[Note: This post was written over more than one day, so events are talked about in the future and present tense.]