Cast Lists and INTROlympics

I wasn't cast in "Smokey Joe's Cafe", but congratulations to all those who were! I'm auditioning for "The Wizard of Oz" tomorrow, so hopefully that will go well. I was in it at Theatre IV a few years ago and played a Munchkin...good times!

Today, I have the INTROlympics...where all the Intro to Drama classes are reviewing for the final exam. I'm not really sure what this will be like, but it should be fun (or it would be if I weren't getting sick...again...stupid college, making me sick all the time). We also have our fashion show for our final Costume Construction projects.

It's sad to me that this semester is almost over. I've had a really great time! I can't believe how fast the time went by. It feels like I only just got here, and yet here I am, at the end of my first semester in college. I must be growing up.

"Smokey Joe's Cafe"

I had a callback for "Smokey Joe's Cafe" last night. It was a lot of fun and a very supportive time! I was one of four freshmen called, so I don't know what sort of a chance I have. I also wasn't called back to dance today...not really sure if that means anything, but we'll see! I'm not expecting anything since I've got a few more years here, but it would be fun if I got cast. I'm looking forward to the cast lists regardless!

Mame

I saw "Mame" today! Nothing like a last-minute matinee to put a cherry on top of your Thanksgiving break. My fellow Theatre VCU friend Brian Baez was in it, adorable as always, as well as a number of other people who I know and love and miss working with. I thought it was a great show, lots of fun, and generally a feel-good play. If you can, go see it!

Auditions for "When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?" and "Smokey Joe's Cafe" are getting ever closer! Nerves are high on my end. Hopefully they'll go well!

Auditions

Theatre VCU will be putting on "When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?" and "Smokey Joe's Cafe" next semester. Auditions for both are very soon.

And I am very nervous.

Medea

I saw "Medea" last night...if you have the chance, GO. It was absolutely stunning. I can't say enough about! I was so taken by Mary Vreeland...she is so wonderfully expressive. It was so easy to forget that she was not actually speaking! And I have a total "talent crush" on Landon Nagel. I've seen three other Jasons and he was, easily, the most impressive of all. I love the way the chorus was done and the drums added SUCH a great touch...gah! I can't say any more or I'll give it all away!

Seriously, though, try to go see it, because it's a beautifully done production. Hats off to the cast and crew!

Never Mind

Never mind, no "This is Our Youth" for me. I'm sick and it's highly unlikely I'll be better in time to audition.

HOWEVER...mainstage auditions are sneaking up fast!! "Smokey Joe's Cafe" and "When You Comin' Back, Red Ryder?" are the spring productions. I have absolutely no idea what I'm going to sing. My voice is suited for standard showtunes, not R&B and rock! But I'll make the best of it.

Jenny and I are planning to write a play together. Not sure what about yet, but I'm sure it will be awesome!

This is Our Youth

I'm hoping to audition for "This is Our Youth" at the Firehouse Theatre. I really love that play and I've wanted to try out for something at the Firehouse for a while. I have to figure out getting permission from VCU, though!

JKF

Well, Gallaudet made Jane K. Fernandes resign. I guess the protests worked! I don't really get to have a say since I wasn't involved, but I do think it's important that the president of Gallaudet is Deaf, as well as deaf, so I hope they make a good decision for the next. Apparently, the Deaf community is partying hard...I kinda want to join in.
Some people are bashing the protesters, saying they were "stupid" and all that jazz...I don't think the protesters were stupid...I think they felt strongly enough about their school to try and campaign so that it can be as good as it can be. I often talk about things I'm not pleased with and wish I could do something about it...and then don't do anything. I think it's great that they held out and made a difference. Whether it was in fact for the best or not remains to be seen, but I do admire how strongly they fought for what they believe in.

Medea

As the opening night of "Medea" comes ever closer, I find myself practicing my sign language more and more. Oh, and also because my allergies are so bad that my ears are almost totally blocked and I can't hear a thing. Yeah, that too.

But in all seriousness, I'm really excited about "Medea". I like that show anyway and I think this production will be so unique! I'm also going to try to get up to Gallaudet to see "A Streetcar Named Desire", which will be in ASL with open captions for the hearing.

I really think deaf theatre might be the niche I want to be in. It's such a fascinating style and I'm really interested in it. I'll have to look at how to become more fluent in sign while an undergrad so I can maybe do my grad work at a school like Gallaudet.

My Life in Bullet Points

• I am going to withdraw from Algebra class and take it at a later date, after I've figured out this dyscalculia thing.
• I'm not a Marilyn Manson fan, but have been listening to his cover of "Tainted Love" nonstop, and so should you.
• I keep on writing scenes and monologues for the Holocaust Play Project...and I have no idea how to fit them into the script. But I'll find a way.
• FDP was amazing and my cast was hardcore. I had a blast and I can't wait for the next performance opportunity!
• I have lost six pounds. Fourteen more to go.
• I want to do something Shakespeare-related. Not sure what, but I definitely want to.
• I have no idea what to be for Halloween. It has been suggested to me that I should be Sara from "CSI" because apparently I look like her (I see no resemblance). This would be cool, but I have no time to create a CSI vest or anything. Any other ideas?
• My roommate cannot sing. Please note that I am not saying this to be mean. I'm saying this because she's singing with headphones on and can't hear herself, and NO ONE sounds good under those conditions.
• My ears hurt. I had them flushed at the doctor's office on Friday morning...and haven't slept for more than five hours since then. They throb whenever I try to sleep. Frustrating! Also, my hearing doesn't feel totally restored, which surprised me. Maybe that takes time.
• Apparently, Sweet Pea from Bath and Body Works is men's preferred scent for women. I have the lotion, spray, shampoo, and conditioner...and every guy I sit next to just smells me the whole time. Weird, but whatever...

FDP

I just want to say how much I love my FDP cast and director. They have made the experience of my first performing opportunity of college such a blast...I can't wait until we actually get to go onstage on the 16th and 17th.

Our play itself, "Small Word", is REALLY hard. It's all choreographed, all in the timing, has to be totally in synch with the other actors...yet has to be natural. It's absolutely hilarious, and yet we have to remain frozen and not laughing (my greatest challenge in this play, considering Jay's favorite pasttime is to try and make me giggle. He's good at it, too).

I'm so excited about FDP...I wish all the groups the best and can't wait to see the others!!

Diets...

...are awful. I'm hungry and I want chocolate. But on the plus side, I'm going to be slim and fabulous. I kind of refuse not to be. I'm (apparently) an adult now, and I'm old enough to actually follow through with a diet for once.

I want to do EVERYTHING!

College!!! It's like a theatrical wonderland!!!!

I can have staged readings of the plays I write! I can audition for the shows next semester! I can turn into a statue around campus whenever I want! I can try desperately to find somewhere to perform the play we were originally going to do at the Holocaust Museum (we're still looking...and we have no money. Suggestions??)!

I love it. There are times when I feel like I got in by accident, there are times when I'm pretty sure my letter of acceptance was meant for the name just below me in the alphabet...there are times when I go, "Caroline, why are you here? You're kind of bad at acting"...but then I think about it. Would I really be happy doing anything radically different? Nope.

I want to act!
I want to sing!
I want to direct!
I want to write!
I want to CREATE!!!!
I want to do EVERYTHING!!!!!!!!

Aaaaand...deep breaths on my end.

The Nerd

Okay, so, I officially love "The Nerd". I just saw it tonight (opening night!) and it was HILARIOUS.

Well, first of all, it was made funnier by the fact that I was all dolled up in my little black dress, my little black heels, and my adorable shawl (stolen from Kaytren...thanks, Kay!)...had my hair done, makeup perfect, etc etc etc...and it starts POURING down raining. Oh, and hail. Don't forget the hail, which by the way will hurt if it hits you in the eye. A lot. Anyway, Jake, Kaytren, and I were sitting together in the theatre, soaked and shivering. But we looked so ridiculous that we had to laugh at ourselves as we dripped all over each other while dancing around and singing to the pre-show 70's music (play that funky music, white boy).

Everyone was hysterical in their roles. I was most impressed with their physical comedy! It's not easy to do - I'm pretty awful at it - and I really commend them all for it. The Nerd himself was just...oh, Frank. You're silly and I will never get the voice out of my head. I think my favorite character was Axel. He just has these hilarious lines that I was a half-step behind everyone else in understanding. But I tried. Tansy was cute as can be...her facial expressions were fabulous (mime box, anyone?). The character I would want to play is Clelia, because I can totally identify with her mannerisms. She's probably the one I could play, were I ever in it, because I'm more likely to be able to act kind of nervous and uptight than anything else. Waldgrave, too, was so funny...poor, poor confused Waldgrave. And shout-out to the kid who played Thor...too cute! I just wanted to snatch him up and hug him! And, of course, Willum. Aww. Aww, Willum...he was great in his transitions from "Aw, Shucks, I'm Eternally Grateful" Guy to "I Might Go Homicidal. You Might Want To Duck" Guy.

So do I recommend seeing this? Absolutely. Go with some friends who make you laugh, because you'll definitely be quoting it on the way home (I know we were). Heck, it's worth seeing just to see that amazing Creature of the Black Lagoon costume (props to the costume department, where it was housed and where we admired it for many a class)!

This is Our Youth

I just reread "This is Our Youth" yesterday with Sarah and Dallas (I read Warren, but, you know, whatever)...and I remembered how much I love that play. I want to be in it SO badly. I would definitely consider Jessica to be a dream role. I know it's going to be at the Firehouse Theatre in March, but I don't know anything about auditioning or their rehearsal process, and I know I'd have to get permission from the theatre department here at VCU before I did anything...but I really want to do it!

I have been a completely caffeine-powered writing machine this week. I wrote two one-acts and came up with ideas for a few others, and I fine-tuned some of the script for the Holocaust project...all on about three hours of sleep a night. Okay, so I know that's really not the healthiest or smartest way to go about things, but what can I say? I became a college student REALLY fast.

I got a C on my Art History exam. Boo. I studied really hard for that, too! And then I did really well on my "This is Our Youth" quiz and I didn't even look over the script a second time. I guess it just goes to show...you do better at things you're truly passionate about.

Boo, Plays Being Cancelled. Hooray, Continuing to Pursue Them!

I know our play at the Holocaust Museum was rejected. But I don't care. I've wanted this too much for too long not to have it happen. Jake may have found us a new stage and I'm writing up a storm, trying to improve the script. We'll make it happen. We're too in love with the project to just give up. Yeah, it was tough having to find out that we were rejected by the same people who originally really wanted us, but c'est la vie. Maybe we can do another project for the museum. I just know that THIS one is going to happen. I feel it.

In other news, FDP is going beautifully. I love my cast and my director is just too darn adorable to be true. She's a grad student and is a lot of fun. I'm also pretty much healthy again, which is more exciting than any of the other stuff, I think. I can still barely hear a thing, but apart from that, I feel great.

Shout-out to Hannah, who makes me prouder than anyone I know on a daily basis. Hannah, you're the best little sister who I'm not really related to ever! (Kelsey's the best sister who's my age, before she says anything, haha)

When Plays Fall Through...

Our Holocaust Museum project was rejected. I was e-mailed by the man we sent our material to and he basically said that our play wouldn't hold an audience's attention and really wasn't a play. I don't know if he understood what we were trying to do with the material, but what can you do? It's over. I took it personally because all but two of the scenes were things I had written (and put my heart and soul into). Jake took it pretty hard, too, so I hope he's okay. Interestingly, Kaytren was the most optimistic of all of us (if you know her, you know what I mean).

I think we might try to get it produced elsewhere, maybe even here at VCU. I'll keep y'all posted.

Boo, various infections. Hooray, cookies!

GoodNESS. I can't seem to get healthy and stay that way. I was fine for a while following the dehydration spell, and now I have infections all over the place (sinuses, ears, etc). What's the deal??

But Grammy visited and brought me cookies, Mandarin oranges, and brownies...so that makes me feel a wee bit better.

We started rehearsals for "Small World", the ten-minute play that I'm in. I get to do crazy things like sing the theme song to "The Jeffersons" and yell out "POP TAHT TUOBA ERUS TON MI"...it's a funny play. I'm looking forward to FDP. It's too bad no one outside the department can come, because my mother really wanted to. Oh, well.

Shakespeare and Next Year

I love Shakespeare. I really do. I want to be in "The Tempest" really badly. Maybe we'll randomly put it on next year.

I Am My Own Wife

I just saw Scott Wichman in "I Am My Own Wife".

And WOW.

That's all I can say, really, is WOW. I was so blown away. I mean, he's always good. He's always awesome, actually, he's a very talented guy. And I've always liked him, ever since "Wizard of Oz" when I was but a lowly Munchkin and he was tearing it up as the Cowardly Lion. But I was so utterly impressed with him in this show...everyone, seriously, go see it. It's at the Firehouse Theatre. $20, or $10 for students (bring your ID). Go to www.firehousetheatre.org (there's a link on here) and make reservations.

I'm definitely going back. The fact that one person can carry a show all by himself, changing characters so smoothly and completely that you barely see the transitions yet know they occured, is so inspiring to me as an acting student. I think that normally I would feel bad about myself after seeing something like that (you know, the whole "I'll never be that good, I should just stop now, blablabla" thing)...but tonight, I feel motivated. I wanted to go straight to acting class and prove that I CAN act, despite what may or may not have happened at cattle call.

I'll be back with a posse of theatre kids, cheering my heart out, very soon. If you're interested in going with me, let me know ASAP and I'll make a reservation.

Statues

I had the most interesting morning...

After acting class, we all went to the dining hall. Outside of this building, there is a big "VCU" thing that you can climb on, sit on, whatever (as long as you're not stealing it or defacing it, it's pretty much fair game). Well, Cesar, who is crazy, decided to climb onto the "V" and just stand there like a statue for a while. The rest of us went inside, figuring he would come in when he got hungry. Well, no, he didn't. After about half an hour, Eric and I decided to join in. I froze on the "C" and Eric handled the "U".

I stayed there for a full ninety minutes before moving.

The reaction was strange. Some people tried to make us laugh or talk. Some yelled out "THEATRE NERDS!" which actually did make me smile (out of pride). Some took photos and a few art students sketched us. The most interesting reaction, though, came from a few second-year acting students. They were angry with us. I'm not sure why. They shouted things like "First years! Get down! Stop that!" We weren't hurting anyone and we weren't in anyone's way, so I don't really know what that was all about. Hans joked that it was probably because they were mad they didn't think of it first.

Most people wanted a rationalization once we broke our freezes. One conversation went like this:

GIRL: So, what was this for? Was this an assignment? Did Barry put you up to it?
KAYTREN: No. It was kind of for no reason.
GIRL: Were you protesting?
KAYTREN: No.
GIRL: Are you sure?

I thought that was funny. We're positive. We started it! Haha. It was hard for people to accept that we were doing it for no reason. Although what started out as being a silly stunt for no apparent reason quickly turned into an exercise in focus. I never once looked up to see who was looking at me. One girl put her face about an inch away from mine. I heard her say, "Caroline, it's me!" but I don't know who it was. I wasn't focusing on her. I kept within myself. Since I didn't know when the people on the "V" and the "U" were moving, I didn't move except for one time (occasionally, we'd change our positions if they caused pain). I'm pretty proud of myself.

Although my back REALLY hurts from staying in a sort of tense position for an hour and a half.

My Friends

I truly have the best friends in the world. I have been so blessed to have the friends that I do. I don't know what I did to deserve them and I am grateful every day to know them.

Cattle Call and Topdog/Underdog

So I'm vaguely healthy again. Not feeling great, not feeling awful. Actually ate, drank some water, showing progress. I came close to being pretty seriously sick, I think, and I really hope that doesn't happen again anytime soon because it s-u-c-k-s.

Anyway. Cattle call...could have been better. Much better. I made a strange decision to use a chair in my monologue. But not to sit in it. No, somehow in my mind, it made sense that Martha would be standing while Lily Morter was sitting and for Martha to talk to Lily in the chair. And later push her out of it and slam the chair around a little. Maybe dehydration causes delusions? Whatever. All I know is, the first thing out of Kaytren's mouth was, "so the chair maybe wasn't a good idea." And I'm in complete agreement with her. It was a stupid idea and it made me look complete juvenile. I mean, I've been doing this for as long as I can remember, and I can't remember to cheat out? I can't remember not to use "acting hands"? I almost forget my name? Guh.

But the great thing about this was that it's over and now I see what I'm up against. I know I can handle an audition, even if it makes me shaky and nervous and even if I mess it up horribly. I can see my mistakes and I took the criticism I recieved well. Better than I've ever taked criticism before. I'm proud of me a little. Plus, my skirt was awesome.

I saw "Topdog/Underdog" for the second time tonight. Jake hadn't seen it and won't be around tomorrow, so we went at 11:00. It really was a great show and I was very impressed. The entire thing is student-run and it's underground theatre, which rocks so hard. It's a very intense show and those two guys really pulled it off. I've never had to carry a show with just one other person, so props to them! If any VCUers read this and haven't been to see it, please go see. It's free and it's awesome. But bring a jacket because Shafer St. Playhouse is FREEZING.

Okay, it's been requested that I make a few more film recommendations, so here are the B's:

A Beautiful Mind
Beauty and the Beast
Being Julia
Bend it like Beckham
Big Fish
Billy Elliot
Bride and Prejudice

DRINK WATER

Important information for all who read this, whoever you are: drink water.

Do not allow yourselves to become dehydrated.

I did. And it's not fun. Yesterday, I drank six cups (they're pretty small, but still) of coffee in hopes of waking up enough to make it through Costume Construction without sewing my fingers together. In doing so, I felt jittery, dizzy, and sick for the next twelve hours and didn't eat or drink anything for almost thirty-six hours. I am still feeling pretty awful and a little feverish (not sure if that's normal. Must Wikipedia the information on dehydration).

So just don't do it. Drink water. Even if you don't like the taste of it, just drink it. It's much better than not drinking it and almost fainting in an elevator or falling off your bed or not being able to focus your eyes for twelve hours.

Yay for friends and roommates who are extremely nurturing and cuddly who force me to drink water. Because I definitely didn't want to. Still don't, but will.

THIS WARNING GOES ESPECIALLY TO THE THEATRE STUDENTS. Since we have our rescheduled audition on Friday, please be careful about your health. Nerves are high and I know I get scared auditioning and get all shaky, so please be good to yourselves!!

When Auditions Get Cancelled...

...I go through a strange range of emotions. There's relief, because it means I have even more time to prepare. There's fear, because it means it's still happening. There's anxiety, because part of me still wants to get it over with. And, of course, there's a touch of "wtf, mate?" because I'm curious why the name "Karen Wright" is unpronounceable to me.

In lieu of auditions, I went with Kaytren and Jake to the VA Holocaust Museum since Kaytren had never been. Jake's an amazing tour guide since he did a play there and I chimed in every so often because I've been studying the Holocaust since I was about eleven. Well, on our way out, who should be there but the sweetest man in existance, Jay Ipson (he who runs the museum)! Jake went up and talked with him for a while and somehow the talk turns to plays.

To make a long story short, the three of us are going to collaborate to create, direct, and act in an original play for the VA Holocaust Museum, to be presented in February. We are so THRILLED to have this opportunity fresh out of high school! I'm especially amazed that this is happening because we're going to use stuff I've written. It's all happening pretty quickly, too. I'm submitting the plays I've written this weekend and we're setting up a meeting very soon. I can't believe it's really happening!

Rules and Regulations

Apparently to be a theatre student here, like me and many of my friends, there are a few rules. But my favorite is this:

-Be obese or be gorgeous.

Okay, so I'm paraphrasing (a lot), but those are more or less our options. And that's because we're so young. Apparently, if you're built like me, this body doesn't work for characters until about age 35-40 when I can start playing moms. Until then, I need to be gorgeous...somehow. Therefore, diet starts now. Step away from me with those cookies, Jake. I can sense you pushing them towards me and I want no part of it.

Weight

"I want to gain weight."

Never, ever, EVER say that sentence to me unless you want me to glare at you. I have been struggling for the past two years to lose at least fifteen (preferably twenty) pounds. I have not been successful because I don't have willpower at all. But that's beside the point. Some beautifully thin person whose body I envy turns to me and says, "I want to gain weight"...does not compute. Brain malfunction. I simply don't understand.

You really don't want to gain weight. Maybe if you're way underweight and it's unhealthy, but if you're perfectly normal and you look amazing (and all of us with two chins are jealous of you), you really don't. I promise. And don't get me started on wanting a bigger chest, because I will smack you.

I'm really not a mean person and I don't mean to come off as one when I rant like that. But I PROMISE you, you will be happier being thin and flat. Just trust me on that one.

A Few Dream Roles

Here are a few roles I would love to play someday:

Catherine in "Proof"
Mayella in "To Kill a Mockingbird"
Mother in "Ragtime"
Christine in "The Phantom of the Opera"
Nora in "A Doll's House"
Sarah in "Children of a Lesser God"
Melissa in "Love Letters"
Cecily in "The Importance of Being Earnest"
The Leading Player in "Pippin"
Mary Jane in "Big River"
Yonah in "Children of Eden"

There are so many more...someday!

Richmond

I really want to do a photo series of a walking tour of Richmond. It truly is a beautiful city with all sorts of cool, random locations. One second you're walking on cobblestones down pretty Monument Avenue, the next you're walking past Nanci Raygun's sign that says "Nazi punks @#$% off". You can be standing under the waterfall at Maymont and then go wish you could steal the swan bed from the Dooley Mansion and then go to Carytown for the BEST burgers in the universe.

This would be a fun idea except that my camera is broken. I'll fix it eventually.

First Acting Class

I just took my first acting class of my college career! It definitely sounds like it will be an adventure. Everyone seems very nice and I knew a few people from auditions (and both roommates are in it with me). We all wore black (we looked like ninjas) and played Red Rover. I have Costume Construction at 2:00 and my mom's bringing me essentials soon. Should be interesting!

Classes!

Classes officially start tomorrow. I begin my day with an 8:00 AM acting class (and probably an overdose of coffee with soy milk!) and end it with an evening algebra class. I love how I get to start the day doing what I love and end it doing what I strongly dislike...although I shouldn't prejudge. Maybe my math teacher will be amazing and I'll discover my John Nashlike math skills. Hopefully minus the schizophrenia, because that doesn't sound like fun.

Kaytren (roomie 1) and I went grocery shopping today. We were really good and bought juice, water, fruit, and tea. The only thing bad for us that we got was Coke, but neither of us drink it much. Sarah (roomie 2) has Diet Coke as well, so there's the option to be healthyish there. Maybe I'll get to avoid the Freshman Fifteen! I am on the tenth floor, after all. If things get bad, I'll do some stairstepping to burn it all off.

Musical Theatre

I wonder what the next "trend" in musical theatre will be? It's taken on so many forms. From Zeigfield to "Oklahoma" to "Cats" to "Rent"...it's interesting to see what shows work and what ones don't. I'm a big fan of rock opera, to be totally honest, and I think that taking actual opera music and having rock music behind it is a lot of fun to listen to. Maybe I'll write one.

I love how that paragraph (well, few sentences) makes very little sense and has very little depth. This is because I got about five hours of sleep and no coffee. And THAT would be because...I'm a college student. Yeah, baby.

Oh, and when I tried to write "student", it came out "stupid" on my first try. Freudian slip?

I'm at College Now

I officially moved into VCU today!

My dorm is really, really, really big. It's a triple, but even so, we don't feel cramped at all. The windows are huge (and there are five of them) and our view is ideal. What god did we please, exactly? And even better, both of my roommates are writers (I have a sneaking suspicion that there will be a lot of peer editing going on in here) who stay up late and have no qualms about sharing space. Thanks to whoever is in charge of putting roommates together!

It's funny because since our dorm is so big and pretty, we have a lot of "tourists". Just last night at least twenty people stopped by just to see it. We started calling it a museum. We plan to have movie nights every week. This year will be interesting, if nothing else...

Moving

I'm moving in to VCU tomorrow into a triple that I will share with two other acting majors. I can only hope they like musicals as much as I do, because I don't want to have my headphones on ALL the time.

The fact that I'm really going to college is making me extremely nervous. I had to request to my mom that she not cry in front of me if she can help it. I have no idea how I'm going to be. I have no idea if I'm going to end up being the star of the program or the shyest one in class (more likely). Will I discover that I can't act after all? Or will I discover that I'm actually pretty good? Will I even stick with theatre as my major? Maybe something will stop me from graduating. Who knows? It's such an uncertain time.

In other news, I rediscovered my love for "The Phantom of the Opera". I'm not a Phan or anything, but I really like it. I've never been a huge Webber fan, having never been a "Cats" kid (I listened to "1776" more than anything in my childhood), but I have to admit that POTO is pretty darn good. I feel bad for Erik. He needs a hug. And possibly a girlfriend. And maybe some plastic surgery.

Opera

I really want to get opera training. I have no idea if I have the talent or ability to sing opera, but I would like to give it a try. I've never had a vocal lesson in my life and it's high time I got some training! I can sing, but I have zero technical talent or breath control. And my vibrato is random. If anyone has a name of a vocal teacher that a poor college student who pays her way through life by making sandwiches could afford, please let me know.

Follies Withdrawal

I am suffering from "Follies" Withdrawal.

I always feel this way after finishing a show...it's that whole "NOW what do I do with my evenings?" thing. But this time in particular, I really miss it terribly. Maybe it's because I got to reconnect with so many people from "The Secret Garden" and "Ragtime". Maybe it's because one of my best friends in the world was in it with me. Maybe it's because the cast was so easy to befriend. Maybe it's because I had my first "part-part" at the Dell. Whatever the reason, I miss the show so much more than I thought I would.

At least there's the move to VCU to look forward to. I'm supposed to be packing now, actually. Well, really, I should be sleeping since I have a twelve-hour shift tomorrow, but that's a technicality. I move in on Sunday, making me an official Richmonder. Both my roommates are acting majors as well, which should make for an interesting room!

Caroline's Film Recommends

I love how I've made three posts in one night just so it looks like I have a lot to say.

Anyway.

I've compiled an ever-growing list of films that I recommend people see for various reasons. It's alphabetized. Here are the A's:

All About Eve
All the President’s Men ­
A Lot Like Love
Amadeus
Amelie
American Beauty
Anastasia

The B's will come another day.

Blogging

I just realized I opened this site with a blog about bald celebrities rather than anything about myself, which may have been a smarter move on my part. So, who am I?

Well, I'm an eighteen-year-old aspiring actress from Virginia. I am a freshman at VCU studying theatre performance. My favorite movie is "Dear Frankie" (it also contains the best screen kiss ever, in my opinion). I have fallen in love with this recording: http://www.ourmedia.org/node/250935. My favorite musicals are "Ragtime", "Big River", "Man of La Mancha", "Pippin", and "1776". My favorite plays are "Butterflies are Free", "Children of a Lesser God", "Proof", "The Crucible", "Noises Off", and "Picasso at the Lapin Agile"...though both of those lists have many more that are added on.

Now, look how boring all of that was. Wouldn't you have liked it better the other way? Where I just talk about how the fact that Natalie Portman looks great bald doesn't interest me at all? I thought so! Let's go back to that.

Why I Don't Care About Bald Chicks

I just signed onto AOL and saw this article:

"Since V for Vendetta was recently released on DVD, I've found myself asking a deep, philosophical question. How many other actresses shaved their heads or went totally bald for the sake of the cinematic arts? It turns out there were quite a few. I found nine worth mentioning and eventually decided to drop Robin Tunney (Empire Records) and Demi Moore (G.I. Jane) to runner-up status. "

But here's the thing. These are stunningly beautiful Hollywood actresses who have a team of experts applying their makeup and training their bodies every day. Sure, it's cool that they can prove that feminine beauty can exist despite a lack of visible hair...but the Orthodox Jews have been doing that for years (snoods, anyone?).

Of course Natalie Portman looks like a total babe when she's bald. She's very pretty. Same with all the others on that list. I don't really care about the list of who looks great bald. But the writer of this article sure does. And you know why? Because secretly, they wonder what they'd look like bald. They wonder if they'd be as hot as Sigourney Weaver in "Alien". But are they brave enough to test it out?

Ay, there's the rub.