Checking In!
Well...it’s been a busy few months personally, professionally and in terms of Module one! I thought I would start off checking in and giving an overview of my professional practice since my last blog before kicking off this term!
In November/December I worked on new family musical ‘The Secret of Christmas Eve’ for Oldham Theatre Workshop. For this project, I relocated up North and stayed in digs for the first time in a while (shoutout to my lovely host Anne). I was very excited about the project and it even exceeded my expectations! (with a great cast to work with and beautiful original music and story). Oldham Theatre Workshop is an absolute institution within the area and working to develop the piece with creative storytelling was hugely exciting as an artist, it all just felt very quirky and magical. Upon reflection, the only part that was tricky was the quick turnaround in learning the script and getting new pages each day even up to the dress rehearsal. There were times when I was multi-roling in the dress where I was just mid- panic thinking ‘what’s the next scene and who am I supposed to be changing in to?’. I definitely let the stress get to me that day which was very unlike me as a performer, but it all worked itself out of course (as the director James assured me it would!).
Reviews were pretty lovely which was definitely a bonus too! https://www.northernsoul.me.uk/theatre-review-the-secret-of-christmas-eve-oldham-library-theatre/
It was during this production’s full- on rehearsal period when our submission deadline for Module One essay and diagram. However, knowing this going in I had completed my essay well in advance so I was only editing and honing it during the run. This really put in to perspective the importance of planning your time as a self employed performer undertaking a long distance course!
After my Christmas job I came back to London and started back working at my day job and auditioning, also hosting our first cabaret of 2020 ‘Rodgers That’ (the songs of Richard Rodgers) at Above The Arts. This was definitely our most organised and my personal favourite yet as the songs from that era are most definitely my favourite theatre tunes. It’s a key part of my practice to ‘keep the hustle going’ (which I also discussed with my agent this week) and make things happen for myself as I have discovered after a number of years that proactivity is the key to maintaining a career within the arts! I also had a successful audition and began rehearsing for a group that I’m going to gig with going forward so all in all a positive start!
There it is...my first ‘post’ of 2020!ππ (get it, cause I’m holding post in the pic...yes, I’ll see myself out)
In November/December I worked on new family musical ‘The Secret of Christmas Eve’ for Oldham Theatre Workshop. For this project, I relocated up North and stayed in digs for the first time in a while (shoutout to my lovely host Anne). I was very excited about the project and it even exceeded my expectations! (with a great cast to work with and beautiful original music and story). Oldham Theatre Workshop is an absolute institution within the area and working to develop the piece with creative storytelling was hugely exciting as an artist, it all just felt very quirky and magical. Upon reflection, the only part that was tricky was the quick turnaround in learning the script and getting new pages each day even up to the dress rehearsal. There were times when I was multi-roling in the dress where I was just mid- panic thinking ‘what’s the next scene and who am I supposed to be changing in to?’. I definitely let the stress get to me that day which was very unlike me as a performer, but it all worked itself out of course (as the director James assured me it would!).
Reviews were pretty lovely which was definitely a bonus too! https://www.northernsoul.me.uk/theatre-review-the-secret-of-christmas-eve-oldham-library-theatre/
It was during this production’s full- on rehearsal period when our submission deadline for Module One essay and diagram. However, knowing this going in I had completed my essay well in advance so I was only editing and honing it during the run. This really put in to perspective the importance of planning your time as a self employed performer undertaking a long distance course!
After my Christmas job I came back to London and started back working at my day job and auditioning, also hosting our first cabaret of 2020 ‘Rodgers That’ (the songs of Richard Rodgers) at Above The Arts. This was definitely our most organised and my personal favourite yet as the songs from that era are most definitely my favourite theatre tunes. It’s a key part of my practice to ‘keep the hustle going’ (which I also discussed with my agent this week) and make things happen for myself as I have discovered after a number of years that proactivity is the key to maintaining a career within the arts! I also had a successful audition and began rehearsing for a group that I’m going to gig with going forward so all in all a positive start!
Hi Laura,
ReplyDeleteI really enjoyed reading you post! Being 'proactive' is so important in our industry, the jobs rarely come looking for us, we have to go and hunt them down! Its lovely reading about the success your having and has made me feel more positive about what's yet to come!
Thank you
Alys
Glad you agree - proactivity is honestly the most important skill, career- wise, in my experience! Heading over and looking forward to reading your blogs now,
DeleteThank you!
Laura