Yesterday, my girlfriends and I were discussing what we miss these days. Apart from my family members (who live in different countries), I have pretty much everything I need. But this afternoon, I finished watching Romeo and Juliet in a 2009 production from Shakespeare’s Globe and I realised: it’s those theatre crowds. The person to my right who may not be laughing at the same joke as the person to my left. The woman who thought it was okay to bring pop corn to see Helen Mirren perform live, and who I now forgive. Those musicians at the Globe who delight us with their rare historical instruments and who have been following in their peers’ footsteps for the last five centuries.
It’s those theatre crowds.
Connection
This week, I joined a few webinars on business skills (such as leadership) and acting (branding). Right now, what gives me a little buzz is to think that a few dozens or hundreds of people are listening to the same content at the same time as me, possibly making the same notes and clicking “like”. Even following a work out session in unison with strangers makes me pay attention and wonder what they will all do for the rest of their day.
What strikes me is that premium seats and VIP tickets have disappeared. We can all watch Danny Boyle’s Frankenstein or Alvin Aley’s Ode from the same distance thanks to online performances. I recommend enjoying this, whilst not binging it all. Just because it’s there doesn’t mean we have to watch it. Let’s not allow the buzz to become a digital burn out. But if we do, let’s look at how many others have too. Who could they be? How are they spending their day? Just like me? Probably. How lucky are we.
What else is new?
In April, I got back into self-taping (auditioning from home) by signing up to Manuel Puro’s 21-day self-tape challenge. It gave me just what I needed – quick memorisation practice, focused conversations with other actors, and a chance to get back in the habit. I do recommend this course.
I also updated my showreel, adding two new scenes and shuffling things around. Someone told me that my first scene needs to reflect what type of work I want to be cast in, so here we go.
In addition to the self-tapes, I recorded a new monologue from the play Wilderness by Kellie Smith. You can see it below, as well as my interpretation of a monologue from the film Frances Ha.
Thank you for reading today! Last month I posted what my cousin Nora is going through, you can read news here.
Until then, keep safe, and don’t do too much. Toodles.
