So here's the rundown:
- 2 days: I finish blocking two shows with 40 kids
- 3 days: first run through with middle schoolers who are at a very awkward age, are clumsy, feel embarrassed to "act" in any way and therefore will end up crying, sure that parents are going to want their money back
- 4 days: first run through with my 5&6 year olds in which I will be either assured that kids are wonderful or that I never want any of my own
- 5 days: weekend from hell in which I will endure 20 hours of rehearsal in 3 days... for 3 different shows
- 7 - 10 days: tech week: need I say any more?
- 11 days: move entire studio to remote theater venue, lose 4-11 props on the way there, commence in flipping out at people on whom my anxiety and frustration transfers in the form of screaming and crying
- 12 days: dress rehearsal (more crying), first show (hopefully less crying)
- 13 days: last show
- 14 days: leave at dawn for China.
Tuesday, April 28, 2009
Saturday, April 18, 2009
mediocre reigns supreme
This Susan Boyle woman is the poster child for everything I hate about reality tv, the “get famous fast” mentality and the world's increasing desire to glorify the amateur and mediocrity instead of the educated and talented. It's not that dear lady's fault at all, really. It's us! Society, media, our culture, take your pick. Let me be clear: I have nothing against her and the reason I “don't get” all the hype is NOT because I'm a snob. I'd be the first in her fan club if she was actually good!
Side note: I think it's funny that everyone today is an expert on music. The general public start thinking they're experts because of shows like American Idol where they have the power to act on an uneducated opinion of what sounds good, instead of trusting experts and/or time honored ways of judging what quality music actually is. This is another subject all unto itself, and really isn't the main problem.
Mediocrity
We as a culture accept mediocrity for greatness, especially when a touching story or underdog is involved. We do not demand excellence and we value the tug on our heartstrings more than quality of sound. What the heck is going on with this nation glorifying the amateur? I get so upset about this! Is it now wrong to go out and spend and sacrifice the time and money in order to perfect your craft? What do you say to those who were once like Susan Boyle, were "decent" and had the desire and motivation to take their talent and make it more. Should they have just "buried" their talent instead if doing all of that work? That's what shows like Britain's Got Talent and American Idol say to me: “Don't try to improve on yourself. If you just sit around, one day you'll just get discovered and you'll never need to do any work to perfect your craft.” This is preposterous. What a slap in the face to the many who study, get the education, and push themselves to perfection.
Whatever happened to us saluting the ones at the top? I look at the colleagues I've been fortunate to work with for seven summers at COTW, many of whom have multiple degrees and have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to get a CHANCE to audition for a major symphony orchestra. Because the competition is so severe, even though these musicians may be highly qualified and talented, many of them will never get that dream job. This is the problem with the world today: instead of news stories about the person who has given time and treasure to have a chance at success, we have news stories about Flo the Nobody who just really isn't that impressive.
A Good Story
When you looked at her, you judged her by her looks and age. When I listened to her, I judged her by her musical talent, because that's what I am trained to do. I can separate the physicality, the circumstances, from the quality of voice. I saw an individual with mediocre musical talent. You saw a 47 year old virgin who had never been kissed. You chose to make her a victim. Why? That doesn't do her any favors.
Be honest with yourself. She's not that good. Her talent is not what amazed the judges. It was her charming story. Has this world stooped THAT low?? Everyone was in awe SIMPLY because they judged
her on her appearance and thought she would sound like complete poo! Instead, she was decent. Not great. Average.
Shame on them and the rest of our culture! For judging her like that! You (our culture) just CHEAPENED any talent she could of had for putting her looks and life situation into the balance. Because you were shallow and you pitied her! She has fame now because of how she looks! Is she supposed to be thankful for this kind of attention? This is good press? You laughed at and ridiculed her and now you're exaggerating her level of talent.
You secretly judged her and are now trying to ease your own conscience by singing her *average* praises.
If she had been as mind-blowing as YouTube fans and the crowd that night so desperately wished she was, then I would be jumping on the Susan Boyle bandwagon. I'm all for breaking down social stigmas and stereotypes. But don't fool someone into thinking they're better than they are... because of the good story. That's cruelty and victimization. Don't settle for decent when there is magnificence elsewhere. And let's cheer for those who have busted their butts, perfecting their art form for the pleasure of our ears in concert halls and coffee houses across this world.
Side note: I think it's funny that everyone today is an expert on music. The general public start thinking they're experts because of shows like American Idol where they have the power to act on an uneducated opinion of what sounds good, instead of trusting experts and/or time honored ways of judging what quality music actually is. This is another subject all unto itself, and really isn't the main problem.
Mediocrity
We as a culture accept mediocrity for greatness, especially when a touching story or underdog is involved. We do not demand excellence and we value the tug on our heartstrings more than quality of sound. What the heck is going on with this nation glorifying the amateur? I get so upset about this! Is it now wrong to go out and spend and sacrifice the time and money in order to perfect your craft? What do you say to those who were once like Susan Boyle, were "decent" and had the desire and motivation to take their talent and make it more. Should they have just "buried" their talent instead if doing all of that work? That's what shows like Britain's Got Talent and American Idol say to me: “Don't try to improve on yourself. If you just sit around, one day you'll just get discovered and you'll never need to do any work to perfect your craft.” This is preposterous. What a slap in the face to the many who study, get the education, and push themselves to perfection.
Whatever happened to us saluting the ones at the top? I look at the colleagues I've been fortunate to work with for seven summers at COTW, many of whom have multiple degrees and have spent hundreds of thousands of dollars to get a CHANCE to audition for a major symphony orchestra. Because the competition is so severe, even though these musicians may be highly qualified and talented, many of them will never get that dream job. This is the problem with the world today: instead of news stories about the person who has given time and treasure to have a chance at success, we have news stories about Flo the Nobody who just really isn't that impressive.
A Good Story
When you looked at her, you judged her by her looks and age. When I listened to her, I judged her by her musical talent, because that's what I am trained to do. I can separate the physicality, the circumstances, from the quality of voice. I saw an individual with mediocre musical talent. You saw a 47 year old virgin who had never been kissed. You chose to make her a victim. Why? That doesn't do her any favors.
Be honest with yourself. She's not that good. Her talent is not what amazed the judges. It was her charming story. Has this world stooped THAT low?? Everyone was in awe SIMPLY because they judged
her on her appearance and thought she would sound like complete poo! Instead, she was decent. Not great. Average.
Shame on them and the rest of our culture! For judging her like that! You (our culture) just CHEAPENED any talent she could of had for putting her looks and life situation into the balance. Because you were shallow and you pitied her! She has fame now because of how she looks! Is she supposed to be thankful for this kind of attention? This is good press? You laughed at and ridiculed her and now you're exaggerating her level of talent.
You secretly judged her and are now trying to ease your own conscience by singing her *average* praises.
If she had been as mind-blowing as YouTube fans and the crowd that night so desperately wished she was, then I would be jumping on the Susan Boyle bandwagon. I'm all for breaking down social stigmas and stereotypes. But don't fool someone into thinking they're better than they are... because of the good story. That's cruelty and victimization. Don't settle for decent when there is magnificence elsewhere. And let's cheer for those who have busted their butts, perfecting their art form for the pleasure of our ears in concert halls and coffee houses across this world.
Thursday, April 16, 2009
Spring 09 - time for something new
So I'm bringing the blog back. It's Spring, 2009 and I feel like a new beginning is needed. I really think we should begin new years in the springtime. There's no motivation to plan new things, live life inspired when it's 10 degrees outside and snowing. I suppose that would only really matter to areas affected by that kind of weather in January, but still. Wouldn't we all have more motivation to stick to our resolutions if it was 75 and sunny and sometime in April?
So something new.
So - I've done some new things already this year. Nothing too dramatic for most, but for me it's pretty extreme. Things like, try to be friends with people in my town instead of be hermit-like and anti-social. Other things like choreograph a show. Can you really imagine me teaching moves to a song in a musical? I am. That's pretty extreme.
So - Another new thing: get a passport. And a visa to China and Taiwan. pretty cool stuff.
So here's to new things, new experiences and new(ish) blogs.
So something new.
So - I've done some new things already this year. Nothing too dramatic for most, but for me it's pretty extreme. Things like, try to be friends with people in my town instead of be hermit-like and anti-social. Other things like choreograph a show. Can you really imagine me teaching moves to a song in a musical? I am. That's pretty extreme.
So - Another new thing: get a passport. And a visa to China and Taiwan. pretty cool stuff.
So here's to new things, new experiences and new(ish) blogs.
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