For the past 3 weeks I have taken a little hiatus from blogging and swim lessons due to a community theater production of HAIRSPRAY! For the first missed week, the swim instructor and I knew I was going to miss that class because for Hairspray rehearsal we had an all day sitzprobe. For those of you who don't know what a "sitzprobe" is, it is where the cast and the orchestra sit down for the first time together and go through all the musical numbers in the show and hash out any timing issues.
Actual footage from our sitzprobe!
The second week, I was not feeling well. After a whole week of working full time and then going to dress rehearsal until 10pm at night, not getting home until 11:30pm (damn late night subways), finally falling asleep sometime after 1am, and getting up at 6:45am to do it all again....lets just say my immune system took a hit due to lack of sleep. Also I had 2 shows to perform in on Saturday - no bueno. And finally last Saturday, I had every intention of going to class, but due to my Friday show finishing late and we went out with friends afterwards, I turned my alarm off and accidentally went back to sleep. So I'm pretty much a slacker....
BUT!! I performed 8 shows of Hairspray and it was a blast! And even better was the fact that I was cast as Amber Von Tussle, the mean girl in this musical. This was extremely exciting for me! I have always been cast as an ensemble member in every musical I have done. I can carry a tune when I sing and I am a dancer, so I don't mind being in the ensemble! Sometimes it is more fun to be ensemble than it is to be a principle role because you get to wear different hats (sometimes literally, by actually wearing various hats) and take on different characters. For example last year, when I did Mary Poppins I was a Park Ensemble member, Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Chatterbox, a School Teacher, and finally.....a Chimney Sweep!! But I'm not going to lie, being a principle role is pretty kick ass too! AND I got to sing 2 songs! What?????
The many hats of Mary Poppins
Now, when I first found out I got this role I was ecstatic!! and then I was terrified! I am not the best singer. I do okay, but I'm no Whitney Houston (aaahhh....if only...). But Amber is a mean girl, she is snobby, spoiled and bratty. I had to tell myself that it is okay if I don't have the best voice. As long as I stay true to the character then I will be fine, and will be forgiven for any missed notes. Hopefully...
Basically what I do in the show...but in a classier way :)
But just to make sure I didn't make a complete fool of myself, I took a few voice lessons with our accompanist and he gave me audio files of vocal warm ups and vocal work outs to do. These one on one sessions and the audio files were great. I began to feel more confident in my singing and I was able to forgive myself easier if my voice cracked. Everyday before rehearsals I would go through my warm ups so would be ready to go once rehearsals started, which was great because we didn't always get a vocal warm up before running through the show - no me gusta! (I'm like, really good at Spanish... or at least the few words I know!)
The show turned out to be great! I sang my songs pretty well, if I do say so myself. And the best part was that I had a whole orchestra playing and the ensemble to back me up! I felt like a rock star! My husband (who is a phenomenal singer btw and I get super self conscious singing in front of him) was very impressed with my performance, which made me glow! My mom also came to see me. She came all the way from St. Louis, MO! Which is a big deal because NYC is not her go to choice of travel options!
Here she is! Mommy D! Closing night of Hairspray!
Do you see the resemblance?
But I was very honored and humbled to be given this opportunity and so thankful to all my friends and family who came out to support me! I would definitely do this again! Sometimes, I have to force myself to do something uncomfortable to break thru the fear of "not being perfect." I feel more confident singing in front of people now and I am more forgiving if I mess up (it took me awhile to come to terms with that in dance as well). And I hear A Chorus Line auditions are coming up in December...
My favorite shot from the show, showcasing my AMAZING acting talents!
Major sarcasm being performed here after I knock Tracy unconscious with a dodge ball.
I told you Amber was mean!
