Slow Going

So things have been pretty uneventful since my last post.
I auditioned for quite a few shows here on the GVSU campus including RENT and Into the Woods. For RENT I was called back for the ensemble but to be a part of the production meant quitting my job and losing $200 every two weeks. It just wasn't the right thing to do at this time in my life. I need the money. Into the Woods was auditioning but since it was based in the Opera theatre I was a little bit out of my league and didn't get called back. During both of these audtions, RENT and Into the Woods, I was struggling with the sore throat troubles I mention below.
I have also auditioned for a Shakespeare Company based in Grand Rapids, as they were casting for Pericles. Even though I was not cast, I have been asked to audition again for their production of Hamlet next year and be a part of their small company that performs at small random venues like Barnes and Noble.

Life has been rather frustrating for me lately. I have been very sick with some type of sinus or nasal illness and can't seem to get it to go away. It has caused a lot of trouble for my voice. There are days where singing is almost impossible. There are other days where I am surprised by the clarity of my voice. I am taking a class this semester called voice for Non-music majors. Many of our assignments require singing and we even perform in class. I can't say how many times I've had to ask for a few days off for vocal rest, too afraid to sing with my voice in the condition it is in that day. I'm afraid to sing. That's really depressing me. I am even more depressed when I try singing and the sound that comes out is unfamiliar and not good.

So basically the last few months have been slow and depressing. If my voice doesn't clear up soon I'll be searching desperately to find every possible solution besides the doctor, since she didn't help any when I saw her in September. I'll just have to be really careful, take things slowly, and hope that I can get my voice back to tip-top health. My career depends on it.

Now a Theatre Major

So I decided to switch my major to Theatre. After my acting class last semester and the small one act play that I was in, I officially have stage fever. I just want to be on stage all of the time and be performing. I've been singing as much as possible lately, focusing on having my own style to songs but keeping it true to the original especially with the Wicked songs. I want to keep true to Elphaba's character but I don't want people to think I am copying Idina.
I signed up for all of my classes for next year and got into Acting II as well as many of the other now required courses. Thankfully I was able to salvage my English courses into an english minor and if I plan it all right I may be able to graduate a semester earlier than I had planned with maybe one summer of classes.
Mom isn't too happy about my switch to theatre. She's afraid that I won't find a job in acting and struggle to make ends meet. I know its going to be difficult but I'm willing to try at least. If I can't find a job then I'll figure something out then. I wish I could give her a reassuring response but I don't really know if I will be successful in the highly competitive acting arena... I just really hope I am.
I am also really excited because Grand Valley plans to perform RENT this next Fall. Auditions are in September and I can't wait. I'm new to the theatre arena at GVSU but I hope that I can get a good part.
Super excited about this next school year. I can't wait to see what it brings.

Idina is Pregnant!

The other day I was on a cleaning spree when I got a text message from my boyfriend. It read "Idina is pregnant" and that was that. My heart skipped a beat but I insisted on searching for it on the internet. I found so many sites exclaiming that Idina and Taye are expecting their first child. AHHHHH!!! I squealed so loud, startling my roommates and friends who were in the room.
This is just so great! Ever since I started looking up to Idina I had always hoped that Taye and Idina would be able to have a family and such. I knew that they both had busy careers but I held out hope. Now its for real. They're having a baby and its so exciting! I'm so happy for them and I'm hoping that every thing goes well for her. I'll be thinking about her, Taye, and their baby every day. :)

New Year/New Semester

It's been a while since I've written but things have been pretty uneventful since Idina's concert in November. I am happy to say that I am taking Acting 1 at GVSU this semester and that it has been great so far. The class involves quite a bit of improv but we are scheduled to do a few monologues and scene acting throughout the semester which I am greatly looking forward to. I'm also planning to work in the costume department for class credit. Hopefully I'll be able to audition for a few of the plays/musicals as well, with the information I receive from my professor, my only connection to the acting department.
Since the New Year I have also started a caffeine free diet in hopes of strengthening my voice and making it healthier. I read online that caffeine affects your voice so I am determined to test it on my own. So far I'm just feeling really tired without the boost of caffeine but I do hear a slight change in my voice since I've gone off the caffeine. We'll see how things turn out.