BACK TO WORK!

Hey all!

Today is our last day of spring break, and that means back to school and back to work for the cast of "Singin' in the Rain." Although, it wasn't a full spring "break" for the production team and many cast members. As you may remember, "Singin" is about the transition from silent films to "talkies." This means that the actual films are a large element of the production.

The films "The Dueling Cavalier" and "The Royal Rascal" were filmed last weekend. These include the two silent film stars Don Lockwood and Lina Lamont, among other cast members. There are elaborate costumes and some impressive combat sequences that you will have to see on film (and stage!) to believe!

Here are some photos taken by cast and production team members last weekend:

On another, more somber note, I'm still going through "Tartuffe" withdrawal. Although it's always exciting to move on to another show and tackle the unique challenges it will bring, when a show ends it is something you will never get back. "Tartuffe" was special to me because it was so difficult and pushed me beyond where I believed I could go. It's also scary that "Singin" will be my last show in undergrad. Then I will make the transition into the unknown - the 'real' theatre world. This transition has already begun for many of us, with auditions for graduate schools, theatre companies, and applications for internships. Nothing is guaranteed in this profession, and the only thing that is certain is uncertainty.

Despite my nervousness, I feel well-prepared from four years of hard work in undergrad. A final spring break treat to myself was a day-trip to New York City to see "The Best Man" by Gore Vidal on Broadway. It was not my favorite play (very similar situation to the film "The Ides of March"), but I got to see such legendary actors as James Earl Jones and Angela Lansbury on stage, as well as the surprisingly fantastic television actor Eric McCormack (Will from "Will and Grace"). Every time I see a professional show of high-caliber I take something away as a student. These actors were so clear in both inner life and technical precision that it reminded me there is ALWAYS more work to be done.

Well, I have to work on my Costume Design project for "A Doll's House." Tomorrow the full cast is back to the grind in dance class with our choreographer Dante Sciarra. And Tuesday we are back to rehearsal. Wahoo! This show will come quicker than we could ever anticipate. (While I'm on the subject: BUY YOUR TICKETS in advance for this one - they will sell out!)

`Til next time,

Julia