I finally watched "Black Swan" last night. While the film didn't blow me away, I now have a great desire to take a dance class. My goal is to get in good enough shape this summer so a two hour ballet class in the fall won't kick my butt. Every dancer should take an acting class so every actor should take a dance class. I am not very coordinated but hopefully, this will help.
I have the American Ballet Company's Workout video and that is quite a workout, let me tell you. I did it for awhile a few summers ago and I was so worn out, I fell asleep on the floor after one workout. I plan to use that as well as other aerobics to look good in those leotards. I do not expect to break out en pointe on my second day but hopefully I will find it rewarding.
Thursday, March 31, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
Auditions and academics
I am gearing up for auditions next Sunday and Tuesday. I have no idea who is going to come out but I'm very excited. I am so glad I went with a small cast show. That is going to make my life easy considering we can't get into the theatre until a month before we open. I have a good assistant and a stage manager who I trust. All I need is a great cast and that is going to be the final piece.
My honors thesis project was approved! I will be submitting a marketing plan for Shakespeare in the Swamp. I need 10 pages but if I write a little a day until Thanksgiving, I will be fine.
I have no idea what to do for my senior project. I think I might go out of the box and do costume design. I know the teachers now and I liked the work I did on my project for costume class. We had to do "Taming of the Shrew" and I did Bianca and Kate as steampunk, clockwork dolls. I think I will have to talk to my teacher about that one.
My honors thesis project was approved! I will be submitting a marketing plan for Shakespeare in the Swamp. I need 10 pages but if I write a little a day until Thanksgiving, I will be fine.
I have no idea what to do for my senior project. I think I might go out of the box and do costume design. I know the teachers now and I liked the work I did on my project for costume class. We had to do "Taming of the Shrew" and I did Bianca and Kate as steampunk, clockwork dolls. I think I will have to talk to my teacher about that one.
Saturday, March 26, 2011
The Little Things
Yesterday, as I was getting everything downstairs to get ready for one of the last shows of Madwoman, the wonderful lead presented me with a gift. She said "I only see you in black, but I thought this would be your style". It was a shell choker. While I may not have picked it up myself, the gesture was so wonderful. She has made my experience amazing and I am so glad that I made hers just as good. It was so sweet of her to think of me and it made me feel awesome. It is funny to think of how such a little gift can make someone's day.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
Transformation
This is my ode to the South Beach Diet or how I went from this:
To This:
Along with South Beach, I aslo work out (when I find the time). I love South Beach. It is easy if you can make it past the first two carb-free weeks and I eat everything I want, I just eat better. I have bread and ice cream pretty much everyday and I have had no trouble maintaining my weight.
I have had people tell me that low carb diets aren't safe. No car diets are unsafe, this is about eating Good carbs like whole grains and natural sugars. If you are still worried, please pick up a copy of the book, written by a heart doctor.
While I am 6'1 and will probabaly nt be first on the list to play romantic leads, losing weight has certainly helped my career by making me more confident.
The last step I need to get the body I want is to tone up and that will only come from hitting the gym. My summer goal is to be in good shape. I will probably be giving little updates throughout my posts.
I have had people tell me that low carb diets aren't safe. No car diets are unsafe, this is about eating Good carbs like whole grains and natural sugars. If you are still worried, please pick up a copy of the book, written by a heart doctor.
While I am 6'1 and will probabaly nt be first on the list to play romantic leads, losing weight has certainly helped my career by making me more confident.
The last step I need to get the body I want is to tone up and that will only come from hitting the gym. My summer goal is to be in good shape. I will probably be giving little updates throughout my posts.
Saturday, March 19, 2011
The Madwoman
Last night, the University of Florida Theatre Department opened "Madwoman of Challiot" in the Nadine McGuire Black Box to a full house. I am the wardrobe crew head for the show and on my end everything went smoothly. From the sound of the audience's laughter, everything went well on the actor's end, too. I got to watch a rehearsal of the show a few weeks ago and while the script is a little lacking (it is absurdism), the production is wonderful. The set is amazing, the costumes are fantastic and the performers make the weird script hilarious. They best part about it, for myself and my crew anyway, it is only an hour and a half. You get a great night of theatre as well as not having to miss your bedtime.
If you are in the Gainesville area, I suggest checking it out but get your tickets soon because we are already selling out.
If you are in the Gainesville area, I suggest checking it out but get your tickets soon because we are already selling out.
Thursday, March 17, 2011
Rejection
This past Monday, I attended the auditions for "A Moon for the Misbegotten" at the Acrosstown Repertory Theatre. I was going for the part of Josie who is described as freakishly tall for a woman and very Irish. I am 6'1 and my last name is Fraser. I had high hopes of getting this role.
Sadly, I was not cast. The part went to my dear friend Cindy who will do a wonderful job. I called my mom to tell her and of course she was ready to march down from Tallahassee to scold the director about not casting the most talented woman ever to grace the stage. Moms always make you feel better about not being cast. My boyfriend also offered his condolences as sweetly as boys know how to.
I was, I admit a little bummed about not being cast. Cindy did a great reading but I was counting on my physicality getting me the part. It is amazing that there are many roles that I will not get because of my size and then one finally comes along and it goes to someone too short.
Luckily, this show was not my only iron in the fire. I will be directing at the ART this summer and I am excited about bringing Neil Simon's "Chapter Two" to life.
Sadly, I was not cast. The part went to my dear friend Cindy who will do a wonderful job. I called my mom to tell her and of course she was ready to march down from Tallahassee to scold the director about not casting the most talented woman ever to grace the stage. Moms always make you feel better about not being cast. My boyfriend also offered his condolences as sweetly as boys know how to.
I was, I admit a little bummed about not being cast. Cindy did a great reading but I was counting on my physicality getting me the part. It is amazing that there are many roles that I will not get because of my size and then one finally comes along and it goes to someone too short.
Luckily, this show was not my only iron in the fire. I will be directing at the ART this summer and I am excited about bringing Neil Simon's "Chapter Two" to life.
Tuesday, March 15, 2011
Wrap of my last Project
"The Tempest", the first Shakespeare in the Swamp production, ended its three week run last month. We had a very successful show with great audiences sizes including a 58 head count for our last Saturday. We had a good deal of money on concessions which will pay for the upcoming production of "Much Ado About Nothing" starting in May.
This is one of the easiest casts I have ever worked with. While we may not have become best friends after the show, we all got along and there was no drama. I was very proud of everyone's professionalism. It isn't that easy to go out there dressed as a giant doll. For those that missed the show, our version took centered around two kids playing with their dolls on a beach. They used the dolls like Merlin, Barbie, and the Queen of Hearts to act out the plot. I played Alonza who was portrayed as the Queen of Hearts.
This is one of the easiest casts I have ever worked with. While we may not have become best friends after the show, we all got along and there was no drama. I was very proud of everyone's professionalism. It isn't that easy to go out there dressed as a giant doll. For those that missed the show, our version took centered around two kids playing with their dolls on a beach. They used the dolls like Merlin, Barbie, and the Queen of Hearts to act out the plot. I played Alonza who was portrayed as the Queen of Hearts.
I had a blast working on this show and I am so glad it made people aware of Shakespeare in the Swamp!
Welcome to my Theatre Wonderland
I am Amanda L. Fraser and I am in theatre. I will be graduating from the University of Florida with a BA in Theatre in December. This blog is all about trying to live and work in theatre.
Currently, I work with several nonprofit theatres like The Acrosstown Repertory theatre where I will be directing this summer's "Chapter Two" by Neil Simon. I am also the Marketing chair of the new Shakespeare company, Shakespeare in the Swamp.
I will update as much as possible which means when there is something to talk about! I hope you enjoy this blog and feel free to contact me with any questions at afraser157@gmail.com.
Currently, I work with several nonprofit theatres like The Acrosstown Repertory theatre where I will be directing this summer's "Chapter Two" by Neil Simon. I am also the Marketing chair of the new Shakespeare company, Shakespeare in the Swamp.
I will update as much as possible which means when there is something to talk about! I hope you enjoy this blog and feel free to contact me with any questions at afraser157@gmail.com.
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