BTG WEEK 4

Hello Friends!  Week Four went by so fast!  I can't believe I am already here writing another post! Now for the good stuff

Monday June 29, 2015

We started our week off with our first Suzuki lesson!  I was so excited to learn this method of training, it was one of the things I was looking forward to the most.  I soon realized that there is pain, lots of pain involved.  At least for me.  The whole concept of Suzuki is learning to be more aware of your body when you are acting.  So when you are standing on stage doing a monologue your whole body is alive, not just your voice.   Anyhow, it involved mostly your lower body and core.  We started class off with an intense yoga warm up, and more core workouts (I feel this summer will be the summer of the core), then we got into the good stuff.  We started class off learning the "Slow 10" walking, followed by learning how to do standing and sitting statues.  By the end of class we were all exhausted, it is very physical work.  The next class we had was rehearsal with Mark Gionfriddo.  We worked on the Kern Musical Monday pieces.

Later in the afternoon, Maggie and I went for a drive (everyone else had rehearsal and we were sick of being stuck in the house).  We found a nearby lake and took a walk around it, then drove around the Pittsfield area.  We ended up near Mt. Greylock, which is the highest point in Massachusetts.  So we drove to the top of the mountain, but couldn't enjoy the view because the clouds had begun to roll in just as we got to the top.  

Tuesday June 30, 2015

Today we started class with Mark, but today we worked on our Sondheim/Schwartz pieces.  Later in the afternoon we had class with Tara Franklin, our Suzuki instructor.  Tara was an acting apprentice in 1997 and even ran the program for a few years.  She is currently in "Sleep No More" in NYC.  We went over the "Slow 10" walks, statues, and even learned some of the famous Suzuki walks (however we did not do the stomping due to the concrete floors).  The day was completed with the dreaded car parking. (It's not that bad, I just like to complain)

Wednesday July 1, 2015

We started our morning off with Yoga!  I love yoga, it is so relaxing! And it helps strengthen your muscles.  We were supposed to have a masterclass with Kate Maguire, but she had to reschedule for next week.  So a few of us went to a coffee shop instead, and had a nice relaxing afternoon.  We then had class with Mark, where we worked on our Sondheim/Schwartz pieces.  The evening was completed once again with car parking.

Thursday July 2, 2015

Today was a great day!  We only had one class, which was with Mark, and we worked on our Kern songs.  Following class, we drove to Albany, NY to get Chipotle! It was an hour drive, but so worth it.  Everyone was happy with the decision, and we decided it was a trip we must make again.  After our Chipotle adventure, we went to the mall in Albany.  The Berkshire Mall is lacking in good stores and is very sketchy, so it was  nice to have so many options! :)  We then drove home and had to do car parking.  But I got to work concessions and I made $22 in tips! Whipee!

Friday July 3, 2015

Our day was started off with with Stage Combat lessons with Tony Simotes.  Tony helped start Shakespeare and Company (just down the street from us), he is a veteran actor from both NYC and LA, and he is an expert stage fighter.  He spent the entire time talking to us about his life, so we haven't learned any of the cool stuff yet.  After his class we had class with Mark again and worked on the Kern again.  Later that night was the opening night of Deathtrap.  Of course we had to work car parking, but today we stayed and snuck into the theatre to see the show.  I thought it was amazing, and I plan to see it several more times.  It is a show that has a lot of complexities to it, and I want to analyze it more.  After the show was the opening night party.  We stayed to socialize and talk with the actors.  We had a great night!

Saturday July 4, 2015

Today we had the day off!! Yay days off!  Yay America! The Mary Poppins kids had to march in Pittsfield's annual parade. It was pouring rain outside, and they were such troopers!  Maggie, Sophie and I went to support them.  Later in the afternoon, (and when the sun finally came out), the company hosted a picnic for everyone.  We took pictures, had hot dogs, played corn hole.  It was fun.  We then went to the lake to take more pictures, and then went home and had a party with the rest of the apprentices. It was fun!

Sunday July 5, 2015

Another day off!  Yay!  Today we slept in, and then went to a local lake in Lenox.  It was a nice relaxing afternoon in the sun.  We then went home and saw the movie "Spy" which was hilarious.  It was a nice relaxing day.


More to come next week!

XOXO,
Kate