I think I can…I think I can…
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Hey everyone,
The reference in the title is how I feel (and I think most of my classmates feel) right about now. Sophomore year is not easy, and part of the reason for my silence is the amount of work needed in the last couple weeks. So we’ll recap to start. Children of Eden entered tech week, and my life went away. Then Children of Eden opened, and the amount of energy to keep that show alive is immense. It’s not just that our production is great (which if I do say so myself, it is), it’s that everyone is onstage almost the entire time. When not onstage as a character, the “storytellers” are there to help the audience along. Think a giant Greek chorus that sings and dances. So there’s very little room for water breaks, and to keep energized for the entire show is a daunting task. I think we succeeded however, because we’ve had nothing but fabulous reviews. Here are four examples (one, two, three, four). As Eden opened, everything started to set in, such as the knowledge that the second acting review of the year is coming up in about three weeks, singing review is this afternoon, final projects for classes have kicked into full swing, and frankly there are so few hours in the day that sleep is basically not an option. This may sound like I’m complaining, and that might be the lack of sleep talking, but the fact of the matter is, I love every second of what’s going on. The challenges are many, but all of us seem to be pulling through and working to create some really fantastic work together as a group.
The imminence of the end of the semester came yesterday when we all signed up for our classes next semester. My schedule really does not change, I’m taking Voice and Speech, Movement, Scene Study, Tap, Theatre History, Musicianship, Repertoire and Pedagogy, and Voice II. Those are the classes which are carrying over into next semester. I’m losing Ballet 2 from my schedule, but picking up (that is if I get in after auditioning) Musical Theatre Workshop, which I am VERY excited to join. I am hoping to audit Ballet 2 to continue taking it when I have a chance, but there are lots of us looking to do this, so hopefully it works out. In other words, this is going to be a very busy year right up to the bitter end.
On Sunday I have my first rehearsal for a staged reading I will be taking part in next week of “The Cripple of Inishmaan”. This will be my third reading with On The Verge Theatre Co. (I did Observe the Sons of Ulster Marching Towards the Somme, and Playboy of the Western World with them last year) and it features a cast of students and teachers alike including: myself, Celeste Rose (a freshman Musical Theatre major), My roommates Graham Drake-Maurer and Max Lorn-Krause, and Theatre faculty members Kathleen Mulligan, Susannah Berryman, and Judy Levitt. It’s going to be a blast, and if you are free in Ithaca this coming Thursday at 6:30 PM, we will be performing the reading in the Handwerker Gallery here on Campus.
Since I haven’t posted in a while, I would like to touch on some happenings that have affected my life, or the lives of many of my family/friends. First and foremost, my state truly disappointed me in the elections by voting to revoke Maine’s Same-Sex Marriage Legislation. Maine would have become yet another state on the path to enlightenment and true equality in our country. Instead fear, hatred, and lies were spread amongst Mainers and caused a great many of them to come out and vote against Gay Marriage. While I do believe everyone is entitled to their own opinion, I can’t understand how Americans can laud ourselves for erasing slavery, and segregation from our country, and at the same time so viciously beat down the newest oppressed people in our country. The success of these hate mongers has brought a new hatred bill to legislation to be voted on in the next election. I can’t even form the words because it’s so despicable. All I can say is click this link, and read about it for yourself. It makes me want to throw up. My brother is no longer in the Middle East (I can’t remember if I mentioned that before) and is now residing in North Carolina. I believe he hopes to be back in the Middle East within the next year, but for more information, you can visit his website.
I don’t think there’s much else to report over in Ithaca. Life is just proceeding on as normal, and I’m really looking forward to the week-long break of thanksgiving.
All the best to everyone!
~Ned Donovan
