The good news:

My stupid homework is (for the most part) caught up. I turned in some very, very, (very, very, very) important papers, so that I can graduate in December...

And my fingernails are starting to grow back. :0)

The bad news:

I'm going through withdrawal.
...Is it Thursday yet?



-Trish

After this entire mess, (and the Catholic church took a look at our video and said, "Ooooooh. It's like ... that? And... anyone can come in...? Nevermind," and sheepishly smiled and disappeared.) the show officially opened yesterday.

Leaving us with the hounding media.

I guess we've really defined our title "Bad Boys of Musical Theatre."

I REALLY could have used that preview night to run the show another time - seeing as this was only the THIRD time to run the lights for this entire run... Hey thanks, Burke.

But, in all sincerity, it was a great show last night.

Words can't even describe how relieved I am.

Well, that's it. Come see the show that the archbishop didn't want you to see!!! :0)

-Trish

(S)He had gone to the tower
to save us all.



And for our part...



...we could do nothing but wait.

- Moulin Rouge

I think I've had a little time to think about this situation. And we are all at the point of being amused by it.

Of course, I've just got back from our traditional Thursday Tuckers Trip. And I had myself a couple drinks...

Ok. Maybe I'm still freaking out a little because I've just watched the little video cast on www.myfoxstl.com.

It's kind of flattering to be the top news story. Free publicity rocks. Thank you.

But, you know I'm going to have to rant. So, you can read my rant or just do whatever you want... I don't care.

Here we go:

The building is NOT a church anymore. It was sold to some nice folks who decided to turn it into a beautiful theater. It is a beautiful theater. We have gone through HELL to get the beautiful theater. God has moved out. His friends are still painted on the wall and they are behind a curtain. It's a theater now... not a church. We do not perform the sacraments, we do not do witch craft, we do not dance topless around poles while men pull out dollar bills.

This is a theater.

Art is created here.

It is not pornography. It is not a burlesque show.

It's true that New Line is a company that deals with adult issues. THAT'S what they have a problem with - Our "adult content."

... Or the fact that they think "adult content" means it's restricted to adults only. Give me a break.

You can bring you're five year old. But, he will be extremely bored and probably disrupt the audience members around him and then giggle when we mention the word "penis."

I'm catholic. (or used to be... I'm not so sure anymore.) But, this is just ridiculous. Really, it is.

Nobody even knows the content of the show. The only people who know are the people directly involved in this production. The archbishop has not come to any of our rehearsals. So, why does he think he can shut down a show when he doesn't even know what's in it...?

Oh. It MUST be the title. A phrase that has been used since... what... the sixties?

The truth. I've been apart of this show since the first damn rehearsal. It's a brilliant show. Scott, using his super musical genius power, took songs from various musicals... some very popular... some you probably have never heard of. And he created somewhat of a plot involving various couples. The songs are taken out of their original context, but he has magically melded them together into a show that will force the audience to think about some pressing issues.

THIS IS WHAT NEW LINE THEATRE DOES.

So, yes. There are songs about homosexually, adultery, drugs, porn. If you don't care to explore these topics with us - stay home. The show itself is not a huge porn flick. We want the audience to explore them with us - realize that these issues exist, not be afraid to discuss them or hide them. Accept the fact that this is what is going on beyond your living room.

We don't put an age limit on any of our shows. So, bring the kids if you want them to be exposed to all this... It's your discretion.

Ok. Excuse my A.D.D. way of thinking... you ever go to any art museum and see the picture of a naked woman?

Well, the art museum is opened to the public. You can bring your five year old to the art museum... but, you make the choice of exposing him to the oil painting of a penis...

So, why isn't that considered porn? Why isn't that considered to be inappropriate? Oh. Because it's a painting? Because it's ART?

Yeah. Well, we're creating art too. Except our paintings are on stage and alive.

... I guess it all comes down to the fact that it's an ex-church. Whatever. They don't own it anymore.

There are so many people excited about this theater being built. There are so many people supporting us... The girl in Fox's video, waving our program... you rock... Everyone standing out there rocks. Anyone who wanted to come see our show rocks.

We love all of you and we hope we can put on this show for you.

So. There is a hearing tomorrow at 1pm. Our humble director is going to go and defend us in a court of law.

God bless that man. Really. He is fucking awesome.

So, pray, pray, pray, for us. Yes, Catholics... you pray for us too.

I really want to go on with the show.

Signing off -

Trish
The Stage manager
(of an unbelievably awesome and fantastic show that you should all come see if we still get to do it.)
:0)

P.S. I love how in the video you can hear the show going on. Well, it's a chipper little song about STDs. So. Ha.

So, I thought our lovely readers would like an update...

The theater is finished and beautiful. It's exactly what we wanted. We are all done with all the tech stuff and we're ready to open.

Wow. That tastes really good, doesn't it?

That must be the extreme sugarcoating... I'm sorry, but you all have diabetes now.

Ok. Things have been a little hectic lately. (This would explain why all the bloggers have mysteriously disappeared.) When I last posted, we had put off moving into the theater for a week for many tiny reasons.

Well, the theater wasn't finished.

It still isn't finished.

It was supposed to be finished on the 9th.

And we're starting to worry a little bit.

Okay, not a little bit.

Scott probably has five hundred ulcers. Anyone who puts on a show knows how stressful the last couple weeks can get. Ok, well take that stress and add on the fact that we're rehearsing under extreme conditions and that we get new surprises every time we enter the theater.

-Like the wall of boxes left in front of the stage... and that is tiny compared to all the other shit we've had to deal with.

I'm not sure how the man is sane.

But, the cast keeps going and they're putting on a great show. Just having the bed there to play on has done so much for the first act. They keep giving all that they've got. You couldn't ask for a better cast. It's going to be an amazing show.

I just hope the theater is finished by opening night. :0)

(Trying to be optimistic)
-Trish


So, we were going to move today... But, for many tiny reasons, Scott decided it would be best to wait until next week. This gives the Ivory people time to finish up. And actually works better for me - I'm stuck working until 7am.

And works better for Lawson. You better be there on Sunday, biatch. There's no excuse, now.

Somebody go crash that boy's birthday party tonight! I think he may be at the Chuck E. Cheese. He's the kid looking up the chicken's skirt... if she still wears a skirt... I'm not really sure.

:0)

For you my friend...

First of all, I would like to apologize for not posting in... almost three weeks. In the time that has passed - I have become involved in rehearsals. My duties include: helping set up/clean up stuff, take very specific blocking notes for whoever needs them, taking notes on other stuff... like props and... (well, if I tell you what I'm making tomorrow, it might spoil some things that happen during Act II... I'm not even sure if it should be a big surprise... hum...), OH! and providing the cast with the appropriate food. (Those drug trip scenes sure make them crave cheese popcorn and starbursts...)

As far as memorization goes, it's all lyrics. I can't feed them lines. They just have to learn their music. And they've been doing really good. "Sexually Free" was the only song that was pretty rough. They sounded something like this:

"Then we'd be free, sexually free!
Free to let eanoam mum na mum dun manum
Andnan a h labum na mum...
Free! Sexually free!
Free to calala hum nala faula lanum
If la nel onanama one mumna elt!
Free! Sexually free!
Free to folllla lolds tho blah lalala munmana elt.
See what it is to be satisfied and unfrustrated,
Free and at liberty to be loved and stimulated
Be unashamedly, sexually liberated..."

It was hilarious. You guys make for some great entertainment.

Meanwhile, I'm taking down meticulous blocking notes.

Usually it's the ol "so and so" X SR
"so and so" X DSC
"so and so" picks up telephone

Not in this show...

Some of my blocking:

All, circle bed clockwise "Disney march" (this is while they are singing about STD's)
Nick gives A1 a brownie
Nick passes joints around
All, form tight clump
Tight clump becomes an "organism" - fluid, slow movements
All, stand, reach for colors
Touch the colors
Isabel gives audience member a lap dance.

Whoops. That one is supposed to be a secret.

That would be fun though... It would also be fun to add "Tripp takes A2's innocence" during "Perky Little Porn Star"

Perhaps I'm the only one who thinks this is funny... Please don't let this stop you from coming to see this show... nobody is going to rape Lawson and Isabel will only give you a lap dance if you pay her...

But, it's been fun. I'll try to post more often.

Peace out,
Trish
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Scott to the cast during "Morphine Tango" (who is supposed to be a "living organism" and constantly moving arms, legs, etc.)

Scott: Okay, you have to be constantly moving... Right now, it looks like you are waiting for a bus.

Korinko: It's the Morphine bus.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ok. So, I'm not New Line's first stage manager...

I thought I was totally embarking on new, virgin territory where no soul has ever been... but, you know, it's okay. :0)

Being the second stage manager for New Line is still pretty cool... I guess...

Wait. I am the second ... right...?

Fact is - they haven't had one since 2000. And at that time, I was a sophomore in high school and learning how to drive.

Wow.

Annnnnyway, I'm still just floating around. Bought a bunch of cool supplies because back to school sales rock. And I'm just hanging out until I'm needed.

I need to go and visit everyone and give Korinko his flashlight. Yeah, it's just sitting here... on my table... kind of whimpering for it's owner.

Peace out.

-Trish

Dude!

I'm so totally back. How can I not come back and blog again for my lovely audience? -which is probably a total of three people.

Our next show has taken off and I am now labeled as "stage manager."

I didn't need any more college credit cuz I'M ALMOST DONE. But, that's beside the point.

I love stage managing... but, New Line has never had a stage manager, so I will be creating this position and trying to pry odd jobs out of Scott's hands, so he can use his time more being the brilliant director that he is and less worrying about other retarded crap.

I get to worry about the retarded crap now! Ha ha ha haha.

Well, I don't get to worry about anything right now other than turning a score into a script-like document and blocking doesn't happen until late August...

So... I guess I'll just twiddle my thumbs. I'll come back to and visit everyone and see how rehearsals are going. I'm in the process of getting a bunch of stuff stage managers should carry around... Like pencils, umm... mints,

Fuck, it's like 3:30 in the morning and I cannot think.

I'll post more later!

I have all the time in the world and this is going to be one long ass blog... And I may get a little teary eyed. So, bear with me.

Jeez. I don't even know where to begin.

First of all, I want to thank everyone involved in this show. I decided to do this internship because - well, mainly because I didn't want to take another goddamn class - I've been doing the college thing for four years now and I started to get a little burnt out. I had a not-so-good experience during my last project as a director (the show itself was a success... but... well, long story) and I really started to question WHY I'm spending thousands and thousands of dollars to obtain a piece of paper. What is the point? Is it really worth it? And more importantly, is this really what it's like? And ultimately, do I want to do this for the rest of my life?

I really needed to know.

After working with Scott Miller as a lighting technician and seeing a year or two of his work - I knew that if I wanted to intern anywhere for credit... I wanted to intern with him. I wanted to see the secrets of rehearsal. Because up until now, I had come in at "hell week" and seen the almost-finished product. I wanted to know how he did it. How does he put these brilliant shows together? How does he get the best out of every single person in the cast? There had to be something... something that I didn't know about... something that has not been present in any other production I have ever been apart of.

And I still don't know what that something is.

But, (and here's an ego boost for ya, Scott) The man is a musical GENIUS. Really, he is. Go read his books. I did and I barely have the time to read anything. I couldn't put them down. And if you can't afford to buy them, find them in the library - they're out there. Or better yet, go to http://www.newlinetheatre.com/ and read his analysis and chapters on the shows. Read his director notes in the program. He really knows his shit. He has mastered the rules of musical theatre... so, he has EVERY right to break them.

There are many theatrical people in St. Louis who come see New Line shows and don't really understand or don't like the way they are staged. I think it's because they are either used to the traditional staging and want to keep it that way or maybe just don't grasp the concept of reaching out and actually engaging the audience. Maybe, it's not important to them. Maybe they frown upon how Scott breaks these rules and gets away with it.

But, nonetheless, that's why you come see a New Line show. Many people are drawn to the unorthodox nature. Times are changing. We live in a world where entertainment is only a button-click away. This era is... I'm sorry, but it's true... lazy. People can just sit at home and get movies by going to channel 999. I mean, even Blockbuster is having a hard time and having to change their system to fit this utter laziness. I think it's almost repulsive that people don't even have to get in their cars and drive to see a movie - or better yet, drive to a freakin' Blockbuster and rent one! Jesus! What's this world coming to?!? And theatre - who goes to the theater anymore? Theatre people. We are quite the breed and we are the only ones who are really keeping it alive. But, you know what? I think that the biggest and best challenge is to get the people, who normally sit at home on their recliner, off their asses and into the theater. Better yet, get them into a theater and make them REALLY THINK. As Scott said in a previous blog (I don't care how wrong or retarded it is to quote someone else's blog... I'm doing it anyway),

"If it is to survive, theatre has to jump down off that stage and engage its audience! Theatre has to stop separating actors from audiences! Theatre has to stop giving audiences sitcom plays and emotionally dishonest (or worse, emotionally empty) musicals! Theatre must be, once again, about something!"

SEE? He's on to something! I'm telling you!!!

And there are musicals out there that have changed the theatrical world. These musicals accomplished that biggest and best challenge of bringing a new generation to the theatre.

You can see these musicals at New Line. They do musicals for people who hate musicals.

But, the people who like musicals love them too... So, everybody wins!!!

I must sound like I am high as a kite... but, I'm not. In fact, I'm writing this (once again) at 3am at a silent police department, while my partner is quietly snoring... maybe I should type more quietly. Ha ha.

BUT anyway -

I have learned SO much through this experience. And the whole directing a musical thing (which, I've had like... one class of musical theatre through my fourteen years of dance, one voice class, and no classes relating to musical theatre during college) so, I've enjoyed musicals for a very long time, but learning how to direct one is something new to me. The structure and the lyrics and the rhyming and ... wow. It's fucking awesome. I love it. Plays are cool, but musicals... the fact that one can tell a story through lyrics fucking rocks. And more so, if one is talented enough to get a story out through ROCK musicals... that's even cooler. PLUS, you get the song and dance and the whole "showy" theatrical essence. PLUS, a really awesome band and for rock musicals - a really talented and hot guitarist. :0)

And it's not only the whole musical theatre thing that I've embarked upon. I've also learned that in the professional theatre world, there ARE people who will give you 150%. They will trust you and be completley and utterly afraid at first, but they will go and work their ass off until they get it right. They have PASSION for this. They are not doing this for a grade or to up their funds (because lord knows, they don't get nearly as much as they deserve). They do this because they love it. They want to be there. And frankly, if you don't have that kind of passion - then you need to go work elsewhere. Maybe Charter Communications is hiring telephone operators to assist the people in their recliners...

I learned that it can be difficult to work with some people. That you will have people who just spontaneously combust and you never hear from again. People who you thought were trustworthy. You learn who you can trust. Who gets it, who doesn't. And it isn't so much a political thing (Fuck politics), but a chemistry thing. You learn who fits in with the New Line family and who just... doesn't.

I've learned that everything is built during rehearsals. Playing is important. Some of our funniest moments in the show came from something that just happened in rehearsal. It's important to let the actors just explore and find themselves... and it might take just one thing like a sock or a flashlight. (Korinko, I'm gonna try to fix my other flashlight and give that one back to my dad cuz I really think you should have your maglight...)

I've learned that it's okay to make the audience turn their heads to watch a scene. It's also okay if they don't get to see everything because there is so much to see.

I learned that repeated gags sometimes get a laugh and sometimes don't. It all depends on the audience.

And I also learned ... kind of already knew... that the audience can be a flop. Or sound like a flop, but then later surprise you and give you a standing ovation.

I learned that doing a show with huge flourescent lights suck. But, the audience will understand and not be angry with you - if you put on the same show and really kick ass.

And that the best form of excercise is performing "Snuff That Girl" and "Run, Freedom, Run" back to back for a month.

I learned that learning the music is a long and tiresome process when there are a lot of harmony parts, but the ending product will give the audience chills. (I will DEFINATELY miss, "We see a river flowing for freedom. We see a river just in view. You see a river flowing for freedom. You see a river straight and true."

I've learned a lot from this show. This was an experience that you can't find in any textbook. I will miss it. It really is sad when I think of how I won't ever see Urinetown on stage, with this group ever again.

Most definately worth the "A" I was given.

You all did fantastic. You're truly admirable and inspirational to this 22 year old trying to find out where she belongs in all this mess. I will miss the show, but I know I will see you all again... somewhere down the line.

And thank you, Scott Miller, for unintentionally being one of the best teachers I have ever had.

Don't miss Sex, Drugs, and Rock and Roll... which stars many of the cast members from Urinetown.

And I'm sure I'll be involved in some way, shape or form... Maybe Scott will even break down and decide to aquire a stage manager for the new space - not to "call" the show, but to run lights, make prop lists, do techie stuff, and ... you know... take line notes for the actors.

Then I'd have a reason to sneak into rehearsal and see everybody!

Thank you! And good night!!!

So... I'm kinda bored and was reading everyone else's blog.

I don't think I have much to add - other than I am so lucky to be able to watch this show night after night after night.

I am so lucky to be apart of this show... even if it was mostly as an observer - still so extremely lucky.

Jeff Pruett came up to me yesterday and asked, "Are you sick of watching us yet?"

Absolutely not. And this is why...

Every time I watch this show, there is something new that I see that I didn't see before. After watching it so many times, you also notice how the writers snuck in repeat jokes - something you wouldn't normally notice first time around.

The audience seems to receive the show well - although we wouldn't know since many of them don't really catch on to the style of the show until the act I finale... (still my favorite scene above all).

I've been telling everyone I know to come see the show. I've posted the event on myspace and was happy to see a couple other people pass the bulletin on.

After three great reviews, proof that you SHOULD come see this show, the cast has much confidence in what they are doing. Those who have seen the show say that the back risers are the best place to sit... However, it is also the place that is least engaging. So, sit in the back of the house if you MUST watch everything... or become apart of the show by sitting on the floor. The choice is up to you.

You will get a different show from each location. (I've said this before.)

So hell, come more than once. It's totally worth it.

Am I selling this yet?

It's a brilliant show! Directed by a brilliant director! With a brilliant cast!

...and I helped... sort of. :0)

More later!
- Trish

P.S. And of course, big congratulations goes out to NICK AND AMY!!! WHOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!! YEAH!

Hello to all,

First of all, I apologize if this blog is totally random and has no organization to it... I haven't been to sleep since... 8am yesterday. But, I am blogging from the computer of the better of my two jobs (the one that has internet access and is much more laid back than the other one...). In fact, I wanted more than anything to be hit by a car on my way to the horrible midnight job last night. Not a terrible, serious accident... just one good enough to not go to work... but it didn't happen.

Damn it.

I think I might take a "mental health day" tonight. But, sssshhh. Don't tell them that.

Urinetown (the musical) gets better everytime I watch it. I'm done with the line note thing... since it's too dark to be following along with the script. I sent out line notes like, two or three times I think, some times sending them right before the rehearsal (literally, right before the rehearsal). But, the thing with line notes is that they really are beneficial to the cast - However, they took me like 2 hours to type up and send them. Mainly because I would get distracted being on the computer... you know how that is.

Last night, I watched the show from the second row. And boy - was it a different experience. I'm not going to spoil any surprises, but I learned that just by my location - I saw things I hadn't before and heard things I didn't know were there. And isn't that how a New Line show should be?

I can't believe there is only one more run left until we open.

And the cast has much confidence in what they are doing. One of the main things Scott has been telling them is to have fun.

And fun they shall have... mwuhahaha.

:::sips from her 16oz of burn2 and lays her head down for a 5 minute nap:::

Holy Christ!

I apologize for not posting in... forever. Still trying to juggle two part time jobs, classes (one more day to go!), my brother's freakin' wedding, and this wonderful, wonderful internship.

And it really has been wonderful, seriously.

I've learned more just sitting there soaking this up than in most of the classes I've taken.

I'm so burnt out on school right now... it's ridiculous. I'm so sick of getting to rehearsal late and ... yeah. I just want it to be over.

Classes... not rehearsals. (Thought I should clarify that.)

BUT, Urinetown. OMG. I tell everyone I see that they HAVE to come see this show. It's going to be excellent. The cast is working so hard. They are leaving rehearsals and coming back even better. In fact, I made a bunch of line notes from the last time we ran Act I and never sent them - I was going to send them... I typed them out on my laptop and had it all ready to go. But, then I left my laptop at my brother's house and didn't get it back until three days later. By that time, the cast had moved on and well, the notes would have been useless. So, last night (the first full run through ever and the first time they got to use the art loft) I spent most the time erasing the old note marks (and making a couple new ones - which I will email immediately after I'm done blogging.)

But, I feel for the cast. I really do. They are so out of breath after ... what was it... "Run, Freedom, Run"? They're trying really hard. Their work is going to pay off big time.

Meanwhile, Seth the lighting designer has joined the picture and has some really good ideas... which is cool because now I have someone to hang out with while Scott is doing his piano/directing thing and the cast is ... you know... acting.

Which is another thing! Scott Miller is the best multi-tasker is the entire universe.

And the set is up! It's a monster... but has some really great features. This whole show is full of surprises. It's fucking awesome.

So, yeah.

Come see the show and you'll see what I'm raving about.

I'll be back... soon. I promise!

Water Woes Coming With Warming

Hi everybody. I apologize for my absence. I've been trying to juggle classes, rehearsals, a bridal shower, a part time job, and you know... my life. Actually, I decided that all this wasn't insane enough and decided to take on another part time job, which I was hired for yesterday...

I had to take a lie detector voice stress test. It was funny.

I cannot wait until June.

BUT, Urinetown (the musical) is coming along magically. This cast is amazing. They are picking it up and it's sticking.

Thus, I've learned lesson #1: You should cast people who are willing to do their homework.

Which you can't really do unless you've cast them before and know how they work. Hmm.

Anyway, from an observer's point of view, this is going to be one intense, awkward, fucked up musical. Parts of it will make the audience squirm with - well, I'm not going to give anything away. You'll have to come and see it.

I also had the privilege of taking some footage with Katie's camera during the rehearsal to "Snuff That Girl." I'm not a very good videographer, but I did manage to capture what it's like to sit in Hope's chair during the song. Watch out, Izzy. It's intense.

And I've been thinking a lot about this water shortage thing, especially after taking a history test last Thursday where I had to write a three page (handwritten) essay on The Great Depression.
Discuss the major causes of the Great Depression. Then describe how the Civilian Conservation Corps, the Works Progress Administration, the Tennessee Valley Authority, and Social Security helped Americans during the Great Depression. Lastly, explain how Americans coped during the Great Depression.

And as I was writing, I started to think about the "Great Depression" that exists during Urinetown (the musical.) What were the major causes? For my essay, I stated that it was a number of things... the stock market crash of 1929, the tax hikes, the over production of everything and the penny pinching nation who wasn't buying, the dust storms in the plains...

I try to envision what a water shortage would be like twenty years from now. There would obviously be panic stricken people who would kill for a bottle of water... (St. Louis can compare it to the reactions of people during our blackout. Jesus.) During a crisis, people freak out. So, imagine a time when you turn on your TV and the President is telling everyone, "Please be calm, we are working on a solution."

And I'm sure this wasn't some sudden crisis. I mean, people today are talking about the water problem. I watched a short clip narrated by Leonardo Dicaprio, which explained how unique our water system is... okay it was really corny. But, if this guy is worried about it -

I should post that video. It's kind of stupid though.

Envision a drought that starts today. No more rain. And in twenty years, it will be Urinetown (the musical) the year 2027.

First the price of water will rise. Only the rich will be able to afford clean, pure, bottled water.
The price of anything that contains water will rise. Hell, without water, the workers in most of the factories can't do their job - so all prices rise. And the plague of unemployment begins.

People will move and set up camps around lakes and rivers. They drain those out pretty fast.
Those who still have some money will move to Alaska and Switzerland... they still have some water... right?

Meanwhile, in order to save our country, the president puts out the WPA (water preservation act) and the PHA (Public Health Act), obviously copying off of President Roosevelt's solution to his depression (TVA, CCC, WPA... sound familiar?)

President whoever (hopefully not a descendant of Bush) hires scientists to do research to help save the dehydrated and dying nation. They come up with the bare minimum amount of water that one can have daily to survive. The WPA will put a stop to the hoarding of water and the many who have started fires on the coasts, trying to boil the salt out of their supply. The WPA controls the water supply of the country.

The PHA was enacted to provide a safe way to recycle this water. Because of the drought, we can no longer depend on the cycle of rain to help recycle our water. So, anytime somebody goes in the bushes water is wasted. What goes in must come out and be recycled and accounted for. So, a company (formally known as the Walmart corporation) takes control of this task and builds public amenities all over the country.

And the Urine Good Company now controls the lawmakers and the law enforcement.

Then the show begins...


That's all I have for now. I hope to post more soon (or Scott will beat me.)

Well, back to work. The morning rush is on...



Droughts can make people go insane!

I'm glad this guy isn't my neighbor...

So, we had our very first rehearsal yesterday. I actually started this post last night and didn't finish it... Then I realized today that everyone else has started blogging. I'm such a fucking procrastinator.

But, before I get into that - let me introduce myself. I'm Trisha. I am 22 years old. I go to Fontbonne University where I will be graduating in the fall. I have blogged before on my myspace page, but I don't think anyone ever reads those posts. I'm kind of nervous because I think people will actually read this thing. Hmm. I'll try to use correct spelling, grammar, and punctuation. (Does this thing have spell check?... ... ... Oh good.)

And I ramble quite a lot... and go into many different tangents, which kind of makes me think I have ADD, but maybe that's just how I was raised.

You'll have to bear with me.

And Katie's blog is so awesome! So, if I disappoint you - go check out Katie's blog.

Anyway, I go to Fontbonne University (or as I call it, FU) and I've taken practically every theatre class that they offer. So, I was running out of things to take for credit and I saw that we can get credit interning with a theatre company... Thank god.

I was introduced to New Line as an audience member... I met their oh-so-talented-and-bad-ass-looking guitar player while stage managing Fontbonne's Batboy. Sparks flew, I brought home the guitar player, and then I realized that he wasn't as "bad ass" as I thought he was... He turned out to be a real big nerd. Funny, cuz I'm a really big nerd too... So, yeah.

Ironically, I was supposed to come see New Line's first Batboy because my substitute teacher was in it. I believe she said, "You should totally come see this awesome musical I'm in..." And I was totally going to go. Unfortunately, I had to assistant stage manage my high school show.

SO. My first experience with New Line was with The Robber Bridegroom. I LOVED IT. I nearly peed my pants watching it. I can still remember Jeffrey Pruett wandering through the house getting attacked by forest animals. I didn't even know squirrels could hiss! Wow. It was so fucking hilarious.

And meanwhile, I'm trying to get a degree and wondering where I fit in with this so-called-major of mine. I've always had a blast working on the technical side in theatre. It was high school where I got my taste for directing. I took a directing class and became addicted. My senior year, I directed The Great Pandemonium with my friend and we won "Best Directors".

But, that shit doesn't count. It's high school.

I'm not sure what I was thinking going to college for a performing arts degree. I mean, how the fuck am I supposed to make a living on that?

That's why I answer 911 calls. It's a really crappy job but, I rock at it, I'm in high demand, and it pays the bills.

See. I'm rambling.

Ok. So, then I kept going to see the New Line shows because a.) It was different. b.) It was shocking c.) It rocked. And d.) My boyfriend was the guitarist... duh.

And like a year goes by and then THEY NEED A LIGHT BOARD OPERATOR.

Hells yeah.


I brush up on my lighting technician skills. Get over my fear of a fifteen foot ladder. And try and do the best damn job I can.

I do this for a couple more shows and even get promoted to "food wrangler".

And I have never EVER worked for a company whose members got along so well. Any time I would do a show with a couple of the other companies that I worked for - I'm just not going to mention any names - there were always idiots who would treat the techies like dirt or the techies would fuck up the show to get back at the actors. Then you had actors that refused to work with other actors and things not getting done in time which would make the actors pissy... it was a fucking mess. Scott Miller must hold some kind of secret that makes everyone play together so well. Wait, could it be the - weed?

Anyway, by watching New Line's shows, I realized the type of theatre I want to do. I want to shock the audience. I want to make the audience think. I want to offend them. This is what New Line does. And I need to learn how.

As for the musical theatre part, it's been a long time since I've been involved non-technically. I've taken musical theatre classes a long, long, time ago. I don't have a beautiful voice - the only time you'll hear me sing is for my playstation 2 game Karaoke Revolution (which I really want to see what trained professionals think of it - I'll have to bring it to a cast party or something). I love musicals, especially rock musicals. I was exposed to Rent when I was twelve - pretty early to be exposed to Rent, but whatever. This is my favorite. I will direct it someday. It actually hit me on a much deeper level because it was around that time that my Mom had cancer. So, the lesson is to live each day as it was your last and I abide by that.

Annnnnnnnnnyway. So, that's where it puts me. I'm here to learn.

Hopefully, Scott will give me a good grade.

More later!

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