Evita (Better Title TBA)

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!