Author: Brielle

M-O-T-I-V-A-T-I-O-N

So like every New Year, this month has brought with it that surge of “can-do” attitudes and up-all-night energy. I haven’t posted much on here, but I’ve been doing much better than before! And although it’s not the hub I’ve been hoping for (yet), I’m still always excited to come back to this site and look it over. Even if nothing’s really changed.

This semester at Catawba is sure to be a busy one with 18 credit hours including a Collaborative Aesthetics Ensemble course and the Fundamentals of Technical Theatre and Design – both of which I am very excited for! – plus a dueling role in Into the Woods as Milky White (who’s sure to be a bomb puppet) and the Giant (which my friends and I find hilarious as I tower over toddlers at a mere five foot one). I’ve also been told I will be playing some instruments onstage which I’ve only waited to do for TEN years!!! The very first things I list on my special skills section on my resumé is that I read music and play the clarinet, oboe, tenor saxophone, flute, and piano.

I’ve also begun lots of “career work” including drafting business cards, maintaining this website, and drawing up a proposal for a big project in order to recruit a friend of mine – hopefully there’ll be some exciting developments on that front very soon!

There’s also a trip to Europe in the works to scope out some post-grad opportunities (and a time to flex my German speaking muscles).

So yeah, a lots happening this new year and I am feeling m-o-t-i-v-a-t-e-d: motivated.

KCACTF and What Comes Next

I’ve been crazy busy as I’ve returned to school in August. Starting with a crazy fun time as Cecilia Payne in a Catawba original work, Sister of the Stars. The script is a brilliant combination of intellect and heart as it follows the emotional journey of Cecilia as she’s pulled between the man’s world of science and the woman’s world of love.

Playing Cecilia was a fantastic experience and I was so lucky to work beside such an incredibly talented cast and crew. AND what’s more, is that the show was entered into the Kennedy Center American College Theatre Festival (KCACTF). We had seven cast/crew members nominated for awards at the festival early next year including myself, being one of three actors nominated for the Irene Ryan Scholarship!

I am so so excited to participate in the festival and we’ll know if our entire production will be passed on this December – if we are passed on we pack everything up and take it on tour to KCACTF next year and can I just say: the suspense. Is. Killing. Me. Especially when I’m reminded of it every time I walk through our theatre and see our set and props leaned up against the wall waiting – just like all of us.

Working in the Field

Through my freshmen year of college and already venturing out into the field. As a performance major, it’s a bit of a bummer to not be paid in an actual performance but this summer I’m interning at a local theatre company – not for money – while also stage managing a production of Be More Chill – which is for money! But that’s not the only reason I’m excited to be a part of this production; not only do I get to hang out with all of my friends – and not to mention it’s waaaay better than any retail or fast food job – but every song in this show is such. A. Bop. It is a fantastically unique score with fantastic vocal talent – which I’m happy to say our cast shares!

In between shifts and rehearsals I’ve also had plenty of time to work on personal projects including several scripts and research for an upcoming role this fall when I return to school. I’ll be playing Cecilia Payne and have been researching not only her and her work but I’ve been teaching myself some extra astrophysics in an effort to keep up with the lingo present in the script.

I’ve discovered that it is so extremely important to be not only informed but present in the field while doing some post-grad planning. Knowing the locals is different than locals knowing you. I’ve found you should always get out in your community and show your face whether it’s auditioning, volunteering, or just going to see shows! The more you expose yourself, the more you’ll learn – I’ve been learning a TON as a stage manager in both fields of directing and acting. In the world of theatre, everything truly is connected.