Music

School is so freezing it gives me a cold for the first three weeks of school.

The scene that Shelley gave me and Isaac may be the most difficult, ridiculous scene I've ever been graced with performing. 

The friends that were always there begin to disappear.

They're probably not coming back again.

Oh, dear college.

Read peter pan and have a tear trickle down.

just because it reminds you.

...

of stuff.

Go home and listen to Ramin Karimloo.

Seasons of Love comes up afterward on Pandora.

Things will be okay eventually.

Mr. Brightside

Homecoming is on the 22 of September.
My birthday is on the 23.
I really want to go, but I haven't been asked.
So instead of looking on the frowny part, here's some marvelous occurrings.

paige and I went to a stake dance.
it was awful.

I am the owner of the greatest
shirt of all mankind.

I can write my 'd's' almost
exactly like Disney.

I saw Sierra!

I still have a job.

We had a Drama Retreat.
I found some old friends.

Remember this babe?

This is Shelley's car.
No, I didn't do that.

Mama Shelley
she trusted me with the keys to
Shelley's car.

I get to be an Indian in Peter Pan.

And a Mermaid!
That is the best part.
A human narwhale.

I'm in Shakespeare Competition.
With Isaac.
Henry IV Part I Act II Sc. III
I'm only capable of love scenes.
obviously.

It has been a great first couple weeks of school.
Sure, I haven't been asked yet
But I still have three weeks.

An Elephant's Faithful

One hundred percent.

I promised you , and I keep my promises.

How to Find and Create a Great Monologue

Disclaimer: For the sake of Shakespeare Competition coming up, I'll be referring to Shakespeare's work, but the process is generally the same for straight plays and musical theatre. This is my own personal process, which is actually really crazy. It took a lot of focus to actually realize what I do. I am not responsible for how the piece affects you. If you wish to make this tutorial on your own blog using this process, let me know:).

Step One: Ponder
       This is a long process, which should happen quite a bit before the actual audition. Think about what genre monologue you wish to perform to narrow down the search. Think about favorite characters and plays. Keep in mind which shows the director might favor and pieces found overdone.

Step Two: Search
       After you have pondered quite a bit, you begin to search. Look on the internet. Here's some urls: Option One. or Option Two. There are many other websites dedicated toward Shakespeare's work. It is also a very good idea to simply read Shakespeare's Completed Works.

Step Three: Select
       It is always good to have monologues to put in your repertoire. Once you found the Money Monologue, continue to Step Four. If you couldn't find your Money Monologue via internet, fret not. Go back to Step Two and read the plays. This year, I couldn't find my Money Monologue from the internet, so I just read and read until I found the piece I loved. If you don't love the piece, don't perform it. Find one you are passionate about.

Step Four: Study
       For those of you who hate reading, I'm helping you, I promise. It is imperative that you read the complete play of the piece you are performing. Doing so will enhance your understanding of your character and truly understand who the character is. Create a family tree. If there's many deaths in the play, put an "x" mark on the family tree next to their name to signify the death. Write down the act and scene and who killed who. It's a lot like Clue.
        I try to do a character analysis. I cross reference the play/monologue with a favorite movie (ie: for Henry V act V sc. II, I watched Stardust to see the progression of love; for Kentucky Cycle: Tall Tales, I watched Moulin Rouge to understand how betrayal felt).
       Studying your character is a lot of the process, so really enjoy this. It's my favorite part. You get the opportunity to try to understand your character. It's like playing dress up. It's quirky, weird, but totally fun.

Step Five: Work It
       This could be done in many ways. My favorite is to mark up the script. It helps to use different colors to signify different things (ie: green: action words; blue: emotion words; red: outbursts of high emotion, mostly found at climax of monologue). Running it really helps as long as you're not saying it so say it. You should have the piece memorized by the end of this process, at the very latest.

Step Six: Mock Perform
       I love getting constructive criticism. A few days or so before the audition, get a group of friends together and have a mock competition, giving feedback at the end of each performance. This will give you time to truly polish the piece before you actually perform.

Step Seven: Audition/Perform
       You made it. Stay optimistic. If the audition is at the end of the day, wear a comfortable, favorite outfit and really colorful underwear. It really helps you to feel confident, promise. If the audition is right after school, or you plan to stay after for your audition, bring extra clothes. Dress to impress. Don't wear high heels, it may mess with your character. Bring tooth paste/tooth brush. Get rid of that lunch time food smell. For girls, bring your make-up to touch up,  a curling iron/straightener, perfume/deodorant. For boys... well, use your best judgement.
      Take a deep breath. You've spent so much time for this, why ruin the great time with worry? Have a fun activity planned for after the audition.

Break a leg!

Shakespearitus Everlasting

Do you got the fever?
Is it stronger than the Bieber Fever?
You don't know how to handle it?

Fear no longer!
A tutorial, how-to-guide, on how to survive this consuming disease will be coming shortly.
It's a step-by-step sort of deal.

You don't have the fever?
Try this upcoming guide, just to make sure you'll be safe!

This guide is by Yours Truly.
Not Truly Scrumptious.
But me. Obviously.

Shakespeariance: Chapter 1

I ran home to learn French as quickly as I could manage. Sister Meacham was willing to let me come over and teach me the art.

The next day, we had a cast meeting. I was on time, and very scared. I was a sophomore. I was on the Shakespeare Team. If I did one thing wrong, I would be shamed for life... or so it seemed. We went around the room introducing ourselves and who we would be portraying. I caught a glimpse of my scene partner, but still did not know who he was.

We proceeded to explain some of the obvious rules of Shakespeare. (i.e. No huggy body, kiss face. YOU KNOW WHO YOU ARE!) I could only look down to hide what I knew would be my inevitable fate.

The cast meeting ended and I went out to meet Shay. That was her first class that day, so I came with her into the Drama room. Mr. Shelley was by the door talking to a strapping young male citizen of Pleasant Grove High School.

"Hi, Mr. Shelley," I say as I walk past the male wearing the blue hoodie.
"Talia! Do you know Nick? Nick Varney?" Mr. Shelley says.
"Oh... no, but I do now. Hi, Nick..." I say, timidly.
"Hello," Nick says, then he left the room.

The next morning, I'm in the drama room sitting in a chair, desperatly trying to look busy. Nick comes in the room along with Kylie and Isaac. Mr. Shelley tells us what things are important to remember, then has Nick and me stay with him and Talisha while Kylie and Isaac go with the other two coaches.

We run through the script and I feel my heart drop. He was saying the lines with such conviction and honesty. How could I possibly measure up to that? My French was continuously being corrected-there was no way I could be good enough.

Soon Kylie comes in and we all drink hot chocolate except Nick.

The next day I was late to ensemble rehearsal because my ride forgot me. It never happened again, I assure you. The rest of the rehearsals went the same. We ran through them, perfecting things, adding things, changing things. I was still disappointed with myself. I was just not good enough. I didn't feel the emotion that Katharine should be. I wasn't falling in love. I wasn't angry. I was just a person on a sheet a paper with ink on it. That night, I fell to my knees longer than I ever had in my entire life.

Shakespeariance: Prologue

2011 Shakespeare has been such a great experience, that I want to tell you all about it. It seems this year that it has been all about telling a story, so I will tell you mine. Starting at the Prologue.

All summer long. I worked my entire summer just to earn enough money to go down to Cedar City with the High School. I worked all summer searching for a monologue that was good enough to be on the team. Even when I did find a monologue-three days before the audition-the pressure of the fact that if I wasn't good enough, it was all for nothing.

The day of the audition came, and the presence of fear was eminate. They called my name, and I could feel my pupils dialating. I muttered the words of Ophelia over and over in such a manner that those close enough to hear might have though that I had actually gone mad. I step up the stairs as Mr. Shelley greets me.

"Hello, Talia," says Mr. Shelley; bold, confident, and free.
"Hi," I reply, an octive higher than my normal voice, wavering.

I stand on the 'x' and slate my piece. The moment I do that, I ask if I may proceed. That's one thing that I messed up on.

"Nope," says Mr. Shelley.
"Oh... okay," I say, biting my tongue.

He looks up and Ophelia over comes me. Skipping a line or two, I finished my monologue and thank him for his time. I walk out of the room, disappointed in myself.

 I could have done better. I could have worked on it more.

I leave with my mother, and go home. The paper comes up the next day.

It was a B day, and I had an awkward air bubble inside me that hurt a lot, so I wasn't really too thrilled. I walk straight to Mr. Shelley's door and look. I see my name on the Ensemble List. Spelled "Talie." It was spelled wrong. I was disappoined, but I knew I couldn't have expected that much.

I go to my locker to drop off and pick up some things and go back to the Drama Door to congradulate my friends. Olivia, Evan, and Mary are by the door with faces containing secrets.

"Hey, hey, Talia. Have you checked the door?" Olivia says with her ninja smile.

I say nothing but go to the door and see the ensemble list again.

"Cool," I say with a hint of a smile.
"Look up," they said.

Slowly looking up the list from the ensemble up, I see names. Andrew. Eric. Jake. Keegan. Isaac. Kylie. Then I see something new: Duo/Trio- Talia Ruth & Nick Varney - Henry V Act V Sc. 2.

My eyes widen. The smile grows on my face, and I turn around and we leap and scream for joy. I walk out of that room and down the hall where Mr. Shelley sees me.

"Talia, would you like your script?" He says.
"Yes?" I say, hoping not to inconvience him.

We walk back to his room quickly.

"You're going to have to learn French. Do you know the French teacher?"
I shake my head.
"Get to know him. He has a beautiful French accent. You need to have it and make it natural."
"Okay."

I grasp the scene in my hand and go outside to meet Shaylee. We walk down to the Junior High to talk to our old teachers. We start talking to Mr. Dalton, when I really look at my script and how it ends.

Katharine: Laissez, mon seigneur, laissez, laissez: ma foi, je ne veux point cue vous abbaisseiz vour grandeur en baissant la main d'une de votre seignurie, indigne serviteur; excusez moi, je vous supplie, mon tre-puissant segneur.

Henry: Then I will kiss your lips, Kate.

I would have to kiss him.

You know something is wrong

when you hear voices in your head... and they aren't yours.

"Speak fair, and fairly, I pray thee."

 " Nor I, my lord, in faith."

"Take me."

"Be thou a spirit of health or a goblin."

"You beast!"

"This isle, so full of noises."

"There is more courtship in carrion flies."

"That is what the *darned say in *heck."

"Banish-ed? Be merciful. Say death."

"By my profit, I know how to curse!"

"I have no strength in measure, yet a reasonable measure in strenght"

"Get your poop in a group and go do it!"

This is normal right?
Mr. Shelley said that last one.

Focus, people, Focus.

Ten years ago, yesterday, I was a terrible child.
You see, it was eleven days before my birthday and the only thing I could focus on was the kind of cake I wanted for my 6th birthday.
So when all my father could focus on was the t.v. I was quite frustrated.
"Fold your arms, Talia. They're saying a prayer." My father once said.
I only folded my arms in frustration and six year old angst.
I don't think I went to school that day.

I can't tell if I quite grew out of the terrible child.
Last year, on this date, I wrote nothing of the terrible occation.

"Manipulating dreams is bad thing to do. Especially if you're trying to forget someone. If you are in that veil where you're asleep and awake, you can make your dreams do what you want. So, long story short, if you're trying to become friends with someone, do not try to dream them saying something sappy. I am working on writing a letter for my third grade teacher. I want to thank you. I finished another song. Gosh, darn it, written for ---------. Yet another song ------ will never hear."

Yeah... not proud of it.
"Come on, Talia! Think of others!" I'll say to my past self when thinking of 'once-upon-a-time' events.

***

I write sonnets now. Crazy person! I think you should... read them.

Iambic Pentameter.

Rhyme Scheme.

You'll go nuts.

***

I have discovered Shelley's favorite drink.

It is not orange, yellow, green, or pink.

It goes with Christmas (oops, the church and state).

You may not get it if you come in late.

Indulgence and consumption of this drink

has filled my life with joy and peace. . . I think.

But, O, the terror, torture, and the pain

that I must feel when it goes down the drain.

The warm enchantment fills my loving heart.

Had I the choice, then never with it part.

It fixes sadness, heart-break, and the grief.

Then definately it is named the chief.

The chocolate that's hot has made me woo'd,

Like birds to one another as they coo'd.

***

***

I blush and turn away for fear of lies

for kings have pow'r to overcome their swears.

The fear doth eat the soul and pure demise

of girls and queens in love beyond their cares.

And yet the love that thou has shown to me

just seems so young and sweet, so pure and clean.

So watch me fall-in life, that is key.

For love like tempest-toss'd, it must be seen.

Alone must I needs be for your goodsake.

Your happiness means more than happiness of mine,

so kind, for I would rather earth doth shake

than pain emit from you, the sign.

But take the chance, I beg, and plead, implore,

for if loves works or not, my heart will soar.

***



These sonnets, I assure you have no significance in my personal life.

Well... except the chocolate one. Totally into that stuff.

The other one; however, is the self-created thoughts of my scene character.

I love Shakespeare more than should be legally allowed.

Whoops.

First of all, before I explain anything, I must give you advise.
Go see The Drousy Chaperone at the Hale while you can. It's a wonderful comedy/musical. I loved it.
I cried.
Go see it.

now for what you actually wanted

If you talk to me at school, and we talk about my scene, you often will hear me complaining about how I have nothing to do with it anymore. I have learned my French perfectly. I know my objectives and tactics. I 'know' my character. I have done everything I could for this scene.

that is completely a lie

You see, I spent so much time on the broad picture of my scene, that I don't truly know who I am. Yes, I am Katharine. Yes, I am a princess. Yes, I am French. That's just what goes through my mind each time I think of who I am. Punk. No. That is not okay. I spent more time in the books, and on the internet trying to figure out who Katharine was, that I didn't know who's life I'm going to borrow and be.

While, I know I am Katharine, princess of France, I am so much more. I am a normal human be'an with just a few more responsibilties than most. I have been courted by old men. No big deal, right? Sure. I am just a girl. I am a girl who is still learning how to rule a country, a girl just discovering how to love.

Those books that I got, didn't teach me that.

wait, there's more

This is where I've made my biggest blunders. Seriously. I spent so much time thinking about myself, that I totally thought he wouldn't be bothered by a thing. I was thinking of convincing Shelley to give me back my big shpeal. If we did that, I would have to do something, I would probably thoroughly regret. (cooties, my friends.) I didn't care. I wanted my line. No big deal, right? Wrong. It took a question that wasn't directed at me to realize that I just don't have the bigger picture. Was I willing to do something I regret, for just one line? No way. Not anymore. Because this scene is so much more than me.

It's kind of like if God gives us a commandment, and we all think it is ridiculous. That there is no point to it, but we don't know the big picture. Punks, guys, just ask! You'll find out.

My friends, just... learn to love Shakespeare. You'll love it a lot. I'm not kidding.

Read the scriptures. Pray about them. You will know that they are true.

The end.

Short and Sweet. Lack of Treats.

If I had an extra arm, I could count down the days of my birthday with my fingers.

Do the math.

Ew. Wait. No. Please don't. Blogging is supposed to be pleasurable.

If I make you do math, I would be an utter monster.

I am graceful.

I have a nice voice.

People make me happy.

Finally, I slept in until 5 a.m. I feel like a champion.

I am Elsinore. Be worried.

Come to the High School on 10*5*11 at 7 p.m. and you will understand.

Optimism

I sort of wish that the post office was like e-mail.
Sent and recieved instantly.
I have a bajillion and one letters out right now in the conviency of one envelope.
To one person.

yeah, emilee.
I couldn't send my Christmas present with it this time around. Sometime soon, I suppose.

I like Shakespeare.
I like acting.
I like Mr. Shelley's teaching style.
I like high school.
I like juice.
I like French.
I like my scene partner and his mad skill.
I like me and my mad skill.
I like the fact that twenty days are until my birthday.
I like you.

Oh, dear...

Auditions, now that I think if it, went splendid.

If my nerves weren't acting up so fervently, I would have felt better about it, but, yeah. You know.

Family Home Evening. Oh, dear.

We would never be enlisted into the Mo TAB.

So, you know, over all day, I thought it went pretty good.

Until I got a phone call.

I thought it was my Young Women's Leader.

I missed that phone call.

I called them back.

I asked if Sister Madrid was there.

The man had no idea who I was talking about.

Turns out he was Coach Sampson, my Driver's Ed. teacher.

He wanted to road me this week.

He has a new group because I didn't pick up my phone.

I feel kind of dumb.

I love the mistakes that life teaches us to get over.

Friends, Romans, countrymen, lend me your ears.

I am kind of bummed.

My sister and brother got invited to watch a movie with the beloved Willardsons. I'm their friend too... and I'm still at home.

My mom spilt green jello on my favorite gray shoes.

And when I texted Olivia, she thought I was her father.

I'm going to go read Shakespeare now.

Win

Hamlet.

Ophelia is my new friend.

Hamlet broke her heart.

We still love him.

I think.

Audition.

Mine is at August twenty-ninth at

two fifty-six.

I think.

Let's be crazy together.

So, I took some notes

We all know Mr. Shelley. Only one of my most favorite Drama Icons ever.
Remember when he came to the Junior High for Productions class?
Well, I took some notes that day.
For those of you who forgotten, the Auditions are on next monday.
I would like to enlighten you.
This is the exact same thing that I wrote down that fateful day.
no changes made.
Please, consider the following:

Auditions = best dressed

No good 'perfect' show to find pieces to audition with

Auditions = be prepared, be character

find audition piece that will showcase character

Shelley = Shakespeare <3

Shelley = :( moist, blouse, cannaver

Prepare for show. NOW.

Shelley = <3 musical = Next to Normal - don't go see it.

Shelley = green & sourpatch kids & dark chocolate

Shelley = Dramatic Shows :D

Shelley = cry - tears = good

Shelley = up to five shows. 2 shows minimum.

dancing always helps

Shelley = two musicals - one play

Shelley = <3 love play

Pet peeve = empty toilet paper roll = Shelley

Pet peeve = interrupting people = Shelley

Pet peeve = empty box of anything = Shelley

See it, crave it, want it, lose it.

Triple threat if possible

Crusical, Children of Eden = Shelley <3 shows

Take Drama 2B

Auditioned - 5th grade - Sound of Music = Kurt

Phantom of the Opera = Shelley <3 drama ever since.

Shelley <3 Phantom.

Shelley <3 Raoul

Shelley = Shakespeare

Stay on task

Shelley = diction <3

Shelley will get script if told ahead of time.

Height doesn't matter

Phantom = 38000$ - Invite EVERYONE to come

Shelley speaks Portugese

Keep portfolio of monologues

Likes Shakespeare Shirts

go to Utah Theatre Association - 3 day trip - same amount of $ as Shakespeare

Takes group to New York :D 1400$

Consider yourself enlightened.