Entry #21: Continuity, Repetitiousness, Originality

Something poetic, something pathetic...

This year is a big year for me.  May 2012 will mark my tenth year of doing theatre.  A whole decade. It seems like just yesterday I was the quiet, shy kid in the ensemble for Meet Me In St. Louis, learning about blocking for the first time.  Now, ten years and nearly forty productions later, I have experienced so many aspects of theatre, from performance to technical to management to direction, with so many companies and so many memorable people.  Theatre, for me, is a metaphor for facets of my life; for things inherent in me, and as a result of doing so.

Theatre is...
My sense of self.
My sense of community.
My confidence.
My expression.
My true identity.
My worth, to myself and others.
My escape.

Me.

Speaking of theatre... Here is my obligatory 

Theatre News:

A Night on Broadway.

The benefit performance I mentioned last post went very well.  Would I do it again? I am not sure.  That is not necessarily a reflection on the organization itself, I am just weighing the pros and cons besides the obvious, "It's for a good cause," which it was.  Possibly more on that at a later date.

Chicago, on the other hand...

...I could not be happier with.  I went from feeling like such an outsider to feeling like I am accepted by most, in just five rehearsals.  It is a weird animal, meeting new people.  Though I love it, I am almost always plagued with a certain sense of judgement I feel from others, regardless of intention.  If nothing else, I am expecting an amazing production and maybe even a few new friends.  Everyone is really nice, very fun, and seemingly quite supportive; people I would love to be associated with.  Hopefully they will think the same of me. 

*fingers crossed.*

"Toy Box Rock" Isn't All Play

Credit: J. Szuchyt

I am happy to announce that ChikënFist had an incredibly productive meeting the other night and subsequently several plans are now in the works.  Not much can be made public at this time about future events, releases, etc. but I can say two large steps have been taken: ChikënFist now has an official email account and YouTube channel.  I will also say to take note of April; that will be a very significant time for us.  More news will be released as it develops, but continue to check our Facebook page and our BRAND NEW YouTube channel to keep up to date!

Official email: chikenfistmusic@gmail.com

Adventures in Unemployment:

I am still in pursuit of a job.  I have applied to several places, including Pizza Como, a few Craigslist ads, LV Health Network and St. Luke's Hospital.  If there is one thing I dislike about the application process, much like auditions, is the wait one must endure in hopes of a response.  In my travels, I even considered applying here:

in an attempt of having an interesting story to add to my resume, but as soon as I opened the front door and observed that I would have to be buzzed in by the attendant inside who I could see beyond the enclosed plexiglass foyer area I quickly realized that this might not be the most desirable (or safe) place of employment for me at this juncture.

I think that will do for the time being, but I am overdue for a more frivolous, fun blog... maybe something with teacups...

One for love. Love for all.
Vince

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Things I did while writing this post:
- Listened to Etta James' "Welcome to the Jungle"
- Updated my website
- Listened to my 'Starred' and "90s Smash Hits" playlists on Spotify
- Sipped some iced tea
- Lounged, awaiting inspiration to write
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Entry #20: New year, new post

...and boy is it going to be a long one.  There are so many instances to mention since the last substantial blog, but I'll keep this post brief so I can move on to new material.

Theatre News:

Bye Bye Birdie

In December I was in a production of Bye Bye Birdie where I played the role of Albert Peterson.  I had a lot of fun with the role, especially knowing that I was following in the footsteps of the legendary Dick Van Dyke, but the production posed a number of challenges; for one, I have never tap danced before.  Overall, it was an interesting experience because it has been quite some time since I have worked with a cast that included both adults and kids, not to mention this was also my first experience with another new theatre company, Stagemakers at the J, and this was their first production with a cast of all ages.  

Also in December...

1. I went to see Jukebox the Ghost for the first time with some friends at Union Transfer in Philadelphia and I got to meet them!

Jukebox the Ghost

2. I got my first tuque for Christmas from my aunt Sue.

Like it?  It's really warm. :3

3. I treated myself to two gifts for Christmas:

The Muppet Show - Season One

and Dominion's newest expansion, Hinterlands, for which I documented the un-boxing:

4. ChikënFist's first EP was released!

Here is the track listing:

1. The Prelude

2. The Stock Market (and Boobs)

3. If You Want to Take the First Step

4. Killer Tofu (The Beets cover)

5. Christmas of Want [Adolescent Lament]

So far we have had nearly thirty sales of the EP and we currently have over eighty fans on Facebook.  This may not seem like much, but the process of writing, recording, and eventually releasing a finished product that people ACTUALLY want to own is exhilarating to an artist.  Being our first actual release, we made a deal to those who wished to place a preorder: the first 25 preorders would receive a signed copy of the EP which would also including an original drawing of their choice.  Here is what some of them came up with... this calls for a PHOTOBLOG!  Enjoy!

5. I held my second and final party of the year: New Year's Eve.

This year was unlike other years; I kept the guest list to a minimum.

The evening was not crazy, I was not overwhelmed with a list of tasks to complete, everyone was responsible and I was stress free. [sigh of relief]  One could only cross his fingers and hope that this was a sign of how the new year would be. 

So that pretty much wraps up 2011.

Now onto the

Here and Now:

I finally added a Store to my website!

Check it out

Never-ending theatre news:

Currently, I am involved with two more projects:

The first is a benefit performance for the JCC of Allentown which is being held on the 21st of this month. A selection of show tunes will be showcased that night by both kids and adults and I will be featured throughout.

The second is a production of Kander & Ebb's classic musical, Chicago.  This will be my second time working with this director, but my first time working with the theatre company at Cedar Crest College.  This production premieres in late February.  Check my website HERE for more details.

One more thing...

I do not know how I feel about the significance of New Year's resolutions, but for some reason the turnover to this year really made me think.  Maybe it had to do with the desire to relieve myself of the emotional funk that I had constantly found myself weaving in and out of for over a year; maybe it is my fear of complacency or more importantly my fear of the future and where my life will lead.
This year I made a resolution: simply put, be happier, be more motivated, and be more optimistic.  No matter where I go in life I will make the best of it.  No matter how unsure my path is for the future, I will face it, unafraid.  Although I may not change others, let alone the world, I will forever utilize (at least some of) Gandhi's wisdom in being the change I wish to see in the world.
After all, who is going to love and accept me for everything I am and do if I do not?

Another year, reborn; older, wiser, stronger.
Here, it begins.

To the new year.

One for love. Love for all.
Vince

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Things I did while waiting for inspiration followed by the subsequent writing of this post:

- Drank chai

- Looked through the YouTube videos on my channel

- Finished watching The Muppets Season One

- Watched Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist

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