The Roundup

So, I've finished orientation week at the Actors Studio Drama School!! What a great week it was! I've met so many of my classmates, and so far there's just so much enthusiasm and positivity that I can't help but giggle everytime I think of spending the next three years with all of them. I haven't really had a chance to get to know everybody, as we are a large class (the largest ASDS has ever had in fact). All tolled, we are 39 actors, 4 directors, and 4 playwrights. Mostly it was orientation for each class, but two of our classes did meet as classes. The first of those being West African Dance at Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre. I have never taken a class like it, and I'm so in love. Its so different and so energizing and so much fun!! Although, I did not stretch after class and my thighs are STILL feeling it!! I think its going to be excellent cross-training for the marathon! 90 minutes of west african dance twice a week??? wee!!

I sorted out the snafu with registration, which is excellent!! I keep having to pinch myself and remind myself this is all really real, and I get to keep doing all this every day for three years. Pretty much one of the best things to remind myself :). Janis and I wandered the city quite a bit while applying for jobs, constantly pausing to do "touristy" things and made it a fun afternoon for ourselves! We may or may not have played Fur Elise on the large piano at FAO Shwartz when we stopped in to pick up job applications... Speaking of which, I've applied to four so far, and am open to any suggestions to make some good part-time money!!

I'm working as an electrician on Sunday, and I'm really excited about that. Choosing between lighting and acting was not easy, and I'm very very happy to be here and focusing on my acting, but its great to have the opportunity to dust off my wrench! (Now that I mention it, I should find where I packed it)

Went out last night with a few of my ASDSers, and we celebrated the birthday of our classmate, G! (He's G because he is from Turkey and his name is not easy to pronounce! Id like to be able to say it at some point tho) First we went to a pub near school for some karaoke, and had a blast. Theatre kids and karaoke? Match made in bar heaven. Then, we headed over to ave A for a hookah bar. It was my first, and I didnt go too hard because of my asthma, but it was a lot of fun!!! Much bonding transpired...

Its certainly an interesting time to be in New York, with the 10th anniversary of 9/11 this weekend. You can tell the city is on high alert with more police/various security all over the city. The freedom tower looks beautiful lit up at night, you can see it from school. The Empire State Building is lit up yellow for the troops, and we saw it from the vantage point of Washington Square Park on our way home last night, also gorgeous. While beautiful, its also a dramatic reminder of how drastically the city/world changed 10 years ago. I still remember sitting in french class hearing the WTC was "on fire", because our teachers weren't allowed to tell us more than that with so many kids parents that were city commuters. At that point, it was early enough in the day that neither tower had fallen, and the who/why was still unclear. School ended early that day, but a lot of kids parents came and got them even before that, and many stayed home the next day, either because their parents simply wanted to stay close to home, or someone in their family hadn't come home from work.


Yowza, I was not intending to end the blog on a low note at all. So, for the ultimate topic change: here's this. My brother Dan's girlfriend Carolyn gave me as a graduation present a book called My First New York. Its a collection of moving-to-new-york stories from writers, actors, artists, musicians, athletes, etc. I read it cover to cover the next day, I love this book and all the stories it contains. I keep it on my dresser so everyday when I get dressed, I am reminded that I am here starting my first New York, and I get so excited. Carolyn, if you're reading this, its a fantastic little piece of inspiration you've given me, thank you thank you thank you!

Cheers from Brooklyn!