The Oscars

I have to say, the Oscars are one of my favorite things of the year. There's the dresses, the actors and actresses I admire, the films, the surprises, what's not to love? And although the films I love usually don't win, it is still extremely fun to watch. Which film will it be this year?

I found these lovely posters for the BAFTA's (British film awards) and although there is not one for every candidate, they're so neat I had to post them.

Have a lovely night!

The End and the Beginning

Well, the year is coming to a close. It is an end as well as a beginning. A time to start afresh, and let things go. Looking back on 2008, I realized that I grew a lot this year. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally as well. This year we performed the play "The Mouse that Roared." That really felt like the beginning of things to come in high school. It was a challenge and also extremely fun. I learned to golf in one of my favorite classes of the semester. I survived Spirit Week without many scratches and even earned myself a bow from the teacher I impersonated. My acting grew at Theatricum this year. My scene and monologue were big challenges and I am so proud of how hard I worked and that I was able to pull through. I got a great part in Taming of the Shrew and had a wonderful time. I learned a lot about acting, Shakespeare and what helps me with a scene. Being in a repratory Theatricum play has been a dream of mine since I was a little girl. It was one of the highlights of my summer I really hope I can be a part of it again next year! I took some great photos this year. I'm not a master or anything, but it's nice to improve. I audtioned for Pippin and sung in front of people on my own. That has been a big fear for a while. Even though I didn't get the part I wanted I made my new part really fun and I'm so happy with what happened. I've taken chances with the role and wasn't afraid to look odd in front of everyone. The Native American trip will always linger in my mind for 2008. It was an amazing experience and I am so lucky to have been there. I will never forget the memories I have from there, the beautiful canyon, the friends I made and the laughs I had. I fulfilled another childhood dream by performing in the Halloween skits. I played in the winter concert loudly and didn't mess up more then twice. In all I think this past year really helped me begin to conquer some of my fears and well as accomplish some of my dreams. I had a wonderful time and I made so many good memories. I remember 2007 as a rather strange year, but I know I'll remember 2008 as one where I had hard times as well as fun ones. Goodbye 2008, hello 2009. What do you have in store for me I wonder. What goals will I accomplish and fears will I conquer? Happy old year and happy new year.
May 2009 bring joy and good fortune.

Halloween

The idea of Halloween has always been more fun then the actual day itself. I used to have a ton of fun on Halloween night. I'd go to the schools Halloween night which was a series of skits at the end of each we would receive a little treat. I always enjoyed it. Lately though I haven't been having the best Halloween. At school some of the high schoolers were putting together the skits for the Halloween night and they needed volunteers. I played Sleeping Beauty in one skit and My and Ventana were in skits as well. It was extremely fun except for the fact that the dress I was wearing was extremely tight and it was a little hard to breath. I got to lie down on this bed they made for me, and let my mind drift. It was really relaxing. Then when I felt someone sit down next to me I ran over my lines. I awoke when someone kissed my forehead then handed out chocolate kisses to the little kids. I only had a couple lines so it wasn't hard to remember them. I think the hardest part was trying not to laugh while I was asleep. Dusty, who played the prince, is the funniest person I know and more then once I had to restrain myself from laughing. In all, it was really fun and I wouldn't mind doing it again next year.
Next Ventana, My and I went trick or treating. We were dressed as Little Bo Peep and her sheep. The only problem was by the time we left school it was around 9:30 and no one was out. We went back to her house and talked and played games.
I had a great night, I wonder what next year has in store for me.

Pippin

Well, school is back in swing and with it comes the musical. Every other year the high does a musical and this year we are doing Pippin. When I first found out, I knew nothing about the show. I had heard one of the songs but that's it. Last Monday, the 15th, the directors held auditions. I was scared stiff with the idea of having to sing in front of people for singing isn't exactly one of my greatest talents. All weekend I sang and practiced until my voice hurt. I could barely concentrate on Monday and when 2:00 arrived, I thought I might throw up. Everyone gather in the eurythmy room. We played some games, learned some dance steps and warmed up as a group. The whole time I could see the directors taking notes on each of us. We all waited in an empty classroom for our turn to audition. While I sat there, playing hang man and going over the words of the song in my head, I found myself strangely calm. When I was called in my nerves woke up once more. I sang my song, which sounded, interesting. Then they had me improv a short skit in which I was baby-sitting some messy kids. That I could do easily. All in all, it didn't go as well as I wanted, but not awfully bad either. 

Yesterday, Friday the 19th, the parts we put up after school. When the bus got back from golf, I ran as fast as I could to the board to see what part I had been given. When I auditioned, I told Mark and Corby (the directors) that I wanted to play the field Marshall. I thought that this was the British character that sung my favorite song. No way! I got field Marshall! My congratulated me but then said "Eve, I don't think field Marshall is the part you thought it was." It turns out that the British singing guy is actually a different character. I told them I wanted a character that I actually didn't. I messed up big time. At first I was really upset with my part for I heard he only had one tiny scene. Now I think I've embraced my mix up. I'm planing on making the best I can out of this situation. I'm going to make this character something really special. 

My and Ventana both got great parts and I'm really happy for them. I'm sure that no matter what this is going to be an amazing experience, and I'm really excited for Monday, our first rehearsal!

School For Scandal

On Friday, Ventana and I went to see our third play at Theatricum. The play was called "School for Scandal" and although it wasn't a Shakespeare play, I was excited to see it. As you may know, Ventana and I perform as fairies in the professional Midsummer's Nights Dream. Whenever we're backstage I always see the costumes from School for Scandal, and they inspired me to see it.

The play is set in the 1777 and tells a story of life in those times. It is full of gossip, plots, scandal, and extravagant clothes. Overall, it was one of the best plays I've seen there. Although I didn't understand everything, it was funny and wonderful to watch. The

 costumes were great; colorful and huge. They all had big colored wigs which I loved to look at. The acting was also really good! My teacher Willow (left), who I've had since I was little, was absolutely amazing! She was so funny and cute and didn't feel like herself. Another great performance was given by Mark Lewis (left). He directed my play 

at school last year and I've known him some time before that. It was so much fun to see all my directors and teachers acting on stage. They are all so good!

Anyways, it was an extremely fun play to see! I loved it so much! If you're only going to see one play at Theatricum, I'd say this is the one to see (or Midsummer's Nights Dream, but they do it every summer, so no need to rush to see it). I had an extremely good time and I wouldn't mind seeing it again!

Pictures are thanks to Theatricum.com.

Pictures: Loves Labors Lost

I just started receiving pictures from my play this summer, Loves Labors Lost. I will be posting them as I get them.
The Shakespearian story deals with four young men, three of which; Berowne, Dumaine and Longaville, have sworn to study with King Ferdinand and not see women for three years time. The Princess of France and her ladies; Rosaline, Maria and Katherine, have come to visit the King. Thus, the King must adjust his sworn vow. Soon, the four ladies have fallen for the men, and the lords have fallen for the ladies. In another part of the city, a country maid, Jaquenetta, is being fought over by two men; Don Adrinano; a spaniard, and Costard; a clown. Berowne gives Costard a letter to be sent to lady Rosaline, and Don Adrinano gives him a letter for Jaquenetta. The letters are switched by accident; Rosaline gets Jaquenetta's letter. Jaquenetta takes Rosalines letter to the king because it was from Berowne. Meanwhile, Berowne catches the other lords reading letters that they were going to send the ladies. While he is accusing them, Jaquenetta walks in with proof that he has also broken his vow. The four men decide to go after the ladies. While this is going on, Don Adrinano is asked to put on a play for the king. He asks Holofernes, a scholar, and Sir Nathaniel to help him, both agree.
The Princess of France finds out from her servant, Boyet, that the king and his men are coming to see them dressed as Russians. In true Shakespearian fashion, the princess decides to play with them by switching masks with Rosaline so the men will be with the wrong women. The other ladies do the same; Maria switches with Kathrine. When the men arrive they dance with the ladies and leave. The ladies quickly change masks when the men re-appear in their own shapes. The ladies tell them about the silly Russians who were just with them and the men give up, they confess to the prank. The ladies likewise confess to switching identities. Don Adrinanos play is put on and half way through it a fight breaks out between himself and Costard concerning Jaquenetta. The fight is cut short, how ever, with the sad news of the princess' fathers death. The ladies tell the men that they will reunite with them in a years time, causing the end of the play. In my opinion, it is a strange ending. It is said that the second part of the play was destroyed in the Globe fire in London.
Before the presentation of the play Ventana and I did a fencing demo which is illustrated with photos to your right.
Ventana played Jaquenetta, my friend Jasmine the Princess, Taylor was Rosaline, Ivy Sir Nathaniel, and I was the King.

Loves Labors Lost

This summer I attended the youth drama program at Theatricum Botanicum. It was my 6th year there and I was in the oldest group, we did the play Loves Labors Lost. Every year I did the camp with one of my best friends Ventana, and for the last 5 years my friend Taylor. The first day of camp is always hectic, running around, not know if you'll be with your friends or what group you'll be in. I had heard from a friend before camp that we would be doing the play Much Ado About Nothing, but alas, she was mistaken. Even though I did not want to do the play Loves Labors Lost I was put in the group with all my friends, so it wasn't too bad. On the first day of camp our director, Mike told us that he would be gone for the rest of the week, so of course there was be a substitute director who would cast the play. That first week, my friends Jasmine, Ivy (left), Shanon, Ventana, Taylor and I eagerly awaited the next week when we would have our parts.
After the longest weekend in history, the day came. After a painfully slow Fencing class I was cast as the one part I did not want; King Ferdinand #2 (the part was split in half), I also had the part of Forester. Ivy and Ventana also did not receive the part they had wished for, Ivy was giving Sir Nathaniel; a priest. Ventana was given the part of Jaquenetta; a country wench, which in my mind was a great part. After a week of unhappiness we gave in to the part, and I began to like my part after all. After the learning of lines was finished, the fun began. I found out that I had to do a "bad" Russian accent. This was a challenge, something really hard. Even up to the last minute I was still practicing it.
Week 3 was uneventful, we rehearsed, and rehearsed, and rehearsed some more. The first day of week 4 we found out that Eliav, who played the clown, had been in a skateboard accident and broke his nose, hand, and 3 teeth. What would we do? Mike offered the part of the understudy to Ivy. Ivy took the roll happy to not be Sir Nathaniel anymore, only to find that Eliav would be back for the show. The last week of camp came and went, and finally the sad and happy day came; our performance. The play went very well, though the audience I don't think got some of the jokes. I was VERY sad that it was over, but happy too that all the work paid off. This year was good, and the play was one of the best, I think we could have done better though. Saying goodbye to everyone was sad, but I'm sure I'll see them all soon.

Theatricum Botanicum